Xavier struggled against the restraints that held him to the vertical table, but there was no give in the thick leather.

'Come out!' he yelled.

But no one answered.

He glared at the blinking camera in the corner that was recording everything that he did. How that little blinking red light set his nerves on edge.

The room reminded him of an old-fashioned hospital. White tiles lined the floor and all the walls. Strip lighting bathed the room in white light so that everything appeared to glow. The smell of bleach burnt the inside of his nose, and was worrying at best.

The door opened and he tensed as Dylan stepped through. Her combat boots rubbed against the tiles, making them squeak, and her face was impassive as she watched her restrained former friend.

'Where's Ray?' Xavier demanded.

'Don't worry, your little pet is safe.' She smirked.

'I want to see her.'

'That's not really up to you.'

Silence fell between them as they assessed each other.

'Even after everything you're still working for the Bureau?'

'I've been offered a more lucrative deal,' she said vaguely.

Xavier's eyes narrowed. 'You're working for the vampires.'

'She's working with us, Mr Kowalski.'

Xavier frowned as a tall, impeccably dressed vampire strolled into the room. There was something about his face that seemed familiar, though he'd never seen the vampire before.

The vampire smiled at him. 'I believe you know my brother? The Bureau Director?'

'What?' Xavier asked slowly.

'We've had control of the Bureau for quite some time and they've performed their role admirably.'

'And who the Hell are you?'

'Such an attitude, Xavier. Such fire. I've heard you are a formidable agent. But stories pale in comparison to the real thing.'

'In case you missed it, I'm no longer an agent.'

But Brogue scoffed. 'Once an agent, always an agent. Your skills don't just disappear when you decide to leave.'

'Decide to leave?' Xavier repeated. 'I didn't fucking resign.'

In an instant, Brogue stood in front of him, his hand pinning Xavier's head against the gurney. 'No, you took a very valuable asset and tried to keep her all to yourself, just like that fool, Le Bou.'

Brogue slowly released his grip, and a smile replaced his glare.

'But that has all been rectified now.'

'Then why aren't I dead?' Xavier asked.

'Because of your skills, Xavier. You gave the Bureau the run around, not to mention evaded my scouts...well...all but one loyal servant.'

'June,' guessed Xavier.

'Now don't blame her. Her loyalty was to her Sire in order to protect her mate.'

'And you would be the bastard that bit her,' growled Xavier.

'I would be the bastard that fulfilled every dream she ever wanted. Strength. Eternal life. Family. Everything that she asked me for.'

Xavier worked hard not to let the surprise show on his face. 'She wanted to be turned?'

Brogue straightened with an unreadable expression.

'Dylan, could you check on Ray's progress for me? I think I need some time alone with your ex partner.'

'Understood, Sir.'

'Yes, better get to it, wouldn't want to disagree with your vampire overlords,' said Xavier.

Dylan threw him a nasty look and stomped through the door.

'All this animosity is just not good for the soul,' Brogue said wistfully.

'I wasn't aware your kind had one.'

'You wound me,' Brogue teased.

'I highly doubt that.'

Brogue chuckled and relaxed his pose. 'Despite everything you've done, I like you, Xavier. There's fight and spirit in you, even when the odds are against you. A man like that would be very welcome at my side.'

'Is this a job offer?'

'In a way. You've formed a close attachment with the girl,' remarked Brogue. 'You care for each other. Just as your first question to Agent Denvers was to ask about her condition, so was Ray's to ask about you.'

'Your point?'

'You would continue to protect her. That's the job I want you to do.'

'So Greyson Amos wants her protected? Why? He's been chasing since she was a child.'

'You ex partner did her homework,' Brogue commended.

'Answer my question.'

Brogue went to the blood bag hung up by Xavier's side and ran his hand down the bag.

'How does my blood feel, ex-agent?'

'Your blood?' This time Xavier couldn't help but keep the disgust and surprise off his face.

'Vampire blood is extremely beneficial to humans. Helps speed up the healing process. How is that bullet wound?'

It wasn't until the vampire had mentioned it that Xavier thought about his wound. It hadn't plagued him the entire time he'd been awake.

Brogue lifted his t-shirt aside so that Xavier could see the neat pink scar where a jagged hole had once been.

'All healed,' he announced, allowing the t-shirt to fall back in place. 'I couldn't have talked to you, if you'd died of your wounds, now could I?'

'You can tell your Master to stick his job up his cold dead arse.'

Brogue laughed long and hard. 'Now, Xavier, I have to set you straight on one little detail.'

'And what would that be?'

'My name is Brogue and Grayson Amos doesn't exist.'

Xavier watched the vampire's face waiting for the punchline, but the smug bastard just stood there smirking to himself.

'Mari said-'

'Le Bou found the trail that I left for people to find,' Brogue said simply. 'I've learned that things become easier if there is a target on the person above you rather than those that do their bidding. A little magician's trick. Whilst they're watching for Grayson Amos, no one is watching for me because I'm just another lackey.'

'You're Grayson Amos?'

'In a sense. Though only a handful of people know that truth.'

'And why do I get to be a part of the inner circle?'

Brogue rubbed his hands together. 'Because you're so useful, Xavier. What better bodyguard could I give Ray than the person who defied the Bureau for her safety?'

'You still haven't explained why you haven't killed her,' Xavier said through gritted teeth.

'It really is so simple. Her blood, Xavier. Her blood is the key to the next evolutionary step for my kind.' There was a manic twinkle in his eyes as he spoke. 'Do you know where the Bitten vampires come from?'

'Should I?'

Brogue continued as though Xavier had never spoken. 'Who knows how long the First-Borns have been here. Perhaps they evolved from humans. Maybe they were never human. Either way, it was when they decided that they needed slaves that my kind, the Bitten, even became a possibility. They discovered through their venom they could create other creatures. When these creatures created more, their abilities became more limited.'

'You could no longer walk in the sun?'

'We lost more and more of ourselves,' agreed Brogue. 'All whilst the First-Borns remained unaffected, all of their gifts passed perfectly onto their offspring through a natural process, whilst we couldn't conceive any children of our own.'

'You blame them for what you are?'

This made Brogue stop and tilt his head. 'For a long time, I did. Until I realised that everything inside them was the key to gaining back what we once were.'

'But something went wrong on the night of the Awakening,' stated Xavier.

Brogue clenched his fists. 'We didn't realise that whatever was in their blood would fade away with their life. If their corpses could have laughed that day, they would have. Everything would have been wasted if one First-Born hadn't survived.'

'Ray.'

'Ray. The heir to the most powerful First-Born family that my kind has ever known. And now the person who is key to the next stage. So you see why I would want her protected above all costs.'

'Just so you can use her?' Xavier pulled against the restraints.

'Everyone serves a purpose,' dismissed Brogue.

'And once you have what you want?'

'Then she lives the rest of her life in comfort, her every need catered to.'

'A glorified cage should you ever need her blood'

Brogue scowled. 'Think what you like, but she will live.'

'And what happens when she dies?'

'Then her descendants will take her place. Even if she/and they are forced to continue their line. It is time that the First-Borns serve us for a change.'

'You're sick,' Xavier spat.

But Brogue didn't even flinch. 'I can see that you need more time to think about my offer. And I have time to wait. Until Ray's blood is synthesised, my plans will have to remain on hold.'

'What plans?' Xavier shouted, but Brogue was already walking away.

'It was good to talk to you, Xavier. I'm sure we'll talk again.'