My day flew by just trying to make headway on the book of shadows Gran had given me. I know she says it has a story to tell me but finding out who it belonged to would make the story easier to navigate. But that's what I've always loved about her, she always encouraged us to discover things on our own. Not that she didn't like to lead when she could or maybe just when it suited her.

Even without knowing who the book belonged to I had learned that it was someone who had a lot to teach and it seemed like someone worth knowing. I doubted however that it was someone still alive to teach me, otherwise I doubt the gift of the book would be such a mystery.

Along with the story the book was attempting to tell I found quite a few new twist I was eager to try adding to my own repertoire. The writer must have been a nature witch of some sort as opposed to the elemental teachings Ses and I followed. Which of course is just a choice of where one's strengths lay.

After a long day of reading and a late supper it was time to head over to see Leon. I wanted to be there by nine this evening so I could get in to talk with him before he got a chance to leave for the night. Generally I would have made an appointment before seeing him but being as I was there to find out why he wasn't postponing any transitions until we could stop whatever or whoever was killing his newlings I felt catching him off guard was my best option.

I parked in the middle of the empty museum parking lot so that I wasn't hard to see walking to the door that lead under the old capital building . I wanted to surprise Leon not the guard at the door that could be a bad idea if the guard didn't know me.

As It happened I didn't recognize the guard at the door. He was a scrawny little man who didn't really fit with Leon's normal guard type. Nearly all his men were shifters and looked like they doubled as brawlers during their off hours. This guy was well average. Maybe five foot five inches no real muscle to be seen. Reddish orange hair and he was wearing a cheap suit and tie. If Leon was going a new direction with this guy it wasn't one that would keep people away. Heck I bet I could take this guy in a one on one fight without my magic. As I got closer he tracked my movement with his dark beady eyed stare. I said hello as I reach close enough for him to hear me even if he wasn't a shifter. He did not reply he just followed my progress with those cold eyes. As I came to a stop in front of him he did not say anything just looked at me . If he was trying the strong silent type he was missing part of the equation.

"I'm Analese . I'm here to see Leon."

He looked me up and down then stated, "You're not on the list."

I cracked a half smile and said, "I didn't realize Leon's club had become so exclusive or I'd have made a reservation."

He just continued to glare at me. Ok so this visit was starting off great. Not! "Listen new guy, Leon will want to see me just check with him . I'll wait."

"No need if you're not on the list you don't get in."

"Now listen here! I know you have a job to do and you don't know me but I can assure you that I have business with Leon he will want to see me. Now if you could just let me in or I can wait while you get someone who has a clue ."

" Look lady I don't want to have to remove you but I will. If you want to schedule an appointment then next time I will gladly let you in."

By this point I'm getting more than a little pissed off. "Great call them. Most of Leon's guys know me they will vouch and we can get past this."

"I won't be helping for Leon's guys to vouch for you because he isn't who gives my orders . Now for the last time you need to be on your way!"

The shock on my face must've been apparent because his smile was quite smug.I reluctantly turned away to walk to my car when I noticed that there was someone standing by my drivers side door. From this distance I couldn't be sure who it was and wasn't giving anyone the chance to get a jump on me so I prepped a knockback spell just to be safe.

As I neared the car I could finally make out who was waiting for me and since I knew he wasn't a threat I absorbed the power coursing through my palm. Of course the look on Tony's stoic face had me second guess whether that was the wisest idea. I was not greeted with the easy smile that tony was so well known for. In fact he looked down right pissed off. Not a look I could ever pair with the cuddly friend I've known since primary school. Obviously there was something fishy up for Tony to look like he would like to rip someone's head off and with the information I just got hit with from the dweeb at the door . Something told me I wasn't going to like whatever it was .

When I reached where Tony stood instead of the normal banter I'd come to expect all he said was "Let's go for a ride." Then rounded the front of my car and waited for me to hit the unlock button so he could climb in my passenger seat. As I started the car and fastened my seatbelt I look at Tony for direction.

"Let's find somewhere quiet for a bite to eat and a drink."

I left the parking lot heading to a quiet bar on the north side that served appetizers every night. The trip was quiet with neither of us doing more than making small talk.

Tony was quiet til after we were seated , had placed our order, and had our drinks in hand. Finally he broke the silence stating " So did you like the new door guy?"

To say that was the last thing I thought I'd hear was an understatement. Before I could think about it I laughed, long and loud which made him smile, showing a glimpse of the normal guy I was used to. "Not even a little", I was finally able to respond.

My outburst seemed to be what he was looking for. "Yeah I knew it wouldn't go well when I seen you pull in. But I figured I'd let you have a go at him. Truthfully I was hoping he would rial you enough that you might just blast his ass" he confessed.

I giggled and told him "Well in truth I wanted to the way he was giving me the damn run around. But when he told me Leon wasn't the one giving orders anymore I was so shocked I wasn't sure what to do. However if it makes you feel better when I turned and seen a large man standing by my car I almost blasted you" I teased.

"Well great and here I was hoping that little prick would be the focus of your wrath and it was nearly sweet little me."

"Ok poor you. Now that that's taken care of . What the hell is going on? You're not at your post, the dweeb is and Leon's no longer in charge. Nothing about this makes any sense."

"Truthfully I don't know the whole story."

"Then give me the part you do know," I demanded.

"Don't get your knickers in a twist that's what I was planning. So this afternoon when I arrived there was another runt like the one you dealt with on the door instead of Cooper. He gave me a run around making me show my ID and everything before I could even sign in for my shift. As if that wasn't a big enough hassle when I got to Leon's office for check in and assignment some other guy was not only in his office but at his desk."

When I started to ask a question he continued " Calm down I'll get there girl." Which earned him a one finger salute. Laughing he continued, " The new guy is Pierce. He's from England I think. The queen there's second from what I've heard. He has been here for nearly two months. We were all told he was here to train with Leon because her highness was planning to give him an area in her district to govern. Guess now we know that was a lie. Anyway tonight he tells me He's the new top dog and he only puts his men on the door so he keeps things under control. When I told him I was the night guard and had been since Leon became King of Illinios, I was informed that Leon had stepped down and if I wished to continue my employment with the England Vampire high Council I would have to accept reassignment."

When he didn't continue I asked "And what did you get reassigned as? Or do I even want to know?"

"Bleeder. That is the only job offered to every shifter on Leon's payroll." he stated through clenched teeth.

I'm sure my mouth was hanging open at that revelation. Shifters would never be food for a vampire. Heck before a hundred years ago they were enemies. In some areas they still were. Now that I was thinking I wasn't sure if England was one of those areas but if I had to guess based just on the information Tony had just given me I was thinking it was a sure bet it was." Oh my goddess, I'm so sorry. What are you going to do for work now" I asked?

"I'm not" he stated. "I'm set on cash for a while, In fact that's why we are here. We want to hire you."

"Just who is we and what are you hiring me for? I can't imagine you have much use for my spells or potions."

"Well no. Or not just your powers anyway," he stated cryptically.

I just continued to wait for him to explain. Finally he continued. "We would be myself and a few of the other shifters and weres that are loyal to Leon and the way he does things, and we want you and Seslie to investigate and find out what's going on with the hearts going missing from the recent newlying's before they can rise. As well as helping us get Leon back in control of Illinios."

"Well first I had no clue you knew about the hearts and the failed transitions Leon had us looking into. If you knew why were you so free and loss with the information you gave to Seslie?"

"Because I knew something was going on after Leon had you girls over the other night and it was only logical to think he'd asked you to look into the deaths . Plus after you left he placed all transitions on hold but then we were sent out to clean up Three more incidents like the others previous ones. Leon was pissed and him and Pierce have spent hours behind closed doors. At the least we all knew something was up. Now Leon is gone and Pierce is in charge of things for the England Vampire Council. Last I knew Illinios wasn't part of England" he finished.

I spent a few minutes thinking about what I wanted to say as the waitress delivered our food and got us new drinks. After she left I finally replied " Ok that was a lot to take in," I breathed. "You do remember that Ses and I aren't really detectives or anything like that? The so called work we have done to this point has just been to supernaturals from being exposed. More of a service to keep us all safe."

"We are all aware of that , however you do have a proven history of figuring things out and setting them straight. That's all we are asking."

"Okaaayy. I guess if you put it that way. I will have to talk with Ses to see what she thinks. I do have to say I'd enjoy knocking that new dweeb at your post down a few pegs. You do know with all the shifters out of the vampire catacombs it won't be easy."

"We aren't all out. Just most of use."

To say that surprised me was an understatement. If the shifters could do that I truly couldn't see how Ses and I could decline to help but I still owed her the option to decide for herself whether she wanted to take the risk. If we didn't succeed in getting Leon back in command pissing off the new head vamp wasn't going to make our lives easy in the near future.

We finished our food and drinks then I dropped Tony at his apartment. Looking at the clock told me it was too late to drop by Seslie's and give her an update on all the new information I'd learned without making it a late night for both of us, and Monday mornings always seemed to come too early lately.