Song - Only happy when it rains, Garbage

Roman returned to the lounge, sitting on the table. His phone was tossed to his side as he leaned forward, sighing heavily.

"So, apparently, they've been digging while everyone was distracted. They're pleased with the efforts, but the scouts that observe the building have reported that there has been an increase in managerial activity."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Otis and Barney have returned to the building."

"Who is Barney?"

"The other half of Wyatt and Jordan. So, quick question. How much do you know about Jack?"

I shrugged.

"Just that he was one of Noah's co-workers. Noah was talking more about him in recent weeks, but nothing interesting."

"Well, Jack, as in Jack Wyatt, is Barney's son. They've found his body and Steve's."

Oh. I guess knowing more about Jack might have been beneficial for some, but not me. He was always going to die, regardless of who he or his father were.

"The underground are monitoring all chatter to see what's happening, but they're worried that the management will order a full search of the building. From what they've gathered so far, they think that this was just an opportunistic vampire attack on two hunters. Noah has issued an email with a sketch of an unknown woman he saw on the floor, adding that she fled with an accomplice on a motorcycle."

"So, what now?"

Roman leaned forward, looking at me with a smile that indicated he wasn't as angry as I thought he should be.

"Well, movements are being restricted for all vampires. They're at maintenance feeding only. No running around for fun or unnecessary trips until the heat dies down."

"And us?"

"You're to call in sick, and we are not to leave the building. We're restricted to bags, and the underground will have supplies shipped to us."

"Are they angry?" I asked, worried that they might not be pleased with me.

Roman grinned, shaking his head.

"Not when you took down two hunters. Newborns are usually weaker, and for that reason, we tend to keep them close and in situations that are safe. Once they clock about a year of being a vampire, they're usually strong enough to go out on their own. But not you. I know I can let you walk into a building alone and that nothing will happen. At least nothing too bad. I can't say, as tonight has been the greatest in terms of your health. I also know that despite the underground demanding we stay within these walls, you're going to ignore that because there is one left on that kill list. Which I told them that."

Picking up his laptop, Roman moved to the lounge next to us.

"I said that you weren't going to sit around and let Noah get away with what he did. They have to accept that this is a part of your healing process. They're not impressed but believe that one less hunter in this world is always a good thing. All they've asked is that you don't leave any evidence that indicates that we exist. Vampire or the underground movement. At the moment, we are hidden from the hunters, and they'd like it to remain that way. The more they can remain unseen, the more they can help vulnerable vampires."

"Okay. So long as they understand that Noah's death will happen."

Sliding out of Jasper's arms, I stood.

"Tired. Going to lie down. How long are we trapped here, and how long will it take for us to kill each other?"

"Probably a week, and I'd hope that in that time, we'd go in the opposite direction than wanting to kill."

I grinned as I walked up the stairs, tying the knot of my dressing gown. As much as I was tired, I knew I'd only lay on the bed. The lights over the living area were a little harsh, and I needed the sanctuary of the mezzanine level to tone down my world.

Entering the dressing room, I opened the drawer and saw the cash I'd stolen from Noah. Our passports sat on top, reminding me of the wonderful honeymoon. I'm sure it was just another city for Noah to bang a guild girl in.

As I pulled them out to stuff under the clothes, I saw the other books I'd taken. They were small and tossed in with the cash and the passports, ignored because I was, well, let's be honest here. I was distracted by two gorgeous guys and didn't want to dwell in the past. I wanted the bag to be used when I was on the back of the bike, so everything was stuffed and forgotten.

There were three in total. The first was an address book that was full of people's details. When I turned to W, I found the address for Jack Wyatt and, above it, his father Barney.

"It's the addresses for all of them," I murmured.

Picking up the next book, I opened it and read the title. The Hunters Manifesto. Flicking through it was too much for me. Not just because of the graphic images of how best to kill a vampire but because it was a small print on thin pages.

The final book was a log book. Recognising Noah's handwriting, I looked at the dates and wondered.

Collecting the other books, I returned to the lounge room and handed them to Roman.

"What's this?"

"They were in the safe at my former home."

Roman looked at me with a dubious smile, probably wondering why I was happy.

"Holy crap. She's,"

He looked at Jasper, who was now sitting up, his book tossed aside. Leaning in, he frowned at first, and then wonder filled his face. His gaze lifted to mine.

"The Hunters Manifesto? Are you serious? He had this in the safe, in his house with a civilian wife?"

"Well, yeah, but it was in the safe."

Jasper gave me a derisive look as he gestured to it.

"Yeah, okay, so the dumbass only ever uses one code."

"Oh, this is too good. We have his logbook. You know what that means, right?"

"Duh, no. Captain Clueless here." I said, gesturing to myself.

"It means that he's lost all his training hours. If he cannot produce his logbook, he is back at the beginning of his training. See here, right at the front of the book. Do not lose. Without this book, you will be deemed to be untrained."

Roman chuckled as he picked up his phone. It sounded a little maniacal. He began walking down the open corridor towards the gym, talking to someone.

"So, they don't record training hours anywhere else?"

Jasper shook his head.

"Wanna rip it to shreds?"

"Yes, but no. I think that there's something far better."

Picking it up, I walked to the kitchen and searched the drawers. Finding a lighter, I gestured for Jas to join me at the sink. He sat on a stool on the other side of the counter, grinning at me.

"Question time. Can you send a video to Noah and not connect it to us or this place?"

"I think I can swing something for you."

"Good. Keep my face out of it."

Jasper began recording as I opened the book and showed the image of Noah with his details beneath it. There was nothing about his logged hours on this page, so I wasn't giving him anything to work with.

Flicking the wheel, I watched the flame grow. Holding it under a corner, the book began to burn.

Roman slid in behind me, smoothing his hand across the satin, kissing under my ear as the flames grew. The heat grew too intense, so I threw it into the sink. Jasper grinned as he continued to record the almost fully engulfed book.

Leaning back against his chest, I pulled Roman's arms around me. Engulfed by him, watching as Noah's world turned to ash. To me, it seemed like a perfect view of his future.

When it was nothing more than a charred mess, Jas stopped recording.

"You know that once he sees this video, he'll check the safe and realise that the other books are missing too."

Jas looked up at Roman.

"Maybe you should notify your contact and let them know what Dani wants to do. Give them time to do whatever they want with the information."

Feeling his firm grip leave my body, I turned and watched Roman pull his phone out of his pocket, walking to the corridor where he seemed to pace whenever he talked to his contact in the underground.

"What exactly will they do with the information?"

Jasper shrugged. "Probably scope out some of the addresses, find some of the hidden players."

"And the manifesto?"

"Is great but more about understanding how the hatred is conditioned into them. Know your enemy, right?"

"Yeah, I guess."

With a giggle that sounded like Jasper was up to no good, he turned the phone around and showed me the email account he was creating. The address was noah-isa-wifekilr. I didn't think it would be acceptable, but Jas had opened the account.

Roman returned, sliding in behind me. His arms were wrapped around my waist again, keeping me tight to his body.

"They stated that the manifesto will have no bearing over the future, and they've already got some scouts checking the places we were unaware of. It has been requested that we give them until this time tomorrow. Then, we are free to do what we want."

It was easily done. I could wait twenty-four hours, not a problem.