1 Prologue

"Are you sure this is the right girl?" Jason queried of the pictures that were given him by this latest bounty hunter. He thoughtfully scanned each photo as if he disbelieved the findings. It was a face he'd never forget, the one he'd been hoping wouldn't be found.

"Yes sir. I've no doubt she's the one based on the information you've given me."

The man leaned against the back of booth's seat. Though he spoke with confidence, his twitching eyebrow and fidgety fingers said he was beyond nervous. Jason had this effect on humans. Part of him enjoyed watching them squirm in his presence but not this time. This time, he was focused on the chocolate brown face of a woman with blood red hair. He had paid a hefty ransom to find this girl; a cool million that waited for the bounty hunter in the briefcase that sat on the floor next him.

"She wasn't easy to find either." He blathered on. "Two years of tracing records and talking to people yielded nothing beyond the church fire in Tacoma. No one had, that is, if they were willing to admit, knew of the girl who could see with her hands. Freaks like that usually got talked about quite frequently."

Jason bristled at the word 'freak'. This woman was no freak, she was a gift. "Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I meant... Just to say. Ahem. Anyway, I overheard a conversation about an arrogant female whom they liked to call The Vampire, that could bring a person to ruin or justice simply by touching them and I figured I had found her. I made a few confirmation phone calls to my contact within the police department and took some photos of the girl in question before contacting you."

"And what of her husband? Have you been able to locate him?"

"No, sir. All records say he died in a fire seven years ago."

It was true. At least as true as Jason had made it appear. "Very well, then. Thank you for your diligence and persistence." Greed was an exceptional motivator; one that served its purpose quite well among he and his colleagues. Money itself meant nothing to him, but it seemed to have a great deal of effect on humans. He had seen countries rise and fall within the shackles of monetary gain. This country would be no different in the long run. Men like the hunter who sat before him, eyes bulging in anticipation at his reward, proved that theory well enough. No matter. The man had done his job. He scanned through the photos one last time. He was pleased to see she had her mother's eyes. He stuffed the photos into the inside pocket of his suit jacket and stood, leaving the briefcase on the floor. He didn't bother looking at the man again as he left. "Our business is concluded." His voice was forced, not fluid. His emotions threatened to stymie his cool composure, though he was sure the hunter wouldn't notice as his full attention was only on the money.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." He picked up the briefcase, leaving a fifty on the table to cover the tab.

Outside, Jason entered the rear of the white limousine that was parked in front of the restaurant with his friend Nickolas inside waiting for him. He handed the pictures to the tall, slender man with a distinctly darker complexion this his own. The two had been friends a long time. Longer than most people live. Behind the safety of the black glass, he allowed a single tear to trace its path down his gaunt cheek.

The darker man examined the pictures emotionless. "Are you certain this is Twila?"

"Yes. No doubt about it. It's her." He stiffened his shoulders to reign in his emotions. "She goes by the name Rose now."

"I see. Where is she?"

"Tacoma."

"So, she'll be found in our own back yard." He stroked the smooth skin of his chin.

"So, it would seem."

"Convenient." He almost smiled. "And the boy?"

"Presumed dead. As expected, though he works in the same precinct the hunter found her in.".

"Good." He pulled out his phone and pressed the name of his contact. His call was answered on the first ring. "It's time, Tommy. Move in." The caller covered a few issues before agreeing to a time frame. "That'll be fine. You know what to do." He ended the call.

"Are you sure she won't run?"

"It's a risk we have to take."

"And what of the boy? You know his memories have been erased."

"Minor detail only. You know we need them both. They're stronger together."

"Yes, Nickolas. I know. We'll get them." His confidence was forced. He knew the power of the one who had wiped the boy's mind clean of his memories and doubted if what had been done could be undone.

"Let us hope so, Jason. And may we do so before Adrian does."