The suns retreat gave way for the night to start, killing the natural light and allowing the street lamps to buzz into being.

Baron's hotel was quiet, all the rooms had been booked, but it was that weird time in the hotel business where everyone was either out, or getting ready to go out, so the lobby was baron.

Myles walked down the thin corridor leading to Baron's room, he had to wait for five minutes before he could use the elevator on his own, the mirrored walls of the cage wouldn't be the nicest thing to share. There was an unease in the air, Myles couldn't place it. It was familiar yet different. Baron must have been beside the door when Myles knocked, as it was opened quickly. Myles took a few seconds to look over the room, looking out the window he could sense that the Warlord was close. Baron excused himself and went into the bathroom. Myles sat on the bed and fiddled around it the open laptop. A moment later Baron came out, he'd splashed water on his face and for the first time, Myles saw the look of fear on his face.

"Either you've realised how dangerous this situation is, or you've eaten something that doesn't agree with you. Which one is it?" Myles knew panic, but he wanted to get information. He'd found, many years ago, that placing some humour into the question, more times than not, would get the truth. Baron sat on the other side of the bed. His back turned to Myles, lowered head, Myles knew that this was not going to be good news.

"I found Jessica's resting place, there was a hunter there called Milo. He wants to meet us, at Stephen's Green, in two hours. From what he told me, and from what you told me, there seems to be some confusion."

Myles sighed, he knew that this was going to get more complicated. "This Dawn Boat ritual, they seem to know little about it." Myles stood and walked to the window, the knowledge that there was a Warlord was unsettling to him. But the main priority for Myles now was keeping his thoughts off his own suicide. If Jessica wanted to live, then Myles was going to do everything that he could to make sure that she did. In Myles, the living and the dead, had a right to chose if it's existence was to continue, and he would help in any way that he could.

The life he had made for himself was pretty sweet, no hassles, and helping, most mortals would give their right arms to have that life. Now things were changing, many problems were knocking on his door and seeking that helping nature. The two did not mix in his mind and in reality, they were going to have to get used to each other. This blind date would not end well, a child, an infant, and a politician could see this happen.

Baron was ready for the meeting, nervous as hell, but ready. Myles just knew that there was something in the air that he didn't like the smell of, and it wasn't coming from the blast furnace two miles away.

The drive was silent, except for the purr of the cars engine. Myles thought of his departure from the race, and how he'd like it to be on his terms and not at someone else behest. Baron just loved the night, stayed silent, took the laptop from the back seat and started to type something. He was writing on the cheap word processing package that came with it. Just something to pass the time and to ease his mind. The city was quiet, for this time of the night there should at least be a quarter of a million people roaming the streets. But people where few and far between. Something was going to happen tonight.

Myles dropped Baron off at the top of Grafton Street while he looked for somewhere to park the car.

Baron took in the sounds of the street, the many buskers that came out of the shadows the minute that the stores closed. In daylight, opening hours, the stores would have the untalented musicians moved on, and the ones that drew crowds left to their music. Hoping that some of the crowd that listened would pop into their stores and purchase nice things, or even bad things with nice names.

At this time, the tourists would normally crawl up the street and listen to about twenty acts, all hoping to get that little bit of spare change that was going begging. Tonight there was about five acts, none of the decent ones, just the desperate. Those that wanted to compliment their Welfare payments with a few hours on the street. Still Baron found them to be entertaining and used them to the best possible escapist purpose. He was drawn in to an electric guitar, playing the theme music to Castlevainia, a game that he held in high regard, so he didn't, and nor would he, hear Myles coming up from behind and only knew that he was there when he placed an hand on his shoulder.

"It's time." Myles was almost sad that he had to take the young man away from his border from the real.

That night, along with the crowds, for once the clouds stayed away, but still most of the stars were not visible, the glare of the street lamps blocked their view. It was the first time that Baron had seen stars in another country and the first time that he realised the gravity of the situation.

Stephen's Green was only a two minute walk, and Myles knew that the gates would be closing for the night, to prevent Junkies from coming in to shoot up, and to stop hookers from selling themselves inside away from the mainstream public. All this bad was still able to find its way into the park, Myles knew where the missing bar was, and so did most anyone that wanted to get into the closed green. Inside the overgrown unattended shrubs and trees that surrounded the walkways gave the situation an unneeded boost in chill factor. Baron stayed a couple of steps back from Myles, though he didn't know why, if he was going to be picked off, behind Myles would be the best place for this to occur.

The large concrete fountain in the centre of the green served as a meeting place for tourist during the day, it's bulk makes it easy to find, and it's ugly plainness made sure that no one stayed around it for longer than they had to. The actual fountain had not been switched on for a couple of years and the water never removed, if a sample of the water was taken the amount of drug dumped in would make it the most popular hit to be introduced into Irelands drug community.

The air around the concrete was still, the wind was starting to pick up, trees blowing, the long grass moving with sway. But still the air held its own surrounding the fountain. Myles and Baron, sat on the edge of the fountain. Baron would look into the stagnant water, black, leaves floating on its surface. The darkness of the water, the moonlight night and the feeling of unease, this was the one time that Baron wanted to be on a sunny beach.

Myles sniffed at the air, the way that a dog would do when an interesting odour was in the air. Then he lowers his head and hits Baron softly to pay attention. You didn't need to be a Vampire to sense unease in the air. Ripples in the water began. Those little hairs on the back of Barons neck began to rise up, standing to attention. In the distance two figures were walking with confidence towards Baron and Myles. Baron had to squint to see them clearer but with his enhanced vision Myles recognised Jessica, and there was something familiar about her companion.

When they stood toe to toe, Myles smiled. "You're one of the London Harmen's?" Milo didn't react, he just nodded. The unease grew. Milo kept eye contact with Myles, and Myles obliged him by returning the glare. Baron looked at Jessica, trying to act calm, but his smile was met with a angry frown.

"The Council have asked me to find you. Why are they looking for you?" Myles was not going to let the pissing contest between Milo and himself take over the need for answers. He still kept the staring competition going though, he couldn't blink first.

"A vampire called Tobius changed me, back when my lair was still a prosperous porn theatre. If I can find him and kill him, I will be returned to humanity." Myles took his eyes from Milo as Jessica turned to him.

The reasons for his services being employed by the Council were clear now. It wasn't the Council, it was just Tobius. In order to have a seat on the Council the member cannot have changed anyone to a Vampire. The reason was clear. When a Vampire changes a Human to Vampire, as much as the newborn is on its own, the one who changes is still responsible to the newborn. Tobius must have thought that Jessica had died. And now must be scared that the Council will find out about her. It's not a case of just having to leave his seat on the Council, it will be a case of death.

"There is a Warlord on my back, you've to get as far away as possible. Now!"

Milo realises the sense of urgency in Myles's voice and takes Jessica by the arm. "I will contact you again, through your familiar." Milo's annoyance is clear. "I'm no familiar!" Annoyance all around as Baron chimes in.

But Milo and Jessica are unable to hear the objection, they move quickly back in the direction they came in. Myles and Baron take off in the opposite direction. Myles stops, Baron takes a few steps past him before realising that Myles is still.

"Baron! If anything happens to me, get to the car and you'll find instructions there, follow them to the letter, okay?" Baron was unsure what Myles was on about, or why he had a complete look of panic on his face. Myles threw the car keys to Baron, who caught them by instinct alone. Everything was a blur.

Three seconds and everything was clear.

The Warlord came out of nowhere and took Myles by the throat and continued running towards the direction that Jessica and Milo took to. Barons mouth just hit the floor, he couldn't believe that any creature could move that quick. The amount of strength that was shown, to carry off Myles, and to continue running was just amazing. Baron thought of following the Warlord, but remembered Myles's last words. He couldn't move as fast as the Warlord, but he ran his heart out getting back to the car.

Baron had failed his driving test four times before passing it. Even then he had suspected that the Examiner had just passed him to rid himself of the monthly terror. Not knowing where you are going in a city that you are unfamiliar with is like a preschool class after a finger painting session, messy. The key turned in the ignition and the engine hummed. Baron looked around and saw that the streets were dead. He was about to put his foot down and head back in the direction that he thought that the hotel was in when Milo appeared out of nowhere and slammed into the dashboard.

Without thinking Baron opened the passenger side of the car and Milo slid into the seat. It took a few moments for Milo to catch his breath, and noticed that there were two bloody gashes across his throat, the wounds looked as though they were a few hours old.

"What happened to you?"

Milo was silent. Baron didn't need to ask twice, or for an answer. His research into Vampirism showed that the changing wounds that were inflicted normally started to heal within minutes. The Warlord had obviously taken Jessica, and changed Milo into that which he hunted, that which he hated.

"You've got to help me!" There was no way that Baron wanted to get deeper involved, fantasising about the Vampire culture was one thing, but helping fight against a Council's is another. A layman, who has only brushed against the surface of the world, knew that a Council's headquarters would be the worst place you would want to go to, if you wanted to see another dawn. In two seconds Baron went from not wanting to help, packing up, going home, to the realisation that he had to help Myles. It was the best thing that he could do. That and the fact that Milo had just pulled a gun, and was pointing it into his ribs. Baron was a torn man. But not stupid.

After a brief debate on the best way to find the council, Milo took the wheel. Baron sat in his passenger side seat.

Along the way, Milo was silent. The sound of the engine powered his thoughts. He had made a promise to Jessica, and he never broke his word, it was a family trait. If Jessica were to be killed, it would be at the hands of Milo. Tobius had killed Milo's family, and ruined Jessica's life. Revenge was another trait shared by the family.

The thought that found consistency in Milo, while he drove to the Council's building, was how he first came to find Jessica.

It was London, five years past. Milo was a rookie hunter, his first month on the night streets and he had only bagged three Vampires. He shouldn't had been out there this early, his training was not complete. But for hundreds of years his family had fought the battle against the Vampires, their minions and general demons. His twin brother, James, had chosen the field of hunting werewolves, and at the moment was in eastern Europe, hunting and studying under the famous Professor Illiad. Milo wanted to find a clue, a trail that would lead him to the Vampire Tobius.

A quiet night had made Milo decide to go home early. On his way he decided to pass through Leicester Square, at most times of the night a vagrant Vampire would strike up a conversation to a young runaway and then feed off them. Maybe Milo could get some satisfaction out of the night. He passed by the Odeon and saw that there was a lack of the norm, about two or three homeless sleeping in doorways, it was three a.m. there should have been many more.

He headed towards Regent street, and stopped at Hanly's toyshop, he remembered that he had been bought his first toy bow and arrow set there, he was three years old. A girl brushed by him, she was wearing party clothes, he wouldn't have paid her any further attention except she didn't reflect in the glass of the shop window.

A chase ensued.

The girl, later he found out that she was Jessica, was not your usual Vampire. With most Vampires, you could smell the dead flesh on them. But this girl was different. She still had to die, though first Milo would see if he could find any information out of her. He did. Their purpose, although not sharing the same reasons, shared the same end, Tobius must die.

Over the years, they had travelled all over Europe looking for Tobius. Milo and Jessica became like brother and sister, a closeness that is more than friends, but less than lovers.

The car stopped three blocks away from the Council building. The neck wound that once was there had gone, and Milo's eyes shone in the darkness. Stepping out of the bar Baron looked around. He or Milo didn't know that the Council owned this whole section of the city, and someone already knew that they were there. But no one came.

Outside the car Milo checked his ammunition, and he was low. The steel stakes that he used could only be used once, as they were tainted with the blood of a Vampire. He only had three left, Baron would also need to be armed. The boot of Myles car opened, both Milo and Baron were surprised.

Myles had taken care of everything. The boot of the car was fully loaded with enough supplies to take down the Vampire population of Ireland. Baron couldn't help but to smile as he loaded up with steel spikes, garlic grenades and UV flares, in his mind all that he could picture was 'Commando' with Arnold. The weight of the weaponry would cause serious posture problems for Baron in the future, but there was no way on heaven or earth that he would walk into the building without enough.

Travelling light was Milo's way. They approached the building on foot, not knowing that their presence was already known.

The easy part was done, they were now at the front of the Council building. The worry that Baron had was how they are going to get in, the adrenalin hadn't kicked in enough for a fight, not yet. But Milo had it covered. A small charge of C4 placed at the hinges of the heavy steel door would be overkill, but nevertheless Milo chose to go all out. The door hit the inside floor heavily, and enough noise was created to force Baron to cover his ears.

The eerie feeling that was created by the streets hollowness was continued into the building. Council buildings were normally all go in the twilight hours. This was strange. No soulless creature, or even a familiar could be found in the dark hallway.

After a few moments of standing, anticipating entry, Baron took the first step, but before his foot hit its progression Milo stopped him. "Wait!" The UV flare lighted their path, and still not a notion of motion. "There is something wrong!" Milo seemed shaken.

"Well Duh!" It was time for Baron to stop acting cool, "And the winner for pointing out the bloody obvious is…" Baron continued, "We're about to walk into a hive of bloodsuckers and you are saying there's something wrong. Gee thanks for pointing that out." Milo placed his hand over the mouth of Baron, neither man was amused. Milo took point.

Slowly they worked their way through the corridors, rooms and crypt rooms. There was not a sign that this building housed anything. To Milo there was a rising stench, the deeper that they went in, the more clear it became to him that someone, or something was close. Baron started to feel more confident, believing that the Vampires had fled, but was wise enough to acknowledge that this had nothing to do with him, but to his companion.

The upper levels of the building would be used by familiars, or even normal humans, who didn't know fully who they were employed by. There was little need for Baron and Milo to take the elevator to its only direction, up. But when a staircase leading down was discovered Milo took a deep breath to steady himself, and Baron felt his heart rise into his throat. "This is it!" Milo took the lead and the first step, Baron took a silver spike into his hand and clenched his fist around the cold metal. The second UV flare lit up, and Milo through it down the steps, darting his eyes as quickly as he could to make sure that no movement could be detected.

When they reached the base of the staircase Baron took a moment to dry reach, he honestly thought that he would have thrown up, but nothing came up. He knew that tomorrow, if he survived, he would feel pain, he wouldn't mind. Once he got through tonight without feeling pain, he would be okay with that.

Out of nowhere the Warlord appeared in front of Milo. Baron held the spike up in a offensive manner, the Warlord just smiled. Not knowing what to do, Baron kept an eye on Milo, trying to take his lead. But Milo was still. The only noise that Baron could hear was his own heartbeat, a reason that hadn't occurred to him started to, he was the only one in this building that had a heartbeat.

The Warlord kept smiling, turned and walked away. Milo started to walk after him. Being alone in the dark never bothered Baron before, in fact he liked the dark. But being alone in this darkness was a problem for him, and although he believed that Milo was insane to follow the Warlord, there was no good purpose served by staying where he stood. Cautiously Baron followed.

It seemed as though they walked for hours, and the corridor narrowed so that there was only one millimetre between the shoulders of the Warlord, and even he had to duck a little. By this time Baron was close on the heels of Milo, constantly checking over his shoulder to make sure that he wasn't going to get picked off.

The thin corridor bust out into a grand underground theatre, thousands of seats, one entrance. As the three came into it, the Warlord kept walking down the many steps towards the stage. Baron and Milo took in the splendour of this creation. Milo held his hand out to Baron. "Take this…" Handing Milo a small cylinder he continued. "If anything goes wrong press the red button." Looking more confused than normal Baron took a look at the small button, you'd not notice it unless you were specifically looking for it. Still confused. "Could you be a little more clear?"

Milo took two steps down from Baron, as the Warlord took the stage, Milo turned to Baron, with a look of complete seriousness. "If it looks as though we're all going to die, press the button, and save yourself." Milo continued down to the stage. The one thing that Baron really didn't want to hear was what Milo had just said. Since entering the building Baron had based his confidence on Milo's confidence. Things were looking bleak. He took the blank black cylinder and placed it between his wrist and the flexible band of his wristwatch. He hoped more and more with each step his took to the stage that he wouldn't have to press the button.

On the stage, in front of the velvet curtains, Milo, the Warlord, and then Baron, all stood, the wooden floorboards moaned with each steps. Milo and Baron took a moment to take in the surroundings, each of the seats facing them had been carved into the hard rock. A voice came from behind the curtain. Familiar to Milo, but new to Baron.

"You are right to be in awe, this theatre was created by the Council, over three hundred years it took to carve, to build." The curtain raised up and Tobius was standing, dressed in a robe that was too long and seemed to be made from the same fabric that the stage curtains were made from. Behind him a rising sun was painted onto a canvas, the beams simulated to be flowing over a country landscape. Milo and Baron turned to face him, and the Warlord, he took his place standing behind Tobius, still with the same smile on his face. Milo assumed that the smile was due to his changing. Nothing could be worse for a Vampire hunter, to suddenly become the prey. Slowly, and hidden, Milo let a silver spike run down the inside arm of his coat, and let it find its way into the obscured part of his hand.

Out of nowhere, Milo had thrown the spike, heading straight for the heart of Tobius. But the Vampire Tobius just waved his hand across his body and the metal spike was veered into a wooden support to the right of the stage. "I see the training has faded with your bloodline. Shame." Tobius started to move to the painted sun on the far left of the stage. A confident stride, he turned to look at the sun and then turned back to look at Milo.

"Did you ever believe, that today's sun was the last you were ever going to see." Baron could see that Tobius' words were only designed to torture Milo. The only way that Milo knew to react was to not turn and stare directly at Tobius, instead the smiling Warlord bore the brunt of an angry expression from Milo. Part of Baron was relieved that Tobius took no interest in him.

Milo sniffed at the air. Tobius and the Warlord both started to snigger, and involuntary so did Baron, being a believer that that laughing was infectious. His laughter though grew out of control as he remembered every funny thing that he has seen and heard his whole life. This caused Milo, Tobius and then the Warlord to stare with anger and confusion. Baron took a moment and calmed himself down.

"What's so funny?" Milo turned his attention back to the Vampires Tobius and the Warlord. He was getting tired of this. The scent on the air was familiar but changed. Milo sniffed the air again and again the Vampires smiled with glee.

"I must apologise, we just find your attempt of rescue amusing, seeing as…" With a hit of a switch by the Warlord off stage, the rising dawn split in the centre and as it parted Milo and Baron were shown Myles and Jessica staked through the heart, their eyes staring lifelessly passed them. Not knowing how to react, Baron stood with his mouth wide open, slowly he started to tremble, not for his friend Myles, as Baron knew that Myles wanted to pass. No, his fear came from a truth that had just occurred to him, 'I'm the only one hear that's food!' Just in front of him, Milo was coping with the loss of love, he wanted to go and hold her, to open his veins and give what little blood was in him to her, to see if it would bring her back to him, even just for to say goodbye, properly.

Smugly Tobius walked over to between Myles and Jessica. He bent down to stoke his hand across the cold cheek of Jessica. "Luckily the air down here prevents them from becoming ash, it will take a few days for them to disappear. But they had to die, I couldn't have sired any Vampires, if I did, I would be pushed from the Council and killed." Tobius stood and with a nod of the head to the Warlord, the switch was pulled and the dawn scene came back. "I like the dawn, this is as close as I come…" Turning back to look at Milo and Baron, Tobius was greeted with a smile from Milo.

Tobius was enraged. "What have you to smile about?" he snapped.

Milo reached behind him, grabbed Baron by the collar and yanked him into the centre, between Tobius, the Warlord and Milo.

"I've a promise to keep, and I'm going to keep it." Determined Milo stared at Baron, who knew exactly what he meant. The cylinder was now in the palm of his hands. The Warlord started to move, and intercept Baron from using the device. "NOW!" Milo ordered. The Warlord was about to have him hands around Baron's throat when Baron pressed the little red button. A great heat came from the device and Baron dropped it on the wooden floor. A blinding flash poured out of the cylinder, Baron then felt the darkness come over him.

Hours later Baron woke. Three separate piles of ash were around him. The cylinder was at his feet. Dazed but with knowledge enough that he should get out of there.

Finding his way from the Council building, he could feel the morning air, the darkness starting to fade away to the suns power. He spent a moment and decided to leave Myles' car there. Eventually he had walked far enough to get to a taxi rank.

Back at his hotel he gathered those belongings, new and old, and checked out. The room was prepaid for and a car had been ordered for him. It seemed that his friend, Myles, had thought ahead and knew that he would not be around for Barons leaving. The driver of the car knew to take Baron to the airport and a ticket in first class was arranged for him.

At the departure gate Baron decided he would only allow himself to think of the events that he took part in here in Dublin, only when he was back in Canada.

Sitting at a window seat, he was early and the first to board. He looked out, and noticed a plane taxi into a parallel gate. The aircraft was a private jet, with the Romanian flag painted on the side. Only one man exited the plane. He was built like a house, his muscles thinly disguised under camouflaged shirt and combats.

Baron turned away. But for a moment, there was something familiar about this new arrival. Baron's plane was taxied out to its runway. He thought and thought about where did he know that man from. As the plane took to the sky, Baron shook the thoughts from his head, and left the man's identity behind in Dublin with his experiences there.

The End.