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From The Grey House:

Still lightheaded, it took a moment for her to understand why he was asking. “In the mountains, north of here. The cabin smells of pine.” She brought her hand to her now throbbing head. “Zechariah didn’t blindfold me until we were in the car when we came here. The path to the car was too rocky to try it blind. I saw the odometer before he put the blindfold on and saw it again before I got out of the car. It’s about 300 miles away. I’m not really sure other than north, which way we came from.”

From The Grey House:

All mirth dropped from Natalia’s attitude. She stopped walking and faced off with Marshal. Her hands became fists. “My first glimpse of the devil was when I was 10. I’ve seen him many times in many forms since. I have yet to see evidence of your God.”

“Zechariah’s right. The devil has already claimed you.”

Natalia gave him a devilish smile; her eyes were glinting with delight. “And he will again.”

From The Grey House:

Judith was a Slayer and the angels had told her where to find Natalia. The angels didn’t speak to Dean. He wasn’t a Slayer and didn’t know if he would ever be a Slayer. Judith turned to Dean fully and withdrew a pistol from her jacket.

“You made me miss. The vampire whore will live.”

He tried not to visibly relax. Dean didn’t want Natalia dead. He liked her and wanted to save her instead of killing her. Then he saw the gun. “Judith, you can try again another time.”

“There won’t be another time. The angels are warning me; my time is almost at an end. The whore needed to die today.”

From The Grey House:

The Red Thread was a membership-only club for humans who had a taste for the unique. There were very few humans who knew that the people dressed as monsters were real. Most never found out unless they were chosen as victims. Vincent had hired five vampires to make sure the monsters did not make snacks out of his paying members.

There were also three bouncers in the club who were to follow Vincent’s rules or die. A human, stationed at the street level door, only let members in. A vampire at the bottom of the steps inside, only let members on the guest list pass. Occasionally, humans and other uninvited guests were able to get past the first two bouncers, but then they would meet Jordan. He sat at the top of the steps and sniffed out the liars and the humans.

Jordan liked humanity and lies; they tasted good according to him, which meant the young girl being led to Edwin was probably a vampire. Perhaps even against her will. Vincent shook his head as the young girl and the bodyguard disappeared into the corner room. Edwin was probably already there. If the Acting Captain asked for more parties here, the rules of the private room would have to be changed: no humans, no uninvited guests, and no one under the age of 18. No exceptions.

Vincent shook his head and looked to the door again as a woman in a deep blue velvet dress stepped through the door. He spared her a brief glance, then went back to his previous thoughts.

From The Grey House:

She had been trying to come to terms with her new path since she started about seven years ago, shortly after Charlie bit her. Natalia learned a great deal about herself and the world around her, and had trained in many different areas, but through it all, she had come to one definite conclusion. She was not a Slayer; probably never would be. She tried so hard to be one, because of her history with vampires and werewolves, but the fact remained: Slayers were just as monstrous as the creatures they hunted. Humans were no less gruesome.

From The Grey House:

She opened her eyes. “These are used by Slayers. If you have them, they can’t be used against you and yours.”

He nodded in slight agreement. “What else?”

“Myself.”

He gave a slight laugh. “I expect payment to be one-sided Natalia. It’s not really payment if you extract pleasure from it. Try again.”

Natalia closed her eyes as she said one word. “Blood.”

Vincent stood and walked around to Natalia. She looked up at him, then took his offered hand. He sat on the edge of the desk and indicated she should too. Her face was masking her emotions. Humor was shining in his eyes.

“How much blood do you offer me and when can I expect it?”

“Some now; as much as you want when my friend is safe.”

He gave her a sly smile. “Sounds like an ideal plan. Leaves me in control, Natalia. Are you sure you want this?”

“If it means Bethany’s safety, yes.”

He traced the line of her jaw with his cool fingers, helping to relieve her pains. “So much pain, Natalia, for what? A human? Is she worth it? Would she do this for you?”

“No, but I wouldn’t expect her to.” Natalia’s determined look was back. “She doesn’t know what the world is really like.”

From The Grey House:

“Vincent. Please have mercy.”

Vincent remained in the same position observing Keith. “As I said earlier, I know where you’ve been sleeping.” He used the wall to push himself into a standing position and started to pace. There was four feet between the wall and the hole. “I know how you’ve been paying your bills, too. I told you when I changed you that your loyalty was of utmost importance, and you assured me I had it. But I don’t do I?”

From The Grey House:

Anthony arrived before the waiter returned, so Vincent made light talk. When two goblets were presented to him, Vincent smiled, thanked the man, and slipped him three twenties. Vincent believed strongly in rewarding loyalty.

Anthony smirked at the gesture, clinking goblets with his leader. “You pay them more than anyone else. Why tip them for wine?”

“It’s not wine.” Vincent stated between sips. The liquid held no sustenance; the taste was all he wanted.

Anthony took a small sip. A look of real surprise crossed his face. “How?”

“I get what I pay for.” A mischievous smile floated across his face, then faded. “What have you learned?”

From The Grey House:

“No, this is where we negotiate. What can you do for me?”

“Blood or money.”

He frowned at her. “Don’t play stupid. You’ve already proven you’re not.”

Natalia nodded her agreement. “Human has to try.”

He laughed.“All right. Of course, I want your blood. Especially since you’ve already offered. As for money, I was changed when I was a railroad worker in the late 1800s. I learned to save. I need a place to go. If you want the information, you’ll get me contacts out of the city, away from here.”

She didn’t even pause. “Where?”

“How far East can you get me?”

“I know a couple people in Washington, D.C., one in Boston.”

“Friendly to my kind?”

“I wouldn’t have listed them if they weren’t.”

From The Grey House:

Natalia woke with a start from a dream that left her foggy and confused. Her bed was moving, and lights kept flashing. Her mouth was dry, her shoulder hurt, and her stomach was growling at her. The dream came back to her in bits and pieces as did her surroundings. Charlie was beside her, asking if she was all right. A piece of her dream floated into her memory and she bolted upright in the seat. The belt tightened around her and dug into her shoulder. She howled with pain, startling Charlie. He pulled over to the side of the road and stopped.