"How are you this evening, Lily?" Rena asked as they happened to meet out in the hall. Lily beamed at her, running a hand through her hair.

"Not bad, actually. I still have some of these streaks, but my hair stopped greying, and my eyes aren't blood shot. But I still... I still crave meat all of the time." Lily answered, flipping her smile upside down.

"Hmm. It seems the transfusion may have slowed down the infection, but I'm not sure that you are cured. I wouldn't know how to check, though. Calling it an infection isn't accurate, as it doesn't create an immune response in the blood..." Rena mused out loud, but then saw Lily's eyes glaze over. Just then Linda came out, rubbing her eyes.

"Have a good nap, sister?" Lily asked, resuming her bright demeanour.

Linda yawned and nodded. "Time for night shift. Siobhan's kindness only goes so far," Linda said, tying up her hair as she walked down the hall. Before turning to head down the stairs, she stopped abruptly and stood aside. Rena and Lily glanced over as Cat tromped up the stairs. Everyone was silent until she had gone into her room.

"I doubt Siobhan expected this place would fill up so fast," Rena remarked, canting her head to the side.

"Sometimes think Linda and I should go back to Goldilocks," Lily murmured as she listened to Linda's heavy footsteps all the way down the stairs. "We're in the way."

Rena moved in closer to Lily, whispering since the walls were not as thick as she'd like, "But then your illness would progress."

Lily nodded her head, pouting her lower lip. "I know." She leaned closer to Rena, "when is my next treatment?"

"In a few days, but I'm not sure how long we can keep this up. It keeps you dependent on me, and what sort of life is that?"

Lily crossed her arms and turned her head, her chin digging into her clavicle. Rena watched her, waiting for a response, which Lily took her time in formulating. "It's better than no life. But if we can find a cure, that'd be better. What about studying mistletoe?"

Rena rubbed her upper lip. "I believe in science, but I am NOT a scientist. Which is what we need. Doing these blood transfusions discreetly has been tricky enough. I'm not sure there's anyone here with the qualifications that wouldn't share your condition with the rest of the village."

"Why not? I been here over a week, folk'll know I ain't a threat by now," Lily glanced up and down the hall.

"Let's not discuss this here," Rena decided.

"Oh... right.." Lily looked at the door which led into the newcomers' room. It was odd not being the novel 'strangers' anymore. Not that she nor Lily really felt like they belonged in Fisham, but hey at least came from the same ward. Most people treated Cat and her stragglers with acute suspicion. Lily looked back at Rena's door. "Is, uh, Cyrus in there?"

"Unfortunately," Rena groaned.

"I still don't really understand you two," Lily mumbled as she began to walk down the hall. Rena followed and shook her head.

"No need to understand us." Rena narrowed her honey brown eyes. "Focus on yourself."

"O-okay," Lily said, raising one shoulder and rubbing her upper arm as they walked down the stairs.

Lily looked over as Linda cleared off some dirty tables, while Siobhan relaxed in an armchair by a table, the guest ledger beside her. She glanced up at Lily briefly, snorting, before looking down at a book she was reading. It was in rough shape, with the cover missing, and many of the pages warped by excess moisture. But books were treasured since the collapse of society and infrastructure, and electronic devices that people had become accustomed to reading off of became useless.

"I think she's still mad about the plates I broke," Lily whispered.

"They aren't easy to replace."

"I know. But it was an accident," Lily insisted. She then smiled at Siobhan, who ignored her. There was a lully and both Rena and Lily had their pick of the tables. They squished around a small round one with two matching chairs - a rarity considered the hobbled together fashion of the Relay.

"Accidents are costly." Rena laced her fingers together, setting them upon the table. Lily often tried not to stare at the gap between Rena's ring and index finger on her right hand. In Goldilocks, many people had lost extremities to frostbite and gangrene. But Rena seemed impervious to the cold. Rena looked up, then glanced down at her hand, then back to Lily, tilting her head. Lily swallowed hard, cleared her throat, and looked away.

"Was that, um, a costly accident?" Lily asked, flitting her eye briefly to the hand then away again.

"No." Rena responded tersely. Lily waited for an explanation and none came.

"Oh. Um..."

"It was hacked off by a very nasty man back before she became a vampire," came Cyrus's voice. He pulled a chair from the nearest unoccupied table and scooted between them. There was hardly room for a third person, even one of Cyrus's small stature, and their knees knocked together. Rena gave Cyrus a heavy-lidded stare.

"Oh... I'm sorry for prying," Lily said, lacing her own hands together to twiddle her thumbs. She stared hard at her perfectly formed hands, a small pang of guilt nestling in her chest.

"No you aren't, but that's beside the point. Good evening Lily, looking delicious as usual," Cyrus greeted.

"You're in a good mood," Lily observed. Cyrus straightened up and beamed at her.

"Yes... you are..." Rena squinted at Cyrus. His smile faltered before widening. "Which leads me to believe you've been up to something."

"Oh come, come! Why can't I just be in a good mood?"

"Because you've been cranky this whole week. Probably because most of the women in Fisham are smart enough to avoid you, especially after your indiscretion with nurse Stokes," Rena crossed her arms, levelling a probing stare at Cyrus. He hardly batted an eye, smiling and shrugging off her accusations.

"You of all people should know I'm never down for long," Cyrus narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, and though his smile remained, there was a subtle edge in his tone. At this, Rena raised her eyebrows then furrowed them.

"Indeed," Rena said dryly. Lily watched the exchange closely, but as it pattered away into silence, she cleared her throat.

"I'm sure it's just because most people stay home in the evenings, not anything against you," Lily suggested.

Cyrus raised his eyebrows, then laughed. "Thank you, sweet Lily girl. But I strongly suspect Rena got busy sowing seeds of contention against me to keep me in my place."

"I didn't need to - your behaviour speaks for itself." Rena lifted a hand, halting Cyrus who was about to protest. She turned her attention pointedly towards Lily, changing the topic abruptly. "Anyway, what have you observed about the newcomers, Lily?"

Lily's eyes widened then fluttered before her thoughts could catch up with the sudden shift. "Oh... uh... Cat, Art, and John. Ash follows Cat around. I think it annoys Nel." Lily glanced at Rena, who frowned, then down at her twiddling thumbs again as she continued to brief the small group. "Art has joined in hunts, and John helps with patrols. I have tried to be kind to them, but they don't say much. Cat is the nicest of the three. I think John might be closer to her than Art. They are more casual with each other. Art is more tense. In fact, I don't think Art's said more than two words together. Honestly, If I saw Art in a dark alley, I'd quickly leave. He kind of scares me. And it's not just the scar on his chin either. Just something about him is off."

"He's always looking for an exit and doesn't make eye contact," Cyrus added. Rena tilted her head, looking at Cyrus with an arched eyebrow.

"Oh? I wasn't aware Art stirred after dark." Rena leaned back in her chair, giving Cyrus a nod to continue.

"I saw him once or twice, prowling around at night. Now that is a man up to no good. Lily's got it right." Hearing Rena scoff, Cyrus straightened up. "Hey! I don't prowl! No need. Everyone knows what I am, so I don't prowl. I strut. I stroll. I promenade!" Cyrus said, spreading out his arms wide, causing Rena to lean aside to avoid getting whacked.

"Well, did you follow him?" Rena asked.

"Not for long before I got bored. I keep hoping Cat will slip out one of these nights, I'd like to get better acquainted with her." Rena rolled her eyes and Lily blushed.

"Folk don't much like them. But I think they are used to not being liked, so they just don't try to be. I'll keep trying, though," Lily offered, playing with the cuff of her sleeve.

"Well those fine lads DID save a little boy. Seems a little hero worship might go a looooong way," Cyrus said, wagging his eyebrows as he steepled his fingers. Lily's eyes widened, her neck muscles rigidly defined as she swallowed.

"Hey, lay off! Lily doesn't need your advice," Rena interceded. She then reached over and placed her hand on Lily's. She looked at Rena, then quickly away.

"Anyway," Lily said, trying to ignore Cyrus's suggestion, "I don't think they plan on staying here much longer. Just a feeling I got."

"I don't need them breaking the news about vampires to the broader public ahead of Chief Fisher's directive," Rena said, glancing towards the stairs lest one of them appear.

Cyrus ducked as a tray narrowly missed his head. Lily looked over at Linda who reached past them to put down some glasses of water. "Ooops. Excuse me." Cyrus remained tilted to one side awkwardly while Linda took her time

"We didn't ask for water..." Rena said, arching an eyebrow at Linda.

"Drink it or don't. Sitting here without a drink don't look right." Linda also glanced at the stairs and then went back to her job.

"Thanks!" Lily called after her sister, who lifted a hand in acknowledgment but did not turn around. Lily sipped her water. Rena sighed and took a small sip. Cyrus pushed his cup away from himself and folded his arms, like a child rejecting a plate of vegetables.

"Can vampires drink water?" Lily asked, staring at Rena.

"Small amounts. It's still refreshing on a warm day. But drinking too much is uncomfortable. It just sits there, sloshing, creating pressure." Rena set the pewter cup down.

Lily was about to ask a few more questions, as she had become increasingly interested in the life of vampires when the door swung open. A villager entered, out of breath. As soon as he saw Rena and company seated he walked over to her.

"Oh good... you're here..." he struggled to say. He leaned forward a moment, hands on his thighs and gulped down a few more breaths. Rena gave him her full attention, and Cyrus just half twisted in his chair, resting an arm along the back of it, waiting impatiently for the interruption to justify itself.

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"Take your time," Lily told him. He looked up and smiled, while Cyrus rolled his eyes at her.

"You've been asked to head to the gates..." the man cut off in a sputter of coughs. Rena looked at the untouched water Cyrus had in front of him, grabbing it and passing it to the rosy-cheeked messenger. "Thanks." He took a gulp, then sighed. "As I was saying, someone has showed up requesting to speak with you."

"With me? Did they ask for me by name?" Rena asked.

"Yes... I don't know much more than that, but she said she'd wait outside the gates. She is not known to us," the man said, then finished off the water. Cyrus furrowed his eyebrows. Rena stood up, not asking any further questions. Cyrus also got to his feet, intent on following her. Lily also rose, but both Cyrus and Rena turned and shook their heads at her, almost in unison. Lily sunk back down, frowning at the two of them as they left together.

----------------------------------------

Layla glanced at the sky, the delicate sliver of a nascent moon barely visible above the trees. It was an unusually clear night, with all of the stars out to play. The flickering of a torch forced the shades to dance among the trees. It seemed to be the only movement, as the wind was unusually still. Beyond the crackling of the fire, her ears detected the crunch of mukluks on snow. Layla turned back around, facing the gate and the somnolent guard. He straightened up, breaking out from his stupor.

The gates creaked open and Layla focused her attention on the figures that came out. Bundled up in heavy furs and leathers, a mortal may have had trouble identifying the man and woman who stepped out, but Layla knew them by presence alone. And they, in turn, knew her.

It had been silent before, but this silence was one that crept into the skin, and hushed even the heart for a few beats. The three figures all gazed at each other, all waiting for another to make the first move. Layla lifted her chin, looking over Rena, whose heart rate was quickly slowing into its calm, steady rhythm which matched her own beautifully. But speeding up, she could feel the resonance of strong emotion from Cyrus who stood in a rare expression of astonishment, which ebbed rapidly into a sullen glare. His brows dipped down over his large eyes, giving the impression of the stern expression worn by horned owls.

Cyrus lurched forward, but it was clear that Layla was not the only one who saw the danger in his face. Rena quickly put her arm out, catching him around the chest. He pushed against her, forcing her to dig her feet in and grab firmly onto his shoulders to hold him back. His eyes never left Layla while he tried to get to her with singular resolve. Layla remained where she was, even as Cyrus was able to throw Rena down and charge.

Layla slid one leg back to brace herself and keep herself upright, as she felt fingertips digging into her throat. Despite the increase in pressure in her neck, she held her breath and locked eyes with Cyrus.

"You have some explaining to do," Cyrus said quietly but gravely. He released his choke hold just as Rena had got back up to her feet. Rena placed herself between Layla and Cyrus. Cyrus scoffed, a sneer on his lip before he turned and started heading towards the gates. "I don't fancy having this discussion in the cold, either," he added peevishly.

The guard straightened up and barred Cyrus' path with his spear. "She can't come in without permission." Cyrus glared and plucked the spear out of the guard's grasp. He raised it, bringing up his knee to break it in half, when from even his grasp it was wrenched free by Rena, who proceeded to whack Cyrus on the head and hand it back to the guard.

Cyrus grumbled a procession of profane insults before plaintively adding, "You're ruining my dramatic exit."

"Good." Rena responded. She then looked to Layla who hadn't moved, watching the interactions between the two with keen interest. Rena gave her a tilt of the head to follow, and she finally set into motion, gliding with grace over to Rena. "Let's take a walk around the perimeter, and Layla can tell us what she is doing here."

Cyrus groaned but didn't fight with either of the women, trailing behind them as they walked, to the guard's visible relief, along the path surrounding the town.

"Alright, well, begin talking, Layla. I haven't got all night. Not that you were ever much of a talker," Cyrus said, crossing his arms and raising his shoulders.

"As you wish, Cyrus," Layla said in an even tone, wearing a hidden smile as she took the lead. "I believe the cornerstones are real and are the cause of the Bleak."

"Eh?" Cyrus ejaculated.

"Hold on, the bleak is just a nuclear cloud, isn't it?" Rena craned her neck to look at Layla, eyebrows furrowed.

"No. There is a supernatural element to the Bleak, and I believe it was created by the Keystone," Layla said, all amusement dropping from her face.

"So someone beat us to finding them? That's just great. All that time, wasted. And for what, a cloud? What a let-down." Cyrus groused, his arms animated with flailing and gesturing as he spoke.

"I was able to access Russian surveillance of the cloud before their networks went down. It is not the paradise we had been promised. It is a lie. The world is withering. We have few options. We either go dormant and wait it out, or we stop the spread."

"And the White Plague? Is that also hocus pocus?" Rena asked, not entirely convinced of Layla's report.

"No." There was a pause as everyone waited for Layla to elaborate. Rena sighed, her pace picking up. Layla matched her pace and Cyrus was delayed in recognising the change of pace and had to perform a short trot to close the gap.

"How can you be sure?" Rena finally asked, her voice taking on an impatient edge.

"It was wrought by meddling mortals," Layla said sternly, lifting her chin.

"So... science," Rena said with emphasis, looking over her shoulder at Cyrus.

"Ah, yes, Rena, is hot for science these days. So, if I wore a lab coat and brandished a beaker would you think I'm sexy?"

Rena looked straight ahead again, not dignifying Cyrus with a response. "Alright. Why are you so confident that the White Plague was man-made? Who would do such a thing?"

"I know not. Answers may lie in Richland, Washington," Layla said, her face growing even grimmer, if such were possible. "The Bleak is more pressing. Destroying any one of the cornerstones will disrupt it. But as long as the Keystone remains, he or she may create more cornerstones. I do not know why the Bleak was created, but I have seen enough to know this must stop."

"Alright, alright, that's fine and all that you'd discovered an epic quest for us underdogs to embark on, but there's one thing I'm still not clear on," Cyrus said, gesturing widely with his hands before folding them again. Rena and Layla both stopped, looking back at him. He threw his arms out again. "WHY did you stab me and stuff me in a crate!?"

"To get you here," Layla answered with a tilt of her head and an arched eyebrow.

Cyrus curled in his lips and flared his nostrils. "WHY!? You obviously got here just fine without getting dropped from a plane into the middle of a backwater ice age!"

"I needed Zachary to trust me."

"And you couldn't have clued me in on your little deception?" Layla shook her head. "Well did you at least kill the slagger?" Layla shook her head again. Cyrus groaned. "Well, then, what did you do?"

"Gathered the information I'm giving you now." Layla and Rena resumed walking.

Cyrus furrowed his eyebrows and again had to trot to keep pace. "...Weren't you concerned at all that someone would open that crate in the middle of the day? Or finish me off? Or bury me?"

"Yes."

"So after all these years of doing what's for my own good, even when I don't want you to, you go and risk my life?" Cyrus questioned.

"Yes."

A silence followed. Rena covered her mouth and looked ahead so that her smile would not be caught by the exasperated Cyrus. She quickly sobered up when Layla gazed down at her with lifted brows.

"Do you have any idea where the keystone is operating from?" Rena asked, trying to get the small group of vampires back on task.

"No." Rena squinted at Layla. Layla caught her eye and continued, unbidden this time, "But I do have a lead on one of the cornerstones. A contact of mine, Llew-"

"Wait, what was that noise you just made?" Cyrus interrupted.

"Llew?"

"You've sunk to relying on a Welshman for information? How the mighty have fallen," Cyrus bemoaned. Rena scoffed impatiently.

Without missing a beat, Layla continued, "Llew's spawn, Eluned, was seduced away by someone he suspects to be agents of the current keystone. Eluned's last known location was somewhere in New Mexico. There's no telling where he is now, but I assume he'd head north with the Bleak, so if I head south I may learn more."

"I know you said stopping the Bleak is a high priority, but I am invested in finding more about the plague. An infected woman has come into my charge. I've tried giving her my blood, but it only delays the transformation."

"It didn't quicken it?" Layla asked, the rare expression of surprise widening her large brown eyes.

"It did not." Rena shook her head. "But I have my responsibilities to Fisham and can not go seeking answers. I entrust you and Cyrus to head south and learn what you can about either the Bleak or the plague."

Cyrus stopped in his tracks. "Hey now, I was just getting comfy. What if Layla stakes me again?"

Rena spun around to look at the short wisecrack, incredulity in her eyes. "Fight her off. It shouldn't come as a surprise the second time around."

Layla also turned to Cyrus. "It won't come to that again."

"Says you."

"It will give you ample time to work out your differences, and as a bonus, the fallout of drama won't spill over into the village I'm trying to protect," Rena concluded. "What say you, Layla?"

"I had hoped you would come with me, Rena. I've missed you." Layla placed her hand on Rena's shoulder.

Rena shook her head, tucking some loose strands of light brown hair back up into her hood. "I can't leave my family."

For the first time, Layla smiled with her entire face as she placed her hands on Rena's shoulders. Her cheeks pressed up against her large brown eyes, bringing a light to her normally austere face. To Rena's surprise, Layla pulled her in for a hug and gave her a kiss on the forehead. It was cold as ice, but Rena was somewhat too befuddled to notice or care. Blinking furiously, Rena took hold of Layla's wrists and gently pulled away. This did not seem to dampen Layla's smile as she spoke. "Stay strong to your convictions, Irene. I will make sure we meet again."

"...Good luck..." Rena said after some hesitation, eyebrows furrowed as she stepped back.

"What, you're not leaving again already?" Cyrus placed his hands on his hips, looking at the two women with his head cocked to the side. Layla looked at where the torch light flickered at Fisham's gate, giving a jerk of her head in its direction before arching an eyebrow at Cyrus. He looked back to where the guard was still dutifully standing. "Ah right. Well, then we'll get permission even if I have to drag Chief Fisher out of his cosy four post bed. There's one more bed in our room you can take."

Layla canted her head to one side curiously. She did not, however, scoff. That was Rena's prerogative, and the soft huff was shortly heard. "Aren't you worried she'll stake you in your sleep?"

"Oh I've got you to protect me, Rena," Cyrus clasped his hands together, holding them beside his cheek with fake adoration.

"...You do remember that I have designs to kill you once I have no more use for you, right?" Rena asked, crossing her arms.

Cyrus shrugged and threw out his hands. "Your revenge fantasy is precisely how I know you'll keep me safe for now. Because you want to do the deed yourself - but that can wait until after we've at least tried to save the world."

"Alright then. I'll make arrangements and you can stay with us while we plan and prepare," Rena said, trotting back into the gates, leaving Cyrus and Layla in each other's company.

Layla watched Rena leave, and then slid her gaze over to Cyrus who was peering at her with unveiled scrutiny. She then looked straight ahead again, waiting for Cyrus to speak his mind, as he was wont to do. "...You're really here for Rena, aren't you?"

Layla narrowed her eyes. "I'm here to serve, as always," Layla intoned, keeping her hands at her side.

"I wish I could believe that, Layla. Where did we go wrong?" Cyrus asked, glancing at the gate.

"I was not aware we had gone wrong, master," Layla said in a carefully even tone.

"Oh cut the master crap. You've been the one holding the reins for the last century, and I was stupid enough to believe I was the one in control." Cyrus crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "I just can't figure out when the situation ran away from me. I had both you and Irene under my thumb and now..." Cyrus shook his head, "...I'm just a joke to both of you."

"I'm not laughing, and neither is Irene." Cyrus scoffed and flicked a hand at Layla taking a few steps away. Layla turned to him, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder. She felt him flinch through the hides he wore. She hesitated, then spoke, "My mistakes brought us here. I should not have made Irene one of us."

Cyrus sighed, his shoulders slumping before he stepped away, twisting his shoulder out of Layla's grasp. "Well it's a bit late now," Cyrus muttered petulantly. He then spun around on his heel, peeling away his morose exterior and flashing a grin. "But hey, I won't get dragged down by regret. You know how I feel about guilt." Cyrus brushed snow off of his sleeve. "I can't stay mad at you. And hey, if I save the world, that ought to rack me up some major redemption points, right?"