Here's the next chapter. Hope everyone likes it. I did some research on the Spanish-American war. I used facts where I could and fibbed where I couldn't.

Cuba, 1898

For 30 years the Cubans fought to win their independence from Spain. The war had become something of a great story in the Americas. William R. Hearst made a fortune off the stories he reported coming out of Cuba. His best selling articles were during the early part of 1898, when Valeriano Weyler, a Spanish general, ransacked villages and drove thousands of Cubans from their homes. Spain was not happy about the press. They did not want to come off looking like the bad guys. The sensationalism of the American papers caused anti-American riots as well. General Fitzhugh Lee sent word that things in Cuba were getting worse for its American citizens. Valeriano needed to be taken out. Two people were assigned this job. One American, one Spanish.

Jackson Bauer saluted his general and stood at attention. He had come in on the USS Maine and had no idea why he was being called off ship. As far as he knew, this was a standard perimeter sweep. The Spaniard standing in the far corner of the room was a curious sight. Since when were we helping Spain?

“At ease Bauer.” Fitzhugh Lee was striking man. Standing at 6 foot 2 inches tall, he was built like a wall. He had short cropped blonde hair and very deep green eyes. He earned the respect of anyone he met and as anyone on the USS Maine, a fleet of men would be happy to die for Lee.

“This here is Lieutenant Anthony Almeida from the Spanish division Asesino. You two are going on a very special mission. Being that you both have…specialized…training, we need you to take out a threat both countries have.”

He threw down a file folder and watched Bauer and Almeida warily approach the table.

“I’m sure the name is familiar to you both. General Valeriano is someone both countries can’t afford to have around anymore. He’s caused us both more trouble than we care to admit. We want this handled gentlemen. I’m sure you get my meaning.”

Bauer read through the file, holding it out so Almeida could look it over as well. This would be the biggest hit of his military career. He’d be taking out a general.

Saying Almeida was shocked would be an understatement. He had served under Valeriano for his first mission three years ago. If he hadn’t seen what Valeriano had been up to here in Cuba with his own eyes, he would have declined the mission. But, after seeing the countless bodies of women and children in dozens of villages he knew he’d be doing not only his country, but the world a favor.

Bauer watched Almeida. This was deeper for him. The guy they had to kill was a superior of his. A fellow citizen of the country he swore to protect.

Anthony looked up at General Lee and asked one question in a thick Spanish accent, “When do we leave?”

In the three weeks they spent tailing Valeriano, Bauer and Almeida had become what most would call “buddies.” After a few tense conversations and some language barriers, they quickly established they had a lot in common. Both were part of covert ops, something each country was just beginning to form. They both loved cigars and felt it was fate that had brought them to the “land of the best” in that regard. And, Bauer was surprised to find out that Almeida was a huge baseball fan.

They were currently on their way to a village that an informant indicated Valeriano had recently been seen terrorizing. Just outside the town they were making small talk.

“I have to say, it’s a shock to know someone from that far away even knows about baseball.” Jack was moving at a brisk trot.

“We have small games in Madrid from time to time Señor Bauer.”

“Please, just call me Jack. Señor Bauer sounds like a mouthful.”

“Gracias Jack. You as well should call me Tony. Not very many people besides my Madre call me Anthony.”

Jack glanced over at the Spaniard. He had a gruff low voice, like something between a deep tone and a whisper. He was taller than Jack and was bigger physically. Jack was wiry and quick. Tony looked strong and tough. He had black curly hair and deep brown eyes. He also had a beard.

“Does your military allow facial hair?”

“Sí. I think our mujeres would complain too much if not.” He gave Jack a small chuckle.

They suddenly came to the edge of the village and stopped. Thick smoke blanketed the tree line and the smell of burnt flesh was obvious. Bodies littered the area, most looked like they died while running.

Jack and Tony slowly dismounted their horses and slowly walked toward the town square.

“Mi Dios.” Tony quickly crossed himself. “I had heard stories. Nothing comes close to seeing what this monstruo has done.”

“We’d best check each of the houses that are still standing. We might find a few people alive. The best we can do is offer them a quick death.” Jack made his way to the first house on his left. Tony took one last look at the square and proceeded to follow him.

Before making it to the front of the house they heard a noise coming from the church directly behind the courtyard. They glanced at each other and pulled their pistols. Abandoning the house, they made their way to the church.

Approaching the double doors, Jack pushed them open slowly and barely had time to set one foot in before he was knocked to the ground. Dropping his pistol his eyes darted to Tony. Jack didn’t see his attacker, but apparently Tony did. Almeida had gone deathly pale and seemed to have trouble breathing.

“¡Dios Querido! ¡El diablo, ella ha venido para nosotros!” (Dear God! The devil, she has come for us!)

And then Jack saw a woman streak in front of him and latch onto Tony’s neck. Tony had no time to scream. He grabbed at the woman’s shoulders and tried to push her off. He suddenly felt weak. His strength was fading. He wanted to sleep. If he could only just sleep.

Jack watched Tony’s eyes close and the woman dropped him. He got to his feet just as she turned and reached out for him. Jack pulled his knife from his boot and thrust forward as she came at him. He felt the knife slide into her side and the smell of copper rose to him. Warm and sticky, he pulled the knife back out. The woman just looked down at the gaping wound in her side. She slowly lifted her head, staring at Jack. Then she started to laugh.

Jack just stood there. What the hell? He had stabbed her point blank and she didn’t even flinch. The last thing he remembered before she latched onto him was that he’d never seen anyone with reflective blue eyes before.

Michelle and Beth both stared and the woman. Obviously she knew Tony, but what the hell was she doing there?

Michelle leaned over and whispered to Beth, “Do you know her? Is she a…friend…of Mick’s?”

Beth shook her head, her eyes never leaving the female vampire. “I’ve never seen her before in my life. From the way she busted in here, I doubt she’s a friend of anyone’s.”

“What the hell are ya doing here Nina?” Tony’s body was as tense as piano wire. Michelle could swear he was so angry he was vibrating.

“Believe it or not, I’m not here for you. I’ve come for the blonde. Finding you here was a surprise. We didn’t see you enter the building. Is this some sort of threesome thing? You’ve gotten kinky over the years Tony.” Nina gave him a leer, looking him up and down.

“What do ya want with Beth?”

“My employer sees her as a threat. Newly returning to the city, she would rather things go smoothly right off the bat. Your little appetizer is a problem she just can’t afford.” Nina slid her eyes over onto Michelle. “The other one we were just gonna take for…fun.”

Tony’s eyes burned bluer. “You’ll not touch her!”

Michelle again felt a growl behind his voice. She slowly ran her hand up and down his back, trying to calm him.

“I swear to ya Nina, you touch her and I’ll rip your throat out.”

“Oh Tony, there’s no need for the dramatics. We can just wait till you have your back turned. It’s bound to happen sooner or later. You and St. John can’t watch them all the time. And besides, you know how much I like it rough. I’ll just consider that foreplay.”

Nina spoke to the other vampires in a language that sounded like German. They looked at each other, then at her. One by one they made their way out the door. Nina watched them go then turned back to Tony. A smile slowly spread across her face. She moved closer to him, one step at a time until she was invading his personal space. Michelle and Beth stood frozen, holding their breath.

Nina reached up and ran her hand softly down the side of Tony’s face. He didn’t move. He was coiled tightly waiting to strike. She leaned in and whispered to him “You of all people should know it’s not a good idea to show your enemy your weakness.” As she said the last part her eyes drifted to Michelle. She glanced back at Tony “I’ll leave you with something to think about.”

Faster than Michelle or Beth could even see, and before Tony was able to move enough, Nina had pulled a small dagger from inside her coat and sliced along Tony’s chest. He jumped back causing Michelle and Beth to stumble back into the couch.

Tony felt a pain he hadn’t felt in years. Grabbing his chest he felt the stickiness of blood and an incredible burning sensation starting to flow in his veins. Silver. She used a silver blade.

Nina watched him fall to the floor clutching at the wound that wouldn’t heal. Not without fresh blood anyway. She watched the women crawl to him. The dark haired one intrigued her. So he finally did it. He’s fallen in love with a mortal. This couldn’t get any better.

Wiping off the blade with a handkerchief she turned to leave the apartment. “Tell St. John we’ll be coming back for his pet. As for yours, she’ll make an excellent distraction.”

And then she was gone.

Michelle and Beth frantically worked to get Tony’s shirt off. He was writhing and unable to stay still.

“What do we do? I didn’t think vampires could be hurt!” If she had not been freaking out, Michelle would have laughed at that comment. Since when did she know anything about vampires?

“I don’t know what’s wrong. It’s a knife wound. He should be able to heal from that fairly quickly.”

“Silver…” Tony breathlessly got the word out.

Michelle looked back at Tony’s face. “Silver?”

“Oh my God.” Beth breathed in deeply and looked over to Michelle. “Silver is poison to a vampire.” She jumped up and made her way to her purse. “I’ve got to call Mick. I don’t know what to do.”

As Beth frantically dialed Mick, Michelle held her hand over the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. “Tony? What do I do?” She hated seeing him like this. He was in obvious agony. His eyes were dark blue again and every time he moaned or whimpered she could see his fangs.

“Nothing ya…ya can do. Mick can help…once he gets here. I have to…feed.” He was gasping out each word.

He has to feed. “How long can you stay like this? It’s going to take Mick a while to get here. You can’t just wait.”

“No…other…choice.”

Michelle looked down at the wound. It was a deep red, almost black color. The area around it was starting to turn purple, like a bruise. She looked back at his face. He was having trouble keeping his eyes open. She couldn’t let him just suffer like this. What if Mick doesn’t make it in time?

She took her hands off the wound and carefully lifted up his head to rest on her shoulder. She could feel his shallow breath on her skin. “Tony. Listen to me. Tony?”

He could barely open his eyes, but he managed to grunt a response to let her know he was listening.

Michelle took a deep breath and spoke. “I want you to bite me. Do…whatever it is you need to do.”

Despite the fact it took all his energy to do so, Tony gave her a strong answer. “NO!”

“Yes Tony you have to. Mick won’t make it in time. The wound is getting worse. Please Tony…”

“No…not…not like this.” He started trying to raise himself up but was unable to. Michelle just pushed his face closer to her neck. He could smell her scent again. The orange and cinnamon aroma of her blood that drew him to her in the first place. He opened his eyes. They had turned the deepest blue Michelle had seen so far. He could feel her nervousness but he didn’t detect any fear. He took one last look at her.

Her eyes were pleading with him, wet from her tears. He couldn’t deny her anything, including this.

“Please Tony…please.” The last was a desperate whisper.

He nuzzled his face into her neck, gently sliding his nose along the column of her throat. He lifted his left hand and slid it into her hair at the back of her head. Sitting up, he took his right hand and moved her curls out of his way. He moved his lips along her skin, and gave it a small lick. Michelle closed her eyes and shivered, a small moan escaping her.

“Te quiero. Perdóneme.” (I love you. Forgive me.) With a deep breath, Tony slides his fangs into her neck. Michelle gave a slight jump and then moaned. Never in her life had she felt anything like this. She reached up and ran her hand through the back of his hair, slightly encouraging him to continue.

Tony had fed off of thousands of people through his lifetime, but nothing, nothing felt like this. She was beyond intoxicating and he forced himself to stay in control. If he had wanted her before, nothing came close to how much he wanted her now. He could feel the silver in his blood thin. The wound on his chest slowly started to mend. He removed his fangs slowly and licked the twin wounds, helping to seal them.

Michelle’s eyes opened and she looked at Tony, a small drop of her blood glistened on his lower lip. His tongue darted out and licked away the last bit of her essence. Watching him do that caused her to form a slight wetness below. Without thinking, she leaned over…and kissed him.