EXT. BLADE'S WAREHOUSE/SHIPYARD - NIGHT

We SEE a FIGURE emerge from the shadows -- CHUPA.

EXT. CITY SLUM - NIGHT

Chupa walks the night, scanning shadows.

CHUPA'S POV (VAMPIRE VISION)

Like heat-vision, only tinged with crimson. There are DRUG DEALERS and bottom feeding WHORES trolling for tricks out here, BEATING HEARTS and BRANCHING ARTERIES highlighted on their ghostly silhouettes.

Chupa moves to the mouth of an alley, nodding to a DEALER.

DEALER

Lookin' to get hooked up?

CHUPA What you got?

As the dealer glances around to see if anyone's watching --

DEALER

Horse, Hawaiian ice. Whatever you want.

Chupa sniffs the air, glancing at a pulsating vein on the dealer's neck, and smiles.

CHUPA

Whatever, huh? Well I'm all off the hook on that bitch.

Chupa steps into the alley with the dealer.

DEALER

So what's it gonna be?

CHUPA Fear.

Chupa is at the dealer's throat before he can finish, flashing his fangs, shoving him backwards. Then--

CHUPA (CONT'D) I like a little adrenaline chaser.

WHAP ! A HAND

Grabs a fistful of Chupa's hair, jerking his head back. It's Blade. He yanks Chupa off the dealer.

BLADE

What do you think you're doing?

CHUPA

Trying to feed, puto baboso!

The dealer takes off as Blade swings Chupa around. They exchange a couple of blows, then Blade knees him in the balls, twisting him around by his arm, dislocating it.

Blade releases Chupa, shoving him forward. Chupa's broken arm dangles awkwardly. Furious, Chupa reaches for his .45

with his good hand -- only to hear the CLICK of another gun

as it's placed against the back of his head. ANGLE ON NYSSA

Standing behind him, looking grim and determined. NYSSA

Do it and you die.

(Chupa considers options)

You heard Asad. Until this is over, these people are our allies.

CHUPA

Oh I haven't forgotten about Asad. I'm just wondering if you have.

Chupa re-holsters his gun, then jams his dislocated arm up against the wall and resets it. He backs away. Nyssa watches him leave, looks to Blade.

NYSSA

He's right about one thing. We do have to survive.