Shattered Scepters

DISCLAIMER:
The Clan names, discipline names and structure, titles and other such things are copyrighted to White Wolf Game Studio. Neither I, nor this story, are affiliated with White Wolf or any of their associates or subsidiaries, nor do I receive any monetary compensation from the publication of this narrative.

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CHAPTER 13: TANGLED WEBS

Stephan sat in a private booth at the far end of the dimly lit restaurant sipping a rum and coke when Lady Peltier made her grand entrance. He was surprised that she kept him waiting only an hour and a half, but as usual neither his face nor body language betrayed his thoughts.

“M’lady.” He said, rising to his feet to pull out a chair for her.

“Stephan.” She acknowledged, setting her cream colored satin clutch on the table as she gracefully accepted the seat.

“I was expecting to hear something over two hours ago.” Peltier said with a disappointed sigh.

“I beg your forgiveness, the Malkavian was distrustful of me. I had to negotiate carefully with her to gain her trust.”

“You had orders to seduce her, not enjoy it. Do not keep me waiting next time.”

“Yes, m’lady.” Stephan acknowledged, taking the seat across from her.

“What have you learned?”

“Raven fears that the Sabbat are planning a raid on Vegas for the purpose of killing her. She has retreated to her ‘safe house’ and has pulled the other Malkavians with her. She is also under the impression that members of the Primogen council also wish her dead, which is why she has not responded to summons from the Prince.”

“Does she know where Raven’s safe house is?”

“She refused to reveal its location.”

“Perhaps you were too distracted with other things to ask the right questions.”

“The Malkavian she would only reveal Raven’s safe house if I revealed the Ventrue safe house.”

“And you didn’t offer up a false address?”

“I have tried such deception on her in the past; however, she has always seen through it. She does possess a keen insight.”

“Insight?” she mocked, politely gesturing at a woman who had just walked through the doors. “Is that what you call it?” She sneered.

Stephan kept silent and wisely averted his gaze from Peltier to the mysterious briefcase toting woman who was joining them. Something about her seemed familiar as she silently set her cream satin clutch on the table next to Peltier’s.

“Do you have the information?” Peltier asked. The woman nodded and pulled three large folders from her briefcase.

“Thank you, Sam.” Peltier said accepting the files and briefly flipping through he pages as Sam rose, grabbing Peltier’s small bag before leaving the building. Upon hearing the name Stephan instantly placed the woman. She was the one at the end of the hallway, the one that Mr. Bruno met with just before his attack on the Primogen.

“Here. This is what someone was able to find out about ‘Lollipop’ when their minds are free of such carnal thoughts.” She said, thrusting the folders at Stephan.

“Police records?” he questioned after a cursory glance.

“You may be interested to know what you’re putting your dick in. I expect to have more information about Raven in 2 nights.” She said rising to her feet.

“Yes m’lady.” Stephan acknowledged, quickly rising to his feet to bow slightly. Once she was more than halfway to the door he sat back down, ordered dinner and began reading about the recent father/daughter murders in Vegas, Phoenix and Dallas.

--------------------~*~--------------------

Isabella and lolli met in a back booth in the Denny’s Restaurant on Boulder Highway. Lolli had ordered a pot of coffee and extra creamer. Isabella ordered nothing but was silently amazed that the Malkavian was managing to keep the coffee down. Stephan never mentioned anything about Lolli being able to eat food. “I want you to burn down the Chris White’s haven, tonight.” Isabella said quietly and bluntly.

“Isn’t his haven at the Imperial Palace?”

“Yes. It is.”

“Ok then, let’s talk payment.”

“I m allowing you to see Stephan, that is your payment.” Isabella countered.

“Stephan is not a commodity; I only do this kind of work for monetary gain.”

“His punishment for associating with you was nothing; believe me I can do worse. Your payment is that I continue to allow my ghoul to socialize with you; you can either accept the payment or refuse the job. But if you refuse word will get back to the Brujah that you were planning on destroying their Primogen.”

“Really?!” Lolli scoffed “Do you think Brujah will believe Ventrue?”

“No, but they’ll believe the Brujah who’s overheard this entire conversation.” Isabella said, as Mason stepped into view.

“What do you get out of this?” Lolli asked with a pout.

“Nothing.” Mason lied as she slid in the booth next to Isabella.

Lolli leaned closer, forcing Mason to look in her eyes. “In war, truth first, there’s always time for lies later.” She said a dangerous tone.

“With Chris gone, I can claim Primogen.”

“See, that wasn’t too hard. OK. I’ll do the job.” She said cheerfully. The next few minutes she listened as Mason verbally outlined the casino’s layout and security weak spots. He also provided her with a scrap of paper containing almost a dozen of security codes. She thanked them for their business and happily skipped out of the restaurant and into a waiting car.

“Do you really think this will work?” Mason asked.

“If she fails, who would believe that a Brujah would be making deals with a Ventrue?”

“What if we’ve underestimated her?” Mason asked.

“Oh, please. She’s a Malkavian. She’s just as stupid, naïve and paranoid as the rest.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“Yes I do. Look, you said it yourself Chris will not see anyone tonight because he’s meeting with his sire. So if she doesn’t get the job done tonight it’s not likely she’ll be able to tell Chris. Besides I’m going to give Stephan orders to destroy her tomorrow night.”

--------------------~*~--------------------

Lolli walked into the Brujah domain, being very obvious in her attempts to sneak around. Frank wathced her on the security monitors, wondering why the Malkavian was stalking about the Brujah’s Casino. Shaking his head slightly he left the security tower and walks up behind her to ask “What the Hell do you think you’re doing?”

With a little yelp she spun to face the powerful Brujah. “Hi!” she said in her normal bubbly tone. “You’re not Chris, but you’ll do.” She said grinning innocently and batting her eyes at him.

“Hello Lolli. You’re right I’m not him. What do you need with Chris…oh never mind. What can I help you with?” Frank asked, not wishing to interrupt Chris with a rambling Malkavian.

“I have information you need to beat out of me.” She happily informs him, her hands locked behind her back as she rocks on the balls of her feet.

He blinked a few times, trying to make sense of her words. “Say that again.” He requests. Perhaps he did not hear her correctly.

Sighing, she cocks her head to one side, resting a hand on her hip as she repeats “I have information you need to beat out of me.” When continued to stare blankly at her, trying to figure out if this was a Malkavian prank or not, she volunteered “Someone wants this place burnt to the ground with the Brujah inside. Shall the beating commence?” She wore her usual smile…was she really looking forward to the abuse Frank could administer?

“You…want me…to beat you…” He was still having problems accepting this part of the Malkavian’s request. “Why? You do not need to worry you will be protected for this I can assure you of that? Now who is it?” he pressed.

“This way if asked I can honestly say I was interrogated and broke under pressure. Should we really be talking about this out in the open?” she asked, eyes the plethora of humans going about the usual routine of praying to lady luck.

He looked at her sternly; Lollipop looked back at him, refusing to buckle under the pressure of his glare. “Hmmm, true. You want to come up?”

“Sure!” she happily said, practically skipping to the service elevator he gestured to. She watches with dull interest as Frank pulled a key card from his pocket and starts the elevator on its climb. Lollipop, noticing the silence in the elevator, quietly begins humming “The Girl from Ipanema” and other elevator top forties. Frank keeps a careful eye on her, he’d seen her fight, but does not know how powerful she truly is.

“This is the best decorated service elevator I have ever been in. And I mean that, my compliments to the interior decorator.”

Frank simply shakes his head and escorts Lolli off the elevator and down a narrow hallway with several thick doors, each with a keypad lock. Frank leads her to one at the far end of the hall and punches in a 10 digit code as Lolli politely takes in interest in the pattern on the wallpaper. Frank opens the door and ushers her into his one bedroom apartment.

“The reason for the beating is simple; I need to save face with my employer.”

“No one would know you said a word and trust me you will not have to worry about your employers if what you are saying is true.”

She giggles and gives up on the idea of a beating. “Isabella Bruno of the Ventrue clan hired me to torch the Brujah domain.”

“Is that so? It doesn’t make sense, destroying our location and killing us would only start a clan war, and that is something no one wants. Do you fear Bruno this much?”

Lolli laughed at the best punch line she’s heard in decades. “Fear her?” her laughter dies down to giggles as she wipes away the bloody tears. “Fear her? I have more fear of a kumquat than her. You want proof, here listen to this.” She said, pulling a small digital recorder from her Hello Kitty purse. She hit the play button and the sounds of her earlier conversation with Isabella fill the room. The playback stopped shortly after Isabella said “No, but they’ll believe the Brujah who’s overheard this entire conversation.”

Frank listened to the recording calmly as rage danced behind his eyes. He had one question left before he accepted this as fact and not an elaborate Malkavian prank. “Why did you tell me and not try to sell this information?”

“Because I like Chris. He has always treated me with respect, so I will return the favor. I choose not to sell the information because there are so few I feel I can trust, and Chris is one of them; therefore, those closest to Chris should be OK.”

“Do not worry about Bruno; I will take care of her personally. Is there anything else?

“Her ghouls. If her ghouls are in the way will you subdue them with out killing them?”

“The problem with I see with ghouls is that they know too much and cannot be trusted once the Regnant is gone. They will always have a bond with their Regnant and it takes way too much time to break. Besides, they know too much about us.”

“They’re innocent of their master’s deception.”

“I agree with you about her slaves…ghouls; I don’t think they should be punished for her treachery. I am not a murderer and will do everything I can to avoid killing them.”

“Earlier you mentioned that an attack on the Brujah wouldn’t make sense, but it does if you think about it.”

“What do you mean?”

“With Chris and his most powerful supporters gone the Brujah Primogen seat is open to whoever is strong enough to claim it.”

“You mean the Brujah who just happened to overhear your conversation?”

“Uh-huh.”

“And you know who this traitor is, don’t you?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Are you going to tell me?”

“Mason.”

“That is absurd. Mason is ‘captain’ Chris’ personal guards.”

“How many people know the combination to Chris’ apartment?” Lolli asked after a moment of thought.

“Chris, his sire, myself, Mason and Trent.” Frank said, counting them off on his fingers.

“And me, because Mason gave it to me.”

“I cannot go to Chris with just your word.”

“Fine, let’s go.” She said, gesturing towards the door, wishing he had not destroyed that list after memorizing the codes. Frank calmly entered in a different code to open the door and followed the lunatic into the hallway. Lolli stepped into the hallway and instantly headed towards Chris’ apartment. She waited until Frank caught up, before entering the 10 digit code to unlock the thick metal door. Frank watched with the bewilderment of the betrayed.

“I left orders I was not to be disturbed!” Chris exclaimed as the door slowly swung open.

“Chris…we’ve got a problem.” Frank said, as Lolli popped in head in and waved happily at her second favorite Brujah.

--------------------~*~--------------------

Stephan read the police file from beginning to end, which in itself was no small feat. In all twenty murders the father was viciously and repeatedly stabbed upwards of forty times. The daughters, all ranging between the age of 10 and 13 were smothered. Then they were tenderly tucked into bed with a toy lovingly placed under their left arm. The eyes of all toys and pictures had been removed from the daughter’s room, but not in the father’s. The reports also described that the only taken from each scene is a stuffed animal. Three out of the ten girls killed three showed signs of sexual abuse.

Stephan had to know the truth, and he had to hear it from Lolli. He parked in his space and collected the thick police files Peltier had left him with. He made his way to his apartment, but only part of him was hoping Lolli was still there. He walked into his warm home, and saw Lolli curled on the couch, wearing her new nightshirt and reading a book.

Her face lit up upon seeing him, but quickly faded when she saw his expression. “Stephan, what’s wrong?” she asked.

“I fear I have been presented with some information and I must ask you if it is true.”

“If what is true?”

“That between Dallas and here, you murdered 20 people.”

“There were murders but they weren’t crimes.” She said, setting her book aside.

Stephan dropped the file on the coffee table and sat at the far edge of the couch, “How can murder not be a crime?” she asked.

“They were bad daddies. They were doing things to their little girls.”

“Lolli, only 3 of the girls showed signs of sexual abuse.”

“They were all victims. I saved them.”

“Lolli, there is no evidence…”

“But daddy made me-” she stopped suddenly, realizing what she was saying. Her face betrayed that she had suddenly revealed a dark secret.

“Lolli?” He gently pressed.

“No. Sydney said you wouldn’t like me anymore if you found out.” She got up from the couch and tried to leave the room. Stephan quickly jumped to his feet and caught her wrist.

“Talk to me, Lolli…please.”

Her bottom lip quivered as she told him about her daddy forcing her to use her mouth and hands to make him happy. Stephan held her gently as she went on to tell him the abuse she continued to suffer while in foster care. She cried when she spoke about being returned to her father, because nothing could prove in a court of law. Lolli relayed her promise to save other little girls from bad daddies by letting their souls be reborn to a loving family. Gently he pushed her back to look in her face.

“Lolli, these are children. You are talking about killing children.”

“That just means that their souls will go to Heaven and be reborn to better families. Stephan if you given the choice between Vincent Bruno, Lady Peltier or a new start which would you choose.”

“Knowing the reputation of both, I would choose a new start.”

“Did you know that the estimated number of abused and neglected children increased from 1.4 million in 1986, to over 2.8 million in 1993. The number of children who were seriously injured quadrupled from about 143,000 to nearly 570,000. Children are 5 to 7 times likely to be raped, beaten or murdered in foster care, and we aren’t even going to talk about the children the state has lost. Stephan, no one saved me, the least I can do is try to save these little girls….so they don’t become something like me.”

“What happened to Sydney during this period?” he carefully asked.

“I can’t tell you her secrets. Those are hers and hers alone. Do you hate me?” she asked in a vulnerable, uncertain tone. He smiled warmly at her as he assured her he did not hate her.

“You mean that?” She asked, draping her arms about his neck.

“Yes, I do.” He assured. She was leaning in for a kiss when her cell phone demanded her attention.

“It’s Random.” She volunteered reading his name on the cell phone’s small screen. She didn’t spend much time on the phone and Stephan gathered that Lolli’s new friend was in some kind of trouble.

“Would you like me to come with you?” Stephan offered.

“Please. It sounds likes he’s in some serious trouble. He’s at Sunset Park, area B.”

“Area B? I was not aware the park had different areas.”

“It’s east of the lake but west of park, I’ll get you there.”

“Lolli, we have just under 2 hours until sunrise. If things go wrong…”

Lolli placed her finger to Stephan’s lips. “Stephan, I have to help him. One of my clan took him in and then abandoned him. He doesn’t understand why his thoughts don’t make any sense. I need to fix him, before he hurts someone or gets himself killed violating the Masquerade.”

“Did he tell you he’s a ghoul?”

“No, but I recognize certain signs. He needs help Stephan, and has no one else to turn to.”

--------------------~*~--------------------

“She’s on her way.” Random reported.

“Excellent.” A large, burly man commented, and then turned to face the rest of the group. “Our intel has confirmed that Stephan has been released from the mansion and it is possible that she will bring him. You three...” he gestured to three of the best fighters in the group. “If he shows up, your job will be to restrain and subdue him.” The three men nodded. “The rest of us will take down the Malkavian.” He said, addressing the other five members of the group. “Go get into positions. Random and I will draw them to you.”

The group of seven men and one woman rushed off the far end of the park, to the lightly wooded area just past the public restrooms.

“I hope we have enough people.” The leader said, watching his team disappear into the night.

“I think we have enough manpower to take down one Malkavian.” Random assured.

“We have no intel on her fighting ability. We do not know what type of training she’s had, if any. We don’t know what weapons she is proficient with or how powerful she is or what exactly she is capable of. She is one of the few Kindred we know almost nothing about.”

“Brandon, she’s a stripper, how dangerous can she be?” Random asked.

“You of all people should know that Malkavians should never be underestimated. Come on, let’s get into position, and wait for your prey.”

--------------------~*~--------------------

All parks in Clark County close at 11PM, forcing Stephan to park at the sports bar across the street. As they bolted across Sunset Avenue, Stephan was thankful that the streets were all but deserted at this hour. True to her word, Lolli successfully lead them to area, where a nervous Random was found hiding behind a tree.

“Random, what happened? Are you OK?” Lolli asked, coaxing him out from behind the tree. Random eyes Stephan suspiciously.

“Random, this is Stephan. He’s here to help. Talk to me Random, what happened? I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me what’s wrong.” She urged. He suddenly wrapped his arms about her neck, hugging her in relief. The motion was so sudden that it caught her off guard and she stumbled.

“They found me.” He said. His eyes wide with fear. “They found me.” He repeated.

“Who? Who’s found you?” Lolli asked.

“Him!” Random shouted, pointing to a large man rushing towards them. Random pushed himself away from Lolli and took off at a dead run further east, towards the gathering of trees.

The burly man pushed his way past Lolli, knocking her to the ground in his pursuit of Random. Stephan helped Lolli to her feet before the pair gave chase. As planned, she and Stephan followed them into the wooded area. Two men immediately Stephan tackled him to the ground; two holding his arms out while a third disarmed him. She spun quickly to help Stephan when the third man held a gun to Stephan’s head. “Don’t.” the third man said, pulling the hammer back on the revolver to show he meant business.

“Where’s Random?” she asked, watching the five other people emerge from the shadows. Stephan watched as she shifted her weight, carefully distributing her weight to allow for a quick response. Her dainty hands formed into fists as she carefully kept her eyes on the group before her.

“Random, Random, who’s got Random.” Brandon mocked; when no one spoke up he shrugged. “Ain’t nothing or no one Random here.” He said.

“You wanna play games, ok. But I go first.” She said. “Red Rover, Red Rover, let Random come over.” She said in her sing-song tone.

“Now that was amusing.” Brandon said, signaling for someone to approach. A tall, slender woman emerged from the group. She had Random’s right arm twisted behind him as she guided him. Suddenly she pushed Random into Lolli, who twisted in order to catch him without falling back into Stephan. Random crashed into her and there was a terrible piercing pain in her chest. Lifelessly she collapsed to the ground, still clutching Random and pulling him down as well.

“Lolli!” Stephan cried out upon watching her fall.

“See, I told you it would be easy.” Random said, freeing himself from her grip and rising to his feet. “Piece of cake!” he exclaimed, thrusting his arm out. “Piece of fucking chocolate cake!” he cried out to the sky.

“It was almost too easy.” Brandon said, nudging the vampire with the toe of his boot.

“Sometimes we get lucky. Now let’s get going. I’m freezing my nuts off!” Random said, still on an adrenaline high from taking down a vampire. One of the others, was crouching down beside Lolli, he took it upon himself to roll her onto her back.

“She has beautiful eyes.” He commented, drinking in her face in a manner that made Stephan uncomfortable.

“Where’d she get the knife?” The woman asked, pointing to Lolli’s right hand.

“She must’ve grabbed it from me when I ran into her.” Random said, finding his back sheath empty.

“What about him?” someone asked in reference to Stephan.

“We have to kill him. As one of Bruno’s ghouls he’s too dangerous to leave behind as a witness.” Brandon said.

“Sorry, mate, nuthin’ personal.” the third man said in a distinctive Australian accent.

“Not here!” Brandon quickly clarified. “We need to take him to Happyland.” Brandon said, using the code phrase for a manmade wash just outside of town. “It’ll be days before his body is discovered there.”

The man hovering over Lolli suddenly began screaming, declaring that ants were crawling all over him. Frantically he tried to brush off the imagined pests, as another man came to his aid. Lolli suddenly jumped to her and rammed the knife into the neck of the closest victim. The man gurgled, incapable of screaming as he drowned on his own blood. As he fell she brought her leg up and around in a beautiful roundhouse that broke Random’s nose.

“Impossible! You’re supposed to be incapacitated.” A red haired man said, backing away as he raised his gun. She said nothing as her hand snatched the slide of his gun; with a twist she pulled the slide off the weapon, rendering the gun useless.

“Stop or I’ll kill him!” the Australian warned. Lolli spun, throwing the slide at the man’s head. It struck his forehead with such force that the man collapsed unconscious. The two men holding Stephan looked at each other, but neither released Stephan. She was a terrifying site. Her eyes glistened with murder as she stalked closer. The wooden stake still protruding from her chest only added to the intimidation factor.

“Guys, a little help.” One of the two said. Brandon, being the closest, pounced on Lolli and wrapped his muscular arms about her tiny frame. She slammed her fist into Brandon’s crotch, gripping his sensitive anatomy tightly. He cried out, but refused to release her. The woman came up to help Brandon, Lolli released Brandon’s crotch, lifted both feet and slammed them into the woman. Both the woman and Brandon fell backwards from the impact. Brandon released Lolli in the fall who recovered quickly, and kicked Random in the ribs, to make sure he stayed down. Brandon curled into a ball to recover from groin attack.

“Behind you!” Stephan called, seeing the ant-man’s helper running up behind her. Without looking she caught the would-be assailant in the chest with a powerful back kick. The red head produced a crossbow from the shadows and took aim as Lolli danced with her female counterpart, spinning, blocking, dodging and punching as if she were a thing made of water. Her moves so fluid it was like nothing Stephan had ever seen. A fist to the solar plexus took care of the woman. The red head fire the first bolt, it soared through the air, but Lolli threw herself back, landing on her hands and kicking her feet over. The bolted embedded itself in a nearby tree.

With a flick of a leaver another bolt was ready to fire as Lolli righted herself. She spun this time, avoiding the second bolt. A third bolt, Lolli ducked and spun as the projectile sailed harmlessly over her. Now it was an acrobatic display as she dodged bolt after bolt, dancing her way to Stephan’s captors. The red head was beginning to get desperate, and burning through his ammo more quickly as he hoped to catch her as she danced and flipped about.

She was now standing in front of Stephan, her body acting as his shield as another bolt was fired. This one she caught, inches from her throat. She pulled the stake from her chest with her free hand before suddenly burying them in the men who held Stephan. Her deadly eyes locked on the would-be archer as he suddenly discovered he was out of ammo. Stephan gathered his guns and rose to his feet, Lolli stepping to remain in front of him.

“Stay behind me. I’ll be your shield.” She said her voice dark as her tone held the promise of more violence yet to come.

Brandon and the woman recovered, Stephan was quick to aim his guns at them, warning them not to move. The man who was screaming about ants was suddenly silent and lying still in the grass. Stephan did not know if was alive or not.

“Who are you?” Stephan asked, remaining behind Lolli.

“Just you local everyday vampire hunters.” It was Random who answered, as he slowly and painfully got to his feet.

“No, you are not.” Stephan challenged.

“You.” Lolli pointed at Random “You are the little shadow who wondered into my club.” She said, suddenly placing where she had seen him before. “It was you who showed me the coming of the Time of Retribution. The rain of blood and pain all little shadows will bring to the night.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Random said, spitting out a mouth of blood. Lolli moved faster than anyone could see as she grabbed Random and hauled him off his feet.

“You betrayed my trust.” She snarled.

“As my Regnant betrayed me.” He countered, showing no fear. Did he really believe she would not harm him? Was he that arrogant? He laughed at her as she held him above the ground. “Are you going kill me? Fine! Do it! I welcome death! Anything to escape the voices.” he said.

“This realm is for grown-ups. Raw, well-ordered, ruthless, careening off the jagged edge of reality. Self-pitying dreamers are not wanted here; they cannot survive here.” She began through tightly clenched teeth. “You... fear the truth. You live in shadows.” She said, her gaze reaching deep into his mind. She traveled to the small fractured corner, finding the voices he was desperately trying to silence with medication and psychological treatment. With a Delicate skill she found the fragile dark glass barrier holding back nearly a dozen voices. With a single thought she shattered that barrier. She freed the voices he had fought for so long to suppress and silence.

“Your pathetic attempts to regain your sanity have failed.” Now free the voices took their revenge, tearing at his mind, threatening to drown him in their incessant babble. Terror filled his eyes as he felt solid thoughts melt away like ice cream on a hot summer day.

“Retreat into the sterile safety of your self-delusions, or risk inevitable annihilation.” He clung onto to those words like a life raft as he tried to escape the screaming voices. Lucid thoughts were turning rancid. Logic danced with delirium, giving in to its seduction like a love struck nerd on prom night.

“If you destroy me, you'll destroy yourself. Leave now and some hollow part of you may survive. Stay and I will BREAK…YOU…DOWN. You will lose yourself forever.” Random’s eyes went wide as he felt that last defense give away, the voices finding a long sought after escape through his muttering lips. She dropped him the ground and he curled into the fetal position as voices quietly argued amongst themselves.

“Holy mother of God.” The Red head gasped.

“No 10th gen can do…that.” Brandon said in reference to Random.

“Gather your dead and leave.” Lolli ordered. “Tell the Shadow Dressed in Rags that will not go quietly into that good night.” She ordered, carefully stepping back, resuming her place as Stephan’s shield as the pair cautiously backed away from the ambush. Once they were far enough away the pair ran for the edge of the park, upon safely reaching the sidewalk, Lolli collapsed.

“Lolli!” Stephan exclaimed, holstering his guns and crouching down beside her. “Lolli, are you all right?” he asked, gathering her in his arms, ever vigilant for another attack.

“Stephan? How did I get to the sidewalk?”

“You do not remember?”

“Remember what?”

“I will explain once we are in the car, we are not safe here.” He said, helping to her to her feet.

“What the Hell happened to my jacket?” she asked, seeing a large hole two inched from her heart.

“I will explain everything, but right now we need to move.” Stephan said, grabbing Lolli’s hand and darting across the street to his car.

Once in the car he quickly threw it into gear and drove away, taking a different route to his home and keeping sharp eyes out for anyone following them.

“What is the last thing you remember?” Stephan asked, once he was fairly certain they were not being followed.

“Random being pushed into me, and then a pain in my chest.” Her eyes suddenly widened. “Where is Random?!”

“Lolli, it was a trap. Random staked you. That is why there is a hole in your jacket; fortunately Random’s aim was off.”

“What?” she asked in disbelief. Stephan went on to describe the ambush and Lolli taking down six of the ten assailants. He also told her Random’s fate, indicating that she had shattered his mind.

“I can’t do that. I’m not that powerful.”

“Apparently you are.”

“Maybe I was channeling my sire?” she suggested.

“I do not think it works like that.” He suggested, trying to unravel the latest enigma of his lunatic lover.

“Oh God Stephan!” she gasped, pointing at the brightness creeping up behind the mountains.

“Get down!” he ordered, pushing her to the floorboard as he demanded a little more speed from the car. There was not time to reach either her haven or his apartment. He jerked the wheel suddenly, taking them towards The Strip. Another jerk of the wheel and he was in the covered parking garage for the Luxor.

“We need to hurry.” He said, popping his trunk and pulling out a small overnight bag. Lolli was sluggish to respond as the sun continued its climb up the mountains.

“Come on.” He said, grabbing Lolli’s hand and dragging her to the elevators. Take your hair down, use it to cover the hole in your jacket.” He ordered, opening the overnight bag and pulling out an emergency credit card from the inner pocket. He pushed the card into his back pocket. Her fingers were slow to respond. “I can’t.” she said, her eyes starting to drift close, her body beginning to slide down the wall.

“Stay with me Lolli, we’re almost there.” He said, helping her free her hair from the twin buns. Her eyes snapped opened with the doors, early morning brightness flooded the tiny room.

“Stephan it’s bright.” She whimpered, covering her eyes to protect them from the searing light.

“Walk in my shadow, once we’re inside we’ll be safe from the sun. Just a few more feet. Can you do that?” she asked, locking a firm arm about her and walking out of the elevator.

“You’re using contractions.” She sleepily pointed out.

“You’ve got me doing that from time to time.” He admitted, helping her walk down the open passageway between the garage and hotel. He was relieved that the sun would be rising behind them, casting a blessed shadow from the parking structure.

“You did it again.” She pointed out, her knees starting to buckle with the need for sleep.

“Stay awake Lolli, I can’t carry you into the casino, it will raise too many questions.” He shook her gently to wake her up again. “How many contractions have I used?” he asked, hoping that if he could engage her brain she would stay awake just a little longer.

“Hmmm?”

“How many contractions have I used since the park?” he asked. Her eyes fluttered opened, he could see the wheels turning.

“Three.” She answered.

“Are you sure? Think again.”

“Four. No…five. You’ve used five contractions.”

Once inside Stephan had to ask security where the check in desk was, only to learn it was clear on the far end of the casino.

“Come on, Lolli, we need to keep you moving.” He urged, helping her through the casino, thankful that it was not yet crowded. He continued to engage her mind as it seemed to help keep her conscious. His questions were simple, but in her state required thought to answer. He quickly made his way the farthest counter to get a room. It took some negotiation and a high limit credit card to secure a room for the day. Lolli’s apparent state of exhaustion may also have had something to do with the minimum trouble.

“Is she all right?” the clerk asked.

“Yes, she is just dead on her feet.”

Lolli giggled “You made a funny.” She said quietly as she struggled to remain standing. He accepted the room key and directions to the elevator that would take them to their room.

“Stephan, am I safe?” she asked, her eyes now closed, she was unable to open them.

“Not yet.” He answered, uncertain if the drapes in the room would be open of not.

“Fuck.” She said with feeling, as she slid down the wall.

“Lolli, I promise we are almost there.” He assured, trying to get her on her feet again, but her legs would not support her.

“I can’t.” she whimpered.

“All right, I will carry you.” He said gathering her in his am and rising to his feet. The overnight bag and room key were both in his right hand. It took some careful maneuvering to get the door open without hitting Lolli against the wall in the process.

“Will you undress me and put me into bed?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Thank you.” She said, still trying to fight off sleep, but failing. Once in the room, Stephan was relieved to see the thick drapes were closed, but was concerned about the light seeping into the room. As promised he undressed Lolli and placed her in bed, completely covering her with the blankets to save her from the deadly light. With a yawn of his own, he hung the “Do not disturb” sign on the door and crawled onto bed with her. Holding her tightly as he realized just how close he came to loosing her.

--------------------~*~--------------------

Isabella felt blessed that she was able to put off sleep for several hours after the sun rose. She often used that time to catch up on her e-mails or read a couple of chapters in her book. Right now she was relaxing in her room, reading the last two chapters of her book. It only took her a decade to read the damn thing and was Hell-bent to finish the work of fiction this century.

It was almost 8 in the morning when her door opened and masked woman ran in armed with crossbows. Isabella rose to her feet and was prepared to lunge at her when the woman’s words stopped her dead in her tracks.

“I have a message from your father.”

“My father?” was all she had time to say before a wooden bolt buried itself in her heart.

“You’re in trouble.” She said, rushing out to get her partners from the hall. Isabella was quickly slid into a body bag and casually carried out of the manor.


~~*~~**~~*~~
A/N: The quote Lolli is speaking when she shatters Random’s mind is from the video game “American McGee’s Alice”