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 15: THE PLOT THICKENS

Stephan’s small dining room table was under a large map of Las Vegas with various spots marked. Each mark had a post-it note near it with information about when Isabella was there; and how long she was there. Who ever had her were moving her, and moving her so quickly that her ghouls did not have time to plan a proper rescue. Stephan tried to figure what the connection was between the four locations his Regnant had been. Nellis Air Force Base; the Rio Hotel and Casino; the Venetian; and McCarren International Airport...the only thing the four locations had in common was their security level. He sighed heavily as he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his weary eyes. He reached for his mug of coffee only to realize that it was empty, he stood up only to have a knock at his front door interrupt his trip t the coffee pot. Setting his cup back down on the table he answered the door.

“Hi! Miss me?” Lolli asked in her normal perky tone, stepping into his apartment and setting a large messenger bag down on the couch.

“Immensely,” Stephan responded in a dull monotone voice.

“I knew it! That’s why I brought you this!” she said, offering him a brightly wrapped small box.

“A gift from a Malkavian? Should I be afraid?” Stephan asked, taking the small package.

“Nah, the gifts that explode I give out on Christmas Eve.” She answered. He watched as she plopped down on his sofa, waiting patiently for him to unwrap his present.

Carefully he pulled the paper off, being careful not to rip it something that was making Lolli very antsy. Once the paper was removed he found himself looking at a box containing Domaine Charbay Tahitian Vanilla Rum. Stunned he opened the box, to verify that it did indeed contain a rather expensive bottle of rum.

“Lolli..I…”

“I know you like Rum and Cokes, and I figured you might enjoy a Vanilla Rum and Coke.”

“Thank you” you said, truly touched by her generous gift.

“How’s Reggie?”

“Still missing,” Stephan answered, taking the rum into the kitchen and placing it in the pantry.

“Any luck finding her?” she asked.

“Some. Is there a reason behind your visit tonight?” he trying not to sound as stressed and exhausted as he was feeling.

“Yep, I knew you’d be tense and I’m here to fix that.”

“I am always tense.” He responded.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. Venture ghoul and all. Come on.” She said, trying to lead him back towards the couch.

“Lolli, I must find my Regnant. I cannot afford to be distracted.”

“It looks like a little distraction may be exactly what you need.” She said glancing over at the note covered map. “Help you see things in a different light.”

“What kind of ‘distraction’ are you talking about?”

“Come outside with me.”

The mischievous gleam in her eyes caused Stephan to pause. “I feel I should be concerned.”

“I’ll make a deal with you…”

“That sounds dangerous.”

She steps closer, draping her arms about his neck and whispering in his ear. “Come out with me for some fresh air and I promise I will not play any pranks on, near or concerning you or anyone in or associated with the Ventrue clan.”

“That is blackmail.” He stated, not amused at all.

“No it isn’t!” she exclaimed. “It’s extortion.” She gleefully corrected.

“What guarantees do I have?” he asked, as if he were carefully negotiating a delicate contract.

“Scout’s Honor,” She says, placing a hand over her heart and raising her hand in a Boy Scout’s salute.

“Some how, I doubt you were ever a Boy Scout.”

“Cross my heart and hope to die. Stake my heart and leave me on a hillside.”

“That was…amusing.”

She throws her hands up in exasperation “I swear on my mother’s soul.” She finally said.

“You leave me little choice.” He said accepting her offer.

“She squealed and bounced happily in place. Stephan could only chuckle at her reaction as he watched her quickly turned her bag and pulled out a bundle of leather which she offered him.

“What is this?”

“It’s called a jacket. It helps keep you warm.” She explained, barely giving him enough time to slip into the jacket before dragging him out of the door.

“I bought something and I knew you would love.” She reported, barely able to contain her excitement as she dragged him towards the parking lot. “Ta-da!” she exclaimed, drawing his attention to the shiny new silver and purple motorcycle.

“You…bought this?”

“Yea, come on. You’re gonna love this!” she said mounting the machine and handing him a black helmet. They eased out of the parking lot and made their way down the street. At the stop light Stephan could not help but look around, he had seen this street over a thousand times, but somehow everything seemed so vivid, almost surreal.

“Hang on.” She said with a giggle before peeling out of the parking lot making her way towards the freeway. Stephan gripped her tightly, his initial thought of ‘I’m going to die’ melted away in a familiar flood of adrenaline. His heart and the speed increased as they ascended the 95 on ramp. He clutched her tighter, afraid that the increasing wind would pull him right off the bike and into traffic. The streetlights looked as if they were melting into a single stream of yellowish stream as they wove their way between cars and trucks. Gradually all his stress seemed to fade away, his missing Regnant, the pressures of Kindred politics, all of those who either wanted him or wanted him dead; all of it vanished carried on a Malkavian’s giggle into the wind. They rode for nearly 45 minutes, before exiting the freeway onto Craig. She steered the bike to the left, heading north, away from the residential areas and heading towards a massive vacant stretch of dessert.
They passed a sign advertising the future site of “Craig Ranch Community Park” before coming to a stop. The adrenaline was so strong in his veins that his hands were trembling and his legs felt weak. He took his helmet off and closed his eyes for a moment; it had been several years since felt so alive.

“Fun, huh?” she asked, removing her helmet and hanging it on the handlebars. She twisted on the bike so that she was facing him.

“That was most amusing.” He answered, but barely got the words out before Lolli kissed him. Gently he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back.

“This is not the place.” He calmly, yet sternly explained. She pouted and defiantly stuck out her tongue. “I am not comfortable showing affection out in the open.” He explained.

“Ok.” She bubbly responded, then immediately changed topics to their ride, bringing up the fact that they had reached 96 miles per hour.

“You have done this before.” he stated.

“I took some night classes at the community college; the teacher said we have to wear helmets. She used to say the only two unavoidable in life are taxes and death…if she only knew.” Lolli said with a giggle. “You wanna drive back?”

“I do not know how.”

“Here, let me show you.” She said, and then proceeded to instruct him on the various gauges, levers and pedals. She also gave him some pointers on the bike’s functions, such as increasing, decreasing and maintaining speed, breaking and shifting. He drove around the vacant lot, getting the feel of the machine. After about an hour and a half, Stephan felt as if he knew how the machine operated.

“We should probably be leaving.” Stephan suggested.

“Ok, but you’re driving.”

“I am not sure that is a good idea.”

“Why?”

“I would hate to have an accident, and hurt you.”

“Stephan, unless I loose my head a car wreck won’t kill me, and the bike can be replaced.”

Stephan looked at her for a moment before nodding. “In that case, you best secure your helmet; this may be a rather bumpy ride.”

“You made a funny.” She said with a laugh. Slowly he made his way to Craig Rd, and turned heading back towards the freeway. As he became more comfortable with the additional weight of a rider, he began passing the few cars that were on that stretch of road. His heart was in his throat and the tinge of fear in the back of his throat as he took the 93/95 on ramp. He hovered in the slow lane until he felt comfortable, at which point he began demanding more speed from the bike. Cars and trucks were blurs as he pushed speeds upwards of 90 miles and hour.

Once they exited the freeway, he had to slow the bike to the legal speed limit which felt like a near crawl. When he entered his complex, he parked the bike and sat there for a few seconds, toying with the idea of buying a motorcycle of his own.

His mind then wondered what his Regnant’s reaction would be to such a decision, as he watched the red headed lunatic happily bounce about praising the gods of Harley Davidson.

“I must admit, that was fun.”

“I know.” She said with a huge grin and a slight shrug.

“I should be getting back to my search.”

“At least I got you out for some fresh air.”

“And for that, I thank you. I feel…more awake.” He said taking off the jacket and offering it back to her.

“Keep it, you may need it again. Good luck finding Reggie. If you need anything…”

“I will call.”

“Speaking of calling, my cell phone is going off.” From what Stephan could gather from her side of the conversation it sounded like she had top meet with someone, but she never stated any names.

“I have to go. I’ll see you later.” She said

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

When Stark was removed from Praxis, Peltier was the next logical choice. However, the Brujah, Nosferatu, and Toreador were against her claiming the Prince title of Vegas and were willing to go to war to remove her. Clan Malkavian was not opposed to anyone being Prince, except Chris White. The only two whom the council could agree to have as an acting Prince was James Marks of Clan Ventrue and Frank of the clan Brujah, both men are powerful enough to not be intimidated, fair and just in their understanding of Kindred Law and neither one want the position. Frank and James decided between them who would fill the role, by flipping a coin. As a result, James Marks, of clan Venture was giving the position of Lord Protector the “temporary Prince” of Vegas, until the Primogen council found a replacement that would cause a clan war among the vampires of Vegas.

Like Frank, James is a short thin man who wears wire rimed glasses. His black curly hair reached his shoulders and was pulled back into a ponytail at the base of his skull. Chris and Caird approached James, who looked up from his papers with dark green eyes.

“Have I been replaced?” James asked, almost hopefully.

“No.” they answered in unison.

“Crap…all right, what do you need?”

“Permission to kill Raven, the Malkavian Primogen.” Chris stated.

“Why would I grant that?” James asked.

“She and one of my Brujah, along with a Ventrue were plotting my death.”

“That’s a pretty serious charge. I will need to review any evidence and speak with any witnesses. Can you provide me with that?”

“Isabella Bruno, of Clan Ventrue is one of the co-conspirators and Lollipopp of the Clan Malkavian is a witness.” Caird reported.

“A Malkavian witness?” James said with some doubt. He sighed and suggested that they need to bring in their witness and the Brujah in question, while he contact Peltier about bringing in Isabella Bruno.


Lolli was the first to respond to James’ call, walking in wearing her favorite blue jeans with lavender flowers embroidered up the leg, her pink Baby Phat leather jacket, matching bag and a baby blue t-shirt reading “Restraining orders are just another way of saying I love you.” She looked around with her eyes wide as she looked at the trio of Brujahs and James Marks.

“Am I in trouble?” she asked.

“No, but I need to ask you some questions.” James said, indicating that Lolli should have a seat.

“About what.” She looked suspiciously about the room, cautiously sitting in the chair James’ had gestured to. “About the attempt on Chris’ life,” Frank said.

“You promised no one would know it was me.” She said to Frank, jumping out of the chair to confront him.

“And no one outside of this room will; however, Lady Peltier will be here in about 45 minutes. If you wish to be gone before she gets here, I’d suggest we start talking.” James both assured and warned.

“Would listening to it be quicker?” she asked, digging through her bag and pulling out a small tape recorder. Everyone in the room listened to the conversation between, Isabella, Lollipopp and Mason. Frank’s blood boiled with rage as he listened to Mason outline the layout of the apartments, the access codes and the blind spots in the security. Everyone listened as Mason wrote down a list of things as he detailed the best places for Lolli to set her arson trap. James asked Lolli a few questions about the meeting, and about why she opted to side with the Brujah. Lolli quickly and lucidly answered every question, informing James that she knew Isabella would not honor her part of the agreement. She explained how easy it would be for the Ventrue, with the help of the new Brujah Primogen make the poor Malkavian the scapegoat. Afterwards James thanked her for her time, and offered her back the mini-cassette recorder she had brought. She slipped it back into her bag and quietly slipped from the room, tossing Frank a small smile that cause the Brujah to pause.

Lady Peltier arrived shortly after the Malkavian left, without Isabella. She explained about Isabella’s disappearance and requested that the ‘inquest’ be postponed until the wayward Ventrue could be located. Immediately Chris objected.

“I have to agree. This was not a conspiracy involving lower ranking Kindred. We are talking about a plot to murder a Primogen. It is possible that she realized what she had done and is in hiding in fear of punishment or retribution. I will allow you to plea her case, but I am afraid in the sense of justice I cannot postpone this.”

Peltier made a few more objections which James counters by quoting Kindred Law until finally she had no choice but to concede. The Brujah, again, presented their case and upon Peltier’s request produce Mason to answer any and all questions. Mason outlined his desire to be the Brujah Primogen and Raven’s plan to remove Chris and to ‘frame’ Lolli for the assassination.

“Why frame the Malkavian?” Peltier asked.

“Raven fears Lollipop’s growing popularity among their clan. Raven said that if the top three floors of the Imperial Palace were to be consumed in fire, it would be easy to point the finger at Lollipopp. She has admitted to being an arsonist, and with two Primogens accusing her, and Chris’ supporters demanding justice no one would have believed her.”

“Brujah and Ventrue are not close allies in this city. Why in Cain’s name would Isabella; one, believe and two, help you?” Peltier asked, hoping to throw doubt into James’ mind.

“Because I am not opposed to you being Prince and Isabella thought it would get her back in you good graces.”

All eyes turned to Peltier who was completely stunned. She backed away from Mason as if it would undo what he had said. She looked first to James and then to the Brujah.

“Yes, I want to be Prince, but would NEVER condone a plan such as this.”

“That, my Lady was never a question.” James said.

“Besides, if you are plotting Chris’ death even I know you would not use Isabella.” Frank said with a slight chuckle, enjoying Peltier’s discomfort.

“Mason’s fate is in the hands of the Brujah, we are here to discuss Isabella’s fate.” James said after a moment.

“We want Isabella’s head…literally.” Caird stated.

“I understand the gravity of the charges, but I feel this is a bit extreme. She was not part of the plot, nor was she the mastermind of this assassination attempt. Isabella was merely a means to an end. And instrument if you will.”

“Her Sire tried to eliminate the entire Primogen Council, by trade she is a paid assassin, the Brunos’ violent temper and intense love of carnage is not only well known, but well documented. Once she has the mind set to remove someone she, like her sire, will not stop until their target has been eliminated. And being Vincent Bruno’s flesh and blood child she shares many of his traits.” Caird argued.

“I am well aware of the Bruno’s history in Vegas.” Lady Peltier glowered. “There is no evidence to indicate that she sees Chris as a target to be eliminated, she was merely hired for a job.”

“Her ghouls have been asking about the Brujah and Chris for months.”

Peltier sighed heavily. “She has been providing me with information about the Brujah’s clan structure. A who’s who if you will. Have the Brujah not been doing that same with the Ventrue?”

None of the Brujah answered.

“Her actions still require a punishment.” James voiced.

“I will see to her ‘education’ would that be sufficient?” Peltier suggested.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Frank asked

“It is extremely unpleasant, I can assure you.” James answered.

“How long would this ‘education’ take?” Chris asked.

“A month.”

“Make it two and I will accept.” Chris said.

“Agreed. Once Isabella surfaces, I will personally see to her education.”

“Unless anyone objects I want a Blood Hunt declared on Raven of clan Malkavian.” Chris said. No one spoke up in protest; Peltier liked having Raven in her pocket, but knew she could not save the crazed Primogen.

“Then it is done. Let it be known that Raven has been removed from the Primogen council and that there is a Blood Hunt upon her. I will notify the Malkavian whip that his Clan needs to select a new Primogen.”

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

Peltier sat in the back of her silver limo, the lights of Vegas streaked by as she spoke on her cell phone.

“Isabella this is Lady Peltier, call me as soon as you get this message.” She snapped her phone closed with an angry flip of her wrist. She knew the Malkavian would take the Primogen seat; it would be foolish of her not to. Of course Dr. Mike, the Malkavian whip, may also take the seat and if that were the case she would still hold sway over the Malkavian vote.

She opened her phone and placed another call.

“Yes?” The male voice said.

“I need the stripper eliminated.”

“And what if Stephan Villos is with her?”

She paused for a moment, considering the question. With some re-education and the proper Regnant he could be salvaged and restored. “Do not kill him, other than that you have no restrictions.”

“And the time frame?”

“Sooner, rather than later.”

“I understand.”

“If Stephan is with her, bring him to me.”

“As m’lady commands.”

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

Chris and his entourage left the meeting content with the outcome. Frank staked Mason and tossed him into the trunk of their black limo as Chris and Ciard climbed into the back seat. Chris and his sire filled the car with talks on how best to find Raven, Frank would occasionally chime in with a couple of suggestions, but primarily read his book on Quantum Mechanics. Chris and Caird decided that they wanted to be the ones who destroyed the treacherous Malkavian.

Frank had to take a break from his book, being undead did not cure him from getting car sick if he read in a moving car. Casually his glanced out the window to give his eyes something else to focus on and he noticed that the lights of Vegas were getting dimmer and farther away. “Where are we going?” frank asked. The other two were so engrossed in their conversation that they were oblivious to their surroundings until Frank said something.

“Josh, where are you taking us?” Chris asked as the car pulled to a stop at an intersection. Caird looked out the window and was surprised to see how far outside the city they really were.

The driver turned around and smiled happily at the confused trio.

“Lolli!” Frank exclaimed.

“Where’s Josh?” Chris asked, concerned for his clansman.

“You told him you wanted to drive home and gave him money for a taxi.”

“No I didn’t.”

“Yeah, yeah you did. Just ask him.”

“Is this one of your pranks?”

“No. A prank would be slipping speed into the coffeepot in the DMV break room. This is a solution to the problem the two have been talking about.”

“You know where Raven is?” Caird asked.

“Yep, that’s where I’m going.”

“We are not your personal assassins.” Caird snapped.

“I never thought you were I just thought you’d like to be witness to her death, now that there’s a blood Hunt on her and all.”

“How did you know about that?” Chris asked.

“I’m psychic.” She answered nonchalantly “Besides, when James tell Dr. Mike that the clan needs to select a new Primogen, do you really think he won’t tell Raven?”

“How did you know he was going to contact the whip?” Caird asked.

Lolli looked about and leaned over the seat a little, still keeping her foot on the break. “Can you keep a secret?” she whispered. Caird nodded and leaned in closer.

“So can I,” Lolli giggled and turned back around.

“James won’t be able to get a hold of Dr. Mike until late this evening, if at all...Dr. Mike is pulling an all night shift at St. Rose Hospital. Now, as soon as Dr. Mike gets the message, he’s gonna warn Raven, and if you think she’s hard to find now, just wait until someone really is after her. If I’m going to kill Raven it has to be tonight. So do you wanna watch or not?” Lolli asked

“Seriously, how do you know all this?” Chris asked.

“A woman’s intuition.”

“I have never treated you as the fool, please return the courtesy.” Chris said, tired of her games.

“I was hiding in the shadows outside the door.” She confessed.

“You were spying on us!” Caird exclaimed.

“Not intentionally. I went to leave and heard someone coming up the stairs so I hid in the shadows and saw it was Peltier and her servant. She ordered him to wait at the end of the hall and the big jerk took up the entire doorway so I was forced to wait by the door and with nothing else to do I listened to your meeting. Shortly before Peltier came out her servant left to get the car and I hauled my scrawny, pale ass downstairs. You know we are wasting a lot of time here. I need to get to Raven soon so are going to bear witness or not?”

“Why do you want to kill her?” Chris asked.

“She’s tried to murderlize me, so now it’s my turn. It’s kinda like a wicked game of tag.”

“When and how did she try to kill you?” Caird questioned.

“A few weeks ago sent a wayward ghoul called Random after me. He nearly staked me, and ruined my favorite jacket!”

“What happened to the ghoul?”

“I managed to take care of him.”

“You didn’t...” Caird started.

“Eww, no!” Lolli exclaimed as if she had squashed a bug with her bare feet. “I just freed all the voices he’d been locking up in the dark glass of his mind so he’d have someone to talk to.”

“I don’t think I understood that last part.” Chris said.

“I don’t think you want to understand that last part.” Frank countered.

“So now that’s legal for me to kill Raven that’s what I’m going to do. So if you’re not going to watch then just stay out of my way!” she said, turning back around and resuming the drive.

“You can not kill Raven.” Chris said, suddenly realizing how much he wanted that pleasure himself. Frank casually leaned back and watched the conversation unfold between Chris and the Malkavian.

“Just watch me.”

“Seriously, do you know how powerful she is, or her fighting capability?” Chris asked.

“No, but I have the element of surprise!”

“But do you have a plan?” Caird asked.

“Yeah, knock down the door and kick her ass!” Lolli snapped.

“That’s it? Just go in with guns blazing?” Chris chuckled.

“No way. I know that she has convinced a Tremere to set up a metal ward around her room. I was going to go in with a crossbow and Bokken that I have sharpened.”

“A Bokken?” Chris asked, surprised at her limited arsenal.

“Yeah, you know it’s a wooden Japanese sword used for training. I just took it to a belt sander and managed to put and edge and a point on it.”

“I know what a Bokken is. What disciplines are you planning on using? Do you even know what disciplines she is capable of?”

“Nope, but it doesn’t matter, because I am pissed off and in the movies the good guys always win…especially when they’re pissed off.”

“This isn’t a movie!” Caird snapped. “Believe it or not she is a powerful force in Vegas, more powerful then you are I would imagine. If you go in there with the plan you have now, she will kill you. If that happens what becomes of your clan? Of all the Malkavians in Vegas you are best suited for Primogen.”

“But I don’t want it.”

“You are all ready doing most of the job anyway; why not claim the position and protection. It will come down to you and Dr. Mike, and while he is suitable, you are better at it and he will recognize that. Let Chris and I take down Raven.” Caird reasoned, knowing that if Lolli became Primogen she would vote for Chris to be the new Prince.

“I’m just supposed to let you two fight my battles?”

“No, you’re going to let us fight our own battles. Even though destroying Raven is legal because of the Blood Hunt, do you really believe that her in clan supporters will not seek vengeance?” Caird reasoned.

“I didn’t think of that.” Lolli confessed.

“Let us handle it, it will be known that the Brujah found and eliminated Raven, and your name will be kept out of it. Do we have a deal?” Chris added, bringing the discussion to a close.

“I suppose so.” Lolli agreed not particularly thrilled with their logic.

“Good.” Caird said with a smile, Frank too was grinning but for a different reason. “Why don’t you give us all the details you have about Raven’s haven?”

Lolli shrugged and began bombarding them with information about the location’s layout and security features. They were amazed at the level of detail she was able to provide.

“And look out for her hounds...they’re vicious bastards.”

“What type of dogs?”

“No dogs. She has ghouls that she has turned into her own version of Hell Hounds. They’re appearance is…”she searched for the right word before settling with “disturbing.”

Lolli slowed to a stop about a half mile from a small unassuming hacienda style home, explaining that any closer and the hounds would hear them and alert Raven.

“You coming Frank?” Chris asked.

“I’ll stay behind, guard the car.”

“Good idea.” Chris confirmed following Caird lead. Lolli got out of the car and leaned against the hood with her arms crossed, watching the pair disappear into the night. Frank joined her, also leaning against the car with his arms crossed.

“I know what you did.” Frank said.

“What?” Lolli said with an innocent yet confused look on her face.

“You knew you couldn’t take down Raven so you talked Chris and his Sire into it.” Frank said, looking into the lunatic’s brilliant green eyes.

“I didn’t talk them into anything.” She insisted.

“Yes you did. It’s called Reverse Psychology.”

Lolli beamed proudly at the Brujah as though he were a child who tied his shoes for the first time without help. “You are very clever.”

“I do read you know, and I don’t mean comic books.”

“Yeah, I saw the Quantum Mechanics book.”

“I also know that you have manipulated us into getting the Lord Protector to declare a Blood Hunt on Raven, thusly clearing the Malkavian Primogen seat for you.”

“Then why go along?” Lolli countered.

“Because you impress me, and continue to impress me.”

“Impress you? How?”

“I saw you fight that thing down in the tunnels. I suspect that in a fight between the two of us you’d win…but I’d seriously fuck you up. I’ve watched as you out manipulated Peltier to regain your hold on that ghoul. I’m watching now as you remain one step ahead of her. You come across as stupid and naïve but you are not and woe to those who fall for your ploy, little girl.”

“I can’t fight.” She said with genuine confusion.

“If you say so.” Frank said, looking in the direction of the house.

“So, now what?” Lolli asked, returning her gaze to the house as well.

“Stop manipulating the Brujah and we’ll be fine.” He said.

Lolli giggled “I will do my best, just give me a little nudge if I start doing it again.”

“That, I can do.”

“You know somethin’ Frank you would’ve made a great Mal-what’s-it-again.”

“Thank you…I think?”

Lolli just giggled then winced slightly. “Raven’s dead, we should get in the car.”

“How do you know?”

An evil little grin played across her painted lips as she answered “We always know when one of our own has died.”

“You know sometimes you scare the crap out of me.”

Lolli just giggled and climbed back into the driver’s seat “If you think I’m scary now…just wait until Peltier tries to kill me. Then we will be truly terrifying.”

“We?” Frank asked as he picked up his book from the floorboard.

“Yes, my sister, Sydney is coming to visit…and we always have a bloody, good time together.”

Lolli giggled as Chris and Caird silently climbed into the backseat. While they willing shared information about Raven’s demise, neither wanted to talk about the hounds.

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

He watched Lolli approach her apartment door through the high power scope. His finger tightened on the trigger as his mind calculated the distance and wind movement. A single Dragon’s Breath round to her heart would be fatal; the bullet would ignite in her chest and reduce her heart to cinders. The shot was almost perfect when his scope when black, confused he looked up to find a pissed off Brujah blocking the scope with his hand.

“Frank!” the man exclaims. Frank flashed his fangs as he single handedly hauled the man off the ground and threw him across the roof. Before he hit the ground, Frank was there to grab him and slam him down.
“You fuck with her, you’re fucking with me. Do you really want to fuck with me?”

With wide eyes the man frantically shook his head.

“You tell Peltier that if anyone fucks with her, I will take it personal. Now get out of here before I decide I need to rip your arms off.” Frank growled, watching the terrified man run for the roof access door and disappear down the steps. Frank strolled over and picked up the weapon, he casually snapped off the scope and peered through it, just in time to watch Lolli enter her apartment. He made mental note to talk Lolli into getting a new haven.