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.

A/N I'm sorry for not uploading yesterday...I got called into work.

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CHAPTER 16: SHADOW GAMES

Stephan sat in the restaurant sipping his coffee and waiting. The small coffee shop was quiet in contrast to the noisy casino surroundings, the quiet allowed him to think the same thoughts he had been mulling over all day. Isabella was missing; he had little luck in discovering who had kidnapped her, why and where she currently was. The distant dull throb in his chest was a constant reminder that his Regnant, wherever she may be, was immobile and incapable of protecting herself from harm. It had been a month and a day since he last tasted his Regnant’s vitae and while he had another in mind to fill that void, the prospect of a Malkavian Regnant, no mater how sane she appeared at times, was a little disserting. Malkavian’s do not have the best of reputation when it comes to ghouls.

He looked at his watch; he still had five minutes of daylight left, and it would be the longest five minutes of his life. Determined not to check his watch every 30 seconds Stephan used the time to put his thoughts in order and finish his coffee. The instant the sun set he was in the phone telling her that he needed to speak with her and asked permission to see her.

“Where are you?” she asked, no trace of sleep in her voice.

“I am in the casino across the street.” He confessed.

“Give me twenty minutes to shower.” Was her only request, to which he agreed. He left money on the table to cover his bill and tip, and then began walking to Lolli’s apartment. He used the walk to give her the time she requested and to do even more time to think about the request he was about to make. He continually assured himself that he was not betraying Isabella, he was not taking a new Regnant, but he needed the advantages Kindred vitae bestowed him. Of all the Kindred in Vegas, the Malkavian was the one he trusted the most, a thought that would normally cause laughter to escape his lips, if the circumstances were different.

With heavy steps, he approached her door and hesitantly knocks. She opened the door wearing a black tank top, a pair of men’s black silk boxers and a smile. Her dark red hair fashioned into twin braids and a white eyeless teddy bear resting in the crook of her arm. She was her normal bubbly self as she smiled brightly and invited Stephan inside. It was only when h was sitting on the couch that she noticed that something was wrong.

“Stephan?” she gently asked while sitting on the coffee table across from him.

He sighs heavily and looks up at her. “I come here for a serious request…”

“Oh, serious…time to be sane.” She answers, tossing the mutilated stuffed toy aside.

A slight smile crosses his lips. “Isabella is still missing…It has been a month since I have seen her and it may be a while longer until I locate her. This presents me with a problem I believe you can help with.” His solemn dark eyes meet her gaze.

“You’re asking me to be your Regnant aren’t you?” she asks in a soft tone, the expression in her eyes challenging his reasons.

“Yes I am.”

“And what happens when you find Isabella? Will you abandon me for her? Revert to being a mere tool for the prestige of being Ventrue? Or will you remain with me and live with being called insane for the respect I show you?”

“Too many questions for me to answer at this time…believe me I would like to be able to answer all of them for you, but I am unsure. I know I want to continue this…us. Yet, I am not sure whether I could tell her no on any request she chooses to make if …when she returns.” He studies her face attempting to gauge her reaction.

She sighs softly, rubbing her temples. “I don’t like that answer.” She groans. “I really do not like that answer.” She leaves the table and straddles him. “However, if you ask this of me I will comply.”

“I want you to be comfortable with this.” He responds, resting his hands on her hips.

“You don’t know what you want Stephan!” she suddenly snapped. “You don’t even know who you are! My dearest, the time will come when you must choose, when you must answer the questions I have put forth. This is a turbulent time in Kindred society and you will have to choose…Ventrue slave or Malkavian lover…ghoul or kindred? The time will come when a choice must be made, you cannot have both worlds forever.”

“Why is it that a Malkavian…of all clans…makes the most sense when it comes to serious matters?” a small chuckle escapes him in an attempt to lighten the mood as he waves off her attempt to respond. “You are correct. I fear that there will be no easy way to resolve this matter and that Isabella will not find herself in the best of situations at the outcome.”

“Isabella has an absolute gift for getting into trouble and making enemies but not the common sense to know friend from foe. She will not survive in this society, and her enemies will kill you to destroy her. But I see you all ready know this.” She responds, a slight grin upon her face. “My dearest Stephan, you must understand what a dangerous and volatile creature I am. I will be your Regnant, but be aware that I will ask these questions again in four months time.” She smiles again, gently caressing his face and running her fingers down the pulsing vein in his neck.

“A time limit…interesting. I am sure this situation will come spiraling down to a conclusion much sooner than that.”

“If that is true then remember that not making a choice is a choice, and you may not like what you are left with. Do you still wish me to be your Regnant?”

“As much as I feel like this is a forced decision, I am oddly at peace with my choosing you as my Regnant.”

“Then drink.” She said, lifting his hand and using one of his nails to cut her neck. He gently kissed the bleed wound, his tongue lapping tracing the small wound. While he does not have the refined palate of a vampire he did notice that her blood was richer than Isabella’s. Puzzled and curious he gently sucked on the bleeding injury to pull out as much as he could before it healed. She moaned his name, running her nails up his back.

“Lolli. I cannot stay.” He confessed, resting his forehead on her collarbone. “I want to stay and please you. I do; but the others and I are meeting soon to discuss our progress with finding Isabella.” He said apologetically.

“I understand.” She said the words so simply that Stephan had to look at her. “I do, but I do have a single request before you leave.” She said to his curious eyes.

“If I can.” He said carefully.

“Can you take me to the grocery store and bring me back?”

He chuckled softly, it was the simplest task and Regnant had ever asked of him. “That I can do. But what has happened to your bike?”

“It’s missing. It ran out of gas on the highway and when I finally got gas my bike wasn’t where I left it!”

“How long did it take you to get gas?”

“About a week.”

“A week?” he asked while chuckling “Did you think it would still be on the side of the road after a week?”

“well…yeah.”

He just shook his head. “If I am to take you to the store, we best leave now.”

“Let me get dressed.”

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

“My dear daughter.” The cloaked figure said, as his gloved hand tenderly smoothed her hair as he stood over her. “It has been a month and your ghouls have failed you. I hope that you see ghouls do not respect what they do not fear. You’ve held the reigns too loose for too long, it’s time to bring them home. You are a Bruno, remind them what that means.”

Isabella had never seen this side of her father. She had always known him to be hard and uncompromising. He was never this tender, not even where she was concerned; while he was never cruel to her he was always stern.

He sighed softly, his face obscured by the hooded cloak he wore. “You have such potential.” He almost sounded disappointed, a tone she was use to hearing. “We are the masters, if you truly understood that you would not be so lenient of failure or forgiving of insubordination. I know about Stephan’s liaisons with the Malkavian, brilliant plan for getting information about the Malkavian Primogen; however, Stephan was a poor choice. Antonio would have been better; this is after all his area of expertise. Stephan may still be salvageable, but the Malkavian will need to be destroyed and her influence over him purged.”

“The purge will not be easy. He may need a refresher of much of his training; you will need to be firm. I know that will not be easy, but I know you have it within you. You are, after all, my daughter.”

“Patriarch, they’re here.” A man announced from a doorway. He stopped stroking her hair and gripped her hand.

“I will be there in a few moments. Thank you, Brandon.” He said, watching the muscle-bound man leave the room. “I am going to release you soon, but I hope you take this little lesson to heart.”

Leaving Isabella staked, he quietly walked into the other room to address his loyal army. The time was nearly upon them and he had to both calm and reassure them that everything was on track.

The room was packed with people, all of them hanging on his every word as he outlined their next steps. He selected a few familiar faces and delegated tasks to them, making it clear when each assignment needed to be completed. He reiterated the importance of certain targets being taken out first; explaining that due to their power they would need to be taken down by snipers. He listed off their names; Lady Amadora Peltier and James Marks of clan Ventrue, Frank Rebelyon, Chris White and Caird Doyle of the Brujah, Kit the Nosferatu, and finally Dr. Mike and ‘Lollipopp’ of the Malkavian clan. All questions about Lollipopp were silenced when Brandon told of his team and Random’s fate. Patriarch used this report to instill the lesson that vampires should not be underestimated or trusted. His powerful voice filled the room as he promised that the time of vengeance was nearly at hand. He swore that that there would be no mercy and that none would be spared. He prophesized that by the time they were through no Vampire would dare enter their city. The room cheered and applauded the impending violence.

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

Stephan offered her his hand as she emerged from the car, noting that her hand was pleasantly warm compared to the cold winter wind. He closed the car door behind her as she stuffed her hands into her pocket which was more for show than actual necessity.

“Stephan, why haven’t you given me permission to feed from you?” she asked as they walked across the parking lot.

“Well, to be quite honest, it has nothing to do with me allowing you. Not directly. It is mainly because you would not find it…pleasurable. In fact quite the opposite.”

“So….you have bad taste, or am I missing your point?”

Stephan chuckled at her choice of words. “In a way you could say that. The one person who has attempted was in great pain from the experience and not from anything I did to him.”

“Interesting, I’ve never heard of that before. I wonder if I could build a tolerance to it, would you let me try that?” she asked as the grocery store’s door slid open.

“I would be nervous for you, but the decision would be yours to make.”

“Who else knows about your blood?” Lolli asked, picking up a small green plastic basket.

“To the best of my knowledge, only Isabella and that is because she was present when the discovery was made. She has talked of her desire to use my blood as a weapon, but to date has not followed through.”

“I would like to build a tolerance, just in case of emergencies. Oh, before I forget. I’ve been talking to Kit about Isabella, but I haven’t heard anything back yet.” She announced, and then suddenly turned to face him a realization dancing in her eyes. “You’re not upset that I spoke with him about this are you?”

“No of course not, you only had her best interest in mind when contacting him. I appreciate the help you have offered in this matter.”

“I am sure she will be found soon. I am just thankful I have not had any further nightmares.”

“You’re having nightmares? Do you want one of my teddy bears?”

“No, thank you.” He said, recalling her collection of eyeless stuffed animals. .

“Do you want to talk about your nightmares? Maybe that will help. Oh, maybe they’re visions!” she seemed excited about the second option.

“Visions…in a way I suppose they are. I do believe it was actual current events that I was witnessing.”

“Do you want to talk about it. Maybe I can help decipher some of the images.”

“You know this is quite odd, but in a way makes sense, to ask a Malkavian for help with mental issues. The only thins I remember is that she was in great pain. There was a struggle for her to maintain control and not give in to the Beast. Then suddenly she was placed in a state of torpor. Her surroundings were damp…very dark and there was a slight pungent order. I had the feeling that she was being held here in town and when I woke I knew I would be able to track her.” He explained watching her pick up a small plastic basket.

“Hmm…” she contemplates his dream while examining an apple, ultimately deciding against the fruit she places it back and heads off to a different part of the store. “I don’t see any hidden messages or double meanings in anything. Does she have any other…employees who are getting these, um…messages?” Lolli asked, remembering that they were in public. She casually grabbed a package of light brown sugar and then headed toward the tea and coffee isle when she grabbed a box of Chamomile tea and large container of honey.

“Yes, she does, that are currently working with Emma, and I do not believe so. At least they have not mentioned anything about it to me. For some reason I believe I have a stronger bond with her. Maybe she trusts me more.” He said following her down an isle of assorted bath products.

“She’s calling to you specifically my dearest.” She turned to look at him. “Perhaps she believes that you are best suited to resolve the situation she’s in.” she offered with a slight smile. “When you decide to do something you are extremely efficient.”

“Another possibility, her other employees are, in my opinion, not competent and are kept for menial tasks. With the exception of John.”

“Who’s John?” she asked, examining a bottle of vanilla scented shampoo.

“He is her financial advisor, like me, he also worked for her father.”

“I have seen something of the others, but not him. Why?” she asked, putting the shampoo into her basket and grabbing the matching conditioner.

“He suffered a severe leg injury and must walk with the use of a cane.”

“And did your former employer have anything to do with that injury?” Lolli asked. Stephan met her searching gaze, but did not speak. She found her answer in his silence.

“I see.” She said, then trotted over to grab a quart of milk and a small 6-pack of eggs. “Oh Stephan…” she said in a mischievous sing-song tone.

“You know I don’t like the way you said my name just now.”

“I have a prank I’d like to play.”

“Dare I ask?”

She giggled and spoke in a low voice. “I need to get a crop duster and make 3 red chalk circles about the Tremere Chantry. And then fly over once more dropping 400 Redi-Whip filled balloons.” She giggled as she tried to figure out how many balloons she could get per can of Redi-Whip.

“Ok, just make sure no one gets hurt.”

Lolli stopped and looked at him with wide eyes. “You…you’re not going to talk me out of this?”

“No, I’m not.” He said, picking up a can of whip cream and examining it without much interest. Something about her caught his attention, he set the can down and looked at the shocked Malkavian, it was an effort on his part not to laugh.

“What?” he asked, somehow managing to retain his straight face.

“Now, it’s my turn to be amazed.” Her face lit up in a grin of absolute roguish joy. “If we weren’t in public, I’d kiss you!” she exclaimed.

“Do you know where the Chantry is?” she asked in a quiet voice, it hurt to see her faim dim the face of logic.

“Um, no.” she admitted.

“Well, how powerful is your obfuscation ability?” again, he was careful to keep his voice low.

“Not that good, why”? she asked, allowing him to guide her towards the checkout counter.

“When you are powerful enough find a Tremere and follow him to the Chantry.”

“That makes sense. You’re starting to sound like my sister Mary.”

“Your sister’s name is Sidney.”

“My sire embraced 3 others besides Sidney and me. They’re my sisters!” she explained as she set the basket on the conveyer belt.

“Sometimes your logic is dizzying. Am I ever going to be able to keep up with you ‘family’ or do I need to put together a genealogy chart/” he asked as the cashier rang up the total and took Lolli’s money.

Lolli thanked the older woman behind the counter and followed Stephan towards the exit. “My birth family consists of mom, dad, Taylor and Sidney. My blood family is my Sire and his other childer.”

“Now according to that you are considering Sidney both your birth family and blood family. Isn’t that a little contradictory?”

“I don’t see how. Sidney id biologically related to me and related by blood as we are both have the same Sire.”

“But normally when someone states that someone else is related to them by blood they mean biologically.”

“I’m Kindred the blood that runs through my sire’s veins is the blood that made me and Sidney, hence she is biologically and blood related. Taylor is biologically related but not blood related because she’s Toreador whereas my Sire is blood related but not biologically related.”

“I think I will just leave the topic be. I am afraid it might start to make sense to me.” He said, opening the car door for her.

“Stephan I’ve never been a Regnant before, how often will you require blood?” she asked as he started the car.

“Only once a month, Isabella was paranoid and required it to be done once a week.”

“How long has she requested this?”

“Since my servitude began with her. She has required this of all her ghouls, not just me. She and her Sire had many differences, but control of their ghouls was not one of them.”

“When she is found will you still be my lover?”

“Unless I am expressly forbidden from continuing to see you. I am trying to decide whether it is any of her business. I do not want to loose this…to loose you.”

“I’m worried about loosing you too, but I don’t think she’ll forbid you from seeing me. I suspect she has something in mind for me. Besides I’m nights away from claiming the Malkavian Primogen seat and when that happens Peltier will not allow Isabella to sever our relationship.”

“You and your clan never cease to amaze me.”

“That is because we can see things the rigid mind does not and cannot. I have an idea about Isabella, but I’m not sure you’ll want to hear it.”

“I am listening.” He said.

“When we find, and if she is still staked…” she began hesitantly, choosing her next words carefully “…why not leave her staked and safely tucked away in a coffin or closet somewhere. This way she will not get into any trouble, she won’t offend anyone, she’ll be safe.”

“I am not sure I could do that.” He appears half aghast at the suggestion, but also seems to be mulling it over the idea. “It does have a certain logic to it, but for the same reason I do not want her making decisions for me I would not force decisions on her.”

“She has no common sense and little self control; it would be like making decisions for a child. Parents do it all the time. You’re making the decisions that will keep her safe.”

“True…very true. I am not sure which scares me more the idea or the thought that your argument is in someway…logical.”

She giggled as they pulled into the parking lot of her haven. “That is because the Children of Malkav are the most logical of the clans.”

“That has not always been the impression I have gotten.” Stephan said pulling up to her building.

“That is because before me you did not know how to listen to us.”

“And you are teaching me?” he asked, parking the car and looking at her.

“Of course, you and I have has many logical conversations have we not?”

“Yes.”

“Now, are you certain our conversations sounded logical to other people?” seeing the uncertainty in his eyes she giggled, gathered her bags and kissed his cheek. “Just think about that for a minute.” She said before bolting from the car and running up to her rented apartment.

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

“Stephan, I’m glad you’re here early.” John said, hobbling towards Stephan as he closed the study door.

“You are leaning more on cane than you normally do.” Stephan noted.

“When I go too long between…feedings, for lack of a better word, my leg pains me.”

“You have not gone to Emma?”

“No. I do not trust her sire. After Mr. Bruno…after that night Mr. Marks has made comments that all of Bruno’s ghouls from that time should be destroyed. It was Isabella who intervened and called me home. Since then I’ve gone to great lengths to avoid being alone with the man.” John explained, leaning heavily on his cane and good leg, trying to stop the screaming, throbbing pain.

“I was not aware.”

“I suspect you are going to the Malkavian, and I’m hoping you can help me. I would prefer Ventrue, but I…I am desperate.”

Stephan looked at John’s pained face, weighed the pros and cons of what John was asking of him and what he would be asking of Lolli. The thought did occur to him that this could be some type of trap, but had known John for decades, and John was never very good at subterfuge. “I will see what I can do.” Stephan relented.

“Tonight?” John asked, almost too quickly.

Stephan pulled out his cell phone and dialed the phone number he had memorized months ago. As the phone rang he made his way to the far end of the room for privacy. “Lolli, it’s Stephan, I have a favor I would like to ask of you.” He said loud enough for John to hear and then lowered his voice and turned his back to John so the rest of his conversation was in private. John watched anxiously, desperately hoping that Stephan’s body to give him any indication of how the conversation was going. But as always his body language betrayed nothing. Several minutes passed before Stephan closed his cell phone and rejoined John, who was unable to stand any longer.

“I have explained your situation to her, and she may be willing to help.”

“May?”

“She wants to meet you before the sun rises.”

“Thank you Stephan. Oh God, thank you.” John said.

“Do not thank me yet, she has not agreed to help you. Only meet with you.”

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

“We cannot interfere. The decision is not ours to make.” James said in what he hoped was a calm, neutral tone. Raven’s execution had occurred 2 nights before the Primogen’s monthly meeting so her absence was expected, but the next meeting was rapidly approaching and there was no news from the Malkavian clan on who their new Primogen would be. Now he found himself staring across the desk and Lady Peltier who seemed most eager to ‘help’ the Malkavians choose their next Primogen.

“I’m not saying we need to choose for them I’m saying that we need help them choose wisely.”

“The choice is theirs to make. Theirs and theirs alone. I will honor whoever or whatever they choose to be their Primogen.” James reiterated this was the third time he’d had this conversation with Peltier.

“Before Raven they elected a Twinkie as their Primogen! Will we tolerate such a farce!!” Peltier shouted, slamming her hands on James’ desk. He glared at her for moment, silently reminding her that while he was not Prince, he represented the Prince’s office.

“It is not a requirement that a clan have representation at the Primogen Council; however, if they do not want a Primogen the clan will have to face the consequences of not having a vote in or voice when the council convenes.” James counter, a hint of his aggravation slipping into his words. He watched as she began pacing the room.

“Dr. Mike is the best choice; if I can talk to him I can make him understand that his clan would be best served if he claimed Primogen.”

“He does not want it.” James explained.

“That is why he will be good at it. He needs to think of his clan as we need to think of the city.”

“Dr. Mike has assured me that the Malkavians will select a Primogen, but that they have not reached a decision yet.”

“Let me talk to him.” She pleaded.

“He has requested solitude for himself and his clan until a choice can be made.”

“Then why is she running around?!” Peltier demanded.

“I do not pretend to understand the workings of a Malkavian mind. This conversation is over; we will not interfere with the Malkavians’ conclave.”

Peltier sighed and resigned herself to his decision. She desperately wanted Dr. Mike as the Malkavian Primogen, she could manipulate him. She was planning on James’ cooperation; instead he was steadfast in maintaining his neutrality as Lord Protector. Gracefully she sat down, crossing her legs as antoher topic came to mind. Isabella has two of the best ghouls the Ventrue have ever seen. Perhaps she can use Isabella’s disappearance to her advantage.

“Was there something else?” James politely asked.

“Yes, Isabella is still missing and I’m certain her ghouls will be in need of Kindred vitea soon. As far as I know Isabella has made no concessions regarding her disappearance or destruction, I would like to take them.”

“That is commendable of you; however, they have all ready approached Emma Marks to be their Regnant until Isabella’s return.”

“Would this be in addition to her two existing ghouls?”

“Yes.” He answered, knowing where Peltier was going with this. He knows exactly what she is about to suggest.

“She does not have the skill to manage seven ghouls. Let me help relieve her of some of the burden.”

“First, what skills Emma may be lacking in ghoul management, I do not. Secondly, Bruno’s ghouls are all ready trained, have extensive knowledge of both the Masquerade and Kindred hierarchy, they do not need constant supervision. And finally, they have also made it clear that once Isabella has resurfaced they will return to her, but in the mean time they will serve Emma to the best of their abilities.”

“James, you know as well as I that seven ghouls is a lot for a fledgling so young. Not necessarily in regards to control or supervision but the cost of vitea. Before she drains herself supporting them, let me take two or three.”

“They have all ready tasted her vitea. They are hers now until Isabella returns. If you wish to ‘relieve her of this burden’ you will have to discuss the matter with her.”

“But you are her sire. She will listen to you.”

“And as her sire, I am encouraging her to become a self-reliant Ventrue who can think for herself and make her own decisions. If she wishes my council I will grant it, but I will not push my opinions onto her. Besides she knows I feel about Vincent Bruno’s survivors, and what would be my solution for her ‘burden’.”

The man was impossible.

“If there is nothing else, my Lady, my attention is needed elsewhere.”

A slight smile graces her lips as she stands and accepts the dismissal.

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

The meetings had lasted almost all night and now there was precious little time before dawn. John was struggling to keep up with Stephan as he lead the way through Sunset Park towards the ‘lake’ as the locals called it. John’s leg had gotten worse, to the point that John has surrendered his cane in favor of the forearm crutch he hoped he never have to use again.

“Stephan, are you sure this is the place?” he asked, silently hoping Stephan would slow down.

“Yes, I am sure.”

“It’s just that it’s so close to dawn and I don’t see her anywhere.”

“I am sure this is the location.” Stephan reiterated.

“I don’t know if I can walk much further.” John said, struggling to keep up.

“Then I will meet you half way.” A familiar voice said. Both men spun to see Lolli appear from behind a tree.

“Lolli. This is John Michelson; he is the man I was telling you about.” John bowed his head in respect, unsure what she was expecting from him.

“Tell me about your leg.”

“Ma’am?” he asked.

“Call me Lolli, ma’am makes me sound…old. I want to know why your leg bothers you.”

“Ah…” he said, readjusting his glasses, “Mr. Bruno felt I was looking at Isabella in an inappropriate manner, as a result he shattered the bone in my right leg. An associate of Mr. Bruno’s set it, but did so in such a way that it would not heal completely.”

“You are in pain?”

“Always. Kindred blood dulls the pain to a constant ache, but without it…like now. It’s excruciating.”

Lolli cocked her head and looked at him, her emerald green eyes searching beyond his words for the truth. There was truth, but there was something just beyond it. She was not stranger to “excruciating pain” and was not at that level pain, not yet. John saw the doubt in her eyes, and pulled two prescription bottles from his jacket pocket.

“I am on painkillers.” He volunteered, tossing her the bottles, one at a time, for her inspection. “They help, but do not stop the pain.”

“Lortab 10 and Morphine…highly addictive.”

“I only need them when I am without my Regnant’s blood.”

“So that has happened before.”

“The first time it happened, I had displeased Mr. Bruno and he withheld his vitea. Once he discovered the pain I was in…he would find reason to withhold. He was a strict man with high expectations.”

“That’s not the rumor I’ve heard, but I will allow you your illusion. Stephan, would you give us a few moments?”

John looked backed and saw Stephan nod and head towards the lake.

“Why come to me?” she asked, guiding him towards a nearby bench where she encouraged him to sit.

“Isabella, for all of her flaws, is a merciful Regnant. While I would prefer to remain Ventrue, the one Ventrue that I do trust, I do not trust her sire.”

“Why remain Ventrue if you do not trust the clan?” she asked.

John considered his next words very carefully. He wanted to be honest with her, but he did not want to offend her with the blatant truth. “I have become accustomed to this view of the world. I don’t know if I’m ready to accept a different way of seeing things.”

“How political of you.” She responded with a smile “Insanity scares you.” She translated. “John…may I call you John? One feeding will not alter your view, unless that feeding is part of the Embrace, so that should ease some fears. But you still have not answered my question.”

“Stephan trusts you, and that’s enough for me.”

She studied him for a moment, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a test tube with a purple and black rubber stopper. He stared at the glistening crimson liquid within, his nerves began dancing and this throat tightened at the promise relief she held.

“How long has it been?”

“Isabella disappeared before my weekly feeding.” He answered his voice suddenly hoarse.

“This is Venture. I did not know what generation Isabella is, so I brought the most potent one I had. There is one more thing to discuss.” She said softly.

“What?” he asked, managing to tear his eyes away from his prize.

“Everything has a price.”

“How much?” he quickly asked.

“When the time comes, pay me what you think it’s worth. But be warned, if the debt is not paid others will come to collect what I have given you. Do you understand?”

“How will I know when the time has come?”

“You seem to be a good man. You’ll know.”

With a trembling hand John took the vial she offered. He stared at the vial, vaguely aware that she had stood up.

“One question, if I may?” he asked, catching her attention.

“Yes.”

“How…potent is this?”

“Seventh gen.” she casually answered, walking towards Stephan. John looked at the vial with wide-eyed amazement, and then glanced back up in time to see Lolli place a hand on Stephan’s chest before she walked away.

“How the hell did she get the blood of a Seventh Gen Ventrue?” John asked aloud.