Shattered Scepters

DISCLAIMER:
I own nothing. 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 23: UPRISING

It’s nighttime by the time Stephan returns to the apartment with a whole new definition of exhausted. He had been unable to sleep last night, staying up until nearly dawn only to be up 3 hours later to help Jeremiah and two other ghouls load up both her old apartment by Sam’s Town and the apartment they share into a moving truck heading for her Sire’s Haven in Colorado. He leans heavily against the door, closing his eyes and sighing quietly. A gentle kiss a few minutes later brings a smile to his lips and makes him open his eyes.

“You look like the walking dead.” Lolli teases.

“At least I feel the way I look.” His hands rest on her waist.

“Why don’t you stay here and sleep. I’ll come back after the Primogen meeting.”

“No. You are not going to the meeting alone. John said Peltier is planning something and I believe him. Once you step down you no longer have the protection of the Primogen.”

“Stephan, you are worn out, you can hardly keep your eyes open. We leave tonight right after the Primogen meeting and you are in no condition to drive the bike.”

“I do not trust Peltier and I am not letting you go to that meeting alone! Lolli, you are the best thing that has happened to me in a long time and I am not going let them take you away! Not again…not while I live.” His finger gig into her waist protectively.

Lolli cupped his face and gently kisses his lips. “OK. We’ll go together, but first let me talk you into a nap, then we can get food and a pot of coffee and go to the meeting, agreed.”

“We can’t afford to go out.” He counters remembering their tight budget, rubbing his tired eyes.

“If we don’t spend more than $50 it’ll be OK. What do you say, hmm? I’ll even order something so we can eat together.”

He smiles faintly and steals a kiss calling her by his pet name for her, tesorino. He finds it hard to believe that just 8 weeks ago she discovered she could eat food. She is the first Kindred he’s ever heard of who has developed the ability to eat food, but he did confess it was nice being able to take her out to dinner every once and a while.

“As long as we do not get pizza, I will be very happy.” He says, stealing another kiss.

..~~~**~~~..

The meeting was long and boring, but Stephan kept a careful eye on Peltier. When Lolli stepped down as Primogen and introduced her successor he was partially surprised that Peltier did not spring across the table to rip out Lolli’s pig tails. While he was relieved she did not strike out in that instant he felt his shoulders tighten, he would not be at ease until they were safely in Bullhead; where they are to rendezvous with Jeremiah. They are nearly to the front door when Frank calls for Lolli.

“I’ll be all right; go get the bike. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” Lolli says. Stephan gently kisses Lolli hand and reluctantly leaves

“Lolli, Stephan told me his concerns about Peltier. I want you to call me when you reach Bullhead. If you run into any trouble, call me…I’ll be there.” Frank says, handing Lolli a small scrap of paper with his cell phone number.

“Thank you.” Lolli says, sticking the paper into her pocket. “Frank, you should know that something is coming, something bad. Stay close to Chris, together you two can’t be beat.”

“What do you mean?” Frank asks.

“I can’t make sense of the images in my head, but…” she sighs and relays the vision she had shared with Kit of the Nosferatu so many months ago.

..~~~**~~~..

“Stephan.” Antonio calls out.

“Yes.” Stephan turns to face his former associate.

“I heard you’re leaving and wanted to say good bye. I mean we’ve been working together for what about 15 years…that’s gotta count for something” Antonio says with his hand held out. Stephan pauses, considering Antonio’s words; suspecting a trap of some kind. At long last Stephan takes Antonio’s hand but braces for a trick of some kind.

“I wish you and your Regnant well.” He says with a hearty handshake and then releases Stephan hand. Stephan can feel the tension ease melt away, he would not have enjoyed harming Antonio, as he had pointed out they’d shared a Regnant for 15 years.

“Thank you, Antonio. I wish the same for you and yours.” Stephan says, turning to continue on his way.

“Emma is no longer my Regnant you know.” Antonio says, following behind Stephan.

“Yes, John said you are with Mr. Marks now. I hear he’s a good Regnant.”

“Mr. Marks made a deal and traded me.” Suddenly there was sharp stabbing pain in Stephan’s neck. He spins quickly to see Antonio holding a syringe. “I’m with Lady Peltier now.”

“Why?” Stephan asks, backing away from Antonio.

“Lady Peltier says you’ll be grateful to be Ventrue again, once we’ve cured you of this crazy obsession you have with a has-been lunatic stripper. Of course the best way for that to happen is to kill her.”

“No!” Stephan stumbles back into his bike, knocking it over and tumbling to the ground.

“You betrayed Isabella! You set her up to attack Lady Peltier! You knew she’d be caught! I love her and they sent her away because of you…you and your whore…I can feel her pain.”

“I did not…betray…Isabella. She brought this…on herself.” Stephan protests breathlessly, while trying to stand up on his uncertain legs as the powerful drug courses through his veins. Antonio roughly pushes Stephan, who falls backwards landing on his back over the toppled bike with a pained cry.

“On a more personal level, I’m still really pissed off about the whole Rorschach thing you put us through, and I’m so looking forward to this ‘detox’ Lady Peltier has planned for you.” Antonio confesses, watching Stephan fight the effects of the drug. “I had a good thing going on, you know. A nice apartment, great car, a big bank account…Elise…I bet you didn’t know about Elise and I, did you?” he asks, looking down at Stephan.

Stephan reaches under this jacket for his gun, if he can fire a shot it’ll warn everyone in the house that there’s trouble outside. Antonio pounces on Stephan, grabbing his wrist and pulling it away from his weapon.

“I don’t think you should be handling a gun in your current state…” Antonio takes the Ruger from its holster and pockets it “…you’re more likely to hurt yourself.” Antonio takes a quick second to check Stephan for any other weapons, finding none he crouches down in front of Stephan.

“Because of you I lost it all!” Antonio exclaimed, accenting his anger with a right hook. “My lease cancelled, my car repossessed, my bank account absorbed back into the Bruno’s trust…Elise broke up with me…and Isabella…” There was real emotional pain in Antonio’s eyes for a moment as he looked off into the horizon. The sorrow soon melted to hate as he looked at Stephan and adds “Because of you I lost both women I love! All because of you and that fucking Kook whore.”

“Antonio…listen…” Stephan mutters, hoping to plea his case.

“Lady Peltier has plans for your former Malkavian Primogen.” He brags with a nasty smile on his face.

“Please, don’t…don’t hurt… Lolli…” Stephan slurs, trying in vain to remain conscious, but his eyelids were getting heavier by the heartbeat.

Antonio makes a small sound of disgust. “Pass out all ready.” He says in a frustration.

..~~~**~~~..

“Thank you for the warning.” Frank says

“Do you hear that?” Lolli asks, turning to face the door.

“What? I don’t hear anything” Frank says.

“Exactly, I should’ve heard the Harley by now.” She looks back at Frank “Something is wrong.” Lolli runs outside, terrified at the sight of the motorcycle on its side and Stephan’s cell phone on the ground by the front tire.

“No.” she gasps in a small voice. She rushes over and picks up the cell phone, almost frantically she looks around for any sign of Stephan.

“Where is he?” she asks, feeling herself slipping.

“I don’t know, but I’ll get Starkweather, perhaps he or one of his clan can Track your ghoul.” Frank offers, returning to the house, leaving Lolli alone.

Lolli looks at the small device in her hands and turns off the power, if her Sire calls this phone it will go directly to voicemail, warning him that something is wrong. Not sure what to do she pocket the phone, just as Antonio comes running up o her.

“Lolli…” he starts breathlessly “…they took him. I saw it.” He pants.

“Who? Where?” She demands.

“I recognized the car. I’ll take you to him…hurry!” he exclaims running away from her and towards his car, with Lolli close behind

..~~~**~~~..

Patriarch rises from his chair on the raised platform to stand before his army of masterless ghouls, nearly 1,000 strong. It’s been just over three months since Brandon and Jess returned with news that Isabella was taken by the Ventrue and sent away. He assumes, and correctly, that it is for reeducation. He is surprised how heavy his heart his at the idea of his daughter, and childe suffering. He quickly pushes these feelings aside and addresses the small army before him, telling them that their time of retribution is at hand. Now is the time for all wrongs to be righted. The crowd shouted in agreement as he uses his words to whip them up into a frenzy. Patriarch went on saying this is the night he he promised, this the reckoning he had been promising them.

“Justice will be ours!” he shouted. The crowd pumped their fists in the air and roared in agreement, slipping out into the night to seek their vengeance.

Patriarch sits back down in his chair, taking in the empty room. What he tried more than 10 years ago will be completed tonight. Las Vegas needs to be purged, and only those with the Dark Father’s blessings would survive.

..~~~**~~~..

The attack came with little warning a swarm of blood-thirsty ghouls swept through Vegas, some are specifically targeting those Kindred who are said to hold the most power an influence over the Vampire population in the city. The war is not as one sided as the rebels would have hoped. Just over 300 of the invaders stormed the city’s infrastructure only to be greeted by the vast number of Nosferatu. They learned too late the penalty for entering the Nosferatu’s domain without an invitation.

A small band of 150 ghouls ambushed Chris, Frank and Caird. Caird is the first to fall, a wooden bolt striking her in the chest, burying itself in her heart. Chris screams to his sire as Frank pushed him out of the path of an arrow intended for his heart. Frank did not hold back his speed or strength in attacking the surrounded group, doing everything he can to protect Chris, while Chris’ attention remained on defending his sire.

A smaller group of 50 soon found James Marks, and consequently Emma as she rarely leaves her sire’s side, to be handful as they tried to eliminate the pair.

Another 50 ambushed Dr. Mike and his ghoul as they were leaving St. Rose Hospital, catching the pair completely off guard.

The groups designated to take down Peltier and Lollipopp could not find their prey, and would return to Patriarch reporting their failure. The rest of the army hunted and killed all Kindred and ghouls who got in their way.

The war for Vegas would be over before dawn.

..~~~**~~~..

Lolli did not suspect she had walked into a trap until it was too late. Reluctantly she hands over Stephan’s cell phone, but takes a moment to turn hers off as well, stating that she wants to save the battery. Antonio chuckles as though a child told him a joke as he accepts the phone.

“Where is Stephan?” Lolli asks.

“I’ll take you to him.” Antonio says, indicating that she should follow the hallway before her towards a locked door at the end. She peers through the small glass and sees Stephan sprawled on the floor.

“You’re not going to rush in and check on him?” Antonio teases.

“I can hear him breathe, cookie.” She says with out humor, turning her intense green eyes to Antonio. “You’re going to die for this.” She warns.

He merely smiles, opens the door and says “Ladies first.”

..~~~**~~~..

Chris lay on his side, with a wooden arrow buried in his heart and a murderous ghoul standing over him with a long handle axe in hand. Frank quickly closes the distance between himself and the ghoul standing over the immobilized Prince. Frank watches as the ghoul raises his axe over head, poised to bring it down on Chris’ neck when Frank punched him between the shoulder blades, breaking the man’s spine. Frank spins in the blink of an eye, ready for the next attack, only to find the mob is dead.

With no threat present, Frank collapses to his knees completely spent with his Beast on the verge of taking over if he does not replenish some of the blood he used during the attack. He feels a growl escape his lips when he hears the pained whimpering moan of a survivor. Too weak to stand, hecrawls to the sound emanating from scattered dead. A man who appears to be in his forties is trying to crawl away with a broken leg and possible internal injuries. Though weakened, Frank managed to overtake the survivor and sate his thirst. While it fought back his beast, he is still drained from his battle. He tries standing and finds his legs to be uncertain, but willing to support him. He staggers over to Chris, and again falls to his knees and rolls Chris onto his back to inspect.

He places one hand on Chris’ sternum and pulls the arrow out with other, falling back onto his posterior as Chris cries out. Frank tosses the arrow aside, as Chris struggles to sit up.

“Caird?” Chris asks, looking about the carnage. Frank shakes his head. Chris calls out to his sire louder, hoping she hears him.

“Chris.” Frank says, again shaking his head.

“Where is she?”

Frank sighs, looking towards Caird’s remains.

“No.” disbelief is painfully evident on Chris’ face as he scrambles over to the remains of his sire, her head three inches from her body. Chris screams his grief to the stars.

..~~~**~~~..

Lolli crouches down beside Stephan, examining the shackles locked about his wrists. The chain is long enough that he can stand if he chooses, but not enough to reach the door.

“Stephan…Stephan, can you hear me?” Lolli says in hushed hurried voice. She gently shakes his shoulders, trying desperately to wake him from his drug induced sleep.

“Wake up!” she exclaims at the slightest indication that the drug is wearing off. ‘I need you to hear me, They’re coming to separate us and you must hear what I’m telling you.”

Stephan struggles to open his eyes, but is unable to focus on Lolli’s face. “They’re coming to take me away. Can you hear me?”

He strains to focus on her words, nodding lightly that he can hear her voice.

“My sisters will come. It will take them 10 days to find us. You must survive. Do you hear me … you must stay alive. I don’t care what you have to do, what you have to steal, who you have to lie to or who you have to fuck…stay alive. With out I am lost.”

He frowns, struggling to grasp her words, to understand what she’s telling him. “Stay alive…ten days.” These four words echo in his mind. He nods as he comprehends these two sentences. “Stay alive...” and “…ten days.”

Lolli can hear their footsteps getting closer. She places a gentle kiss on Stephan’s lips before standing up and facing the door. A cold deathly look settles on her face as the door opens and Antonio walks in followed by five other men. Her eyes follow Antonio as he moves.

“This can go two ways. You can follow these men to your own cell or we can wait until the sun rises and drag you out. If you fight us, believe me Stephan will pay.”

“What guarantees do I have he will not be harmed?”

‘The only thing I can promise is if you fight us, we’ll scar his face to match his chest.”

“I’ll follow.” Lolli says seeing no other option. She does not glance back as the door opens. With her head held high she follows one ghoul out and down the hall to a new kindred-proof cell. Approximately 5 minutes after Lolli leave Peltier walks into the room followed by a slender young man in a lab coat and a petite nurse, carrying a tray with a small assortment of syringes and vials.

“Give him the counter agent.” Peltier orders her eyes never wavering from Stephan.

As one ghoul rolls up Stephan’s sleeve, the doctor picks up one of the smaller syringes and a vial of a cloudy liquid. The ghoul steps back out of the cell, allowing the doctor to slip in and inject Stephan with the antidote.

“He should be coming around in a few seconds.” The doctor explains.

“Good.” Peltier says, slipping out of her jacket and handing it to Antonio. He watches as she rolls up her sleeve, offering her arm out to the doctor who takes a small empty syringe from the tray and promptly fills it with Peltier’s blood.

Stephan looks around, his eyes finally focusing Antonio; he moves quickly to attack the bastard, only to find his wrists are shackled. “I am going to enjoy killing you.” Stephan growls, his gaze never leaving Antonio.

“Pin him.” Peltier calmly orders. Immediately four men rushed Stephan, who fights back, kicking and hitting as much as he is able, but ultimately he’s pinned. The doctor carefully removes the needle from the large syringe mindful to hold it up so that none of the blood spills out.

“Antonio, do the honors.” Peltier says.

“This is poaching!” he exclaims loudly. The doctor hands the syringe to Antonio, who closes in on the struggling Stephan.

“It’s only poaching if your Regnant is still alive.” Peltier counters, something passes over Stephan’s face, causing Peltier to stop Antonio in his tracks.

“You know she’s not dead. You can’t have possible bonded with her this quickly. Unless…” her voice trails off and cold realization dances over her elegant features. “Oh Stephan…” she says in utter disappointment.

“What?” Antonio asks.

“Stephan thinks he’s in love with her. His blood-bond to her is deeper, there almost a psychic link between them now.”

“My Lady…” a slender blonde suddenly appears. “Frank just called; he’s calling an emergency meeting.”

“When?” Peltier asks, gesturing for Antonio to force the syringe of her blood down Stephan’s throat.

“Now.” The blonde answers. “It seems that several hours ago the city was attacked.”

“Attacked?...Never mind, I’ll find out when I get there. Doctor…”Peltier redirects her attention. “Don’t forget to inject him as well.” Peltier reminds, tapping the tray holding the smaller syringe filled with her blood. “I want her out of his system as soon as possible.”

..~~~**~~~..

Peltier is surprised to see so few Primogen at this emergency meeting, and she is only one of two who does not appear to have been in a fight, Lord Caperilli being the other. Among the clans not represented by a Primogen are Gangrel, Toreador but the Whip is present. Chris and Frank are present, but Caird, the Primogen is no where to be seen; judging by the forlorn look on Chris’ face Peltier can assume Caird’s fate. Peltier also notices that representatives of the bloodlines Giovanni, Ravnos, even the self proclaimed ‘Protector of the Caitiff’ is present.

“Is this everyone?” Frank asks Catherine, a younger Brujah who’s proving herself to be a valuable Whip to her clan. She nods quietly adding that this is everyone she can get a hold of.

“Where’s Caird?” Ravenscar of the Ravnos asks, brushing her black hair out of her eyes.

“Clan Brujah…” Frank pauses, looking briefly at Chris who stares numbly at the group before him. “…clan Brujah needs to appoint a new Primogen.” Frank says, confirming Peltier’s suspicions.

“As all of you may know the Kindred were attacked this evening by a virtual army of hunters. We need to know not only how many we lost, but also any information on these attackers.” Frank says.

“Nosferatu have a survivor. She’s seriously wounded, we can make sure she survives the night and bring her in tomorrow evening.” Kit offers.

“Whatever you have to do…make sure she’s survives.” Frank says.

“Gangrel, need a new Primogen ad Whip.” The Gangrel representative says somberly.

“Toreador also need to select a new Primogen. We lost just under half our number.”

“Until your clans have a new Primogens You will be the clan voices. Jack…” Frank is now addressing the Caitiff. “…How stands your people?”

“We’ll manage; clan Malkavian is sharing Haven and feeding rights with us. I can pull my people there.” He says.

“Tomorrow night we meet again.” Frank says

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A/N: My apologies for the delay in posting this chapter. Also, due to a very hectic schedule for the rest of this month my next update for this story won’t be until November. I thank you for your patience and apologize for leaving you guys hanging like this.