Prologue

She looked out across the city. Roanoke, Virginia, although hardly the largest metro area in the land, still seemed to pulse as though alive in the early night time. From the top of the First Union building, it seemed she could look out upon the whole city. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, savoring the moment. Soon, it would be hers.

Sensing a presence, she opened her eyes, but did not turn around. “Our time has come.” She said.

A figure approached from the shadows and joined her on the edge of the roof. Two strong calloused hands came to rest on her shoulders, rubbing them affectionately. “So what has changed? You finally win Ernie over to your cause?”

“You don’t win a Malkovian. You simply act when his whimsy moves to favor you.”

“Not the most reliable of allies.”

“Perhaps not. But for now, he is committed to us.” She turned to her companion, giving her companion's hand an affectionate stroke. “But he will not be enough.”

“Cannon fodder?” said the other. “Why would Mathias grant permission?”

“You know damn well he would give me anything I ask. All I have to do is bat my eyes at him and the Prince melts."

"I don't like the way he looks at you."

"You never have, Solomon, but it's one of our strongest advantages."

"He risks much," said Solomon, "to grant you the privilege of progeny without granting the same to others."

"And who says he hasn't?" she replied. "Sophia and Andreas have also been given leave to sire a childe.”

“Three more Kindred in the city." Solomon paused. "And yet, no such permission for his most loyal servant."

"As if The Djinn would complain. Sycophantic lap dog." she spat with contempt.

"Things will get crowded. This will make the hunt more difficult. The Masquerade harder to uphold. This is a hermitage; there are not enough mortals to feed ten kindred."

"Undoubtedly that's by design. Gives Mathias an excuse to cull the herd after the fact."

"He's calling out his enemies. He's baiting us."

"Of course, he is. He is still an elder of great power and much experience. He's played this game for a very long time. What he doesn't know is the strength of my coalition. You, Ernie, my future childe, and I have pledges of neutrality from Sophia and Andreas."

"And you think those are worth anything?"

"We shall see."

"Don't underestimate him." warned Solomon. "Even if all the kindred of city aligned against him in revolt, you would still find that killing him will not be easy. And there is his bodyguard as well.”

“The Djinn, I leave, to you.”

“Lovely.” said Solomon with sarcasm.

“If you don’t think you can handle him, Solomon…”

“I didn’t say that. But facing him one on one would be risky, for my health and for your precious cause. Best to stack the deck.”

“And that is precisely my intention. I will choose my childe and your future apprentice well, my dear.”

"You have someone in mind?"

"Not yet, but it won't be hard to find the right sort where I plan to look." She turned to face southwest. “Just a short drive to the south is the campus of Virginia Tech. My campus, my university, filled with a brand new class of students. Surely one of them is up to the challenge.”

Act One Chapter One