Rebecca’s scream of ecstasy was nearly loud enough to frighten the
neighbors. Deborah rolled off of her.
“Dear God, in the 50 years I have been kindred, I have never met your
like. You are truly the dirtiest little slut I’ve ever met.” Said Deborah.
“I’ve never even thought to do that.”
“Neither had I. ” admitted Rebecca.
“Saw it in a movie. It looked fun, and oh, was it ever.”
“I still find it hard to believe you are The Djinn’s apprentice. He
the childe of Mathias, whose prudishness nearly suffocated this city.”
“You, of all kindred, know that hid a hypocrisy.” Said Rebecca,
sitting up in the bed and giving Deborah a playful caress.
“Don’t remind me.” Said Deborah with a shudder. “For all his pomp, he
was just as much a pervert as the rest of us.”
“Well, that should tell you something. We aren’t always what we
appear.”
“No, you certainly are not.” Deborah stood up and walked over to a
nearby table. There, she poured a glass of wine and drank it down in a single
gulp. Rebecca watched her as if enraptured, taking in every inch of Deborah’s
naked beauty. Deborah smiled. “I love it when you look at me like that.”
“It’s hard to blame Mathias for his obsession.” Said Rebecca. “You are
one of the most gorgeous creatures I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
Deborah returned a playful grin, as if hiding a secret from her lover.
She let that linger for a second before speaking again. “So does The Djinn hide
some secret kink or fetish from the rest of us?” she asked.
“No, he’s pretty much as he seems. He killed Mathias for his
hypocrisy, remember?”
“Which only highlights my astonishment that you are the way you are.
That he tolerates your behavior.”
“In one sense, he encouraged it. My master is pragmatic to the
extreme. Something is a tool or it isn’t. Sex is a tool. You use it to lure
prey to you or to bait a trap for an enemy. It is not to be enjoyed. It is not
for pleasure, for that leads you away from God’s purposes and makes you
vulnerable to others who will use sex as a weapon against you.” Rebecca rolled
out of bed herself and walked over to Deborah. “There’s some nuance there from
Mathias’ position of ‘all sex but mine is bad,’ but not much.”
“And what would he do if he found you here with me?” Deborah’s
question was phrased in such a way to imply that she already knew the answer.
“Probably kill me. After all, I was a tool against Mathias and now
that Mathias is dead, my usefulness is probably at an end.”
“You’re so nonchalant about it.” Said Deborah with a tone of disdain.
“I think you get off on danger. As much as I love being with you, I’m not keen
on the two of us tempting fate with The Djinn. You may be his apprentice, but
I’ve known him for much longer. He is dangerous and he will do as you say if he
finds us together.”
“Oh, I’m certain of it.” Rebecca gave Deborah a caress across the chin
before planting a passionate kiss on her lips. “I’m doubly damned. Not only do
I take carnal pleasure, but I do so with another woman. But for all the danger,
it’s worth it, isn’t it?”
“Damnit!” Deborah swore in her own mind. “I am the elder.
This is my grandchilde, not even a decade undead, and she holds me in thrall
even without tasting a single drop of her blood. And she knows it too.”
Rebecca smiled, as if able to read Deborah’s thoughts. She opened her
mouth to speak again, only to have Deborah silence her with an affectionate
finger across her lips. “No,” began Deborah. “This game is too dangerous for
us. Something must be done.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“That depends on you. You call him Master and stand by his side at
court, but given the side of yourself you show to me, I doubt you find the
unlife he offers preferable to the one I do. I embraced your sire Michael to
help me remove one Prince. We can try again with another.”
“You’ve been free of Mathias less than a year and already you wish to
jump back into the Danse Macabre with another scheme and plot.” Replied
Rebecca. “You ask a lot of me.”
“Am I not worth it?” demanded Deborah.
Rebecca glared at her with intensity. “Strong I may be, but not strong
enough to take down The Djinn. Mathias was relatively weak, having awoken from
a long torpor just a few decades ago. He was also lacking any appreciable
combat skills and we knew precisely how to exploit his weaknesses. The Djinn is
another matter entirely. His strength is nearly at its peak.”
“There are other ways.” Said Deborah. “Allies we might rally to the
cause.”
“Like who?”
“Your sire, for one.”
Rebecca’s eyes flashed at the implication. “That,” she began,” is
playing with fire and you know it. How would you get him here? Offer him me?
And what happens when he finds out it was all a ruse so you and I can be
together without him? Michael did not become a primogen in Tidewater by
accident. He’s not someone you want to alienate.”
“Somehow,” Deborah stepped forward and slid a finger inside Rebecca.
“I don’t think he’ll care much just so long as you let him in here
occasionally.” Deborah pulled her finger out and licked it clean. “Well, yours
or mine. I’m not sure he’d care.”
“Lustful, he certainly is, but he’s also not stupid. Not anymore.”
“Then what do you suggest?” said Deborah with some exasperation. “Your
master isn’t stupid either. He will find out about us sooner or later.”
“I don’t know. All I know right now is that I hunger.” Rebecca’s tone
made clear that she was no longer interested in pursuing the subject any
further tonight. “Would you like to join me tonight on the hunt?”
Deborah briefly glanced over at the clock on the wall. 10:37pm. Early enough to get a good
hunt in, especially in a college town like Blacksburg
“You have to admit that’s fun.” Rebecca's grin grew wicked at the
thought.
“You fucked me sore and you’re still hungry for more. Tonight though I
think I will decline.”
Rebecca frowned. “How disappointing.”
“One of us has to be the voice of reason.” Said Deborah. “I think it
best I spend more time in Roanoke Roanoke
“All because I don’t share your enthusiasm for coup d’etat?” snapped
Rebecca bitterly.
“Don’t play the fool, Becca. One of us has to make sure the Prince is
thrown off the scent, at least for the time being.” Deborah kissed Rebecca. “You
know better than to think I can stay away too long.”
“Fine.” Relented Rebecca. “Until you return, I will simply have to
satisfy myself with bi-curious party girls and frat brothers with their
perpetual over-inflated sense of self-importance.”
“You don’t mind as much as you’re pretending to.”
“True” Said Rebecca with a sly smile. “At least not if they’re
well-endowed in all the areas that matter.”
---
It was open mic night at PK’s, so Rebecca made her way from her
apartment haven to the streets of Blacksburg
Rebecca had plunged into that chaotic mix of self-discovery, doing
much the same as so many others. She was free of her old moralities, her old
desires, and her old mortal self, but she was also now mostly free of her
master. The Djinn had given her Blacksburg
PK’s was a perpetual Blacksburg
She stepped inside and took in the lay of the land. She frowned almost
immediately. Yes, the crowd was much as she expected: rich frat boys and sorority
girls, but that wasn’t the reason her mood had soured.
Deep down, Rebecca had to admit to some very mixed feelings about her
sire. Michael had tricked her, betrayed her, and made her into a vampire by
treachery. Still, the end result had overall been a positive one. She was now
free of hiding her attractions, free of the proverbial closet. She had wealth,
power, and beauty the likes of which she could never have imagined as one of
billions of ordinary anonymous mortals. Rebecca wasn’t sure whether she hated
Michael or was indebted to him or some mix of both. Things that reminded her of
him only brought that ambivalence to the fore. Deborah had already done that by
bringing him up in her scheme, but it was now reinforced by who she saw sitting
at the bar.
And now, two of them were at the bar together, not more than a few
yards away. The first she only vaguely knew, a young grad student named Karl.
The other she remembered very well. The one who had been instrumental in her
betrayal and embrace into darkness: Corwin.
Her first impulse was to leave. But then a wicked thought crossed her
mind. After all, during the early nights of her vampire life, she’d fucked
Corwin more than once. Taking a measure of revenge, maybe even a full measure,
might be fun.
Her Beast seemed to growl within at the dark thought of taking Corwin
and draining him dry in some alleyway. A smile crossed her lips and she took a
single step forward before her eyes were drawn to the stage. A new performer
had stepped up to the microphone, enthusiastically encouraged by his friends.
“Son of a bitch…” Rebecca muttered under her breath. There was no
mistaking the young man who stepped up to take the mike in hand. She’d not seen
him in nearly five years, but there was no doubt.
It was Michael himself.
Rebecca quickly scanned those cheering him on. Sure enough, they were
all there. Not just Corwin and Karl, but also Geoff and two others she’d also
not seen in many years: Mitch and Boar. There were also several young women,
including a buxom blonde that Rebecca was certain was another vampire.
Michael’s whole entourage of friends and allies here! In Blacksburg
Rebecca moved with haste back out the door. She didn’t dare risk
another second in there. She paused on the street briefly to gain a measure of
control against her panic.
An old 1930s era car drove past; Rebecca wouldn’t have cared if it
hadn’t stood out so oddly amidst the usual traffic that went up and down Main Street
She found it a few blocks up, parked at Mill Mountain Coffee Shop. Its
owner stood aside the car, as if waiting for her. As she suspected, it was
someone she knew.
“Mr. Cranston, I had heard word you had graced our city again with
your presence.” Said Rebecca as she walked closer. “What brings you to Blacksburg
“You.” He said bluntly. “I figured driving my old Cord Westchester
around town might draw some attention and it seems I was right.” He paused and
grew serious. “You’re in danger.”
“From whom?” Rebecca wondered.
“About six weeks ago, a young vampire was destroyed by hunters. Her
name was Sarah. The kindred of Tidewater believe your master sent those hunters
to their city and one of those kindred believe that you specifically sent those
hunters after Sarah.” Explained Cranston
“Michael.” Now things were starting to make sense. The stakes had
changed.
“Sarah was his lover.” said Cranston
Rebecca frowned. Michael seeking to do her harm was a shock and would
also clearly throw a wrench in Deborah’s scheming. Maybe for the better.
“That explains why I just saw him two blocks down at PK’s.” she said
to Cranston
“Did he see you?”
“I don’t think so. He was living it up, as he always does.” She said
dismissively.
“Don’t underestimate him. He’s stronger than you remember. Strong
enough to claim a primogeniture in Tidewater. He did that by sending some of
the most powerful vampires in Virginia
“And what if I hold the advantage? I know where he is at this very
moment.”
“Was he alone?”
Rebecca frowned. “No. But what match are his college buddies to two
kindred like us?”
“One of those buddies is a werewolf. Another a mage. One of his women
is a cop, and there’s his new childe: herself a former vampire hunter. If he’s
with his entourage, he’s untouchable.” Cranston
“So we let him slip away?”
“For now. But we keep an eye on him.”
---
Deborah walked into the apartment and turned on the lights. She looked
about, remembering the last time she was here. It had been early on, in the
months after Rebecca had freed her from Mathias, before they’d become an item.
Solomon had been in Roanoke
Deborah smiled. It seemed hard to imagine the rough and tumble biker
persona of Solomon living in a place like this. It was clean, white, well
decorated, and almost ultra-modern. It was much more her haven than his in that
respect. His dojo was really the only part of it that screamed “Solomon.”
“I see the place is as clean and neat as ever.” Said a voice. “Thank
you for keeping it up while I was gone.”
“I’ll be damned.” Said Deborah as her eyes fell on Solomon coming in
from the dojo. “I didn’t know you were in town.”
“I just came from calling on the Prince. I’m here to stay for a
while.”
“You didn’t seem so inclined a month ago.”
“Things have changed.”
“Like what?” asked Deborah with suspicion.
Solomon replied with a question. “How much have you heard about what’s
going on beyond your borders?”
“Not much. The Prince and the rest of us typically rely on nomads like
you to bring the latest news. Or at least to fill in the blanks of what’s
happened in the mortal realm that our kind has had a hand in.”
“Then let me do that. Did you hear about the wedding massacre in
August over in Tidewater?”
“Yes. Figured there was more to that story. Too brutal for mortals.”
“Actually, it was mortals who did it. Hunters, in fact. It was the
last hurrah in a series of hunter attacks all across the Tidewater, attacks
that killed six of us before they were done, including two primogen.”
“Impressive. We haven’t seen a coordinated hunter assault like that in
these parts in decades.”
“No, we haven’t.”
“I’m not too surprised though. There was an explosion of violence in
those cities a few years ago after Prince Lazarus bought the farm. Events like
that draw hunters like flies to shit.”
“You might think that, but Lazarus’s death and the fallout was nearly
four years ago now. If hunters were going to be drawn in by that turmoil, it would
have happened long before now. No, the recent turmoil that’s gotten all the
attention is what’s been happening here.”
“Mathias’ end came rather quietly.” Refuted Deborah.
“Maybe, but no one saw it coming. There are many that believe The
Djinn deposing his sire was not an end, but a means to something else.”
Deborah nodded. “So you believe the hunters were sent to Tidewater by The
Djinn, with the deliberate intent of causing as much damage as possible. As a
prelude to invasion.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“The Djinn has been Prince here less than a single year. He’s hardly
in position to strike at Tidewater.”
“Isn’t he? It’s hard to guess what his plan is, seeing as no one suspected
that for all this time, The Djinn had broken his thrall-bond to Mathias and was
plotting against him? He’s unpredictable and his ambition is not likely to be
satisfied with a hermitage city like Roanoke
“Taking on Maximilian in Tidewater would be the height of folly. To
challenge Francois du Bois and the other elders of that city?”
“Two of whom are now dead. Never mind those who fell in the war that
followed Lazarus’ demise. Tidewater has never been more vulnerable and Max
knows it. The Djinn probably does too.”
“If it’s such common knowledge, your conspirators could be anyone.”
Deborah crossed her arms. “So they’ve sent you here to retaliate on the
flimsiest of evidence. I don’t remember you being much of a lapdog to an
Invictus tyrant like Maximilian.”
Solomon returned the insult with one of his own. “Nor do I remember
you being all that eager to prop up the rule of a Lancea Sanctum crusader like
The Djinn.”
“He would probably prefer ‘jihadist’ to ‘crusader.’” Cracked Deborah
mirthfully.
“I once made you a promise. I told you I'd see you on the throne of Roanoke
“And now we get to the real story. This suspicion of treachery on the
part of the Prince is really just an excuse to launch a coup of your own.” She
paused. “I know you too well to think you’re doing this alone. Who’s with you?
Ernie?”
“Michael. He may be in the city already. We traveled separately.”
“He’s a damn fool. I heard he claimed a seat on Max's primogen
council. Impressive feat for anyone so young, and he gave it up to come back
here…for me. He’s a lust-obsessed pathetic fool.”
“He’s not here for you.” Corrected Solomon.
“Fine. He’s here for Rebecca. That’s not any better.”
“He’s not after her in the way you think. One of the six the hunters
destroyed was…”
Deborah felt a chill of fear run through her, so powerful she didn’t
hear Solomon finish his sentence. She didn’t have to. This was unexpected.
Michael was supposed to be predictable, controllable, constant. Not this. Not
in all of her wildest imaginings could Deborah even envision Michael coming to
hurt or even kill Rebecca.
“So he believes Rebecca had a hand in her death?”
Solomon nodded.
“Would it matter if I said I don’t believe that’s true? I would know
if she had a hand in such a scheme.”
“I don’t know.” Replied the Gangrel.
“I won’t let him have her.” Said Deborah defiantly. “He can send The
Djinn to hell for all I care. But Rebecca is mine.”
Solomon frowned at how adamant she was.
“Let me guess…” began Deborah with exasperation. “You’re here to
fulfill your promise to me, but you were thinking there was going to be more to
it. A grateful old me would just throw myself to you and it would all be like
it was before.”
“Can’t blame me for trying.” Said Solomon flatly.
“You’re too old for that sort of game. Michael, I understand, a
neonate drunk on the power that’s been given him. But you, undead over 100
years?”
“You stand in judgment of me while you passionately defend your own
love affair with your own grand-childe.” Growled Solomon. “I call that
hypocrisy.”
“I’m half your age. Young enough to still hunger for something joyous
in this accursed existence.”
“Maybe that hunger doesn’t fade as fast as you think it does.”
Retorted Solomon. “I’m tired, Deborah.
I’ve been at this war, this revolution, for decades now. I want some peace. A
place where I can settle for a time. Find myself again. Recharge. Refresh.
Regain some of what I've lost over the long years.”
“And I'm at the top of the list.”
“You were.” He admitted. “Those years after I liberated you from Lucy
when we traveled the country as nomads together. Those were the best times I’ve
had.”
“I’ve moved on.” She said softly. “Do what you came to do, Solomon.
Depose The Djinn. Give me my throne, and will grant you some of what you seek.
Solace, a place to settle, but not me. And Michael doesn’t get her. Is that
acceptable?” come from that, I guess
we’ll see.”
---
Meanwhile, back at PK’s, Michael finished up his uplifting, if
somewhat clichéd, rendition of Don't Stop Believin’ by Journey. He tossed the
mic to the next sucker and headed over to the bar.
“Captain and coke,” he ordered.
“I remember you.” said the brunette next to him. Michael turned
towards her.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, you were in that band back in the day...what was it?”
“Krushed Prophet.”
“Yeah, them. You were the singer.”
Michael gave her a good once-over. Her brown hair was short and
somewhat plain. Her blue eyes however were like ice; “Peter O’Toole eyes”
Michael thought. She was not buxom, A-cup at best, but that complimented
her slim and athletic build. Her white top was off one shoulder and with her
denim mini-skirt, she was showing plenty of nicely tanned skin.
“Like Sarah. Small, youthful, with striking eyes.” Michael’s
thoughts continued. He felt a bit of pain but kept it from showing.
“My name’s Michael.” he said to her.
“Lara. I remember you from my undergraduate days.”
“And you’re still on campus after all this time?” Michael teased.
“Grad school.” Lara grumbled. “Such as it is.”
“Some kind of problem?”
“Financial aid snafu. Not much I can do about it while the red tape
gets worked out.” she complained. She held up her drink. “Trying to get my mind
off my troubles.”
“Aren’t we all?” Michael took a swig of his rum & coke. He watched
her watching him. It wasn’t hard to guess that she was considering another form
of distraction.
“So, will your friends mind if I ask you to go to another bar?”
“Depends on who’s doing the asking.”
“With the open mike, it’s a little too loud in here to talk. How about
The Cellar?”
One of Michael’s favorite old haunts, it did have a somewhat more
subdued atmosphere. Michael nodded, finished his drink, and stood up. Both
Mitch and Boar shot him a glance from where they were sitting, but Michael
nodded a brief response. Lara finished her beverage and then gathered her
purse. They headed out into the street.
“Oh, shit.” she muttered after they had walked about a half block. “It
seems I spilled something on my top. Do you mind a quick detour to my apartment
for me to change? It’s on the way.”
Michael shrugged. In his numerous moments of looking her up and down,
he hadn’t noticed anything amiss, but then he also figured that didn’t matter.
This was going well.
They cut down a side street towards the parking lots that lined Progress Street
Michael glanced behind before entering. Despite his eagerness, he was
completely aware his old town was now enemy territory. Back at the end of the
block, he could see Boar watching his every move. Good, his friends were being
mindful as well and had followed him to ensure he was safe. Michael then
followed Lara inside.
“I’ll just be a moment.” she said, keeping up the act. Michael could
see from the front door, through the kitchen, down a long hallway to the back
of the apartment. Lara headed down that hall. Halfway down, she pulled her top
off.
She paused to turn and look back at Michael, still standing obediently
in the doorway. She had not been wearing a bra and those perky little A-cups
that he had expected were now out in the open for all to see. She only paused
for the moment, casting a sly smile his way, before continuing down the hall
and into a back room.
Michael closed the front door and followed her into the bedroom.
“You’re kind of obvious.” said Michael as he walked in on her
changing. She gave no protest, but stood confidently before him as he last saw
her, still topless. “Taking off your shirt right in front of me like that.” he
continued.
“It worked.” she assessed. “It got you in my bedroom.”
Michael leaned over and kissed her. He could still taste her last
drink on her lips. He ran his hand up across her belly to her small breasts,
taking in the sensation of her skin. He felt the flush of his arousal. “Maybe
there’s good distraction to be found here after all.” he thought to
himself.
---
Solomon walked into the Cathedral as he had so many times before.
Remembered well one previous visit in particular, with Mathias pronouncing
judgment on Deborah, Michael, and Rebecca. Now Mathias was gone and those three
still alive. Solomon took a brief moment to appreciate that fact.
The gathered kindred of Roanoke/Blacksburg were much as he remembered
them. Sophia and Corrine, still playing the parts of mother and daughter, stood
by themselves. Deborah stood alone, her Goth sensibilities on full display in
her black leather and denim attire. Rebecca was also there, so similar and yet
so different from Deborah. Her beauty more conventional than exotic, tall
instead of short, thin instead of curvy; the only similarity between them was
their hair color and Goth chick clothing.
“Yet Michael has loved them both.” thought Solomon to himself.
Another vampire walked in and immediately made to Rebecca's side. If
Solomon had hackles like the wolf that symbolized his vampire clan, they would
have risen. The mercenary Cranston
Deborah had noticed where Solomon's attention had been drawn and
walked over to his side. “Our esteemed ambassador from Richmond.” explained
Deborah. “You know him?”
“I do, but Richmond
“He wasn't, last I heard. Why would you think so?”
“Because he’s been linked to the hunter attacks in Tidewater. There
are witnesses.”
“Then he’s working for
someone in Richmond
At that moment, The Djinn marched in and immediately, both Cranston
“You sure of that?” said Solomon. “Our friend Cranston
“No, I’m not.” Conceded Deborah. “My
God,” she thought. “Could Solomon
been right about Rebecca conspiring against Michael and I not know it? Have I let my own lust and desires blind me
like the blundering novice I accused them of being?”
“I have summoned you to court to alert you of an urgent matter.”
boomed The Djinn's voice across the sanctuary, silencing all others. “Two
nights ago, as he was driving through the city with his primary thrall, Andreas
was attacked by lupines and sent screaming into Final Death. The werewolves
have, for whatever reason, broken the peace. They are coming. I have summoned
you to me to devise a strategy to counter their mechanizations.”
“The last time, esteemed Prince,” Solomon spoke up, “the werewolves
threatened war, you made short work of their plans by slaughtering their tribal
chief.”
“Yes, I did.” The Djinn answered. “But the word I have heard claims
that this recent violence is in response to the death of their chief, a death
they blame on vampires. Curious, Solomon Wolfe. It was you who foolishly set
off that previous violence by flagrantly violating their territory. Now you
return to us and so does the threat of their kind.”
“Pure coincidence.” said Solomon.
“Is it?” hissed The Djinn.
“That accusation is unfounded, my Prince.” snapped Deborah. “This is
not the first time he's been in our city of late. There was no violence on his
previous visit.”
“You are usually better at making excuses for your allies' folly,
Deborah.” retorted The Djinn.
“Blaming our newest visitor will not solve the problem of the lupines
themselves, mi'lord.” interjected Rebecca.
“True.” admitted The Djinn, slumping back into the priest's throne in
the chancel of the cathedral. “Thank you for the reminder, my apprentice, to
keep things in perspective.”
“What are we to do then, my Prince?” asked Cranston
“What are their numbers?” asked Sophia.
“At last report, there were 10 or so werewolves in the local tribe.”
answered The Djinn. “Perhaps more.”
That sent a pall over the whole room. The vampires were outnumbered
and they all knew a simple truth when dealing with the skinchangers. The
strongest vampire is stronger than the strongest werewolf, but the weakest
werewolf is stronger by far than the weakest vampire. Few of the vampires in Roanoke Cranston
And Michael would have known that. This was his doing, his plan.
Solomon growled at the realization, angry both at the fact that Michael had not
trusted him with this plan and that he had put Deborah in danger.
The Djinn seemed to notice Solomon's frustration. “Have you something
to add, Solomon?” asked the Prince bluntly.
In that moment, Solomon realized why Michael had not confided in him.
He was too uncouth, too amateurish at political games, to not tip his hand. He
was a warrior, not a schemer. His anger abated. “No,” he said to the Prince.
“Only that I stand ready to assist this city with its defenses.”
“Good, we will need your...” At that moment, the stained glass windows
of the cathedral shattered inwardly and four massive dire wolves roared into
the sanctuary.
Solomon grabbed Debroah and yanked her behind him, drawing his own hand
cannon, his Ruger Super Redhawk revolver. He cocked the gun and planted a round
dead center in the head of the nearest wolf. That stunned the beast, but did
not kill it.
Despite the roar of gunfire, the wolves charged. One grabbed Sophia by
the arm in its jaws and flung her like a ragdoll across the room. The brutal
strike tore the child vampire's arm from its socket, spraying blood and flesh
everywhere.
Corrine ran to her sire's now-torpid form, but the werewolf wasn't
done. It grabbed her by the leg and yanked her into the air. It them slammed
her hard into the stone floor, the crunch of breaking bone echoing with each
impact. It then tossed her pulverized body to the side and turned to join his
no-longer-stunned friend in threatening Solomon and Deborah.
Across the room, the other two had pinned the Prince, Cranston Cranston
The three looked at one another, and as if they could read each others
thoughts, they all three invoked their power of stealth at once: The Djinn and
Rebecca fading from sight and Cranston
The wolves took that as their cue to strike, hitting before they lost
sight of all three. They leaped forward, jaws snapping at where they thought
the vampires were. But their razor teeth clamped down on empty air.
The shadows around Cranston
The Djinn was more successful. As the left-side werewolf snapped at
the air, trying to find the two vampires it knew were nearby, The Djinn emerged
and swung his monstrous sword downward. It cleaved the werewolf's head from its
body in a single stroke. THAT was a lethal strike.
Rebecca emerged near Cranston Cranston
The remaining two werewolves realized the odds had shifted. They both
turned and made to jump out the cathedral by the windows they'd entered.
Solomon shifted his hands into brutal claws and tackled one before it could
flee. “Oh, no, you don't, you son-of-a-bitch!” He snarled, sinking his vampire
claws deep into the werewolf's flesh. The power of his vampire blood made those
claws inflict wounds far more difficult to regenerate and he dug his fingers
deeper, using his own weigh to try to pin the massive beast to the floor.
Sensing the danger, the wolf shifted forms, from dire-wolf to the
massive man-wolf battle form. But Solomon stubbornly clung to the monster's
back as The Djinn and Rebecca closed in with their blades. The beast's massive
claws kept the Prince and his apprentice at bay, but did nothing to dislodge
the stubborn Gangrel on his back.
Solomon ripped out one hand, bringing with it a huge chunk of flesh.
The lupine howled with pain and remembered again the threat on its back. It
tore at Solomon with those claws, allowing The Djinn to close in. The beast
gave the Nosferatu Prince a powerful backhand, sending him sprawling.
Solomon cupped his hand into the shape of a spear and jammed it hard
into the back of the werewolf. The monster howled in agony as Solomon drove his
hand deep into the werewolf's back. He found what he sought and tore the wolf's
heart free. The werewolf pitched forward onto the stone floor, finally tossing
Solomon from his back.
“That will put a dent in their numbers.” said The Djinn. “The fools
dared to attack us when we were gathered in strength.”
“Perhaps they were not expecting Solomon's and my presence.” concluded
Cranston
Solomon and Rebecca both nodded in agreement. Without Solomon to
defend Deborah and Cranston
The Djinn returned his blade to his scabbard. “Summon the thralls of
Sophia and Corrine to take charge of them.” He looked about at the mess the
attack had made of the Cathedral. “And someone create a story I can sell to
explain all this.”
---
The sun set on the following night. Michael went next door to Mitch's
room. He knocked but did not wait for Mitch to answer. He used his spare key,
opened the door, and went inside.
Mitch was in bed, cuddling with Lara and one other girl Michael didn't
recognize. “Two at once?” Michael commented.
“I feel a certain need to keep up with the Jones when I'm around you.”
Mitch boasted. The two girls looked at Michael and both stretched and flaunted
seductively. “I get the feeling there’s energy for some more fun if you’re
interested.” Mitch continued.
“No thanks,” Julia answered for Michael as she walked in the room,
wearing only a pair of panties and one of suggestive screen-printed t-shirts.
“He’s already had some.”
“True,” admitted Michael, “but since you offered...” He gave a hard
stare at Lara, remembering their other tryst. Lara stood up and walked over
him. Michael nuzzled her beautiful neck before biting down to feed.
The other girl jumped up in surprise, but Julia grabbed her before she
got anywhere. Julia pulled her into her embrace and began to feed as well. Once
enraptured by Julia’s Kiss, the other girl stopped any effort to flee.
Lara dropped to the floor, faint from blood loss. The other girl
joined her a second later.
“Thanks for breakfast.” Said Michael to Mitch.
“Freaks me out when you guys do that in front of me.
“You know we try to avoid killing when we feed. They’ll be fine.” Said
Julia.
“It’s still freaky.” Mitch stood up and began to get dressed. Julia
walked past Michael, gave him a quick peck on the cheek, and headed off to her
room to do the same.
“You came over here for a reason.” Said Mitch.
“I was wanting to have a meeting of the minds on our next move. Do we
make another move against the werewolves to provoke them further or do we start
undermining The Djinn by going after thralls?” Michael paused. “Where's Boar?”
“Off getting Taco Bell, I think.”
“Well, we'll want his input most...” Michael's attention turned away
when his vampire ears heard the sound of an approaching motorcycle.
“Solomon.” said Mitch, as his human ears began to hear the sound.
Sure enough, the Gangrel pulled up on his bike a minute or so later.
Michael stepped out and gave him a wave.
“You take too many risks, Michael.” snapped Solomon with a tone of
hostility.
Michael returned the hostility with a sly grin. “I take it you’ve had
a run in with my secret weapon.”
“Dammit, Michael, Deborah could have been killed.”
“A necessary and unfortunate risk.” countered Michael. “I had faith
though that she was well protected. I'm sure you have proven my trust
well-founded.”
“You put me on the firing line without even a single word of warning.”
“And you’re clever enough to know why.” Michael kept his tone even. This
wasn’t a real argument, just a moment of release for the big Gangrel.
Solomon let out his breath in frustration, a sign he was done
complaining. “I knew you were a clever son-of-a-bitch, Michael,” admitted
Solomon. He began to climb the stairs to meet up with Mitch and Michael. “but I
never thought you’d do that to me.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you.” said Michael. “When you left Tidewater,
the plan was not yet fully formed. But I did not contact you once it was for a
variety of reasons, most of which I think you understand. I did not do that
lightly, my old friend, but I had complete confidence that whatever came about
of my scheming, you would be able to handle it.”
“And it was handled. Deborah is safe…for the time being.”
“I trust that you will do everything to keep her that way. It would
not do for our future Princess to come to harm. Now, since you know about the
werewolves, I presume something has happened.”
“Two things. One, a pack of wolves sent Andreas to his eternal rest.
Two, four of the bastards tried to ruin The Djinn's latest court appearance.
Torpored Sophia and Corrine before we put them down.”
“Impressive work. Four lupines verses the whole of the kindred
population of Roanoke
“I wasn’t the only one they weren’t expecting.”
“Rebecca showed how good The Djinn’s training is, I take.”
“Well, yes, but that’s not what I meant. There was another present the
wolves weren’t expecting. Another visitor to the city.”
“Who?”
“Cranston
“Now, isn’t that interesting?”
“And with The Djinn and Rebecca, as you suspected.” confirmed Solomon.
“That pretty much confirms our every suspicion about what’s been going
on. The hunter plague, the likely invasion of Tidewater by The Djinn, all of
it.”
“Deborah has her doubts. She says that she would know if that scheme
was being hatched.”
“And what do you think?”
“I get the feeling she doesn’t know as much as she thinks she does.”
“We’re committed to this course.” Michael looked over at Mitch and
Julia. “But now we may need to accelerate our plans.”
“How so?” asked Mitch.
“Perhaps, we can make The Djinn an offer. An offer of assistance against
the lupine threat. Help him drive off the werewolves all the while keeping our
eyes open for a moment to betray him.”
“He will suspect a trap." said Solomon. "He already suspects
I have something to do with this, given what happened before when Mathias was
Prince.”
“Still, with two resident kindred out of action, the help of two more,
a mage, and a rogue lupine is likely to be very welcome.”
“Another risk.” said Solomon grimly.
“Yes, ambition demands risk.” replied Michael energetically. “We seek
to usurp one of the most powerful Kindred in these United States
Solomon said nothing for a long minute, an incredulous look on his
face. "I doubt he'll buy it."
"Convince..." Michael's reply was cut off by the nearby howl
of a wolf. "Boar!" he exclaimed. "He's in trouble."
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