Night Three

I’m sitting here with Danse Macabre, Op. 40 by Camille Saint-Saëns in my headphones.  Why you might ask.  The answer is that I can’t stand to listen to another over inflated high-pitched voice.  Awful sound effects that create exaggerated explosions.  These deeply annoying sounds are otherwise known as anime.  Whenever I’m attempting to take a moment of rest in my room it comes blaring through the walls.  Sure I could go tell the perpetrator to turn it down.  However then she pouts and whines and it’s barely worth it. 

So I drown it out.  Danse Macabre being a perfect choice as it tells the story of a dance with death.  I’m sure you have no idea what I’m talking about.  Don’t worry I’ll clue you in momentarily.  Let’s just say for now that my circumstances and current residence have changed.  Now I reside in Lord Reynolds’s library.  Besides the constant anime I am very comfortable here.  Of course anything would be a step up from sleeping in the bathtub beneath a mattress in a wreck of an apartment.

Last Saturday night was the party for the recently acknowledged of Chicago.  I donned my leather pants and made my way to the Cradle.  Upon arriving I steadied myself well aware anything could happen.  The smell of the food hit me the second I stepped through the door.  There was a cake on very prominent display listing all of the names of the acknowledged.  I wasn’t surprised to notice that mine was not among them.  The exhibit continued with a large number of highly coloured fruits and other indulgences.  All of this was next to a huge mountain of cocaine and a large number of pills, arranged just so.  

I stepped around the balloons on the floor and made my way to the other side of the club.  As before I had arrived early and it was more or less empty.  Martin Flagg, the Harpy and Jim Beasley along with another Kindred were sitting at a table.  I smiled at the Harpy and his book as I helped myself to a seat. 

“Hello Mr. Flagg do you remember me?”

He laughed barely looking up from his note taking.  “I do.  Indeed I do.”

I nodded a greeting at Jim across the table.  Watching with some bemusement as he jumped around inexplicitly.  The other Kindred I never learned the name of.  I can tell you he was Caucasian at least.  I remarked that the food was interesting.  Mr. Flagg stated distaste for it that equalled mine.  Jim continued to twitch around and I eventually inquired about the cause of it.  He claimed everything was fine and than began to play the table like it was a piano.  BlackCat sat down next to me and grinning and murmuring. He stroked my arm for a bit before wondering away again. 

My nose tickled again and I turned to see Louis St. John was setting up for bartending.  Out loud I wondered if he had anything of substance, preferably of the human variety.  The unnamed Kindred next to me challenged me to go over and find out.  Easily enough I stood up and he followed after me.

Mr. St. John had begun his duties as we arrived.  Looking very nice in his well-fitted attire I might add.  I said hello and then asked outright if he had any O-negative.  Looking around for a moment he said he didn’t.  That if I was actually hungry I would have to go elsewhere.  However in the meantime I could have a drink and then throw it up later.  Amused I voted that as a bad idea.  That might have bothered him a bit.  Having gotten my answer I told my companion we should return to the tables.  Then the Prince walked in and I forgot he existed.

As usual my world stopped as she floated on into it.  She had a huge hood that was crafted from the pelt of a wolf.  It hung down over her bare shoulders and almost all the way down to her waist.  Beneath it she wore a very small black top and tight black pants.  

“Giving major props to my Gangrel peeps tonight.”

I wanted to approach her so I could tell her how amazing she looked.  Then I declare my utter love and worship of her.  Fortunately her Primogen and other female Kindred surrounded her.  Curiously my fear of her continues to battles with my adoration.

Instead of making a fool of myself I read the cake again.  As if given permission by the arrival of the Prince the Kindred of Chicago were filling up the room.  Among them was Xavier with his miserable cards, just as arrogant as ever.  His name was on the cake.  So as a topic of conversation and as a way to embarrass him I decided to point it out.  It took a moment before he even noticed me. 

As I suspected he was surprised at my congratulations.  Instead of taking my word for it he walked over the cake and saw his name.  I pointed it out there written in blue frosting in case he missed it. 

“Curiousier and curiousier.  It would be a problem if the Prince acknowledged me in Chicago.”  He said in his Louisiana accent.

Turning his head in a particular way, he looked at me as if I was partially responsible.  I was careful to keep up the huge innocent doe eyes.

“It seems congratulations are in order.”  I responded neutrally.  Congratulating myself much more than him.  It would be a long time before I forget his disrespect or his threat to Shane.  Murmuring he wondered away still looking at me oddly and I smiled to myself. 

Feeling pleasantly spiteful I turned around and nearly bumped into the Prince.  Cue my stomach instantly tying itself into knots. 

“You look amazing!  Are those leather pants?”  She asked enthusiastically. 

“Yeah they are …”  I said looking down at them before moving my eyes back to my Goddess.  “You look amazing!  I love your hat!”

She grinned and thanked me.  Then I thought I would be cute for no particular reason.
 

“Can I pet you?”

Even now as I look back now I can see what I missed then.  I fully expected her to laugh my silly attempt off.   

“Sure!”

Unexpectedly she turned around showing me her lovely bare back.  Instead of taking advantage of this wondrous opportunity I had been given I awkwardly patted her hat.  Which, naturally, was the worst thing I could have done.  For all of her compliments I didn’t believe she could actually be attracted to me. 

After a moment of not much of anything she hissed and then stomped off.  As I stood there the momentous mistake I had made began to make itself realized in my very thick brain.  I watched her walk over to others and compliment them.  Like the fool I was and still am I tried to make up for what had just happened. 

“You look perfect.”

“What is that Baby?”  She said getting extremely close so I could whisper in her ear.

“You look perfect … I” 

“Bah!”  She stomped away once again.

“I wouldn’t expect any different …”

Yes I could have handled that better.  Just … she’s the Prince, powerful and gorgeous.  You know way high up there and I’m way down here.  I really don’t know what she expected of me?  Anything she wants she just needs to ask and I will do it.  If she wants worship I will give it. 

Men are what I’m use to and they tend to be clear-cut in their needs.  Women conversely are desirable but utter mysteries.  Throw in our stations and it’s twice as confusing.

Now I was unhappy and out of sorts.  I attempted to try to reassure myself by mingling a bit more.  It was a surprised when I ran into the scarred girl I had meant before at the warehouse.  I could tell it was the same Kindred but she had changed remarkably.  Upon closer inspection it was clear she or someone had put some work into covering her disfigurements.  When I complimented her on her appearance she stared at me with large unblinking eyes. 

Next I ran into Isabella minus Sonny.  She was chatting with a few other Kindred and mentioned her business.  When I inquired about it she turned to me as if it was obvious.

“Darling!  I am a Madame.”

She went on to tell me about her girls and how they had set up their little business here in Chi-town.  I cheekily inquired about any boys and she looked at me before saying she had a few.  Then complained that her boys were having a hard time finding work here as compared to Vegas.  I laughed and said that you just needed to know where to go.  Doubt she caught on to my not so subtle hints.

Mr. Flagg joined us and then Sonny stepped in, barely glancing at me.  Isabella made a point of saying that the dead could vote in Chicago.  Considering the corruption our state has been under I find that not at all surprising.  Mr. Flagg as it turns out doesn’t vote and Sonny pulled him aside to talk some sense into him.

“You’re not a republican are you?”

Being that he was a Carthian I wouldn’t be surprised if he was.  The next person I came across was a curious female Nosferatu named Spinner.  She was wearing a jewelled mask and her eyes were lovely.  We talked for a bit and she told me that she was BlackCat’s ward.  In response I pointed out that he was a colourful character.  She laughed and thought that was a good word for him.  At this point the majority of the partygoers were gathered together in the corner of the club.

Confidentially I told Spinner that I was getting anxious waiting for something to happen. 

“Don’t worry when you’ve got this many vampires in one room something is bound to happen.”

I still had my doubts so we discussed ways to shake things up.  Our ideas included putting light into all of the balloons, stacking pretzels and then chairs.  Cute ideas but that wouldn’t accomplish what I wanted.  BlackCat stopped by and I informed him that I was enjoying my conversation with his ward.  He gave a half laugh half growl before wondering away again.  Not long after that Spinner excused herself.

Lord Reynolds and his thralled companion, Mika, were by the bar.  I went over to thank him for the use of his library.  In his slow eloquent way he accepted my thanks.  Then he told me he had been appointed an organizer of a Kindred gathering.  That was due to take place in a month’s time.  To my surprise he asked if I would be so kind to prepare some painting to be displayed and sold off in a silent auction.  I accepted and was so flattered that I didn’t even think to ask whom the auction would be benefiting.

Looking around the club I watched everyone interact without me.  My hungry eyes went back to The Prince who would probably never forgive me.  Feeling discouraged I decided to call it a night.  Perhaps I could salvage it by spending time planning out some ideas for paintings.

I walked out of the club and just happened to pass right by the Sheriff.  It seemed he was there providing security with a large bouncer type named Elliot Fitzpatrick.  When the Sheriff saw me he asked me politely to sit down.  Elliot scrutinized me coldly as I thanked the Sheriff and took a seat beside him.  The Sheriff asked if I was enjoying the party.  I answered truthfully enough that I felt a bit out of place and unsettled.  He wanted clarification on that and I told him that I just didn’t know if there was a place for me in all of this.  As a solution to my problem he told me to talk to Roger Lafferty.

By sheer coincidence it was at that moment Mr. Lafferty walked by.  I introduced myself again and asked if he remembered me.  Indeed he did.  Well I needed help getting comfortable in my new skin.  Roger didn’t look particularly thrilled about showing me around.  When I persisted he gave in.  As we went back into the Cradle I mentioned that my official status on covenants was unaligned.  However I was currently searching around.  Elliot called after me.

“When you are done with him make sure you come and find me.”

The Sheriff asked why I should.  Elliot told him that he wanted to make sure I didn’t make a motherfucking mistake being only three fucking months old.  Inside the club Mr. Lafferty pointed out a few notable Daeva Kindred.  We gazed at Prince Grace across the club and I felt that longing again.  I mentioned quietly to Mr. Lafferty that she was so informal and not what I would expect from a Prince.  When you look at all of the drugs and parties and so on.  Roger lowered his voice as he answered me.

“When she’s like this it’s not the way she is when she’s a Prince.”

I hoped so.  It’s hard to pinpoint my feelings.  In one way I want a Goddess I can worship from afar.  On the other hand I want to get to know her better.  The real her that is.  Not the show she felt the need to put on.

Roger and I moved to the bar and we talked more about my unlife.  He warned me against drinking another vampire’s blood as it was addictive and would idle my brain.  This was good counsel so I made a point to remember it.  I told him that I was getting better at getting human blood.  However I wasn’t interested in keeping any of my victims around.  Surprised he inquired why not.  I didn’t want the trouble naturally.  It was difficult enough to track of myself these days.

The Kindred named Crash who had given me $10,000 before joined us.  This time he had a patch over one eye but I didn’t get a chance to ask why.  Same as it was before he handed me $10,000 dollars as if it was nothing.   From there the talk turned to covenants.  Both of them agreed that Carthian was the best way for me to go from here.  Each Carthian was his own man and could make his own path.  That was grand and everything but my own path wasn’t working out so well.  Truthfully I wanted something mighty to look up to and worship.  I wanted a goal to strive for.  I trusted that a goal would give me purpose in my unlife.  All of that was in Invictus not in The Carthian Movement.  Garbling my words I poorly attempted to explain this to Roger and Crash.

Unable to convince them I left them to their idealized dreams.  Walking back out of the club I looked for Mr. Fitzpatrick.  If he had some advice I wanted to hear it.  Not to mention if I didn’t come back he might take offence.  Easily I found him as if waiting for me outside the club.  Then not 10 seconds later, as if it had been planned, along came Shane Anderson.

“Is there a problem here?”

Elliot said that there was no problem.  I was just brand new and he was trying to make sure I didn’t jump into a covenant to quickly.  Shane turned to me and said … I have no idea what he said.  Externally I was as calm but inwardly there were screaming nerves.  To whatever Shane said I answered something.  Whatever it was turned out to be the wrong thing.  Both Mr. Anderson and Mr. Fitzpatrick informed me that we were going to take a walk.

Now I had a few choices here.  My instinct was to turn and run as fast as I could the opposite direction.  There was a reasonable chance of being able to get away.  The crowd was thick and I doubt even Shane would shoot where mortals might see him.  However I would never be able to show my face again if I did that.  Not to mention how extremely cowardly that would be.

Another choice was to be extremely brave but also extremely stupid.  My knife was easily within reach.  They most likely wouldn’t expect the first slash.  Yes I could have wounded one of them.  Then immediately after that I would be so riddled with bullets the resemblance to Swiss cheese would be uncanny.  Any bravery would hardly count if I fell into the final death.

When I had first heard about Shane and reconciled myself to his role I made a decision.  If it ever came to it I would face him down.  After all, either fighting or running would be ultimately pointless.  If he was going to shoot me he could look me in the eyes while doing it.  Shane was a much more powerful vampire but I absolutely would not cower. 

So the three of us walked around to a back alleyway.  Shane ordered me to sit down on some boxes.  I hesitated for a second and his tone became dangerous.  Down I sat, looking up at him.  Then came the questions.  I was three months old, I didn’t have a covenant, my sire had abandoned me and no one had claimed me.  These were all very unwelcome answers to the Archon of Chicago.

Not wanting to make it worse I answered Lafferty when asked if anyone had taken responsibility for me.  Never mind that only thing Mr. Lafferty had taken responsibility for was how quickly he could pass me off to someone else.  I thought it would seem plausible, as he was the Daeva Prisci.  Shane seemed to accept that with no problem.

The intruding voice of the Sheriff caused me to turn my head towards him.  As if with concern, he inquired to the state of my well-being.  To which I naturally replied that everything was coming up roses.  We were just in an abandoned alleyway for the sole purpose of talking after all.  When I insisted once more that it was nothing like it appeared he turned to leave.  Shane shouted after him demanding to know if I had been thoroughly questioned. 

“What should I question him about?”

“He’s only three fucking months old!  Fucking everything!” 

Turning back to me he asked if I had any brain worms.  Now that was unexpected.  Shane informed me that brain worms wiggled their way in and made you do stupid things.  I had done several stupid things this very evening but I maintained I was brain worm free.

After studying me for a bit he asked if I was nervous.  Yes I was nervous.  After all I heard the stories that people told.

“What stories do people tell?”

“That you keep the peace and serve the Prince.”

Now that is not exactly what people had told me.  Actually that is nothing resembling how people talked about Shane.  However it was my own personal conclusion and thought that it would work here.  Seemingly it did but then he began to stare at me.  The more he stared the more my head began to pound.  The pain increased until it became nearly unbearable.  I couldn’t escape his gaze.

“Tell me about your sire.”

“He left me!”

“What do you mean by ‘left’?

“He’s gone!”

“What do you mean by ‘gone’?  Tell me about the ashes.”

Horror.  “No!  How could you know about that?”

Shane just knew that was all.  Agonizingly I could feel him in my head.  If I had wanted to I could have blocked him.  However just like I didn’t draw my knife I didn’t push him away.  What was going to happen was going to happen.  A lack of common sense would only anger the predator before me.  There was a time and a place and this wasn’t it. 

There was no more point in holding back.  I told him what had happened to the man who had created me. 

“So you killed a vampire in Chicago.”

“He wasn’t from here!”

“Oh he wasn’t from here!  Then I could just go kill all of the visiting Kindred from Kenosha if it doesn’t matter if you are from here or not.”

There was nothing I could say to that so I remained silent.  One last excuse and I was fairly certain that was going to be shot down as well.

“It wasn’t me, it was my Beast.”     

Shane again laughed at my pathetic justifications.  Steadily I kept my gaze on him but inside I crumpled.  For he was absolutely correct.  I had killed my sire.  My temper had gotten the better of me and I had reacted in the worst way possible.

“Do you know what I am?”

Yes I did know. 

“I am the Scourge of Chicago.  Do you know what that means?”

Once again indeed I did know.  We regarded each other.  With the appearance of calm I sat there watching his face but waiting for the pain of a bullet through my skull.  Undoubtedly I deserved it.  I was more than ready to accept it. 

“I could very easily kill you.”

“Yes.  At least it was three good months.”

“They weren’t good!  They are filled with pain, horror, and misery.”

“Well blood is good.  I really like blood.”

“What are you eating?  Fucking squirrels or whatever?”

“I’m learning how to hunt humans.  I’m getting better at it.”

Once again silence and me waiting for whatever horrible trauma he was going to inflict upon me.  Perhaps I would survive or perhaps I wouldn’t.  Either way I had been granted more time than most.  Honestly I was grateful for every single second.

“You owe the Scourge a favour.  In other words when we ask you to do something we aren’t really asking.”

For a moment I just sat there and before the implications of what he was saying hit me.

“I’m not going to shoot you because you had the balls to kill your sire.  I won’t tell anybody that you killed him.  In exchange you will not tell anybody about this.  If you do I can just as easily dust you.  Do you understand?”

Yes I understood.

“I really do admire you for all that you do.”  I was speaking the truth.  Referring too much more than his restraint in shooting me.  Nearly all of the Kindred feared him but I doubt many bothered to thank him. 

“I don’t need your admiration.  I need your obedience!”

“You have it.”

Shane Anderson and I looked each other in the eye one last time.

“Go back to the gathering.”

Silently I stood up and walked back to the club.  My steps were not hurried and I did not look back.  I could feel his eyes on me.  While I remained in his sight I was fully aware he could shoot me in the back of the head.  No shot rang out and I arrived back at the entrance to the club with everything intact.  I was also shaking from head to toe.

“Are you all right?  You look perturbed.” 

This was Lord Reynolds and his arm candy looking at me.  Swallowing heavily I responded that I was completely fine.  Not convinced he asked again and once again I assured him that I was perfectly all right. 

“Well then I have something I wanted to ask of you.” 

At the voicing of his request the shock I was in over the confrontation with Shane nearly faded into the background.  Lord Reynolds offered me the possibility of a position as his student in the Invictus.  The only provocation being that I would have to go live with him in his library.  Honestly I basically had lived there for the past week anyway as I devoured all the knowledge I could.  Lord Reynolds noted this as well as our similar temperaments.

At length he laid out his lesson plan ending with a course in combat.  Fencing was his preference as it was a gentleman’s sport.  Mika peeped up and said that she also fenced.  I was ready to say yes immediately but he insisted that I take time to think it over.  Thanking him for his interest I made my leave and went back into the club.

Being naturally observant I quickly saw that someone had defaced the cake. One of the frosted names of the acknowledged had been smeared out.  I was able to discern that it had started with M but nothing else was clear.  Figuring that had happened while I was busy with Shane I mentally noted it and moved on.  Sherri, the Primogen, was sitting near the bar and I smiled at her.  Easily she smiled back at me.

“Hey you!  How have you been since I last saw you?” 

She had a way of being caring without being condescending.  I answered that I had been fine and things were going along.  There was nothing much to report really.  My questions about her night were shrugged off.  Apparently there had been business going on that had gotten her down.  I knew better than to ask, as she was not the type to share such things. 

With hope she asked if there was any good gossip.  I said I couldn’t think of anything.  Then I remembered the cake.  At my report that there was a name scoped out she jumped up and ran over to check.

“Oh the scandal!”  She said spinning around to look at me with her hand dramatically over her mouth.  We were trying to figure out what name it had been when Prince Grace joined us.  At least she joined Sherri.  She pointedly wasn’t looking at me. 

“Oh how unsanitary!”  Her Majesty proclaimed this with a wrinkled nose upon learning about the cake.  “It was Miles and it was Shane.  Ewww.”

It occurred to me that it mostly likely wasn’t Shane as he had been with me.  Then again he could of done it while I was talking to Lord Reynolds.  After Mr. Anderson’s warning about keeping my trap shut I wasn’t about to say anything either way.

After a moment The Prince decided that she really didn’t have any proof of Shane’s involvement.  So she instructed Sherri to spread the gossip around to find out who did it. Without naming The Prince herself naturally as the root of the rumour. 

The Prince left to do some business while Sherri and I talked for a while.  In order to get me more involved in Kindred society she suggested that I use my artistic talent to draw the Prince.  However I should do it in a way that didn’t suggest I was doing it for status.  To do it in a way that complimented her beauty instead.  I decided not to tell Sherri that Prince Grace and I were on the outs.  As I’m not sure if I was ever on the ins.

“You’ve just got to penetrate your way into the Kindred.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. 

“Oh look at me I made a sexy double entendre.  But seriously it’s all about getting your foot into the door.  Then you can take another step and then another until you are all the way through.”

That piece of advice was the most helpful that I had received since my embrace.  It made sense that seemingly small steps are still important.  The Prince returned and talked about things of which I have no knowledge.  At one point she blasphemed in a playful way.  Correcting herself she turned to a new and silent Kindred with an apology.  In response he smiled and blessed her with the sign of the cross, which I found interesting.

Walking into the club at the moment was a Kindred that I had often seen.  However he never stayed long enough to talk with.  Seizing the chance I turned and introduced myself to him.  In turn he announced himself as Lord Rosso.  Expanding on that he told me he was the Daeva Whip.

“I’ll be behaving myself around you then.”  I said with a wink and a smile.

“Glad to hear it.” 

As I suspected he quickly excused himself soon after arriving.  The silent Kindred was still standing where he had before.  Curious I walked over to see what he was about.  As it turned out he was a Nosferatu Priest from Vegas named Reverend Jim.  His faith was a bit hard for me to reconcile in my brain.  If there was a God I was fairly sure he was willing to damn me just for what I was.  The Christian God seemed to be in the habit of doing that according to some.      

Reverend Jim had a different view.  Instead of the Damned of the earth he viewed vampires as Saviours.  That line of thought ran contrary to everything I assumed true.  Before I got a chance to ask for clarification another Kindred leaned into my space.

“Would you like to see an Invictus ceremony?” 

Yes!  The answer to that question was yes.  I had never seen the man before but I wasn’t about to pass up a chance like that.  I was given directions to the location of the ceremony.  Quickly I made my way there.  Lord Reynolds was outside and I told him that I had been invited to see the ceremony.  At first he didn’t quite believe me.  Invictus ceremonies were private events.  I attempted to describe the man who had invited me. 

The man with his strange eye make-up and pinstriped suit passed through my line of sight.  I pointed him out to Lord Reynolds and he was taken aback.

“Michael Evengii invited you?  Then I suppose … you can come in.”

Lord Reynolds stepped into the church.  Before I could follow, Shane who just happened to be by the door stopped me.

“He’s not Invictus.”

Shane was addressing Michael Evengii, not me.

“Yes he is.”  Mr. Evengii seemed to believe in me for some reason. 

“He’s just three fucking months old.  How can he be Invictus?”

Mr. Evengii was as cool as a cucumber in the face of Shane’s abrasiveness. 

“It’s all right.  I invited him.  This will be good for him to see.” 

Shane’s only answer to that was to glare at the both of us.  I could of pointed out that Shane wasn’t Invictus either as I knew he was an Acolyte.  I opted instead to just walk quietly between them and into the church. 

I found Lord Reynolds in the church and we sat together.  The chapel was small and modestly decorated but nicely lit.  My eyes went everywhere trying to pull in every little detail that I could. 

Prince Grace stepped up to the pulpit.  Never before had she looked so regal.  The pleasantries were quickly stated.  She thanked everyone for coming and asked if there was any business before we began.  There was none.

As I sat under those flickering lights it became clear.  This was the induction ceremony for Donovan McQuinn.  His teacher stood and asked permission for him to come forth.  The request was granted.  However when she begged for a few extra moments of preparation Prince Grace became impatient. 

                       

“I’m not going to ask again.  Let me see the kid!” 

She stood with her hand on her tilted hip, pointed with her finger and was simply glorious.  Erections are no longer automatic but I nearly willed one at that. 

Donovan walked slowly down the isle covered with a long cape and hood.  As he walked towards The Prince I prayed this would go well.  Kneeling down he looked upwards towards The Prince.  Both she and Mr. Evengii questioned Mr. McQuinn regarding the traditions of the Kindred and of the Invictus. 

Michael Evengii was especially severe demanding to know at what price Mr. McQuinn would betray the Invictus.  Donovan said there was no price that would be enough to do such a thing.  Mr. Evengii didn’t quite trust him but Prince Grace came to his rescue.

“I believe him.  The kid’s legit.”

This was the Prince Grace I’ve wanted to see from the beginning and she was wonderful.  Donovan stood and allowed the cape to fall down to his feet.  The ceremony continued with the symbolic donning of clothing.  Representing Donovan’s former life and now his future within the Invictus.  I was both envious of him and worried I never would be able to pass such a test. 

Michael Evengii announced soon afterwards that money was no longer an issue, if it ever had been.  The Invictus had gained control of Swiss bank.  If there was a need among the members it would be quickly meant.

Lord Reynolds looked at me and I knew what it was he asked.  Yes this was the power and the might that I had been longing for.  Nodding I gave my consent to his silent question.  After receiving permission he stood.  Announcing that he would be taking me under his tutelage.  The Shroud is the Invictus term for it.  Timidly I stood when he requested that I do so. 

After that the meeting was adjourned.  As we left the church Lord Reynolds told me that I had such things to look forward to in the future.  I certainly hoped so.  The chance to kneel before Prince Grace and impress her with my knowledge was worth striving for. 

From observation I knew that Lord Reynolds was not among the most respected of the Invictus.  However I had taken Sherri’s advice to heart and this was my foot into the Invictus door.  I would find a way to take the next step further in.  Lord Reynolds told the strange and scarred lady named Cassandra I had proven myself worthy.  Whereas Mika, his near constant companion, had not. 

Upon returning to The Cradle I encountered Reverend Jim once more.  When he asked how the ceremony had gone I paused for a moment.  Sensing my unease he told me that he was a priest and I could speak freely.  I told him that I hoped I had made the right decision as it had been made in haste. 

Now that I had a chance I asked him to clarify his position.  His thoughts were since vampires were strong enough to survive they deserved their position of power.  God, in his wisdom, created vampires to be strong.  So it is within his plan that they freely roam the earth.  Killing as the Lord does without discrimination or pause.  God is a tyrant but it is for his flocks own good that he guides with such a strong hand.

It was a very interesting viewpoint and one plan on mediating about further.  BlackCat joined in our conversation and unlike Shane he seemed to take joy in his unlife.  Even an unlife as long as his has been.  His joy was infectious as always. 

There was news of a Daeva meeting near the bar but it didn’t turn out so well.  Roger Lafferty was not the best at leading meetings it seemed.  Instead Desdemona whined to me about being unable to stop eating pretzels.  I told her that was because they were actually covered in crystal meth.  Bemused I listened to her complain for a while.  There were so many meetings and she just wanted to bounce around to different things. 

“I just do … you know … whatever ...”

I truly hope that someone is looking out for her.  Otherwise she is not going to last too much longer in this city.  Unless she stays so far under the radar that no one ever notices her. 

Speaking of which, I overheard Lord Reynolds telling Mika that I was now his student and she would have to be subservient to me.  She murmured and preened and didn’t seem the least bit disappointed he had chosen me over her.  Turning to me he told me that anything I want Mika would provide.  I considered that for a second but then I only wanted Grace.  Prince Grace that was and there was no comparison to her.

At this point the cake had been cut and passed around.  Mika announced cheerfully that someone had cut her name out of the cake!  Lord Reynolds cautiously asked if she was sure the name had been hers.  No she wasn’t sure but it probably was.  Between the two I would trust The Prince’s word on the matter over Mika’s.  Both of them were sure it was Shane but I still had my personal and private doubts.  Whether it was Miles or Mika the motivation behind it still remains a mystery. 

The evening was winding to a close.  I spent the time meeting a few more Kindred.  There was Finn a Nosferatu with a walking cane and a dangerous looking claw on his right hand.  One he assured me that he had under control.  I also meant Zerrik who talked in a fantastic sort of street lingo and introduced himself as a ‘shadow dragon.’  Which confused me for a second until he explained that Shadows was a moniker for the Mekhet clan.

The Harold gathered all of the Kindred together for The Prince’s final announcements of the night.  Prince Grace counted herself a lucky girl to have all of us working together to make Chicago a better place.  Congratulations were due to all of those who were listed on the cake.  Mr. Flagg was up next and he gave out honours to a few people.  The one that stands out most in my mind was Cyanide Wax for her awesome name. 

The Prince came back to the front and announced she was going to retire Lord Griffin as her Seneschal.  She had made the decision to appoint Martin Flagg in his stead.  I was a bit surprised, as she had seemed annoyed with him a few nights ago.  Also I wondered if Mr. McQuinn was at all disappointed with that decision.  However I do agree that Mr. Flagg seems very knowledgeable and will have the ability to serve The Prince well.

One final appointment was made that night.  Lord Rosso was given the title of Master of Elyisium.  Modestly he came forward and accepted with a wave of his hand.  Out of the corner of my eye I observed that my new teacher was a bit unhappy with The Prince’s decision.  I suspect there is a story there.  One that I might learn as I serve under him.

 

Michael Evengii made a few more announcements.  Lord Reynolds’s party was announced and the crowd seemed excited about his chosen theme.  The theme he chose was Casino night.  Much gambling and baccarat were promised.  As well as my painting, which would be on display.  With all that is suddenly expected of me there will be no more puttering around the city.  I have many lessons to learn and scenes to paint.  Strange the whole time I was standing there it felt as if Prince Grace was watching me.  Not possible of course, why would she be? 

The crowd broke up and I moved to stand by Lord Reynolds.  For the time being I knew I could be considered his servant.  As I approached he was speaking to Sonny about security at the casino and dealers for the tables.  Sonny said he could provide what was needed.  As he went on his way I bid him farewell.  He returned the gesture still slightly bewildered at my existence.  I watched him go and when I turned around the Sheriff was sitting right there. 

Once again he asked me to sit down.  This time however it sounded more like an order than a friendly suggestion.  I took a seat while I watched him closely.  More and more to me he seemed like a threat.

His first question was about Shane.  I replied that nothing had happened outside of a pleasant chat.  Then he started asking pointed questions about my sire.  Did I want to find him?  What did he look like?  Where had I last seen him? 

Having no choice I answered the best that I could.  Everything I said was jotted down in his notebook including my physical description of him.  Truthfully I said that my memory of his exact features was blurry at best.  The Sheriff seemed to accept that. 

When he was done with the interrogation he said he would do his best to locate him.  Without showing a single thing on my face I thanked him for his dedication.  Inside I was worried.  There was nothing left of my sire but the ashes in the jar at my apartment.  I hadn’t even considered the possibility that there might be more somewhere.  Things were starting to fall into place for me.  I could only hope that my streak of luck would continue.

The Cradle was closing down and the Kindred began to disperse.  Lord Reynolds would want me to move in with him straight away.  There was only an hour or so of darkness left.  I promised I would come to the library straight away but there was something to do first. 

I arrived back at my apartment knowing that I most likely would never see it again.  There was nothing for me there but bad memories.  I wouldn’t miss it but … Carefully I picked up the jar of ashes that contained the man who had made me.  For three months I had been sleeping with the jar.  What had happened was a tragedy for both of us.  Only it was me that had to live with the consequences. 

I walked out to the balcony where he had died.  From that vantage point the air smelled sweet and clear.  A breeze seemed to caress me, a creature of the night.  With a single motion I tossed the ashes into the air.  The wind caught them and scattered them off into the dark.  I drew in a single shuddering breath and whispered goodbye.  Whether he loved me or not he was gone now.  The best thing I could do to honour him was to live the life he had given me.  What a pity that it had to be exchanged for his own.