Night Seven

“So Adrian, how are you planning on killing me?”

This was Jim Beasley’s greeting to me on the second night of the Midwest Prince Regional Summit.  The cheek in them was clear from his tone and his smile.  Naturally assuming it all a joke I only smiled.  Yet a bell of warning sounded faintly in my head.  The night before certain things had been said.  By both Jim and I, to each other and to another.  Above all words are malleable creatures.  Easily twisted and could so effortlessly be turned right around. 

Yet Jim and I were friends.  That’s what I wanted to believe despite knowing better.  A friendship could exist even in the midst of this madness.  Two demons could find a way to see the benefit in each other.  Using emotions that were only reflections in a shattered pane of glass. 

There is no truth in so much distortion.  From what could have been friendship, there was only fixation.  In the end there is only two ways to cure obsession.  Destroy the cause or allow it to destroy you. 

That’s enough of that, back to the party.  The Daeva are known for many things.  Just for starters they are beautiful, conniving sexual predators who will drain you dry.  Not just of blood, but of who you even are.  Also they throw great parties!  This was a party within a party, which got automatic kudus.   

“Painfully, slowly, when you least expect it … etc.”  Marquee Evengii took a certain kind of joy in describing Mr. Beasley ultimate and extremely grisly demise.  Obediently I sat down next to the doomed Kindred when directed too.  Wearily I watched The Marquee’s smile and saw the predator within.  

“All right then.  Look forward to that.”  Jim said slapping his thighs before turning to me.  “So what about you?  How do you plan to do it?”

“That’s what he said.” 

Two things I should mention here.  First off I knew I couldn’t top Marquee Evengii on anything.   Including his particularly cunning tactics of turning Mr. Beasley inside out.  Second I did not want to go on any kind of record for premeditated murder.  There was no status to protect me. 

“Oh really?  You can’t think for yourself?”  From the way he squirmed Jim regretted that seconds after he said it.

While I sputtered out some rebuttal, Marquee Evengii interjected as smooth as silk.  Stopping me from making an incriminating fool of myself. 

At least he did then.  Even now there is no official record of the threats I made.  Though yes I did make them.  As to why I would make such a campaign against a man I love, we will have to go back to the night before. 

Now I don’t know exactly what I expected for a Prince’s summit.  Surely there would be some grandeur involved.  For the first night at least, it was only a sort of meet and greet.  When I entered there was no Beasley, Evengii or Hartford.  However there was Reynolds and many Kindred I did not know.  As the obedient servant I presented myself to him.  

“I just wanted to say that I don’t intend to study under Marquee Evengii.  Despite his words I don’t trust him not to lie to me, use me or even kill me.”

“First off it’s not that simple.  He can’t just take you.  We swore a blood oath …”

Of course, I'm not bright about doing things but even I know what Marquee Evengii wants, he will damn well take.  This was nothing I would actually say to Lord Reynolds.

“If he were to take you on he would have to offer me a significant boon in exchange for your placement …”

At this point Lord Reynolds was speculating to himself more than talking to me.  After a bit he realized I was still standing there.

“I want you to know that I will never lie to you.  I might omit certain facts to protect you, but I will tell you the truth.”

This had never been a doubt in my mind.  When it came down to it, I had a choice.  If I remained with Reynolds I would have the security of knowing where I stood.  If I consented to be Evengii pawn my personal gain could be greater.  The rare pawn that crosses the board becomes queen.  Yet most are discarded in two moves or less.

In an effort to teach, Lord Reynolds helped me classifying Kindred with certain indicators.  This was useful as there were so many unrecognisable faces.  We fell into conversation with a sweet Nosferatu, almost to sweet.  Lord Reynolds seemed especially taken with her and I left them to it.

With her wondering staring eyes Cassandra enter the room.  In her hands she carried a dirty teddy bear.  The smell of blood was obvious on the toy.

“I’d like to present Master Ursus Arctos of clan Gangrel.”  She said staring at me slightly dazed as always. 

Indulgently playing along, I shook the bear’s paw and introduced myself as Master Adrian Merloy.  As we exchanged pleasantries, Cassandra and I not the bear, Lord Reynolds once again joined us.  Yet it was not him who spoke next.

“That is a teddy bear.  There is a certain standard we hold here.”

Shocked I turned to see who would be so rude to Cassandra.  Yes clearly she was off her head but ultimately harmless.  An especially stern red headed woman stood there looking very spiteful.  Feeling offended I asked her just where she got off.   This prompted a very harsh scolding from both Lord Reynolds and the Lady in question.  Make that Dame actually as she turned out to be a high-ranking member of the Invictus. 

Sheepishly I wondered away and there was Alder Ivanovich.  So was I going from the frying pan into the fire?  You bet.  Being that I was neither a Prince nor any kind of ranking member I felt it would be fine to dress down. 

“Good Evening Master Merloy.  Dressed casually I see.” 

“Oh I … well … thought …”  Hopefully eloquence can be a work in progress. 

“If you wish to be an Invictus you need to have a certain standard.  Like this.”  Alder Ivanovich pointedly adjusted the lapel on his smart dress coat.  

Stopping the lame excuses left me looking downcast.   

“Oh it’s fine.  I’m just taking note.”  Alder Ivanovich said simply before looking away.

A lump of fear froze itself in my throat.  Even without a direct threat the implication was still clear.  The next conversation he had The Marquee over tea and vodka wouldn’t go well for me.   

The night will come when I am not completely subservient to be my betters.  This was not that night.  Was it by chance or by fate that I quickly found another young man in my size?  One who happened to be wearing a dark grey suit and tie?  Undoubtedly he was surprised when he woke up relieved of his suit.  Fortunately I had ways of making sure he wouldn’t recall just where it went.

When I arrived back at the crowded gathering I was complimented on my choice.  Even though it was cliché for Kindred to wear a dark suits.  Kindly Donovan McQuinn, who happened to be standing there, said we could pretend it was midnight blue.  Just to avoid that sort of thing.  Ah well.  In this part of Chicagoland it was unlikely I would run into someone wearing a red velvet suit.  As much as I wish I would.

Mr. McQuinn excused himself to attend to other matters.  Twittering happily, Mika grabbed me into a hug, wearing one of her many eye-catching outfits.  With no sign, I resigned to myself that Jim Beasley would not be coming tonight.  As much as I longed to see him, when I did it never worked out well.  So perhaps … I looked up and there he was. 

Smiling and shaking hands with complete strangers using ease I could only admire.  Casually as you please Jim made his way around to me.

“Going from people I do want to meet to people I don’t …”  Muttered under his breath and then …

“Adrian!” 

It was not long before Jim expressed his intent to meet people more interesting than me.  Stubbornly I didn’t even watch him go.  Instead I stepped back from Lord Reynolds in a half pout.  Annoyed at both myself and the other guy.  So wrapped up in my worries, I didn’t even notice when Elliot Fitzpatrick came up behind me. 

“Hey, how you doing?”

Good … I was doing well.  Let’s hope it stayed that way.  There were remarks about looking stuffy in a suit.  Replying back I said that I did attempt a more casual look but was scolded for it.  Elliot shook his head at that.  Oh Vald was a big teddy bear.  There was no reason for me to worry about him.  Next time I should direct him to the nearest short pier. 

Grinning I shook my head in response.  Never would I do that.  My respect and gratitude for Alder Ivanovich ran to deep.  Not to mention my fear, which was just as real.  Amusing how Kindred seem to forget how dangerous each other was.  Yet here we all stood in an overcrowded room.  Using the vague remembrance of function in human society to keep us civilized.  Balancing on the edge of a knife. 

A rough character, Mr. Fitzpatrick toed the line broader than most.  Casually he told me how much he wanted to see a hole through Lord Reynolds’s head.  From our vantage point we could see the back of it.  Once again I didn’t agree or disagree with that statement.

“Yeah I still hate Reynolds but you are all right with me.” 

Good news.  When he left I looked around.  Feeling oppressed and caged in.  My Beast was restless with all the unknowns and he was putting me on tenterhooks.  So off I went, back into the night.  Finding empty solace in the arms of a mortal and leaving them to wake up alone.  When I approached the gathering once more I was offered a curious substance.  It was clear and smelled strongly.  There was a name but I forgot it exactly.  For now it can be lacrimosa.  Yes I am a big Mozart fan.

My head now feeling light, I skipped back into the midst of it all.  Immediately Mika grabbed me in a panic.  Lord Reynolds was in a duel!

Huh?

Yes Lord Reynolds was in a duel and she was scared.  What the hell had happened?  She didn’t know, she didn’t know.  As she clung to me I studied the surroundings.  The area that was most heavily shielded was my destination. 

“No Adrian, don’t go over there!  Look there are people guarding it.  No!”

Refusing to let go she was dragged after me.  Confidently I approached the resolute trio of guards.  Calmly I said that I needed to be let by as my Master was in there.  Sadly that was a no go.  That went for me and any other young Kindred nearby. 

At least they could tell me what was going on.  Once again, privileged information.  Prince White was in there and he was giving the orders.  For heaven sakes, Lord Reynolds was fighting a Prince!  Standing still I thought that through as Mika had a mini heart attack beside me.  Apparently Lord Reynolds’s honour had been called into question one way or another. 

Even as we moved away Mika continued to milk the situation with both hands.  Perhaps it was better if Reynolds did die because clearly he didn’t love her.  As Mika worked her dramatics of mourning her unrequited love, I considered the possibilities.  Would Lord Reynolds’s foolishness reflect badly on me?  If he were to die would it be I who inherited his assets?  Including the squeaky little thing beside me.

Providence it seemed was on Mika’s side.  Unscathed Lord Reynolds’s emerged and we ran to him.  My questions were brushed aside and I was nicely patronized.  Frustrated I watched the rest of the Kindred file out.  Important delegates all of them and than Sonny ...  Wait … What?  Yes he was a bit higher up on the totem poll than me but not by much.  The only reason he would be in there was because …

Oh.  OH!  Even liquored up my sluggish brain eventually put it all into place.  Take Sonny’s dismissive attitude and his recent remarks on running Lord Reynolds’s party.  Throw in the fact that Lord Reynolds’s entire hope for advancement rested on that success.  Mix it all together and you have my liege challenging weaker Invictus Kindred over poker chips.  For fuck’s sake.

Grand.  In an effort to put a positive spin, Lord Reynolds told us he was to be named regent of Elgin.  Not that his hasty actions went unnoticed.  While I watched, it was recommended that he receive training on the mannerisms of a proper Invictus.  Graciously Lord Reynolds accepted and they set a time the next night to meet.

My future was still uncertain so I decided to self medicate a bit more.  See if that helped at all.  When I came back I was swaying on my feet.  Making a conscious effort to steady them I blinked at the milling Kindred.  Crystal clear I suddenly heard the words, “destroy Jim Beasley.”  Yes that stopped me in my tracks.  Spinning like a top, eyes wide I looked wildly for their source.  An alluring female Kindred walked by with her foreboding male companion.  This was not about to stop me.

Chasing after them I demanded to know if she did indeed plan to destroy Jim Beasley.  For a moment she barely registered my presence.  However when it became clear I wasn’t going away she looked at me startled.

Being kept at arms length by her protectors I tried to determine her motivation.  Stopping only briefly to introduce myself.  Knowing that I was in the Invictus helped her relax some.  For her part, she was Grace DeLilium of St.Louis, I believe.  Whether or not she held a position in the city wasn’t clear.  From the way her protectors doted on her, she was a precious jewel. 

Oh yes she was going to destroy Jim Beasley.  Just not in the way I thought.  How then?

“Oh honey!  You have no idea.”  Laughing she walked away and dismissed me with her hand.

“She’s going to destroy him with her pussy.”  Grace’s male companion wasn’t one to mince words it seemed.

I’ve just got to say; thank goddess he cleared that up for me ...  Okay first off I had every idea just how that would work.  Only it wasn’t possible to fuck Kindred to death.  If it was Jim would be dead all ready.  Was she going to attempt to destroy his reputation?  Good luck with that … 

This answer was hardly sufficient.  So cue me getting back up in their grill first chance I got.  Heaven knows what they thought of me.  All I knew is that I just didn’t care.

“If you really want to destroy Jim Beasley, I could help you.  I want to destroy him too.”

“Oh really?  What did he do to you?”

Good question … Proved himself to be an untrustworthy Kindred basically.  Plus he took the job that I wanted … If I were to be honest none of that meant a thing.  Most of all he didn’t give me what he never promised to give.

As we were standing there conversing gossip came in on the grapevine.  There was a new exclusively Kindred sexually transmitted disease in the city.  Blood Herpes.  I know right?

So … did Miss. DeLilium intend to infect Jim with blood herpes?  At least that was a harm she could theoretically cause? 

“Can you point him out to me?  I really want to get a Carthian tonight.”  The deep voice brought me startled out of my ponderings. 

“Whoa … what.  Jim is a dragon.”

Was I completely certain about that?  That’s not what he had heard.  Oh yes, I was one hundred percent certain that it was Ordo Dracul all the way for Mr. Beasley.  The man in question was over there in the fading grey suit, sloppy tie and Penny Arcade tee shirt.  Clearly the only items of clothing that he owned. 

Walking over I greeted Mr. Beasley and Sonny, who just happened to be standing there.  The big guy at my heels questioned Jim on his covenant.  Slightly bewildered, Jim answered him and was given a grand handshake in return.  The bodyguard quickly left and I was face to face with Jim.  Feeling the need, I pointed out the trouble I saved him by declaring him to be a Dragon.

“Well thank you Adrian.”  Jim said, smiling at me.

“Of course Jim.  You know I can’t live without you.”  When I said those incriminating words I did not meet his eyes but that did not take away from their truth.

For a second Jim looked taken aback but quickly recovered.  With Sonny the conversation turned to the whole party disarray.  Until he said that he did not want to discuss such embarrassing topics in public.  Embarrassing for Lord Reynolds that was, certainly not for him.   

For a moment Jim and I were alone.  Leaning the side of my head against the wall I just gazed at him.  Words might have been exchanged between the two of us.  There is nothing in particular that I can recall.  For that short span of time I was only aware of three things.  I liked to look at him.  I liked being in his company.  And finally, just how much of a fool I was and forever will be.

Eventually he left.  Naturally.  Stumbling slightly I made my way back to that L liquid that was so delicious.  Taking a most generous helping I threw it back with flare.  At least in my own mind there was flare.  In reality I’m guessing there was very little. 

Winding my way back to the gathering I observed it was beginning to slow.  In a supernatural effort I steadied myself.  As I entered the main room, I came across Alder Ivanovich.  Clearly pleased he praised the improvement I made to my clothing.  Next he introduced new Kindred to me.  At this point there is very little I can recall about her.  Save that she had most interesting eye makeup.

To her I admitted that I was finding benefit in my life, but I remained cautious.  Naively she said that she doubted I had much to worry about.  If I were to tell her my benefactors she would tell me how worried I should be.

“This guy to start out with.”  I replied drunkenly pointing to Alder Ivanovich with my thumb.

“Yes Marquee Evengii and I.”  The good man nodded at her, confirming my words.

Slightly surprised that I could be worried she looked back and forward at the two of us. 

“Why you’ll be fine!  He’s a pussycat.” 

Alder Ivanovich, neither a teddy bear nor a pussycat, tightened his jaw and looked straight ahead.  There is a famous quote from an old film.  “Take no notice of the man behind the curtain.”  In this case I’d like to amend that quote.  Take no notice of the beast behind the man.  Yet I did take notice.  Never would I forget to take notice.  The second I underestimated was due to be my last.   

Running next into Donovan McQuinn, I drunkenly asked if he was a member of the Invictus.  Stunned he looked at me confused saying that I knew he was.  After all I had been there when he was initiated.  In the gesture of a true gentleman he helped me cover resulting embarrassment by taking the focus off himself.  Yet in a way my mistake had been a compliment.  Yes of course I remembered that moment.  However in that short amount of time he had changed a great deal.  Even more than he might realize.  Owing to a sense of pride and inner conviction perhaps.

When the world spun around my idled head I was helped to a chair.  Leaning on the assistance of Cassandra of all people.  While we sat together, with Master Ursus Arctos,  she told me more of Evengii.  If I kept my head down, did not cause him embarrassment, and served him when needed, it would go fine.  That was good and generous of him.  Only I wanted to prove myself to him before just getting it all for free.

It was then I became aware of Jim and Grace from Iowa.  Directly behind me they were snuggling and giggling.  Yes directly behind me. It has been said that jealousy derives from guilt and one’s own self doubt.  Right here and right now I can attest to the accuracy of the adage.

After throwing any number of looks of doom over my shoulder I went to stand beside them.  Silently I watched Miss DeLilium lay out tarot cards for Jim’s fortune.  Overall his future was bright as the card spoke of advancement and fortune.  The last card was tricky however predicting incoming lies and betrayal.  Whad'ya know?

“Don’t lurk Adrian.”  Jim said without looking up at me. 

“Yes lurking is rude.”  Grace agreed looking at me carefully.

Gingerly I took a seat beside Jim without saying a thing.  Sensing something amiss Jim turned to me with a blinding smile.  Using patronizing words wrapped in a compliment.  Seeking to both pacify me and keep me in my place.  On his other side, Grace was completely missing the memo.  Being that Mr, Beasley had occasional thoughts of playing both sides of the field. 

Normally I fall for Jim’s flattery like a stone.  Yet it was simply too painful to want him so bad and have to watch Grace touching him like that. 

“I’m thirsty.  Why don’t you go fetch me some water Adrian.”   The smarmy in his smile was master class.

“I’m not going to fetch you water Jim.”  Plainly I spoke back not nearly insulted as I should have been.

“Oh really?  Even if I smile and flutter my eyes?” 

The rush of pleasure the sight of that gave me was too much.  Like a fiddle does he play me as the strings snap one by one.  Watching Grace move in to whisper with her mouth against his ear spilled my control right over. 

“Did you just ask him if he wanted the pleasure of your company tonight?”  Fuck pretension. 

Both Miss DeLilium and Mr. Beasley stared at me in open mouth astonishment.

“I think it’s very forward of you to ask.”    

It had only been a question.  Pointedly the fair maiden avoided answering it.  Instead saying that many would enjoy the pleasure of her company as she planned on having fun.  At this point the poisoned love triangle was under observation by Nathaniel Redford.  A Kindred whose low status didn’t stop him from making pointed observations. 

To me he was just a fly buzzing in my ear.  Still Jim took his presence as an excuse to escape the minefield while he still had all his limbs.  Preserving all five of them for later use.  Leaving me alone with Grace DeLilium of St.Louis.    

Looking back I can almost feel sorry for her.  Poor thing had no idea what she had casually walked into.  Although at the time I only knew of my turmoil and search for peace of mind.  Trying to be tactful I mentioned her plan to destroy Mr. Beasley.  When she was again cagey I took it a step further.  Plainly asking if she planned to destroy him with blood herpes.

Blood Herpes!  She absolutely did not have blood herpes!  Who said she had blood herpes!?!  With sudden fierce fire in her eyes she rounded on me with passion.  Freezing me in astonishment at the change in her demeanour and rapid-fire questions.   Was there a rumour going around that she had blood herpes?  Who had started this rumour?  Where had I heard this?

Right now I need to make clear I never said she had blood herpes.  My question was only a non-judgemental speculation.   At her overflow of distress members of her court quickly appeared.  Had I just insulted their mistress?  If so they would be happy to meet me on the field of honour. 

Oh for the sake of the goddess. 

“I apologize for any distress I might have caused you.  It was merely a simple question with no intent to offend.”

Miss DeLilium would be happy to forgive me any possible fault on my part if I only told her the origin of the rumour.  This was a rumour that didn’t even exist by the way.  In fact she would be willing to offer me a minor boon if I told her. 

On his deathbed a man may look back over his life and see moments that altered the course.  Seemingly insignificant at the time their impact was long lasting.  My deathbed had been 8 months ago.  Yes I was aware how important this moment was.  There was nothing in me that was prepared to handle the thought of Jim and this girl together.  Not when I should be in her place. 

“I don’t need a boon … I would rather ask a favour.”

“Of course I would much rather give a favour than a grant a recorded boon.”  Grace said moving closer to me until our knees touched.  “What is it?”

“You need to promise me that you will stay away from Jim Beasley.”