A Strange Life

2.11 am Monday,  4 hours until sunrise,  4 days until the S.C.   Crow Bar

On the silent drive back to the Crow Bar, I had time to contemplate our next course of action, the human heart. And not just the acquiring, but making it a vampire heart, at least in appearance. I’d recklessly thought that with my Necromancy experience, I could easily ‘turn’ the heart.  Now, in the empty silence of the car, I was starting to doubt my knowledge.  The Path of Ashes is about Parting the Veil and interacting with the denizens of the Shadowlands, and not the creation of undead flesh. My first instinct to just add vitae to a freshly dead heart may well result in a ‘ghouled’ heart, but an undead one?  

 “You check the common room for a candidate. I’ll make sure the Time Out room is free,” I said as we left the car in the carpark and headed up the stairs.

“Still going to preserve the heart?” She asked, unsure of my plans. 
“White spirits, nothing better, and we are at a bar, ” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt, “Actually, I was thinking of feeding the heart a little vitae.  Only problem is, I’m not sure if that will make what we want or just ghoul the thing.  Preserving the heart for transport and then swapping it for another once we get there seems the better option.”

“We can’t exactly bury it in the ground,” Eclipse mused, “I had the thought to go to the mortuary and steal some formaldehyde. I suppose there might be a heart there. It just needs to be pretty enough to cover the next few days. Unless you want to go for a vampire heart.”

Take out a vampire?  I must admit, but my mind did stray to Mads. It would be an undead heart, and it would put her out of her almost thirty years of angst…

Fortunately, Eclipse’s mind did not run the same path as mine.

“So, a fresh heart, the right heart. We just don’t agree on how to preserve it?”
“Alcohol will preserve it just as well as anything we could steal from the morgue we don’t have access to.”

“So, you’ll find a container of some sort, and alcohol, and I’ll find the…donor.”

“Right,” And I set off for the kitchen as Eclipse continued up to the common room.  

I had no problem finding an appropriate jar.  It seemed that the Prince used pickling jars to store his collection.  The Everclear was also, unsurprisingly, not difficult to find. I left both in the empty Time Out room and headed upstairs to see how Eclipse was doing, finding our stand-in, Izac.

In the last few hours before the start of the working week, the common room was still buzzing with as many as twenty patrons still holding onto their good time. Eclipse searched the crowd for a tall, thin male in his twenties with a lost, puppy-dog expression and found him. Drawing on the blood, she focused her attention on her target. Slowly, she seemed to be catching the attention of the whole room, and not in the way she wanted. 

“What is she doing?  Putting the evil eye on someone?” She heard one woman say as she watched her target scoff and turn away.  Humiliated, she headed to the bar to order two drinks. Maybe the old-fashioned approach was best.

When I arrived, the room was split. One side was the bar, and Eclipse, seemingly studying the bar menu. The other was the remaining bar patrons, sniggering, talking amongst themselves and pointedly looking in Eclipse’s direction. In the small herd of now nervous prey, a likely stand-in for Izac sheepishly accepted comments from the people gathered around.

I joined Eclipse at the bar. “Are you wanting to try your approach again?  I can distract the others if you like,” I murmured low so only she could hear.

“I can’t guarantee I’ll do any better a second time,” she replied, clearly embarrassed.  I knew that feeling. Still, it was always better to get up and try again than to slink away in defeat.

Eclipse ordered two beers as I turned my attention to the crowd and stirred the vitae within.

“Ladies.  Gentlemen…”

What I did not expect was the sour expressions that appeared. An aggression I’d somehow engendered by my mere presence.

“What? So, you think you can come up here, swanning about like some nance?” One man said, as another put down his beer to back up his friend.

“This poof causing you grief, mate? What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

Homophobic vitriol and hate was nothing new, and I had promised to give Eclipse a distraction.  

Sighing internally, I watched out of the corner of my eye as she took her two beers and headed towards her target.

“Gentleman, I have no idea what you’re talking about.  I’m here for a good time, just the same as you.”

“You know what I’m talking about.  You coming in here, looking like that, smelling like that.  You make me sick.“ The bully boys with more than an evening’s worth of alcohol on board moved in.

“This is a very welcoming place for everyone…” but I didn’t get to finish.  Fists swung from two directions at the same time.  I dodged…most of it, the rest may have done some damage at one time, now they only creased my suit.

“Do you want to go somewhere quieter?” Eclipse said to her chosen man, a glass of beer held out as an offering. Once more, she flicked on the lighter, igniting Presence and filling the room with her black brilliance.  This time, even I wasn’t immune. The two thugs trying to lay into me had no hope.  She even drew the bouncers and bar staff into her dark presence.  She was the centre of the moment, the reason for our being there at all.  At that moment, she was a goddess encircled by her twenty-five devoted worshippers.

“Yes, take me…”  “No, she was looking at me…”  “Come on, honey, let’s leave this rabble behind.” Now, instead of being ostracised as a freak, Eclipse was drowning in demands for her attention.  For me, it was odd and familiar.  I wanted to join in the throng, sweep in and carry her out, but at the same time, our plan to get a heart was still clear in my mind. I knew this draw, this instant attraction for a complete stranger and some small part of me had the presence to realise…so, I guess Garcia made sure he wouldn’t receive a ‘no thanks’…

“We can all go. Yes, let’s all go downstairs,” I said, and Eclipse tried valiantly to capture just her prey one more time.

“There’s only so much room. And I think I’m going to take you,” She grabbed the shirt of her chosen, starting a brawl between my would-be assailants, now vying for her attention with our target.

“Well, you’ll all have to follow me.” Eclipse rolled her eyes and started leading us all pied-piper style down the stairs to the V.I.P. room.

I must say, Bruce was not slow in taking advantage of an opportunity when it presented itself.  As soon as they were downstairs, he started drugging the group.One by one, they dropped and were whisked away to the keg room.   When Eclipse’s favourite finally succumbed to the chloroform, she released the presence, and me.

“Come on, Rain,” She said, slinging her unconscious Izac clone onto her shoulder and leading the way to the cool room.

Efficiently stripping the body, Eclipse placed all his personal possessions to one side. That’s when we saw our mistake.  Scars under the pecks, another set of scars down in the groin and a lamentably pathetic version of a penis.  In our haste to find someone before dawn, we found the only trans man in Sydney with a likeness to Izac. 

“This is not the heart we need,” Eclipse said, matter-of-factly, as I lamented our bad luck.

“No, this is not going to work.”

“What? So I should pick one of the other twenty bodies I dragged down here?” Eclipse turned her frustration on me.

“No, this one will be fine,” I sighed.  They was the same approximate age, weight and height.  Unfortunately, just not male. “There are many hearts. We take this one, but we substitute Izac’s for another already there and use this one to …muddy the waters. If luck is on our side, which I must admit at this debacle is questionable, they’ll be investigating the jar with the new heart in it and not the jar, seemingly untouched.”

“A substitute for a substitute?”
“Yes, because this is getting out of control. Twenty people already, where is it going to stop? We do this with what we have, or we don’t do it at all.” I was adamant.  With the ones now being processed by Bruce, the promise to the Nosferatu that we’d agree to another possible death and who knew what would happen at the museum this was getting out of hand. We had to finish this and now.

She shrugged, her expression blank as she pulled out her trusty cut-throat blade, “At least we won’t go hungry.”

“Just hold on a moment,” I stayed her hand from carving into the still very alive, albeit unconscious, Izac-clone, and crouched down beside them. Taking an arm, I sank my teeth into the delicate skin of the wrist.  I wasn’t particularly hungry, but blood straight from a living vein is a delight I hadn’t indulge in, in days. I allowed myself to enjoy the moment: the rush of heat, the pulse of a still living heart, the scent of their skin, the touch of the warm, supple flesh. 

 “You couldn’t have done that, as I cut out the heart?” She said before crouching down beside me, taking the other arm and drank.  

Five litres. It doesn’t seem like a lot to power a human body. Together, we drained it dry.  As I felt the heart’s last fluttering beats, I pulled away and let Eclipse finish. I find I am not as eager to bring death as she is, regardless of how far we’ve both come. Once the body was dead, Eclipse started her grisly work.  Even drained of blood, other fluids made the job messy. Eclipses was arm deep in the individual’s chest, cutting away the lungs, pulling out the liver and stomach to get access to the heart.  I left to find a body bag.

When I returned, a heart sat in a bloodied jar of the white spirit, slowly staining red. I helped move the body to the bag before cleaning up and leaving it for Bruce.  As we left, I let him know it was there.

“Did you kids have fun?” He asked, as if we’d had some friends over for a drinking game, “Hey, thanks for the donations, but can you ask next time?”  

I acknowledge his comment with a nod, “If you want someone to take a trip out to the farm, I need to go out anyway.”

“Fair enough, “ He replied, not caring either way.  With the heart secure in the black sports bag I’d acquired for the mage job, Eclipse and I left for home.

Dawn and Dusk at 5.55pm  Monday,   4 days until the S.C. Somewhere 

The pain never-ending.  No blissful forgetfulness of sleep for Stallion. In the dark basement below the busy city street, he was slowly, intricately pulled apart, muscle fibre by muscle fibre, nerve endings teased and ignited over and over until there was only the white-hot sensation.  Marionetted on strings of his own tendons. Garroted by his own small intestines. Bones ground with bones. His flesh was made into a ball to be bounced and juggled like a diabolo.  And all the time, he was awake and very much aware. 

It’s a small miracle he didn’t go insane.

Just before sunset, Stallion found himself naked and spent on the concrete floor of the dark room.  He was himself again, at least mostly himself.  His left leg felt…odd, not exactly his.  He looked down and was surprised to find it was indeed his. Partway down his calf, the muscles still twitched and shivered as if still being tortured.  

Off to one side, the being who had literally turned him inside out was getting changed, quietly talking to Stallion as if he hadn’t torn away his humanity and put it back again.

“Thank you for a most exquisite session. It had been quite a while. I hope it was good for you.  Still, the night is young.  I tried to put you back the way you were as best I could.” 

“Wait,” Stallion rose to his hooved feet, the effort of standing making his muscles quiver with the effort.

“Yes?”

“What you did…did to me was…fucking horrifying.  But God damn you have curiosity.”

“Go on,” Said Stallion’s maker.

“Teach me.  Teach me what you do.”

The vampire stood a moment assessing Stallion words a long moment.

“You’ve been a good sport, why not?” 

For the next few hours, it seemed more of the same, but this time Stallion was in control.  He moulded and shaped his flesh like wet clay.  He let it slide through his fingers, willing it to take on whatever form he could imagine.

“What is your name?  What can I call you?” He finally asked as his lesson came to an end.

“You can call me, Friend,” Said the vampire.

“If you never need me, I’ll be at the Crow Bar,” Stallion offered, but his teacher was done with the pupil. Without another word, he unlocked the door to their dark room, and left.

Stallion picked up his personal item, and put on his clothes.  He found his Bali bargain Rolex glimmering in the dark. He found his phone. It was midnight.  Stallion had been in the darkness with Friend for nearly a whole day.  A whole lifetime ago.  Dragging on his robes, Stallion stumbled out of the room, up the stairs and out into the night.

5.55pm  Monday,  13 hours until sunrise, 4 days until the S.C. Giovanni’s  Home

Dominic arose for a new day unbloodied by last night’s little adventure. He examined the healing wounds in the bathroom mirror, pleased that at least from the outside he was whole again.  Teeth and jaw are another matter, but there was still four days to the Big Event and he was confident he could get back into shape before then. 

After dressing, he spent some time down in the crypt, talking necromancy with the residents.  Something triggered a thought, and he returned upstairs to find a treatise written by a distant relative on the Bone Path.  He chuckled to himself, realising that the term ‘distant’ relative was relative when it came to the Giovanni.    Now, with an enjoyable read and all the night before him, he settled down to study his favourite subject.  

Sometimes, you just needed to take a little time for yourself.

5.55pm  Monday,  13 hours until sunrise, 4 days until the S.C. Leichhardt

Mads arose while the light was still fading from the day, aware that, one way or another, tonight was going to be busy.  Things were moving too slowly for her. The information that I’d gleaned from Joel was disappointing and frustrating.  Where was Alex?  

It was her frustration that led her to make the arrangement with the Nosferatu the previous night. The price for the location of Izac was something expensive, something unique. She hadn’t the first idea of what a Nosferatu would find unique.  A rat king?  A particularly interestingly shaped fatberg?

“Vagueries, “ She said to herself as she dressed for the night, “They can’t be disappointed if I give them something they don’t actually like.”

She checked her phone and noticed how early it was.  They said they’d be in touch, but when? She sure wasn’t going to hang around the hotel room until they turned up.  Surely, they’d be able to find her if she stayed nearby. Popping her phone in her jacket pocket with the passcard for her room, she left for the Crow bar to find the coterie.

5.55pm  Monday,  13 hours until sunrise, 4 days until the S.C. Pyrmont

Waking up to the sounds of someone else in the apartment felt almost as good as waking up nightmare-free.  I rose and walked down into the kitchen-loungeroom.  The blinds were still drawn against the last of the day’s light.  Soon, I’d draw them to revel in the lights of the city in the harbour, the stars and moon illuminating the sky. Conspicuously, the jar sat on the kitchen bench, its liquid preservative now clear, the heart resting lightly on the bottom.  To one side, the second bottle of Everclear we picked up lay empty, ready for disposal. It seemed Eclipse had already been busy about our business for the night.

Pulling out my phone, I sent a text to Mads regarding the arrangements we’d made with the Nosferatu the night before.

STILL INTERESTED? PICK YOU UP AT 7.

“I didn’t know we were still bringing her,” Eclipse said as she padded by, her bare feet in the thick carpet had made her virtually silent.  A good trait in someone about to commit a heist. 

“Is that something we should discuss?” I asked.  One more on the job was a complication we didn’t need, even if she wasn’t…unpredictable. 

SEE YOU SOON, Mads reply flashed up on my phone.

“She says she’s still coming.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

I…wasn’t, and that was a fact.  Her burst of anger, her recklessness in regards the body she left in The Rocks. Her closed nature was linked with a clever mind always picking up on the stray thought, word or gesture. No, I wasn’t happy since I’d seen her walking down the street towards us at Circular Quay.

“I’m not quite sure what I can do about it.”

“You could just call her off.”

“After all she knows? This way she’s involved.”

“And here I thought you wanted fewer bodies,” Eclipse smiled sweetly, belying her own desire to leave nothing alive behind.

“I do.”

“And what if she finds out it’s Izac’s heart?”
“I won’t tell her, will you?  We’ll do whatever we need to so she doesn’t.”

“What if?” Eclipse pressed. I thought about what was at stake, who would be in danger. There was very little I would not do for mine. I contemplated what that meant, but couldn’t bring myself to say the words.

“You want me to call her off.  Okay. Easy done,” I backed off and pulled out my phone again.

“No, no, if you want her to join,” She was making it my decision.  

“I don’t, but…”

“We can tell her the trip was a bust.  In two days, she won’t even matter.”

I sent the message.

HAD A CHANGE OF HEART. TRIPS A BUST.  HAD TO CALL IT OFF.

Now it was just us to.  Eclipse disappeared to get ready.  I pulled out the sports bag and went through the contents.  I’d put together the collection, trying to anticipate the powers and abilities of a mage.  Now the contents would have to make do for the heist. A very different job.  Thin black cloaks, simple masks, string, flour bombs and honey. Not much to put against high security, I knew, but I also knew that all that security has a weakness…the humans that used it. 

6.15 pm Monday,  13 hours until sunrise, 4 days until the S.C. Crow Bar

Not willing to reappraise her crazy person dance from the night before, Mads found the stormwater drain she’d spoken to the Nosferatu behind the Crow Bar. She tapped the still hot metal of the grate with her foot.  An echoing shuffle from below told her she wasn’t alone.

“I’ve been racking my brains trying to figure out what you guys would consider unique, but I think I have something you might be interested in. How did you go?”

“What do you mean?” Came a voice, not the same as the night before.  They certainly didn’t seem to be up on the request Mads had made.

“As in, ‘are you ready?’” She replied vaguely, knowing there could be many eyes on her, even in that lonely place. 

“We’re always ready,” Came the reply confident and automatic. 

“Alright then.  Where are we going?” She’d thought to the bar, or possibly to the hotel room where some modicum of privacy could be gleaned.

“We’re slipping down.  Are you ready to go?”

“Oh!  I’ve been slipping on a load of shit recently, why not?” She rolled her eyes as the grate was pushed aside.  The drop was two metres.  Mads jumped down heedless of injury, the benefits of being a child of the night.

The unnamed Nosferatu quickly led Mads down through stormwater passages, out into Nosferatu made shortcuts and down ladders deep under the city. 

“It’s actually not as bad as I thought down here,” Mads commented to her silent guide.

“No, we keep it clean,” He mumbled and continued into a large sewage pipe with small bridges over the murky flow, “Come on, there’s a bit of walking to do.”

“Okay…” Careful along the narrow catwalks and bridges, Mads followed obediently behind her greasy companion, “Something I should have asked earlier. What if I’m not happy with your information?”
“That doesn’t matter,” The Nos waddled ahead, waving away her concerns with crooked fingers.

“Okay,” Mads said after trying to tease out some sort of reassurance from the statement and finding none, “I’m probably going to get whacked if I don’t give them what they want.”

“What an odd thing to say.”

“Oh well, never mind.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but even her echo taunted her.

“I would have thought you would mind.” Her companion replied sociably as if concerned for her welfare.

“Well, it’s going to matter if they don’t like my information.” She signed loudly, “Obviously.” This time, she got the feeling that the Nos was somehow hurt or offended.  They were information brokers, spies at worst. Not murderers.

No, they’d kill people. And down here, who’s to stop them?

She checked her phone for reassurance and found none.  Not even Emergency Services reached through a hundred metres of reinforced concrete and stone.

After almost half an hour of monotonous tunnels and the ever-present sound of water, the Nosferatu took another shortcut to a small room cut out of the living rock.  Here, a box, little more than a large coffin made of packing crates, was hanging from a chain suspended over a deep pit.  It reminded Mads of a rough lift from a mining shaft at the turn of the century…check that, turn of the last century. Inside, a lever that looked like it had been taken from a railyard stood.  Mads wasn’t sure if to marvel at the Nosferatu’s ingenuity or run from whatever horrors lay below.

They entered the lift car and the Nos pulled the lever all the way across.  A clunk above as heavy machinery received the message, and they started their descent.

“Where does this go?”

“To home.”

“I hadn’t realised it was this extensive. Like I knew Nosferatu were industrious, but when you see it’s…something else.”

The Nos seemed pleased with her praise, “Yeah, in life you have to take advantage of what you have.”

“I didn’t realise all this was under Sydney!” the Nosferatu turned on her, as if some great secret had been revealed.

“Who told you?”

“Y said, I didn’t realise.”
“Ah, I was trying to make a joke,” The Noz shook his head, and Mads wasn’t sure if he considered the joke, or her, the failure.

“Oh!  I see, yes.  Sorry, the joke was lost on me.” 

“I was just taking the piss.” Now that they were deep in Nosferatu territory, ther guide was relaxing and becoming more talkative., “Ah, nevermind.  Yeah, it’s pretty nice down here, not to say there’s not nice architecture above. But on the ground, there’s always cinderblocks to go missing, reels of copper wire.  Everything blamed on petty theft and junkies is secretly just us expanding out our warrens for the last hundred and ten years.”
“Really, what, all of it?”

“There’s a little of the other stuff. But the vast majority is us. We do purchase too, when we need to.”

“Joel always wondered why his shit kept getting stolen. I guess I know why.”

“Yeah, there’s a really nice grotto down here.  Natural, opened up by us.” The Nox continued with his tour guide spiel, ignorant of Mad’s growing unease.

“Who are we going to meet, anyway?

“Ah, we’re going to the waiting room.”

“Waiting room for what?”

“Shh,” The hand of oversized fingers found a mouth not centred on the face it found itself, “We don’t give our free information. Everyone is listening.”

Mads glanced around the shaft. Each floor was the same.  Metres of rock then an opening into darkness with the subtle shape of buildings.  Out of the velvety darkness between the buildings, pairs of glimmering lights. Eyes were everywhere. Hundreds of them, level after level of dark dwellings and the silent staring eyes.

“This City’s secrets are looking for more secrets, huh?” Mads said casually, trying to keep the shiver from her voice. “Do you guys all talk to each other, or is it more one-all?”

“We have meetings, community get-togethers. We’re pretty catty, though.  Like, there are cliques, special interest groups…oh, don’t mind the gattling gun….” The shaft opened up and across the space in between the metal barrel of a very large gun (possible off a airplane?) glinted.  Beyond it, in the gloom, a concrete bunker with long thin slits like cat’s eyes was attached to the wall.

“What?  Security?”
“You can never be too safe,” the Nos shrugged, an odd gesture that started somewhere in their torso to end as a wave of the hands, “They are manned, if you had thoughts of being a tough guy.”

“I assure you, I have no intention of that,” Mads put up her hands in a gesture of surrender. Oh, yes, if the Nosferatu wanted you dead, there was nothing that could stop them.

“How far are we going?”

“You’re going to processing…the waiting room, like I said. They’ll give you a cup of blood and a chair, you know, we’re very hospitable.”

“All this for a little information about someone’s whereabouts?”

“You offered something unique.”

There was nothing to be done. Even if she wished to escape her guide, where would she go?  Sighing deeply, she tried to relax.  Still, she jumped when her mobile, silent for nearly an hour, buzzed in her pocket. It seemed that, though the concrete of the City could block out her signal, nothing escaped the Nosferatu.  She checked her phone.  Full bars.

“Is this you?”

“Yeah, like I said, you make the best of what you’ve got.”

“And I guess you have some sort of back door in this?” 

“Into what?”

“Nevermind.  I get it.”

“Hey, I’m the sort that listens at drains and at walls. You don’t expect me to be the superhacker type, do you?”

“Right,” She checked her phone and spotted my message.

HAD A CHANGE OF HEART. TRIPS A BUST.  HAD TO CALL IT OFF.

Okay, she went to put her phone away as usual.  She pulled it out again and thought maybe it would be best if it were turned off. Might as well use the access if they’re offering, She finally shrugged and put her phone away.

Eventually, the lift stopped at a nondescript room with a small wooden chair and the promised teacup full of blood. It didn’t look right.  It might have been rat. Mads put the cup under the chair and sat down. When you’re in the waiting room of immortal creatures, you have to expect to be there a while.

6.40 pm Monday,  12 hours until sunrise, 4 days until the S.C. Crow Bar

I’d laid out the pieces from the sports bag on the glass dining table for Eclipse, and we walked through what plans we had. As we weren’t expected until 8 pm at the Sydney Sewage Pumping Station number one, we had some time to kill.  

I tried to work out the last time I’d seen Stallion. At the meeting where we all discussed the collected information in regards to Izac. I’d not seen him at all last night, but that was hardly surprising as we’d not spent a lot of time at the Crow Bar. I made a note to get in contact with him after the heist, maybe take him out to the farm if he wanted. He was certainly living up to Bobby Listner’s prediction of being a loner.

“I’ve got something that can help,” Eclipse said, stepping closer and placing her hand on either side of my face.  

“Sure…can I hear about it?” I asked, unsure but intrigued by her current close presence.

“I want to see if I can do something,” she brought my head in line with hers, so I couldn’t help but stare into her dark green eyes. Had I ever noticed they were green before?

There was a sharp frision of energy, and suddenly I needed to blink.  It wasn’t exactly painful, but unexpected and then it was gone.  I checked the mirror in the hallway and found that my distinctive violet irises were now a swirl of multicolours that glowed like flashlights. 

“Hmm, the trick of that power still evades me,” She mused coolly as the twin beacons of light that were my eyes swept back across the apartment to her.

“Right, thank you for the demonstration,” I said, trying to sound positive. She dismissed the trick with a wave of her hand.  I couldn’t hold back my gratitude when I turned back to the mirror and saw my old, unique eyes once more “Oh, God, thank you!” 

“It means I know I can do that now.  It also means that the moving without being seen effect I can do, I can put on you as well. We can both hide, though interacting with doors will still break the cloak.”

Now that was good news.  Obfuscate wasn’t something I’d want to rely on.  We still had doors to get through. Still, if we needed to stay unfound, it would be a great asset.

7.05 pm Monday,  12 hours until sunrise, 4 days until the S.C. Crow Bar

As Mads avoided the cup of blackened blood under her chair, contemplating the silent glimmers around her, Eclipse, and I entered the green door of the Sydney Sewage Pumping Station number one and slowly made our way down the stairs.  

***************************************************************

Main Attraction 

When’s the last time you’ve been on stage?

Eyes wide, attention drawn. The crowd’s in awe. 

You’re in a bar. You have everyone’s eyes on you. 

You can feel them now, scratching at you back. Clutching your shoulders. 

How did one turn into twenty-four? 

“Could you turn that off? It’s hard to pay attention.” 

Rain’s voice barely broke through to her. Switchblade in hand, Eclipse is flipping through lives. 

Rain wanted no bodies. Eclipse brought it up to twenty-five. 

We should have died. 

Focus. 

How can you do this to me? 

Drink. 

You’re breaking me. 

Cut just below the ribcage. 

Please…

It’s not right because why would it be. The world takes your pride, your dignity, your love. Why would it give you something so simple? 

It’s an omen. 

It’s too late to turn back. No one is saving us from this jump. 

No one is saving you. 

No one is saving me. 

If her sleep was restless, she didn’t notice. If she sat back in that chair, in the room of eyes, she would surely see more hands. More people to bury along with herself. 

Don’t you miss the sun? 

I miss being myself. 

An oak tree. That’s how we should do it. 

Soon. This vow I cannot break. This decision I can not walk away from. 

If it gives Izac even a glimpse of hope, it would be worth all this pain. 

Then, maybe, I can lay my head to rest. 

“Are you ready?”

Rendevu at 8. Earlier is better than late. 

“Let’s go.” 

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alex Holmestead: Husband of Mads. Location and status unknown.

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Joel Mitchell: Mads’ friend. Deceased.

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Sydney Sewage Pumping Station number one: Known access to Nosferatu waiting room.

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain. Lady Merritt

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of.  Every member knows their place within the Pyramid.  The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

1.00 am Monday,  5 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Somewhere

 A door at the far end opened, and the two entered, the door quietly closing behind them.

“I’ve been to this place before, “ Stallion said, looking around the empty room with interest. I don’t know what each door means, though.”

“A promise of delight.” His host crooned in the shadows, allowing his latest toy to take his time and get comfortable.

“Do you have a heading for us?” 

“Oh, we make our own openings and closings here.  How does that sound to you?” The host smiled, and the teeth glinted in what little light there was.

“ A little off-putting to be honest. I don’t know what we’re getting into.”

“Hmm, good question.  We could start with the inner thigh.  A hand, perhaps.  That place between your collar and throat?” As the elder Vampire spoke, it gestured to each place on its own body, placing a long-fingered hand on his own neck. Suddenly, the fingers curled and dug into the skin as if it were no more than putty. The hand sank into the wrist, reshaping and moulding his shoulder and chest like a sculptor.

Trying to keep the revulsion from his face, Stallion swallowed, “Uh, doesn’t seem to be my thing, actually.”

“Would you rather receive than take?” His host asked genuinely and reached out for Stallion, whose clever hooves tripped back, out of reach.

“I’d prefer none of that going through skin and bone and whatnot.” Instinctively, Stallion breathed in and smelled the blood welling up from his host’s self-inflicted sculpture. The prey animal in him bawked.

“Fair enough, we can make it all flesh and nerve endings…if you wish…” The host stepped closer and Stallion jigged to the side once more, only to realise his captor was now between him and the door.  

“I’d rather not,” Stallion’s eyes flashed white as he looked for other exits hiding in the gloom.

“Then it would appear, as frustrating as it is, that there was a misunderstanding.”

“I don’t know much about other vampires, other than the ones I hang out with.  I didn’t know what you wanted.”

“Give it a try…” The predator said, holding his ground, knowing he had his prey right where he wanted it.

Stallion, not the brightest, still had a strong survival instinct, and all of it was screaming for him to get out. It took all he had not to grow his claws and tear a way out through his captor, “Nah…”

“After I went to all the effort of bringing you here?  You’re not going to blue-balls us, are you?” The host, no longer trying to persuade, shifted his tactics to Gaslighting Stallion to his will.  

“I told you I was young!  Do you expect me just to comply?  What is this shit!” Stallion let his fear bubble up as righteous anger, his hoofed foot stamping the concrete floor, echoing throughout the room in defiance like thunder.

His host shifted tack again, “Effort should never be wasted. Offer me something else.  What do you have to offer?” 

“I didn’t see this coming…I didn’t bring anything.” 

“We’re here now…let’s negotiate.” His host said and waited as Stallion tried to work out what he’d be willing to give to this deviant.  

When Stallion didn’t reply, his host tried another suggestion, “I’m less than willing, but more than capable.” He said, almost apologetically, as if violence was the least thing on his mind.

“Is that a threat?” Stallion asked, rising to his full height and squaring his shoulders.  He’d been tested in a fight before and won. He would do it again, if pushed.

“I  never threaten someone with a good time.” His host stepped forward.  Stallion stepped back.

“A good time for you. Doesn’t sound like such a fun time for me.”
“You wouldn’t know until you’ve had it.” And his host laughed knowingly, sending shivers down Stallion’s back.

“Nothing is going to happen.” He replied, standing his ground, as flimsy as the concrete slab under his hooves felt.

“Wish to fight instead?” His host laughed again, “I come from a time when nobles and lords took what they wished.  I was lucky to be part of all that.  I understand you are new to all that, but everyone has to learn sometime.  This is yours.”

“Even nobles had their day.  Castles were stormed.  Heads cut off.” Stallion threatened…or bluffed…he was never sure what the difference was between the two.  Both seemed to end in blood in his experience.

“When they got lazy.”

“Fuck with a guy, the guy’s going to fuck you back!” Stallion allowed the blood within his veins to boil. 

“Is that what you think this is?”  In opposition, his host became very quiet and still.  He’d come on all rapey at first, and now he was just standing there, not even moving to attack. Stallion couldn’t work out if this was a bluff, a threat or his host was just playing with him. He couldn’t work out what the freak wanted. Still, he stood between Stallion and the door.  

Stallion stepped back, widening the gap between them. He felt the corner of the room against his back.  Burning blood, Stallion stared down his captor, a glint of steel in his stare.  Though already still, his host stopped all movement and just stared at Stallion, as Stallion’s strength and force of will shone through.  Maybe this little morsel was more of a handful than he seemed.

Stallion didn’t have a lot of time.  Hands behind his back, he drew on his blood again and let his nails grow long. Then, without taking his eyes off his host, he stepped around him towards the door. The vampire did nothing but follow Stallion’s progress across the room.  Stallion placed his hand on the doorknob, and still the vampire did nothing but watch.  He turned the doorknob and stepped through, never once breaking eye contact. 

The vampire stuck, lunging forward to grab Stallion by the shoulder.  Reflexes fired by an instinct, Stallion felt the brush of fingers against his collarbone, but tripped away out of range.  The vampire reached out to grab him again.  Stallion buffed his speed with blood and lashed out with his six-inch claws.  They raked through the vampire’s chest, cutting open gouges that didn’t bleed, not even put his adversary off his stride.  The vampire’s hands clamped down on Stallion’s shoulders, his fingers sinking into flesh, parting bone and sinew like strands of hair.  There was a sudden jolt in each shoulder, a click, and both of Stallion’s hands fell limp to his sides. The bastard had dislocated his shoulders from their sockets. Only tissue, muscle and sinew now held them in place. 

In a last attempt, Stallion stepped forward and crashed into his captor. Burning blood, he cast the Vine of Dionysus. It was meant to make the other vampire drunk, but either he had a greater tolerance or it didn’t work.  He fell to the floor at his tormentor’s feet, his arms useless to break his fall.

“Interesting, “ The vampire walked around Stallion’s prone body as if studying a well-built sports car or well-bred beast, “Magic. Hm, let me now show you a trick or two.”

Placing himself where the Stallion could see him, he began changing.  He started growing taller, almost brushing the ceiling of the anteroom they were in.  The flesh of his stomach distended and sagged, his clever fingers grew even longer and clawed.  His head and face elongated, distorted until any resemblance to the original human was subsumed under ridges, lines and scales.  He was a grotesque, eight-foot-tall and powerfully built.  

Stallion wasn’t beaten yet.  Burning more blood, the steelly glint returned to his eye.  Even armless and prone, he still looked impressive, dangerous and strong. This time, the monster wasn’t unaffected. Leaning down, he reached out and gently caressed Stallion’s face, his clear complexion and square jaw, the delicate skin of his neck.  Then the claws reached down for the flesh of Stallion’s calves and dug in.  He spun Stallion around and dragged his squirming body back into the room, his arms trailing uselessly behind.  

Stallion squirmed and wriggled, using the strong muscles and connections in his legs and torso to thrash like a fish on a line.  He pulled over his tormentor, but it was a temporary win, as the vampire stood once more, and closed the door behind them both.  

“Is this final death, then?” Stallion finally, blood already pouring from his eyes.

“Not if you behave.” Was the reply.

It started with screaming, which quickly turned to gurgling as blood welled and pooled. And there was blood…so much blood…Every molecule of Stalion’s body was malleable. Like putty, it stretched, shaped and draped.  Intestines are longer than they appear when they’re neatly tucked up inside a human body. 

Later, Stallion would be unable to determine how long he’d been in that room.  To be sure, there was no rest, no deathly sleep once the sun rose.  If calculated at all, Stallion’s torment would last more than seventeen hours.

1.00 am Monday,  5 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Crowbar

I was getting sick of reading.  Don’t get me wrong, on a rainy day, there’s nothing better than slipping between the pages of some gripping novel and falling deeply into a story.  But this day, we’d already spent a few hours at The Theosophical Society and were now back in Dominic’s library flipping through dusty histories, essays on secret societies and grand and confusing apocryphal texts.

“..they silenced their enemies with blades and teeth…” My eyes scanned the sentence, latching onto the word ‘silenced’, and I was reminded of the unusual phenomena we’d experienced out on the road.  What if we could harness that sort of power?  What if we found those who were using it down along the railway line and made a deal?

Mads was quietly reading Days of Fire, leaning up against a corner where the bookshelves joined.  She seemed engrossed in the text, anything to take her mind off her current failed quests and a life of cycling misery. Eclipse was scanning through Caine’s Chosen and occasionally reading out parts to me that she thought would be useful. It seemed the Black Hand were like a secret police of the Sabbat.  Their roots extended through the European Inquisitions on their quest to destroy demonic influence in the world. Unlike the reigns of terror created by the Kine, the Sabbat Inquisitions still existed, rooting out those who would deal with demons.  She seemed to think that a bunch of young kindred fell for the Gothic vibe: satanic rituals, black cats, and pentacles.  If the Black hand had been trying to stomp out that sort of nonsense for five centuries, they probably weren’t very good at it. I was reminded of our little friend in the watch, and resolved to have nothing to do with them. 

And still I yearned to be doing something.  At least attempting to find that individual who could conjure silence would be better than more hours of reading.  Finally, I slammed the Anarchy Cookbook shut and returned it to the shelf.

“I’m going back to Lilyfield and see if I can’t find whoever was using that Silence. Even if it’s gone, I’ve got to try.”

“Are you sure that’s safe, Rain?” Mads asked from her corner of the room.

Safe no. That’s why we stepped back in the first place.  Still, her question gave me pause.  What sort of kindred would use such an ability?  I figured the mysterious and unforgettable Cabolut Hazzim of the Assamites would find that useful.  I wasn’t keen on meeting him in wasteland near a dark railway track.  Still, it had been established through this mess with Izac that Assamites are…mercenary.  They’re happy to do whatever is asked…for a price. 

As far as I could see, there were four options. Get in touch with the Assamites and see what it would cost. Ask Dominic, he’d at least know a contact.  I could ask the Nosferatu, it was their sort of sneaky, stealthy trick.  Or, I could ask around the bar and keep an eye open for what turns up.

It was Mads who pulled me out of my revelry, “Besides, they’d be long gone by now.”

I hated to admit it, but she was right.  The moment was then.  “I just hate the idea of…missing an opportunity.” I couldn’t hide my disappointment, and suddenly felt very tired.

“You know what, ladies, I think I’m done studying for one night, I’m giving up.” 

Eclipse just looked at me as if she wasn’t sure what species I was. I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that I was giving up on studying or the silence. Maybe it was something else.  That we hadn’t made plans for the heist?

“Don’t be disheartened, there’s going to be another time,” Mads replied kindly, “There are always opportunities to find something like that. I’m sure.” And I was reminded, for all her brashness,  she was far older in this world than us…than me. It seemed Eclipse had always been an old soul.

I nodded, and there was a moment of silence in which the buzz of a silenced phone. It wasn’t mine, it lay still in my pocket.  Eclipse didn’t respond, but looked to Mads and me. Mads pulled out her phone and read a text from Dominic.

CLEAN UP IS DONE.

In the silence of her corner, she replied a simple, THANK YOU.

“Well, that’s something off my back,” She said to the room, before turning her attention back to us, “I think I’ll stay here and read as much as I can of this book and then call it a night. See you tomorrow evening, Rain. Eclipse, are you staying around for this reading session? Or are you off to do your own thing as well?”

“I owe Rain a drink, so there is that,” Eclipse said, slowly closing her book, “I want to at least keep that promise.” It was an odd way of saying it, but I appreciated the thought. Now that it was mentioned, I was parched. I couldn’t leave until I’d had at least one drink. More than one.

“Hmm, thanks for the reminder,” I said, and led the way downstairs to the V.I.P. lounge.

“A straight red, please…large,” I said to the bartender, another nondescript servant of Dominics.  As the red poured from the tap, I wondered where he got them all from.

“Would you like something with your red, sir?” The bartender asked.  I didn’t mind.  I would more than likely quaff this first glass before going for a second, but did enjoy the experimentation.

“I’ll take a chaser of something.  Sure.”
“Coming up,” He gestured with a hand for both Eclipse and me to look over the counter. From a small drawer to one side, he pulled out something no bigger than ten centimetres long with wings.  Holding it carefully between thumb and forefinger, he showed us it was a tiny humanoid with transparent wings. A pixie. Before I could say anything, there was a small crack, and he pulled the head off the pixie and carefully squeezed out the body into the drink. The spent body he placed carefully in a drawstring bag for safekeeping.

“Their parts can be valuable, “ He said by way of explanation, “You Syringa, sir. Enjoy.” The glass was placed in front of me.  It was take it or let it go to waste. 

“Thank you,” I said quietly and took the glass.  

“And for you, fine lady, the same?” He asked Eclipse, who looked as dumbfounded as I felt.

“Ur…sure.” And the same drink was made, with a second fairy life taken.

As we walked away from the bar, I whispered low so only Eclipse could hear.

“That was my first experience of the fey…”

“And now it’s your drink.  Such are our modern times.  Take the wisdom and knowledge of the ancients and squeeze it dry into an easily digestible format.” She muttered back, but she, like me, drank and enjoyed it nonetheless.

Instead of heading towards an empty table, I drew us towards the Time Out room and checked to see if it was unused.  

“At least here I can guarantee no cameras,” I said, closing the door on our discussion.”You were looking at the plans for the museum.  You weren’t impressed with what you discovered?”

“Not particularly,” Eclipse scowled.

“You said you had options, but none of them good?”

“I can walk without a trace, but once I start interacting with things, it makes me vulnerable, and there are a lot of doors down to the second basement.”
“That’s why I was going to try ease our way in.  Open the doors and act as a distraction while you take the heart.”

“I’m just not sure how much you can con our guide into taking us that far.”

Of that, I was pretty confident. I’d used a fraction of my abilities and was looking forward to…stretching myself. I did not reprise Eclipse of any of this.  She’d only think I was boasting.

“You’re charming, but other than that, I’m not sure how you were thinking of swindling your way through.”

“I have a little more than words, but it’s true, I won’t know until I try.”

“Can you change the way you look?” She asked, and I was intrigued, giving her a questioning look, “It’s only that I have and it’s hard.”

“We’ve both come a long way in a few months, haven’t we?”

“It felt a lot longer.”

“It’s felt longer,” I clinked her glass as if in a toast.  

“We’re also considering this plan without Madeline,” Eclipse turned our talk back to the topic at hand, “She might try to be a smooth talker, but her edges are rough.”

I nodded, “She’s Brujah. She’s brute force, thankfully with a mind.” 

“And the whole point of this is getting down to the basement, not flitting through the gallery as she believes.”

“As to ways in. There are several, but all too obvious.” She juggled her empty glass and brought up the plans of the building on her phone, “There are, however, some older entrances, but none cover our entrance and exit except deliveries.”

I was hearing a lot of problems and not a lot of solutions.  That I, too, have very few solutions was beside the point, I was used to winging things. The more people, the more planning required. Frankly, I was starting to think I should just go ethereal and slip in, take the heart, and slip out. It would be dangerous and I’d be alone, but it was something I could control.

“Look.  This, I will admit, could bring a lot of heat on both of us. I can completely understand if you’re getting cold feet.”

Ellipse wheeled on me, her expression sharp and almost accusing, certainly indignant.

“We have no time for elaborate plans with trucks and patsies. We have at most two nights.”

“Rain. Will you let me speak?”

Ah. “Apologies. I do like hearing the sound of my voice.” I demurred and stepped back to listen.

“Just because I’m finding negatives doesn’t mean I don’t mean to help you,” She said slowly, word by word as if to a stupid person, “I had half a mind to get the heart a couple of days ago.”  And maybe she was.

“You’re right, this is too hard alone,” I said conciliatory.

“And if we’re so short of time,” She nodded in agreement, a bright spark of knowledge in her eye. “We know someone who knows all the ways in and out of everywhere.”

“We could pay them in something they want from the Museum,” I said, swilling the last of my drink.

“We can ask the Nosferatu,” We said together. A moment. 

“Something we should consider?” She said as we left Time Out and returned to the bar.

“We still have time tonight,” I agreed, “Let’s take a drive out to Pymont. But first, another round.”

Eclipse left a tip for the bartender.

1.20 am Monday,  4 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Crowbar

Now Mads was alone, she was finding it hard focusing on her reading. She toughed it out for twenty minutes before giving up and poking her head out the office door.  The hallway was silent, the Security Room at the far end doubly so.  Bruce with Dominic, Eclipse and I together, and Stallion who cared where, Mads had the place to herself.  

She checked the hallway for security cameras.  There were two, one at each end. She contemplated going through old footage to find Izac, but that seemed a waste of time.  She’d seen the highlights already. Instead, she went back to the library.  Forgetting the luridly painted doomed future for a moment, Mads started searching for books on modern-day kin.  Notable names and aliases, especially those known to deal with the Assamites.  She could have really done with the  Encyclopedia Vampirica, but that was still with Lucretia. 

When her search came back fruitless, she resigned herself to her default setting.  Trudging down the stairs, she headed into the VIP lounge to ask around. Most of her queries received blank stares.  Some were downright rude.  The polite ones suggested talking to the management of the fine establishment she now found herself.

“He can get you anything you want…for a price…”

“It’s not that kind of job.”
“What kind of job?”

Frustrated, “A job for anyone but that gentleman.”

“So, what kind of job?  Stealing, killing, extorting…”

“Finding…I have to find someone.”

“Well, why don’t you go and try the Nosferatu.  They know where everyone is.”

Fair enough.  She started her search for Nosferatu, first in the V.I.P. room.  Failing that, she knew all she had to do was gain their attention, and they would come to her.  Like seagulls to a chip.  Leaving the bar, she headed out onto the street and presented what she thought of as a ‘shifty’ persona. Walking past as many stormwater drains as were in the area, she looked around nervously, kept her jacket tight around her and tried to look desperate.  It wasn’t hard. She was running out of options.

When she thought she’d spied a few glints and glimmers from the drains she passed, she went and found one in a quiet place where she could hold a discussion. Sitting down on the curve, she tapped the metal grating, drawing them to her location. A gnarled, yet slimy hand rested gently on her right shoulder.

“Yes, sweet Madeline?” Came a voice oozing through creased lips of a Nosferatu (too hard to tell male or female with them) standing above her.

“Ur…” Even after calling them to her, the words were taken from her mouth at their sheer hideousness.  A face, made more of creases, cracks and lines than discernible features, hid behind massive glasses.  There was no nose, which begged the question, what were the glasses leaning on?  This all went through Mads’ mind in a matter of seconds.

“Um…I need your help. I’m looking for someone.”
“Who is this time?  Izac again?” The Nos asked, pulling a small notebook out from a trenchcoat too seasonably out of place on a Sydney summer night.

“Yes.  Have you seen anything more of him? Heard anything?” She asked, turning to look away, anything not to look at the creature behind her.

“We hear many things,” The Nosferatu said smugly, “It’s more a matter of what do you need? How vital is it?”

“I’d like to know where he is.  Location.”

“Last week? Yesterday? Next Tuesday?…”
“The most recent information you have,” She replied, trying not to sound sarcastic, and failing, “I don’t want to know where he was three weeks ago, I want to know where he is now.”

“So you’re looking for where he is tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“When can I get this information to you?”

“As soon as possible. Do you have a way for me to contact you? Or do you want me to sit at this grate all night?”

“Where are you sleeping?  Where is your sanctum?”

“I’m staying at the hotel,” She pointed down the street beside the bar.

“We will meet you there tomorrow evening.”

“Done.”

“Make sure you have payment.”

She paused for a moment. It was always the problem.  She sucked her lips in frustration. “Anything you have in mind?”

“Expensive.  Something rare and unique.”

“Okay.” She agreed, not knowing what this thing could possibly be.

“Anything else?” The Nosferatu asked, business-like.

“How have you been?” She asked, smiling up at the hideous deflated balloon of a face staring down at her.

“Ah, I do miss the small talk, but you’ve set us rather a tall order.  Good morning.” He returned his notebook somewhere within his coat and slinked away into the night.

“Good morning,” Mads called after him, sitting alone in a back alley.

“Now if only that heist was happening tonight, then I’d have something to give them,” She murmured to herself. Where was she going to find something expensive…something rare by early evening? Her thoughts strayed back to the small, personal and currently unprotected library of one Dominic Giovanni.

Mads stood, brushed her arse of alley grime and returned to the Crowbar.

1.20 am Monday,  4 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Leichhardt

Dominic put down his phone and continued driving home.  It had not been the best of nights.  He considered taking himself off to his Coroner’s office for a few hours’ light entertainment.  But, thoughts of his current appearance and the security cameras at the office made him feel older than his hundred years.  He was sore, tired and wanted nothing more than the deep oblivion of rest. Instead, he turned the car towards home.  Once inside and safe from mad murdering police officers and the machinations of his adoptive childe, he sat and quietly read a while about the Shadowlands, resting his face.

1.43 am Monday,  4 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Pyrmont

Eclipse and I drove back to Pyrmont, and though we now knew the suburb well, it took us a moment to find the old staircase heading deep under the Sydney streets. Eventually, we recognised the old Sydney Sewage Pumping Station number one, not far from the Powerhouse, and found the green metal door. As we arrived, the door opened, and no one was within sight.  I just assumed the Nosferatu and their spy network had been watching us since arriving at the building and recognised their local Toreador representative.  What Eclipse thought of it, she kept to herself as we started our descent.  

Over fifteen minutes of steady climbing later, we arrived at what I thought of as the foyer of the Nosferatu domain, a room at the bottom of the stairs.  Three Nosferatu were waiting, stiff and silent. They looked at each other as if confused by our arrival, and I glanced at Eclipse.  She’d caught it too, the sudden uncertainty, the unspoken question about what to do with us. They were not expecting us.  They had been waiting for someone else. It seemed it was possible to sneak something under the noses of the ever-vigilant Nosferatu clan.

“Good morning,” I smiled, feeling more confident seeing the Nosferatu flustered, “I know we’ve not been able to complete a deal we made previously, but I do have a proposition and I just need a little information from you kind people.”

The centre Nos, a…gentleman, if I was to guess, with a face like a month-old tomato, glasses, and a long unseasonable (and unflattering) trench coat, spoke up.

“Of course, we are aware of your problem….Rain.  What proposition do you have for us?  Is it more personal or attached to your current ongoing deal?”

As they didn’t know we were coming, I highly doubt they knew all about the old Pyrmont house, but I allowed the symantics to roll down my back. Forever the little black duck.

“It is not part of our deal, I’m working on that with Mr Giovanni. No, this is something more personal to me. I need to gain access to the Contemporary Art Museum in the Rocks. Tomorrow night is our schedule, and I need to get in and out undetected. Of course, if there were anything that you good people would want while we were there, I’d be happy to relieve the Museum of its responsibility.”

I felt good about my proposition. This time, I had a clear idea of what I wanted and what I had to offer.  They smiled, laughed , and discussed it among themselves.  Eclipse squirmed beside me as if she realised she’d been invited to dinner as the appetiser.

“Who are you trying to save?” Asked the tomato-faced spokesman, and now we knew the scope of the Prince’s collection.  Not content with just Izac’s bleeding heart, it seemed there was a collection of heartless kin in the City.

I tried a bluff.  You never know.

“What an interesting thought. I’m not sure who I’d be saving by breaking into the museum.  I’m personally interested in acquiring something from their walls.  I have a place now and long to fill it with beautiful things. I’m sure you understand.” Surely that sounded Toreador enough to pass even their hardened scrutiny.

When the spokesman, failfailedbreak me, he turned to Eclipse, “You there, dark one.  Who is it that you are trying to save?”

“Who says anyone needs saving?” She replied nonchalantly.  I was so proud. She’d come a long way since that stumbling conversation with the Police Officer. In fact, as he spoke, it seemed that there was a knowing glint in her eye, a kenning. I made a note to ask her about it once we were clear of the Nosferatu’s many eyes and ears.

“They say museums are places of preservation, but they only let things decay.” In this, I recognised the subtle game of ‘I know that you know, that I know…’, but wondered why. 

“Indeed…” I stumble to contribute, “They lock the beautiful things up, often in cages.  They should be out where people can enjoy them.”

“Well, we’re all about enjoying people,” The trio laughed.  I laughed along. What?  It was funny-ish.

“But that’s not the point, and it’s not why you are here,” Tomato-faces wrinkles and sags seemed to become more prominent as he feared we were wasting his time. Eclipse tensed beside me. She was picking up more than me, a fact I found a little frustrating.

“Is this deal of any interest to you?” I tried again, now less confident.

Tomato-face rolled his eyes and spoke as if speaking to a child, “If you are not honest and someone else comes and asks what was misplaced, it may behove us to let them know.”  Or in other words, tell us the truth or when the Prince comes asking where Izac’s heart is, they may have to say they don’t know, but they’d let us in only a few days ago to pick up a few sketches. 

My heart sank.  We were screwed. The Nosferatu knew we wanted a heart, and even if we didn’t make a deal, they could use that information against us. It was now, either work with them or forget the whole plan.  Go out to the farm and look after the tree, and tell Merritt I couldn’t do the one thing she asked of me.

“He won’t be an easy person to lie to,” Eclipse said, taking over the conversation.

“We might not have to. I ask again, who are you trying to save?” Tomato-face countered.

“And this discussion?  Is this now public record? We’ve come to you respectfully, asking to get into the museum, and you threaten us with what, telling others about this conversation?”

“No threats.  But we listen.  We watch and we know of a certain…predeliction of our honourable Prince. That place is…special. So, instead of the smooth patter of a long conversation, I’d like to cut the fat and get into it. Who are you trying to save?”

I looked at Eclipse.  If we wanted to move ahead, we would have to be honest, but I didn’t think that was my call.  Izac was her love.  She knew him better than…pretty much anyone, including himself.

“They know, Eclipse, they know,” I whispered low, hoping big Nosferatu couldn’t pick it up, “But I don’t think I should be the one to make the call.”

To her credit, she thought, then straightened her shoulders and spoke clearly to Tomato-face.

“I intend to return a stolen item. An item the Prince does not want that person to have.”

“There are many persons in this same predicament,” Tomato-face confirmed, “Who-may-this-someone-be?”

“We do not want the person you were alluding to, to know we were there,” I added, making it clear that it was a stipulation of the deal. The Prince was never to find out it was us.

“If you deal with me, that shouldn’t be a problem,” Tomato-face shrugged, only squashing the wrinkles deeper still.

Eclipse looked at me and nodded.

“Okay.  Okay.  You know of the one called Izac.” It wasn’t a question. Everyone in town must be bugging them for information on him.

“Yeah, we do know of him, and that does make sense. It seems very early to be going for that. We’d estimated it would take a year before you tried to do the switch.”  They conferred with themselves a moment, and we just stood like naughty school children, waiting for the principal’s verdict.

“Do you mind if there’s any collateral damage?” Tomato-face finally asked.

Confused, I jumped in, “This sounds like it’s now your heist, that you’re going for the heart.”

“Forgive me, you’ve never done this sort of thing before, you don’t know the place.  Clearly, I do.”

“We were just asking for access to the place,” I qualified, feeling like we were losing control of our plan.

“There are easier ways of getting yourself killed. What’s your game plan?  You go in.  Take his heart and leave, and expect no one to notice? Is that it?”

“I had in mind to replace the heart,” I replied, definitely feeling like that naughty student.

“Do you have one?”

“I have to acquire one.”

They went back to their discussion, now pointedly ignoring us.  It was clear they believed or were trying to sell us on them having more knowledge than us.  It was not hard to be more knowledgeable, but we were there to make a deal.  I’d gone from walking into the car dealership with a sensible plan to buy a reasonably priced car, and Tomato-face, the salesman, was pushing a late-model Mercedes my way. I was almost forgetting the whole thing and walking away. Thankfully, Eclipse was there to stand firm.

“We don’t mean to insult you,” She said, gaining our Spokesperson’s attention, in fact, your offer is very great, more than we asked.” 

“I could make a concession.  An easy one for you.  During the event in a few nights, I will pose a question to both of you.  No matter what, you will say yes. That is my cost to let you in.”

“Think yes, it will not take our lives?” I asked, disliking the ambiguity of the proposal, “Will it take someone else’s life?”

“It won’t cause final death to either of you.  To someone else? Does it matter?” He laughed at my suggestion.

“I’m trying to avoid leaving bodies behind me.”

“Oh yes, and how many in recent nights have you killed?” His question stung and confused me.  Besides those who I’d been asked to deal with by the Prince himself, I knew of none. 

“I don’t need to ask Eclipse, though.” Before I could comment, he’d turned his attention, and I watched Eclipse seethe under his scrutiny.

“You know my answer,” She said through clenched teeth, and even with Auspex down, I saw the black flame in her eyes. “You have a test, I have a test.  We’re only monsters.”

Tomato-face laughed, “And they say the youth know nothing.” 

I was certainly clueless, but felt that education could wait.  I wanted to pin down this agreement.

“So, your proposal is we will say yes to a question you will pose at the Succubus Club…”

“Just the one question…” He interrupted, making it clear it was a very simple task.
“What sort of question?” Eclipse asked.

“I’m not asking you to walk into the sunrise or to slap the Prince, nothing as grandeous as that.  It will be subtle.”

“In return for this subtle yes, you’re taking the heart…”

“No, merely providing the access, as you requested.”

Right. Straight-forward and ominous.

“And what’s the cost for you to do it?” Eclipse asked.  I didn’t like this plan, though the benefit of not being involved had its merits.  I just didn’t know how I’d face Lady Merritt admitting I paid the hired help to do my dirty work.

“That will be more complicated and involve a life boon.” 

I tensed.  If I was squeamish of the power of a single yes on one night, the weight of a life boon seemed oppressive. Obstensibly, we’d be forever in their debt. They could ask us to do any little task they please without payment or argument for the rest of their lives.  It would only be truly paid if we were to complete some task they believed to be of equal value.  I knew this ploy.  This was how my old gangster bosses used to keep people loyal to them.  I’d begun this life with the hope of starting afresh, without a massive social debt.  Dominic was bad enough, and he was our adoptive sire. This!  Like a toddler taking on a mortgage for a family home in Sydney, adding on top the lifespan of the average kindred.

Eclipse looked at me blankly.

“We’re still willing to do the job, aren’t we, Eclipse?” I asked, trying to make her aware we didn’t want to take their generous Mercedes deal.

“Hardest part is finding a replacement,” She replied low only to me. She wasn’t wrong. I had an idea, I was a budding Necromancer for nothing.

“Do you think we can’t find one?” I tried to instil my words with the ring of confidence.  Still, it seemed I wasn’t the expert here when it came to human hearts.

She didn’t answer.

“You would rather the Life Boon? The Life debt?” I added, now fearful that’s exactly what she wanted.

I leaned down so I was lower than her head and whispered my plan, “I was just planning on getting something from the bar. Are you worried that’s not going to cut it?”

“Normal hearts tend to rot,” She said, and I could see this was the clincher for her.  We needed a good heart.

“It won’t be a normal heart for long,” I replied and hoped to whatever demon or deity that looks over us poor souls that the Nos didn’t hear me.

“Hearts are still connected to their owner…at least in our case.” I guess that it could be traced back to its body was also an issue.  I had an idea for that too, but once more it was not a discussion for in front of the Nosferatu. I could see that we needed to work on our communication.

“Look, this Life Boon is serious. They can ask any little jobs from from us and we’ll have to do them for the rest of our lives.  No bargaining out of this one. Until we do a task equal to this one, we are theirs and I’m not into that, are you?”

“But we’re putting ourselves in harm’s way.  Stealing the heart right from under the Prince’s nose. And you like him.”

“And I like him,” I admitted so quietly even I barely heard my reply. But wanted to try.  I knew who we were up against as soon as I saw the heart and mused about stealing it back. Sometimes you bite the bullet…sometimes it bites you.

“So, you’re doing something for the Lady, and I’m doing something for Izac, we’re pitiful.” She replied almost as quietly.

“We do have another option.  When the Lady calls I tell her…we couldn’t do it.” I admitted not trying to hide the bitter taste it left. 

“And…I can’t accept that.” She replied, and it was like we were back in the Porsche again, hatching our mad schemes for this crazy life.  

“We can at least take their access,” She said, and I nodded firmly in agreement. We were committed…or should be.

“Let’s hope that no one noticed the switch until after the event.” She added, and to that I also nodded.  

“And we have one last person to ask for help,” She suggested, and I was confused.

“One last person?”

“An Italian man we know very well.”

Dominic? The man who lived large on the peace and generosity of the status quo created by the Prince?  Mr Conservative himself, who took on the charge of three strangers as his responsibility for the chance of a boon from the Prince? I could have laughed or wept. 

“You want to take this to him? Really?” I asked incredulously, “Sure let’s take this to Giovanni and see what he says.  And if by some slim chance he agrees, it’s his plan, his way.  If he doesn’t agree, Izac does not get his heart back.  Black or white.”

“Who would you rather be in debt to?”

I did laugh then.  That was a trick question.

“But we’ll take the initial offer of access and say yes when asked,” She said with finality.

“We’ll say yes,” I agreed, and turned back to the Nosferatu.  

The other two had left, only Tomato-face remained to tie up the loose ends.

“Okay, be here, 8 pm tomorrow night,” He said, and the deal was done.

“Just so you know, there may be another,”  I said.  I didn’t want any questions raised when we turned up with Madeline the next evening.

“Whom?”

“Madeline is her name,” Eclipse supplied and what could only be considered a grin parted the creased and lines on the Nosferatu’s face.  He laughed.

It wasn’t actually surprising. Mads has been looking for Izac a long time, surely she done deals with the Nosferatu before, though I wasn’t sure why it was so funny.

“You know our Mads? You’ve had dealings with her before?”

“Yeah, she asked for quite a bit, but that’s more her business unless you want to make another deal?”

“She asks for things now, that will come in the fullness of time.” I said, by way of saying  I knew her desires and did not need to deal for them.
“How true.”

We made our farewells with Tomato-face and started the return journey up the stairs.  We travelled back to the car in silence, waiting for the seeming solitude it provided to speak.

“Do you want to come back to my place or do you want me to drive you back to the hotel?” I asked.

“We still need a heart. Do we have enough time now?” She replied and I looked at the glowing clock on the Audi’s dashboard.

“We have a little time tomorrow…not a lot though.”

“How much now?”

“Three hours?”

“A hour is more than enough time to kill someone,” Eclipse said so adamantly, I was left in no doubt, she’d killed before. I didn’t mean at the restaurant that first night, I didn’t even mean the feral ghouls we’d put down. No, she’d gone out alone or with her new friends,  hunting and killing. I knew that for certain. The thought sent a rill of fear up my spine.  At the same time, I felt more confident that we could get it done.

“Here?” I said, looking out at sleeping Pyrmont, my home.

“No, no my prey would be in the Crow Bar.” 

I turned the car onto the road, “Back to the Crow Bar,” I repeated, knowing that it would mean the death of someone. 

“A heart like Izac’s, and if anyone knows his heart…I’ll find a good replacement.”

“I agree, you know him best.”

2.04 am Monday,  4 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Enroute

***************************************************************

Love and Hate are Monsters 

Eclipse is attempting to read the book in front of her. She gleams some. The Black Hand and the Inquisition. That’s all she gets before those floor plans bleed into her vision. 

It’s an impossible mission. 

Having pulled herself from the clutches of death itself, Eclipse has an eye for when the walls are closing in. 

Breaking and entering the museum is half the battle. In fact, that may be the easiest part. Otherwise, there are a plethora of cameras to catch every one of their movements. 

The greatest threat however is the Prince. It’s his prize, his property. Rain and herself are spitting in the face of ultimate authority and hoping to not be killed. It’s foolish. 

She’ll do it anyway. 

Unlike Rain, who does it at the request of a fantasy with the shape of a name, Eclipse is doing it for other reasons. 

A personal one. 

She would return to that pit and pull herself back up all over again and again if it meant she could complete this for Izac. 

For the man she loves. 

For the man she will lose. 

Eclipse knows her fate is already foretold. The cards shuffled. Her tarot read. 

The Hanged Man. 

The Lovers. 

Death. 

Is it not clear to you? 

I’m fucked. 

Living by the skin of your teeth, you know when the jig is up. 

Men don’t like broken things and they particularly don’t like broken women. 

Eclipse carved herself out of her own shape. Saw what death actually looked like. Saw what it’s like to have your life bleed out of you, one drop at a time, until you have nothing left. 

Like Frankenstein’s monster, Eclipse is built out of old decaying parts. She’s rotten. 

She is a monster. 

And Izac? 

No. No, Izac can’t like monsters. He’s destined for something greater, something better. 

It’s something both her and Frankenstein’s creation have in common. 

If you cannot have love, you’ll create hate. 

Eclipse can feel it. Under her skin, in her veils, soaked into her very being. 

It takes a wicked thing to bring the end of the world. 

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alex Holmestead: Husband of Mads. Location and status unknown.

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Joel Mitchell: Mads’ friend. Deceased.

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain. Lady Merritt

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of.  Every member knows their place within the Pyramid.  The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

11.50 pm Sunday,  6 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   En route

Driving carefully back to the Crow Bar, Dominic held his damaged face and contemplated the rest of his night. He rang Giuseppe, “There’s been a slight snag on the party plans.  It will be a red wine dinner, no party.”
“Understood, thank you, Uncle,” Giuseppe replied without question or reproach and hung up to change plans.

He drove back into the underground carpark below the bar and quietly made it up to his office without anyone spotting him. With a glass of ‘red’ for company, he leaned back into his leather executive chair.

It seemed it would be a quiet night after all.

11.50 pm Sunday,  6 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Crow Bar

Stallion vomited up the contents of his stomach into the staff toilets.  The mixture of alcoholic drinks and snack foods progressed up this oesophagus, into his mouth and up over his lips like a constant stream of blended evening’s entertainment.  Walking away from the toilet stall,  undigested smoothie decorating every surface, Stallion felt lighter, better in himself.  He checked his image in the mirror above the sink, making sure nothing was left between his teeth. He looked good, felt great and was ready for what the rest of the night had to offer.

Man, it had been quite a night.

11.50 pm Sunday,  6 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Pyrmont

I let my knees buckle and slump to the ground, seemingly swooning after the ‘exertions’ of the seance.  I wanted to sell the idea that the whole event had taken more effort than just looking around and having a chat.  I needn’t have bothered.  Mads was sunk so far within herself that she was unaware of everything but her pain and grief.  Eclipse stared at me as if she couldn’t believe I was wasting her time with the theatrics. Her eyes rolled, but she didn’t give me up, only extended a hand.  I reached out shakily to take it. 

“A lot has happened in this alley,” She said, ad-libbing her part as the staunch supporter.

“This place is full of death,” I replied weakly and clambered back to my feet with her help, “We should go.”

As I rose from the ground,  I watched Eclipse’s expression change from bored to predatory and just as quickly back to a neutral, almost worried look.  Another glimpse of something just below the surface, something with more teeth, or at least more willing to use them. Eclipse turned her attention to Mads, swaying silently on the street, her hands twisted into knots before her. I hadn’t been able to help Mads.  She knew no more about her husband than she did before coming here, dredging up the old feelings. Even worse, she now knew that the dead could not help her.  She was running out of hope. 

As if she could feel our collective glances, Mads snapped out of her maudlin revelry, “Ah…wh-what now?”

“I know there’s nothing I can say to you, “ Eclipse said, “ No words, no promises.  But the Izac that I fell in love with would do anything to write his wrongs. The penance he’s doing, he will do for an eternity, just to prove to you that he is sorry. Staying in this pit won’t help either of you.”  It was truth unalloyed by sentiment, a statement of fact as she saw it.  As we both understood it. In the face of such brutal truth, my attempt to garner sympathy felt cheap, and I quietly stumbled back to the car to let them talk.

“I don’t know if I have the strength to crawl my way out.”
“That or take the ledge.  Are you strong enough to jump?”

“It’s only a sunrise away, “ She qualified.  Yes, there was no need for strength, just the courage to sit on the sand and wait for the sun to rose out of the surf at Manly.  She shrugged, seemingly shedding the last of her existential crisis from her shoulders, and said with a new strength, “I have to work out what I’m doing next. If you’re trying to…protect him -”

“ Just speaking for someone who’s currently silent,” Eclipse interjected, and Mads accepted the qualification grudgingly.

“I guess I’ll be the judge of that, I suppose. That’s a decision I need to make for myself. That’s not to say I don’t hear you…”

“Drowning is a lot easier than swimming,” Eclipse replied, and the non-sequitur caught my attention.  From her, it sounded like she knew what she was talking about.  She headed for the car, where I was waiting. We didn’t say anything, just sat in silence, as Mads collected herself enough to join us.

“Are you going to be alright to drive?” Eclipse asked as Mads took her place in the rear seat.  I shivered and nodded.

“I think so. The voices aren’t as strong here.  “ I lied. The wailing voices dropped as soon as the veil was dropped. Hey, when you commit to a bit, you have to commit all the way, not just give up because it makes you feel uneasy.

“So, where to next, Mads…I mean tonight. Not the rest of your existence.” I asked, and she coughed a bitter bark of laughter. 

“In my haste, I may have left a trail behind that should be cleaned up,” She said cryptically, referring to the business she left back in The Rocks. With a sigh of resignation, she finally came to a decision. “Maybe I should talk to Mr Giovanni. To the Crow Bar, please.”

12.15 am Monday,  6 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   En route

The car trip back to the Crow Bar had been relatively silent, all three of us deep in our private thoughts. And in truth, Dominic’s Audi runs smoothly and silently even on Sydney’s noisy and often potholed roads. Still, as we drove along a nondescript piece of the A44, we all noticed the dip in sound.  A moment where the weight of silence fell over everything, including the road noise and purr of the engine.  It didn’t last long, a part of a second and the silence lifted and reality returned.

“I’m not the only one to have noticed that, am I?” Mads asked from the back seat.

“I was about to say something similar.” I looked for a place to park, but there were no hard shoulders to stop. I continued to the next intersection and turned left into the quiet streets of Lilyfield.  

“What the hell is going on around here?” Mads pulled out a phone and pulled up a map of the area as I turned onto a street that ran along beside the light rail line. I slowed the car down to a crawl, catching the blanket of sound once more.

Eventually, I parked the car and we got out, walking what we thought were the last few metres. We reached a cyclone gate, mesh diamonds revealing a patch of waste ground and the light rail tracks beyond.  We felt more than heard the eerie silence.  A blip of nothing, then the return of sound once more. Mads and I edged towards the gate, curious as to what had caused the sudden and unexplained phenomenon.

“If a vampire did this, is it really something you want to keep prodding at?” Eclipse said, only a few steps behind.  She was just as curious as we were, but she’d said out loud what Mads and I were unwilling to vocalise. What if it’s someone who doesn’t want to be found?  What if they’re willing to attack to protect that anonymity?

“It is intriguing…” I paused, held back by Eclipse’s reticence.

“Curiosity killed the cat…” Mads replied, stepping ahead to the gate and looking through for signs of life…or unlife, “How many lives do you think you’ve got?”  

With her keen senses, she spotted several homeless sheltering under trees on the other side of the tracks. Eclipse took an interest now, walking up beside Mads and peering, I searched the shadows to where Mads pointed.  Five or six individuals living rough gathered around a small campfire. I moved from face to face, making sure there were no familiar faces from the squat.  

It had been weeks, and I still hadn’t found anyone from Randall Street.  The thought of all those lives ‘disappeared’ didn’t stir up the same feelings of loss as it used to.  It seemed to me something that happened to someone else, an event that had been retold to me. Caught in this thought, I failed to register the conversation between Mads and Eclipse.

“Are…you topped off?  Eclipse?” Mads asked when she noticed Eclipse eyeing off two of the homeless hungrily.

“Are you asking if I’m hungry?” Eclipse found herself wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, saliva making it shine in the moonlight.

“You’re practically drooling,” Mads scoffed, her harsh bark returning me to the present.

“Hmm, well, nothing to do with us, I guess,” I said, disingenuously.  I really wanted someone to contradict me, say I was being foolish, and we should find out what it was.  No one did.

“Sure,” Mads replied, and Eclipse allowed herself to be ushered away.

12.15 am Monday,  6 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Crowbar

Dominic was onto his second flask, encouraging the healing by force of will, when a small knocking came from the office door. It was Bruce.  He poked his head around the corner, but neither disturbed Dominic’s space nor made any sort of comment about his injury.  Dominic did notice Bruce’s eyes flicker as if drawn to the injury subconsciously before looking away.  He’d seen the like before.  Not often, but before.

“Stallion’s here.  He’s doing something weird in the bathroom. I thought you’d want to know he’s here.”

“What do you mean, something weird? That could mean a lot of things with Stallion.”

“He had his head over a toilet bowl.”

“Right,” Dominic had an idea what it was about, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.  Leaving the sanctum of his office, Dominic made his way down the two floors to the staff locker and toilets. There he found Stallion checking out his features in a mirror, the stall a mess of…Dominic’s mind couldn’t determine.

“What are you doing, Stallion?”

“Eh, you know I can do the thing with the eating?  I was partying earlier tonight. Just flushing it out.”

Dominic’s eyes moved from the toilet bowl to Stallion, felt the ache of his injuries and hunger, and wondered why he’d wasted his time. He turned to leave.

“Hey, Giovanni, what happened to you?” Stallion asked as Stallion caught sight of the missing section of Dominic’s head in the harsh fluorescent lighting.

“Never mind what happened to me.  I’m taking care of it.” Dominic glanced back and, in that moment, noticed something amiss with Stallion’s shoes. It wasn’t the shoes specifically, but the shape they were in because of what was stuffed into them.  Stallion stepped back following Dominic’s stare, and the ‘clop’ of a small hoof rang against the ceramic tiling.

“Stallion, what the hell is that on your feet?”

“I woke up like this,” Stallion replied with a shrug, as if it were little more than an inconvenient rash or hickie, “I don’t think I can take them off. Is this a thing vampires have?”

Dominic stepped back into the toilet and gestured to the sink, “You, just put that up here for a moment and let me look at it.”

Stallion, the willing puppy, did as he was told and, with effort, lifted his foot onto the sink for Dominic to examine. It was a horse’s hoof, maybe a donkey’s. An Ass’s hoof. He knew that the Gangrel bloodline had a weakness that caused them to take on animal traits at times of frenzy.  Maybe something had occurred that Stallion was yet to divulge, had caused this affliction.  At least it was his feet and not his face or hands.  There was no cure for it, but there were…solutions.  

“What did you get up to last night?”

“I flew high,” Stallion said initially, which was met with a blank and unimpressed stare from Dominic, “I took over the body of a bat.”

“Stallion, my boy, have you gone full Protean yet?” Dominic asked, and received the same blank stare from Stallion in return, “Have you changed into anything before?”

“No, I just put myself into a bat,” Stallion repeated, now sure he’d done something wrong, but wasn’t sure what. 

“Those aren’t bat feet.”

“Yep.”

“In fact, those are hooves.” And Dominic couldn’t help but smile, “Ah, any farmers in your family? Maybe like to get personal with the livestock?”

“No. What the fuck!”

“Precisely.”

“Someone try that, I’d fuckin’ disown them,” Stallion said adamantly.  Being a horse hoofed vampire with a tendency to violence was one thing, but being a sheep-worrier was beyond the pale.

“No going up to the main room for you, son, “ Dominic now laid down the law, “You’re staying right here on this floor and nowhere else.”

Dominic did have a few solutions to the question of the hooves.  The traditional, simplest and cheapest would be just to cut the feet off.  They’d grow back in time, hopefully as the human versions. If not, you just cut them off until they do. He could wear a long robe or gown that covered his feet.  More stylish in earlier times than now, admittedly, but you never knew, he could start a trend. Another option would be to get bespoke leather boots made that accepted the hoof, but gave the impression of toes.  

“How do you feel about long flowing robes?” He asked, judging what it would take to get Stallion to agree to removing his feet.

“Like a dressing robe? Like a gown?”

“Like monks’ robes.  Long flowing robes that go down to the ground and cover your feet, because you’re not going out looking like that.”

“Fuckin’ not my style….but if it lets me go outside…”

“Another alternative is a dress.  Same idea.”

 Stallion scrunched up his face in disgust, “I think I’d rather the monk’s robes.”

Robes that went to the floor were easier to obtain than one would think.   Dominic had once had the idea of starting a cult in the seventies and had a number of robes ordered before giving up the idea. Dominic found one in storage and gave it to Stallion.  Stallion accepted it in good grace.  If it meant he could still move around, then why not? Once both Dominic and Stallion were happy with the look and coverage of the robes, Stallion took himself off to the VIP lounge to try out his new clothes and get himself a proper drink.

Dominic, thinking his job done for another night, slowly made his way back to the office to rest and heal.

12.22 am Monday,  6 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Crowbar

The Audi pulled into the carpark without an issue, and we spilled out heading in our own directions.  Mads looked committed to getting as drunk and vampirically possible and headed for the V.I.P. lounge.  I started up to the office, my phone in hand.  I was curious to find out what there was on the lost Alex Holmestead.  Beside me, Eclipse looked over my shoulder and checked my spelling as I scanned old newspapers from the eighties. In one, we found small one-column articles speaking about the death by hit and run. A day later, an obituary for the same name and a listing for the funeral.  At least someone thought the man was dead.  Still, hadn’t we gone through something similar on our first night?  Somewhere, there would be a small wall plaque for Stallion and Eclipse, under their real names, of course.  As for me, well, I never legally existed anyway, I’m sure not even that small token existed.

Later years, when the Internet conspiracy theorists started in earnest, there were a few articles that mentioned Alex Holmstead by name, alluding to the fact that the coroner’s report noted the body was drained of blood.  

“He could just be dead,” She said as she made it to the door of Dominic’s office.

“But he didn’t die in the alley.  So, where did he die?”
“Maybe he did and just passed on.”

I couldn’t disagree with her, but I also didn’t want to let this go.  Like Mads, I found I wanted closure to this story.  I wanted a neat ending, though I was very aware that sometimes there are no neat endings.

“Only Joel got stuck as a wraith.”

“Why Joel?” That bugged me.  Of anyone, I would have thought the casual, happy-go-lucky Joel would have moved on, and Alex with a loved one left behind would have stayed.  It just didn’t make sense.

“Okay, so, he’s not dead, and we have a death notice anyway.  What next?” Good question.

“We can ask the vampire community.  Dominic was around then, maybe he knows someone…” 

“And he’d care about one dead pleb killed in an alley?” It is his thing…as coroner. Maybe he could check the coroner’s findings.

“But if he were turned, the death notice would have been his cover.”
“Dominic wouldn’t know him unless he’s become some prominent vampire. In fifty years?  Unlikely.” 

“And he wouldn’t be Alex, I assume.” I had to give in for the moment.

Mads stepped down into the V.I.P. room, saw Stallion in his new brown robe, turned back and trudged up the stairs before she could be noticed.  She didn’t know what had happened to him, she didn’t want to know what happened to him.  She went looking for Eclipse and me.

Dominic had, for the last few minutes, listened to our conversation through his door.  Eventually, he gave up on the thought of having a peaceful night and opened the door.

“And how can I help you two?” He asked, and I turned to respond in a cheery tone.

“Good ev…” And my words froze in my throat.  From my angle, the right hand side of Dominic’s face was as usual, but the left was a broken mess of split skin, broken exposed jawbone and missing teeth.  It was so unexpected that my mind went blank on an appropriate response, “…ur…”

“Holy shit! What happened to you?” Mads’ voice called from down the stairs.  It seemed that drowning her feelings wasn’t on the agenda anymore, “Jesus Christ!”

“Ha.  Ha.  Ha. Ha,” Dominic said without humour and left the door for us to enter the office, “What seems to be the problem, Rain?”

Saying my name reset my brain, “ What? Me? No, you! Sir! What happened?” And I followed him to his seat, holding it for him like one would an invalid.

“A little light shooting.  Don’t worry about it?”

A little light shooting?!  Though the crippling fear of guns may have gone, I would suggest there would be no one alive or dead who would consider Dominic’s wounds as…light.

“Someone…shot you in the head!?”

“Give it ten years, and you’ll get a couple of holes in you, too. Sometimes for good reasons. Sometimes for not.” 

“And tonight?” I asked. Dominic was trying to brush aside the blowing off of a substantial percentage of his head as just something that comes from living a long life.  But gun violence wasn’t a common occurrence.  He must have pissed off someone for them to want to shoot him dead.  And if they failed once… maybe they were coming back to finish the job.

“Monday?” He obfuscates like the professional he was.

 “Was it a good reason?” But I would not be deterred, “Is it something we should be worried about?”

“No, nothing you should be worried about,” He replied with all his usual confidence.  

“If people are putting holes in you, that sounds like something to be worried about.”

“Let’s…just say someone had an accident…with their sanity.” He finally said, cryptic as it was.  Knowing his propensity for messing with people’s heads, it wasn’t hard to see what had happened.

“Okay…” I replied.  There was very little that could be said in mixed company. 

“So, are we done?  Can I go back to resting?” The subject was closed, and Dominic certainly didn’t look in the mood for more…excitement for one night.

“Well, I was hoping to use the library. I still have some research to do, if I may?”

He waved towards the library, dismissing us to its confines.  He went back to his ledgers as if there was nothing wrong. 

With a glance at Eclipse and Mads, we entered the library and started hunting through the shelves.

I had a mission.  Lady Merritt had said my education was seriously lacking in a particular topic.  The Sabbat. It might not have been a subject for the Theosophical Society, but it was for Dominic’s library.  I dove in, checking references of more general books, looking for author and titles and kept coming up in regards to the Sabbat. Of the list, three were on Dominic’s shelves:

Caine’s Chosen: The Black Hand

The Anarch Cookbook: “A Friendly Guide to Vampire Politics” 

Transylvania Chronicles 2: Son of the Dragon, specifically on the topic of the Convention of Thorns.

All three sounded good, and I would have gladly snuck them home to read through the day except for three things:

1. Mads knew I had them. Eclipse too, but she wouldn’t tell Dominic.
2. Eclipse and I had stayed up late into the day before going over everything.  I felt fine, but was it prudent to push the beast for a second all-dayer?
3. The Heist.  Tomorrow night or the next.  After that, I had to face Merritt and admit defeat, and I was damned if I’d do that.

Mads, stood in the doorway to the library, one foot in with us, the other pointed towards Dominic.  

“What do you want to do, Mads?” I asked, settling down in the small hard chair and Eclipse took her accustomed leather wingback.

“I’ve really got to do something about this mess that I’ve left.  I probably should talk to Mr Giovanni,” She said and turned to face him, stepping away from us in our library.

“Yes, Mads?” He said with all the patience of a beleaguered saint.

“Hi Mr Giovanni, um…I’ve made a little bit of a mess, and I need to borrow some people to help clean it up.”

I wasn’t watching, I was trying to read my book, but I could hear the creak of the leather as Dominic leaned back. Business was being conducted, and there was nothing more that any Giovanni loved better than business.

“You understand there is a price for everything, yes?”

“Yes,”  She admitted seriously, “I wouldn’t have asked you if it wasn’t important.”

“What sort of mess are we talking about?”
“There’s a body in a hotel room.”

“Dead hooker, number four?”

“Dead John, number one.”

“Ah, “ Dominic was enjoying the game now, “Handsie, Uncle Ralph.”

“Yeah, something along those lines.”

“How much…liquid did you spill?” Now the questions were less fun and more technical.  How much mess did she make with her food?

“All of it. He’s got nothing left in him.”

“Well, how much did you…leave for others to find?”

“He wasn’t exactly resisting, so… minimal if any.” She shrugged. I could see her through the door.  Dominic, always the professional, did not let her unprofessionalism faze him.

“I can help you out with that.  The question is, what will you give in return?”

“Is there anything you need right now?  A debt collected on?  A client contacted?” 

“Right at this second? No.  But we can always work something out later.  A task of my choosing, of an equal value?”

“What? Like a body hidden?”

There was a silence from the office. For a moment, I wondered if the blip had followed us from Lilyfield, but then Eclipse turned a page and Dominic continued, his voice deadpan and serious.

“I don’t need help hiding bodies. Maybe someone needed to be found.”

“Looking for missing persons, I’m happy to help.” The irony being,  of course, she was missing two people from her life and neither of them had been found yet, but I said nothing.

The executive chair rolled back on its brass wheels, and Dominic stood, “Right, I guess I’m wearing a scarf.” Opening a cupboard, he pulled out a heavy coat and scarf.  Not typical clothes for a balmy summer evening, but excellent for not being identified.  As he dressed with the intent to cover his wounds, Dominic continued his twenty questions.

“Which hotel and room?”

“The Sydney Harbour Hotel, second floor.“ She produced a card that Dominic pocketed.

“Does the hotel have its own carpark?”

“Ur…he has a car, I assume it would be connected to that keycard.”

“Hmm hm,” The office door creaked open, and we heard Dominic call down the hall for Bruce.  He found him in the Security room going through tapes.

“Why the fuck is Stallion wearing a robe for?”

Dominic laughed, “Because I told him to hide those feet of his.”

 “Oh, those weren’t for show?”

“Apparently not.”

“Okay, I just thought he was taking the horseplay seriously.”
“It seems that’s what his Protorean form is.”

“Whatever it is…”

“A goat…ass…” Dominic said, getting down to details, “We’ve been hired for a cleanup. I’m going over to clean up the body. There will be a car for you to dispose of.”

“Do you need help with this, Mr Giovanni?” I asked, looking around the door from the library, when he returned with Bruce.  His disappearing trick had withered his hand last time I’d seen him do it, and that time he hadn’t been mortally injured.  

“No, I’ve been on worse cleanups before,” He waved away my concerns.

“But you don’t need to do it alone…” I said, leaving his current condition unsaid.

“I clean up the body.  Bruce cleans up the residue.” And that was it.  They’d been running this service for years for the Vampire community.  Besides his wealth and contacts, it was what made Dominic prominent in Sydney.  And that was society in general, wasn’t it?  You either make yourself useful, or don’t, and you can become a liability.  

I had to get that heart.

“What do you want done with the vehicle?” Bruce asked as they discussed their plan of action.

“Cube it.”

The two old cronies left to do Mads’ job, leaving us alone with the library.

“What are you looking for, Rain?” It was Eclipse, drawing me back to our collection of three books.

“Twice this week, I have been made aware that my education in history is lacking,” I grumbled at my exposed faults.

“Twice?”

“Twice.  Once with the Padre, you remember? You and Mads were there.  Once…well, with the Lady. I intend to do something about it.” I joined her at the table looking at the books, and spoke in a lower tone where the camera could not pick up, “Besides, we can’t talk here about the other thing.”

“Yeah, yeah you’re right.”

“Unless you want to go downstairs and talk about what you were studying…in the car.”

Frustration clouded her expression, “I have lots of ideas but just as many dead ends.”

That didn’t sound good.  I tilted my head to the Office where Mads was still contemplating what she’d agreed to.

“Unfortunately, I may have added another problem.”
“Hmm,” She neither agreed nor disagreed, just accepted, “Well, I’ll help you with this reading and then we can head downstairs for a drink.”

Just the thought of a drink made me thirsty.  I hadn’t had a drink all night.

“What book do you want to read first?” Eclipse asked as she looked at the three of them lined up on the small table in the library.  I needed to know about the early years of the Sabbat.  The Caine’s Chosen was certainly early, but probably too early for my purposes.  I knew the Transylvania’s Chronicles had been recommended because of a chapter of the Convention of Thorns, whatever that was.  That sounded a little too specific.  I reached for The Anarch Cookbook, enjoying the play on the title.  Eclipse picked up Caine’s Chosen, my second choice.

We settled down to read, and Mads, bored and alone, wandered in.

“Hey, know of any good books?”

“Nothing that’s going to help you, I’m afraid, but…” And I searched the shelves until I found the white leather cover of Days of Fire, “I don’t know if it’s good, but it’s one hell of a read.”

12.35 am Monday,  5 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Crowbar

Stallion had the robes, he had a drink, and all eyes were on him.  At first, he was worried they were staring at his feet, and then, when it was apparent they were looking at his robes, laughing at them.  But as he moved through the crowd, there seemed to be a real sense of acceptance.  He was embracing something other than the ‘human’, something more ancient and rarer.  It was like, hooves, robes and all, he finally belonged.

Now that he’d proven his social skills with the herd back at the Summer Hill Hotel, had gained the tentative approval of the current crowd and had a few drinks in him, he started relaxing. He was just like these impressive beings of folklore and mythology, drinking blood, displaying impressive powers stalking their prey in the night.  He spotted a distinguished man wearing a small Tyrolean peaked hat on large insectile head that looked like something out of the Weta Workshops.

Stallion watched the obvious Tzimisce across the room as he moved from group to group, completely at ease its alien head drawing no more attention than Stallion’s robes.  Their eyes met and the figure moved towards Stallion.

“What are you?” He asked, his voice a hissing rasp through the insectile mouthparts.

“I’m pretty open at the moment. Discovering.  How about yourself?”

“I guess I can say the same, but I’m interested in you. Tell me more.”

“As far as I’ve gathered, people are shit, and you can’t trust them.  I’m just following a way of life that makes me happy.”

“A good life lesson.  It usually takes a kindred more than sixty years to learn that. Is that how old you are?”

“No, but it’s not like I haven’t been backstabbed before.”
“But how old are you?”
“ Since being turned?  Just a few months.”

The figure, who was yet to share his name, laughed out loud, gaining a few looks from the nearby crowd.  He didn’t care, and for that, Stallion admired him. 

“You’re so learned.”
“I still have a lot to learn.  Vampires are just humans to the extreme.  They backstab just as well.”
“Some are.  Some are…quite different…more enlightened,” Stallion’s new friend’s head bent low so the rasping hiss of his voice could only be heard by him, “Say, I have an idea.  Why don’t you and I take this conversation elsewhere? It is getting rather early in the morning.”

Stallion’s inebriated face rearranged itself slowly into a grin, “Yeah.  I was partying earlier tonight, why not keep the partying going?”

“Splendid.  Let us take our leave of here.  I know a wonderful place.” A hand, mostly human if covered in chitinous plates, wrapped around Stallion’s broad shoulders and led him towards the stairs.

12.50 am Monday,  5 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   The Rocks

Dominic drove into the driveway of the Sydney Harbour Hotel carpark.  With the passcard from the room, the boom gate lifted, and he smoothly drove down and found a parking space.  With the faithful Bruce by his side, they entered the lift, each carrying a briefcase, and travelled to the second floor.  The room was easily located, and they quickly let themselves in. Dominic locked the door and turned to view the scene.  

A dead fat man lay sprawled across the double bed, clearly exsanguinated. There was a little bodily fluid.  A little piss and shit, which was normal.  Very little blood spilled at the scene as far as Dominic could see, and he nodded his approval.  It would be a simple job.  Good.

Both now wearing disposable gloves,  Dominic checked over the body, stripping it of it’s belongings and throwing them to Bruce. Bruce silently went through the man’s luggage, making sure he was no one of consequence.  A look at the faded and aged family photograph in the wallet showed that whatever Garry Lablonc had been in life, he had long ago lost relevance to even those closest to him.  A middle-aged, middle-class no one, of whom precisely that many would miss.  

Dominic drew on the blood in his veins and touched the cooling corpse.  It crumpled to dust, the dust drifting off into the air until there was nothing left.  Parting the veil, Dominic checked the room to see if the man’s spirit wasn’t hanging around to cause…difficulties.  But, like the body, there was nothing to show he’d ever existed. 

From their briefcases, both Dominic and Bruce pulled out spray bottles of Amsolve solution, their own recipe, and cleaning cloths.  Piss, shit and whatever blood they could find quickly disappeared until it was as clean as if the man had never existed.  They worked without speaking, knowing their roles and what needed to be done.  They checked the room for careless evidence that may have been left by Mads, wiping down door handles, the bathroom sink, and the TV remote. 

“There’s a car,” Dominic tossed a set of keys found on the corpse.  Bruce caught them deftly and examined the fob.  A rearing stallion on a yellow background glared back, screaming.

“Oh God.  Midlife crisis car or what!”

They both looked over the room, checking the walls and ceiling for blood splatter, the floors for lost items.  When satisfied, the cleaning products, gloves, and cleaning clothes all went back into their briefcases.  They took a suitcase each and, using a disposable wipe, unlocked the door and left.

It was a simple task to find the car.  A lime green late model Ferrari with personalised licence plates. “Eek,” They both said at the same time.  Bruce winced as he took both suitcases, Dominic taking both briefcases.  

“The perks of being the boss,” Dominic agreed with Bruce’s assessment.  It was a waste of construction materials painted to look like a Granny Smith Apple, “I’ll give you a bonus for having to drive it.”

Seeing Bruce off out of the carpark, Dominic returned to his black nondescript SUV and drove himself back to the Club.

12.50 am Monday,  5 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Somewhere

Stallion, with his still unnamed companion, arrived at a destination not unfamiliar to Stallion from a night out with Giuseppe.  Behind a group of shops, down a long flight of steps and through a reinforced door, they entered a dark room filled with doors.  A door at the far end opened, and the two entered, the door quietly closing behind them.

12.50 am Monday,  5 hours until sunset,  4 days until the S.C.   Somewhere

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alex Holmestead: Husband of Mads. Location and status unknown.

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Joel Mitchell: Mads’ friend. Deceased.

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain. Lady Merritt

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of.  Every member knows their place within the Pyramid.  The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

110.15 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Summer Hill

There were still hours until closing at the Summer Hill Hotel, and the place was pumping. Besides the old locals getting one last round of drinks in before the start of the working week, there was a lively group of eight dominating the pool tables and the song selector.  In their heart, having the best time of his unlife, Stallion, buying the rounds and making friends. 

“Stay here, guys, I’m just going into the T.A.B.,” Stallion said to his crowd…what he was starting to think of as his herd. 

“Oh yeah, what are you doing?” They asked back with curiosity about their new friend’s interests. 

“Just putting a bet on the fillies.  How do you think I got my name?” He replied with a snap of his fingers and went into the small room set aside for the legalised betting on horses, greyhounds and other sports. He put two hundred dollars down on the counter and filled in his ticket for the next horse race on the board.  Three horses spoke to him, and he marked Crimson Jewel for a Win and Place with Golden Scheme and Raven Knight to place.  Satisfied, he put the ticket in his pocket, as some of his friends followed his example and placed bets on the race. 

Watching them, Stallion wondered what now?  

10.15 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Crow Bar

Dominic was at a loose end.  Without the children creating fires he needed to put out every five minutes, he found he had time to burn.  Maybe it was time for a little… adult fun.  He texted Giuseppe.

IT’S TIME FOR A BASEMENT PARTY

BYO?

YES, BYO.

ALRIGHT.  INVITES?

LET’S KEEP THIS A WALK IN AFFAIR.  TIME TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN.

Grabbing his car keys, he left the bar and drove out of Leichhardt, on the lookout for some potential entertainment. Cruising through the back streets of Newtown he hunted for a woman, 30-35 years old, who was game for a party on a Sunday night. He didn’t have much success. After a few near misses with some of the more colourful residents of Newtown, the chirp of a siren caught his attention.

YEELP! YIP! 

A flash of blue light, and Dominic glanced in his rearview mirror at the cop car behind.    The officer was alone, cruising, like he was, for potential marks.  Unfortunately for Dominic, he had found one.  Dominic pulled over and let the Police Officer park his car just off his right flank.  This was just a small nuisance, soon taken care of. No need to panic. 

“How are you doing this evening, sir?” Said the Police Officer, a fit man in his mid-thirties. Dominic noted no body camera.  Good. Though, there would be a camera in the car, there was nothing recording Dominic or their conversation. Very good. 

“Do you know what time it is?”

“Yes, it’s 10 O’clock.  Is there a problem, officer?”

“Are you looking for something?  It seems an odd time of night to be cruising the backstreets, sir.”

“That’s when the real parties start. Hospitality workers only get off shift about now and will party until dawn.”

“I’m going to ask you to step out of the car while I check your vehicle.”
“What for?” This was getting boring. In a moment, he was going to have to do something about this annoying gnat. 

“Partying at 10 pm on a Sunday night. Your talk of ‘real’ parties and the nature of you cruising through the back streets, I have a suspicion of illicit activity. I’m going to need you to get out of the car.” The officer’s tone was cool and relaxed, although his words carried a hint of tension. 

Dominic allowed his beast to stir, and his eyes flashed with a predatory light.  He turned on Dominate and looked up to catch the police officer’s gaze.

“Just forget about it, Officer.  I’ll behave myself.”  As he manipulated the man’s memory to forget all about him and the incident.

The Officer’s eyes went blank. Then nerves beside his eyes twitched. They bulged in fear as Dominic realised the Dominate had had more of an effect than he’d intended.

“Whaaaa!” The Officer screamed as his mind tried to make sense of forgetting what was right in front of him. Panic flashed across his face as his hand automatically dropped down to his service pistol.  

Shifting the car back into gear, Dominic pulled away as the Glock levelled with his head.  Two shots were fired in quick succession, one through the rear passenger and the other exploded the rear window. The first bullet hit Dominic in the back of the head below his right ear, ripping off a chunk of his cheek before entering his mouth, taking part of his jaw and teeth.   His ear rang as blood sprayed the whole front of the car’s dashboard and windscreen in a fine red mist.  Chunk of flesh, and foaming blood dripped from the dashboard, the steering wheel and into his lap.  The second bullet hit the rear windscreen and disappeared into the upholstery of the luxury vehicle. The third and fourth thumped against the metalwork, nothing more. After that, the horror car was no more than a black dot of travel lights fading, as it turned the corner and disappeared.

“Ahhhh!” The man screamed as he saw the car drive away, a terrible, unknowable thing at the wheel.  As the Lovecraftian car of horror pulled away, he kept shooting until the clip was empty, and still kept pulling the trigger until fifteen minutes later, when another patrol car arrived, investigating reports by locals of shots fired. 

“‘Uck! ‘Uck! ‘Uck!” Dominic swore as he spat out pieces of teeth and jawbone into the passenger well.  So much for a fun night out!  Drawing on the blood, he stopped the bleeding and continued to spit out pieces of his face as he attempted to put as much distance between himself and the insane police officer as possible.  Through the hands-free, he made a call to Bruce.

“Yes, Boss?”

“I need a ‘river and anudder car da ne and ‘dis un needs a keen uf,” Dominic slurred, as clever tongue found no purchase for its front of mouth vowels and consonants. 

“Ah huh.”

“Neet ne on Nar’ion ‘ane, Ne’to’n.”

“Okay.” It was to Bruce’s credit that he didn’t ask questions and just let his boss speak through what was left of his face.

“And ‘ring da car ‘uif tints.”

10.30 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Summer Hill

The horse race concluded with a place for Golden Scheme in Second and nothing for Stallion’s other two picks.  So much for two hundred dollars.  Still, it made for a good story around the pool table.

10.30 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   The Rocks

“You guys don’t know how to dispose of a dead body, do you?” Mads asked as she, Eclipse and me got into the Audi.

“Ah, you could come to some sort of an accommodation with Mr Giovanni,” I said, remembering Dominic’s more theatrical way of disposing of an unwanted body.  Besides his ability to make a corpse turn to dust, I was sure he could remove a body from existence through his morgue or the farm.

“Ah, I’m racking up a bit of a tab there.  Never mind, it should be fine.”  I didn’t like the sound of that, but neither did I want to be involved, so I dropped the subject.

We’d found the car just where I’d left it and got in, Eclipse in the front passenger seat and Mads in the back seat.  Straight away, Eclipse pulled up the blueprints to the Museum again and was going over the details, her brow furrowed.  I eased the car out into the traffic on George Street and pointed it west with no particular destination in mind. I  just wanted to leave the Museum environs and whatever Mads had stashed away in the Rocks far behind.

“Sandstone, huh? Something tells me you weren’t looking at the Museum for its brickwork.” Mads started her proposal by letting us know we were made. How sweet of her.

I made my move, heading off any sugggestion she may make,

“Look, this was between…us,” I swung my pointed hand between Eclipse and myself. “I would have asked Izac’s help, but as he’s gone walkabout…”

“Well, I don’t know much about architecture.”
“Neither do I.  That’s why I asked a favour.  Eclipse has kindly said she will help me.  I want a piece from the Museum,” I glanced over to see if there was any movement at my little fiction from Eclipse, but she was absorbed in the blueprints and did not react.

“A piece?  I didn’t take you for the larceny type.” Mads almost purred, not revealing what she did take me for.  After her little scare in The Rocks, she was feeling pretty comfortable riding around in the back of Dominic’s Audi. Her sad silver and bitter brown disappearing into calm light blue with a rim of excited violet. To presume she knew who I was…well, I found that a little irritating.

“I’m all sorts, honey,” I replied, not attempting to smooth out sharp edges.

“Sure you are,” She replied just as catty, “So, what are you wanting to pilfer from that illustrious place?”

I looked for a place to stop, not an easy thing when you’ve just turned off the city streets to the flyover of the Western Distributor.  When we were past the ANZAC bridge, I turned left into Glebe and found a parking spot where I could pull out my phone.  Having scoured the Museum’s website previously, it was a moment’s work to pull up the image of a piece I remembered, a piece that had always spoken to me.  I showed Mads the image of a paper and ink sketch, a composite made of millions of straight lines that formed at their heart, the impression of a face. I made sure Eclipse also got a glimpse of the substitute target.

“Not happy with just a copy from the gift shop?” Mads commented, and I could see she was unimpressed.  Fine, as long as she didn’t cotton on to the real reason for the break-in, she could think what she liked.

“Before, before I was…this, I used to visit the Museum all the time to see that piece with the idea that some day I would make it mine.  Now I can.”

“Well, that sounds like an interesting proposition,” She replied blandly as if unsure what to say.  Good.

“An interesting venture, to say the least. I’m happy to help.  I didn’t realise you were thinking of stealing from the place.”

“What?  B and E but no stealing?” Eclipse chimed in, and I was thankful that I was driving as I hid my smile, staring out the front windscreen.

“I thought you were just doing it for the funsies,” Mads shrugged, obviously a little uncomfortable at the turn of the conversation.

“Larceny is funsies,” Eclipse and I replied at the same time.  This time I didn’t hide the smile. 

“And now I’ve learnt something new about you, Eclipse,” Mads said brightly, trying her best to make friends.  Still, unlike Izac, who’d I knew belonged with us from the start, Mads felt like someone trying too hard to belong. No matter how endearing she made herself, I at least held her at arm’s reach. And I was getting the feeling that Eclipse was, too.

Still, quid pro quo.

“If we’re to work on this together, I’d like to learn a little bit about you,” I said, guiding the car through the dark, tree-lined streets of Glebe.

“Hmm,” She replied noncommittally as she leaned back into the leather seat.

“We know what you came for,” Eclipse said as she put away her study of the blueprints and concentrated on the conversation, “But we don’t know…you.”

“What is it you want from all this…after you’ve asked your question. What does Mads hope to achieve by it all? What’s the point?”

That made her very quiet and still for a long time as I threaded our way west through suburban streets full of houses once rented by working-class families and now owned by offshore investment conglomerates.  Nothing lasts for long, everything changes, including the minds of stray vampires.

“Look, I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t know.  I came back to find him.  There’s a whole slew of reasons why.  At first, it was revenge. I can’t deny that he killed everyone I cared about. I thought, ‘Hell, I have the power.  Take the power and use it against him.’  Over time, I understood.  The beast can make us do insane things. Then revenge again, as I heard his name spoken in hushed tones. The mystery man.  Now, I just want to know why, and isn’t that pathetic.” She said the last, not as a question, but a recrimination of herself.

“You’ve been going at this for so long, you’ve lost the reason why,” Eclipse said, and for the longest time, Mads only nodded.

“Yeah. If I were a mortal, I’d probably be dead by now.  It’s been almost seventy years since I was born, and… sad as it is to admit, if I get what I want, I don’t know what I’ll do. I’m like a fucking dog chasing a car.”

I had, until now, kept my focus on driving and let Eclipse steer our part of the conversation.  Now, as Mads seemed to be opening up, I peered through the rear vision mirror to try and discern if she really believed what she’d said. I noted Eclipse do the same, turning in her seat to get a good view of Mads, lost in the black of the back seat.  Mads’s aura was a swirling mess of white, light blue, brown and red.  Purity, or honesty, calm, bitterness and anger. She was speaking plain, unadorned truth, at least as she saw it.  She was a woman reaching out for a…semblance of truth, looking back at a time when she knew where she belonged and things made sense.

As Eclipse’s hand reached back to give a little comfort, I realised what Eclipse had already picked up on. Mads was lonely and was just looking for someone or something to be with.

Oh, God.  What a mess of losers we are.

As if reflecting my inner thoughts, Eclipse seems to linger in her comforting touch. What should have been a brief contact, stayed longer and gave a very different impression to the raw and exposed Mads.  Mads almost flinched, instead moving her legs across so Eclipse’s hand dropped away, out of reach.  Eclipse withdrew her hand, seeing her mistake and immediately regretting it.  I reflected on the change in her once more.  Her touch so, gentle and caring when I’d lost my friends, was now heavy and awkward.  It was like she was only acting at the gentle, silent kindnesses she once did without thought.  

“Thank you for your honesty, Mads,” I  said without taking my eyes off the road.

“Honesty is a rare thing in this town,” She murmured almost to herself.  She turned and watched the city landscape roll by the window, her expression a landscape of melancholia.

“Regardless, I have debts to pay off to Eclipse, and I was also coming to you for a little help, actually.”

She mentioned something like this in The Rocks, but for the life of me, I wasn’t sure what I could do for her. 

“In regard to what?”  I asked, as the suburban street we were on emptied onto Parramatta Road, the old artery from Sydney to the West.  We were going to have to make a decision about where we were going before I ended up driving us out to the farm.  A sudden pang of guilt reminded me to check the tree. Surely it would wait another couple of days?

“Necromancy,” Her phrase almost perfectly matching my thoughts, I nearly steered the car into oncoming traffic, “Can you do it?”

I reclaimed control of the car and myself, “I’m known to dabble.”

“Mr Giovanni pointed me in your direction.”

“Well, maybe if you explain what you would like, then I could tell you if I can do it.”

“I want to find some…people.  I want to see them.” And in that instant, the distorted memory of the alleyway flashed across my memory.  I decided to pull over before I caused an accident.

“The Alleyway?” 

“Yeah, something like that,” Mads wiped her face as if trying to wipe away the last few minutes, “I can’t bring myself to go see them at their graves.”

“They’re not there,” I said with all confidence.  If life experience and studies had taught me that much, I knew we cling to things, people, and places from our lives after death. Graves were for the living, a memorial to our loss. If we were looking for the dead, we had to go to where they died.

“If they’re going to be anywhere, they’ll be in the alleyway.” I qualified, for once, enjoying my role as the expert, “But you know, they may have passed on. There’s a lot to the Otherside, whole cities of the dead.  They also may be sleeping, waiting until the end of days.”

“I have to know,” She replied adamantly, and our path was set, “If they’ve gone, gone or struggling to communicate…I’ve got to know.” 

“Are you okay with an open-ended agreement?”

“I’m helping you with your little… endeavour, aren’t I?” Was she? “Can’t we say one for one?”

“Possibly,” I replied, unsure what she was asking was even possible or what it would cost, “I must say I’m very intrigued to see what’s there.”

“That makes two of us.”

As the conversation had turned Necromatic, I was aware Eclipse had gone silent. As much as I wanted her there for my first official seance, I knew she had answers to find about her new nature and people to speak to that may hold the answers.

“Eclipse, do you want to be a part of this? I can drop you off somewhere? I’m happy for you to come along, there just wouldn’t be much for you to see.”

“Oh, I’ll go down the alley,” She replied in such an odd way I wasn’t quite sure if she meant now or that was now her general modus operandi. To walk the dark alley, the path untaken. I nodded and smiled regardless, knowing that whatever happened, I’d have someone watching my back.  

And that was it. We were going to seek out Mads’s lost family.

11.00 pm Sunday,  7 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Summer Hill

A roar of cheerful voices rose up from the Summer Hill Hotel. The gang had found a leader, and they thought he was cool. Throwing down Bradman’s on the ponies as if they’re spare change.  Handing out the rollies like lollies. He was the life of the party.

As for Stallion himself, he looked out over his herd and was pleased. Yes, these could be a reserve, a backup for when times get tough. He would call on them later, if or when he needed them. Hyping up the group, letting them have a good time, this was what he’d wanted now and was pleased to sit back and watch their happy faces.  

And they were having a great time. There was no sign that this party was ending anytime soon. He started giving out his phone number to everyone in the group. In the future, it may be useful to have a contact that brought them all together, a bottom bitch, but right now, he was happy being everyone’s friend equally.

What could go wrong?

11.00 pm Sunday,  7 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Camperdown

Dominic wasn’t made to wait long in the dark alleyway between Newtown and Camperdown. Soon, a staff member rolled up, silently with a replacement car, and the keys were swapped. Thankfully, as requested, it was one of the tinted cars.

He’d been able to get control of the bleeding, but he was still a mess with days of healing ahead.  His jaw and teeth alone were going to take some time to reform.  What had started as a fun night out had turned into days of self-imposed isolation…and right before the big event.

What else could go wrong?

11.00 pm Sunday,  7 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Pyrmont

John Street Square, Pyrmont. We were back home. The old Harris Street house was less than a block away.  My new place was at the end of the street. Whatever we found, this was my patch. Mine to use as I liked, but also, my responsibility.  With not a little trepidation, we left the car and I followed Mads to a nondescript set of stairs leading to a small park, and the light rail station. All liminal spaces, belonging to no one, especially in the dead of the night.  Fitting that it was here we’d come to talk to the dead.

I turned on Shroud Sight, parting the wall between the living world and the next.  Suddenly, a squeal of tyres caught my attention.  I turned to see a car swerve from the road and head straight for us on the stairs. I leapt back, pushing back against the wall as the car rode up the stairs, picking up a body on its way before stopping with a jolt.  The car disappeared, and once more the squeal of tyres, the rush of the car climbing the stairs, a body smashing the windscreen and stopping. Over and over.  I don’t know what the others thought of my antics, as for them, the stairs remained quiet and empty.  I described the scene, and Mads nodded pale and trembling, gesturing further down the alleyway.

“Not here…down there.”

I turned my back on the recycling car crash and looked around me for the first time.  The buildings in the Otherland stretch on into the red sky.  Building built on building, built on building, all here to be read like a visual history of the place. I headed up the stairs, careful of my step as older sandstone stairs showed through the more recent cut granite ones.  

Here, little changed besides the material the walls were made of, the constant movements of the living, and a murmuration of whispers, cries for help, and stifled breath. This was not a good place.

“There’s a lot of suffering here,” I tried to condense my experience to a few words. “Is there someone I can focus on?  A name or description?  Something they owned?”  I let the blood awaken Lifeless tongue in me, ready to speak to whatever I found.

“Alex.” Was all she offered up.

I repeated the name and listened for an echo, something to tell me the name had found an owner.  Instead, I heard only the crying, the mindless pleas for help and the constant winds of the Otherland.

“Nothing,” I turned back to Mads, wondering if we had the right spot.  It had been more than forty years ago, maybe she had misremembered…all the landmarks had changed.

“What about Joel?” She said, not quite a question.  She knew Joel was dead, “Joel Mitchell.”

I repeated the name, calling out into the Otherlands, and this time got a response. A echo back.  Something remembered that name and was coming.  

In his denim jacket and jeans made in a time before mine, a man in his twenties walked casually down the alleyway towards me.  His right arm missing between the shoulder and elbow, the wraith headed towards me as if summoned to the door by a stranger, a lopsided grin on his face. 

“Hello?” He said, and I breathed a little sigh of relief.  At least he wasn’t angry.  At least I wouldn’t have to pull out Lupara in front of Mads.

“Joel,” I said and smiled.

“Yes…I’m Joel.  Who are you?” He said slightly more confidently, though he did look at me curiously, as if not sure what species I was, “I don’t think I’ve spoken to someone like you for a while….”  

“I’m Rain…” I began as Joel expression changed from curious to shocked. 

Memories of the last time he spoken came to him, “Ah! Shit! Fuck…last time I saw one of you…it wasn’t the best experience, no offence.” He gestured to his missing arm.  It must have been harrowing to have experienced the memories again, but he was still friendly, still willing to chat.

“I can well imagine,” I empathised, “It might help you to know I’m here with Mads.”

His expression changed from haunted to curious again. I liked Joel.  He seemed the sort that didn’t stay depressed for long. Life, even life after death, didn’t get him down.

“Mads?  You mean…Mads?  She’s alive?”

“She’s asked me to talk to you,” I replied as he spoke over me, trying to make sense of it all.

“I mean…how long has it been…like…are you…what?  Are you taking advantage of old women or something?’

I laughed at that.  Mads struck me as someone who would never be someone’s ‘Old Woman’. I did note one thing in all his bluster. Though Mads was standing beside me, Joel could not see her.

“This is a new con for kindred, isn’t it? What am I saying? I’m sure it’s pretty common.”

“She’s looking pretty good for an old woman, I assure you,” I said without connecting the dots for Joel.  If he didn’t work it out, it was better for him to remember Mads how she was, not what she’d become.

“Regardless of how she looks, I can assure you she has sent me.”

 “Whatever you do, please don’t turn her into a fucking meal, please?”

“Only if she asks.  But, I don’t think she will,” I turned to look at Mads as Joel continued making derogatory comments about vampires. She was oblivious to his concern for her. Time to get her involved in this conversation.

“Joel…Joel…yes…this is somewhat new for me as well.  Is there something only you would know that I can tell her?  Something to confirm I have the right Joel.”

“Um…Alex Holmestead.  Her husband, we were good friends,” He said with confidence, and I repeated Alex’s full name back to Mads.

“He says you were all good friends, is that right?”

“Yeah, Mad’s melancholic mood brightened a little at the sound of her husband’s name, “Is he here?”

“Joel’s here,” As for Alex…it looked like we were out of luck, “Is there something you’d like to tell him?”

“Does he know where Alex is? And ask him if he’s okay…I mean. Ask Joel if he’s okay and if he knows where Alex is.”

Now we were getting somewhere, I turned back to Joel who had spent the time trying to work out how long he’d been dead.

“Firstly, she’s worried about you. She wants to know if you’re okay.”

“That’s a really interesting question, but not one that can be easily answered.  I’m dead and this…” He wriggled what was left of his arm, “I’m okay…I’ve lived a proximity of life…I get around. Like I have an affinity to this place, but nothing serious, so I can go travelling around.”

I nodded in agreement, “There’s a lot to see on that side.  Whole cities of the dead you could be part of.”
“I’m aware.  I’ve talked to one of your kind before about this stuff.  And then I tried to speak to this one lad… but we didn’t share the same language.”

I was intrigued as to who he could have been referring to, but it seemed the topic for another conversation. We were here for Mads.

“Secondly, she wants to know where Alex is?  He doesn’t seem to be here.”

“I…haven’t seen him,” Joel shook his head.

“Did he pass on?”

“I don’t know. I came back to here and he wasn’t.”

I repeated what Joel said to an ever more agitated Mads.  This was not giving her the closure she was looking for. After forty years of not knowing, she found herself in a position to find out the truth, only to be turned away again.

“Fuck!  Fuck!” Mads yelled, unable to restrain her anger any longer.  She looked like she could frenzy. Certainly, Eclipse was looking at Mads as if she needed restraining. Instead, blood tears rolled down her face, and the blood found release through crying.  She covered her face, ashamed and unable to hide.

“No, sorry.  Alex was never here,” Joel confirmed, oblivious to Mads weeping beside me, “I did spend some time looking for him on his side, but never did find him.”

“So, he may still be alive,” I theorised.  Or maybe like Mads, he was turned and has lived quietly all these forty years…without Mads knowing? Didn’t seem likely.

“He might be,” Joel replied as if it hadn’t occurred to him, “Like I said, I came back and he wasn’t here.  I was kind of pissed in the beginning. You know, I was dead. I don’t know who got me or him, but I think it got me first. A kindred.  That’s for sure.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” I said without letting on I knew the kindred in question.

“It’s all in your nature, isn’t it?” He said, and I tried not to take the racist slur personally, “Lure people into secluded areas and then tear their throats out. That’s the M.O., right?” 

I didn’t comment, and Joel, the chatty sort, continued.

“Though I can see it’s handy to hold onto people like you. We can make deals from either side.  I help you on this side, you help me on the other.” 

This was in line with what I’d hoped when I started studying Necromancy.  Communicate with the deceased and establish beneficial networks for mutual benefit. I had to restrain myself from gushing my plans for Kindred-Wraith communications.

“It’s why I learnt this little trick.  A whole other world of people to communicate with.  Learn about.”
“You’re quite the entrepreneur. You’ve done well.”

“Thank you, I’m trying to be.”  I appreciate praise as much as anyone…more perhaps, but I was very aware of Mads quietly crying, Eclipse silently watching.

“Is there anything you’d like Mads to know?” I asked, steering the talkative Joel back on the subject at hand.

“Augh, Jeez.  There’s a million and one things I’d love Mads to know.  Just tell her that I’ll be here keeping an eye out for her…and keeping an eye out for Alex as well.  Tell her not to….na, tell her to be herself. To remember to be herself.  Is she just as kind as she was before?”

Conning the client is a given at seances, but lying to the dead….that was something new.

“She wants to help, if that’s what you mean?”

Joel sighed, a gesture that meant as much to his corpus as it did to my dead body, “You kindred and your wordplay.”

“She needs people.  She really misses you.” I said plainly, and this time Joel saw the truth in my words and not the deception.

“Perhaps I’ll see her on this side some day,” He said, and I kept my thought to myself. Besides a few highly trained, there was no place for kindred on the Otherside. And as for her dying?  That wasn’t worth contemplating.

I turned to Mads and repeated what Joel had said.  For her to be herself, to be as caring as always.  She’d gained control of herself somewhat and acknowledged the message with a nod.

“Tell Mads I haven’t seen Alex,” Joel caught my attention again, “Maybe he passed, or he could still be out there somewhere. Maybe he got away from you blood suckers, I don’t know.”

“Maybe,” I said, acknowledging his last thoughts. 

“Anything else you need? Anything else from me?”

“Not at the moment, Joel, but it has been very nice talking to you.  I may come by again, this is my local area.”

“Okay, well, I’m always around.  If you need any help, I’m happy to cut some deals…despite, past events.  I’m happy to look to the future.” His lopsided smile reappeared, and I knew that I would be back to talk to Joel Mitchell.

“That’s how I like to think about things too,” I wanted to shake his hand, but without the ability to touch the undead, the gesture would have been awkward, and I dismissed it.

As Joel stepped back into the Otherplace and out of sight, to turn back to  Mads again, her face streaked with blood, but otherwise herself again.

“Is there anyone else you’d like me to ask about?” 

“There is no one else here,” She said with such finality.  She had lost everything she ever cared about that night.  I couldn’t help but empathise.

“No.  No, it’s fine.  Thank you, Rain. I appreciate the effort. Just tell him goodbye from me. I miss him.”

I turned back to the alleyway, but knew he’d already gone.  She didn’t need to know that, though, and I spent a moment contemplating a life as a mediator between the living, the undead and the dead. It was odd being the telephone in a conversation over the barrier with death, but it was one with privilege, a window onto other people’s lives that I found appealing. Yes, it wasn’t a bad life at all.

11.50 pm Sunday,  6 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Enroute

Driving carefully back to the Crow Bar, Dominic held his damaged face and contemplated the rest of his night. He rang Giuseppe, “There’s been a slight snag on the party plans.  It will be a red wine dinner, no party.”
“Understood, thank you, Uncle,” Giuseppe replied without question or reproach and hung up.

*****************************************************************************************

  A Collector, a Grenade and a Void 

Cars are pocket dimensions. 

Cramped places parading as a comfortable living room. 

The people I sit with in these automobiles reveal something about myself or themselves. 

I did not pity her. 

Madeline is a grenade with a loose pin. 

But a deep part of me… a piece of me… she walked into the pit but did not walk out. 

I carry her in the back of my mind. I keep her at arms length but sometimes she reaches out like right now. 

Madeline is a lonely woman. 

She has no one, not even herself. She does not know where she is going, only where she has been. 

Her path paints a tale of nothing to tell. Dead ends and empty alley ways. 

That small part of me. The one who refused to die but now sits in the back of my mind like a caged, muzzled dog. She is not restrained, only quieted. She stays there, unmoving and yet this moves her. She stands up and pushes me.

Do something, she begs, you can understand. 

The touch I give is awkward. Fitting as everything is foreign to me now. 

Like caring… 

We’re going to a place. Somewhere I heard from a yelling voice. A voice with a mask of anger over a face covered in cold pain. 

Izac, I know you have hurt people. I have the testament against my heart. 

This place… is it not your own pit?

It’s not the same. 

There is no serpent here. 

Is it not similar? 

Here, his humanity bleeds from the limbs of the people he called friends. 

After all that turmoil, after the horror he created with his own hands he swore to be better. To build a palace of peace with nothing but his mind. 

“Am I focusing on a name?” Rain asked an anxious Madeline. 

“Alex.”

I’ve heard that name before. Izac talked in his sleep. Or in his night terrors. He would whisper a handful of names. 

Madeline continued, “or Joel …”

If this was bingo, Eclipse would be calling her card. 

Here, Madeline was struck with a car. 

Here, Joel died and Alex is better off dead. 

Rain dances between this world and limbo. Alex, Madeline’s husband is not here but the dead friend Joel is. Mad’s is filled with anger and I know why. 

It’s her weakness. She’s run into another situation that does not give her closure. An open path with no satisfactory ending. 

“Tell him I miss him.”

They are dead here or a part of them died here. The world they knew was completely fractured by happenstance. 

The one to live, the one we know of, is filled with unanswered feelings of the man who ruined her human life. 

Joel does not seem to know who killed him from what this broken and fucked up game of telephone is providing. 

Madeline, as broken as before this game, sways with her head to the ground. The outcome of Alex not being here is more unnerving than it is comforting. 

It seems this is a life not worth giving to another. 

There are worse things out here than monsters with sharp teeth. 

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alex Holmestead: Husband of Mads. Location and status unknown.

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Joel Mitchell: Mads’ friend. Deceased.

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain.

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of.  Every member knows their place within the Pyramid.  The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

9.00 pm Sunday,  9 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. St. Leonards

HOW ARE YOU? I texted from inside the shielding covers of Under the Black, Red, and Yellow.  Don’t get me wrong, the book was a real insight into the society beyond the Veil, but I’d missed one of Eclipses’ earlier texts and was concerned about how she was.

I shouldn’t have been.  A few minutes later, a reply came through.

THE HARBOUR LOOKS NICE. Hmm.  Were her investigations not going well?  

WANT A LIFT? I like a good read, but after two hours of study and condescension from the Tremere clique, I was ready to leave for the night.  I just didn’t want Dominic and Mads to know I was off to find Eclipse.

I’LL BE HERE WHEN YOU SWING BY.

In contrast to what I wanted to do, I settled back in my chair as if getting comfortable for a long night’s reading and watched the other two over my book. 

Dominic seemed content.  He went in search of more books and returned with a collection about spirits and the Industrial Age.  Mads was restless.  She found a book called,  Calling your loved ones back for a final word, as well as others on spiritualism from the turn of the Twentieth Century. I knew she’d seen her share of death and loss. Was she looking for a way of reconnecting with her lost husband and friends? Would she ask them the same thing she wanted to ask Izac?  Not for the first time, I wondered about Mads’ intentions with our coterie.

From my readings, besides an image of Shadowland society and religious imagery, I gleaned two of what, in another life, I would have called spells. My first spells.  It seemed a long road to this moment.  I devoured every fact, every morsel until I understood them.  Not just how to do them, but why they worked. 

The first required the caster to focus on the random imagery of their dreams. Using the power in the vitae,  I could tell something of my future.  Dreaming again, even with the chance of learning something useful, was not appealing, at least presently.  The second seemed more useful. By placing a symbol on a threshold, such as the door to my apartment, it would inform me if someone walked through. Dominic’s question about whether I had ensured the apartment was secure prompted me to think. Though sunlight wasn’t an issue, what about unwanted intruders? I made a note to put it into regular practice.

9.00 pm Sunday,  9 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Circular Quay

Eclipse put away her phone and looked out over the dark waters of the harbour.  The Harbour was never truly dark. Even outside of Vivid, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and walkway around the Quay were always permanently lit up. Eclipse loitered around the Museum, trying to learn something useful. But the more time she spent there, the more attention from the nighttime population of The Rocks she was attracting.  It was like they could almost sense the darkness that lurked within her.  They were prey animals, spying a tiger stalking through the nearby grass. Most just kept their distance from her, but some knew there was safety in numbers and tried to scare her away.  The more self-conscious she felt, the more attention she seemed to gather.

“Hey, what are you doing there?” Someone walking past had stopped their phone in their hands.  She turned and started walking away. The one with the phone seemed appeased and continued on their way. From the periphery of her vision, however, she could feel eyes watching. She soon spotted another, tracking her through the shadows, hunting her. She could have led him to a quiet alleyway and turned on him, but then what?  

Instead, she steered towards the more crowded spaces and blended in.  She watched from a recessed doorway as her shadow started searching the crowd for her. Eventually, he drifted off and was soon lost to the night. She waited thirty minutes before moving off into The Rocks again and making her way back in the area around the Museum.  She said she’d be waiting there.

Once more, she attracted glances.  Sighing, she sat and waited for me.

9.10 pm Sunday,  9 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Crow Bar

Being Sunday night, Stallion made good time and crossed Sydney while we were still hanging around the library. Finding the bar empty of coterie, Stallion was left with time to think…a dangerous presidence.  He surmised that his problem with gathering a herd was not him, but the place.  Maybe, if he tried somewhere new, he’d find a better class of livestock.

He dragged the bike off the back of the Bronco and headed out to Summer Hill for no other reason than the name sounded ironic for a Vampire.  He stopped outside the first pub to draw his attention, unironically named The Summer Hill Hotel.  It looked like a good place. The sort of place where everyone would know your name. Brushing off his coat in an attempt to spruce himself up, Stallion squared his shoulders and headed inside. 

9.20 pm Sunday,  9 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. St. Leonards

I sighed. Dominic and Mads were taking their sweet time leaving.    I tried not to fidget as I watched them slowly finish up, rise from their seats and hand in books.  I leaned back further into my chair and waited. Mads didn’t interrupt me to say goodbye.  Dominic seemed to be studying me for a while, but eventually left without a comment.  

“Where are you heading, Mr Giovanni?” I heard Mads ask, “I could do with a lift if you’re heading to the bar.”

“Certainly.”

“The books you were reading…” I didn’t hear the rest of that conversation as they headed out into the street.  Slowly, I climbed out of my chair and closed the black book in one smooth motion, checking out the library window to make sure they weren’t in sight. It seemed the coast was clear.  Returning my book to the shelf, I too slipped out into the night and headed for The Rocks.

“The books you were reading, on spirits and such, right?” Mads asked Dominic as they walked to the car and eventually entered traffic for the return trip over the Bridge.

“Yes,” Dominic replied noncommittally.

“Are you particularly…inclined in that way…disciplines-wise?”

Dominic turned in the driver’s seat and gave her an incredulous look. He kept his thoughts to himself for the time being and returned his focus to selecting his lane over the bridge, “I’ve been known to dabble.”

“I know I’m no Giovanni, but would you be willing to take on a student?”

Now, Dominic did laugh, “You don’t know much about the Giovanni, do you?”

Mads shrugged, “I mean, there weren’t any in my past circles. What would be your price?”

He shook his head adamantly at his passenger’s ludicrous suggestion, “Oh, you could not pay me.  There is nothing you could do to give away family secrets. Luckily for you, there is someone who is in the good graces of some of the family and is not bound by said family loyalty.”

“Who? Who is it?” The trip across the bridge, a distance of slightly more than a kilometre, had so far been a rollercoaster for Mads. Yes, Dominic knew Necromancy.  No, he would not teach it for any money or boon, for the sake of his family’s name. But he knew of one who could….

“Rain knows a few things if you’re willing to learn from somebody.”

Mads’ head whipped back over where they had just been, where I was supposedly still studying in the library.

“God-fucking-dammit!” She sighed and remembered her surroundings, “Well, thank you for that information, Mr Giovanni.  Now, if you don’t mind, at the next red light, I’ll jump out. The walk back will do me good.”

Dominic smiled and, without a word, took the first exit off the Western Distributor, depositing Mads in front of Customs House, Circular Quay.  She would find out later what the cost of that little piece of information would be.  For her part, Mads stepped out of the car and didn’t think another thought of Dominic, or his insular Giovanni family. She sent a text.

MR G. SAID YOU COULD POSSIBLY HELP ME.  ARE YOU STILL AT THE LIBRARY?

My phone buzzed just as I was getting to the Audi.  Mads again, clinging to my coat like a burr.  I thought to reply, but slowly returned the phone to my pocket. At least, if I saw her later, I could say I’d missed the message, engrossed in my readings.  I climbed into the car and headed off. I’d been gone longer than I’d wanted and was worried about how Eclipse was.

As for Eclipse, she was standing in the small park between the Museum and the Cahill Expressway, keeping clear of the glances and hushed conversations from the people walking around her.  Like the tiny island of green, she was an island, a lonely spot in the middle of the hustle and bustle.  That was how Mads, who had intended to take the train back across the Bridge, found her. A small black smudge in a square of green night. She was staring up at the ugly square building that now housed the Museum of Contemporary Art as if it held all the secrets to unlife.  Quickly, Mads slipped into the crowd, and kept her eye on the lone Eclipse.  

The hair on the back of Eclipses’ neck prickled. She was being watched again.  She wasn’t sure if it was the same stalker as before, but this time she’d make sure she lost her tail.  She left her post by the Museum and  headed for the covered walkways of the rocks, the quiet passages where only foot traffic can go.  Behind her, she could hear the sharp rap of a woman’s heel on the asphalt. Slipping into a dark corner, she turned on her Obfuscate and disappeared.

Passing Eclipses’ hiding space, Mads searched around, adamant it had been Eclipse she’d followed in.  Mads spun around, checking behind. The passageway was empty, but she was sure she’d seen Eclipse walk this way.  She tilted her head, listening for footsteps walking away, the sound of life.  But of course, we’re not alive. There are no bodily actions to give us away.  No respiration, no heartbeat.  In the end, Mads had to give up in defeat and walk away.

9.20 pm Sunday,  9 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Summer Hill

This was more like it. There was a group of guys looking to party until dawn, and a group of girls who had drunk enough not to be overly concerned with what day it was.  All of them flocked to Stallion, his gangster-made-good image suggesting that he knew how to have a good time.  For a moment, Stallion was overwhelmed with the attention.  He’d planned just to find a group of friends to join, but the eight now gathered around looked to him for ideas. There was no one telling him what to do. It was sort of…freeing. 

Fuck it!  Let’s party!

Dominiating the pool tables, Stallion ordered food and drinks for all.  He joined them in eating and drinking, feeling smug at his ability to fit in.  Yeah, just as he guessed, the problem hadn’t been with him at all.  It was that rotten place Dominic ran.  If that felt disloyal, Stallion did not remember as his new friends called him over for another round of drinks.

9.30 pm Sunday,  9 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   The Rocks

The Audi cruised along George Street like a predator.  Stepping out from her sheltering alleyway, Eclipse watched the car go by.  There was something familiar about this moment. Was I always passing her by without really seeing her?  What if she walked out in front of the car? I’d have no idea what I’d run into.  Would she make as big a dent in the Audi as something had in the Ferrari?  Somehow, she didn’t think so.

Having lost Eclipse, Mads was pursuing other prey.  She hadn’t fed, and The Rocks at this time of night seemed rich pickings for a meal. She looked out over the herd moving and grazing before her.  She was looking for the ones alone, the ones without friends or family watching their backs.  The weak ones.  There was a woman, neither young nor old, who was in that middle ground of quiet desperation. She aimlessly wandered, watching the movement of light over the water as her mind chased memories of other times.  Not far away was an older man, looking miserable.  Liver spots had already taken up residence on his high forehead.  He ate alone, as if waiting for someone who would never come.  She glided over to the woman gracefully, one with the crowds but not of them, and gently bumped into the woman.

“Oh, God, I was completely in my head. Are you okay?” What was meant to be a gentle bump became a full shoulder charge as she misjudged her strength.  She nearly knocked the woman down, gaining a few looks of surprise and concern.

“I’m fine,” She glanced at Mad’s, her face creased in concern, “ Are you okay? You look pale.” 

“I just tripped up on a loose paver. It took me by surprise. I’m Mads, by the way,”  Mads said, feeling as though she was quickly losing control of the conversation.  She needed to move this woman out of public scrutiny and somewhere a little more private, “I do feel a little dizzy, now that you mention it. Mustn’t have drunk enough water. Sorry for disturbing you.” She swayed precariously on her feet and turned to make her way to one of the secluded alleyways.

Unfortunately, the woman did not take the bait and follow.  Never mind, there were others, and Mads circled the block to line up her next victim.

I circled the block looking for a parking spot.  With no idea that Mads was only tens of metres away, I struck out for the museum in search of Eclipse.

Mads weaved through the alfresco seating outside the small restaurant where the man ate. He was more than halfway through his meal when he looked up to see Mads glancing at him from another table. His lips quirked up in a smirk of recognition.  He turned back to his meal. Mads bought him a drink, and when it arrived, moved to his table.

“Well, hello, sweet thing.  How can I help you?” He said with the swagger of a man who does not see reality when he looks in the mirror each morning.

“I noticed you were eating alone and wondered if you’d mind company?” She said, placing the glass down. He took it as his right and slugged down the middy of ale before speaking again.

“Well, I’m kind of finished.”

Mads had to work hard not to roll her eyes at the odious creep. These social niceties were tedious.

“I’m waiting.”
“Well, I’ve got fuck all.”

“Hmm, not much for small talk, what else do you use that mouth of yours for?”

“Ha, wouldn’t you like to know?” She smirked, feeling more confident with this turn in the conversation, “What are we standing around here for?” 

“Well, let’s go.” He rose from the remains of his meal, and together they left the restaurant.

“I know a place,” She whispered, taking his arm like a lover.

“I have a hotel room not two blocks away,” He insisted and marched down the main road. 

“Oh? Which one? I might know a shortcut.”

“The Sydney Harbour Hotel, down Argyle and Kendal.”

She smirked and pulled him playfully down an alley that was a shortcut, but also contained a dark, and at this time, private courtyard.  As they passed the open gates to the courtyard, she dragged him in, throwing him against an old brick wall under the bows of a small tree. The spot was idyllic for lovers, and it was just what Mads wanted.  

She launched herself at this thick neck.  He pushed her away without difficulty.

“Oh, you’re frisky,” He said, his voice thick… aroused, “Nah, we’re going to do this my way.”

Spinning her around, her face met the brick wall as his meaty fist held her head in place as he unbuckled his pants.  Mads wasn’t taking this without a fight. Grabbing his hand on her head, she spun around, attempting to tackle him to the ground. Instead, she was caught in a tangle of limbs and clothes. She dragged his trousers down to the cobbled ground. She herself on her knees, head high with his groin, his dick poking boldly into her face.  Two hands dragged her in, she didn’t relent, using the momentum to swivel her head and bite hard on the inside side of his leg.  Her teeth scraped at the bone of his femur as she found the femoral artery.  Blood drawn to the area by his arousal gushed into her mouth.  Hot blood hit the back of her throat, and she gulped it down greedily like some starving beast. She had her fill and drained him dry in minutes. He collapsed in a heap underneath the bows of the tree.  His life had expired long before she was finished.   

Saited, Mads took a moment to revel in the feeling. It was all well and good pretending with Rain and the others in the bar, but when it came down to it, she was a predator.  Even the cocktails of the bartender there couldn’t hold a candle to living, vital blood. Had it been worth all the struggle, his humiliation of her? As long as no one found out, what was the problem?  

Eventually, she got up, brushed herself off and dragged his limp carcass deep into the shadows where she went through his pockets. She found a wallet containing trinkets from a life decades in the past, a phone, a passcard to the hotel room, and a set of car keys, along with a crumpled packet of cigarettes and a cheap Zippo lighter.  She returned the car keys, cigarettes, lighter and phone to his pockets.  She slipped out a few notes from his wallet, not enough to be missed, and returned the rest.  The passcard she kept for easy access.

The death had been so sudden that there was little to clean up. She took a moment to redress him.  They were going to go back out into public again, and he needed to look his best. Then, pulling one limp arm over her shoulders, she placed her arm around his back.  Holding him tightly to her, she stood.  Like a puppet tied to her with invisible strings, he stood as well, his head conveniently sagging onto her shoulder.  

The image of such a slight young woman physically carrying a full-grown man of more than a hundred kilograms was so incongruous that the human mind assumed he must be walking himself.  And indeed, as Mads cleared the alley and returned to public view on Argyll Street, it did look like a young woman, maybe a daughter or family member,  helping a drunk bastard back to his room.  She entered the hotel, rode the lift to the second floor and used the passcard.  Once the door was closed, she dumped the body on the bed, checked the room for any incriminating details and quietly left.

I was standing outside the Museum of Contemporary Art, wondering where Eclipse had gone. Flicking on Auspex, I watched the telltale auras inside the building as they went about their evening activities.  One aura was still on the ground floor, likely an office or possibly a security area.  Two auras swept through the first and second floors, obviously on patrol.  Three others were located below ground, near the area where the heart was stored.  All of them were pale blue, verging on grey…bored and unsuspecting. Thankfully, all of them very human.  Good.  It seemed that the heart didn’t have a supernatural guardian.  Better for us.

I glanced around me, again hoping to see Eclipse, or at least her dark aura. What I did see was an empty footpath, and then, Eclipse, aura, and all, as if stepping out of a tear in reality.  

“That is a mighty powerful trick you have there,” I said as she walked up, looking pleased for herself.  Her aura, a sea of pale green and dark blue with the underlying static, said more.  Distrustful, suspicious and anxious.  She needed help.

“Yeah, neat trick. “ She pulled out her phone and pulled up a set of PDF blueprints for the building.

“I think if we study these, we could probably find a good point to get in.”

“I knew bringing you in was a good idea, “ I said with feeling, “For my part, I can tell you there are six individuals currently in the building and they’re all very, very bored.”

From the other end of George  Street, out stepped Mads, a swagger in her step.  Her aura, layers of bitter-brown, fearful-orange and depressed-silver, belied her confident, casual appearance. It seemed we were all hiding tonight, even if we were in plain sight.

”Oh, and watch out, Mads is prowling around,” I nodded in Mads’ direction as I pulled out my phone, sharing the text.  The question of Mads was getting tiresome. Her clinginess was not endearing her to me, especially on the eve of an art gallery heist.

“Hmm, I saw her before.” Eclipse acknowledged, her eyes narrowing.

We watched Mads walk down to the Quay and look out over the water in contemplation.  As she headed along the handrails along the water’s edge, she glanced up and noticed both Eclipse and me standing there.

“Mads!” I said now that it was clear she was heading in our direction, “I only just saw your message.  I would have gladly given you a lift here if I’d known.” She looked at both of us in suspicion, and I had to admit it did look bad.  Sometimes you get caught in the lies.  At those times, it’s best to see what the other person’s next move is.

“I don’t know what you two are up to, and I’m here to help.  I have a few debts to pay, and I have a proposal for Rain, if he’s willing to take one on.” Better than expected, but I was curious as to what Mads would want with me.

“I’m sure there’s a better place to talk,” Eclipse said cooly.  Whatever had convinced Eclipse to take in Mads originally had certainly cooled recently.

“Do you need a lift somewhere?” I suggested.

“I have a place nearby, though I wouldn’t want to implicate you in anything.”  Mads’ aura flared orange at the thought of the ‘place’ she had in mind. Now the clues were making sense. The swagger. The flush to the skin. The fear of discovery, perhaps? Certainly, Mads had been busy since leaving the library with Dominic and not in a way she was at all pleased about.  No, we were not going back to the ‘place’ she had found.
“To the car it is, then,” I said and started slowly leading the way to where I parked the car.  Eclipse, done with The Rocks for one night, followed.

“To the car,” Mads agreed and tagged along behind.

9.40 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Crow Bar

At the bar, Dominic had just settled down to his favourite task of the evening, going over the books. This night, his eyes glanced over Giuseppe’s latest exploits.  His business was expanding well, albeit slower than expected.  Giuseppe had to handle interference from the local groups, be they into narcotics, the white slave trade, or plain organised crime. Still, what he did have, he was keeping, be it in brick and mortar or favours.  He was establishing himself a firm base on which to build upon, and Uncle could not be more pleased.

Bruce was still working on a dossier of likely candidates for Dominic’s experiment and needed a few more nights to complete it.  Dominic was looking forward to Bruce’s findings.  They were going to make a big difference to business going forward into this new and shiny Twenty-First Century.

10.15 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Summer Hill

“Let’s party until dawn!”  Was the cry from one of Stallion’s feisty herd of reprobates.  The rest echoed the sentiment and went back to their drinks, their dancing, their pool and their drugs.  Stallion in the think of it could not have been happier. No one looked at him like he smelled, no one suggested that he was dumb or forgetful, or socially inadequate.  They wanted him there, and he was happy to oblige. 

And the thought of partying until dawn like the good old days sounded just about perfect.

10.15 pm Sunday,  8 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C.   Summer Hill

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain.

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of.  Every member knows their place within the Pyramid.  The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

6.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Blavatsky Lodge, St Leonards

It was supposed to be a simple night at the library.  Go to the library and spend a few quiet hours expanding your knowledge of our world.  We’d studied for hours on end in Dominic’s library back at the bar. Simple.

As soon as we’d entered the foyer of the Blavatsky Lodge, Eclipse started acting strange.  It was like the door was on fire for her, too bright to even look at without burning.  Even after I opened the door and interposed myself against its threat, she still acted like everything there was lava.  She became so agitated, I was concerned she would frenzy.

“I should just leave…I don’t belong here,” Eclipse said, scaring me most of all by turning to me and pleading, “Please, can I please leave?”.

“Yeah, yeah, no problem, I’ll get the door,” I said, opening the door and once more placing myself before it.  She scuttled past, her head down, the white-eyed look of panic clear even on her partly obscured face. She didn’t wait in the foyer, but continued out of the building to the footpath, where she took a moment to breathe and collect herself. 

“What was that about?” I asked, joining her in the street, “Do you want to talk about what happened there?

She just stood there, shaking her head as if she, too, couldn’t understand what had happened. She was still jittery, her arms wrapped around, shying away from the building as if it might explode in flames.

“We went to the Orthodox Church, you even knelt and prayed in the backyard.”

“That was a whole lifetime ago,” She shivered, unable to even look at me. Yeah, a whole five days ago.  I could relate.  I had two days’ seniority over her.

“Well, what do you want to do?” Meaning for the rest of the night

“Leave.” She stressed, still shaken.

Eclipse was too wound up in her fears to notice that passersby were looking at us strangely.

“What?  Haven’t you seen someone with Asperger’s before? She has issues with new places, okay?” I barked after them in self-defence.  Eclipse’s seeming collapse was getting me jumpy.  Grabbing Eclipse’s arm, I started to march us down the street.  I was looking for somewhere, anywhere we could sit down and have a private conversation without looking out of place.  

A lit doorway and a sign reading Moon Phase Cafe offered a space to stop and gather ourselves.  For pretence, I bought two cups of coffee and set them between us at the small table.   Eclipse was looking more herself now, though still agitated by her experience at the library. 

“Mads and Dominic are on their way. What do you want me to tell them?” I asked, breaking the growing silence between us.

“You could have gone inside,” She replied, comprehending how this looked. An adult male with a scared and confused young woman. And that was just those who knew no better. I had to have a story to tell Mads and Dominic.  Otherwise, they were going to ask questions.

“I would have just left.” She sounded defeated by her own betraying nature.  

“That’s an option. I can go back and…what are you going to do?  We’re not far from the Museum as the crow flies.  You can just walk over the bridge, or take the train to Wynyard?” I cringed. I hated even suggesting she be left alone.

“My concern is, whatever triggered you in there, could trigger you again…and you’d be alone.” She just sat there, her eyes darting back and forward, and she tried to make sense of her new worldview.

“I know you’re capable and strong, much stronger than me…”
“I don’t need to be looked after like a child.” 

“And yet,” I said quietly so only she could hear, “You couldn’t walk into a library.”
“A very specific library.”

“Yes, but the world is full of specific places. Do you even know why it triggered you?”

 I was starting to gain an impression of what had happened and was fearful that she’d go into a murdering frenzy at the sight of turmeric coloured Hare Krishnas or massacre a restaurant full of patrons at the sight of a Buddha or a Lucky Cat. How was she supposed to go anywhere, continually fearing the sight of religious symbols?

“How are you going to protect yourself from that happening again?”

“I have a clue… I know I can learn protection.  Something to do with your sight.”

My sight?  “What? Auspex?” Besides discovering the wonders of blood on Milk Beach that first night, Auspex was the first of my abilities I’d learned to use. And yet, I really had no idea how it worked.

“I’d teach you, if I knew how I did it,” I confessed

“We’re just not educated in that kind of knowledge transfer,” She acknowledged, and I wondered if her mind went back to when her sire taught her obfuscate. Was it as simple as having the desire to learn and drinking the vitae of another who possessed the skill?  

Eclipse lapsed into silence again as her mind spun through possibilities of its own.  I was left to contemplate what I witnessed.  The symbols on the door were an odd mix of quasi-religious and devotional from all over history.  I wondered about the old vampire stories, the laws, and the legends discussed in the Dracula play: a dislike of garlic, running water, and sunlight hurting us, being afraid of the sight of a cross and a stake through the heart to kill.  

Sunlight was a genuine concern. Stallion’s small altercation with a few stray evening beams testified to that.  Fire was also a problem.  We’d all felt the fear at the open flame in the kitchen.  But we’d cross running water dozens of times over the ANZAC and Harbour Bridges, with no ill effect. I was walking proof that staking doesn’t kill a vampire, though we’re not fond of the experience. And until tonight, I would have thought we were proof against religious symbols after our visit to the Orthodox Church. Even Dominic’s office held a small Catholic cross.  It didn’t make sense unless whatever had changed had occurred recently, like five days ago, when she first met up with her new friends.

“Look, I know you have friends…outside the coterie, that is, do you think any of them would know what’s going on?”

She glanced up, a look of surprise and concern flittered across her features, “Perhaps.”

“I know…I know you have other friends…another life…”

“You make it sound like I abandoned you.” She said, as a throwaway line, something ridiculous said between friends.  And I know she hadn’t, and yet, I couldn’t look at her and found myself contemplating the quickly cooling coffee in front of me. 

“Oh, Rain,” I heard her say, “It’s okay, we’ll figure it out.”

We’d figure it out.  Okay….

“So, maybe friends, maybe something I can teach you, but do you know what you’re going to do tonight?”

“I can make my way back to my friends. I can find them.”

“Okay…are you right for cash?”
“Yeah, I’ve always got something,” She said, calmer now that she had a plan of action. “Is there anything I can do for the plan?”
“Yes,” I warmed to the idea, “You won’t be able to get in, but you can walk around, see if you see any weaknesses, details about security…” Talk of the plan returned my mind to the present, and the two turning up at the library expecting to see us there.

“Oh, and if the others ask, say I said something inappropriate about your relationship with Izac and you stormed off.”

For a moment, she looked confused.

“For when they ask questions as to why you’re not there.”
“Ah.” She always was very smart.

Back up the road, Mads found the library and walked in.  It was smaller and quirkier than she’d imagined a library being. There was no heavy wood furniture, and no dark recesses in which to hide. Comfortable chairs with colourful prints were sprinkled through the metal shelving, as were tables with chairs for quiet conversations.  She looked around the space, spotted a group of four kin sitting together.  There were even a few kine quietly doing their thing.  She saw no one she knew, however, and sent me a text.

AT THE LIBRARY. WHERE ARE YOU?

“Good evening, Mads,” said the cultured voice of Dominic as he entered the library, “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Oh, what a pleasure meeting you here,”  She said, a little louder than is strictly acceptable in a library. “Did Rain invite you too?” 

“I technically invited Rain,” Dominic took in the library and noted the same four individuals as Mads.  He scoffed at the idea that they called themselves a Chantry, though they were as close to a Chantry as the Tremere got to one in Sydney.  He also spied a Librarian, quietly putting away books and headed off in their direction in a quest for information on the indigenous afterlife of Australia.

My phone’s jittering alerted me to the present and the two waiting at the library. 

“I have to go. Are you sure you’re going to be alright?” I said, pulling out my phone and confirming it was a message from Mads.

“I’m fine, go.” She said, shooing me away.  

RUNNING. THERE MOMENTARILY.

Dominic found the book titled, Under the Black, Red and Yellow, a discussion of the modern afterlife of Indigenous Australia. With a few others that sounded interesting, he took a comfortable seat not far from the Tremere four.  Mads, now assured I was on my way, slumped into a chair beside him.

“Something to cure your curiosity?” She asked, peering around at Dominic’s book. He had nothing to hide and showed her the title.

“The afterlife here is quite different from the afterlife in, say, the United States or Europe.”

“Really?” Mads swivelled around, now seemingly interested.

“Yes.  The afterlife here is like a walk in the desert, very interesting.”

“Yeah,” Without any context of what the afterlife’s outside of Australia was like, she was left with little reply, “Is death your specialty?”

“More of a hobby, but I am a mortician by trade, “Said Dominic, getting comfortable with his subject and with Mads seemingly, “It makes it easy to disappear bodies.” 

“Being a Giovanni, that checks out.” She nodded.  

Dominic, either to educate the next generation or just to shut her up, handed her a book, a more practical guide to meditation and The Dreaming.

Dissolution of Self to the Otherside.

The two of them sat in companionable silence, reading up on death and the Shadowlands here in Australia.  For Dominic, it was confirmation of what he’d already discovered.  The book detailed the society of the Kingdom of Clay and how it was set up. There were two major factions, the Natives and the Foreigners. Below them, there were seven minor groups. Supernaturals like werewolves and other lycanthropes, the fey and what was called the ‘Colonisers from the Otherside’, those who died overseas and made it to the Kingdom of Clay through the Afterlife,  all generally sided with the Natives. All other groups were lumped in with the foreigners born in other lands.

A lack of respect for the land, love, fear and hatred had built walls between the two major groups. It was clear to Dominic that bitterness on both sides meant great opportunities for neutral parties to make deals, pitting one side against the other for personal gain.  Fascinated, he settled down into his seat to read and meditate.

Jhor, or death energy, found at specific access sites, was discussed, as were the places themselves. Access points were mostly sites where massacres had happened in the past.  Many of these were listed in the book with a potted history of the massacre, noting them as good resonating spots. 

On meditation, Mads was wrapping her head around the idea of meditation techniques and mantras to help create a mindless state and therefore the ability to hyperfocus.  One idea could be given room to grow in the mind and flourish without distraction. The analogy Mads took away was a computer with all its utilities and subroutines stripped away, allowing for the processing power to work on one single task.  Given enough time, the book seemed to indicate she would be able to lift the veil between life and death and see the spirits around her.  

Racing up the Pacific Highway back to the library,  I found both Dominic and Mads engrossed in their reading. Dominic had, of course, found the black book.  It was galling. I’d waited a week to read it and be pipped at the post. Still, I had plenty to research.  I figured the Sabbat would be a topic best reviewed in Dominic’s own library, but surely the library would have something on the power behind religious symbols, especially like those on their front door.  

As I scanned the shelves for useful titles, I  spotted the four kindred sitting together, their little coterie of mystery. They must be the Tremere that had the deal with the Tuesday night Mages. The Thursday nighters? I reminded myself that Sunday was free-for-all, a no man’s land of the esoteric library world. I guess that these Tremere had nowhere better to be.

I scoured the shelves and stumbled across a book titled ICONES DEORUM, or The Icons of the gods. Quietly, I took a seat not far from the other two and began reading.

6.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Wetherill Park

Across Sydney, in a seemingly abandoned warehouse, Stallion was waiting for his bat. As the blush of day left the sky, there was a flutter of leather wings and a squeak of a frustrated bat. Opening the men’s toilet door, Stallion was pleased to see only blackness beyond the warehouse roof, and the bat flapping around his head.  He fed it an apple, and as the bat chewed through the delicious fruit, Stallion laid out the terms of their agreement.

“I will provide fruit if you allow me to use your body.”

“Hmm, good fruit.  Use my body? How?”
Prompted, Stallion started his ritual of Subsume the spirit and tried jumping his spirit into the bat.. The first failed attempt only roused the bat to take a bite out of Stallion’s neck. 

“Sorry, sorry!” He yelled, pulling the bat away and staunching the blood.  It didn’t need any encouragement and flew to the rafters, high above. Stallion tried again, but this time, he focused on pushing his spirit out to the bat and taking over its frail body. 

He was flying!  The body knew what to do, it was so easy. He flapped around the warehouse for a moment, getting used to his new body and view on the world.  The wings flapped as they were meant to, his body twisted without thought as he turned and swooped down.  Below, his body stood just where he’d left it, still as a statue.  With an exuberant swoop, bat-Stallion headed out the small window and into the open air of the night. 

He had no particular mission, no actual destination in mind, he just wanted to fly. Flipping and spinning and soaring with no boundaries or limitations through the velvety night sky. He felt the aircurrent buoying up his wings, the sounds and scents of the night filling in the details of the world around him. And when he clicked, the whole landscape flashed into existence in his mind, turning night into day. It was everything he’d hoped for and more. For two hours, he revelled in the new world that had just opened up to him.

6.50 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. St Leonards

While Stallion roleplayed being a bat, Eclipse was left sitting in front of the quickly cooling black coffee, roleplaying at being human. It seemed to be a symbol of her life: cold, black, dead, and left behind. 

Distracting herself, Eclipse pushed the coffee aside and pulled out Izac’s tiny journal. Instead of searching for insights within its pages, she pulled out a pen and left a short note to Izac on the off-chance he ever got to read it. Once her words were down, she returned it to the inside pocket of her jacket, closest to her heart.

Once more, there was nowhere for her.  She couldn’t go back to my apartment, it was swipe card access only, and I had the only card. 

A PASS CARD WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. ♥️ She texted me, but received no reply.

Finally getting sick of pretending, Eclipse got up and left the cafe, and started walking down the long hill to the Harbour Bridge.  She thought about going back to the Shrine.  There she could at least relax, and possibly find out how the others dealt with a world full of religious symbolism. 

She caught the eye of a boy at a bus stop shyly watching her. His eyes huge behind his glasses seemed in awe of her and her black witch mystic. He was nice, bookish and skinny, someone in another lifetime she may have stopped to talk to. He wasn’t Izac, though, so she ignored him and kept walking. 

There was a difference between a nice boy and a good boy.

“Hey there, Rain.  Weren’t you coming with someone?” Mads looked up from her book and discovered me sitting opposite.

“Oh, Rain. Glad you could join us?” Dominic glanced up at Mads’ words.

“I  didn’t want to disturb you, you both looked so…involved with your books.”

“That’s quite alright,” Dominic said, closing the black book and handing it to me, “I think I’ve gleaned all I’m going to get from this one for the moment.” I received it gratefully.

“Is Eclipse coming?” Mads asked again, time for me to bite the bullet.

“I did come with Eclipse…”
“Where is she now?” Dominic asked, casually enough, but his parental concern was showing.

“Well, on the way here we had an altercation…small argument…I may have said something about Izac…”

“She is very sensitive on that point.”
“Yes, well, that’s why I’m late. I chased after her, and then I got your text.  Sorry for not being here.” I said to Mads, who waved it off as nothing, and Dominic went back to a small stack of interesting reading. And that was it. Eclipse had nearly frenzied, not fifty metres from where we sat.  It’s so easy to deceive when you give people what they expect to hear.

Behind Dominic, I noted the four Tremere doing a bad job of trying not to be caught watching Dominic and Mads. 

“You two have caught the locals’ attention,” I said low enough for Dominic and Mads to hear.  

“You did mention quite an enigma of a person,” Mads said pointedly.  I had mentioned Izac by name, but I had the impression they were watching Dominic and the unknown, Mads, maybe trying to size them up.  

Dominic looked over, but even the inept eavesdroppers were able to turn around in time not to be spotted by him. 

‘You know you’re really bad at that,” Mads said loud enough for the whole library to hear.  The Librarian poked their head around a shelf, and one or two other patrons thought it was time to leave.

One of the Tremere, a man by appearances, stood up from their table and walked across, leaning over Mads and speaking down to her in the comfortable chair. 

“This is a library.  There’s no reason to shout.”
“It’s rude to stare,” Mads replied as loudly as before.

“No, it’s not,” The Tremere replied, looking down their nose at Mads, “What is your name?”

“I believe this is a place of reading, not conversation,” Mads replied, rebutting the condescension with plain ordinary snark. 

The Tremere tried another tack and turned to the senior member of our group, “Is this your childe?”

“Ah, no.  This is a tagalong,” Dominic replied, all his urbane calm and assertiveness coming to the fore, “Some of my adoptive children have a tendency to pick up strays.”

“Do you know if they were taught manners?”

Dominic leaned around the Tremere to speak to Mads, “Were you taught?”

“Yes,” She replied through gritted teeth, “But at the same time, I don’t like being stared at.”

“Ah, apologies,” I now decided to wade in and see if I could calm the waters. “We’re all here just to learn. Sorry, for disturbing you.”

“The correct answer. “ The Tremere smirked, and I had to keep from sighing as their saccharine patronism, “This is not a place of reading but a place of learning, and I know you’ve learnt plenty here, from what we hear.” 

I tried not to blink. What had they heard? It wasn’t hard to imagine, and I started getting a sinking feeling.

“That’s curious. Isn’t it only your second time here?” Dominic now forgot his readings and turned to me.  I told him about losing Lenny to the Mages when I informed him of the arrangements for library usage. He was enjoying this.

“‘Tis only my second time here,” I agreed, dreading what was coming next.

“But what about your first time?” The Tremere asked with fake empathy that would have made Mads want to punch them, “You learnt something very important.”

I smiled, said nothing and patted the black book I was still yet to read.

“Unfortunately for you, please do feel free to interject, but you left something behind. Rain, oh yes we know who you two are, but not this one.” He swiped a hand at Mads as if brushing her off his sleeve, “Rain came with another, but left alone.”

The world slipped away from underneath me as I felt the guilty helplessness of that night.  I glanced over at the table, where I had left Lenny, reading through books very much like the ones I had in front of me, thinking everything was fine.

“We had a good chat with them, it seems he’s doing very well.” 

I couldn’t look at anyone, not Dominic nor Mads. The words on the page I was staring at blurred and became meaningless. 

He was alright.  He was doing very well.

“Thank you,” I said, almost inaudibly, “He’s been weighing on my mind.”

“It was a shame to lose him,” The Tremere said, and if it had been anyone else, it would have sounded sympathetic.

I swallowed. Some habits are hard to break. “Yes.”

“Though they would have taken him, “ He added, and I did take some comfort from the words. I had had no choice.

“Yes, that’s what I feared.”

“Yes, well, no use in crying over spilled cadaver…” The Tremere said, sending a shiver up my spine.  I focused on the good news that Lenny was safe and doing well, ignoring the mangled idiom.

“We completely understand your interest in all things Afterlife,” He changed the subject, glancing at Mads, “We’re not sure about this one’s interest, it’s a bit odd.  Meditation is good for the spirit, though.” 

“All information is useful,” I added.  

It was clear this Tremere wanted to be known as some wise sage, a knowledgeable type that the simple and more practically minded could come for advice and wisdom. I wondered if they’d be as charitable if Dominic hadn’t been sitting there.

“Quite right,” He nodded to me and huffed a hearty, yet mirthless laugh.

“So, how is your evening?” Dominic now took control of the conversation, saving me from more of their fake sympathetic drivel.

“Splendid, getting ready for the big night.”
“Yes, many people are. I’m hoping the young ones are ready for it.”
“Oh, they never are.”
“No, no.”

Now, having taken control of the conversation, Dominic changed gear and steered it directly to where he wanted it.

“I see the old place has taken on a different look since Pitt Street.” I didn’t know what he meant by that. The Library?  The whole society? I sat silently and listened to the master at work.

“Most assuredly. There was a lot of discussion and argument, and there was not a small amount of bloodletting and spontaneous combustion, but we came to a good agreement in the end.”  He was talking about the fighting over the library that the mages had referred to.

“The place was almost hanging by a thread over there.  I recall it being barely three rooms.”

“It was neglected. But once we came here and solidified a position, it felt right to have a…centre.”

“It’s good to see the centre back up again,” Dominic nodded sagely, aligning himself with the Tremere’s self-opposed image of themselves. 

“There always has to be one for a pyramid to grow,” And now they were talking in some sort of code. Was it a Tremere thing? Part of their mystic image?

“The Blavatsky House is woefully under managed at the moment,” And now, he turned the screw.  It was a delight to watch.

“We… appreciate your interest…”

“It is due for a bit of restoration, a little facelift.  It is a beautiful and important place. There are not a lot of places we can…read up on our interests.”

“We will keep that under advisement.” And the Tremere backed down, humbled under Dominic’s Charisma and influence.

“Certainly, just a personal observation.  You understand.” Having completed putting the Tremere in his place, Dominic sat back and returned to his book.

Of course, that meant the Tremere returned to the weakest link in the group.

“So Rain, expecting to lose anything else this time?”

“That is certainly not the idea…” I began, but they had their own agenda.

“You’ve seemed to have done the reverse this time.  You came with another, and now it’s just you.”

They saw Eclipse’s episode. 

“Yes, that was a disagreement. It was fortunate that it didn’t spill out into the library and disturb you, good people. Otherwise, I would imagine we would have had this conversation quite a bit earlier.”
“Hmm, possibly.  What caused it?” 

It is never a mistake to plan ahead.

“Ah well, she’s young and I just think she needs to get out, see other people.  To not be focused on one person. She disagreed.”

Dominic looked at me oddly for a moment. Something in what I’d said didn’t click for him. He knew we were as thick as thieves.  But the moment past, and he thought better of it, or at least kept it to himself.  He may have agreed for all I knew.

I change the subject back, “I am deeply grateful for you telling me about Lenny.  It wasn’t the best of situations.”
“Hmm, favour for a favour?” He suggested, “This humble Chantry can divine some information for you, if you so wish.”
Having seen the divinations of Bobby Listner I was keen to see how the Tremere’s blood magic worked, but there is only so much of a patronising buffoon one can take.

So, I chose to misunderstand, “Oh, I’m happy to do the legwork myself, but thank you for the offer.  I’ll keep it in mind.” I patted the black covered book once more.

“Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays,”

“Thursdays?”

“Our time.”

Of course.  Still, at least they thought I could be useful to them, which may be handy in the future.

7.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay

Across the stretch of water that surged under the Harbour Bridge and down through The Rocks to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Eclipse meandered.  The Art Deco-inspired building the Museum now occupies was once the offices of the Maritime Services Board and had something of that officious, bureaucratic gravitas about it.  Its stonework was like many of the buildings built at the same time, the warm coloured Sydney sandstone that sparkled under the artificial lights of night. With a small lawn out front and a row of flags, the building looked more like a small centre of state than an art gallery.  

As she made her way through to Circular Quay, Eclipse noted the number of people out.  It was warm, and the night was clear, perfect for Sydneysiders taking a walk after dinner, or the die-hard partiers getting one more shout in before the working week’s return.  It would be easy to lure someone off the streets into the side alleys and out of sight.  It would be easier if she could drive a car.  She was getting used to these obtrusive thoughts, her vampire thoughts.  Still, it wasn’t why she was here, and she turned her back on the crowds. 

Focusing her attention on the building, she walked around it, noting its structure, security and access points.  There were two entrances at the front, though only one was in the new annex, a collection of black and white boxes, which was now used during opening hours.  A low hedge ran along the front of the old building, which could hide the activity of anyone digging their way in. She was certainly not equipped with earth-moving claws like Stallion, and she was sure I would not appreciate an earthen entrance. 

Around the back, she spotted a second entrance for staff use after hours. A possibility, but this was covered by CCTV cameras in all directions.  Possibly not an issue for her, but would be for Rain unless he came up with some costume to get himself inside unrecognised.  At the rear of the building, she found a remnant of the old safety equipment, a metal drop-down ladder that provided access to higher levels and the roof. 

Besides flying, she couldn’t see another way in and, after noting the ladder and its mechanism, turned away and slipped into the crowds.

8.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Wetherill Park

After two hours of life as a flying fox, Stallion returned through the window into the warehouse and landed on his own shoulder.  Returning to his body was easier than leaving.  His spirit knew how to fill the space, and it slithered in.  

“That was fun!” He said, more to himself than the bat stirring on his shoulder

“What happened?” The bat yawned as if awaking from a long nap.

“You don’t remember what happened?”

 “ No. Where’s my apple?”

“I gave you the apple before we began.”

“Oh.  Anything else?” The bat asked, yawning again.

“Not tonight.”
“I’m going to sleep.  I’m tired.” Flapping its wings heavily, it leapt from Stallion’s shoulder and headed for the glass window and into the night. 

“See you when the…sun sets…..twice…” Stallion wasn’t sure if the bat had understood. He hoped so. He could see how the flight had tired the little mite, and he worried how the flying fox would cope after such a strenuous night.  He watched it escape the warehouse and then returned to the men’s toilet to grab his jacket.  It was time he made an appearance at the Crow bar.

8.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. The Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay

After her altercation with the “Chantry fops”, Mads paid close attention to the Tremeres. She knew them, and though they did have powers beyond the ordinary for kin, they had very little influence in Sydney and relied on the mysticism of the clan to give them any cred. Anyone with real power and influence, like Dominic, would not concern themselves with this four, and Mads was sure that Dominic’s presence had made the brief contact less…sticky. She had no doubt they could have disappeared her eyes or sent her screaming from the library, haunted by illusions.  Instead, she was politely given a stern word. 

 She listened to their conversations about hermetic law, wondering when the real pyramid would be built here in Australia, and moaning about the lack of resources from their brethren overseas. It was all very cliquiey political stuff and in the end she bored of their voices and blocked them out.

Dominic knew a little more about the local Tremere.  In all of Australia, there was maybe only twenty individuals and by their traditions, they would call themselves Sons of the Ether or Etheric. Still, the inner workings and politics of the Tremere were virtually unknown to all outside the clan, making him wonder.

“I must say, I am curious how things stand now that everything has settled down,” He said, directing his comment to the table of Tremere.  I had no idea what he was talking about and put aside my reading to pay attention.  The Tremere, too, seemed to have difficulty with Dominic’s enquiry.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, obviously, the Adjar and its affiliates went through a bad period almost twenty years ago.”

“Yes, the old Prince’s revenge didn’t quite work out.”

That did catch my ear. The old Prince?  Abram’s down in Canberra?  So, the old Prince hadn’t been quiet in his retirement.  

“Well, I’m glad to see the place has found its home,” Dominic replied, and that seemed to be the end of the conversation for him.  And me, on the edge of my seat to know what revenge the old Prince had concocted.

“As are we.”

Eventually, I couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer. 

“Excuse me, what you said there was very interesting. The old Prince’s revenge?”
“A bit before your time,” The Tremere glanced back at me, the condescension thick and cloying like humidity in summer.

“Ah yes, who were they, and what was their revenge?”

He settled down to give his lecture to the poor and stupid, “It’s not a revenge,  but a series of revenges. You know how Ventrue are, this is all long-term planning with quarterly reports and annual quotas…it’s all very business-like. His name was Abrams, he was the previous Prince that our current Prince ousted, and now he sits in his humble exile in Canberra.  All alone. No one would dare talk to him. But he has his petty revenges through the movers and shakers.”

“In Canberra…there he’s right on the…”

“…pulse, exactly. And still he can’t get rid of one poor, vain Toreador Prince.”

“He might not want to.”

“He’s been trying to.  Why else would he make a living hell for the rest of us?”

Abrams made life difficult?  How?  How had he used his influence in the Capital to cause problems in Sydney?

“Surely you must remember from your earlier days, the streets used to be flooded with people, drunk, high and ripe for the picking. People went missing all the time, and no one cared. ‘It’s the Cross ‘, they would say, ‘they’ll  turn up eventually.’ And now?” He blew onto his fingers and mimed the disappearance of a better time.

“Abrams, from Canberra, did that?” Not being a local, I had only a vague idea of the lockout laws.  All I knew from the anecdotal sources was that there had been a vibrant nightlife once in Sydney. Now it was a sterile wasteland of corporate power. I’d thought the lack of social life in Sydney was our current Prince’s fault.  Discovering that he had little to do with it was a revelation.

“You know my name, friend, can I know what you call yourself?”

“I, ” The Tremere raised themselves in their seat as if presenting to an audience and not just the three of us, “Am known as The Prestige.”

God save us from wannabees.

8.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Somewhere in Punchbowl

It takes no thought to look after a single red heifer, and Izac had been alone with his thoughts for a long while.  When Lady Stone next made an appearance, he was ready with questions.

“Do you mind if I ask a personal question?”  A single large eye from the red heifer turned in his direction suspiciously.

“Go ahead?” Lady Stone said, her rich, cultured voice echoing off the bare walls of his vigil cell.

“You said you were the reason the red list exists.”

She turned, acknowledging the statement, but said nothing.

“What did you do?”

“I refused to die,” She replied matter-of-factly.

“As simple as that? You must have pissed off the right-wrong people.”

She shrugged, her shoulders rising and falling like a dancer and glanced away, “A never-do-wellian here and there.”

“Pissed off the right-right people then,” Izac said, but the Lady had said all she was going to say on the matter.

“I do have one more thing?  Considering that you have a task for me, and you seem to have a lot of tendrils out there. What’s the Prince’s purpose here?”

To this, she gave one of her rare rye smiles, “Why, to be.”

“That’s it.” Izac was disappointed, but that possibly said more about him than the Lady.

“That’s all, to be?”

“I thought I was very clear.  He is a god playing dice. Roll the dice, see what happens.  To be.”

“Oh.” 

“It’s okay, I’ll switch the light out for you.” She said, leaving him alone once more.

“Oh no.”

8.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Somewhere in Punchbowl

*****************************************************************************************

Eclipsed thoughts:

The Break Up

Fuck! Fuck! 

For a moment, Eclipse loses the feeling of the floor beneath her feet. 

Her body forces unused lungs to move, hands shoved into pockets, and her eyes focused on the carpet beneath her. It feels like all of her is burning from within. A panic attack turned to 10. 

“Let me leave, please.” Eclipse thought begging was a trait to die in the pit but she would do anything for Rain if he just let her the fuck out of here. 

A reassuring hand grabs onto her arm as she stumbles out of the library. She can hear Rain attempt to speak to her but her head pounds against her eyes. 

Is she crying? 

Rain rubs a handkerchief to her face, then her cheeks. He’s saying something about sitting down but they keep walking. 

What was that? 

Fucking hurt is what it was. 

It can be explained…

The smell of caffeine is something that Eclipse hadn’t known she lost. 

Rain hovers for a moment. His hand holds the lid of a paper cup as he set it in front of her, his chest lightly brushing her arm as he takes a moment to stare at her. Eclipse lets him. She’s let him down enough to allow this. 

Maybe Rain asked, maybe he didn’t but by the warmth against her hands and a peer under the lid told her it was a long black, her favourite. 

Claudia used to whine whenever she asked for one. Wasting her beans on ‘liquid shit’ is what she used to say.

“Are you okay?” 

The question hung like a noose around her neck. Or was she hanging from her foot? 

No, she’s passed that tarot card. 

“Fine,” is all she could manage as her hands brought the coffee close. 

“What was that?” Rain pushed as he sneakily pricked some blood into his own americano before taking a sip. 

A few moments turned into a few minutes before Eclipse could find the answer within herself. 

The pit. The Baali. She has darkened. Has turned her back to what is holy and she will pay a painful price for doing so. 

Mother would not be proud. 

Not even five fucking days. 

“Eclipse,” Rain’s hand grabbed onto her shoulder as he pleaded. 

“It’s okay Rain,” her lie couldn’t convince a fly, “it’s something I have to deal with.” 

“I wanted to take you to the library… you love books,” he looked sad. 

“Go without me.” 

The look in his eyes told her more than what either of them were willing to speak. 

Stay with me, those eyes pleaded, don’t leave again. 

“You act as if I’m breaking up with you,” Eclipse tried to joke but it hit a brick wall. Rain looked close to tears. 

Shit. 

Rain’s phone buzzed and his heartbreak left with the notification.

“Look, I have to go.” When’s the last time she got stood up? “I’ll tell the others I made a comment about Izac and you are upset with me. I have to go.” 

I have to go keep up appearances is what he forgot to add. Rain’s a magician, remember? 

Everything is a show. 

Alone in a coffee shop. 

She’s missing her laptop and notebook. 

Notebook…

Left to protect the only thing she has left of Izac, Eclipse pulled out his journal that always sits in a hidden pocket of her leather jacket, against her heart. 

The pen was knocked into the spin as if it was waiting to be picked up again. 

By the time she was done writing, her coffee had gone cold. How long did she sit and ruminate over these pages for almost boiling water to go cold?

Long enough to regret her efforts, selfish enough to keep them in the book. 

Eclipse collected herself. Cleaned up her clothes, brushed her fingers through her hair and fixed her bangs. A man watches her from a table. Glasses, laptop case and probably a cappuccino. She knows the type. 

Not Izac.

No, he is not and Eclipse isn’t hungry enough to leave a trail. 

Eclipse lets her legs wander. 

She’s washed down the gutter and left to dry. Again. 

Cold. 

Black. 

Dead. 

Dawn is not warm, it’s a black sun. 

Can you feel that? 

The black smoke around her can pool at her feet. Its tendrils turn into a chain in her grasp. Just one sentence and she can pull one of them forth from the depths itself. 

The chain disappears as she peers over the harbour bridge. Almost similar to the view from Rain’s place but touchable. 

Eclipse is the most inhuman she had ever been and yet, this scene is only missing a group of friends and a drink. 

We need a new name. 

This is a perfect place to think of one. 

Notable NPCs

Abrams: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain.

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of.  Every member knows their place within the Pyramid.  The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

3.40 am Sunday, 2 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Crow Bar

The meeting broke up, and Stallion saw no reason to stick around any longer. As far as he was concerned, this whole night was a waste of time.  He’d got nothing out of it, and it had only got in the way of plans.  Now that the stupid meeting was over, he quickly left the lounge without a word and headed down to the carpark.  Within minutes, he was out on the main road heading west.

Mads had similar ideas about getting high, but she required a visit to the bar first. 

“One more to round off the night, please, Delith,” she said, placing her empty glass on the bar.

“So, what’s happening there, sweetheart?”

“Nothing much, how about you?”

“Hmmm, wineing and dining,” Delith said with a mysterious smile.

Forewarned of Delith’s shenanigans by me, Mad’s was more than a little suspicious of the bartender’s grin.  

What did she actually mean by wineing and dining?

“Ah-ha, Fascinating,” She replied blankly, watching as Delith made the drink.

“Yes, I am.”

Delith gathered the drink’s components, poured them, and dropped them expertly into the shaker until two loud clinking sounds alerted Mads.  She watched in fascination as the contents of the can started fizzing, and bloody foam overran the can. Delith slammed the lid on the shaker, her eyes wide in panic.

“This one looks interesting. What do you call it?” It was Mads’ turn to grin, and she realised that Delith’s sneaky plans had gone awry.

“I call it, ‘Let’s do it again’,” Delith said without a pause, cracking open the shaker and pouring the drink into a glass.  She placed the glass in front of Mads, who shook her head sadly.

“Oh no, if this is something new, I insist you try it first.  Only fair, it’s your creation.”

“Or for somebody else?” Now she wasn’t even trying to hide the fact she’d spiked the drink.

“Oh no, I think this one is for you. In fact, I insist you drink it….otherwise…” Mads’ smile became just that little more predatory, “…There are rules we all have to follow here…it would be a shame if someone complained about the barstaff slipping Micky Finns to the guests.”

“No, it’s fine,” Delith leaned in so only Mads could hear, “Chloral hydrate doesn’t break Elysium.”  

Mads was fed up with tonight.  Between Stallion’s attempt to dominate her, her contact’s cool response to what she’d found out, and now Delith’s attempt to drug her, it had been a complete waste of her time.  

“Well, you have an excellent night, and good luck to whoever that goes to,” she said, taking herself back to her hotel room for the night.

Eclipse was the only one left at the table. She was here to listen to what I had to say, and I’d wandered off with Dominic.  She could have been relaxing back at the Shrine, under the soft light of the chandelier.  Instead, as far as she was concerned, the travel had been a complete waste of time. 

As Dominic guided me not to the office as I’d expected, but to one of the private rooms, I quickly sent a text message to her.

WAIT?

I was relieved when a moment later my phone buzzed.

I’LL BE HERE ALL NIGHT.

4.00 am Sunday, 1  hour until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Crow Bar

Leaving me to cool my heels in the private room, Dominic returned moments later with a pot of red paint and two spirit jars identical to the one he’d used at the farm.  Turning on Shroud sight, I witnessed the walls of the room expand and shiver around me as the veil lifted, showing the room in the Shadowlands. Dozens of ghosts, from women dressed as flappers to eighties businessmen in over-padded suits, every era and every walk of life were represented. It was them we were here for, so I drew on my necromantic training and cast Lifeless Tongue. I assumed we were here to request the aid of the spirits in some way and wanted to be prepared to help.

Dominic spent some time painting a circle on the floor, filling in the runes and joining the sacred points to complete his protection circle. I’d not seen him paint the circle in the barn, and I watched each rune and line as it was drawn, noting the relationship between each to complete the ritual. 

“So, you remember our trip out to the farm?” He asked, standing back to check his work.  

“Absolutely,” I nodded, wondering what the next step of this plan would be.

“How far have you been?  Where have your studies got to?”

“Unfortunately, I’ve done nothing since the farm,” I admitted.  Still, when you considered that I’d spent time with Brendan, noted the change from Luna to Eclipse, discovered the hiding place of the founder Wid and mapped out his home in Port Kembla, gone to the theatre, lost Izac, found his heart and then been ensorceled by Lady Merritt, it was hardly surprising.

He didn’t look pleased. “You’ve done absolutely nothing.”

“It’s been a busy week.” Honestly, it’s on my list of things to do, but chatting to the departed kept slipping down the priorities list.

Disappointed at my lack of dedication to the craft, he returned to his circle, took up one of the spirit jars, and stepped into the centre. Holding the spirit jar in the crook of his left arm, he grabbed a spirit.  It was violent without any thought for the ghosts, like plucking recalcitrant fruit from a tree. Pulling back, something small gave way, and he looked in his hand to find a gun made of the ghostly ectoplasm.  A relic. 

Relics were items that were significant to one or many ghosts, so much so that when the person died, they took a replica of that item into the Shadowland with them.  Not surprisingly, the ghost he’d taken it from wasn’t happy and wheeled around to claim it back. In fact, several spirits seemed enraged by Dominic’s indecent treatment of one of their own.  Dominic didn’t seem concerned.  He thrust the gun into his shoulder holster on top of his own gun and grabbed for the angry ghost again.  

Seeing the potential danger, Lupara appeared in my hands. Dominic seemed quite at ease stuffing the ghost forcefully into the jar.  I was wondering if this little ritual wasn’t more about me and my inability to get more information out of Mads than it was about manipulating spirits. Not that he seemed to have a problem in that department. The ghost lashed out, but Dominic was ready and moved behind the spirit, grabbing it in a headlock. As he forced the spirit into the jar, the ghost gun relic followed its master, and the ritual was complete. I could see from the expressions on the remaining ghosts that Dominic had thoroughly put the fear of Giovanni into them, and they were taking their opportunity to leave.

I stood there quietly, trying to understand what we were doing here. Dominic had stood up from the booth like…well, the phrase was completely redundant in his case, but like he’d seen a ghost. Something about our discussion of Lady Merritt had disturbed him, and I’d hope he’d tell me more in private. Quietly, I had also feared that in an attempt to break all ties with the Lady, he’d try wiping my memory.  Now it seemed neither of those outcomes was likely. Still, what was his agenda with this…ghost harvest?

When I felt I could interrupt him without breaking his concentration, I broached the subject.

“What’s this in aid of?

“Spirits are useful.  They can be made into servants. They’re also very lucrative. One of the most useful things they can do…” He stopped, thought better of his lecture and stepped out of the circle, handing me the empty jar.

“We can talk about that later.  Before you can do any of those things, you need to convince them with that songboy voice of yours.”

Right.  I was getting a necromantic lesson. Good.  What about Lady Merritt?

“Or you can force them into servitude.” He finished holding up his jar, “Now it’s your turn.”

“Do I need the jar?” I asked, unsure of the purpose of the jar beside a prison.  What if you could convince them to come willingly?

“If you’re attempting to capture, you will need the jar.”

Lupara returned to her holster, and I took the jar in both hands.  Was I attempting to capture a spirit? I knew that physically taking hold of the dead was beyond my skill, but I could see them and talk to them.  

I stepped into the circle, “Oh, please, please stay,” I called to the fleeing spirits, putting the jar down between my feet, “Please, friends. We don’t have to resort to the violent actions of the Giovanni.  I just wish to talk.”

Dominic laughed.  It burst from him as the spirits scattered.  Saying his name was a mistake. It was like pouring detergent into oil and worked just as quickly. One by one, they either winked out entirely or melded into the walls, floor or ceiling and disappeared.

“Dammit!” I nearly kicked the damn jar away in my stupidity, but thought better of it, “Oh well, live and learn.”

I watched the last few spirits flee for their undead lives and wondered what they had to fear. They were dead, surely, the worst was over.  I said as much to Dominic, who smirked.

“Besides a few rare examples, the dead are as boring and fearful as the rest of the human race.  If anything, they have more to be afraid of.”

“Like what? What’s to be afraid of once you’re dead?”

I was making Dominic’s night tonight.  Once more, he started laughing.  Not the burst of unconscious joy but a knowing laugh, reminding me how much I had to learn.

“There are the wraiths, what you saw here.  When they succumb to their shadows, their darker sides permanently, they become spectres like the one out at the farm. A twisted version of a spectre, exposed too long to Oblivion, becomes a nephwrack and revels in doing evil. Then there’s a whole range of creatures of Entropy that consume ghosts entirely.”  He started listing a slow progression from thinking beings trapped between life and the Afterlife to monsters of horror and terror, and the creatures that feed on them. It was a whole ecosystem outside the biological, and when we were lucky, they paid us no regard.

“At the end of it all, the Shadowlands are just another place to be.”

“It seems I need a little more practice,” I stepped out of the circle and went to hand back the jar.

“I’ll leave it in the library for when you’re ready to have another go,” He said.  As I was getting the impression that talking to these flighty characters was more like hunting, I wasn’t sure if I was interested. Still, hunting after a mark is not much different, especially one who was smart.

“And don’t worry about failing on your first outing, most people trying it, do,” Dominic said, and I was surprised by his supportive words. He didn’t have to say that, he hardly ever said things like that.   I nodded, genuinely thankful for them and followed him out of the room.

“It’s time we be off home,” Dominic said, looking at his watch.  I checked my phone and realised I had only a little more than an hour left before sunrise. 

“Do you mind if I borrow the car again, Mr Giovanni?  I’m concerned I’m running out of time.”

“Sure,” He replied without a thought and started heading down to the carpark, his Mercedes and home. 

Having left Eclipse waiting for what I considered a trifle, I headed straight back to the booth.  Eclipse was the only one left waiting, her sullen, dark eyes flickering up to mine in rebuke at leaving her alone. I did not care.  She was still there.  I had asked her to wait, and she had. I beamed at her. 

“You can be angry with me, but at my place, come on, let’s go. I have so much to tell you.”

To Eclipse, as she walked along behind me, something looked different about me, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

4.20 am Sunday, 1  hour until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Wetherill Park

On the quiet streets of Sydney, Stallion returned to Wetherill Park at about the same time Eclipse and I left the Crowbar.  As soon as he was sheltered behind walls, he drew on the power in his blood and called on a bat. Nothing came to his call.   He waited and tried again, this time with a different animal, this time a bird.

His raucous calls echoed through the empty warehouse.  After a few minutes, he heard a beating of wings at a window, the click of a beak as it knocked at the glass. He’d failed to open a window, and a cockatoo was now smashing itself senseless against a window across the warehouse.  He ran across and opened the window, allowing the bird to flutter in, landing on a stack of empty crates nearby. 

Using his feral whispers, the screeches of the bird suddenly resolved into words he could understand.

“I would like to offer you…” He started, only to be interrupted by the bird.

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why did you call me?! Why?! Do you know the time?!”

“Well, you know,” As if that were an answer.

“WHY?!”

“I want to offer you refuge and food. All I ask is to use your body for a little while. Now and then.”

“Food? What food?”

“Fruit.  Seeds.” Stallion replied, having none of either.  Dammit, he meant to get some on the way back.

“Food?  Food now!” The cockatoo demanded.  

“Ah, you’ll need to come back tomorrow night, then.”
“I’ll be sleeping.” It said, staring at Stallion pointedly through one eye, as if he were an idiot.

“Tomorrow night.” Stallion said and pointed to the door with the men’s toilet sign on it, “You’ll find me in there.”

“Okay, “ The cockatoo agreed, and because it was slightly smarter than Stallion, it looked to the window, “Leave that open.”

“Okay,” Stallion agreed, and the cockatoo launched itself into the air.

“Bye!”

2.00 pm Sunday,  4 hour until sunset  5 days until the Succubus Club Wetherill Park

As promised, the cockatoo returned, clawing and fluttering at the door to the men’s toilet.  Due to Stallion’s lack of clarity, the bird had decided it had waited long enough for food and had arrived several hours before sunset.  In saying the cockatoo was smarter than Stallion, was not saying much, and it was now hammering at the door for its promised food.

Stallion awoke to scratching at the door, and the doorknob jittering as if someone was trying to turn it. He got up and answered the door. Sunlight didn’t scatter the warehouse with weaker evening light as it had a previous early evening. The sun was still high in the sky, filling it with the day’s glare.  The sunlight did not make it to his dark corner, but from every crack around a door, through every window and seam in the walls, sunlight pure and brilliant poured in.

Stallion disappeared under the power of the blood into a frenzy.  The door opened, the cockatoo swooped around to enter the toilet, but it never made it past the threshold.  Faster than the eye could detect, a clawed hand snatched the bird out of the air and stuffed the screaming creature into Stallion’s waiting mouth.  With a single bite, the screeching ceased as he tore the bird in half and swallowed its head whole.  Most of the rest followed it, a fallen wing and a few feathers, all that was left to say it had ever been.

The beast, satisfied its tormentor was dealt with, returned to its sleeping place and fell back asleep.

6.10 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the Succubus Club Wetherill Park

Stallion awoke later, confused by the foul taste in his mouth and the feathers stuck to his face.  He tried to remember what had happened, but all he could recall was the flash of sunlight and a bright yellow crest.  His mouth was dry and sticky.  Fishing around with his fingers, he pulled out a long, bright yellow feather. He tried again, and there were more, some even the large white feathers of the tail and wing of a cockatoo.  

He stood with a handful of soggy, bloodstained feathers in his hand, wondering what had happened to his friend of the night before.

“Must be like what they say about spiders in your sleep,” He mumbled and took a step.

Clok! On the toilet tiles.

Klok-clok! As he took two more steps towards the mirror.

He looked at his face in the mirror. Besides a smudge of blood and a few more feathers, there was nothing to see.  He then looked down to discover what had been making the weird noise.  Where his bare pink feet had been were two round hooves, smaller than a horse’s, starting where his sockline would usually be and ending in a solid mass of nail on the floor.

“What the fuck!” He stumbled back, and his small round hooves tripped back with him, keeping him stable and sure.

He attempted to put his shoes back on until he got to the bar.  The hooves broke straight through the front.  If you weren’t looking too hard, it looked like he was wearing novelty costume hooves over his Nikes.  

It was too much.  He still hadn’t flown high, and somehow he’d lost another minion! To top it all off, he’d somehow lost his feet!

Determined to complete his plan, Stallion finished dressing and left to buy apples.

6.10 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the Succubus Club Leichhardt and Pyrmont

Closer to the City, the rest of the coterie were waking to the new night. Mads awoke in her hotel room with no idea what her day would entail.  So far, she’d done everything she could think of to find Izac and come up with nothing.  All she had was the vague hope that Izac would possibly, one day soon, return to his coterie.  She checked her phone. No messages or calls.  No one was looking for her or wanting to talk, just like it had been for the last fifty years.

 At Pyrmont, Eclipse awoke to another night.  The apartment was quiet, I hadn’t risen, and the space was hers to explore. She wandered around the apartment, taking in the vibe of the new Rain. There wasn’t much to say that anyone lived in the space, except in the master bedroom, where a few items she remembered from the house now littered the space, and in its ensuite.  In the centre of a room tiled in mirrors sat a single chair.  In a house with almost no furniture, a chair was in the middle of a mirrored room, drew attention.  She knew I…take a particular pride in my appearance, but this layout seemed a little extreme even for me.

She wondered if this was part of some new dirty secret that I was keeping from her.  With that in mind, she sat down in the chair.  The view was hypnotic.  In every direction, she could see herself going on into eternity. It was when she turned to look behind that she saw it.  Something was there.

Wherever she looked, it was around her, cloaking her in an aura of darkness.  At first, it seemed like a visual artifact, like moving from bright light into a shaded room.  An optical illusion brought on by the mind trying to make sense of the signal sent from the optic nerve.  And then, she could feel hands resting on her shoulders.  Six hands, a pair for each of the men she’d murdered.  Like paldrons, they sat perched on her slim shoulder, their presence behind like an attached cloak, constantly weighing her down, always following her wherever she went. She saw their bones, ribcage, long arm and leg bones, the tops of skulls and hip bones, in a pile around her feet as if she were sitting on that throne, on the start of her hill of bones. 

In every direction, going on into infinity, she saw herself and them, her sins and knew there would eventually be a time that she would no longer see herself for the darkness and bones surrounding her.  

Mother would not be pleased.

With a jerk, she stood up, and the vision disappeared. Now, there was just Eclipse, staring back with eyes wide but otherwise still.  She reached up and touched her shoulder and collarbone. There was nothing there but the thin black cloth and lace of her dress, nothing for her hand to grasp. But she could still feel them there, the hands grasping her shoulders. It felt like the hands of the Days of the Week drawing her out of the pit.

No, I never left the pit.

I woke not long later and took a moment to revel in the feeling of…peace.  After a lifetime (living and undead) of being awoken by nightmares, screams and fear, I woke to the silence of the coming evening.  The soft noises of neighbours below going through their evening rituals, the movement of someone in the apartment with me.  That, most of all, I soaked in. The apartment already seemed less empty with Eclipse there. So much had changed between us, I chided myself for thinking she’d want to stay, and  I rose to find her.  

She was in the living area, quietly looking out at the view of Pyrmont and western Sydney.  Somewhere, past the ANZAC bridge, was Leichhardt and the Crow Bar, but right now we were high above it all, and me without a care in the world. The same could not be said for Eclipse. She looked worried. She looked like she was focusing all her attention on trying to hold something in. 

That morning, after returning from the bar,  I had shared everything that had happened since I last spoke to her.  The search and discovery of Izac and Lady Merritt.  The conversation I had with her, aided by the recording I’d made, with me filling in Merritt’s parts as best I could.  Eclipse noted I shared barely anything about her with Merritt, a point I was currently proud of, and listened to Merritt speak of the Sabbat and Vaulderie without saying a word.

Most of all, I shared with her the plan to rescue Izac’s heart.  We’d continued well into the day, sure in our light-proof bunker in the sky and had only crawled to bed when we could no longer focus on what we were talking about.  It had been like old days…no, better than old days because we’d taken as much time as we needed to just talk. This uptight and withdrawn Eclipse was not what I’d expected to find the following evening.

“Good evening, “ I said quietly and roused her out of her introspection with a start.

“Good morn…. evening,” She replied and stared at me a moment, as if checking me for my shadowy follower.  After a moment, she was satisfied and returned to her stiff, uptight pose.

This morning, it was time to share my tentative plan for getting the heart.

“I’ve emailed asking for an evening inspection of the building with plans to hire the space at a future time. With my presence and your obfuscate, I hope to get us down to the archives where the heart is. From there, you can take the heart and simply walk it out. Of course, no plans survive contact with the enemy, but that’s the basics as they stand right now.”

“What about disguises?” She asked, “The roles we’re playing?”

“I was hoping that you could walk in undetected, as you are, no need for disguises.  As for me, I can arrange an outfit that hides my features. For that, it depends on how long you can go unnoticed.”

“So, we’d be going in as some representatives of a company who want to hire the…gallery.”

“That’s the plan as it stands.”

“How about blueprints?  Have you looked at any?”

“Plans of the building’s public spaces are online, and I know them well.  It’s the private spaces we need access to, and sadly, those are not available to the general public.”

She sat quietly thinking over what I said to the point I started to get nervous that she was having second thoughts.

“Maybe I’m overthinking this.  What do you think?”

“We can be more overt, “ She said eventually, with a thoughtful look, “We need to find out how much security there is.”

I shrugged.  We could and probably should have taken at least a week to find out about security and their routines, but I was very aware of the clock ticking.

“We have four days…well…three nights now, “ And though we could ram raid the place, I’d rather no one knew anything had occurred.  I certainly didn’t want anyone to know we’d been there.

“Seeing as though this is right under the Prince’s nose, I’d rather he not know something happened.”

“I understand why you want to do this subtly, “Besides it being my middle name?, “But we’re vampires.”
“I intend to use all the skills and tricks we have to hand.  I just want to go in, take the heart, and leave everything intact, including the staff. Like nothing happened.”

“So, when do we do this?  Tonight or tomorrow?”  

That was the question, wasn’t it?  When?  But I did have an answer for tonight.

“We have until the night before the Succubus Club, but tonight I do have an appointment with a library,” Knowing her penchant for knowledge, I dangled the information in front of her teasingly like a tasty morsel.

“At which library?” The Eclipse fish snatched at the bait, and I smiled, pleased to be able to introduce her to a rare treat.

“The Theosophical Society Library, across the Bridge in St. Leonards.  I…” I stopped, my words caught in my throat as I remembered who I had last been there with.

“Giovanni once spoke about that library, but he never took me there,” Eclipse said, unaware of my sudden silence.

“I had made an appointment with him to go to the library tonight, though with everything, I don’t know if he’s still free.”

“You could have gone last night,” she rebuked. Even with hindsight, I wasn’t sure how I would have done things differently.
“Last night, as you have heard, was very busy.  For reasons, I have only Sunday night to be in the library, so it’s tonight or next week…after the Succubus Club.” And who knew where or what we’d be then.

“Reasons being?” 

“Reasons being….” The thought stung, but she had to know if she wanted to go there in the future, “…mages hang out there.  Sunday is a sort of free-for-all day.”

“Ah.”

“I….I left Lenny with them last time I was there.” 

“Oh,” and it sounded like old Luna. A ‘though I told you so’ Luna, who still knew something about empathy.

“I didn’t get to tell you about that, did I.”

“No, I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, yeah.  They make it quite clear it would be in everyone’s best interests if I just got up and left him there.  Like a stray dog by the side of the road…” Lenny was the last I would lose.  The very last. “They convinced me they would take him in…I let them convince me.”
“I’m sure with us, he wasn’t exactly staying on the path of humanity,” She said.  It was an odd way to say it, but I couldn’t argue.

“Yes.  Regardless, I can only hope he’s with them and that leaves Sundays as our day to visit the library.”

Eclipse thought for a moment. I know she’d had her share of hardships in the past, but I didn’t get the impression she had much experience in larceny. I didn’t rush her and let her come to her own decision.  The library was a good move tonight. We could do a little research and refine our plan before the big push tomorrow.  It seemed that she agreed, and after thinking, she nodded.

“I’ll do this for Izac.  I can’t say I’m doing it for Mz Marritt.”
I ignored the slight on the Lady. They knew no better.

“It is for Izac.  She doesn’t need it.  She just said he needed access to it, which was an odd way of saying it.  It was like he didn’t need to keep it, which I must say I’m all for.  If you can live without the chance of being trapped inside your own body, that sounds fine with me.”

“I know it wasn’t taken from him in a conventional manner.”
My mind raced through conventional ways, and I shuddered, “No, seeing as though he’s walking around without it I’d say that’s right.”

“Maybe it’s an affinity thing.”

So Eclipse was in for the library trip.  Next was Dominic, who hadn’t mentioned the library to me since I’d told him about the Sunday open hours.  I texted our adoptive father to see if he was still interested.

HEADING TO THE LIBRARY.  ARE YOU FREE?

6.20 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the Succubus Club Leichhardt 

Dominic was just waking up as my call reached him at home.

HEADING TO THE LIBRARY.  ARE YOU FREE?

CERTAINLY.  THIS WILL BE NOVEL. Dominic replied and headed down to his crypt with the spirit jar from the night before.

“The first spirit for the new year,” He said to the silence that greeted him and placed the jar on a shelf.  Heading upstairs, he refreshed himself with a drink and sent a text.

DO YOU WANT ME TO PICK YOU UP OR MEET YOU THERE? 

MEET ME THERE, I replied as Eclipse and I got ready to leave.

Not far away, in the same suburb, across the road from the bar, Mads knew she had to get up and start her day or go insane. 

After dressing, she returned to her phone and texted Eclipse to see what she was doing.

DO YOU GUYS NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING TONIGHT?

Eclipse checked her phone as we took the lift to the basement carpark.

“Do you want Mads to join us?”

Mads. I’d forgotten about her in today’s plans.  Always sticking her nose in, always asking just the right questions.  Still, what was a trip to the library going to tell her about us, except we could read and had eclectic tastes?   

“Ah, suuure?” I said, feeling very unsure.  “The more the merrier, I guess.”

“I’ll ask how she feels about books,” Eclipse said with a rare, rye smile and texted back.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BOOKS?

“What the f….books?” Mads said out loud, trying to discern more from the text than there was. 

BOOKS?

SURE YOU’RE PART OF THE NEW BRUJAH? WE’RE GOING TO A LIBRARY.

I CAN STAND A FEW PAPERCUTS. I’LL MEET YOU THERE.

With a smirk, Eclipse sent Mads the address.  

6.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the Succubus Club Wetherill Park

At almost seven o’clock on a Sunday night, the Wetherill Park Coles grocery store was virtually empty.  One staff member now held down the whole checkout section as Stallion clip-clopped through.  Other staff were stacking shelves or sending the floor cleaner down the aisles in preparation for the next day’s business.  No one cared for the six-foot-tall, blonde Adonis, his apples or the odd way he walked. 

“Have a good night,” The cashier called automatically, but Stallion was already tripping away over the polished concrete floor of the shopping mall and back to his warehouse abode.

Finally safe in the warehouse with his bribery fruit, Stallion once more called on a winged creature to attend him.  A bat fluttered in the open window once left for the cockatoo and flapped around the ceiling looking for a place to perch.  

Though many small insectivorous bats live in the Sydney area, when someone thinks of bats, it is the large dog-faced fruitbats or flying foxes that people think of. A regular sight almost every night, the three species that lived around Sydney weighed about as much as a small cat, with wingspans nearly two metres wide.  It was one of the larger black flying foxes that now fluttered around Stallion, its long snouted face staring down at him from on high.

“Hey, I’ve got some apples here.  Do you want them?” Stallion said in his Feral Whispers.

“Food. Give!” Said the bat with less attitude but with equal gusto to the cockatoo.

Stallion handed out an apple, and the bat swooped it up in a clawed foot and found a place to hang while eating its prize.

“So hey, I’ve got more apples in this bag here.” 

“Yeah.” The flying said without enquiry.  It wasn’t as bright as the cockatoo. 

“When you’re finished with your apple, come and see me in my office.” He pointed to the Men’s toilet door.

The bat, faced with a whole delicious apple, and the promise of more, took his time.  Stallion was left alone to ponder.

6.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the Succubus Club In Transit

The Audi smoothly entered traffic, and Eclipse and I were on our way to our next adventure together.  At least that’s how I saw it.  Things may not be the same, but I was enjoying having her back in the passenger seat beside me again.  It was Sunday.  I’d been staked on the previous Sunday. Whatever darkness had fallen on her had occurred while I was away at the farm on the following Wednesday or Thursday.  A few days,  a week ago, both of us were forever changed, and yet here we were together, travelling to the Theosophical Society in companionable silence.

Dominic too was readying for a night at the library.  He checked the weather schedule and noted it would be overcast with little chance of rain. He figured a light suit would go unnoticed on a night like this and found a pure ultra-fine merino suit in light grey.  Dressing carefully, he checked his appearance before heading down to the Mercedes and out for a night in town.

Mads stepped lightly out onto Victoria Road and checked her app.  There was a bus to Central where she could catch the train across the Bridge to North Sydney and St Leonards.  She ran her fingers through her long auburn hair several times and shook the clumps free before checking her makeup in her phone camera and heading out for a night in town.

6.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Blavatsky Lodge, St Leonards

A benefit of life at night is that parking ceases to be a hassle.  I found a spot near the Lodge and we were inside in minutes.  I was looking forward to introducing Eclipse to the library. Its collection was small but specific.  It seemed tailor-made to the needs of a neonate trying to grasp their role in a society that was millennia old and sunk deep into myth, legend, and fable.  Through the small street door into the foyer and across to the library’s glass doors, I led us confident that we’d learn something of interest.  

The symbol for the Theosophical Society shone warmly in the dim light of the foyer.  I remembered noting it in my last visit, the mix of symbols from an ancient ouroborus, an ankh, a Star of David, a swastika (that I was coming to understand was an asian symbol of good luck) and a hindu Om. A mash-up of religious metaphor and philosophy, shining out for the enlightenment and betterment of all.

Eclipse hissed as if in pain and turned away from the door. Surprised, I spun around to see her eyes wide in fear, clutching herself as if she’d been struck by lightning.

She looked like she was about to go into a frenzy.

I looked behind her, then turned back to the door, looking into the library, trying to see where the threat lay. It was Sunday night, the library was quiet, and we were alone.  

“What? Where is it?

“I…I can go in, but you have to block the door,” She said, not daring to glance in my direction.

“The door?” I looked at the door, studying the five symbols as if they were weapons. They were all symbols of life, peace, and luck, all projecting positive messages of hope and goodwill, and every single one was religiously important to some culture of faith at one time or another. Eclipse would have come across these symbols in her studies at university, if not her readings in Dominic’s library. What could be so harmful to a millennial, even one as educated as Eclipse? Was this another mark left on Eclipse as part of her darkness?

“Okay, I’m opening the door now,” I said, careful to keep myself between it and her. I opened the door wide.

Eclipse shuffled forward, head bowed in fear of seeing the door, her limbs tightly wrapped around her lest she even touch it. As she walked through, I pulled out my phone and took a photo. I hoped Dominic might have some ideas about what was going on.

Now inside, Eclipse still looked shut down and terrified.  She didn’t dare look at the shelving for fear of the same or other symbols decorating the book covers. She couldn’t stand a rack of newspapers and magazines all on religious and theological topics.  She looked like a cornered dog, scared and huddled in a corner, wanting to just disappear into the ground.

“I should just leave…I don’t belong here,” Said the woman who spent whole nights in Dominic’s private library, not to mention public and university ones. “Please, can I please leave?”

6.30 pm Sunday,  12 hours until sunset,  5 days until the S.C. Blavatsky Lodge, St Leonards

******************************************************************

Eclipse’s thoughts:

The Pit

Do you see it? 

At first, probably not. It’s lingering. Like when the hairs on the back of your neck stand at attention. Something is there. Nothing in sight. 

Then, it sets in. 

Things moving in the corner of your eyes. Something constantly standing behind you. You’re too scared. Too much of a coward. Why won’t you turn around? 

You turn. 

There is nothing. Nothing but a feeling. 

Like you’re in a pit. 

Searching…

Searching… 

It’s there, can’t you feel it? 

It brushes just outside your fingertips but your body is failing you. Your own blood pulls along your feet. The red carpet laid out to your death bed. 

The blackness is at the edges of your vision. 

Why not accept it?

Did you ever leave that pit?

It’s a pathetic excuse. 

Wanting to survive is so animalistic. 

The blackness is a part of you. 

It coils around me. Hands of the dead latch onto my shoulders, caress my neck, claw at my black. 

I can finally see it. 

This room of mirrors is not my reflection. It’s my reality. 

I can see this fate’s thread. 

This blackness, I’ve seen before. I closed my eyes in the pit and opened them to this reality. The one I am bound to create. 

These bodies will become bones to a throne. 

This darkness, the ground and the sky. 

The price I pay for my life. 

The hidden Harbinger of a new dawn. 

Why must I see him in everyone? 

When will this dead heart give up? 

If I cannot have, I will take. 

If I cannot keep, I will kill. 

Do you not understand, Luna? 

He will not love a monster. 

The eye of the storm always passes. 

I miss him.

The things I love, I destroy.

Izac’s thoughts:

Second Thoughts

He sits, eyes beyond the window
Motionless as though in rigor
A time to think
To take inventory
Hate, for the world he was born to
If he could curse it all he would
The lies, the obfuscation
The honeyed words veiling agendas
Fear, time filled him with it
His past, his present
The future he dreads to realise
The shadows stretch to him to hide within
You must betray your heart

Silence, once re-assuring now echoes in an attempt to stir it into conversation. A beaten dog, left for so long, now being offered the hand of the one who caged it. The first try, I barged in, as if stoking its anger would promote a response.
Nothing
Waiting it out, leaving the door open for it to emerge on its own
Nothing
A mutual desire
“We both want to keep her safe”
If we are one and the same, then I hope we could at least agree on this.
It’s a bit possessive don’t you think?
“What’s wrong with having something to protect?”
You end up killing those
“I want to change that”
You always were an abuser
You always felt more comfortable holding the knife
It’s a voice that rumbles in the back of my head, I can understand its animosity. Left alone to stew and fester hatred towards its captor. I fear to let it have its way but as I’ve been told, I need to come to terms with it.
With what I am
I need to be the first to extend the branch
“I want to turn a new leaf, what can I do to show you?”
I want something more than steak. It doesn’t have to be human but… something big
Something messy…
Lady Stone could help with that, perhaps she could organise it whilst I’m stuck here. Passing the time with little to do but count the scratches in the floor.
Maybe the Lady could give me something to –
I’m back in the room, what day is it? A moment of panic
“Are you still there?”
Where’d you go?
It almost sounded concerned
“I don’t know, what happened?”
Don’t know, you just started moving around a lot, I couldn’t find you though
The absence of memory leaves room for other thoughts
“What are your thoughts on Lady Stone?”
She hasn’t given us a reason not to trust her, I think she is on the level
I agree…
Downstairs, Lady stone awaits with a cow. A red Heffer to be precise, a sickle rests gently in her hand. She says she wants to make it significant. As much as I’d like to make something of this first step forward, I’m not ready to kill.
I never agreed to it, I don’t intend to now.
She takes a step back, removing the blade from the beast’s throat
“We do this, we do it my way”
Silence, I can feel its focus solely on what is in front of us. My eyes lock onto its neck
Blood
Life
Prey
Feed
Warm blood fills our mouth. That mangy stray in the alley has nothing on this. It floods into our throat, and we imbibe it like a thirsting man in the sea when the storm lets loose. Its everything we want. It is our nature to feed on living.
Blood, so much blood. We drink, and drink
And drink…
We want more; we want it all
I want to see the light leave your eyes –
“Enough”
I pull away, before I lose myself in the rush. I stagger like the bovine in front of me; the force of will to restrain myself wasn’t a small one.
“You got what you want, consider this a start”
Another broken promise
Another broken promise…

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into a likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Theosophical Society:  A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain.

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Brujah:  One of the twelve clans of Cain. 

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

1.30 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club In transit

Eclipse was on her way back to the bar when she thought to text me.

WHERE ARE YOU?

V.I.P. PRIVATE ROOM WITH MADS. 

NEW INFO ON IZAC?

LATER, I had so much to tell her, but so much to ask.  Besides all the news of Izac, we had a burglary to plan.  And I, for one, couldn’t wait.

 NOT FOR PHONES – ONE ON ONE.

1.30 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Crow Bar

Stallion was busy trying to put his newfound knowledge to practice with the diehards left in the bar.  He was trying to find the rowdiest, the one most like himself, but they were all pretty rowdy at almost 2 am on a Sunday morning. He couldn’t work out who he should approach first.

He tried the girls, putting on the charm and trying to show them how much like his namesake he was. That didn’t go well.  The girls sneered at him as if he smelled bad and physically walked away,  gaining more negative attention for his actions than positive.  The guys in the group, hoping to score with the girls, also rejected him, fearing whatever had turned off the girls who affected them. 

Disillusioned, Stallion slunk off outside to behind the bar. He was sick of being rejected, sick of being on the outside.  With his Beast Sense, he started calling to the locals who hung around the skips out the back. 

Mads and I were chatting when the text messages came in from Eclipse.  She leaned over my shoulder as I replied to the last message.

“Now, Mads, that message was for Eclipse,” I chastised, knowing it did little damage. Mads now knew I had something to tell Eclipse alone, and didn’t trust the phone system with it.

“Sorry, my eyes wandered,” She replied innocently.  But that had been her M.O. since arriving the night before.  She was always hunting for information, never convinced we were giving her the straight line on Izac and his whereabouts. Or was it all about Izac now? Maybe, like My Lady Merritt Stone, she had her own reasons for knowing about us.

“Is everything okay?” She asked, deflecting.

“Everything’s fine,” I replied. She was getting far too comfortable. “How about yourself?  Weren’t you going to have a meeting with someone?”

She brushed off that question with a hand, “Oh, come and gone.”

First I’d heard, “It was about Izac, right?  About the man in the car?  Tell me all about it.”

She made a few sounds as she decided what to share about her meeting.  I waited in silence, sure that whatever came next was as far from the truth as she felt comfortable saying.

“It…was…illuminating.  A possible way to find the guy, but it’s going to require something rather special.”

Well, nothing was for free, and nothing good comes cheap. Dominic was rich to the point that money meant very little.  If he were brought on board, it was as good as done.

“Okay, so what are they asking?”
“For something well beyond our power or scope at this point,” Not money then. A boon beyond our powers to fulfil or an item well beyond the mundane.  Now I was intrigued. “I think it’s best we find an alternative route.”

Another dead end, and I was disappointed.  Still, if Lady Merritt kept to her word, then all the hunting for Izac could cease, and we just needed to keep an eye out for his return.

“As I told you, I don’t know if hunting out Izac’s kidnapper is going to matter much anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Mads asked, genuinely concerned.

“He will be turning back up…sooner or later.”
“When?” She asked as if time really mattered.

“Sometime…that wasn’t provided.  Is there a time limit I’m not aware of? Do your burning questions for Izac have a due date?”

“Ak…” She tried brushing off these questions as she had the others, but didn’t have a pithy throwaway line this time.

“I know it’s been some time since you last saw him.  You’ve been waiting a while, what are a few more days?”

“It’s been a bit,” She replied nervously. I was closer to her secret truths than she liked, “Look… did you talk to him… did you speak with him…?”  Curiouser and curiouser.

“No, no, I talked to Lady Merritt, the woman who caught me.”

“Probably the person who hired the Banu Haqim.” I’m glad she was keeping up, but the Banu Haqim wasn’t the focus of our search. Izac was.

“Yes, her or the organisation she works for, certainly.”

“That was pretty bold, approaching her like that,” Mads said, turning the conversation back on me…my favourite subject. 

“In my defence, I didn’t know she was there when I searched for Izac. And I did find him.”

“And when you say found him, found him where?” This was getting closer to information only shared within the coterie.  I looked above me, imagining Dominic still behind his desk.
“I’m sure that sometime soon, Dominic will come down and we’ll have that promised meeting where everything can be revealed.  But that is a meeting agenda item, at the moment.”  In my mind’s eye, I could see Dominic listening to my cries from below and disregarding me with one of his exasperating smirks.

“Regardless, it was clearly suggested that we don’t want to be going there.  Unless you see a future for yourself as ash.”

“Yeah, well, when’s this meeting happening?” Impatient Mads was back. 

“That is the question.  Eclipse is on her way, as you saw from the message. Dominic set this meeting, but when he graces us with his presence is up to him. I wonder if I should call Stallion?”

“Ah, you don’t need him,” She said, quickly, and I wondered what had happened between the two of them. As far as I knew, they’d not met outside of the interview in Dominic’s room. Still, her sentiment was so close to my own at the moment I had to laugh.

“I knew I liked you, Mads.”

“Like he tried getting handsy with me in the bar. Who does that on a first date?” She complained, enlightening me to my ‘brothers’  misdeeds.  No wonder she was glad to see the back of him. 

“Was it a date, was it?” I asked with a smile, but she wasn’t in the mood for more playful banter.

“Just a figure of speech, Rain, a figure of speech.” She rolled her eyes, and I gave in to her grievance.  

 
“I’m just having fun.  I’m here to enjoy this drink and your company, and whatever conversation you’re willing to share.” Still, I could sympathise. I’d had my share of run-ins with Stallion.

“He’s not a gracious fellow, but he’s proven to be particularly resourceful when the chips are down.” 

“Yeah, well, his first impressions were terrible,” she said.

“Second and third as well, I’m afraid. I’m often surprised by his depravity.”

“What does anyone see in him? Has he always been like that?”  

“As someone who has known him for less than three months…yes.”

She stared at me, perplexed that a vampire would think making Stallion a good idea.  Having met Whiteshark, I can only assume he’d found a kindred soul.  Still, the discussion of Stallion was pointless and depressing.  I changed the subject.

“You said you spent some time getting an education.  What have you studied?” Most people like talking about themselves.  Up to this point, Mads was proving an exception, but I wasn’t done yet.

“Oh…I was…kept…I was…sheltered.” Suddenly, the urbane and articulate Mads stumbled to find meaning, “Like the way things…normally run.  You get made and then you get educated.” It was like she was trying to find the words to explain why the sky was blue.  There was an explanation, but everyone just took it for granted.

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. I laughed at the thought that there were normal ways for things to happen.  Maybe for normal vampires. But, it seemed those rules didn’t apply to Stallion, Eclipse or me.

“Taught how things operate.” I could weep.  Wasn’t that was I was asking for with almost every waking breath? How things operate.  What is important?  What was no longer significant?

“So normally, your sire would be there and would take you in and educate you for…a decade or two?”
“Something like that, yeah, that’s what I meant by education.”

“Our education was a dinner at one of the local restaurants,” I said flippantly, then just as quickly took it back, “No, of course our education is still continuing.  This is Dominic’s idea of education.  The formal component was only a few hours on our first night.”

“And how long ago was that?” See what I mean about Mads being slippery?

“Only a couple of months.”

She looked askance at my statement, as if unsure of believing such ridiculous claims.

“That’s….unorthodox,” She finally admitted, which said more about her than me. Regardless of how she came into these nights and her history with Izac, she’d been brought up properly as far as most of vampire society thought.  Merritt had suggested that some thought otherwise.  That the practice of leaving fledglings to sink or swim was better, for what…character building?

“I’m starting to believe so.  Listening to your tale of the everyday vampire.” I admitted with all seriousness, and she finally accepted the truth of what I was saying.

“It adds a new perspective.”

“Speaking of that, and this may be a sensitive subject, did you get the impression that Izac had decades of education under his belt when you met him?” 

I wanted to know more about their relationship, what had brought them together and finally tore them apart.

“To be honest, “ She finally said after a long pause, “I haven’t seen him since that night.”

 I shuddered visibly at the recollection. I knew that my image of that night was corrupted by a failure on my part, but also Izac’s own emotions, distorted what I saw. Still, I’d asked about when they’d met, and she spoke about that night in the alley, the last time she’d seen him.  

Or was that attack the first time they’d met. 

“Look, I haven’t seen him for a very long time.” 

“As I understand, it  was a pretty harrowing night.”

Another long silence.

“If anything, he was like an animal.” Was it really so hard to equate that behaviour to Izac?  Hadn’t I seen it in my own home? Felt it as he drew a gun on me in the bar? No, he leapt to violence, but there was an intelligent mind behind the threat.  An animal would be instinctual and reactionary. His violence was calculated to make an impact.

“Amazing,” Was all I could say.

“It’s a word.  Not the one that I would use.” 

“It’s like we’re talking about two different people,” I admitted, not wanting to belittle her experience, but knowing another Izac.

“That remains to be seen.  People don’t change.”

Now, as to that, I had personal experience,” They do, though. I have, in only a week. I think they have a powerful enough experience, people can change, for good or bad.”

“Give it time.  When he’s backed against the wall, you’ll see what I’m talking about.”

I thought I had.  In the feral bar bitten in the leg, his hand mutilated by his own gun, Luna threatened in the nearby room and mentally assaulted by the image I’d picked up from the feral’s mind, he stayed…human. If he’d wanted to, I have no doubt he could have torn those two ferals apart.  Instead, . Angry, fearful, shocked and in pain, Izac had dealt with the situation like…a human.  Just as I thought I was getting a handle on our little cloud of gloom, Mads just handed me a whole new chapter of Izac to make sense of.

In the alleyway behind the bar, Stallion was looking for a friendly face.  After a moment of rwoars, meows, and prrrts, a skinny tabby sauntered around the bins.

“Prrrt?” It asked, rubbing up against his leg.

“Ah, Frederick, another night, another night of being rejected,” He said, crouching down to scratch his companion’s head, “How’s your night been?”

“Yeah, tonight’s been fine.  The kitchen threw out a few choice scraps.  What brings you out here, buddy?”

“I just need some cheering up.  Ladies, can’t win them, can’t live without them.”

“Why don’t you just take them?” Said the tabby who didn’t look like he could take on a stiff breeze.

“Ah, humans be different,” Stallion shrugged. He didn’t know why and didn’t much care, but he knew it to be the truth, “Culture or something.”

“Yeah, you’re weaker.  Just take’em.”

“And that’s your advice?”

“That’s me.”

“Ah, Frederick, you never cease to cheer me up.”

“Hey, can you bring out some meat?” 

“I’ll think about it.”  

1.40 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club In transit

Across Sydney, Eclipse’s Uber arrived, and a woman who looked like she’d been born middle-aged leaned over and opened the door. 

“ Where to?” She asked in a perfunctory way that did not encourage conversation. That was fine with Eclipse.  This wasn’t about entertainment. She had a place she had to be.

“The Crow Bar.”

“Is that the name of the place?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,” She pulled her phone off its cradle and tapped the name into the browser, “Ah…the Crow Bar on Parramatta Road…Leichhardt or Burlington Street, Crowsnest?”

Eclipse rolled her eyes, “Leichhardt.”

The driver copied the address into her GPS, “Do you want me to put something on for you?  I’ve got to focus on the road, you know.” The drive pointed to the radio.

“Just music,” Eclipse settled herself in the back seat, “I don’t have a preference.”

“Alright,” The driver turned on the radio and Treasure by Bruno Mars rumbled through the seat where a subwoofer was hidden.

1.40 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Crow Bar

As the clean, funky base bounced around the V.I.P. Lounge, Dominic made his appearance. He glanced at the bar, empty of the Delith, but also missing the presence of the new star of the bar, Rumplestiltskin. Roaming the room, he greeted the locals and shook hands with new guests. I spotted him about the same time he glanced around and saw Mads and me in the corner.

“Sir, please, join us,” I called, and with a drink in hand, Dominic obliged.

“Hello Rain, learnt anything new lately?” He asked and I had to admit to not a lot.  Besides musings on how well Mads knew our Izac?  

“I learnt I have a very great tolerance to whatever they serve at the bar,” And I got up to get another.

Dominic took my seat as Mads leaned across the table to confide in Dominic.

“Does he often drink that much?”

“Oh, you know, all the Roses like to be watered.  Flowers are greedy for sustenance,” Dominic explained, waving away her question, “But how about you?”

“Yes, I’ve been enjoying this…castle you’ve built for yourself.”

“Just one of the things I’ve acquired in my time,”

“You must have acquired a lot.” Mads once more turned the questions back on the questioner.  If I’d been at the table at that moment, Dominic would have received a knowing look.

“Before I started my second life, I was already very successful in business.”

“Being a Giovanni, I’m sure you found that to be quite useful.” Dominic silently raised an eyebrow, and she quickly added, “ Meaning no disrespect.  It’s to your credit. Yours is a big family, and someone needs to run the books.”

“I ran my own books and made my own fortune.  You hang around long enough, you get to learn how to make a little cash.” Dominic qualified, once more showing his pride in being a self-made man.

“You should regale us with those stories,” Mads leaned in, almost hungry for information.

I was watching the two of them from the bar, aware that Dominic was doing the bulk of the talking.  I saw Mads lean in, insinuating herself into his space, and I wondered what her intentions were for our adoptive parent. Hey, if you’ve got chips to put down in the game of life, put them down where they count.

I wasn’t going to rain on her parade.

2.10 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Crow Bar

Stallion was still outside in the alley talking to the cat when The Notorious B.I.G. came over the bars ‘sound system.  His body started bopping to the bass and rapping the lines along with the master. This was Stallion’s vibe, and as the baritone voice rapped through his troubles, Stallion started feeling his mojo return.  Yeah, things were looking pretty bad right now, but as Biggie Smalls would say, “Time to get paid,

Blow up like the “World Trade”!

Waving off Frederick, he headed back inside for a second round.  Inside, he joined a group of three who looked like they were partying hard until morning. Unfortunately, their will wasn’t as strong as his ability to repel them.

“I think I’ll make it a night, what about you two?” One asked.  A second agreed and prepared to leave.

“Nah, he’s cool.  Hey, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

He waved off his companions and turned to the increasingly forlorn Stallion.

Okay, so the Riz doesn’t work, how about just paying them?  Stallion turned to the bar and called for a round of drinks for him and his remaining companion. Delith, as usual, greeted him at the bar.

“So, Stallion, hunting?” She asked quietly for only him to hear.

“A bit, how about yourself…oh wait, you’re working!” He joked in reply, gaining for himself a scowl.

“Very funny. So what do you want for him?”

“A Henny.”
“Make it a double, get him quick?”

“Nah, I’m going to surprise him with a double latter on.”
“Ah, slick. I see. So one Henny and one for you.  I’ll short pour yours and add a little colouring so it looks the same.”

Stallion grooved back, dancing through the waning crowd and handed over the Henny to his new companion.  It was gone in seconds, shot straight down the eager throat.

“Nice, thanks.  Ah, have you got anything stronger?”

“Than top shelf?  Well, what do you want?” Stallion asked, a little taken aback. He had a history with drugs, but it didn’t go much deeper than a little weed.

“Hmm, well, I don’t have much on me tonight…I got some cigarettes…with other substances…?” He went to his ever-present bum bag.

“What other substances?”

“Just the Mary and Jane kind.”

The guy shook his head as if being offered a turd in a rapper, “Nah, man. Don’t worry, I’m gonna bounce. If you had some dust…maybe, but nah…”

“Maybe I’ll catch ya next time. Set something up proper.” Stallion said, trying not to let his disappointment show.

“Maybe. Well, you know where I’m gonna be,” And the nameless partygoer found another group to hang with, leaving Stallion once more alone.

Fuck! 

2.40 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club In transit

Eclipse’s ride finally arrived back at the Crow Bar.  She paid with her credit card and entered the bar to see Stallion bopping alone to music. Being careful not to catch his attention, she headed towards the stairs to V.I.P.  Stallion spotted her as she moved with purpose across the common room.

That was it.  That was the last straw of the miserable night. Three strikes and he was out of there!  Forgetting the partygoers, he followed Eclipse downstairs, veering off and heading for the garage.  It was time he got back to his plan of heading home and drinking.  He was going to fly high one way or another. Yeah, that had been the plan all along.

Eclipse was well aware that Stallion was following her.  When he continued down to the garage, she thought no more about him and entered the lounge, looking for me. She spotted me in a booth with Dominic and Mads, sipping a drink.  Thinking I could always do with another, she went to the bar, ordered two and took them both over to the booth.

It had been a long night and I hadn’t seen Eclipse once until she made for our booth.  I was surprised at her confidence and how she walked and held herself.  So unlike Luna.  It really wasn’t surprising she’d taken the new-old name. I gave her a nod of acknowledgement and turned to Dominic.

“Sir, do you want me to text Stallion to join the meeting?”

“No one let him know that?” Dominic asked, breaking eye contact with Mads, “Sure, bring him downstairs.”

I sent a text, assuming Stallion was still upstairs in the library.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING, BUDDY?

Just as Stallion was about to put the key into the ignition of the Bronco, his phone started buzzing and rapping in his pocket. 

 Leaving the keys in the ignition, he texted back, PLANNING TO FLY HIGH. YOURSELF? 

BIG MEETING REGARDS IZAC. WANT TO JOIN?

Stallion didn’t feel like dealing with the whole coterie at the moment.  He’d had enough of this night and was planning on washing it all away.  Whatever they decided would be fine with him.

I’M A LITTLE DOWN IN THE DUMPS. AM I NEEDED?

Really?  He’d been fine in the library, hadn’t he? 

REALLY?  WHERE ARE YOU?

THE GARAGE.

I’M COMING TO YOU.

I turned to the table apologetically as Eclipse placed a drink in front of me. Just my luck, free drink, and I have to find out what’s up with the coterie’s Neverman.

“It seems our Stallion is feeling a little blue. I’ll go have a chat and see what’s up.”

Eclipse was not pleased.  The glass swerved on its way to me and settled in front of Mads, who happily accepted.

Dominic sat back and watched the new Eclipse.  He really hadn’t had a chance to watch his childe since her name change, and he was surprised at what he saw. A new energy, a light in the eyes, a more erect stance and a more self-assured look.  He knew that look. She’d killed that night, and not to feed, not in self-defence, but for the sheer enjoyment of it.  Ah, his childe were going up so quickly. 

Engaging his Shroudsight, he tried to discern if the dead still hung on her person. For those at the table, his eyes went white, the pupils flashing with blue flame.  Suddenly, the lounge grew larger to accommodate the number of dead in the place.  He was gratified to know that if he needed to pay with spirits, the bar could provide, but he could see nothing hanging around Eclipse…at least at the moment. Whatever she had been up to had left no trace. 

Good.  Very good. 

“I see you’ve been hunting.  Did you get any good catches?” He asked her, disregarding Mads sitting right beside him.

“Productive.”

“You should tell me about it sometime. I’ve been known to make a killing at times.” He smirked, enjoying his little joke, “Take a seat.”

Eclipse said nothing, but pointedly took the seat next to Mads instead of him.

I was oblivious of the family tensions as I made my way down to the garage and found Stallion seated in his car.  Where Eclipse carried herself with the air of authority, Stallion looked like a whipped dog.  Bottles of the cheap bourbon he was so fond of littered the passenger seat beside him. Miserable and alone, he looked ready to bolt.

I pulled out my phone and decided to break the ice with something I knew he’d like.

“Hey mate, what’s going on?  You said you’re a bit down?”

“I ran out…tried to strike up something…couldn’t strike it…struck out…know what I mean?” Stallion faltered through his story of woe.  I wasn’t quite sure what he meant.  Did he mean metaphorically or physically?  It was hard to tell with him.  Physically, violence has never been my thing, but you don’t deal with people on a regular basis and not make it to home base now and then. As I’d not heard of any fight, besides the one with Mads, of course, I assumed he meant metaphorical and moved on.

“Struck out?  Upstairs?…”
“Yeah, no luck with anyone.” I assumed he meant to feed upon.  

“Well, that happens. You know, even the best predators in this world don’t catch every prey they’re after. The best, I think, are seahorses.”

“A seahorse.” His voice was monotone and unimpressed.

“They have the highest percentage of strike to catch rate. Then again, they go after teeny tiny fish, and you, Stallion are not going after teeny tiny fish.  You’re probably going after the most dangerous prey of all.”

“Sure.” He didn’t seem impressed.  I moved on with my phone.

“Anyway, I’ve got something for you,” and bringing up the photo app moved to an image I’d been fooling with since he’d mentioned the tattoo. Now, like a tentative owner corralling a recalcitrant pup, I offered the tasty treat and stepped forward.

It was a symbol meant to represent all of us in the coterie. All five of us were symbolised one way or another. Dominic was at the start, our sire and originator, an inverted comma. The tail of that led to the claw marks of his favourite, Stallion.  I put myself next, the daisy still standing for resilience and beauty regardless of how far I move from its original meaning.  The bleeding heart and moon were obviously Izac and Eclipse, now more than ever her symbol.

“I have a tattoo design,”

“Oh, you have one already?” His voice perked up, “I always knew you were an artsy fella. Maybe I should have taken you to spray paint some buildings instead of bloody Izac.”

“Ah, I’ve done that,” The thought led to painful memories of Lenny, running through the night, terror, joy and life, “That’s…in the past now.”

I turned his and my attention back to the piece, “It’s a little symbolistic.”

“So, I’m guessing the moon is Luna….” He said, making a meal out of working out each part.

“Which one are you?”

He looked confusedly down at the image on my phone.  I sent him the image, and he brought it up for himself.

“I don’t know if any one speaks to me.” That was not a good sign. “Which one am I supposed to be?”

I pointed out the four claw marks across the top.

“For your claws.”
“Oh yeah,” He smiled a little in realisation. Like stepping back from a pointalist painting and seeing the whole scene for the first time, “Oh yeah, I have shown you those a couple of times.”

“Here’s our sire, adoptive at least, and you’ve seen this before,” I pointed out my flower, and he nodded his head.

“I’m a little bit confused as to how this is Dominic. And why are there five? Shouldn’t there be three symbols?” He pointed to the inverted comma. 

“It starts dialogue, when someone is speaking… when you write it down.  He is our start.” As to the number, I was a little confused.  Did I not understand the brief?  Didn’t he want a symbol for the whole coterie? Had he just wanted something for us three? The siblings? My heart melted a little at that moment for my problematic brother.

“Well, it was just an idea. I was looking for something to tie us all together.  We’re very…different people, have you noticed?  I guess that’s because we have different sires, but it doesn’t mean we don’t belong together.”

He shrugged and nodded, “We make do with what we’ve got. And in this world, I don’t think we get to pick our friends.”

I was going to correct him, but maybe he was right.  The nature of the vampire meant we had to be careful who we brought close and who we excluded.  But it wasn’t the point I wanted to drive home at that moment.

“You certainly can’t pick family and Stallion…we’re family. Better or worse, we’re brothers.”
“Taken the wrong way, that almost sounds insulting.” He smirked, and I knew he’d cheered up, at least a little, “But I know you better than that, Rain.”

And I had to admit, he did, at least in this.

“Does it?” I pleaded ignorance, “I don’t know, I’ve never had a brother. You’re going to have to teach me that stuff.”

“I can teach you about many things,” And now, the old Stallion was back, swaggering in the driver’s seat, “As you may guess, I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I could take you out for a cruise on the bike. I may need a bigger bike…up those CC’s.”

It was time to head back. “Regardless of future shenanigans, you are part of the coterie, and there is information to share.  You’ve heard some of it, do you want to hear some more?”

His shoulders slumped, and his attention turned to the gates leading out onto the road beyond, “Honestly, Rain, I…” I was losing him. I jumped in to intercept his thought.

“I’d really appreciate your insights.  Sometimes you surprise me with your leaps of intuition. We’re not alike, and so our minds run along different tracks, go in different directions.”

“Wait…I do?  You do?”  I’d caught him off guard with that, and I had to smile.

“You do…”
“For someone like you…I thought you were always one step ahead. At least try to be.”

At least try to be.

“Whereas I live in the moment. I take things as they come, yeah,” At least he thought he did, but it enabled  him to catch his second wind, “I might as well join you.”

“There you go,” I grabbed his shoulder and gave it a squeeze, “Have you had a drink tonight?”

“A few.”
“Well, you can always have another, right?”

“Preferably not on top of my head, this time?” He said and lost me for a moment, “Unless, us two want to sit and think up some funny shit.” He stepped out of the Bronco, and we climbed the stairs up side by side.
“Why would you put a drink on your head?…unless you were dancing, then that would be a good reason to put a drink on your head.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” 

Back at the booth, Dominic was questioning Eclipse as to her activities for the night, with Mads silently watching on.

Dominic was really warming to the topic, death and mayhem always hitting him right in his shriveled up heart.

“Luna, do you want to share?”

“Not particularly.”
“Did you enjoy it at least?”
“Of course. Did you think seeing me hunt the night before wasn’t for fun?”

“Everyone hunts for fun. The stuff that happens in here is just business, ” Dominic’s fiery blue eyes scanned the lounge, seeing all the ghosts that spoke of the ‘business’ done in that space, “But fun is fun!”

“It was…an interesting time,” Eclipse said, choosing her words carefully.

“Well, at least you one-upped Rain and did not acquire a spectral leash.”

She didn’t look surprised. “Good to know I’m not haunted.” She knew that everything that junkie had been had gone into the stone. There would be no hauntings when it came to the sacrifices. Still, that was not information for Dominic. So, with that vague reply, Eclipse felt the conversation was over. She wasn’t here to talk with Dominic. Talking to him only got her in trouble. She wanted to hear what I had to say.

Still, Giovanni was grinning.  It was like he knew something, and it made her nervous.

Stallion and I joined them in the booth just as the conversation died.  Both of us noticed Dominic’s eyes, though only one of us knew what it meant.

“Woah, what the fuck!” Stallion exclaimed.

“Oh, seen anything interesting?” I asked him, recognising Shroud sight.

“I’m just enjoying the scenery,” Dominic replied, “I’m sure you’ve done it before, Rain.”

I winced a little.  I was very aware that Mads was absorbing everything we said and did.  Maybe it was just her nature, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more nefarious about her information gathering.  I did like her, I just didn’t trust her.

Stallion looked at me as if he’d never seen me before.  Well, good.  It is always better to be underestimated.

“Still, anything interesting to see?”
“Just the remnants of those never destined to leave.” Interesting.  I filed that little piece of information away as Dominic turned the group’s thoughts to the reason for the gathering.

“And now to the good boy.”
“Don’t you mean the pretty boy?” Stallion asked, with a smirk.

“Where should we start?  From the beginning?” I asked sitting next to Eclipse and Stallion beside Dominic.

“Why don’t you start? You did see him in the actual location…you beat my scouts.” Dominic said, and I accepted the compliment.

“Yes.  So, as soon as we returned from the theatre last night, I did a little astral travelling and found him in a warehouse in the Bankstown-Punchbowl area. There, I caught the eye of a very powerful vampire, the lovely Lady Merritt Stone, even though  I was incorporeal and undetected by Izac himself. Tonight, I was able to talk to her, about her intentions for Izac and us. “

“She is getting him ready for some great purpose, and he will be set free sometime when she feels his ready. From how she spoke, it sounds like he will have his freedom before the Succubus Club, so in a few days.”

“She did not tell me who she was, other than her name, nor did she tell me who she works for, but again, there was the suggestion of the Sabbat.  She believed that her desires aligned with his…whatever that means.”

“And how much do you trust this bitch?” Stallion asked, and I was instantly on the defensive. Then again, he didn’t know her.

“Me?  Ah, well, I’m not unbiased when it comes to the Lady, I will gladly admit that, and I’d appreciate you speaking of her with respect at least when around me.  You’ve not met the lady, so I will forgive you this once.”

“Wow! Defensive much? Okay.  Jeez, Rain, take a chill pill.” He replied. It was this bright and witty banter I’d drawn him back in for…and now I had it.

“You know, Rain, you really shouldn’t trust a vampire you’ve just met,” Dominic added his parenting advice.

“She kept her word. She said she would leave me, and she did.  We talked, and it was a…mutually pleasant conversation. I don’t suggest you believe everything she had to say, but what would be the point of her lying?  She could have dominated me and sent me into catatonia, but she didn’t. She could have left me with no memories of our conversation, but I have all my memories.”

“Where?” Mads finally broke her silence, “Where did this happen? Just at the club or somewhere in particular?”

“I was at my new apartment when we had the conversation.” Dominic knew more, but in mixed company, I didn’t feel the need to share about Lucretia.

“And where is he going to be released?  You said, he will be released.”
“No where, no when.  But it is my impression that it will be before the Succubus Club,” I couldn’t help looking at Eclipse at this point.  We had four days to get the heart, so it seemed Izac wouldn’t need it before then at the very least.”

“So no words were actually spoken?” Stallion asked, picking on a thread I didn’t think he’d see, “This is just your interpretation of what she meant?”

“Literally true.  See, this is what I mean, Stallion.  Insightful, “ I looked around the table. “That is another point.  It was my mind translating The Lady’s thoughts and vice versa. So, there may also be a translation issue.”

“Also an infatuation issue, “ Dominic added, unrequired.  I thought I’d clearly stated that already.

“I admit a bias, but that doesn’t mean I’m not giving a truthful report…as I understand it.”

“But that doesn’t mean the bias doesn’t exist,” Eclipse said, and it was the first time I’d heard from her all night.

“Does the bias go both ways, or is it all one way?” Stallion asked, and I allowed myself a moment to fantasise.

“She saw me when no one should have.  She then went out of her way to communicate with me, treating me as an equal instead of just a tool. And she treated me fairly when she didn’t have to.  I take that all as a good sign.”

“And you couldn’t use your charms on her?  Give her a little Riz?” Stallion again. It was clear how little he understood.  

“I have my mind, which wasn’t a foregone conclusion at the beginning of the conversation.  And I think I know enough about human nature to know she enjoyed the conversation as I did.”

“Ah, so she had you by the balls.”

“Metaphorial mind balls, yes. Far more dangerous. You can live without balls, but try doing anything without a mind.”

“I think I’d kill myself,” Stallion confessed, revealing the difference between us. He had given up his mind, and though I was still intact, definitely that short time with a gap in my memory was going to be nightmare fuel for months to come.  And it wasn’t as if the equipment was all that important, anyway.

Dominic laughed out loud, recognising, as I did, the irony of Stallion’s statement.  Eclipse looked intently into her drink as Mads’ eyes flashed back and forth across the table, trying to catch the unspoken joke.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Stallion picked up the mood at the table and once more surprised me with a little introspection, “When was the last time I had an erection?” His face paled as he realised he couldn’t remember having one for months.

“God!” he cried out in anguish, his blond head falling into empty hands. It seemed that for Stallion, the raising of the flag had been a defining feature for him. He was impressively built, I can attest to that.  I could see how it would come as a shock to someone whose literal name described his defining feature.

“Can we please get back on topic?” Eclipse asked with a sharp retort.

Fair enough, “What would you like me to expand on?  This is all new to you so let me know what doesn’t make sense.”

She stared back balefully as if I’d brought her here under false pretenses.  Patience, a little more patience.

“Did she say anything else about Izac?”

Yes, but that’s for you, and later,  I thought and instead said, “Our shining knight has a quest. She thought it was ridiculous for him to try to do it on his own.” I glanced at Eclipse.

“Does anyone have any idea what this mission is?” Dominic interjected, and I stayed silent, looking around the table as if I would also like the answer to that. Dominic too, did his share of reading the group.  What was interesting was Eclipse was looking at me as if she could see right through to all my dirty secrets.  I don’t know if it was me or her, but It had always been hard to lie to her.

“With this woman and her ability to dominate, we have to work out what this quest is. It might not be exactly voluntary.”

“You made a very good point early, Mr Giovanni.  They’re paying a lot for Assamites. My lady Merritt is a very powerful vampire…these people aren’t messing about.  Maybe this is political.”

At this point in the meeting, Eclipse went all introspective and quiet.  As the rest of us mulled over conspiracy theories, she searched her memory for what she knew about Lady Merritt Stone. Her eyes shifted back and forward as she moved from one snippet of found knowledge to another. The longer her introspection went, the more distressed she became.  I couldn’t help but see the fear in her eyes as she glanced up and the tears made her green eyes black.

She physically had to compose herself before sharing what she knew. “Merritt.  There have been a few of that name, but the earliest and the one they all claim lineage to is 4th generation Torreador.  The others are all 5th and 6th generation.” And with that, her mouth snapped shut, and I knew…knew in my heart there was more to the story.  I wanted that information more than I wanted anything in my life, but here eyes and words were closed to me…at least at the moment. I smiled, and I could feel my fangs showing.

She thought we were in grave trouble.

“Anything you want to share?” Dominic, having seen her expression too, asked Eclipse, and she shook her head violently.

“I’m just worried about Izac.”

“You’re always worried about Izac,” He pressed with unusual force of personality, ”This is different.”

“Sure, you know me that well?” Eclipse stared straight at Dominic, a single tear of blood falling from her eye to be hastily brushed aside.
That was her mistake.

Suddenly, Dominic’s flame blue eyes turned black, and his voice took on a tone of authority I knew and feared, “Speak!”

“Merritt is very powerful, at least 4th generation. She popular among Torreador, they even claim to know her or be related to her. She has many aliases, including the name she gave Rain. The Encyclopedia Vampirica states she was a big name in Victorian London up until the 19th Century.”

Dominic sat back in his seat and mulled over what she had said. It seemed to register something with him. His usually stoic features slackened as his draw dropped at what he had recalled. If I had to give name to his expression, I would say that Dominic was afraid. Not for the first time, I had to restrain myself from peaking into one of the coterie’s minds.

As if knowing my mind, his black orbs fixed on me.  I quickly turned away. If I could help it, I didn’t want to be enthralled to Dominic’s Dominate.

“Well, Dominic?” Eclipse broke the silence of the table, emulating his command of a few moments earlier, “Are you going to speak?”

With a sudden jerk, Dominic rose from the table.  Whatever he’d remembered, he decided he needed to act now.

“Sir! Please, tell me,” I said, hoping he would give us something before putting his plans into effect.

But he hadn’t forgotten me, it seemed. “Rain. How would you like to brush up on your spirit manipulation?”

That was not the response I expected. We’re talking to spirits? Now?

“Ah, yes…okay.”

“Let’s go for a walk.” Dominic led the way out of the Lounge.

 I stood to follow and remembered the table.  Remembered Eclipse, and the promise of more information, “Sorry, Ladies and Gentlemen, it seems I’m going for a walk.” 

Warily, I followed Dominic upstairs.

3.40 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Crow Bar

*****************************************************************************************

Eclipse’s thoughts:

Destination: a deadline

“He’s on a quest.”

He always has been.

I knew it. Those hours of us, together on a studio apartment floor as he meditated. Built something just within reach but out of sight, I knew. 

I could see it. I could sense it.

In the back of the car. 

My world was silently loud. His hands on my back. His hands around me. Then the lights came back on.

Steady.

I held onto his shoulders.

Ready.

I crouched with him. Held him close as he fell into me. 

Aim.

The world was falling around us. I didn’t care for anything else. I knew what I was looking for with him in my arms. 

Run.

The others were in the car but all I could care for was your hand in mine. 

You’re gonna go far.

That’s the song I played for you. I had been ignoring it but my heart knew you were aiming for greatness. To be something better than the box the world had placed you in.

Of course you were on a quest, you wayward soul. 

Your book sits against my chest  and everytime it thumps a beat against my heart I know you’re heading to something. 

“She thought it was stupid that he was trying alone.”

I was hurt at first. Rain looked me dead in the eyes as if I failed you. 

I have. 

I have failed you.

With no sun, the moon was left to consume me and I have fulfilled my birthright. 

‘”the darkening of a heavenly body”‘ is a translation of my birth name. 

So, my sun. I hope, pray, that you succeed in this quest.

Or so help God. 

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into a likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire that has taken an interest in Izac.  Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain.

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires.  Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

12.00 am Sunday, 7 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club The Harbour Mill, Pyrmont

Sunday.  

I went to say goodnight, but the silhouette had already disappeared from the mirror.  She was gone, and I was alone.

My mind was mine again, with no holes to probe and worry over. In fact, I had the original memories as well as the modified memories living side by side in my mind. The cognitive dissonance was intriguing, but not disturbing, as I understood its source.  Like my love and obsession for the lovely, Lady Merritt.  She had bewitched me, and that was fine.  

I did check the reflection one last time.  Nothing there but me and the plain white walls of the apartment. I have to admit, it was a little disappointing.  I spent some time trying to get down her likeness in one of Lenny’s old sketchbooks and was quietly pleased with the results.  I particularly liked her eyes, the last thing I remember seeing of Merritt.  Her dark and alluring eyes. 

After committing Merritt’s image to paper, I finally inspected the apartment.  It was pleasant.  The master bedroom was secure from sunlight and functional, and the top deck was inviting with sweeping views of the city’s west side. Yet, I was alone.  The first few days at the old Pyrmont place were hectic but communal as both Stallion and Luna did their bit to help make the old place home.  The apartment, by comparison, was beautiful, clean, modern and completely devoid of life.  I made a promise to change that as soon as possible.

Finally, I pulled out my phone and started searching for information about the Museum of Contemporary Art. Before being embraced, it was a regular haunt of mine during bad weather. It was in Circular Quay, where the tourists and day trippers flock, and good busking is easy when the days were fine. Being free, I could walk its halls for hours, taking in the wonders of modern art and the creativity of the human mind.  I knew the public side of the building well, but I needed access to the archives and storage basements, somewhere I’d never been. I groaned when I read their opening hours, closing each day at 5 pm. Even in winter, I would never again be able to visit as a member of the public.

Right now, I had four days in late spring, and there was no hope of getting in to reconnoitre. The job would have to be outside official hours, which was another frustration.  I disliked roaming around at night, as it looked more suspicious than during the day. During working hours, dozens of staff, working crews, and deliveries would make it easy to slip in and out. I could say I was on official business, visiting a friend or lost.  Even if you could gain access at night, the trick was not being detected. 

 That made me think of Eclipse and her new Obfuscate ability. How well did it work against security cameras?  Stallion’s boast about securing his home at the warehouse also sprang to mind.  Did he have anything that would hide objects and people from detection?  

Getting in would be relatively easy.  On the website, I spied a venue hire enquiries option and sent a short email about meeting a representative onsite after hours. It was getting out with the heart that would be the trick. I checked the maps of the public areas and noted the emergency and the staff doors I could remember.

It was midnight when I thought about returning to the bar. I now appreciated Merritt and Lucretia’s time for planning and machinations.  I felt the pressure of the four-night time crunch, and as usual, I wanted to rush down there and see what could be done.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, I reminded myself and sent Eclipse a text instead.

WE NEED TO TALK ♥️, and was gratified with a reply a few moments later.

C U WHEN I CAN. WHERE CAN I FIND YOU? 🖤 She was busy? Doing what? Not that I want to deny the girl a life, but I hated to admit, I’d not seen her all night.  We’d come a long and lonely path since those few short weeks at the old place. 

PROBABLY THE BAR. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU’RE FREE. I texted back and grabbed the pile of keys from the hallway floor before leaving to return to the bar.

12.00 am Sunday, 7 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Leichhardt

Stallion was dutifully reading his dummies book of dealing with people.

It was all about treating people like you wanted to be treated. Treating them in a way that showed you thought they were valuable. Seeing things from their perspective and showing that you were listening to what they had to say.  Sounded like a lot of God botherer stuff to Stallion, but it made sense that Dominic would think highly of it all.  He was an I-talian.

By midnight, he was done for one night and looking for a drink.  He headed to the Common Room where the premixed, take-away stuff was kept.  Saturday night, the common bar was full.  As he waited to be served, he watched the crowds, remembering his talk with the foreign vampire the night before.

A stallion does need a herd, right? He thought, catching the eye of a few in the crowd.  

Mads was downstairs, drinking and considering her choices.  She was thinking about how she would pay off her costly search plan.  The drinking wasn’t helping solve the problem, but it did give her mind something to do.  Bored, she thrust her hand into a pocket to pull out her phone and found a scrap of paper.  She remembered seeing the scrap of Hotel note paper beside her phone when she woke up that evening.  On it was a three-digit number, presumably a room number, and an eleven-digit number starting 04.  A mobile number. Curious, she rang the number on the paper.

“Hello?” I answered the call ss I made for the Audi in the apartment block carpark.   I could hear Dominic lecturing that you never answer an unknown number. As I’d given my number to a few people in the last few days, I answered it and took the risk of a phishing call.

“Hello?” Said a confused-sounding Mads on the other end. Gratified,  I connected the phone to the Bluetooth in the car and drove out.

“Is that Mads?  It’s Rain.”

“Oh, oh, the note makes more sense now,” She said, sounding relieved. “Why did you leave the note?”

“It was for you this morning, in case you woke up and didn’t know where you were. I must say, it’s nice to hear from you.”

“You too, “ She sounded distracted and more than a little drunk, “Sorry, I’ve been preoccupied. Where are you? Oh! Sorry, yes, you said, you were at your new apartment.”

“I am…or was.  It’s fine, plain but beautiful.  An empty canvas, one might say.  Open to putting my touch to it. I’m on my way back to the bar now…”
“Do you want me to save you a seat?”

“Absolutely,” At least someone was pleased to see me.

“Okay, I’ll hold the fort and have drinks waiting.”

“Thanks, Mads.  Oh…” At the thought of a drink, I was reminded of the delightful cocktails from the night before.

“Is Rumplestiltskin on?”

“Ah, no, just Delith,” Mads replied with a deflated intonation that I felt at the mention of Delith.

“Okay..”
“You sound so thrilled. I’ll see you here soon.” She hung up, and I asked Google to save the last number under ‘Mads’. 

Putting away her phone, Mads returned to the black contemplation of her future in debt to some of the most ancient and ruthless of our kind. She ordered another drink.

Dominic was having a quiet night.  Having gone through the local books, he checked his messages for emergencies. 

Nothing.

He then decided to check the rumours of Delith using Disciplines on the guests.  Moving to the security room, he checked CCTV cameras, watching the way Delith interacted with the customers.  He was well versed in Dominate and was sure he’d see signs of it. But, as he went through footage, he saw little sign of any Masquerade breach.

She was quirky, he had to say that.  A real character.  She had some weird facial expressions sometimes, and she had a stare that would bore through concrete.  Yes, he could see how the younglings would think she was up to something, but his experienced eyes saw no harm. Still, a bad reputation for her is a bad reputation for the whole bar.  He made a note for Bruce to put Delith in the Common room bar, at least for a while.  At least, until this all blew over.

He checked his communications again for information on Izac. Nothing as yet. Still, early days.  He only went missing the night before.

He then looked over his overseas investments.  It was like being a farmer. You didn’t make the milk, but you managed the cows that did. It was all just a bunch of numbers on a screen, but it spoke of confidence and fragility to him. Rumours of acquisition and new expansion opportunities.  

He spent some time on his own machinations, determining who did what for him in his local business. Giuseppe was wet work and damn fine at it and Bruce was intell and surveilance, of course, but what of the childe?  Stallion would make a good scapegoat if ever required, and Rain…a spy? Possibly a well-placed mole.  Yes, being the boss was knowing all your pieces and how best to use them.

12.00 am Sunday, 7 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club The Sanctum

Eclipse put away her phone and whatever future idea I had and returned to the present around her. The sacrifices were now in cages tens of metres below ground. Those who were conscious were moaning and wailing.  Hers lay oblivious in a drug-filled stupor of their own choosing. 

Let them rot, she thought.  It was easy to be disgusted with creatures that allowed themselves to be put in such a situation.

She looked around her.  The cages, the racks of clothes, the pool of blood and the big opal slab. Sometime on the trip back in the car,  it had turned midnight.  It was Sunday, her day, and yet she had no knife.

And she wanted one.  The desire for it burned like the black fire within her. 

Monday and Tuesday were hiding somewhere, pretending they didn’t exist. The sounds of My Chemical Romance echoed from some other part of the Sanctum. After the night’s debacle, she wasn’t surprised. Thursday and Friday, were sitting around the table where they’d first talked. They were just chilling, talking, and reading. Waiting around for her to do her thing. Of Saturday, there was no sign.  They’d done their duty for the night, so they had no real reason to be at the Sanctum.  And there was no Wednesday. The gang was all there.

Get it out of the way.  Get it done.

Squaring her shoulders, she walked up to the table where Thursday and Friday sat, making a beeline straight for Thursday himself.  

“Hey Sunday. What’s going on? “Thursday said casually, “What happened to the other two?  They looked like whipped cats.”

“Irrational decisions were made,” She said without hiding her own displeasure.

“Is that why we have three in the cage?” He sighed, “It’s not a good look.”

“Not a good look, is it?” Eclipse was confused. Monday and Tuesday, had considered it a good idea to have a few spares.

“You’re a bit young. We used to have a lot of their kind.  A little bit of a faux pas has become a crime of late. I assume it was your idea.”
“My choice.  I was told to have a type.”

“I figured.  Monday and Tuesday don’t normally go in for such exotic tastes as a rule.  But, you clearly wanted something, how can I help?”

“I was curious if you still have the knife you used during the sacrifice.”
“My knife,” He said,  claiming ownership and dominancy in one breath.

“Yes.”
“Do you want to use it as a once-off or ongoing.  You understand, the cost would be different.”

Eclipse ground her teeth and held her anger, “I intend to go out to Lightning Ridge. Plans are in the works, but it will be a while.  What’s the cost?”

“It’s a very nice blade…” Upselling.  Eclipse could see where this was going, but what could she do about it?

“What are you offering?”

“Clearly, I don’t have anything to offer,” She said, her arms out wide, showing everything she was.

“Favours.  Secrets.  Recommendations…” Thursday suggested, and Eclipse rolled her eyes.

“Selling myself for favours?”

“It’s more about having a reputation for being useful.”

Eclipse sighed.  Fine. “The use of the knife for a favour.”

“Nothing I’d risk your life, of course.  It’s an inconvenience for me to lend you the knife. Expect a similar inconvenience in the future. Deal?” Thursday held out his hand, and Eclipse took it. In the periphery of her vision, the black flames coalesced around the room.

“Let me get my kris for you,” Thursday got up and returned a moment later from deeper in the catacombs with the blade.  With solemn and silent ceremony, Thursday handed the blade to Eclipse, handle first.  She took it just as silently.  Going to the cages, she sought and found her junkie, slumped where she’d left him, oblvious to everything.  

With one hand, she picked him up and dragged him to the altar.  Lying him bonelessly over the iridescent stone, she paused a moment as she felt the tension of the snake within her.  She felt the coils tighten as it leapt to take control of her and the blade.  Pausing, she held back the snake’s eagerness and made it wait for her.

“Would you like to watch?” She said, turning to Thursday and Friday. They joined her, a triad around the altar and the ready sacrifice. She didn’t need a grand fanfare or even all the Days of the Week to witness her. All she needed was this moment and the knife in her hand.

The snake watched, the anticipation now an ache within Eclipse.  She raised the knife, aimed for the centre of the chest and plunged it down with all her might. The blade slipped through as if the sacrifice was nothing but an illusion.  Their eyes opened, bugging out in surprise and shock, though no sound passed their lips.  Suddenly their body…melted, dissolving away like water to be absorbed by the stone. The sacrifice was dramatic and over in seconds.  

Curious.  What a weird way to die, she thought as the last of her sacrifice disappeared as if they were never there.  And maybe, they never were. Was there a death if there was nothing to show they’d lived?

Thursday and Friday applauded as Eclipse pulled the knife out of the stone and handed it back.

“Nicely done, nice-ly done,” He congratulated her, taking the knife back reverently.

“And what are you all doing?” Eclipse asked conversationally. She wasn’t sure why they were all there if it wasn’t their day.  

“We do what we do.  Some learn, some read, others plan or stockpile for winter,” Thursday said, and as Eclipses’ frown deepened, he went on to explain.

“It’s pretty tricky getting people during a world war.”

“You were alive then?”

“Of course, it wasn’t that long ago.”
Eighteen-year-old student Luna, with three generations between her and the last world war, would have thought it a long time ago.  Eclipse, with a little more perspective, knew better.

“No, it wasn’t.”

The conversation, having run its course, Eclipse was left just standing, looking around as Friday went back to their book and Thursday returned his knife to its safe place.

“Do you want somewhere here to sleep? Or do you have other accommodations prepared?” He asked, as he started down a hallway she’d missed before.

Eclipse hadn’t thought where she was going at night’s end.  Back to the bar, she’d assumed, always back to the bar. 

“I do have a coterie,” She said, but even to her, that explanation sounded lame. 

If they knew what I was…what I had done…

However, Thursday seemed to misinterpret her meaning, “And we are pleased to have you.”

“If I were to stay here, where are the rooms?” She asked following Thursday down the hall,  it opened into subterranean chambers. 

“Around.  Some of us have brought in furniture, so many rooms are fully furnished and quite comfortable…proper goosefeather, you know?”

Eclipse was gracious enough to make an impressed expression, and Thursday gave her directions to a few that were free.

“Four of five minutes that way.  You can’t miss it.  The common room has a candle chandelier and real fainting couches.”

“I’ll be sure to go visit it.” She acknowledged Thursday’s suggestion and followed his directions.

1.00 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Leichhardt

Mads was getting a very accurate impression of the coterie. They never seem to be around, never seem to be together.  How did they get anything done?  And to that matter, what was being done about Izac?

She searched the crowd around her, looking for someone who could help.  Who knew?  Maybe there was one of those 8th or lower legendaries here already.  What there should be, at least a few of, was Nosferatu.  The communal, subterranean misfits of the Vampire world.  They knew everything, and what they didn’t know, they could find out, for a price.

Mads started looking for the telltale signs of illusions, the shimmer where reality met the fake. As she paid attention to the customers of the lounge, she saw many very ugly individuals, but none as creatively hideous as Nosferatu.  Annoying.  Any other time you’re wading through them, but when you actually want them, nothing.

She went and ordered another drink.

“Hey, good looking,” It was Delith, ready with a friendly gesture and almost predatory smile, “Did you need any help sorting Stallion out?”

“No, I could handle him, but thanks for the offer. “ Mads replied.

“I saw.  You screamed so well.”

And yet you did nothing, she thought, but kept that to herself,  “You have to have your ways about you.”

“You certainly do,” Delith laughed, and Mads didn’t see the joke.

“Hey, curious.” Instead, Mads pulled out her phone to a copy of the Assamite and the Mustang and turned it to face Delith, “Have you seen this car at all?”

“Yeah, I have,” She said after a moment, looking over the image, “It’s weird.  Why do you ask?”

“It’s a pretty cool car, and I’d like to talk to the owner and see where they got it.”

“Ah, I like you, Mads, so a bit of friendly advice.  Don’t worry about it.”

“What do you mean, ‘Don’t worry about it?’”

“It’s better if you don’t know.”

“But I’m curious.”
“Look, you can be a little cat about it if you want, but I’m just saying…leave it alone.”

Mads reached out and caught Delith’s hand as it withdrew from handing over another drink.

“Delith, please. What do you know?”

“Okay, well…you didn’t hear it from me, but that’s the boss’s car.”

Mads wasn’t sure if Delith was bullshitting to get her off the case or that’s who she really thought the car belonged to.  Either way, it was clear Mads wasn’t getting any more out of Delith.

“Really?”

“Yes, and I didn’t tell you. You can be pretty forceful when you want, so just keep it to yourself.”

“Okay, well, thanks,” Mads took the ordered drinks and returned to her table.  

A moment caught her attention, and she turned to see Delith slinking away from the bar into the back.  A few moments later, she was heading up the stairs at a fast pace. Leaving the drinks behind, she followed, watching as Delith bypassed the Common room and climbed the stairs to the office.  She knocked and, when ushered in, closed the door behind her.  Mads quietly climbed the stairs and pretended to be on the phone while listening in to the conversation above.

“Hey, Boss. I’ve got some uncomfortable news to give you.”

“And that would be?” Dominic’s voice replied.

“You know that new pretty thing that’s been hanging around downstairs? Causing a ruckus?”

“Mads? The one who has been talking to the group lately?”

“That’s the one.  Um…I think she might be more forthcoming with some things.”

“Hmm.  Has she been attacking anyone?”

“Oh no, she was just looking for information on one of your vehicles.”

“Ah huh.”

“Yeah, a dark blue Mustang? For some reason, she thought it was yours. A bit weird.” Mads couldn’t help reacting to that piece of nonsense.  She may have thought she was offering Dominic a tasty rumour, but all she was doing was muddying the waters for herself.

“That is weird. I’m not much into American muscle cars.  At least not a Mustang.”

“What would you like me to do about this, Boss? I came to you before doing anything else.”

Dominic took his time to reply, obviously wondering why Mads would believe a car she knew was owned by an Assamite would belong to him, “Well, the mistake is in her court. Mads doesn’t know what they’re talking about.  Just keep your ears open for anything else about the car and who it actually belongs to.”

“Sure, I could do that for you.”

“Information is money.”
“Definitely, Boss. Very smart of you.”

Mads had heard enough.  She casually made her way back down the stairs to the lounge and waited for Delith’s return. A moment later, Delith returned to her place at the bar looking like the smug fool she was.

I drove the black Audi into the Crow bar’s underground carpark without incident and handed the keys over to Bruce.

“Smooth.  Now we know who the adult is.  Next time you and Izac are heading out in a car, you can drive,” Bruce said as I walked past on the stairs.  I distractedly accepted his praise and continued my climb. As both Lucretia and Merritt had said, I would have liked more time for planning and machinations. But I knew I was expected back at the bar and had already been away too long.

I was currently trying to remember if Izac ever mentioned the name of the bar where he contacted his werewolves. I remembered the mention of a Mother Pasta, but how to contact her?  I didn’t feel like ringing every bar in the rocks to determine which one she was at.  I was also thinking the Nosferatu could be of use. As they’d likely sell information regarding the heart to others, besides my own personal history with them, I put that idea aside for now. 

Dominic was behind his desk, the master of all he surveyed.  Of Stallion, there was no sign.

“So, you returned.  How is the house looking?”

“The house is beautiful, thank you, “ I replied with genuine gratitude.

“Excellent. I’m glad you like it.” 

“And thank you for taking my phone call earlier.  I needed someone to bounce off and…it seems that’s you.” Also with genuine gratitude.  I’d been spiralling, and he’d pulled me back. 

“The only person you will ever get advice for free from is your sire…or adopted sire.” My rebellious mind flickered to Garcia.  I had to put that one out of my mind.  He made his position clear when he left me in the sand. For a fraction of a moment, I let my thoughts wander to what it could have been like awaking to these nights with Merritt to guide me.  

“I wanted to let you know that I communicated with The Lady at the house.  She was very interested in knowing about the coterie.”

“That’s a little off kilter, “ He said, and his usually implacable expression looked a little concerned. “Did you happen to catch her name?”

“She calls herself Merritt, “ I pulled out the drawing of her and handed it to Dominic. He took it, studying it for a long while before finally putting it aside, saying nothing.

“I may be hearing from Merritt again.  In fact, I know I will.  She said that Izac is destined for some great purpose, and she’s helping him fulfil it.  He’s to be given his freedom at…sometime, she didn’t say when, but I have the impression it is before the Succubus Club.”
“She didn’t happen to say where he is?”

“No.”

“You understand the concept of a pawn, don’t you?”

“A pawn? As in Chess, not the seafood?” 

“Yes, as in Chess.”
“I know that both Izac and I could be considered that. Tools. Which one of us are you referring to at the moment?”

“No, that is a damned dirty lie,” He replied as smoothly as he’d said anything, but there was a spark of indignation about it, “You may be a pawn to your sire, but I’d never throw you away needlessly.”

He knew just the right things to say, damn him.  Once more, making a contrast between himself and Garcia, and now, Merritt.

“I’m sure if I end up in the garbage, you would have got a good price.” I smiled back.  

“Izac didn’t seem to be willing to do…a lot of things before his disappearance. Did he seem happy to you before last night?”

I remembered that grey cloud that settled around Izac as he spoke to the Prince.  The agitation and guilt he bore just before walking out of the theatre.  No, Izac was many things, but happy was not one of them.

“No. He carried a very great weight on his shoulders, “ I admitted.

“Now, I’m a betting man.  And if I were to gamble on our Izac, I would gamble that, whatever his grand purpose, he’s not exactly happy to be doing it. He’s being coerced to do…something. And, you and I both know there are many ways to coax someone into doing something they don’t want to.”

I nodded, “Yes, there is.” I recalled the interview Izac had had a few nights ago. He’d seemed a little more sure of his course after, though no less unhappy.  Yes, he was being coerced, and from more than one direction.

He changed the subject, “Do you know that your recent companion, Mads, is showing around an image of that particular car we’re looking for?” He asked.  He didn’t surprise me.

“Ah.  She is keen, you’ve got to give her that.”

“She seems to know a lot.” He said, without context. Was this his way of asking me to find out? I’d try, but she had played her card pretty close thus far.

“How did her meeting go?”

“As far as I know, she’s still waiting in the lounge.” That was likely to get anyone antsy. It sounded like she could do with the company. 

“So, what do you plan on doing right now?” Dominic asked, seemingly all recent conversations put to the side for a little casual chit-chat.

“After my conversation with Merritt, I realise I need far more education in history, especially the Sabbat.  Do you think your library has anything on the Sabbat?”

“Little bits here and there,” Not what he wanted to hear. Try again.

“I did say I’d make myself available to Mads, so I’ll go and see if she’s up for a conversation.” This was what he was looking for. I started to wonder why he was being so cagey.  Habit?

“Try to coax out of her who owns the blue mustang.”

“I don’t know if that’s going to matter.”

“But she may know.” This seemed to be his concern at the moment, I started towards the door.
“Information is information, right? It makes the world go around.”

“If you could find a number plate for that car.  It would make it easier to find.” I stopped in my tracks and pulled out my phone.  The image was grainy, but the fluorescence on the licence plate stood out clearly against the dark body of the car.  I gave it to Dominic without a word.

Silently, Dominic searched the plate and found it belonged to a rental company.  The name the car was signed to was Johan Smyth.  Our driver was not a Johan Smyth.  The car was a dead end.

“As I said, I’m not too worried about Izac’s return, “ I said.  It was obvious to me that whoever Dominic had on the case was not coming in with results. “It’s just a matter of when and if he comes back to us.”

“Did he ever tell you anything about what he was running away from? Did he know what he was supposed to do?”

We can always find his when the Prince is gone.

Luna had said that in this very room, talking about Izac’s heart.  They wanted Sarrasine dead, or at least incapacitated.  No, that was not the memory to fall back on right now. I thought of that evening in Dominic’s Villa.

I think,  together, we could do great things here in Sydney…

Let’s…can we take it one step at a time?

“Ah, he has a mission, of that I’m sure, but up to this point he’s been very cagy about it.  I’ve reached out to him and offered my help, but he doesn’t trust me. I’m hoping nearly frying my brain with Merritt has hopefully earned me some trust.”

Dominic looked through me as if investigating the truth written on my soul. His eyes narrowed, but there was no hint of recrimination, no follow-up question, and thankfully, no Dominate.

“Well, whatever Izac’s mission is, we need to find out.  Remember, politics will get you killed. And this is starting to smell of politics.”

“What do you mean?” I had no doubt he spoke the truth, but was unsure of his perspective on the last few days.

“A disappearance.  The Banu Haqim involvement.  The Prince’s interested.  Your mental brainwashing. So-called glorious purpose.  These are the hallmarks of a political coup. And between you and me, Rain, this is the sort of thing that kills young kindred like yourself.”

I couldn’t help but shiver.  

“That is certainly not my intent,” I agreed quietly, hoping Izac would return very soon.

“It would be a shame for my first set of adoptive children to be turned into a pile of dust.”

I nodded in silent agreement and shrugged, “I’m not sure what I can find out while he’s not here.”

“Well, possibly not you, but Luna did spend a lot of time with him.  Possibly she knows something.”

Deflect! Deflect! Deflect!

“There is something.  She’s changed her name.  She publicly announced last night that she wanted to be known as Eclipse.”

“That’s interesting.”  Was all he said.  It felt like betrayal, but she’d said it in front of strangers, Dominic was going to find out eventually. “That will never hold up on her false paperwork.”

Which sparked a request of mine.

“That reminds me.  New home, new life, new identity.  My old fake ID was one I stole months ago and wouldn’t pass serious questioning. I was hoping I could get a new ID under the name Christopher Milbourne.”

Dominic made note of my request before pulling out his own phone and sending a text to Eclipse.

WE HAVE NEW DETAILS ON IZAC. WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU WHEN YOU’RE FREE.

And with that, I was dismissed, “Rain, if you want to keep our latest guest entertained, I’ll arrange a new ID for you.”

“Thank you,” Taking my cue, I left to find  Mads.

1.30 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club The Sanctum

Lying full length on a chaise lounge supported by hundreds of years of heavy goose feather padding under the twinkling lights of the chandelier, Eclipse felt her phone buzz. Langously reaching for her phone, she was returned to reality when she spotted the text was from Dominic.

WE HAVE NEW DETAILS ON IZAC. WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU WHEN YOU’RE FREE.

Her moment of luxury was over.  She spun to a sitting position and started getting ready to leave.

What do you care?  Said Luna, her beast, It’s only Izac.

That’s exactly why I have to go, She replied silently and started finding her was out of the catacombs.

1.30 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club Leichhardt

She wasn’t hard to find.  

Mads was nursing a drink at almost the same spot I’d left her earlier in the evening.  Suddenly, I felt tired.  Tired and hungry.  Between Lucretia,  the jump scares that were Merritt’s appearances, and Dominic’s dire predictions, this night was stretching very long indeed.  I made straight for her table.  She beckoned me over and put a glass in front of an empty seat.  I took to them gratefully, falling heavily into both.

“It must be something if you’re that washed out from checking out your new place,”  She said as I finished the first drink and made a gesture to the bar staff for a second.

“It is…extravagant….”
“Clearly by your reaction.”
“It’s been…a night…” I looked around the bar. It was busy as usual, and what I had to say was not for public consumption, “…I won’t go into details here, but I had a little altercation…”

“Do you want to take this to one of the private booths?” She suggested, which I gladly accepted.  

She led the way to one of the private rooms off the hallway to Time Out.  I hadn’t realised she knew they existed, but I was glad of the privacy they offered. I wasn’t oblivious that I was now alone with the lovely Mads.  Shame she could never hold a candle to Merritt. No one could.

“So, tell me.”

“I have to tell Eclipse as well…but you’re here and that makes the difference.  When we first lost Izac, I did a little Astral travelling to find him.  And did.  I also caught the attention of a very powerful and quite old kin.  She used a very interesting power on me, a tag, homing beacon, a tracker, you might say.”

“A tracker?  What do you mean?” Mads leaned in, curious. 

“Well, she called it The Kiss, “ I said, hoping she could shed some light on what Merritt had done, “Does that mean anything to you?”

She shook her head, “That sounds ominous.” She was a good listener.  I continued.

“I believe it’s a Thaumaturgy…a type of magic.”
“Usually, the fewer syllables, the more dangerous.” I had to agree.

“Anyway, she caught up with me while I was away.”
“Are you being tracked now?” She looked concerned.  It was concerning.  It was why I didn’t want to come back.

“No.  I don’t believe so.  I could see her in mirrors, and since we had a conversation, she’s disappeared.  It was why I’d been away so long.” I gave her a guilty look, knowing I’d kept her waiting.

“And what did this old and powerful vampire tell you?” There was a bitterness to her tone.  Was it jealousy? Why would it be? Resentful?  Of what? Being the playthings of powerful others?

“Mostly, it was what I could tell her.  She wanted to know about us…the coterie that is, not you, so be thankful. Why?  I don’t know why we’re so interesting to everyone.  Maybe it’s just because of Izac.”

“Maybe this person only has eyes for the coterie for some reason.  Maybe some designs of their own.” Mads is so canny. Without me mentioning it, she’d deduced the why on her own.  I was truly coming to admire her quick mind.

“I wouldn’t mind a few designs made on me,” I smiled at the thought of Merritt. Again, the keen eyes and quick mind of Mads’ picked up some of my mood.

“Are you smitten?  Are you smitten right now?!” She asked with such genuine good humour, I laughed. It was just the sort of banter one would expect from a friend.

“I will admit that Merritt is mighty impressive. We had a conversation, and it was very amicable.” 

“Maybe we should stay on topic,” Mads replied, and the moment was gone. 

“She said that Izac had some grand purpose and would be set free sometime soon. It will be up to him if he returns to us.”

Mads didn’t bother hiding her resentment this time.  She rolled her eyes dramatically and snarked back, “Oh please. Isn’t it nice that the special little boy has a purpose?  Who would have thought?”

She sighed, resigned for now, “Fine, if he’s coming back eventually, I guess I can wait…as usual.”

“It seems like it all kicks off…she did mention the Succubus Club.”

“The illustrious party going down in…less than a week?”

 “She called it The Event. I don’t know if we should expect to see Izac then, or what, but he’s alive and needs to remain that way for a while.  It doesn’t sound like we’ll get anywhere with our search and rescue plans.” That reminded me of what Dominic had mentioned upstairs.

“Oh, and I don’t think sharing that image of the car around is going to do much good.”

“Yes, because I’ve been trying to find him,” She said as if we hadn’t. She was frustrated and bored, it was only natural to get desperate. 

“I appreciate that.”

“I was hoping Delith would have loose lips and start getting people interested.”

“Unfortunately, it looks like that’s a dead end. It seems it was a rental under the name Johan Smyth.” I broke the bad news, “See, we are trying to find him.”

“So you’re telling me we have to sit on our hands and wait dutifully in the club for him to appear?”

“Look, we’re all getting together to have a discussion about this. I’m sure you’d be welcome to join.”
“Sure, I’ll tag along.” She said, as if we could stop her.  I just wish I knew why she wanted Izac. “So when is this lovely little meeting happening?”

A change in tack was in order.

“You know what?  I don’t mind. I’ve had enough of machinations for one evening and feel things could do with a little slowing down. Let’s just enjoy ourselves.” And I took my new glass, clinked it against her and drank it down.  I was thirsty, and the two glasses, so far, hadn’t even touched the sides.

“Patience is a value that is essential in kindred society, but I haven’t learnt that lesson,” She said scathingly.

 I smiled, “I know exactly what you mean.”  Ah, the good old days of a week ago, how we miss you, “But I had a very close call recently and realised I had not given near enough time to enjoy myself. So, drink up as the next round is on me.”

With a rye smile, Mads took up her glass and drank as well, “To the meeting then?”

“To the meeting.” I agreed, toasting her with my empty glass, “Things are happening.”

She didn’t look pleased, but with grudging grace accepted the state of things as they were.  We had to wait.

“Let’s just enjoy ourselves. At least for a little while.”

“I can only promise to try.”

“I accept.”

Upstairs, Stallion had forgotten all thought of going home. He was in the thick of the partygoers in the common room.  Yes, it was obvious when you thought about it.  A Stallion needed its herd. It wasn’t that hard.  Treat people as you would want to be treated.  Make them feel appreciated.  Listen and see things from their perspective.  And until then, he could always shout them drinks.

1.30 am Sunday, 6 hours until sunrise. 5 days until the Succubus Club In transit

Eclipse was on her way back to the bar when she thought to text me.

WHERE ARE YOU?

V.I.P. PRIVATE ROOM WITH MADS. 

NEW INFO ON IZAC?

LATER, I had so much to tell her, but so much to ask as well.  Besides all the news of Izac, we had a cat burglary to plan.  And I, for one, couldn’t wait.

************************************************************************************

Ekleipsis

You haven’t changed.
What?
You betray your family, your community, your God. Now you hold a knife behind your back, at the ready for the people around you. You haven’t changed, Eclipse.
I tried to trust people.
And you abandoned them. First it was your mother, then Matthaios, followed by Claudia. Then what about your old coterie? Having fun in the charade you’ve created. Convincing each of them you haven’t changed. You abandon those closest to you.
They abandoned me.
…
This is not a white leather couch, tucked away in a dark living room in an Italian villa. It’s comfier but it lacks any warmth.
“Sitting in the dark is not the healthiest thing for you, Luna.”
No, it’s not. But the chandler burns so brightly I could convince myself, even for a second, it might be the cold warmth of the sun.
The cold warmth of your embrace…
What are we doing here?
Coteries. A headache, a lifeline. She’s split in two again. The same questions, different headings.
Who would you choose, family or foes dressed as friends?
Have we ever truly changed?
If Eclipse has proved anything, it’s that her loyalty can be brought. The chip? Her soul. Her life. Her favours.
As her boots echo through this cave, she blends with the shadows. Flick, flick, flickering in and out of reality.
Do you see it now?
Us playing dress up?
No. Our purpose.
That’s what she’s always wanted. Changed her name, sacrificed who she used to be to try and be something.
“Where did I lose you?”
Where did I lose myself?
No. No, not lost. Broken into a thousand fucking pieces and picked back up again.
Sometimes to save something, you have to destroy it. Build it anew.
If she could breathe, this night air would cool her lungs. Rain needs her. Maybe he was right. Her actions will always speak louder than her words.
Izac. Rain might have new information on him…
Do you think he could do it?
I think he could accomplish anything.
The train’s speed blurs the scenery. Concrete jungles amalgamated with glitches of greenery. It’s quiet this time of night. People leaving the bar scene on the last trains join her in solemn silence. On her God’s day, they all accept their spiritual shortcomings in the after-waft of alcohol. She can still see the way that man’s body flowed a river of blood before vanishing.
She has two choices. Continue on this road or achieve something greater.
‘Information on izac?’
‘I’ll tell you more at the bar.’
As the train hauled to a stop, her reflection on the window stared back at her.
Slowly, it was starting to sink in.
Oh, so you finally decided to actually fucking pay attention to me for once? Gonna listen to my advice now?
If I had followed through with what we wanted, we would be dead.
You’re a buzzkill.

Notable NPCs

Abram: Ventrue, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar

Ambrogino:  5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.  

Avel:  Rain’s mother, a wraith.

Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.

Blanco Falzo: A  man who had made into a likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time.  Now deceased.

Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.

Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention.  Rain’s close friend.

Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni

Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.

Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. 
She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.

Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.

Detective Woodman:  NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia.  He has an assistant currently called Notetaker.

Doctor Willis Hodge: Ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.

El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America

Founders of Sydney Masquerade:  Those still alive:  Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador current whereabouts unknown.

Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of homeless in Surry Hills.

Garcia: Sire.  Unknown location.

Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew. 

Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)

Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre.  Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.

Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages.  Location unknown.

Lucretia:  Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic

Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.

Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Night Rider: Red-haired vampire?  Works for the Prince.

Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)

Padre Craneo:  Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar

Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats

Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.

Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*

Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre.  Powerful Toreador.

Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).

Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home

Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.

The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain.

Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.

Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade

Glossary of terms:

Anarchists: a faction of Vampires.  Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.

Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood.  The third generation that were the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.

Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.

Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.  

Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves

Blood hunt:  A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition.  Specifically mentioned in the sixth.

Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.  

Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.

Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.

Camarilla:  a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes.  Believe in hierarchy and order.

Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.

Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)

Clan or Bloodline:  From one the 13 antediluvians. 

Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.

Marauder: A mage gone mad.  Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.

Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul

Favour:  How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.

Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.

Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire.  Stallion’s Bloodline.

Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae.  They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once  a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.  

Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.

Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves

Hunter:  Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church.  Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.

Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves

Kine: Humans

Marauder:  a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure. 

Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe.  Hiding ones nature from the world.

Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.

Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.

Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.

Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire.  Rain’s Bloodline.

Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.

Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.

10.30pm Saturday 10 hours until sunrise. 6 days until the Succubus Club The Harbour Mill, Pyrmont

“I just want to get to know who they are,” She replied quickly, which seemed to be the truth as far as it went.  It still didn’t explain why we were so interesting to her.

“I can tell you all about them.  We’re not that interesting, really.”

“You can do that, can you?”

“I’m very perceptive.”

“Sure, how much time do you have?” And once more, though there was no intonation, there was a feeling that she were settling down…getting comfortable.  I had captured her interest a second time, it seemed. 

Good.

“We can start and see how we go, “ I said, dropping my suitbag behind me in the hallway.

“That would be splendid.  Speak to your heart’s content.” And even though there was no rise in tone, I was sure she was smiling and wished I could remember her face.

“And if your information is as good as I think it is, I’ll fix that little thing in your head. Sound good?”

I took a cleansing breath in and let it out slowly.  These may be her rules, but we were playing my game now.

“We’ll see.”

“Splendid.”

I was standing in a hallway, looking side on at a floor-to-ceiling mirror.  If we were to have a conversation, I wanted to be comfortable. I emptied my pockets, which contained two sets of keys, my wallet, coins, and phone.  I leaned back against the wall beside the mirror and slid down to sit cross-legged on the cut-pile carpet.  I placed the phone down beside the wall and turned on the dictation app.  If the Lady decided to mess with my mind again, at least this time I’d have a record. 

“So?  Who goes first?” She asked. I could see the shadow move in the mirror.  It was almost like sitting casually side by side, if you didn’t take into account the odd monotone voice. Obviously, there was no actual sound from her end. The voice and words were my mind’s attempt to translate her projections.  I wondered what words she’d used, and would there be local variation or phrasing that denoted an overseas or even non-English speaker. It was amazing how unsatisfying telepathy was for those of us who dive into the richness of human communication.

“Why do you have our Izac?  What do you have in mind for him?”

“I’m trying to mutually assist him in reaching his desired goal.” She replied carefully.  Even though I understood it was my own wording, she seemed to be picking her ‘meaning’ carefully.  Still, this was good news.  If Izac was useful, he wasn’t likely to be killed any time soon, at least by the Lady and her group…whoever they were.

“I’m preparing him for a quest.”

“Right. Good.  I’ve told him so myself.  He couldn’t do it alone.”

There was a…not the sound of laughter, but the emotion of dark humour. She thought that was funny.

“I amuse you?”

“The idea of Izac completing his task alone.”

“Yeah,” On that we could agree.

“Well, I didn’t find it amusing, and I told him he was going to need help. Someone he could trust.  Can he trust you?”

“As much as he can trust any of our kind,” She replied. Yes, while their goals lay on the same path, he could trust them. 

“That’s a sad and sorry place,” I commented, having experienced the amount of distrust and secrecy firsthand.

“And yet here we are talking freely.”

“Yes.” Yes, of course I was.

Her turn.  

“So, outside of Giovanni, who is the next member of the coterie?” Oddly phrased.  Was she looking for the next most important, or just the next member that came to mind? I decided she meant the former.

“I’d say me.  I’m clever and resourceful and try to be useful to the coterie,” It sounded like I was going for a job interview, but as I’d spotted her twice, she knew I had some skill.

“All things are useful in their own way, “ Ouch!, “But what drives you? Other than a sense of belonging.”

Both times, her insightful phrasing were like papercuts to my psyche. Then again, maybe having a sense of belonging was a trait universal.

“Belonging is…me. Belong to something…be part of something…bring others into my community…my family. To belong to a something…greater and help in its building.”
“Hmm,” Where the sound usually held any number of meanings depending on context and intonation, here I could glean nothing.  

I thought back to the aura, the sense of her mission being spiritual and for the good or betterment of… someone.  Innocence and spirituality, with the excitement of finding something new and interesting. I changed my tack.

“To be part of…a divine spark…? Know what I mean?”

“I know exactly what you mean,” She replied, “There are plenty of ways to reach such a goal.” 

A woman with a spiritual bent, who believed in something beyond herself.  It didn’t have to be a god, it could have been an ideal.  It was an interesting nugget of information that I noted and moved on.

“It’s really a matter of how many lives you ruin along the way.” 

“I try to improve lives,” I really did, “So’s Izac.  Though sometimes he gets it wrong, I must admit.”

“Everyone gets it wrong,” She replied, and agan I had to agree, “How many lives would you destroy for a polio vaccine?” I took her meaning, but the example was odd.  We’d had polio vaccines since the mid-fifties and sixties. The Lady had proven herself to be powerful, but now I was getting a hint as to how old she must be.

“How many lives do they destroy denying people vaccines? All we can do is move forward and leave the judgments to history.”  I replied. It sounded callous, but it was true.  You don’t go out of your way to cause suffering, but no planning sees all implications.  Often, only through failure do we find our greatest achievements. 

“That’s a lesson he’s learning at the moment.  Death can be good, but it is not a requirement.”

I took heart from that statement.  This was not a woman who wanted results at any cost. I settled back into the conversation.

“There’s usefulness in everyone.  It just depends on what you do with forever and what that actually entails.”

Forever.  I don’t know if the human mind was meant to encompass the meaning of the word.  Maybe that’s why all the elders I’d met so far seemed so distant and inhuman. 

“So that’s yourself.  We know what Izac is after.  Have you given any real thought to what Dominic is after?”

Recognition, I thought, He offers Ambrogino everything he wants and still is treated poorly.  I didn’t think Dominic would appreciate me being that open with this unknown woman, so I stalled.

“He has a lot of what he’s after.  He’s worked hard and has wealth and influence without the notoriety…”
“I guess you’re young.  You haven’t made the connection.  When you speak of a Giovanni, you are addressing two separate entities.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“There is Dominic, who is a Giovanni, and then there is The Giovanni.” Oh boy, she was so close to what I had been thinking, I wondered if she did have access to my thoughts after all. 

“Which is much more of a…communistic entity.”

“Yes!” I agreed, “Dominic is The Family, as well as the man.”

“So even though the individual Dominic may be satisfied with his wealth and power, what does the Giovanni want?” 

So close…She said I was young, maybe I could play on that.

“Yes, what does The Giovanni want?  I’m afraid I’ve had precious little experience on that.  I’ve met very few Giovanni to know. It would be interesting to find out.” 

“But you have met others?” She asked outright, and I found myself answering just as bluntly.

“No.”

Lying is often just a different way of looking at the truth.  Giuseppe, though of the family, was a ghoul and didn’t count as a full fledged member.  Ambrogino was a Capadocian and identified as something other than the Giovanni that came after him. Lucretia was his child.  In my head, she was also Capadocian, or at least separate from the family by Ambrogino’s machinations.  So, it was a form of truth to say I knew very little about The Giovanni.

She seemed to accept my view of the truth and moved on to our next subject.

“Can you tell me more about the other members of your coterie?”

“Weren’t we doing quid pro quo?”
“Yes, you caught on quickly.” Ah, she could flatter me all day long. “What other question do you have?”

“I appreciate you’re helping Izac. It may just keep him alive, but maybe not….” What did I want to know?  Her name?  Did names really matter outside of social niceties?  I searched my mind.

“I guess what I’m thinking is how I can help?”

“What an odd expression,” She said after a long pause. 

“I’ve asked him this before. He knows my mind. I’m willing to help.”

Another long pause, and then, “Are you able to get his heart?”

Obvious Izac had been very truthful with the Lady.  I imagined that outside Izac, Eclipse and myself, only the Prince would have known about that little detail.  

“What a thought! “ I said with a smile.  Out of the coterie, I was the only one who could probably pull it off.

“In the very near future,” She qualified, and my expression dropped. 

“Truthfully, and we’re being truthful here, I do know where it is.  As to getting at it…” I hadn’t started even perfunctory research for a job of that scale.  Rob from the Museum of Contemporary Art? The thought was thrilling.

“Still, there’s no one else in my coterie…” There was Eclipse.  She had that obfuscating ability and wanted Izac’s heart back, only second to the man himself, “…the experience to do it.”

“I have a plan B if need be, but if you’re available…and willing.”

“I’d have to replace it with something. We don’t want to tip them off to its disappearance too soon.”

“Hmm.”  No words of advice or brainstorming ideas.  Just the monotone, meaningless sound to show she was still listening.

“I would like to present him with his heart,” I smirked. Yes, the idea was growing on me.  

“He just needs access to it. Nothing tricky.”

Access?  Could I take him to it?  Instead of taking the heart, I somehow find a way of taking him…to his heart? No, as soon as he saw it, he’d want it back, and I couldn’t blame him.  No.  Stealing the heart is the plan.

She continued, oblivious to my internal machinations.

“With the right abilities, it could be hidden or at least its presence wouldn’t be noticed.”

The right abilities huh?  Nothing that I knew…but someone in the coterie might. Beside burning me, I wondered what other things Stallion had learnt in his Thaumaturgy studies. Hadn’t he been working at protecting himself?

“So, he would need access to it but not necessarily possess it?”

“He’d need to touch it.”

“Ah.”  

I must say, I’d never considered what Izac would do with his heart when he got it back.  If I had to imagine anything, I guess it would consist of some sort of rough surgery.  Still, keeping his heart safe somewhere other than his chest would be a good idea.  As someone who has been staked, I can firmly attest to.

“If none of his coterie can help, there is a plan B I could enact.” She was giving me a way out, or at least a fallback position.

“Okay…I may have to get back to you on that one.”

“I would need to know the night before the event, that would be appreciated,” She said, and I noted she was still using language to obfuscate her meaning.  ‘The Event.’ We were talking mind to mind, why not say The Succubus Club?  Maybe this event, which seemed like  I’d been living my whole undead life for, had a greater significance to the wider vampire community.  It also meant that Izac would need his heart before the big event. Whatever was being planned was for that night. But she’d said I’d have to get in contact with her.  The thought of having her phone number was enticing, but I had the feeling she wasn’t a lady to carry one.

“As lovely as our conversation is here, and I’m willing to continue, I don’t want you in my head forever.  How do I get in contact with you?”

“I’ll contact you at a predetermined time after this conversation. I don’t have the time to piggyback you for days.  I would pick the right time and the right moment.”

So, don’t call us. We’ll call you.  Story of my life.

“I will contact you the night before.”

“The night before,” I repeated. It was like trying to arrange a date for the Prom, “It leaves it close, but okay.”

I had to admit, she’d been more than generous with her answers at this point. It was time to offer up some answers of my own.

“So, you would like to know whose next?”

“Hmm-mm.”
“Originally, there were three of us who awoke in the sand together.  The next is not the greatest of us, but he’s strong.  He goes by the name of Stallion, which may give you a clue as to what he thinks of himself. Of course, that doesn’t mean anything now. He’s…if you wanted him, you’d need to get Dominic on side. “

“Any particular reason you’d phrase it that way?”

“He’s very…loyal.  Perhaps you can think of a few reasons why he might be that way. Seeing as though you are in my head.”

“The Kiss affects many in different ways.”

“The Kiss? Is that what you called it?” It was certainly effective at getting someone’s attention.

“There used to be a term for it before the words. That was the way things used to be. It was always expected that you would be…beholden.” For a monotonal voice, there seemed to be an awful lot of stress on ‘used to be’.  

“That’s what started one of the great conflicts of our kind.” A history lesson.  Did I recall from my readings that the children were fed up with living under their elders and rebelled?

“I can imagine.” Living forever under the authority of an ever-increasingly cold and distant elder would be incredibly frustrating. Add on to that the paranoia that they’re coming to get you, and we’ll be singing, ‘Can you hear the people sing’ before you know it.

“I don’t know how much of kindred history you know.” 

“I’ve recently been told my knowledge is potted and spotty.”
“So you don’t know much about how the Sabbat came to exist.”

The Sabbat.  One of the three big factions in Kindred society.  Outside the Camarilla and the Anarchists, they controlled the day-to-day lives of many Kin all over the world.  They believed that one day the original elders of the clans would awaken to eat their children.  Talk about daddy issues.

“No, but I do know they exist.”

“Nothing about their beginnings and where they started?”

I was starting to see why Dominic had such an extensive library.  Besides planning a theft, I need to hit the books again.

“No, ‘fraid not.”

“There was a time when all kindred were bound to one another.  That seems to have lessened over the preceding generations.”

“Oh.” I didn’t have words.  Drawing together…working together… Damn her, she knew what to say.

“So, bound…how?”

“Bound by blood.  Like a good child in a family…they were always subservient to their elder or sire.” 

I couldn’t say I knew much about that.  

“So not a cultural…it was the blood itself?”

“In this case, it would be the blood.  It wasn’t tied to any specific clan. You’re fortunate to be in a place where it is not forced on you or set down in code.”

I knew that Sydney was seen as a Free City, but it wasn’t until this moment that I understood what that really meant.  Not that there were a few rules past the traditions.  We were free in ourselves, and not bound by our…for want of a better word..condition, to obey.  As one who took the rules of law as more guidelines for living, I suddenly understood why it was good to be Prince.  

“This sounds like something I want to know about.”

“Ask around.  Pick up a book.”

“The trick is knowing which book.  You can spend your lifetime reading. Which I’m not adverse to, but there’s far more to life than other people’s words. I’m more of a hands-on, face-to-face sort.”

“You have lifetimes for it.” And yet, as usual, I was expected to know it all yesterday.  

Slow is smooth.  Smooth is fast.

“I can see now why a library is such an asset.”
“They always were. Shame the great ones were lost throughout the ages. There are only a few of the old ones left. But someone like you would not be able to gain access to anyplace like that.”

The Philosophical Society library called.  Tomorrow night was Sunday.  What a week we’d had. I hadn’t run out of local reading, yet.  Access to restricted collections could wait. I changed the subject.

“So, we were talking about Stallion.  He was the first I saw as I came out of the sand without a sire.  That’s not strictly true. Dominic was there, but he is not our sire.” I was trying to draw her out on this subject.  It had always stung that Garcia was not there to guide me through this life.  From the start, I’d felt abandoned, and no amount of boons after the fact was going to fill that…need for acceptance. She didn’t disappoint.

“No, not uncommon for those who are part of your clans.  They seem to have an overabundance of bastards.” I’d been called worse. 

“I wish I’d known a little more about Kin culture before…taking a dirt bath.”

“The…dirt bath is not a particular requirement.  More of a cultural rite of passage. At least, the way it’s understood.  If you were truly meant to live, you would find your way out. Otherwise, you’d stay dead in the dark.”

God. What a thought.

“As it comes to your education, which you seem to be surely lacking, if you have to wait a century before you’re let out in the world, you would have time to learn these things.”

“A century!”  Dominic was talking about twenty years, and that made me itch.

“Oh, however long the sire decides the education is required. At the very least, it’s decades.”

“And here’s me hoping to fast-track things.”

“You have.  Very clearly.” She said, and I wasn’t sure she meant it as a compliment.  I decided to take it as one.

“Which led to this conversation.”
“Hmm-mm.  Now I believe I’ve answered some of your questions, if I may ask another in return?”

It was only fair. Besides, I was running out of topics myself.

“Please, turn and turn around.”
“And there was a third one you mentioned?”

Luna…Eclipse. She was right. I was always protecting her. 

“On the beach?” She prompted as I had gone quiet, contemplating what to say.

“Indeed.  There was the three of us.  Lovely Luna. She’s …young. Stallion’s young, but in comparison, she’s still a child. In saying that, she knows her mind…probably more than me.”

“Most of our kind, before the dawn of technology, would be embraced in the mid to late teens.”

“Well, then she’s very average, and I’m the outlier.” 

“It happens.  Some of our kind were embraced in their twilight years.”  

Twilight years?!  Now hang on a minute.

“Well, I feel privileged to be in my prime.  Not so old as life is already a drag, but old enough to have a little experience.”

“Assuredly.” And I definitely took that as a compliment.

“What motivations…what soft spots can you tell me about?” She asked, and I was reminded this was not a delightful conversation but an interrogation.  As much as I fantasised, she was not my friend.  Still, it was pretty clear what my answer would be.

“We’re young. We’re…I’m…fumbling in the dark of these nights.  I constantly ride the dichotomy of not knowing where the dangers lie, and yet I have powers enough to get myself into trouble…as you are now a witness to.”

“So, in the case of soft spots, I can already tell, yours is belonging and losing in the pursuit. Izac is trying to be a good person despite it all.  And from what I can surmise from Dominic, his value and personal accomplishments are dwarfed by The Giovanni.” 

She took my breath away.  I knew all that to be true, and yet I said none of those things. Our Shining Knight. Dominic’s desire to be recognised and…how did she know…how?”

‘How could you even know…how…is it the bloodlines…my bloodline…that means…I will…loose…what I care about?”

“Your bloodline does tend to be fickle.  There will be seasons you take on new ghouls in scores and other times…you will find they’re no longer in style.” That I didn’t like hearing, but I knew I was easily distracted by the new and exciting. I wanted to prove her wrong, but so far…I was a textbook case.

“Bloodline.”
“Yes.  You could say a clan affliction.”

“Well, I didn’t expect this to be a therapy session.”

“You call it therapy.  I refer to it as more of the soul than the soil.” I wasn’t sure what to make of that.  Was she saying we were picked because we already aligned with our bloodline’s tendencies, or that the bloodline itself made us who we are? I wondered, did it really matter in the end?  As if in response to my internal monologue, she continued.

“After you’ve met a million people, you start seeing the patterns.”
Yes, I understood that.  The predictable nature of human beings was how I made my living for years.

“I can tell you, you don’t have to meet a million people.  Just a few thousand. People are, on the whole, predictable.”

“I like to see the differences.  Plenty of people waste their lives on these inventions. Instead of swords and boards, it’s a gun.  Instead of a gun, it’s an electric screen.”
“They’re all just tools,” I said, again wondering how old The Lady was, “They have an impact, change how we do things, but not the why. That’s never changes.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” I smiled and leaned my head against the chrome plastic frame of the mirror.  I hadn’t had such an open and rewarding conversation with anyone since… Luna in the car.  God, how that memory stung.  The Lady was either playing me like a harp, or I’d found my perfect woman. Shame she was probably hundreds of years old and way out of my league. Ah, a bloke can dream.

I steered the conversation back to the task at hand.

“And then there’s Izac,  our Knight in Shining Armour, our latest member and the most mysterious.”

“Everyone assumes mysterious, but they don’t know pettiness when they see it.”

I genuinely laughed out loud.    Everyone looked at Izac as something exotic,  unusual, and rare.  It was like getting a jewellery box from Cartier and finding cheap plastic trinkets inside.  It sounds mean, but I know he means well.  Maybe the Lady was what he needed to find his focus.

“So true! But I wouldn’t tell him that, “ I chuckled, and not for the first time, wished she were actually there beside me.

“He believes he’s on a mission.  Our paladin.”

“And don’t they have such a great track record in history?” 

“Yeah.  That’s why I keep saying we need to…I know my faults…strike that, I know I have faults…I know I need to bounce stuff off others…and so does he.”
“Well, I am not that being.  I am merely putting him on a better path than he was given.”
“I don’t mind being that person,” Though I’m sure he’d much prefer Eclipse….he didn’t even know she’d changed her name, “If you can give him a better path than he was working out for himself…”
“Or rather than being a holy assassin, he can find some sort of enlightenment.” Another religious image.  If the Lady were a nun, I would be deeply unhappy.

“I have to admit, that sounds good. I don’t know if he was built to be a holy assassin.”

“It’s something he’ll need to reconcile with.”

“So that means we’re going to get him back?” 

“He’ll be freed. What he does is up to him.”

Okay.  It’s a little hard to hand over the heart if he doesn’t show up.

“So, no need to go into Punchbowl, guns blazing or some sort of nonsense that Dominic might suggest?”

I could hear a scoffing laugh at the back of my mind and knew instantly what she thought of that idea.

“I assume you.  If you were to kick down the proverbial door, you would all be ash before you stepped through the threshold.”

Nope. Nope. Nope.

“See, I’d rather do this.”

“It works. Some people don’t have the patience.  They’ve still to learn those lessons.”
“Goodness, I’d rather do this than almost anything.  Don’t get me wrong, there’s a real sense of purpose when you act for the right.  But I’d rather spend days talking than…getting dirty.”

“Hmmm.” And what did that mean?  

“Which makes me think. Would it be useful to you if I introduced you to Dominic and the coterie, as we are now?” At least they couldn’t blame me for any deep secrets the Lady picked up talking to them.

“I don’t think so.”

“I was hoping you’d agree to that one, as then I could leave straight away and set up the meeting.”

“Sure, I’m not here to make friends or acquaintances.  I’m merely collecting information.”
“I just thought you’d appreciate the contact.”
“Contact isn’t required.  Subtlety is required when it comes to matters of Jihad.”

Jihad. War.  Particularly, the war with the elders. Was that what we were getting into?

“Well, it was just a thought.”

“When I need something, more often than not, I take it. I don’t need any of you, I just need to understand what I’m setting up.”  Were we the roadway or were we the roadblocks? This was more the language expected from an elder, and it made me shiver. 

“As you’ve so easily shown with the abduction of Izac. Within ten minutes of his disappearance, he was outside a three-kilometre area. That was impressive.”

“Needs must.”

And with that sombre note, I found I’d run out of speaking topics. I was torn. I wanted to get back and tell the others what I’d discovered, but at the same time, I’d not felt so heard in a long time.  It had been a good conversation, one I wasn’t likely to repeat anytime soon.

“And that is our coterie.”
“I understand. Two would not be an issue, and from what I suspect, two wildcards. You haven’t mentioned Luna much outside her capabilities.”

And I hoped she wouldn’t have noticed.

“When I say she’s young, and she is in years, she’s still finding herself.”

“Sure, most of the best kindred tend to be under the age of ten.”

Ten!  God, what monsters are they making?

“Sorry to say, I don’t find that at all a good idea.” 

“They have no humanity to cling onto.”
“But neither do they have any sense or rationality.”
“You get that with time.  But at that age, they have no regrets, no hangups.”
“They’re minds, their intellects, aren’t fully formed.”
“They don’t need to be.”
For what?  To grow and build a society or to be soldiers? 

“That sounds like you’re making…tool, not people.”

“I can assure you, for most of them, it is quite the opposite. At least for the ones that live longer than two hundred years.”

Outside of parental care, they could never have known love. Sacrificial love. All they’ve known is to take and expect others to give. It was all too horrible.

“I can’t imagine that.”

“You don’t have to, you can meet some if you’d like to. The experience is unpleasant.”
“Oh, I don’t know if I want to meet a ten-year-old that’s two hundred years old. They sound like they’d be…mean.”

“With the exception of one of them, they are unmistakably no longer human.”

Exactly.  

“I can appreciate that. Lord of the Flies is real and evident in every school yard the world over. On top of that, significant power.”

“It’s less of the brain. That develops over time.  It’s more they don’t have any of those complicated emotions.”

That’s what makes a well-rounded human…human! 

“Nothing to emotionally leverage…No empathy…”

“No melancholy, no guilt, no shame.  Eventually, they grasp, given enough time, the consequences of certain actions, of course.  I’m sure you, being of your vintage, as I am, given enough time, you’ll think and plan.  You’ll take time to…. pause and contemplate. Late nights pondering. It’s not the case for them. It’s not required.”

Yes.  True monsters. No thought, just action. Like highly intelligent and powerful monsters. I’m sure they learn to fit in, but down where their true selves lie, they are ravenous monsters.  I didn’t think we could agree, so I changed the subject.

“So, you’re freeing Izac sometime, what he does with it is up to him.”

“Correct and as it should be.  You could be like some in the Sabbat that keep a quadraplegic as a mascot of sorts.  You don’t seem that callous.”

What an odd thing to say, “Now why do you say that?  What does Izac have to do with a mascot?”

“I listen to how you speak of the rest of the coterie.  You refer to them as people and not a means to an end. Coteries normally exist for one of two reasons.  Mutual benefit or protection.  The Sabbat have more of the right idea of bonding together, but in the end, it is always the same result.”

She’d mentioned bonding together earlier, that before kin were expected to work together under their elders.    

“That doesn’t have anything to do with…”Once more, I scoured my mind for the word, “Vaulderie?”

 As soon as I recalled the word, it inserted itself into our conversation, my mind translating her thoughts.  When she’d been talking about the blood bonding, she’s been speaking of Vaulderie, or its result, vinculum.

“It’s been mentioned a couple of times within the coterie. Mentioned and dismissed.  Not something for the modern nights?”

“Very much so, just not for most.”

“I’m going to find out about that.”
“And you will.”

“What are your intentions with us?  Now that you know us, that is?”

“Oh, my intentions are minimal.  My focus is on Izac, hence I took him. I have an interest in his…resolution. To see his quest fulfilled.  I’m just trying to understand, if anyone, in the coterie would pervert that.”

“Interesting.” Yes.  Neither I nor Luna were an issue. Dominic would try to stop us if he knew.  Stallion wouldn’t care unless told otherwise by Dominic.  Yes, she knew what she needed to know.

“Speaking honestly, Dominic could turn a buck if it were war or peace, though he has enjoyed peace. He’s grown large and fat under the Prince.”

“The Prince is a different concern, and none that any of you need worry about.”
Well, that stopped that line of conversation.

“My focus is Izac.  Besides being mysterious, his ambitions are interesting. Ambition is a terrible thing for our kind.”

I felt like I was getting mixed signals.  On one hand, Izac was interesting for his ambitions, and on the other hand, it was a terrible thing for Kin.

“Why so?  For when they’re achieved?”

“What does an eternity of continuous failure look like?”

Many ways not to do something.  Failures are how we learn. Without failure…I wouldn’t exist.

“If an intelligent mind is put to a task, though failure is inevitable, there should also be triumphs. Failures light the path to success.”
“There are many ways to skin a cat.”

“Why yes.”
“So, your ambition is to live in peace, forever.”

“I don’t think I get a say in that. I’ve not known a lot of peace. For my part, I live in peace with those who also desire peace.  But none of us gets to determine the times we live in.”

“When you live forever, peace will be a case of continuous failure.”

Now that was a sentiment I could understand. In a very long life, I could see that times of peace would end up just breaths between battles.  So be it.

“Another day at the office, then.”

“Quite well put.”

“Are there any other strange dealings or phenomena that may interfere with Izac’s quest?”

Oh, a demon in a watch?  A tree that grows bodies?  Dealings with werewolves? Powerful Kin that hold sway over portals to the Afterlife? The curious interest of the Prince himself?

“No.  As I said, we’re not very interesting. You did pick up the most interesting of us, I must admit.  You’ve got good taste.”

“Flattery will get you somewhere.” I imagined a smile somewhere on a blank face I could no longer imagine. This time, she changed the subject.

“The Event will be occurring in six nights.”

“Yes, in  a few hours it will be five.”

“So I will contact you again in four. Is there any question you would like to ask before I depart?”

“Two, actually.  What may I call you?”

She took a long while to reply to that. Did everyone she knew already know her name, so she never felt the need to give it, or was it the opposite, that she never gave it at all?

“Merritt.”

“Thank you, Merritt.  The second is, can I have your face back, please? You’ve left a big hole in my mind, and that’s important to me.”

“Are you sure you want it?” An ominous question.  Still, I did not like the feeling of knowing my mind was incomplete. Better to suffer (if suffering was the word for it) for love of the Lady and know my own mind than…be Stallion.

“Your memory will be returned to you.  I can’t return it the way it was taken.  I will have to do it a different way, and you will have to accept the baggage with it. But, you did ask for this.”

“Alright,” I accepted. What more could I do?

The silhouette turned, and for a long moment, eyes flashed and locked with mine. A powerful…. wave… presence…. force dominated by mind for a moment.  As it washed over me, my thoughts were once more all my own…and the compulsion of love and devotion to Merritt manifested once more.  This time, I knew what it was.  I was bewitched by a powerful, beautiful and charming woman…what man would want less?

This time, I was going to try my hand at drawing her likeness. 

I went to say goodnight, but the silhouette had already disappeared from the mirror.  She was gone, and I was finally alone.