10.30 pm Friday 9 hours until sunrise. 7 days until the Succubus Club Sydney
The coterie was split three ways: Eclipse was on foot, Izac, who knew where, and I was in the bachelor group with Stallion and Dominic. The trip back to the Crow Bar was silent. I desperately wanted to Astral travel and find Izac, but was loathed to go unconscious in a public taxi. So, as Dominic made his text messages organising his forces and Stallion stared blankly out the window, I ground my teeth and waited.
Across the CBD, Eclipse had slowed down her manic run as she tried her best to blend in with the Friday night crowds. The restaurants and bars that lined the Quay were full of happy people enjoying the start of the weekend. Eclipse, her panic now down to a low simmer, looked on all the crowds and noise as just one more obstacle. She wished the dark hunger that burned within her would consume them all and give her back what was hers. Instead, she kept the glowing white sails of the Opera House in her sight and continued to weave through the slow bovines around her.
As she reached the roundabout, a screech of tyres caught her attention and that of most of the crowd. A familiar black sedan shuddered to a halt, and Giuseppe flung open the driver’s door. Spotting her, he waved. She turned to continue the mission. She would wait for the Prince, she would ask for her boon, and then he would be returned to her.
The sound of heavy footsteps stopped beside her.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
She ignored him. It was her default way of dealing with Giuseppe. It wasn’t working.
With his longer legs, he stepped ahead of her, and she had to stop before crashing into him. In that moment, she saw him properly for the first time. He wasn’t the sleazy perve from the bar. He looked harried, concerned, and…worried for her. It made her rethink her mad headlong dash down to the Opera House.
“Luna, what’s going on?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be back at the bar?”
“Amongst other things…but that’s not the point.”
Eclipse looked around, hunting for a way out from Giuseppe’s baleful gaze. A short way away, what looked like a young woman with long auburn hair, unseasonably dressed in jeans and a jacket, stared back at her, watching. Slowly, Eclipse turned and headed for the car.
“Good, you had me worried for a bit there. Look, Uncle didn’t say what was going on…”
“I’m not sure you need to know,” She found herself replying, her glance going back to the woman, a still point in the moving crowd.
“That’s no way to talk to someone who has come to your rescue.“ Giuseppe got into the car, more himself now that Eclipse was complying. Eclipse opened the passenger door and turned again to the woman, now eyeing her.
“Have you got a problem?” Eclipse asked across the seemingly oblivious crowds.
“You’re the one that’s looking,” said the young woman in a calm, deep voice.
Giuseppe rolled his unusually large eyes, “Come on, you’re making a scene.”
Eclipse ignored him,
“Are you in a spot of trouble?” The woman asked as Eclipse realised what it looked like. A frantic young woman being coerced into a dark car by a pushy man.
“No, “ Though Eclipse knew that to be a lie. Was she going to be forced to drink Dominic’s blood again for the second time that night? “ Who are you?”
“Mads.”
The name was familiar, but Eclipse couldn’t remember where she’d heard it. Guiseppe once more stepped out of the car and called to Mads.
“Hi, she’s a very important person, and I have to get her back. If you’re looking for a favour try one of the local spots.” He said respectfully to the unknown kin but with an urgency that suggested no argument.
“I guess I’ll see you around,” Eclipse said and went to take her place in the car.
“You too, Luna.”
Eclipse sat in the car as Giuseppe once more took his place behind the wheel. Who was she? She thought maybe she was some Brujah. But how has she known her name? So much of this young woman seemed…familiar, though she was sure she’d never seen her before. Eclipse opened the door and once more stepped out of the car. She could hear Giuseppe groaning behind her.
“Are you looking for a bar?” She asked. Mads was still just standing there, watching.
“I could use a drink,” Mads agreed, and Eclipse opened the back door.
“We’re heading for the Crow Bar. Heard of it?”
“No,” Mads said and slipped into the back seat.
“Yes, yes, let’s not tarry, picking up strays in the Prince’s own domain,” Giuseppe grumbled, glad to put the car back into drive and into the traffic flow.
10.50 pm Friday 9 hours until sunrise. 7 days until the Succubus Club Crowbar, Leichhardt
Our taxi drive from the CBD to Leichhardt was made in heavy silence. As soon as we arrived at the Crow Bar, we split in different directions. I headed downstairs, grabbing another blood pack before walking across the VIP area and locking myself into Time Out. Stallion also headed downstairs but kept going, disappearing down the stairs to the carpark. Dominic headed upstairs and found Bruce in his CCTV centre.
“Our Vegan friend has disappeared.”
“About time, “Bruce smirked.
“Not voluntarily,” Dominic qualified, which just made Bruce laugh.
“Is it ever with you guys? Boss, you know he might be gone for the night, he might be gone for fifty years.”
“Still, I’d like us to see what we can find out. Besides that little drama, how are things?”
Bruce shrugged, “More traffic for the big event. Seems pretty calm at the moment.”
“Stock up on kegs,” Dominic said and turned to leave.
“So, how was the poof festival?” Bruce asked, then thought better about his choice of words in front of the boss. “Sorry, boss. How was the the-atre?”
“A bust. The young have no social etiquette,” Dominic lamented.
“Yeah, well, that’s why you don’t take me…I know I’m good in the filth. Forty years of it.”
Changing the subject again, Dominic asked, “Where are we on that little side project? Have you found any worthy candidates yet?”
Bruce let out a breath and shook his head, “None that I’m happy with, but I can pick up someone if you need them now.”
“No,” Dominic mirrored his ghoul’s gesture, “No, I want a good candidate for that one. Best not to rush that sort of thing.”
Stallion was downstairs tooling around with his bike. He pulled out a toolkit and tried tuning it up, tweaking the efficiency, but it was purring like a small furry carnivore. He thought for a moment and took the license plates off. If they were making a rescue mission, it would be best to go incognito. Throwing the plates into the back of his car, he remembered the shotgun. He grabbed a few extra cartridges, stowed the gun in his coat and headed upstairs.
Shutting out my awareness of the Time Out room, I found myself beside Izac in a dark factory setting. He was sitting in a chair, unmarred and unrestrained, though nervously looking around him. Out beyond him in the darkness, I could make out many silhouettes. He seemed well-guarded. I wanted to tell him I was there and we were working on getting him out, but in astral form, I couldn’t even touch his shoulder.
“Who are you!” A woman’s voice, loud in the silence, startling both Izac and me. Into the pool of light stepped a woman with soft black curls and heavy-lidded eyes. She stared directly at me, “You are not meant to be here. Go away!”
Izac turned to where she was staring but looked straight through me. This woman was powerful. I nodded my understanding and pulled away. It was then that I was hit by an overwhelming feeling of need and longing. I found myself stuck above the building where Izac was being held, caught as firmly as if I’d been bound with the Time Out room chains. I couldn’t get the thought of her out of my mind, her dark curls and expressive eyes so reminiscent of Avel’s…and yet not my mother’s. Her voice was feminine and commanding, her full lips telling me to leave, and all I wanted to do was stay.
I tried concentrating on the warehouse’s surroundings. I didn’t recognise the area. West of Sydney is the centre of the suburban belt. It all tended to look the same. The main roads were just a gridwork filled with more warehouses, shops, schools, hospitals and homes. I pulled away again and spotted the brown winding snake of the Georges River to the south and theorised the area must be near Bankstown, maybe Punchbowl.
You don’t belong here…
If an astral projection can shake its head to clear it, I was doing that now. I usually didn’t have a problem focusing on a task, no matter how pretty the face. But this woman, I found myself slowly sinking back towards the factory where she was, where I could see her once again…
I broke the connection. I was in the Time Out room…alone. It hadn’t changed, yet my world was overturned because I had seen her….and she’d… seen… me. There was something classical about her looks. Great masters would have lined up for the chance to have her pose for them. Her creamy skin. Her large, soulful eyes were full of expression. Her dark curls framed her face and tumbled down her shoulders like the rolling in of night. But more than that, her stance was confident and commanding. She couldn’t have been more regal in emine and diamonds.
I ignored the cold, brutalness of the room and recalled what I’d learnt. Yes, north of where a road crossed the Georges River. That same road also went through the industrial area I was looking for. That’s where she was. Waiting.
Leaving Time Out and headed upstairs, knowing Dominic would be gathering his resources. If anyone could find her, he could. By the time I climbed the two flights of steps to the office, I had a rough outline of the first stanza of a poem circling around my mind. Dominic was on his way to the office when he turned and stared at me as if seeing something new.
“Are you feeling alright, Rain?”
“Huh? Oh! Ur…” I took a breath to try focusing my thoughts again. What was I doing?
“You seem a little out of sorts?”
I was searching. That’s what I’d been doing. I’d been searching, and I found her.
“Yes, no, I’m fine. I found….” What was his name? The tall, shaggy one, “There was a woman there…a goddess. She saw me. I was surprised when she did, but she looked right at me and saw me.” That point was very important. I tried to make it clear to Dominic.
“She wasn’t very pleased to see me, I’m afraid. She told me go. But that could change, I’m sure, once I got a chance to talk to her.”
Dominic just stood watching me. Did I forget something important.
“I saw where she is. A warehouse in an industrial estate between Bankstown and Punchbowl somewhere. There were others there. In the dark. Izac! Yeah, he was there too. He was unharmed, unrestrained. He looked kind of happy to be there…who wouldn’t…to be with her….” I sort of drifted off thinking about her again when Dominic’s voice broke through my recollections.
“Could you describe this woman?”
“Can I describe her?” I scoffed, “How many words do you want me to use?”
“All your words,” And if I didn’t know better, I’m sure I saw one of Dominic rare smirks appear.
I painted a word painting of her beauty and grace. Her power and refinement. In the end, he could have picked her out of a crowd of hundreds…I could have found her…would find her…if I had to sort through all the peoples of the world.
Dominic went thoughtful, his eyes going distant as he checked his memory.
“Do you know her? What’s her name? Where can I find her?”
“I’d have to bring up an old favour to find out. Do you know where they were?”
I shrugged, embarrassed I’d failed to pinpoint her specific location, “I was able to work out her exact location. She was in a factory basement in an industrial estate somewhere in the Bankstown-Punchbowl area. There were a lot of other people there, by the silhouettes.”
“There are a lot of factories out that way,” He responded, dissatisfied. I couldn’t blame him. I was dissatisfied.
“I’m sorry. I don’t really know that far west, and she…told me to leave, so I did as quickly as I could. I could try again, now that I have the area…” Now, that I knew her, I didn’t mention, “I just won’t ….I don’t want to get on her bad side.”
“Oh, if she has Izac, we’re going to get on her bad side when Luna gets back,” Dominic responded. And for the first time, I felt a twinge of resentment against Izac. He turned up, and Luna had become someone else. He disappeared and was causing these problems between us and the lovely Lady. To top it off, he was there with her!
With the worst timing in the world, Stallion arrived, mooching around for something to do. How could he be so indolent when there was so much at stake? He walked past us as if we were furniture and into the library, Dominic’s good and faithful lapdog.
The resentment I felt for Izac seethed over with Stallion.
11.00 pm Friday 8 hours until sunrise. 7 days until the Succubus Club Crowbar, Leichhardt
Below us, the black sedan returned to the underground parking. Luna and her new friend stepped out. Giuseppe seemed thankful to hand off responsibility for his two passengers as he carefully shepherded them up the stairs.
“Come on, Luna, let’s get your new stray upstairs. Now, I’m going to do you a favour and not mention anything that happened. We don’t need you getting punished again…”
“Who are you calling a stray?” Mads looked around, taking in everything with an expression that suggested she smelt something rotten.
“Pl-ease, with that, get up?”
“Well, aren’t you a catty little thing!”
“Mads, what if I take you to the bar?” Eclipse intercepted before the catfight could start in earnest.
“Oh yes, please, I’m stinging for a drink!” Completely ignoring Giuseppe, they headed upstairs to the bar.
Luna left Mads to find a table while she went to the bar to circumvent a scene with Delith. Instead of the nosy Ventrue, a tall, thin, pale, androgynous being with luminescent skin stood behind the bar, making cocktails. They were new. At least she hadn’t seen this individual before, and she was sure she’d remember if she had. Maybe it was the skin, but something about them…glowed.
“Two glasses of red, please,” She ordered.
“Nothing special?” He asked.
“A little flavouring,” She replied, with the heavy implication that it wouldn’t just be simple syrup.
He glanced up from his bar and looked at her for a moment, “There seems to be a fire in your eyes that may need to be quenched.”
“Hm,” She agreed, “You can say that.”
He nodded and bent down under the bar, returning with a briefcase. Popping the latches, he pulled out various strange objects. Eclipse stared as, one by one, the items were processed by their nature and applied to a red pouch reminiscent of a cloth cap. The resulting drink, once strained through the cap, was cool, crisp and smooth. Curious, she paid for the drink, offered a tip and took both glasses back to Mads.
“You’re very kind,” Mads said, taking her drink.
“I have a habit of picking up strays,” Eclipse admitted after both had sampled their drinks and found them excellent.
“Yeah, what was that about?” Mads asked with open curiosity.
“Giovanni are…they don’t. They’re family orientated.”
“Yes, I know all about Giovanni.”
“So, what are you doing running around the Opera House of all places?”
“I heard there was a party going down soon, so I’m just getting a lay of the land.”
“The party, I’ve been told.”
“Yes, I’m very much looking forward to it. Catching up with old friends.”
Luna sat back and took in that statement. Friends? What vampire talks about having friends besides that idiot, Rain? Could she really claim to have friends? If Mads had any friends, why was she alone at Circular Quay?
“How about you?” Mads asked over the rim of her glass, “What brought you into the orbit of the Giovanni? They certainly take an interest in you.”
Eclipse made a scoffing laugh, “A favour from the Prince can do wonders.”
“The Prince? That’s impressive.”
“So how could Giovanni refuse? He gained a favour and picked up someone else’s strays?”
“Hmm, I’d like to meet this Giovanni. He sounds fascinating.”
Soon after Stallion’s arrival, Giuseppe appeared looking harried. I hadn’t seen him in a couple of days, and I wondered where he’d been hiding himself…before thoughts of Her distracted me.
“Hello, Giuseppe, “ Dominic greeted him.
“Hi, what’s going on?”
“Izac has had himself acquired by someone.”
“Ah, that explains Luna then,” Giuseppe laughed, “She found a new one. She has her downstairs. I didn’t know she was so fast, did any of you?”
We all turned to the small CCTV arrayed on the wall opposite Dominic’s desk. Luna was carrying drinks to a table where an attractive young woman with long strawberry-blonde hair sat waiting. Not my sort at all.
“Yeah, plucked her up right from the street.”
“Hmm,” Dominic stared up at the monitor and seemingly changed the subject, “When did we start hiring Kiasyd?”
No one had an answer to that question. I couldn’t tell you what a Kiasyd was if I saw one, so I went back to my mental poem writing.
“Did she say anything about Izac?” Dominic asked Giuseppe.
“Not to me. Explains things, though.”
“Apparently, he’s in the Bankstown-Punchbowl area with someone very powerful.” Dominic looked at me, not in confirmation but like presenting an example.
“Hi, Rain,” Giuseppe said, only just breaking through my thoughts.
“Hmm? Hi….Giuseppe…um,” I’d been watching out for him for days. Now here was, and…I was starting to get the feeling there was something wrong with me.
“I’m a little distracted at the moment. I’ll have to get back to you on how things are. There’s a lot of chaos here. We don’t seem to know where…Izac’s is…and I can’t seem to…shake…”
He smirked that knowing grin, I didn’t like on his globous face, “I know that look. It seems you’re fast, too.”
Fast? What would he know? I’d had a profound life experience. All he could do was smirk.
“We had our night, I guess. No strings, just chains… it’s okay.”
Of course, this is when Stallion needed to make himself known, “What the fuck you going on about?”
Giuseppe rolled his oversized eyes and fixed them on Stallion’s shocked expression, “Oh, is there somebody else who’s smitten?”
“Smitten!” Now that’s just cruel, “I don’t do smitten.”
“Adoration then?” Giuseppe qualified, and I had to admit, that went someway to how I felt for the mysterious lady.
“Adoration…that, I can do.”
“Wait!” It was Stallion again, “Rain, is there something going on between you two?” He asked, pointing at Giuseppe.
That’s when my misplaced resentment spiked. He’d always been a little backward about such things and the memory things was getting old.
“Would you like there to be? Would you like to watch?”
To his credit, he bounced back with a zinger, “I could always find a video camera if you like.”
“See, that’s the difference between us, Stallion. I don’t need a camera. I don’t watch.”
Struggling to collect my thoughts, I dragged the conversation back to the subject at hand.
“Who would want to take Izac? The Prince was good with him. They spoke together only tonight before the show.”
“I guess there’s a fair few who don’t like the Prince, “ said Stallion, sounding…reasonable. My world was turning upside down.
“Okay,” Turning back to Dominic, “Disgruntled groups in society, who would they be?”
“It could be anyone, really,” Dominic thought, “We’re getting very close to the party, and there are a lot of visitors in town.”
“So we may be looking for someone from outside of Sydney? International?” This was becoming big. Izac and the woman may be in Punchbowl right now, but in twenty-four hours, they could be anywhere.
“Didn’t we meet some internationals tonight?” Stallion again! When did he get an opinion about anything?
Instantly, I had a brilliant idea, “I wonder if she’s going to the Succubus Club?”
Stallion this time, brought us back on topic, “Are we going after Izac tonight?”
“We can’t go after Izac tonight?” Dominic replied with little patience, “As we don’t know where he is. The only information we have is the vague several-kilometre square industrial estate out west. Does that sound like enough information to you?”
“Yeah, fair enough. I just wanted to know if you wanted me ready to go or should I kick back for a bit.”
Now that Stallion and I had been admonished in the same breath, Stallion went and found one of his magic books, and I found a corner and scoured Google Maps on my phone while Dominic continued to manage the search and rescue of Izac.
Downstairs, Eclipse was making investigations of her own. It was time to stop the bullshit.
“Could you describe these friends of your, Mads. Maybe I know them. Maybe Mr Giovanni knows them.”
Mads sighed, “Well…really, it’s just one friend. The last time I saw him, he was six foot tall, lanky, shaggy hair and covered in blood.”
Eclipse was at a loss to know what to do with that description. That could be anyone…except for the being covered-in-blood. You’d think that would catch in your mind.
“If it helps, he had really sad eyes. Look, I’ve just got to find him.”
Oh, Izac. Mads should have led with the sad eyes.
“I can tell you where he’s been. I can’t tell you where he’s going.”
“I love a good education. Do you mind telling me what you know?” Mad was all attention now, even her exceptional drink was put aside to give Eclipse her full attention.
“I think you know how things work. Information like that doesn’t come for free,” Eclipse suggested, and Mads sighed again, this time in resignation.
“What can I do for you?”
“A boon for information.”
“You tell me what you know, and I owe you a boon? Something within my power at a later date?”
“Something like that.”
“Fine, now tell me everything you know.”
“He’s been here for the past three weeks.”
11.35 pm Friday 8 hours until sunrise. 7 days until the Succubus Club Crowbar, Leichhardt
I needed a drink. I felt twitchy and out of sorts. Not just distracted but wanting to hit something, hurt something to distract not just from my longing for Her, but also a deeper unease. I felt tired without the exhaustion and needed a release.
“If you don’t mind, Mr Giovanni, I’m going to get a drink or something,” I said, getting up from my corner.
He stared at me as if examining a bug.
“I believe someone’s been playing with your mind. Yes. You should get yourself a drink.”
He couldn’t have floored me more if he’d said the bane was back and I needed to return to the Time Out room. Someone has been messing with my mind? No, I do that to other people, not vice versa.
“What do you mean by… playing?”
“Well, you’ve learnt a new trick. You astral projected and met someone while looking for Izac, and now you’re infatuated with them.”
“But she’s incredible, “ Who wouldn’t be enamoured after meeting such a goddess?
“Exactly.”
Only that past week, I’d seen Dominic manipulate Stallion’s mind. He knew what he was talking about. Still… I went over what I had just said. That she’s incredible? That I consider her a goddess worthy of my adoration? It didn’t sound right. I knew people better than that. No one, no matter how beautiful, was worthy of worship…except her, of course. To me, it seemed I’d never found anyone worthy…until I met her.
“For example,” Dominic turned to Stallion, “Stallion, what do you think of me?”
“Oh, you’re an alright bloke,” Stallion replied.
High praise, I thought, hardly winning popularity contests with that recommendation.
And then Stallion continued, “Yeah, a real mate, you know? Picked me off a beach and made me something. He’s always had me back, yeah, a real mate.”
Dominic turned back to me, an eyebrow raised as if his argument had been proven.
I’m not like…Stallion! I thought, shaking my head.
I admit, she is powerful. Would I fall so hard for someone weak and pliable? Of course not. She saw me when no one else did. She commanded me to leave and pushed me out. This wasn’t an infatuation of a strong mind over a weaker one. I knew manipulation. I knew how to pull heartstrings and play a tune. This was one pro seeing another and recognising the skills.
I didn’t say any of that.
I said, “I think I’ll go get that drink.”
When I made it down to the V.I.P room, my pain of longing was momentarily distracted by the towering luminescent being behind the bar. They looked out of place even amongst the immortals of the bar.
A new person making drinks, I thought, If it hadn’t been for Izac going missing, this would have been an excellent night.
To the new barman I said, “Hey, you’re new. I’m Rain.”
“Yes, I am new,” he said with a voice low and calm. It seemed the sort of voice that would never be in a hurry, would never get flustered or angry.
“What’s your name?”
Like most of the children of the night I’d met, he had to think about what to be called.
“Let’s say, for the sake of humour, you can call me Rumplestiltskin. Or Rump if that is easier.”
“Rumplestiltskin? I can call you Rumplestiltskin if that’s what you want. You didn’t want to find a less grim tale to be named?”
“As good as any other.”
“But he was a terrible lech…if you believe the tales.”
“You should meet him.”
Vampires, ghosts, werewolves, mages, demons, evil spirits and now fairytale creatures. It was going to be hard to top this night.
“Not that I actually want to meet Rumplestiltskin, but how about the Beast from Beauty and the Beast?”
He shook his head as if he were talking Shakespeare, and I’d been praising Dr Seuss.
“No, no. That’s a modern tale, more aspiration than actual.”
“Well, we can’t talk to the Little Mermaid. She’s dead.” I lamented, trying to think of all the really old tales like Rapunzel or Red Riding Hood.
“We could always listen for her on the wind,” Rumplestiltskin suggested, and I found that idea appealing.
“Real fairytales where dragons sleep under the earth, pixies make homes in mushrooms, and gnomes hide in trees. It’s all still out there, you know. You just have to know how to see them.”
If my heart and soul had not been captured by the Lady earlier that evening, I could have given it all to listen to Rumplestiltskin’s tales of fairies. I leaned on the bar as he spoke of brownlings and nobblings, house elves, boggles.
“There’s something strange about you. Have you had a busy night?” He said after a while of talking.
“Yes, you could say it has been a strange night, “And I felt the ache of longing for the Lady as I was reminded of her once more, “Yes, certainly an odd night.”
“It’s like there’s a pressure around you,” And he held out his pale hand as if describing an aura.
“Well, that is why I am here. Alcohol is required.”
“Something special?”
“The house red, but if you have a little something to add…yes, bring it on.”
He leaned down, revealing a small briefcase, and started pulling ingredients out. A piece of skin or leather? Dragonflies wings? A sprinkle of unnamed powder was all diffused in a tincture of alcohol.
“This should alleviate the pressure,” He handed over a glass of clear liquid that slowly bubbled and popped like champagne on Prozac.
“If it doesn’t, I’ll be back for another,” I warned, and then, after an experimental sip, added, “And even if it does, I’ll still be back.”
I scanned the tables, looking for friends and finding only Luna and her new best bud. The woman wasn’t one of the five she’d been with the night before. Someone new so quickly after running madly off to find Izac? Not for the first time, I wondered where my Luna had gone. For a short time, we’d made a sort of family out at the Pyrmont House. For a couple of weeks, we looked like we were really going to make a go of this new life together. And then…it all seemed to fall apart. I took a sip of Dutch courage and headed over in their direction.
Luna spotted me first before I could introduce myself. She gave me the sort of face that said many things, none of them were “Boy, am I glad to see you.” The woman, at Luna’s expression turned to see me, a rye smile brightening her face.
“Luna? Is this a friend of yours?”
“Luna. I’d heard you brought someone back. I hadn’t realised they were so charming,” I extended a hand before Luna could dismiss me, “Rain, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Met Mads, Rain. I met her…at the Opera House.” Luna finally introduced us, ending with the same look, which now said, “Go away!”
Mads extended her hand through the shade Luna was casting, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Mads…,” I remembered very clearly the morning in Dominic’s home when I found Izac and Luna asleep in each other’s arms. He’d been mumbling in his sleep about a Mads, “I believe Izac once spoke of a Mads.”
“It’s the kind of name that many of us share,” She replied, with just a little hint of teasing. She was cool and confident, very practised socially, and I smelled a fellow con.
“I can see I’m intruding, so I’ll leave you two alone to enjoy the bar,” I said, releasing Mad’s hand. She’d be on her guard if I stayed and watched, beside, I was unwanted.
“I’ll be sure to catch up with you later. Dosvedanya.”
“Dovidenja!” I smiled. Though she’d said goodbye the Russian way, it was as close as I’d heard to my native tongue in…decades. I knew I still carried a slight accent, but to pick it up in such a short conversation…she was good.
I sauntered away, trying to look as cool and unaffected as Mads did as I swilled my drink. It was excellent. It seemed the more I drank of Rumplestilkskin’s concoction, the less the crushing longing for the woman seemed to affect me. I put aside the scrap paper poem, and went in search of a second drink as Dominic entered the V.I.P. lounge.
Looking as imperious as ever, he glided around the bar like a captain through the passengers of his ship. And I guess that’s what the V.I.P. lounge was, a small, safe ship in a dangerous and uncaring world. He was alone, no Stallion at his heels. I guessed my brother had found himself a good book and was keeping himself useful for our adopted Papa. Dominic wove his way through to the bar, where Rumplestiltskin was busy plying their trade.
“Good evening, sir,” Rumplestiltskin said respectfully as drink order flew from one hand to another.
Dominic scanned the bar itself before turning his attention to the startling being before him, “What vintages do we have ready tonight?”
“All the house special, enough to cater to the current crowd. I haven’t needed to crack into my own supplies.”
“Any unruly guests to throw out?”
“Not at this time, no. If there are, I’ll be sure to give them something special,” Rumplestiltskin said, passing Dominic’s little test of stock and customer awareness, “And, if I may say, thank you for allowing me to ply my trade.”
“Having a few extra skills in the building never hurts. I can be practical when it comes to these things,” Dominic nodded, “I would, however, like to drink?”
The lanky barman gestured to the bar before him like a conductor his orchestra.
“Do we have a security specialist in the keg list?”
Rumplestiltskin thought a moment, “Not security specifically. Military?”
“I’d take a drop of military tonight,” Satisfied, Dominic returned to scanning the crowd as he waited for his drink.
“Were you looking for shock and awe in your drink or more of a certain kill?”
“We’ll take the certainty.”
And as before, Rumplestiltskin made the concoction, creating, muddling, and straining it through a red cap. Though he saw the blood of the serviceman go into the cap, the fluid in the presented tumbler was clear, crisp and cool. Dominic took a sip and experienced the hustle and bustle of a command centre. Commands given and received, the anticipation of the kill and finally, the call, mission complete. The certainty that in war, death has to occur, and the peace in knowing that it wasn’t you.
“Excellent bouquet,” He saluted the bartender with his glass and returned to scanning the room.
He saw Luna and her new friend at a table, made his way over, and sat down uninvited.
“Well, hello there.”
“Giovanni,” Eclipse narrowed her eyes.
“It is good to see you well.”
“Sorry about my disappearance, I was…”
“Preoccupied, I understand,” he interrupted, but she continued to explain.
“…chasing a lead.”
“Did that lead happen to take you to Bankstown?”
The narrowed eyes widened at the news, “No. The first time I’ve heard of it.”
“We have our feelers out,” Dominic replied smugly, enjoying the feeling of command his drink offered, “We’ll find him shortly…we’ll find some clues shortly.”
And now Dominic turned his attention to the stranger at the table, “In the meantime, I’ll sit here enjoying this excellent drink, and who is this stray you’ve picked up?”
The social cue given, Eclipse made the introduction, “A new friend. Mads.”
“Hello, Mads, and welcome to my establishment.”
“It is quite a good place you have here.”
“It is supposed to be welcoming and open-minded,” The second half of that statement stressed for Mads’ consideration.
“I find it so,” Mads replied smoothly, “A credit to your taste.”
“First time here?”
“To your establishment, yes.”
“And if you don’t mind me asking, what brings you into town?”
“I’m looking for an old friend of mine, and of course, I’m here for the party. I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”
“There are a lot of people coming in for that event.”
“So exciting, “ Mads clasped her hands in anticipation, “All the movers and shakes to meet.”
“If that’s what interests you. Of course, there’ll be a great deal more in store.”
Mads leaned across the small bar table, ignoring Eclipse entirely, “Ooh, enlighten me. What are you suggesting?”
“I’m afraid I’ve tarried too long. I have to do the rounds with the rest of my guests, I’m sure you understand, “
“Of course,” Mads didn’t push the topic but leaned back in her seat, once more the charming stray Eclipse had discovered.
Dominic turned his attention to Eclipse sitting back, silently fuming.
“Luna, I realise you do not believe my nephew is on your side, but he’s on the case.”
“Thank you, Dominic.” She replied coolly and let Dominic leave their table without another word.
As Dominic did his rounds of the bar, I too was trying to work my way into the cliques and groups gathered in the V.I.P. room. Some were very clear about what they thought of my presence. Some were a little more polite with their “Fuck off!” But you never get anywhere if you let a little rejection stand in your way, so I tried again.
“Sorry, private conversation.”
Things were improving when I reached a couple, a young, fresh-faced woman in a loose cotton frock and an ancient stick of a priest.
“Oh, hi, we haven’t met,” said the woman and the twang of Southern American sang in my ears. I’d always had a fascination with the deep South, especially Louisiana and New Orleans. Being a vampire may have complicated travel, but I’d not lost hope of seeing Bourbon Street with my own eyes and soaking in the jazz.
“Good evening, the name’s Rain. Are you enjoying yourselves tonight? Our new bartender does exceptional cocktails.”
“He…does. Is he a regular here?” Asked the woman, who later introduced herself as Allicia.
“No, new tonight, though I hope he’s a regular from now on.”
The old Father, if propped up in a corner, would look like a desiccated corpse, said his name was Padre Craneo.
“You two do not strike me as regulars. I’ve not seen you in the bar before.”
“No, we’re here testing out the place,” Allicia agreed.
“A good place to test, “ I commented blandly, unsure what she was testing for.
“It does seem so. Untouched. Good rich soil.”
Allicia seemed to be talking using metaphors that I wasn’t privy to. I cursed my lack of knowledge and ploughed on.
“Mr Giovanni definitely keeps a friendly and welcoming establishment.”
“Most certainly, yes.” Allicia turned to the Padre, the silent member of the duo, “We were just getting to know each other, the Padre and me.”
“Strangers together.”
“ In a fashion. We know many of the same people. That’s what happens when you…travel.”
It was incredible and true. No matter how far you roamed, you could meet up with someone who knew the friend of a cousin of your best mate from school. I enjoyed those moments of connection. It reminded me we weren’t so far apart from each other.
“A very small world.”
“It is indeed.”
“I’m just so pleased you’ve made it to the Crow Bar. We were out at the theatre tonight. There is certainly a boost to the…community currently in Sydney.”
“Oh, what did you see? Something lovely I hope.”
“The Dracula play, “ I said with some pleasure. Surely, this was something we could discuss.
Allicia grimaced. The Padre made a hacking laugh that seemed to rattle around in his hollow chest.
“It’s a bit gauche, isn’t it?” Allicia finally admitted, and I could see how some would not appreciate Dracula’s audacity, “You do know about him, yes?”
“ I know what the world knows. I know he’s somehow shared his story with the world without the Masquerade falling to ruin. I consider that a pretty bold move.”
“He’s a bad egg. He did all that, risking all our lives, but he’s also not very… friendly. He doesn’t let anyone in. he’s made his sandbox and built a big ten-foot wall around it. Told the rest of us to go…have fun.” Allicia’s language was sweet, but it was clear she had strong feelings in regard to the character of Dracula.
“And yet he wants to reach out, be known, and be out in the world. Would that not be a cry for help?”
“We all want to be famous and loved, “Allicia said, and her pretty blue eyes bore into me as if she could read that very thought from my head, “I’m sure you understand. We both have that in common.”
That little hint I understood and acknowledged with a nod and a smile. She was also claiming to be a Toreador.
“Ah yes, yes, that sounds about right.”
“I was having a chat with the Padre here about his side of things, as he calls it,” Allicia said, changing the subject and drawing the silent Padre back into the conversation, “It seems like a lot of things have been happening. How…how young are you again?”
“Oh,” And now they would politely excuse themselves and find another group to talk to, “Yes, very I’m afraid, Allicia, but I’m very keen to understand our society, and I can assure you I’ve seen a great deal in my short life.”
“You may have, and…” Here she turned to the Padre, “Excuse Padre for being forward, but you should not be talking with him. It would be too difficult for you to speak to one still closely tied to their living experiences.”
She turned her blue eyes back to me, apologetic but firm, “You see, he comes from a very specific group of our kind. They have requirements that are unsavoury to those who aren’t ready for it.” At this, the old man moves aside a long strip of his robes and reveals a partially chewed human forearm. He raised it to his lips and nibbled the flesh a little before replacing it in his robes.
Silently, I thanked Allicia for her warning, but a lifetime of nightmares and experiencing the removal of the bane had certainly helped harden me to the more extreme images. Besides, the old Padre seemed a gentle soul…outside the eating of human flesh. I swallowed and looked both Allicia and the Padre straight in the eye.
“I apologise. It is not my place or intent to make a guest feel uncomfortable.”
“No, you would feel uncomfortable.”
I smiled. It may have been a ghost of one, but I relaxed my stance and brushed the thought aside with a wave of a hand.
“I guess someone should teach you as your sire certainly hasn’t. His bloodline is known as the Nagaraja. They can’t exist on the blood alone but must consume all their victims. We can enjoy a nice glass and pretend, but the Padre must eat. Fifty years ago, I would have felt the same as you. It’s unconscionable, unthinkable to allow something like that to exist, but time has given me a different perspective. Something you don’t have yet.”
Was it unconscionable? Didn’t humans sit down to a rare steak of calf or a roast lamb leg? Cannibalism is only condemned by culture. My life had made me a student of cultural norms. I’d had to navigate through so many without causing unexpected ripples. As long as he didn’t ask me to share in his meal, who was I to say he couldn’t? I knew the loss of human life that our lifestyle perpetuated. Hadn’t I assisted Dominic with the disposal of what we so politely called kegs? In some senses, the Padre’s nose-to-tail way of life was at least not wasteful.
“And yet here, at the Crow bar, we try to cater to everyone,” I continued earnestly, hoping that Dominic would agree, “There’s no problem here.”
“Oh? Are you the maitre d’ of this establishment?” Allicia asks, catching me off guard. I found that I wanted her good opinion and so far it didn’t seem to be going well. Should I steal the title with Dominic metres away?
“I like the term Host, but yes, I try to perform that role for our guests,” A half lie. Always better, “But the owner is in the room as we speak,” And I pointed out Dominic to the interested Allicia and Padre as my adoptive sire strutted around the V.I.P. room like a prized cock.
“Dominic Giovanni.”
“He certainly looks the part,” Allicia commented, “The suit, the slicked-back hair, the faint tones of abuse.”
Looked the part for what? I thought, but kept to myself. Instead, I made another assumption and hoped it would hit some mark.
“Yes, I understand he is an archetype for his breed. And yet, I am pleased to call him my adoptive sire.”
The Padre tried to nibble from his brought-from-home buffet without drawing attention to himself. He was obviously finding it awkward, and I felt sorry for the old man. It was like watching an old junkie trying to find a vein. Ultimately, you have to either do something or just turn away.
“Sir, could I suggest the privacy of one of the booths? We could draw the curtains, and you may eat in peace.”
“Are you offering us a seat?” Allicia asked, and again, I felt there was more in her phrasing than I was picking up on.
“There are seats to be had,” I bowed and led the way to an empty booth. There, the two did what they could to fill the gaping holes in my knowledge of vampire society.
“My, Rain is certainly the socialite, isn’t he,” Mads said as she and Eclipse watched Rain moving about the room.
“Rain is…he’ll talk your ear off if you let him. But it’s all honeyed words and sweet dreams. It comes with the territory of being a rotting flower.”
“It’s a shame. But at least it would be a good conversation,” Mads replied, playing with her glass, “But back to our conversation. After all, we are dealing in favours here.”
Eclipse sighed. Thinking about Izac was…uncomfortable. The small, insistent voice of Luna nagged her to do something, to care about him and not let him fall. Maybe this woman could help. If she were his friend, she’d want him back as well.
“Out of our coterie, I was the closest to Izac, so I could tell you what he did in the last three weeks.”
“Anything of note he’s done during that time?”
“He has no heart, so he can’t be staked.”
Mads laughed. The sound was sharp and direct, “You think I’m here just to kill him? That’s so cute.”
“No,” Eclipse said honestly, “Between the two of you, I don’t think you’d survive.”
The observation cooled Mad’s mood somewhat, and the laughter faltered, “Maybe not, but I’m not here to fight him either.”
“Things of note…he has been dealing with werewolves. His predisposition means they consider him safe, a ‘good boy’. He can move through them in ways we can’t. He’s of interest to the Prince. That’s why you found me at the Opera House.”
“Why were you looking for the Prince there?”
“To wait for him, “ Eclipse, aware of how much she was giving away, brought the question back to Mads, “Why were you at the Opera House? You said you were checking things out but…in the middle of the Prince’s domain is a pretty sketchy place to be. How do you know so much?”
“Call it serendipity,” Mads gestured as if she had nothing to hide.
Dominic felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. He scanned the room, looking for Luna and Rain, sure they were embarrassing him for the second time that night. Rain was in a booth talking to a couple, and neither of the newcomers looked much, so he disregarded them. Luna was still with the Mads creature. It was then he noticed a man with striking yellow eyes watching him. On recognising Dominic glance on him, the man flicked up his chin and smiled confidently as if in greeting. Recognising the moves of a businessman, Dominic could smell a proposition in the air and made his way over to the stranger.
“Are you having a wonderful time in my establishment?”
“The room…I can’t help but admire all the little niceties,” The man replied convinially, “Even those cameras you have hidden in the walls, “ He pointed out the location where Dominic knew the cameras were hidden.
‘I mean, one has to provide some sort of security in a place like this, “ He said, sipping his drink and feeling again the sense of command and peace the drink offered.
“I definitely agree with that. That’s why I hope to make a business deal with you.”
“Hmm, let’s discuss your deal away from the noise of the room,” Dominic said and led the stranger to a quiet corner where their voices wouldn’t carry, and lip readers would have a hard time getting a view.
“Have you had trouble gaining information digitally recently? Your cloud services not up to scratch? I’m here to talk about steel-clad security, something the Nosferatu would envy.”
Distrustful as he was, Dominic had overseen all the security the Club and his other enterprises ran through. Bruce, however, handled the day-to-day security, and it had been some time since it had been established. Security was a concern, but Dominic didn’t feel confident talking about it with a stranger.
“Just what sort of security are you talking about?”
“The future. A more adaptable provider who can deal with threats at a moment’s notice. More up-to-date cameras so you can see in infrared and white light. Edit and enhance video and audio clips. AI face recognition software to spot trouble before it starts. Instantaneously. It’s the future. A good deal, right?”
Dominic was unsure what this guy was trying to sell. What was clear was he was a Ventrue trying to make a deal. What other sort were there?
“What sort of hardware are you offering?”
“You give me enough time, and we will make you a good enough deal, and I’ll upgrade the lot.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have any brochures or samples?”
“Sure,” the Ventrue pulled out an iPad and flicked through pages of specifications. Most of it seemed to be related to systems security, but without reading through it carefully, he couldn’t have said what it all meant. There were details of cameras with multiple sensors for picking up visible light, infrared light, and something else that seemed to talk about displacement. A cloud server uploaded to a location in the Balkans with the option of a black box recorder, just in case the worst should happen. It did seem to be comprehensive and impressive, at least in terms of Dominic’s experience. Fortunately for him, he didn’t rely just on his own experience.
“If you don’t mind waiting a moment, I’m going to get my head of security to take a look at this,” He said, intrigued by what an upgrade to security could offer.
“Sure, I’ll be waiting here.” The Stranger smiled, confident and assured.
12.00 am Friday 9 hours until sunrise. 6 days until the Succubus Club Crowbar, Leichhardt
***********************************************************************
Eclipse’s thoughts
Who are you?
This question has haunted who I used to be. Nowhere to go and nothing to accomplish, the soul becomes hungry for what it does not have. It thrusts for something it has never tasted.
I am not her. I walk in her skin. I use her face and her friends but we are not the same. Not after the Pit.
I died in there and for the first time I truly tasted what I had become famished for.
Purpose
Was I the voice inside Luna or was she the mask I wore until I became what I was truly meant to be?
I am the lowest of the low. I have died twice.
I have changed and not for what I must accomplish.
No. Goals change like tides and all my actions will lead me back to that ever consuming Serpent. It knows, when it is all said and done, I am a part of it and it is a part of me.
The question is no longer, who are you. The question has become where do you draw the line?
I now have a distinct lack of care for those around me. They are obsolete. They can not fill the void that has been carved into the middle of my chest.
The throne is my guarantee. None of them will stand in the way of the eternity promised by my hand. By my actions.
What does that make me?
What have I become…
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
Allicia: 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 Policed 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves Izac is familiar with this
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.
Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.
Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.
*Sarrasine, a novella by Balzac. Sarrasine is a sculpture who is infatuated with an Opera Singer, Zambinella. She thinks herself cursed and deflects his advances. At a performance, Zambinella is revealed to Sarrasine to be a castrato. In a rage, Sarrasine attacks the singer, only to be cut down and killed by their bodyguard.
A Strange Life 