Psychic Services Incorporated Compound, north of Los Angeles, California

Barry Wilks walked through the halls of Psychic Services Incorporated. A company secretly owned by the Glass Walker tribe of werewolves. The company began in the wake of the landmark discovery of the existence of ghosts and spiritual phenomena. The Glass Walkers hoped to follow their credo to guide humanity into better choices using Psychic Services to encourage positive forms of investigation into psychic phenomena, the sort that would encourage mankind to live in harmony with the spiritual and natural worlds. It was a project in which many Glass Walkers deeply believed.

However, Barry was not looking for a fellow Glass Walker. He was looking for the lone Silver Fang that lived here at the compound. He didn't think Alex would be too difficult to find, especially given his enormous size.

Alex Silbern had joined the Army Rangers when he was eighteen. He spent half of his five years in the army as part of the mission in Afghanistan. It was during this time he underwent his unusually late first change. As a result of his location and late change, Alex was not discovered by members of the Garou Nation but by the Eastern Beast Courts. They, in turn, sent a Stargazer to teach him the basics of what it meant to be a Garou. Even at that early date, Alex did not seem to take too well to his new status.

However, Alex soon found out that he could not remain in the military much longer. Being a werewolf led to too many unexplained incidents; vanishing without a trace during his first change and subsequent initial contact with others of his kind being the most severe of these. However, Alex also had to deal with the fact that injuries that should have scarred the young man healed with no trace. Due to these unusual circumstances, the Army dismissed him early with an RE-4 to prevent his re-enlistment.

Barry first went to the gym. He figured he'd find Alex there. He opened the doors to find he was right. Alex Silbern was there, working on the crunch incline.

"Hey Alex!" He said in a friendly tone. Barry then let out a low whistle. "Looking good! All this time in the gym is paying off! How much are you lifting now?" He asked curiously.

Alex got down off the machine and grabbed a towel. The effect of Alex standing up was somewhat disorienting to those who were unused to him. At seven foot six inches and four hundred and sixty pounds of sculpted muscle, he looked like some ancient warrior god. He possessed bright green eyes, a light skin coloration tanned by the sun, and brownish-blond hair that was now beginning to grow out of the close cropped military style he had worn while in the service. Unlike some incredibly large individuals, he was reasonably handsome. Alex stood on the extreme upper threshold of normal human size without straying into gigantism and deformity. According to him, it was a trait that ran in his family. He had spoken briefly, when he first came to Psychic Services, of a similarly sized cousin that he barely knew who was actually a little bigger.

"Hey Barry. Actually at this level working out is just for the sculpting effect." For emphasis Alex flexed his huge, mountainous bicep. "I'm just going for aesthetics, really, I'm not any stronger than I was." He looked down at Barry and sighed. "I just feel sort of useless around here. I don't fit in well. You're all cerebral types. I'm more of an action guy. So, this is about all I've got to do with my time." Alex confessed.

"Well I'm glad you agree with the Glass Walker philosophy at least. I do have a job for you if you want. We got a message from a hunter who says he wants to work with us. As abnormal as this sounds, we've decided to give him a look. You interested in coming with us incase this is a trap?" Barry asked.

"Hey! That might be something. Even if I'm just along for the ride, it's better doing something rather than hanging around here uselessly. Where we going?" Alex said picking up his things and heading toward the showers.

"Downtown. It's a bookstore with a bar in it. This hunter, Remington Spectre, is the owner. We've got a couple hours. Doesn't seem to be a club sort of place, so wear your normal stuff. Bring a gun, however. Your license did come through didn't it?" Barry inquired.

"Yup. Card carrying P.I. with a gun license, ready to be hired muscle." Alex quipped.

"Well beats carrying unlicensed and getting tossed in jail. I'll meet you at the front in a couple hours. And Alex, don't worry so much. Something will always come up to do. One constant in life someone is always trying something." Barry said cheerfully.

Even though his tone was light, Barry left worried. He'd seen the depression growing. Alex had been attempting fighting it with physical activity, but there was a very morose level buried in him and it worried Barry deeply. Alex needed to get out and get involved in life again. He needed something to replace the structure the military had given him. He hoped something could be found to keep him busy before the depression worsened.

The Garage of a House in Malibu

Keith McDowell got out of the passenger side of the Mazda MPV. He hooked his arm into the back and grasped the duffle bag with his clothing and pulled it out. The car ride over had been fun. He was going to have to be careful not to get mud everywhere. The driver smiled at him.

"Keith, don't worry about the the towel on the seat. Just toss it in the floor. We can get it later." the driver said.

Keith winked at the driver. "Sorry, 'Dessa! You know I can't stand leaving a mess. Old doctor's habits die hard."

Odessa smiled at him. "The dirt won't wander off, love. I can get your things and bring them into the laundry room latter. Infact we can strip most of the mud off in the laundry room where it goes and run to the shower nude." She said with a sly wink.

She began to strip down even as she passed through the door. Keith chased after her. "With encouragement like that how can I resist!?" He asked.

The two kissed and touched, unconcerned about mud smearing while they striped. Giggling, Odessa ran into the bathroom. Her laughter dared Keith to chase her. He did so and caught her just as she made it through the bathroom door. They embraced once more before Keith reached over to turn on the water in the shower so it would warm.

"Get in 'Dessa! We can help each other wash." Keith offered.

Odessa made a show of carefully judging the water's temperature and slowly sliding one leg then the other over the attached tub until she was inside the shower. Her legs were long, befitting her five foot ten inch height. Keith was just taller at six foot one inches. He was pale, both from his distant Scottish ancestry and days spent locked in a lab looking to gain his second degree. Odessa was paler still, her investment management business kept her out of the sun, or so she said, and busy during the days. In fact despite dating for three months, Keith never managed to get out to see her during the day.

She batted her blue eyes and held out her hand toward his left arm. "Come on in. love. The water is fine." She purred.

Keith took her arm with his good hand and followed her in. The other arm had a twisted knot of scars that twisted up the limb. It had almost been taken from him after the injury. The joint hurt at times and the arm was not supposed to hold over five pounds, a rule he had often disregarded while he was with Odessa.

Whether it was indoor rock climbing, indoor maze paintball, or riding ATV's through an illuminated obstacle course, which had been tonight's outing, Odessa preferred her amusements physical with a dash of danger.

"What are you thinking with that serious face, love?" Odessa asked.

"Not much. Just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful woman in my life." Keith admitted.

"You, lucky? I have a handsome doctor who just earned his second degree! A PHD in biochemistry no less! I think I'm the lucky one. I'm living a girl's dream come true." Odessa smiled back taking up the soap.

Keith kissed Odessa. At first it was a tender, gentle embrace but soon they were both overcome by mounting passion. She was so good at that making him feel like he was not just worthy of her but that they were both blessed. Maybe they were, he thought.

The playful shower turned hot even as the water cooled. They were barely dry before they rolled into the bedroom and made love. They were both grateful for what they had found in each other. In the quiet afterwards, Odessa snuggled up to Keith as he stared at the ceiling lost in thought.

"Always thinking. What is going through that head now Dr. McDowell?" Odessa playfully dug.

"Our future sweet, 'Dessa. I have to move out of student housing soon. I need to pick where I'll go. I'll have to get a job and I have job offers offers from all over the country." Keith admitted.

"You're going to leave?" She asked sadly.

"No. I could never leave you. I want to move in. You have this house. If I was living here, I'd have more time to pick out a job. Odessa Beaumont I want to share my life with you. I don't want to go anywhere that you wouldn't go." Keith confessed.

"You want to live with me?!" Odessa said eyes surprised and moved.

"I want to marry you, if you'll have me. I know I love you, but we should try living together just a bit first, I guess. I need to get a few paychecks and pay off a loan I took out for what the G.I. fund didn't pay on my school expenses before I can afford a ring..." Keith was abruptly silenced as Odessa sealed his rambling mouth with a kiss.

The kiss was passionate and desperate, in fact so much so Keith had an edge of worry before it broke.

"Of course I love you, you fool!" Odessa told him.

"I hear a but coming..." Keith began.

"Yes, there is a 'but.' There are a few things I have to tell you first before I can ask you to commit and...it scares me. I love you so much and if I can't make you understand what I'm going to tell you... Keith I don't want to lose you!" Odessa admitted with a level of fearful apprehension Keith had never seen on her face before.

"'Dessa, take it easy. Just take it slow. I love you. Whatever admissions you have to make I'm sure we'll work through them and I'm sure I'll understand." Keith said. In the back of his mind, all sorts of thoughts began to whirl about. Her odd hours of work and lack of worry about money made him wonder if she was a criminal? If so, they'd find a way to get her out of that. Whatever it was their had to be a way

"I'm a vampire. I can't go out during the day. I can never have your children. It's something that can't be changed or cured. If you live with me you'll be entering a whole new world. A strange and very dangerous one." Odessa said, raw emotion tearing apart her pretty face.

Keith stared at her, his mind trying to process what she had said. She wasn't 'goth.' Her words couldn't be cultural hyperbole. She wasn't crazy, yet she obviously believed what she said. His brain worked overtime to figure out what she could mean by this when Odessa interrupted him.

"Let me show you something." Seeing the war on Keith face she leaned in to answer the questions with the only thing a studious doctor would understand; hard proof. She nuzzled against his neck and bit into his vein. His blood gushed into her mouth warm and sweet, sweeter than any she had ever tasted.

As for Keith, pleasure washed over him with the dawning realisation this was something real happening to him. Odessa was somehow able to bite him and feed just like a vampire. His mind stopped struggling as darkness overtook his consciousness.

Spectre Books

Remington Spectre looked around his store with a critical eye. He appeared to be scowling, but that was just his look. Those who knew him well could tell he was actually quite pleased. The store had been coming along nicely.

The building had, at one time, been an old warehouse before it was then converted into a speakeasy during prohibition. It had been gutted by a fire and acquired a reputation for being haunted by malignant spirits, hence why it had been left derelict for so long. This reputation, however, was undeserved as anyone who could see ghosts could tell. The bar's one ghostly resident had long been pacified by negotiation.

Spectre had carefully cleaned the building, leaving the brick looking old and worn. He installed faux gas lights and other antique equipment. It had the look of a old fashioned British pub that expanded to encompass a coffee bar and bookstore.

As a concession to modern laws, the pub area was raised on a wooden platform and had a turnstile at the steps which led up to the bar area. You had to present identification to the host or bartender upon entering. Those who didn't could keep walking and easily enter the coffee bar.

Big Mike sat behind the bar and with him on duty there was little cause for a bouncer. Mike was a bodybuilder and at six foot two kept most everyone in check by his mere presence. He kept his head shaved and his mustache waxed. With his leather apron he definitely looked the part of an antique pub's barkeeper.

A perky goth with her hair in a braided topknot cheerfully dosed the coffee drinkers with caffeine. Her name was Cindy and she often teased Mike about her beverages being just as potent despite their lack of legal regulation.

The Doc was watching the door with more attention than normal. He had received a text indicating that a delegation of werewolves was coming. He wanted to be on his toes. In a lot of was this was coming full circle for him.

When they came they didn't fail to impress. One was tall, at six foot flat, but if he'd been thinner he'd have been gangly. He was wearing a tweed jacket with leather elbow pads and glasses. He looked exactly like a Harvard professor stereotype. The other man, while perhaps more youthful, made Big Mike look downright small. He was in a tee shirt and jeans. The tee featured a logo for an old B movie, Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders stretched tight across his very broad chest. The Doc suppressed a smile as he walked forward to greet the pair.

"Doc Spectre. I'm the owner here. I have a table reserved for you gentlemen." He announced as he guided them to the back.

"Nice place. Has an old fashioned sort of charm." Barry noted as he took a seat.

"Order what you like. It's not a restaurant, but we do have some snacks." Spectre said as he slid down into his own chair.

Alex glanced through the menu as Barry looked about at the store.

"I have to say, it came as a shock to receive an invitation to come here." Barry admitted.

"Well, in a lot of ways this is full circle for me. The first supernatural I met was a werewolf." Spectre admitted.

"Did you kill him?" Alex asked, not looking up from his menu.

"Yes." Spectre replied simply.

Alex looked up in surprise. Barry went rigid. His eyes darted around the room looking about for signs of a trap. The tension grew thick for a moment.

"Well, he was doing his best to kill me, you see. Years ago I was a research anthropologist. I was investigating one of the oldest known prehistoric sites of human habitation in North America. The goal of my research was to learn something about the early migrants into the central regions of the continent. A friend of mine had followed Native American legend to a site rumored to have been inhabited long before any of the known tribes came to the region." The Doc explained.

"Interesting research." Barry commented politely, trying to lessen the tension

"You sure you're a doctor? You look more like Clint Eastwood. I mean back in his Fistful of Dollars days." Alex commented, as he looked back down at his menu.

"That's why I bought the hat and coat." Spectre said his eye twinkling slightly. He gestured over to the coat rack where a duster jacket and matching hat were hanging.

"Cool, I'll take two of the appetizer samplers and a pint of this dunkles here." Alex stated finishing his perusing of the menu. He seemed less interested Spectre's sense of humor regarding his hat and coat and more concerned about the food on the menu.

Spectre snapped his fingers and Cindy bounced over to the table. Alex looked up to find her perky breasts and ample cleavage hovering next to him. Spectre's quips may not have attracted the massive young man's attention, but Cindy did. Alex flashed her a smile, which she returned and repeated his order to her. She then reached for the menu but Alex shook his head.

"I'm gonna keep it if that's okay, sweetie. It takes a lot to fill us big guys up ya know. I may want something else after." He explained.

Cindy nodded, smiled again, and made her way back to the bar and the kitchen that lay beyond. She walked with slightly more of a sway in her hips as she did so, and Alex watched her go, his eyes intently focused on her backside the entire time.

"Are those vampire fangs on the brim?" Barry inquired, squinting to look at the hat appraisingly as Alex's attention was focused on the barrista.

"Yes." Spectre answered simply. "Back to the story. I rode up to the site. We had heard there was going to be some sort of difficulty a mineral company was interested in the land if we proved it was a site of cultural importance we could have blocked their acquisition of rights to mine the land. When we arrived there already was a team up there they appeared to be placing explosives. They claimed they were to generate shock waves for a resonance imaging scanner. The charges were set neatly in a ring around the area we were there to document. I knew and had used such equipment before. They had about twenty times the explosive force they needed for a even the most powerful of image shockwaves." The Doc continued.

"That's a neat gizmo. It's a scanner that reads the differences in how a shock wave travels through matter so it can outline an area and tell if anything is buried there. It's popular amongst paleontologist to find where to dig." Barry explained.

"Yeah, I know. They used them in Jurassic Park. It explained more about them in the novel than the movie. Crichton is pretty good at explaining science for us regular guys." Alex said with a touch of humor. His attention had returned to the conversation now that Cindy had faded from view.

"Well, while we were arguing with them I had the feeling our encounter was going to turn violent. You know, just one of those bad feelings in the pit of your stomach. They had their hand in the cookie jar and weren't acting accommodating, like someone who's been caught and is backing down. Our confrontation didn't get a chance to escalate, We heard a scream. I turned and blood was gushing from one of the mining crew's neck, which was now sans a head." The Doc said, pausing dramatically.

"I think I see where this is going." Alex said dryly.

"Me too." Barry replied with a wince.

"Yep. Werewolf. He started killing everyone. The rational part of my mind warred on the part that said this was an impossibility and I should run. Then the words on the side of a crate seemed to change. It became words I somehow understood. They read 'Rage is not righteous that strikes down the innocent along side the guilty.' It was then I felt a clarity wash over me. I knew what I had to do. I moved some of the explosive charges and rewired them while the werewolf continued his assault. Once I was done I got into one of the trucks we'd taken up to the site and I rammed him. I had hoped I was fast enough to hurt him and get the werewolf chasing me and not the people I was with, but it was too late for them. He was finishing them off when I hit him. He came after me. He was so mad it made him stupid. He charged right over the spots I had placed my improvised trap, explosives with random crap to give it fragmentation." The Doc opened his hands wide and mouthed the sound 'boom.'

"I've seen guys torn up like that. It's not pretty." Alex said, a serious, far away look crossing his face.

"So it killed him, I assume." Barry stated.

"Oh not all at once. Took off his legs and mangled him badly but your people heal like something else. Still some of the shrapnel was silver I'm pretty sure those mine surveyors had known what they were dealing with and were armed for it. It wasn't enough to finish him off but he wasn't healing all the damage, blood loss or sepsis would have killed him in time. I made him an offer he was in no position to refuse. I told him I just wanted answers in exchange for mercy. That day I learned about the world of the supernatural. Then I taught an attacker who showed my friends no mercy what it was to be just in the place of vengeful." The Doc finished.

"Good. More of us are like that than like these guys." Alex said jerking a thumb toward Barry. He looked like he was going to say more, but his attention was diverted by the server that had brought up his food and beer. He began to attack the two large platters with a ravenous intensity, washing down large bites of food with long pulls from his beer.

"Despite all of that, you wanted to talk in peace?" Barry marveled.

"Yes. I learned an important lesson that day. When you just fly off the handle killing things as your plan A you taint your good cause into evil. You also get to go home in a body bag. Not how I want to do things. I judge on actions, not on what you are. If you prey on man and make yourself a threat then I put you down. If you help out mankind I do what I can to help you. If you're somewhere in between I keep an eye on you until you become one or the other. Until then you have just as much right to be here as anyone else. That goes for anyone. Even vampires." The Doc revealed.

"Well that sounds dangerous. I don't suppose I can argue against it if you judge everyone by the same standard, however." Barry rationalized.

"Well, I'm glad you give grudging approval of my moral compass. It makes working together far more feasible." The Doc said with a smile.

"You do it with humor but you have an odd way of making the things I say sound..." Barry searched for the right words.

"Dickish?" Alex supplied after swallowing a mouthful of food.

"Ill thought out?" The Doc offered.

"We'll go with ill thought out. I don't intend any offense." Barry replied

"I try to get people in the habit of seeing how their words can sound to people who don't share their biases. We all have our way of looking at things, and from our standpoint what we say sounds perfectly reasonable. When you listen to it from someone else's viewpoint, however, it sounds much worse than how it was intended. Works for mundane as well as supernatural cultures." The Doc explained.

Alex pondered this statement while chewing. He swallowed again and then spoke up. "I've seen that over seas. The army has to keep experts around to help with that sort of thing, and when I had to deal with the eastern Ferra they said a lot of things I had to ignore. They were trying to help me but even their causal speech was filled with some things that were just wrong."

"Well, enough about me, gentlemen, what about yourselves? From what I've heard werewolves don't normally run companies and hand out business cards." The Doc prodded.

"Oh, well, you see, the Glass Spider tribe believes we have to guide man, not lord over him like some strict disciplinarian. With the projector firms kindling an interest in the mystic amongst mankind again we hope to answer that desire to explore spiritual power with paths of positive growth. In turn, that will help guide people away from things like demonology, death cults, and entropically tained practices. So we started Psionic Services Inc. to use what we know to guide people who are interested along a path of spiritual development that is more in harmony with the natural order of the world; nature spirits, not self destructive powers, sacred reverential herb usage over strongly addictive substances. That sort of thing." Barry gushed enthusiastically.

"You know, hippy crap." Alex added as he took a long pull of beer. He had depleted well over half the pint already.

Barry gave him a long suffering stare to which Alex smiled.

"Don't get me wrong, it's well intentioned, and very altruistic hippy crap." Alex added with a laugh.

"Well I've seen the dark side of magic plenty of times. I think guidance is a fine thing, definitely something that needs to be done. The projector firms themselves are in no shape to pick up that slack themselves, either. With Orpheus still being locked up in legal limbo most are treading on thin legal grounds even continuing to operate. I have one of them here in fact, a young lady who is a projector. She's been living in one of the rooms I rent out connected to the bar. Even with the government backed witch hunt for projectors off, she's afraid of the legal repercussions of opening a projecting company herself." The Doc explained.

"Really? I'd love to meet her sometime. Perhaps we can do something to help her." Barry offered.

"I'll pass the offer along and I have your card. She's a bit skittish of the supernatural. She's just learning about what's out there aside from ghosts. I'll tell her I think you're okay, however." The Doc reassured

"Sounds like the boat I'm in. I've been trying to find out more about the supernatural world. The irony being the dicks who were introducing me to the supernatural and what I was in the far East knew more it seems about the non-werewolf supernatural here than the teachers they sent me to. Everyone involved in this crazy shadow world seems so insular. No wonder everyone is fighting each other all the time." Alex lamented.

"Well, if you want to know more about the supernatural world you could tag along with me. I will be introducing myself to people who are involved in it from all sorts of different backgrounds." The Doc offered.

"Really? That sounds like it could be something to do." Alex replied, as he gave a look to Barry. Barry, in return, gave a cautious nod.

"Yeah sure then." Alex agreed. He stretched out his hand to shake, his massive hand almost enveloping the Doc's.

"Good. "Let's meet back here tomorrow about 5 PM. We'll be going later that night to see the "Prince" of Los Angeles, the leader of the local vampires. Things should be okay I have a letter of introduction and some people I know are supposed to have sent word ahead that I'm coming." The Doc explained.

"Huh. That might be interesting. Never met a vampire." Alex said. He drained the last of his beer and stood up. "Now, If you don't mind, I'm going to go see if I can get that chick at the bar's number." With that, he promptly turned spotting Cindy at the coffee bar. He smiled and walked away.

Barry pondered this situation. It looked good. At the very least it was some excitement that would keep Alex occupied. It might also give him a better bead on this Doctor Spectre. His affable nature might be a front. If so, the facade wouldn't stay up all the time and Alex would notice. Plus, he was pretty sure Spectre might be surprised if he planned something devious. Alex might have been relatively new to life as a werewolf, however, his skills as a soldier in his life before had made him a deadly combatant. He would be more than any hunter could match. He was fairly sure.

Otis College of Art and Design

Heather Poe was frantically trying to balance her stack of papers and books. She was trying to open the back door of her Toyota Corolla when the precarious stack all toppled over. With a sigh, she opened the back door and started to pick up the scattered objects.

A dark haired young woman ambled over and stopped a few errant pages from blowing off and handed them too her.

"Oh thank you!" Heather said looking up in surprise.

"No problem! You've got quite a stack there. How'd you end up with so much stuff? Oh, I'm Jennifer by the way." The dark haired beauty offered.

"Oh! I'm Heather, Heather Poe. Well, I'm a late register and I only have three days until classes start, so I was trying to get everything together. I still have to get an apartment or something. I don't have one yet." Heather explained while collecting her fallen stack and putting them away in the back seat.

"You're going to try to find a place to live in L.A. in three days?" Jennifer said in disbelief.

"Oh... yeah I guess that doesn't sound too smart, does it? I'm just kind of rushing to get into school this year. I'm already a year late starting. Last year was just really bad for me." Heather admitted.

"Wow, well maybe you could try networking. I live here and I know some people. Maybe you could get some ideas from my friends. At the least we can guide you away from the bad neighborhoods." Jennifer offered.

"Oh, wow! Thanks! That would be great!" Heather gushed enthusiastically.

Heather left in high spirits. She and Jennifer made plans for her to meet up with Jennifer's friends the next night.

Odessa's House, Malibu

Keith awoke and put his hand to his neck. Feeling smooth skin he began to relax, that is until he realized he felt no pulse under his fingers. He spun, looking about the room. Odessa's bedroom didn't have windows but the illumination in the hall creeped in under the door. That provided him just enough visibility to make out the wall clock; it was just after dusk. As he sat up, the door opened and Odessa entered. She was putting away her cell phone.

"Oh God, Keith! This has gone so wrong. There is a lot I need to tell you but I really don't have the time to explain it all now." Odessa lamented.

"''Dessa what's happened to me?" Keith said fighting off his rising panic.

"I only meant to feed on you a little, to show you in a way you'd understand what I was. I made a mistake. I lost control somehow. I drained too much blood from you. You were about to die. I...I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let you go, so I gave you some of my blood. It brought you back as one of us. As a vampire. We have to leave. Now! I've been making arrangements for us." She took Keith's hand and began to help him up.

"We're running? Why? I don't understand." Keith said confused.

"There are rules, Keith. Laws I wasn't supposed to break that I broke when I made you like me. We have to get out of here before anyone finds out. I have friends. I can fix this but only if we get out of here right- ." Her words were cut off.

The front door to her house exploded. Standing in the shattered frame was the silhouette of a huge figure in a trench coat. He leapt forward and stabbed Odessa just under the ribcage with something and shoved up into the chest cavity.

Keith knew the angle of that stab would send whatever he used into the heart. In a blind panic he threw himself at the hulking, leathery thing before him. The massive figure gave him a backhand that tossed him back into Odessa's living room and onto the glass coffee table, which promptly shattered. Keith tried to pull himself up, but he could barely manage to look up.

Two men with pale skin came around the brutish form that was holding Odessa and began to kick him over and over. They seized him and pinned his arms. The giant figure in the trench coat pulled out another of what he had used to stab Odessa. It seemed to be a stake made from wood. Keith writhed but his strength was no match for the two thugs holding him down. Powerless, he watched as the stake swiftly fell.

Once again Keith's world went black.

Tremere Chantry, downtown Los Angeles

Ezekiel "Zeke" Mason was unusual among vampires. He still slept in a bed and he woke abnormally early. He also showered daily, despite not being alive to produce sweat or body odor. He even still brushed his teeth.

This day he had dressed in an unabashedly preppy way. He looked like he belonged in a Calvin Klein advertisement. It was his favored style, unless he was actually going somewhere he would need to dress formally.

He'd been dead for over seventy years, yet still looked the twenty six years he had been when he was turned. Zeke didn't like talking about his early days, let alone his mortal life. Normally he was far too busy to talk about his own past. What Zeke liked was magic. Thus, the path of his unlife was clear. He had dedicated his existence to his studies. It didn't matter whether it was some new exploration into the history of the occult, the furthering of his own blood magic or some new discovery in the mystic arts, so long as it involved the arcane. Despite his eccentricities, he was a rising star in House Tremere.

The lights flickered. It was an indication to all apprentices that they were to gather in the master's study. Inwardly, Zeke cursed. He hoped it wasn't anything too time consuming. He had work to do! Being a master of the brisk, but casual walk, he walked to the study in no apparent hurry.

The few other apprentices in the small chantry rushed in just before he did. Standing in the center of the room in front of an unlit fireplace, Regent Maximillian Strauss looked over his clan. He was pale even for a vampire a fact made even more obvious by his shaven head. He wore his usual red suit and yellow glasses.

"Close the door Mr. Mason. You will not like this announcement. Word has come all kindred who answer to the Prince of Los Angeles: We are to report to the Nocturne Theater for a gathering and important announcement by Prince LaCroix." Straus announced.

"Damn! The entire night will be wasted." Mason said.

"You know you will have others." Solomon Fitz, a fellow apprentice, said .

"True enough, however, one could learn from Mr. Mason's industrious nature. While we do have ages to study the art, there is no excuse for sloth when it comes to our studies, Mr. Fitz." Straus rebuked.

Solomon looked away, ashamed. He always seemed to be getting unfavorably compared to Zeke. He hated how easily Zeke seemed to impress the Regent while he could not.

"I have arranged transport. It seems, for once, everyone is appropriately dressed. Let us go, then." The Regent clapped his hands. "Everyone to the van." Strauss ordered.

The apprentices complied. Straus noted that none of them, even the normally perceptive Mason, seemed concerned regarding the Prince's announcement. He held his tongue despite mentally noting to speak to Zeke later. Unlike Mr. Fitz, public ridicule did not seem to improve Zeke's performance.

The Nocturne Theatre

The large H2 SUV pulled into a parking spot after what seemed like ages of searching. Dr. Spectre pulled in and cut the ignition.

"You know, it rides alot better then the Humvee." Alex commented.

"Still, I'm not really impressed. I got the H2 thinking it would be tough. It's tough, just not as tough as I wanted. A decommissioned Humvee was too hard to find so I got this instead. Now I've got buyer's remorse. It'll be a while before I can replace it." Spectre commented.

Alex nodded, scooping the last of the can of tuna he was eating into his mouth.

"You're still hungry? I thought you ate before I picked you up." Spectre complained as he got out of the SUV.

"It's not a matter of being hungry, but I am still peckish thank you very much." Alex said with a lilt of humor in his voice. "It's a matter of the amount of calories I have to eat in order to stay this big. It actually can be pretty annoying because I also have to burn them with exercise. I've been playing basketball at the park to burn the extra calories since I didn't go back to the P.S.I. compound. It's not as good as the gym but it'll do. I might start playing soccer. I can't think of a more exhausting thing to do. I was watching those little kids, man oh man! There's little ten year olds doing full body flips and shit when they kick the ball. It's crazy. I'll bet it burns more calories than combat." Alex said monologuing while getting out and tossing his can in a near by garbage can.

The pair made their way to the theater door. Spectre tapped at the door while Alex smoothed his clothing

"Think they'll liked my shirt?" he asked indicating his Vintage Lost Boys tee.

Yeah looks great." Spectre said with apparently neither mirth or sarcasm.

The door opened revealing a long bearded vampire in a denim jacket and faded jeans. He looked at the pair questioningly his eyes lingering on Alex's tee.

"I'm here to see the Prince. Is he busy?" Spectre asked.

"See for yourself." The vampire replied as he shrugged and let them in.

In the back of the theater some goonish looking vampires were dragging two limp bodies with stakes in their chests. They were being supervised by a man about the same size as Alex. on his back was an incredibly large silver weapon. To the side a short man impreciably dressed in an expensive looking suit came on stage.

Alex wondered if the large weapon could be a Klave. He had heard tales of the Werewolf artifacts but had never seen one himself. His musing was broken by the short man giving a nod to his minions. They responded by removing the stakes from the two limp forms Alex was surprised to see both begin to become animate blinking and moving their arms a bit both were folding into a kneeling position like supplicants before the short man presumably the Prince,who started to speak.

"My fellow Kindred! My apologies for disrupting any business or interfering with prior engagement you may have had this evening. It is unfortunate that the affair that gathers us together tonight is a troubling one. We are here because the laws that bind our society, the laws that are the fabric of our existence; have been broken." The Prince said in a voice well practiced in addressing a crowd.

The vampires began to whisper amongst themselves. Alex looked over at the Doc who leaned over not taking his eyes off the stage to whisper. "This isn't likely to be good, but keep it together. Normally vampire 'justice' ends with someone dead." Spectre warned.

"As Prince, I am within my rights to grant or deny the Kindred of this city the privilege of siring. Many of you have come to me seeking permission and I have endorsed some of these requests." The Prince continued, looking at certain members in the crowd as he spoke.

"Population control?" Alex quietly asked Spectre.

"Important in a predatory species with only so much prey." Spectre simply whispered back.

"However, the accused that sits before you tonight was not refused permission. Indeed my permission was never sought at all." The Prince paused to let those words sink in.

From the murmur running through the vampires who were suddenly paying much more attention to the proceedings, Alex thought this must be a very bad thing.

"She was caught shortly after the embrace of this childe. It pains me to announce the sentence, as up until tonight I considered the accused a loyal, upstanding member of our organization." The Prince continued.

Alex whispered "Child? He's older than I am."

"It's their term for all created vampires male or female. The creators are referred to as sires." The Doc explained.

On the stage Keith was beginning to regain consciousness. He noticed Odessa looking up into the balcony, pleadingly. In the balcony was a pale white bald man in yellow glasses and a red suit. He seemed to ponder her plea, then gave a reluctant shake of the head.

At that, Odessa turned to Keith. Red tears streamed down her cheeks.

"As some of you may know the penalty for this transgression... is death." The Prince declared intensely.

Keith's eyes widened. He made a feeble attempt to get up but was forced by down by the steady arm of a thug.

"Know that I am no more a judicator than I am a servant of the law that governs us all." The Prince claimed eyeing the crowds reaction.

Alex felt a ball of rage welling in the pit of his stomach Spectre gave him a measured look and Alex swallowed.

"This shit just isn't right. Sure we don't know their story, but this isn't a trial. It's not justice." Alex said.

"You're right. We don't know their story, so we don't know if it is justice or not. We'll find out later, but I'm not about to start a fight that will kill everyone here until I'm sure. I've been played for a dope before and found the person I saved as the real villain, Alex." The Doc cautioned.

"Let tonight's proceedings serve as a reminder to our community that we must adhere to the code that binds our society together. Lest we endanger all of our blood." The Prince said then he turned for the first time to look at Odessa.

Keith could see what the crowd could not. He saw the very slight smile on the Prince's face. Odessa's answering look of anger could be seen by all. "Forgive me." The Prince answered in reply to her look.

Despite logic, for just a brief moment, Keith hoped the apology was sincere and that there would be a reprieve. His hopes were shattered seconds later as the Prince turned to the leather clad gorilla of a man on the stage. "Let the penalty commence."

The giant man drew and raised his massive weapon. Keith managed to push away one thug and half rise. He began to shout, but the words died in his throat as the sword fell.

Odessa's final words echoed in his ears. "I love you! I'm sorry!" She pleaded.

Then the head left her body, almost immediately her physical form turned to dust and ash.

Keith was forced to the ground as the two thugs holding Odessa let go and tackled him. The Prince observed the scuffle with a raised eyebrow.

"Which leads to the fate of the ill begotten progeny." The Prince said, turning to face Keith directly.

"Without a sire most childer are doomed to walk the Earth never knowing their place, their responsibility, and most importantly the laws they must obey. Therefore I have decided that..." the Prince said stopping as he was suddenly interrupted.

"This is bullshit!" Cried a short haired goateed vampire from among the crowd as he leapt to his feet. Others leapt to stop him from charging further.

The Prince turned, looking surprised. He looked as if he was about to say something. However, many among the crowd began to also rise with glares at the stage.

"Someone's not got as firm a hold on power they think." The Doc commented with interest.

"Was this shit all some power play? Did this fucker just kill someone for politics?" Alex asked.

The Doc shook his head and held up his hand, signalling that now was not the time as he continued his focus on the room. The Prince, judging the mood, seemed to change tactics.

"If Mr. Rodriguez would let me finish, I have decided to let this Kindred live. He shall be instructed in the ways of our kind and be granted the same rights as any other. Let no one say I am unsympathetic to the plights and causes of this community. I thank you all for attending these proceedings, and I hope their significance is not lost. Goodnight." The Prince finished, dismissing the gathering. Alex noticed the vampires with the goateed man who spoke out started walking out as soon as the Prince announced he was not going to kill the other victim on the stage.

"You're going to work with this guy?" Alex asked with concern

"I really don't know. It's not looking good. Let's find out more." The Doc said, doubt creeping into his tone.

"Hey, you guys looking to talk to High and Mighty LaCroix? You need to go that way. It'll lead you around to his car." The bearded vampire told them.

"Thanks, Jack." The Doc said as he started in the direction indicated.

"I don't think we've met?" Jack asked at his back.

"We haven't but I've heard of you." Spectre answered without turning. Alex simply shrugged and followed the Doc.

Back on the stage the thugs had released Keith, yet he still was on his knees. Keith was staring at the ashes of Odessa. His mind had gone from running in frantic circles to a dead stop. His face, still contorted with his scream, had frozen, although no sound emerged. Slowly, it began to melt into a blank mask. His open eyes saw nothing. His ears heard only the roar of silence. His mind was blank, it was blank with the unwillingness to deal with what he'd just seen.

The Prince looked down. "Your sire. This is most tragic, my apologies, but you see there is a code of conduct that all of us must adhere too if we wish to survive."

The sounds penetrated into the dead zone Keith's mind had made. His mind coiled around a single idea. It was a practice honed from long years of experience sorting out the medical puzzles he had sought to solve. He knew in that instant he would kill everyone sharing that stage with him. If he struck now he would be killed. He would wait. He would plan. He would find a way to ensure that Odessa's murderers one and all perished. But, for now, that could only be done if he lived.

"I loved her." He stated simply.

With a gesture from LaCroix, the goons lifted Keith to his feet. LaCroix began walking away. The thugs gave him a push to ensure he followed.

"When someone, anyone, breaks these laws they undermine the well worn fabric of our centuries old society. Understand my predicament. Allowing you to live makes me directly responsible for your subsequent behavior. So what I'm offering is not generosity, but the opportunity to transcend the fate woven by your sire." LaCroix continued not even looking back as he continued down the hall.

At the end of the hall he finally turned to look at Keith. Keith tried to force himself to present a blank face, to detach himself from his rage and analyze as much as he could. It was the same detachment that allowed him to reach into a human body and work upon it as a mechanic did a machine. Hopefully, it would serve him well in this moment. However, he was uncertain he could hide the hate in his eyes. He thought it best to keep them low and servile. This, incidentally, spared him making eye contact with the Prince. A benefit he did not yet realize.

"This is your trial. You will be brought to Santa Monica. There you will meet an agent by the name of Mercurio. He will provide the details of your labor. I've shown you great clemency. Prove it was more than a wasted gesture, fledgeling. Don't come back until you do. Good Evening." LaCroix finished stepping through the door.

The Goons all followed. Keith stared at the door filing away every nuance of the conversation. His mind churned through it for any scrap that might prove useful; every idiosyncrasy, every gesture, anything might be used in eventually bringing down that bastard. He turned heading for the door at the other end of the theater, the one every other of his newfound kind had exited.