Chapter Twelve

'Questions'

Daedalus looked high and low for answers to his questions. He even dragged Viv and Joshua out of their Sire's havens to question them in private. The young ones were not helpful and suspicious of the Elder's probing. Their Sires were as well and demanded to know what was going on.

He truthfully told them, "I don't know. All I do know is that Adrian was fine yesterday and tonight she's in Frenzy. I'm trying to find out what drove her to it."

Everyone he questioned shook their heads and shrugged. Nobody had a clue what was going on in her head and Julian, who did know, was holed up in his rooms with her. Daedalus dared not enter lest he accidentally trigger something. As he made his investigative rounds through the household staff he saw Billy leaving to go to the garage.

He called to the long haired Ventrue and Billy stopped, letting the Nosferatu catch up with him. As Daedalus neared, he sensed the Prince's youngest son didn't want to talk to him. But because of the rules of conduct and etiquette he had no choice because Daedalus was a Primogen. "You've been asking about Adrian," the mild tempered man stated.

He nodded and replied, "And you don't want to tell me what you know."

Billy pursed his lips, looking at the ground. "You might want to let Julian tell you," he said finally. "I can't be sure of anything and I'd rather not jump to conclusions, possibly sending you in the wrong direction."

Daedalus looked wryly at the Ventrue. In other words, Billy didn't want to be the one to tell him in case Daedalus felt like using him as a punching bag. The politically correct, downright neutral response pissed him off. Unfortunately, this was not some street-Brujah he could pound on to get answers. He wished he was. It would make him feel a little bit better.

Daedalus shoved his irritation down for the moment and stepped closer to Billy saying to him with narrowed eyes, "I'm sure it would comfort you to know that you had not been the one to tell me and instead let your Sire take responsibility. However, I need to know now and he is indisposed at the moment and for how long, we cannot know."

Several seconds into a stand off and Billy turned away with a low growl in his throat. He had been drilled at a very young age that secrecy between siblings was paramount. To betray that make him feel ill. "We were in the car uptown Hunting last night," he told the Primogen. "She was talking to Julian about what other Kindred had been saying about her. She was really unhappy."

"That's all," the Nosferatu asked. Billy nodded. "And you think this is enough to make her Frenzy?"

"She was very unhappy," he emphasized.

Daedalus nodded, dismissing Julian's Childe. Billy gave him a short polite bow and went about his business. The Ventrue walked into the garage and began maintenance work on his Sire's many vehicles. During the mindless chores he thought about the Enforcer's interrogation. He knew that he certainly didn't want to be the one to tell the fierce Nosferatu that his beloved now hated his guts and thought of him as a coward. Self preservation motivated the half-truth he had revealed.

But he did it for another reason as well. He had always liked the ancient and respected him for his sly, devious way of taking care of business. He had a good heart and Billy didn't want to be the one to see it break. He didn't want to be the one to see the shock and disappointment in his eyes. But most of all, the pain.

Daedalus watched Billy's retreat with concern. He felt the man was holding back for his sake and wondered what he could have been hiding. He felt the truth in what actually had been said and so this was what he'd work with for now.

Daedalus decided he was hungry and traveled downtown into his Clan's territory. At three AM the park was empty except for drug dealers and other forms of trouble makers. A perfect snack as long as they weren't using their own product. Leaving one pot dealer and a pimp dazed and confused on a bench, the Nosferatu wandered invisibly along the jogger's path. He contemplated the situation, analyzing what he knew and what he still needed answers to. It didn't make sense. None of it did.

Adrian's friends said she was fine last night. And they all said she was nowhere near to Frenzying last they'd seen of her. Her brother said she was unhappy with what other people had been saying about her. But wouldn't she have talked about that with her friends? Going on a hunch, Daedalus backtracked to Lisbeth's haven and knocked. Lisbeth herself answered and let him in.

Viv had a pair of headphones on her head and was listening to some rock group as she sat sideways in a recliner, her tiny feminine feet jumping and swaying with the beat. Now she was startled out of her reverie by her Sire giving her a mental prod to pay attention. The teenager pulled off the foam ear pieces and turned off the music.

He had decided that Viv would be the most likely to talk and asked, "What exactly did you all talk about yesterday? I need to know. It could be important."

The youngster blinked in confusion. "Um…well… we talked about all kinds of stuff."

"Tell me specifics."

She was nervously trying to evade him. "Uh. Gossip and stuff. Sasha. How she felt about Julian. And she was thinking about taking a haven down here when she's Released."

Daedalus nodded and asked, "Did she say anything about what others may have been saying about her? About her Embrace, perhaps?"

She thought a moment and then gave a short one note laugh and replied, "Well, Joshua made a joke about what if you really adopted her and how she'd still be a mutt but at least she'd be happier."

Lisbeth appeared embarrassed.

"So she thinks of herself as a mutt?"

Viv gave a haphazard shrug. "She calls herself that. I didn't like it when Joshua called her that, but she didn't get upset."

"What other names have you heard people calling her?"

She hesitated now and sat back into the thickly cushioned recliner. "Answer him," Lisbeth said sternly. She looked to her Sire as if she were being asked to list every dirty word she'd ever heard. But she complied, not meeting her Primogen's eyes.

"I've heard people calling her a confused mutt. Saying that she couldn't figure out what she was and making fun of how she spent half her time with you and the other half with her Sire. Some people have called her your bastard. And…." She stopped and looked down at her hands in her lap. "Some of the elders call her the Pretty Nosferatu." Viv was embarrassed and she seemed to shrink in her clothes. She was petite enough but now she reminded Daedalus of a whipped pup.

"How did she say she felt about Julian? Was she fighting with him recently?"

"No, she didn't say they were fighting. But she did say that he threatened to pull her claws out."

Lisbeth gave a very unladylike snort then covered her mouth trying to hide her laughter. Her Childe regarded her sadly.

Daedalus tried to imagine the circumstances which the Prince might feel such a threat was necessary. Especially to his own newborn. He had a fairly good guess. "She was harassing him to be Released?"

The young female nodded. The ancient thanked them both and left. Bored, he made another security check in the house and then went to wait in his haven for news.


Julian leisurely showered and dressed again, even though in a matter of two or three hours he'd be returning to bed for rest. He had work to do and also the unpleasant business of answering his Enforcer's questions.

Coming down the stairs into the main foyer, Cash accosted him and gave an updated report of activity, all the while a lingering look of concern hidden behind his loyal eyes.

"Where is Daedalus," he asked of the Gangrel.

"In his haven. He's interrogated every Kindred between here and Sacramento about what's up with Adrian. Julian, what is going on? Did someone hurt her? How can the Gangrel help?"

The Prince placed his hand on his trusted bodyguard's arm and frowned. "Cash, I'm doing all that can be done for her. But if I need help, I know who to ask. For now, all I can tell you is that we will have to wait and see. She got so worked up that she drove herself to Frenzy. I know I don't have to tell you the implications of that."

Cash sighed and looked at his feet as he stuffed his fists in his pockets while he considered the situation. It was pretty difficult to send a Ventrue to Frenzy from what he'd seen. Their natures were too calm and rational. So whatever happened to her- it must have been bad. Blue Bloods never exaggerate their wounds. Ventrue may be stuck up, but crybabies they are not.

He concluded that he knew too well what would happen if she didn't recover. Julian would have to kill her. And the problem would be tenfold because there was no way to know how Daedalus would react. "It's a good thing Daedalus is loyal to you," Cash murmured lowly, and then raised his eyes to his Prince's.

Julian was apparently a little surprised at his words because he let it show. The Ventrue looked away from his guard and tightened his jaws.

Whoa, Cash thought. What was going on here! He let his Prince feel his confusion and Julian answered, "Cash, you had better prepare your Clan for the worst," then walked into his study, pointedly shutting the door.

Shock permeated though the Gangrel Primogen's skull. Then it turned to pure unadulterated fear. If Daedalus became so angry he lashed out, who could stop him? Definitely not a handful of Gangrel Embraced less than thirty years ago. No one truly knew how old Daedalus was, but everyone did know just how much influence he had on every corner of the map. If he went mad, he could destroy them all. Cash groaned and picked up the nearest phone to spread the word.


'Answers'

It was now almost five thirty in the morning, three hours after Adrian's breakdown began, and Daedalus was ready to explode in his haven. Julian had to have come out of his room by now. If not, he promised himself that he'd knock on the door and risk Julian's wrath if it meant he could get answers.

He materialized in front of Cash, who was leaning against the molding of their Prince's bedroom door. The Gangrel sensed him and straightened up as he now came face to face with the ancient. "He's downstairs," the guard said.

As soon as he approached Julian's study, a clear, "Enter," was heard from inside. Daedalus let himself in and found the Ventrue sitting on the dark burgundy leather couch with a bottle of wine open at his side.

"Please come and help me empty this bottle, old man. I'm not sure I can do it alone." His tone wasn't careless, but it certainly wasn't panicked either. More like he was trying to put Daedalus at ease; which naturally made him suspicious of why he would feel the need to do such a thing. Julian requiring help to kill a bottle of wine was a joke. The man could pack it away and still walk three bottles later- when he was human. Now of course, alcohol didn't affect him.

The tall Nosferatu sat beside him to be handed a full glass of ruby liquid. He sniffed its aroma and sipped. "Cash is watching out for Adrian in case she wakes," he asked as he placed the crystal goblet down on a nearby table.

"Yes," was the answer that came to his ears.

The younger man turned to him and asked, "Do you know why she Frenzied?"

"I have spoken to everyone who might know. I believe she was upset about the rude comments others have made about her," he answered honestly. "She's young," he continued. "And she is less able to forgive them. Instead, she let her anger control her."

The two studied each other for a silent moment. Julian digested his explanation. There was no pleasant way to say this and tact would be wasted. Daedalus had always liked the truth, no matter how bluntly it was given. Julian wet his lips and leaned forward, putting his forearms on his thighs, gesturing as he spoke. "That is not why she Frenzied."

He could see Daedalus honing in on every move and word. "She Frenzied because she's angry, yes. But not at what people have been saying. People have called her a mutt, and worse, for a month now. It's not the words. It's the heartache of realizing that the words are based on facts. We truly are a world different than human, old man. How could she have possibly seen the repercussions of her Embrace?"

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that she has begun to resent the conditions that were attached to her Embrace. You loved her. You wanted her. But you didn't want her Nosferatu. And this is exactly what she is in her heart. Or was, until I made her my Childe."

The Prince continued more slowly. "I had always thought that our two Clans were so similar. We don't fight in the Conclave usually. And our people get along quite well. We both have a deep and lasting respect for each other. But now I realize just how different we are. We may get along. But our people are not interchangeable."

"She was Nosferatu! She was the very essence of your Clan. But you told her to be something that she is not. And I am just as guilty because I let it happen," he said anguished.

"You brought her to me because you loved her, because you wanted her to have all the things you cannot. And I did it. I Embraced her because I love you. Because I thought your judgment was sound and I wanted you to be happy and in love together. But now your decision for her is making her miserable. She can't seem to fit in. She's angry because she's not confused about where she belongs. She knows she belongs with your Clan. She's angry because you were weak and did not rise up above your own feelings to give her what she needed."

Julian tensed, watching his friend's face. He knew there was absolutely nothing he could do that would ease this hurt. And now that he thought about it, maybe he shouldn't even if there was one. Daedalus had always impressed upon him how much he despised being Nosferatu. Maybe he just hadn't realized that there are some who would gladly take on the burden. It was an expensive lesson. Adrian's very existence was on the line because of his weakness.

Julian watched the horror spread across the ancient's pale face. He opened his mouth but no words formed and he closed it again. In torment, he turned his head away from Julian's, squeezing his eyelids shut. The Prince could see his chin trembling. He gave him time to absorb it all.

"I thought I was doing her a kindness, by refusing to give in to her demands for my blood," he whispered.

"I know," Julian whispered back. The Ventrue moved across the couch to be close enough to put his arm around the top of his broad shoulders. Sympathy won out. Julian couldn't stand to see his friend in such agony.

Blood tears pouring down his face now, the old man didn't make a sound. He didn't wipe them away. He let them fall onto the white hands neatly folded in his lap, the red splashes making puddles in between individual fingers and knuckles.

"I know you believed your intentions were good. But what your intentions were and what she feels inside now are two different things. You must believe me-" Julian stopped. "Look at me, Daedalus. Please."

He choked, but did turn his head so that his Prince could look into his eyes. The green eyes were now gray and filled to the brim with blood. "You must believe that I am doing everything in my power to help her. Do you remember when I was first Embraced by Archon? How entrenched I was with grief over my wife? Do you remember what I did to overcome it?"

Oh, yes. He remembered alright. Daedalus recalled with vivid accuracy the screaming matches between Julian and his Sire about the woman in and out of Julian's bed. Good God, the women…. Kindred and human, all the Ventrue heir-to-the-throne had to do was smile and the women followed. And Daedalus' haven was where Julian hid when Archon's anger was too much to bear. "Yes, I remember. You bedded every woman you saw," was his grumpy reply.

"That feeling I had while I was in their arms was the exact opposite of what I was feeling inside. After a while, it worked and the worst of the grief had passed. I was able to deal with the rest of it on my own and in my own time. But she doesn't have time. So…" he cleared his throat and said lowly, "I'm giving her a crash course."

The Nosferatu's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "You're doing what!?"

"I'm going to make her overdose on pleasure. All she'll know is sleep and pleasure until she finally cracks and breaks out of Frenzy. The Beast has to be subdued. The only way to do that in this case is to not feed it at all, to make her drunk on the exact opposite emotions. I don't think that tying her up and locking her in a cell downstairs is going to work," he said, speaking now of the common tactics used with other Kindred in Frenzy. Most of the time, the Kindred was able to calm down given enough time. But sometimes they also went completely insane. The odds were not in Adrian's favor, judging by her youth and the depth of her despair.

Daedalus sat shell-shocked at what he was hearing. Wiping his tears with a handkerchief his friend handed him, he finally had to admit, "I've never heard of anyone doing that to free someone from Frenzy. It is an unorthodox approach. But you may be right. It sounds like it should work anyway." Then he put his head in his hands and burst into another round of tears but with loud sobs that made his entire body shake. He slipped off the couch and slid head first onto the floor.

Julian followed and hugged him as tightly as he could. The Nosferatu was keening now, with claws bared. He held his head in his hands, curled up face down on the carpet, the long talons tearing bloody gouges into his scalp.

The man rose to his knees and grabbed Julian's lapels shouting, "I don't want her to hate me," he cried. "Anything but that. I love her so much. I would give anything!" The Ventrue wrapped his arms firmly around the old man and pulled him close.

"Drink," he said. "It will calm you." But the man holding onto him for dear life was crying too hard to hear him. Julian twisted about until he felt one of Daedalus' talons pierce his neck, opening a fount of blood. The calm nature of his Clan's blood would help. He knew this was probably not the best idea, considering he was already parched and needed to Hunt. But he also knew Daedalus would sense this and would be careful with his life.

Even in his miserable fervor, the Nosferatu smelled blood other than his own and instinctively searched to find it. Latching onto Julian, the two fell back onto the floor and Daedalus consoled himself, sucking on the open wound and sobbing. He could taste the calm security of the Ventrue Clan; controlled, precise, exacting. He could also taste the past few hours that Julian had spent with Adrian, the forceful goading of the Prince to make her feel as much as possible; Julian's patience with her and his own joy at pleasing her so thoroughly. He also saw Julian weeping over Adrian's morphine drugged body afterward, angry at Love, and angry at how much pain this would inflict on his closest friend.

The Nosferatu didn't want to see any more and stopped swallowing. He pressed his tongue to the open wound and willed it to close. Hugging Julian with all his might, he let the younger man support him.

Dawn had broken over the horizon some time ago and now the pair felt the need for slumber. Julian waited until the Nosferatu slept deeply before extricating himself from the strong arms. He wrote a short note and set it beside him. It read:

'I wanted nothing more than to stay, but I must be by her side when she wakes.

Important discussion tonight. Stay close.'

Julian Luna opened to door to his office and walked out. Both guards stationed at a nearby post ran to him. They had seen the crumpled, bloody clothes of their Prince and feared violence had occurred.

He was rumpled. And soaked. The Nosferatu Primogen's tears and hands had left bloody smears all over him. And his collar was soaked with his own. He waved off their questions but told them, "I'm not injured, but no one is to enter my office. Leave Daedalus in there as he wishes. Bring a car."

And off they went to find the Prince's daytime driver. Daedalus had taken quite a bit from him and he needed to Hunt before resting.

Later, after Julian had scrubbed the old blood off his body and slid under the cool sheets beside Adrian he wondered what the future held for them all.