A/N: Here's chapter thirty-six! What, a warren's scene first!? Sometimes it's nice to mix things up…Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodlines, but I do own my OCs.
"So what are you really?" Cadmus asked.
Arthur chuckled, "It's a LaSombra Clan variant." He said.
He looked ahead, somewhat bitter over the fact that they were working with an unofficial LaSombra, "That explains the top-notch Obtenebration."
"Yeah, please never use that tentacle shit on me again…" Cissy muttered, "I can still feel it."
Phaedra had just about finished clearing the blood on her face and chest, using her scarf, of course, "Do you know how many of your clan are around?"
"Not many." Arthur said, "What few black angels remain do what we can to eliminate the servants of Satan."
"You can't seriously believe that vampires are inherently evil." Cadmus said, "Why are we so bad but you're so good? You're a vampire too."
"Oh, I'm supposed to look around this putrid mess of a former sewer system and think that vampires are pure-hearted?"
"Well, some of them are." Phaedra said, "Just look at these two." She grinned and put a hand on each of the Salubri's shoulders, which in turn made them look extremely nervous.
Arthur looked back at the trio, not impressed, "Looks can be deceiving."
Phaedra rolled her eyes, "I'm sure you'll change your mind."
"Whatever…this guy isn't even on our side." Sirius said.
They eventually reached a large dead end, where Lafayette and Cedric were. "Where…where is he? Where's my offering?" Lafayette growled.
"We should attack now." Cadmus said, looking at Arthur, "Set this place on fire, burn the whole place down."
Arthur frowned as he gently set Gavin's body down, "Much easier said than done."
"Alright, Sirius…let's—"
Cadmus then noticed that Sirius was nowhere to be found, "Crap."
Lafayette looked at the newcomers, "Here to stop me, are you? Well, I'm afraid the results we be similar to last time."
Angelique's eyes nervously flickered to Cedric's, unsure of what he was up to.
"Cedric, buy me the time I need, at once!" Lafayette ordered.
Cedric held a hand up, as a purple glow of skulls went around it. Specters, zombies, and skeletons all came to Cedric's aid. The army marched slowly (or in some cases, floated) towards their foes.
Arthur narrowed his eyes, getting covered by fire and shadows, he began spraying fire at anything around him, knocking down most zombies in one hit.
"It's over Lafayette!" Cadmus ran over to the Tzimisce, "Your offering isn't here. Just like the reports stated, he merged into a fungal infection. What we're stepping on, what we've traveled through. It is the Tzimisce Antediluvian all along."
"You read my reports?" Lafayette clenched his fists, chuckling darkly, "Well…it won't matter…I'll make all of you into my monsters, and then I'll keep searching for Tzimisce's true vessel! It must be in here somewhere!"
"Not if our LaSombra…uh…Baali…friend or whatever burns the entire sewer complex down first…"
"You know what? I think I've had enough of your obnoxious Ventrue arrogance in the presence of my progenitor!" Lafayette's hands glowed red with Vicissitude, "It's time for you to die!" He ran at him.
Angelique fired her gun right for Lafayette's face. Lafayette flinched and fell back, momentarily holding his face. He growled, heading towards Angelique next, "Foolish kine."
Cadmus slid in the way, blocking him with his axe, "I don't think so."
"Be careful…" Angelique urged, nervous about Lafayette's Vicissitude.
Cissy unloaded her remaining magazines Lafayette's direction, figuring he would be the last thing she would need it for.
"I think you fools have already forgotten." Lafayette chuckled, in a bit of pain, but a blue fire lit up on his body, "I diablerized Madame Vaska. Therefore her powers are mine." He snickered, glowing green with Fortitude as he turned into the towering Zulo form. Arthur, meanwhile, was trying to burn away as much of the flesh inside these caverns as possible. To the point where the stony warrens of the sewer system were beginning to show themselves again.
"Mark my words, Lafayette." Cadmus held his axe firm, "I will make this place your tomb."
Lafayette roared and swatted Cadmus aside. Cadmus coughed up blood and was knocked pretty far back. Streaks of bloody scars composed purely of aggravated damage were laced all over his body. The lumbering monstrosity then headed for Angelique.
Angelique's eyes widened with terror, her tiny hands just couldn't reload her gun fast enough. Phaedra took the hit for her, giving her a good shove to the side as she received similar scratches to Cadmus.
Lafayette gave a hungry grin, as he had a chance to fight Phaedra again. Poe dashed in for help, but with Fortitude up, his sword strikes weren't doing anything. Poe stood in front of Phaedra, utilizing Fortitude in addition to Celerity to keep Lafayette on his toes.
Phaedra sat up, then distanced herself enough to summon a specter to haunt Lafayette.
Poe nervously stood by her side as Lafayette was momentarily distracted, "There's a lot of fire in here now…"
Cadmus weakly tried to get up, "Yeah…that was the plan…to give Lafayette nothing to diablerize…"
Angelique was sure his plan wasn't to knock her out, but with all the smoke inhalation, she was getting close.
"How are we supposed to put him out?" Phaedra asked, her red eyes glancing over at Lafayette nervously, "He's able to take so much…"
"Uh…I'm not sure…" Cadmus said, "I thought…with all the fire…we'd beat him…"
"Lame plan." Catalina said, clashing with Cedric.
"Shut up! I'd like to see you think of something better!"
"Let's knock the ceiling in and trap him!" Cissy called.
"Then we'd get trapped." Cadmus said, "Remember, we need to get outta here too."
Arthur dusted his hands off, "Well, I do believe my work is done here." He said, starting to walk off, "Farewell. Until our swords cross again."
"Damn it…it's getting way too hot in here…" Cadmus said, "Hey!" He snapped, "Get back here!" He chased after Lafayette and Cedric, who made a quick escape while there were still patches of land not on fire, "Damn it! He got away! He wasn't supposed to get away!"
Phaedra nervously watched as flames lapped at her dress, "We should go. Now."
Cadmus looked at her, "Lead the way."
"I just don't understand what the point of that was." Cissy was pissed. She was pissed on the way out of the tunnels, pissed on the plane ride back, pissed on the taxi ride to the middle of nowhere, and pissed on the trek through the woods.
And she was pissed one of her heels snapped.
"Well…we stopped Lafayette at least." Catalina said, arms crossed. At least given Catalina's general sarcastic and bitter disposition, they practically looked like twins.
"Stopped. Pfft." She grumbled, "Hardly. We just got in his way for five minutes."
"The Antediluvian was burned down at least." She said, "We technically killed an Antediluvian. Didn't really care for the part about us stepping on him for weeks…"
"Yeah, neither did I…" She still seemed terribly bitter. "That was the biggest fucking waste of time in my life."
She looked like she was about to say something, but her eyes widened. She hugged Cissy and pushed the both of them back, missing a gun shot. When Catalina got up, she snapped, "What do you want?"
Sirius snickered, "Thanks for helping us like little bitches. Here's your payment." He held a hand out, as a green glow came from it.
Catalina gave a high-pitched squeal as she reached down near her crotch, falling to the ground and twitching uncontrollably.
Cissy scowled, "Hey, you stop that. It's not nice."
Sirius snickered and sprinted towards her, drawing a knife and rearing back.
She yelped and rolled out of the way, "Just leave us alone!" She shouted, "Go find something useful to do with your time!"
He sprang at her, pinning her to the ground, "I would consider this quite useful." His reflection could faintly be seen in the knife blade, "After all, the Anarchs are my enemy."
She growled, trying to score a kick right in his crotch.
Sirius grunted and bit his lip, holding a hand out as a large array of snakes flung right towards Cissy at point-blank range. In seconds they were in her clothes.
"Fucking shit!" She squirmed, "You son of a bitch!" She screamed like a girl.
He reared his knife blade back again while he was distracted, aimed for her face. Presumably to take an eye out. She screamed again, trying to get to her feet and maybe shake some of the snakes off as they bit all over her. "I'm not finished with you!" He charged at her again, pretty much desperate to stab her anywhere. His knife landed in her shoulder, so she tried to meet her knee to his groin.
An orange glow radiated off of him, beginning to instill a sense of fear and dread in Cissy. This cushioned the impact to his crotch. He roared like a savage animal, going to stab her in a rage-induced flurry.
She stumbled back away from him, landing on the ground and letting him impact as many stab wounds as he pleased in a state of petrification.
Sirius gave a satisfied growl as he drove the blade into her flesh, carving it up her body as if she were a jack-o-lantern. "Once I kill you two idiots…they're only be three left." He said, the slasher smile across his face didn't make the sentence any less concerning.
She grunted weakly as things started going numb, "And then what?" She spat, her teeth red from the blood, "What are you gonna do when we're all dead?" Her eyes were bloodshot, "You gonna go back home to your trophy wife and tell her you killed five motivated idiots who just wanted to try something? Who just wanted to stand up for their beliefs? That help you sleep at night you sick fuck? Does that help you in the bedroom?"
"Trying to guilt-trap me? Is that the best you got?" He snarled, practically yelling to her face at this point, "What the hell happened to all that bullshit bravery from before?!" He punched her in the face, the ring lining up perfectly with her temple, "Is this the best hope the Anarchs have, cause you might as well give up, if you're ever gonna counterattack against us again."
He must have knocked her out cold, because she wasn't moving, but she wasn't ash.
Sirius snickered, "Die, you useless cunt." He reared his knife back.
Catalina tackled him over, frenzied, "Shit…" Sirius fell back, "Son of a…" Even frenzied, it seemed that Catalina would protect Cissy until she was put down.
Sirius must have deemed finishing either of them off not worth it. Because Catalina returned to the Anarch camp that night, with Cissy in her arms.
Killian was the first person they spotted, well, really, that bright blonde hair was the first thing that caught Catalina's drowsy vision. "Oh, shit." He was patching up the wall or ceiling or something, but rushed over to their aid when he saw the condition Cissy was in, "How the hell did you make it back like this? Here, here, just get inside."
Anastasia perked up when she saw the two of them enter, "Oh my god…was Lafayette that bad?"
"It wasn't Lafayette." Catalina said, "It was Sirius. Once we weren't useful to him anymore, he attacked us."
Skelter sat up, "She's still alive, huh?" Something about his tone almost sounded disappointed, "I'll go get blood." He left.
"Who was even there?" Killian asked, "Who's bright idea was it to invite Sirius? He's affiliated with the Sabbat anyway, what good was he?"
Catalina squeezed Cissy close, cradling her head, "I'm not sure. He's one of Strauss's most loyal representatives…or…that's at least what he kept bragging about. Anything related to Strauss or the Camarilla, and he'll pop out like a guard dog."
He got up to his feet, "I have some tape in the car if you just…want me to tape some of those cuts up…"
She leaned against the wall, "It's fine. I'll just…wait for blood."
Sure enough, Skelter came back with a dead rabbit, "It's small, but…it's the best I got."
"Will she even drink it?" Killian asked, leaning against the wall.
Skelter cut its throat open so they could all smell the strong scent of blood. "She will now. And don't lean against the wall like that. It ain't built for it." He held the carcass up against Cissy's face. Sure enough she snapped, lunging forward and draining the thing dry in seconds.
A silent wave of relief crashed over everyone. Maybe everyone but Skelter.
She rubbed her eyes, then looked down at herself, "Ugh…it burns…"
"What's wrong?" Catalina asked.
"The snake bites…" She muttered, then she looked up at everyone, especially Skelter, "Hey, you fuck. I'm back."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." He crossed his arms, "So is he dead?"
"Lafayette isn't." She seemed pissed, "But the Antediluvian is."
Killian seemed a bit more at ease, "Guess that counts for something…"
"Of course it does." Catalina said, "Or else, Lafayette would've taken over the world by now."
"Yeah, stop being such a negative-Nancy." Cissy glared at Skelter.
"Well, now that you two are back, we have to get going." He said.
"Get going?" Cissy asked.
"Well, it is kind of late…" Killian said.
"Not right this second." Skelter muttered, "Tomorrow. We're packing our shit and heading out."
"Seriously? Again?" Catalina asked, "Although…I should have expected this…"
"How come?" Cissy asked, "I like it here…"
"There's a chance Madison knows where we are. Someone went and leaked a ton of information." He glared at Killian.
"I did not…" Killian started then he just huffed and turned away, "Whatever. Added security won't hurt."
"What a fucking idiot. So what, you went back to California or something? Why?" Cissy asked.
"I had business to take care of, alright?"
"Business, huh? You have some horny cow to fuck back home or something?"
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. The glare Killian produced could melt ice. Cissy just grinned, "Miss me, babe?"
"Tch." He stood up, "I hope he fucking poisoned you with those snakes."
She rolled her eyes, "If I was poisoned, I'd be dead."
"Yeah, and I think all our lives would be a lot better."
She crossed her arms, looking down at the floor. "We have to get rid of that little bastard."
"Who, Sirius?" Skelter snorted, "You got a genius plan to get rid 'a him?"
"No, but…we could come up with one."
"Absolutely not." Anastasia said, "You'll end up just like this one trying to kill Victor." She nodded to Skelter, "We can't take those two out yet as we are now."
"I resent that…" Skelter muttered under his breath.
"Then maybe when we get more allies. We have to get rid of him, he's a fucking pain in the ass. He wants us all dead, he made it more than clear. He said he's gonna start with me and Cat, then go down to you three."
Skelter nervously exchanged a look with Anastasia. "We gotta wait and see. If we get more forces somehow, gladly. For now, I think our best bet is disappearing again."
"…but, he was one of us." Killian muttered, "He can't…seriously mean that, can he?"
"Trust me, he can." Cissy said.
"I don't know much…he instantly knocked me out. But…I woke up and Cissy was covered in blood and nearly dead. So I'm guessing he means business. He was anything but pleasant during the mission anyway." Catalina said.
"Then it's settled. He'll be killed as soon as we got the resources to do it." Skelter said.
Killian wiped a hand over his face, "I'm gonna go take a walk." He stood up and headed for the door.
"Hey, if you see Madison out there, why don't you tell 'im our plans while you're at it." Skelter jeered, "Might as well."
Killian flipped him the bird as he kicked up leaves and pine needles on his way deeper into the woods.
Sirius snarled as his snake-tongue flickered out, "Look, this 'Sirius is a big double-crosser' thing isn't really funny anymore. What did I say when I first joined?"
There was a pause, Catalina clearly didn't think she would be put on the spot like this.
"That I wanted to join the Anarch cause to make it a free state. And what did I say about the rest of my clan?" He asked, "I said they hated me, and wanted nothing to do with me." He said, "So if I was 'playing you', who would I be giving this information to? The…four or five random skanks I know? Who exactly would I be playing you with?" He waited a beat, standing up, "Look, but if me being here makes you uncomfortable, and you need me to leave, then I'll just leave."
"No." Nines shook his head, "You don't need to leave. You've been welcome here from day one." He looked at Damsel and Catalina, "These two are just used to being hurt."
"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Damsel asked quietly as she looked up at Nines.
"I don't know why else you'd throw a tantrum like that."
"Oh, am I throwing one too?" Catalina raised a brow, "I'm just trying to keep us safe. I've seen Setites take apart organizations with ease."
"I understand. I don't think Sirius is like them." Nines said.
"Well, I'm glad to be welcomed back." Sirius smiled as he sat back down.
"Pfft, yeah right, you dickhead…" Killian grumbled. How could he generate those lies so easily? They couldn't have all been lies. Sirius hated his clan, he hated what they did to him, so why was he doing the same? Why was he pulling himself away from everyone else?
"Listen kid, the solution isn't to leave or run away. We can fix this. Kindred can forgive and forget…I think…"
"How?"
"I don't know, it takes time. You can't just expect Anastasia or whoever to be all happy again just like that, like she's some kinda soufflé in the oven and all the anger's gonna be baked out in thirty minutes. When did this Chinatown thing happen, anyway?"
"Same time LaCroix died, give or take a few days."
"Few months ago then…damn…then it could still be fresh for her, you know?" He said, "That shit could take years to phase out."
"And you say there's a way I can wait this out without leaving?"
"Uh…maybe…I don't know…shit…if you leave, I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do. Everything else thinks I'm some kinda scumbag traitor…"
"Especially cause you generally get along with me."
Did Killian mean anything to Sirius? Was he just a toy? A source of amusement until the Camarilla slapped the reins down and ordered Sirius to stop fucking around?
He remembered their plan to kill his father. That lurch in his stomach when he thought about how easy it would be for Sirius to kill him. That stone in his chest when he thought about the old geezer now.
A figure sat down in the booth across from his, "There you are."
He looked up, then rubbed his eyes, "…Dad…?"
"Son." Archie grinned, "You've grown up." He snickered, "And then some."
Archie knew he was still around. He knew he was Embraced, loitering in the night as an Anarch. Even more than that.
"You're sending away the last person on the planet who's willing to talk to you? C'mon, son, no need to be so hasty. I've heard about all the…troubles you've been having. I want to help you."
"What?" Killian asked, "Help me? You want to help me? Now?" He laughed, "It's too fucking late for that, old man, you missed your chance! Christ, and they call me an idiot…I wouldn't be in this mess if you just sucked it up and raised me right! I'd be in college somewhere, getting a degree, majoring in something meaningful. I'd make something of myself, rather than getting addicted to your crack and pimp shit. You turned me into this!"
Killian's head was aching from the contemplation. He couldn't tell whether to be angry, sad, confused or betrayed, it was all getting swept away into one cloud of hazed pain.
The last person who would listen, wiped off the face of the planet.
Sure, Anastasia bobbed her head and understood the words he said. But she never listened. His life added up in her head as some sort of story that was spat back out as judgement, without her even meaning to. Was she the closest thing he had at this point to a friend?
The sound of sudden rustling startled him, but it was just a herd of fleeing deer. He looked up and saw a cabin just a little distance in front of him, his dead heart craving blood flow. Civilization? Guess it's a good thing we're moving anyway…
Still, there was a fine line between resourcefulness and trespassing. He edged closer, wondering if maybe there was some goodies inside the shack that they could ransack and make use of.
If there was one thing that cleared Killian's head, it was the survival instinct. If he wasn't out here, working to restore an entire movement in the middle of the woods, he was sure he would have jumped off a cliff by now. It gave him something streamlined and nerve-wracking enough to dull the pain of his emotions.
The light pouring out into the darkness was unnerving to him. It meant there was still someone inside. Which also meant a free meal, and then some. It was worth the risk, in his mind.
Something about the whole scenario reminded him of a fairy tale he'd make up for Lark when she was scared to go to school, or sick in bed. Should he knock or bust the door down? Should he make up a name and play the Toreador card, or should he tear the person's head off and drink until he couldn't drink anymore?
His fist rapped on the door before his head could catch up with it. His mind went numb anyway, as he reflected on what Skelter told him before he left. Maybe he was just naturally a leak, wasn't he?
When no one answered, he pouted and gave up, heading back to where he came from. He'd tell the others to come help him grab some things and fill their pockets. But he bumped into something, hearing the sound of an Obfuscate wearing off.
It was the spider. The spider was cloaked. It hissed and shot its web at Killian, instantly ensnaring him.
Celerity was one thing, but somehow the damn thing had Obfuscate too.
He stumbled back, growling, then lighting his fists up with Potence, "Where the fuck are you coming from, you little shit?"
The spider kept shooting thread at him, once he was encased, it began to drag him in the ground, heading for a nearby cliff. From there, he could see the largest, most intricate spider web ever crafted.
He thrashed, "Jesus Christ, when I said I wanted to jump of a cliff, this wasn't what I meant!"
The spider reeled its thread back, as Killian was pulled closer and closer to its pincers, as well as its numerous set of eyes. They held a stare for a few moments.
He could see his ugly grimace in the reflection of the eyes, "Alright, pal, either drop me or eat me, pick one. Startin' to freak me out here…"
Strangely, the next thing the spider did, was free Killian. It severed the thread. Then it used its razor thin leg to cut Killian out of the thread casing he was in, leaving him completely free. The spider shrunk and changed form. Into that of a young woman. She had silver hair that went down her black, glowing red eyes that looked constantly bored, as well as a black choker around her neck. "Kindred." She said, in a soft, deep voice.
"…chick…" He said, his eyes wide with disbelief. He slowly got to his feet, "…uh…so…you were just a spider, right…? I'm not…totally losing my mind?"
She gave a small nod, crossing her arms. "I had previously thought that you were kine, and I was hungry. Luckily I checked."
"So…you were the same spider who pinned me to my car, right? Or is there just a race of spider people out here I should…be aware of?"
She gave a single small chuckle, a tiny smile on her face, "That was me. Unfortunately there isn't a race of spider folk that I'm aware of."
"Thank god…" He seemed relieved, "You're a little…uh…jarring…like that…besides, none of the others thought I was being serious." He sighed, then paused, "So wait, you said I'm a Kindred. Which means you're a Kindred."
She opened her mouth slightly, licking her fangs, "Mmm-hmm."
"Independent?" He raised a brow.
A nod.
His shoulders dropped, "Thank god…" He said, "Uh…so…we have a little base back this way…somewhere…" He pointed with a thumb, "I don't know where you live and I feel like the sun is gonna rise soon…"
"Come have a drink with me, would you please?"
He blinked a few times, "A drink? Uh…yeah, sure, where? In your…uh…web?"
She pointed to the nearby wooden cabin, "No, in my house."
"That was yours?" He asked, "Oh…alright, yeah, sure, sounds great." He followed her to the cabin, "You live out here all by yourself?"
A slight nod. Killian looked her up and down, if nothing else, she seemed like a woman of the forest. Her entire ensemble blended in with it, for one thing. Her outer jacket was brown, mostly covering her white blouse, and her skirt was green. She was also quite tall. Killian was used to looking down at others, especially women, but in her case, he only had maybe an inch on her. (And her brown boots didn't even have heels).
The interior of her house, while simple and mostly wooded, with carpeting used sparingly, was quite nice, given what little she had to work with. The furniture was lavish, the atmosphere was studious, given the amount of bookshelves, and it seemed quite spacious. She immediately prepared a pair of glasses to be filled with blood.
His stormy eyes continued to look over the place, jolted from his dream-like state when he heard the sound of the liquid being poured. "So, you're not gonna like, fatten me up and diablerize me or anything, right? This feels sketchy." He walked in a bit further, "Usually Independents…kinda…stay away from other Kindred, right? They don't…invite them in for drinks? Especially when they live out in the middle of nowhere?"
She nearly wilted completely over the sink, "…do you think I'm the witch from Hansel and Gretel?"
"I mean, that's kinda what this feels like."
"That's hurtful."
"Sorry." He timidly sat at the table, "I don't know, I'm not used to…acts of kindness from out of nowhere…"
"I can let you go."
He slowly reached out to take the glass from her, whirling it around a few times, "I've never had blood from a glass, you know. This is a new type of classy."
She took a long sigh, sitting across from him with her own glass, though not drinking from it at all.
He took a sip, "I don't mean to sound like a jackass, but how old are you?"
"Two-hundred and fifty five."
He spit out his drink.
She stared at the now wet table. He couldn't tell if she was miffed or not because of how subdued and lazy her eyes looked. She sighed and stood up, getting a dishrag and attacking the mess head-on. Or, as head-on as someone with her attitude would.
"What the hell…" He stared up at her, "You have to be shitting me."
"It isn't polite to ask a woman her age."
He gave a shaky sigh, trying to calm himself down, or at least gather his wits, "Yeah, I get that. Sorry. It's just…" He took a sip of the blood, swallowing it this time. He was surprised blood could taste as good as this stuff. "Uh…look, I'm four. I mean, I was Embraced when I was in my thirties, but I've only been doing all this for four years…you've been out here for two-hundred fifty five fucking years, what the hell? Why aren't you out there dominating the world or something?"
"You also spit on my table."
He gave her a dry look, "Are you listening?"
She sat back down once it was clean enough for her liking, crossing one leg over the other, "In what context would I want to take over the world for? I think it's nice the way it is."
He sat back a bit, just watching her for a minute. He didn't really realize he was staring, but it certainly came off that way, "I guess so…I don't know, I've never met someone…this old who wasn't a little power-hungry…"
She thought about it for a minute, or maybe she was just that slothful in responding, "I suppose I am an outlier, of sorts." She said, "It is simply nature for Cainites to want to control more and more at an exponential value as they age. It's…sort of sad honestly. They lose their humanity and turn into monsters."
"Yeah…guess…that isn't the case here…" He said, seeming more relaxed, if anything.
"Part of me liked being called a witch now that I think about it."
"I didn't call you a witch." He looked at his glass, "You're not ugly enough to be a witch." He took a sip from it.
She smiled, "Not all witches are ugly."
"I always imagined the one in Hansel and Gretel is. She ate kids, I mean…"
"Yes, according to the story, she was very ugly. They called her a hag."
"Yeah, there we go. I dunno, I never read it so I guess I shouldn't argue it." He sat back and put his empty glass down, "So how long have you been living out here?"
She finally took a sip from her own. Evidently, hunting Killian twice really took it out of her, "Two-hundred and thirty-three years. Though that value may be more of an approximation."
"Man…" He seemed astounded, "That's…that's a really long time…" He crossed his legs, "So what clan are you then?"
"Gangrel."
"Seriously?" He asked, "Huh…you don't act like it…" He shrugged a shoulder, "Then again, that explains the spider…and the…living in the woods for two centuries by yourself…"
"And you're a Brujah, aren't you?"
"Yeah. The Potence must've given it away."
She shrugged, "You're the strongest man I've ever seen."
"Pfft. I find that hard to believe. Two centuries and you've never met someone who can fight a giant spider?"
"They usually die in minutes. I prefer speed and stealth."
"Uh huh…" He crossed his arms, "I just prefer bashing heads in." He sighed, "Doesn't always work the best, but, I'm still alive, so." He shrugged again, "Probably isn't gonna last long. I got a Setite and Tremere on my ass, and my own team wants me dead. Fun time to be alive."
"Your sect is…?"
"Anarch."
"I see." She said, either bored or on edge about the political jargon. "They'll never find this place."
He seemed interested, however, "What makes you so sure?"
"No one's ever found this place."
"We did."
"The woods perhaps…but that's not what I'm concerned about."
He sighed, "Yeah, well, if they find us, we're fucked. There's five of us, toots. Our leader has one leg and his humanity is probably sitting somewhere near negative a-hundred."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah…" He shook his head, "His decision making is just god awful, but there's no other good leaders out of any of us. I caused a world of issues to everyone there, there are two new girls who have no idea what's happening, and then the other girl…I don't know, she probably wouldn't be the best at leading…"
"I think you would be a good leader." She said, then she added quickly, "Well, maybe when you get older."
He snorted, "You hardly even know me. I don't even know your name."
"Phoebe."
He sat back, "Killian."
She smiled, "Now I know you a little bit more."
"Yeah, guess so." He smiled back, "Uh…so, do you have any more of that blood?"
"I do." She stood up and took his glass, rinsing it out a bit before she refilled it.
"Thanks." He said, still smiling as he took the glass and drank most of it, "Good stuff. It's been a while since I've drank from something that wasn't a…small dead animal…"
"I sometimes sneak to the corners of civilization to abduct someone and extract a good portion of their blood. That's where it comes from."
"Ah hah. Yeah, that makes sense." He said, turning his gaze towards the table. "So…would it be possible for me to invite the others here for a few nights while we pack our stuff to leave? We're literally living in a shack made out of sticks and tree bark."
Her eyes finally showed some sense of emotion. Fear. "No."
"They wouldn't…do anything wrong, you'd be helping. They're not animals."
"Perhaps I can loan a few vats of blood to them, or…or…"
He still seemed a little surprised, "Look, it's fine…I…I kinda get it…but…why am I allowed in here?"
She had a great poker face when it came to being flustered. "I'm a loner. I prefer isolation."
"That doesn't really answer my question."
She got quieter, "You're the first person I've ever had in here…"
"Why?" His eyes narrowed, then he sat back, "That doesn't…you gotta be yankin' my chain…" He mumbled.
"Hmm?"
"But…you're…two hundred…" He rubbed one of his temples, "Never mind. You know what time it is?"
She sighed, "Close to morning, I imagine."
He seemed discontent with that answer, "Then I'm gonna have to stay here. Unless…I guess I could use Celerity…"
"You can stay if you wish…I just…I just have one bed…"
"You have a tub?"
"I'll do you one better, I have a couch."
"Nah…I…like sleeping in bathtubs. Reminds me of being a kid." He stood up.
"Killian." She stood up, "Take my bed. I insist."
He liked the way his name sounded coming out of her mouth, a dead feeling in his chest somewhere stirred. "Fine. Compromise. I'll take the couch."
"Are you sure you'll rest alright there?"
"Phoebe, I've been sleeping on rocks for the past week and a half."
She gave a gentle bow, "In that case, I hope you sleep well."
"Hey, thanks." He said as he more or less blindly followed her towards the couch. As she headed for her bedroom, he couldn't help himself, "Hey, breakfast tomorrow?" He called.
"Count on it."
"Hey, nice to see you back, buddy." Ferrum smiled as Cadmus and Phaedra walked through the segment of hallways that held their private quarters, as well as a few libraries. He stood up and gave Cadmus what could only be qualified as a 'bro-hug'.
Cadmus choked slightly, trying to match his enthusiasm, "Hey…" He said, hugging him back, "Yeah…we finally made it back…"
"Everyone make it out alive?" He asked, then clarified, "Who should have, at least?"
He nodded, "The mission was a success…but…Lafayette got away…" He clenched his fists, "Damn it…we almost had him…and that Harbinger of Skulls guy too…"
"Well…" He gave a gravelly sigh, "Guess it's better than nothin'."
"Won't be any danger of the Tzimisce Antediluvian rising at least." He said, then he took a quite glance at Ferrum, "Hmm."
He raised a brow, "What's the matter?"
He chuckled, giving a rather atypical large smile, "I bet it went off without a problem, just like I said."
Ferrum seemed utterly confused, but then his usual scowl cracked into a surprisingly warm smile, "Course it did. Now I got nothin' to worry about."
"Tch. Good to hear."
"Well, I'll get outta yer hair. Take it easy." Ferrum lumbered off.
"I still don't understand how he fits in here…" Phaedra mused, "He still has that wild-animal feeling to me."
"I accepted him into this group just like I accepted you." Cadmus said, "Now, if only everyone could get along for five minutes…"
"I would accept him if he didn't bark at me."
"When did he do that?"
"When we first met, he was…less than pleasant…"
"He probably didn't know what the hell a Nagaraja was."
"No, he didn't…" She mused, "I suppose I could have been a little kinder to him."
"I don't know…I just don't ever want a repeat of the New York warrens ever again." He said, "We could have died down there more times than I care to count…"
"It's honestly a miracle Angelique made it out alive."
He sighed, she could tell he was guilty about even involving her. "At least Panhard gave us her sincerest gratitude…"
"That's true." She mused, "It wasn't all useless, then."
"Only mostly useless."
She hummed, "Well, I'm sure a talk with her is overdue, at least."
"I guess so. Our argument started before we left for New York."
"Yes, and…the blood bond seemed to subdue that."
"What?"
"The reason…your little dispute ended, it was after she drank from you, right?"
"Yeah…" He looked at the ground, "So…the dispute isn't really over then, is it?"
"I'm not sure…you'll have to talk to her about it. Did you want me to come?"
He shook his head, "You have to talk to Poe too."
"Of course I do. He's in a foul mood."
"Oh, so we're admitting that now?" He raised a brow, "Any particular reason he's so…off?"
"There was a fight with a LaSombra and a Setite…it went poorly."
"Against Sirius? I feel like it's sort of hard to get to Poe though…with all the shit he's already been through."
"Not Sirius. His sire."
"Natalia?" He swallowed hard, "I…keep forgetting that she is an entity that we'll have to deal with…"
"Yes…she's…a hell of an entity. She's going to be a real problem."
"I'm just having trouble imagining a Follower of Set worse than Sirius."
"I have no idea of the limits of her powers and it's…unsettling."
"Well…Sirius always brags about how low his generation is…stands to reason that Natalia has access to even crazier Disciplines."
"She is the childe to Kemintiri…"
He nodded, "I know…god…imagine if she waltzes in on this…giant war…"
"I don't even want to think about it."
He sighed as the door to his room was upcoming, "Guess I'll go…talk to Angelique."
"Good luck, dear." She looked a little worried for him, "And remember the reason what drew you to her in the first place. Don't let that feeling leave you."
He nodded, entering his room, "Hey…Fleance…we…we need to talk…"
She had a mouthful of cereal, "Yeah."
"Uh…Ferrum and Phaedra…well…uh…Ferrum…and…Phaedra…" He sat at the table, already looking unstable, "Did our fight only start because…I wasn't your master anymore?"
She ate another spoonful of cereal. "Our fight started because I stopped drinking your blood and I was in a bad mood."
"So…the only reason you don't hate me…"
"I mean, it's not the only reason. I just think we argue more without the blood bond."
"This is a big deal." He said, "I don't want the only reason for us to be together to be some kind of…stupid blood chemical or whatever…that…pretty much makes it sound as though I kidnapped you off the street and hypnotized you…"
"That isn't what happened. I trust you." She said, then she sat back, "I've been friends with Ferrum all my life, and you two…are kinda similar. It stands to reason if I can put up with him, I can easily put up with you, blood bond or no blood bond."
"Doesn't it bother you that without the blood bond, you were livid with me? And now you're just completely fine?"
"…I dunno, not really."
"But you were talking about wanting to be free and stuff. And about how I shouldn't be hiding anymore. I don't want to keep you cooped up in here if you're going to resent me for it, it isn't right."
She stared at the countertop, the memories hazy to her. "Well, I don't know. We'll just have to get rid of those people so you can be free with me."
"Getting rid of them won't be that easy." He said, standing up, "Alright, whatever, I have to go talk to Harper. The second I got back…Victor lectured me on 'the importance of caring for ghouls' so…I guess that means Harper did something stupid while I was gone." He sighed.
"Okay…" She watched him as he stood up, "I don't think this conversation is over." Her tone wasn't angry at all, it was concerned. Like she knew he still had things on his mind and she wanted to hear all of it.
He was about to turn around, about to leave. Then his shoulder shook and he stopped, "Angelique…please…if…if you have…a small inkling of wanting to leave…just…just do it. Everyone keeps saying that the only reason you're stuck with me is cause the blood bond. I don't want to trap you here with that if you'd be happier someplace else. That makes me no better than all those Anarch douches who mess with my sister…"
"I love you, Cadmus. I don't want to leave. I don't know, maybe if I feel that cooped up, I can go around for a day and just…take a walk or get something to eat with Ferrum…but…I don't want to leave you like that."
"You…you don't…?"
"No."
He took a shaky breath, "Okay…uh…t-thanks…"
"Did you want me to come with you?"
"It's alright, just stay here and relax." He said, "I'll see you later."
"Uh huh. See you."
He only had to move a few floors down to get to Harper's room, or at least, the one assigned to her. "Harper!" He announced as he let himself in.
She was sitting on the couch, dressed in nothing but a stained dress shirt, her brunette curls looking ratty and tangled. She had bags under her eyes, and he saw bruises on her thighs that didn't look self-inflicted. When he came in, she looked terrified.
"The hell?" He asked, figuring he was pretty much filled in on everything by Victor, "Why do you look like that?"
"Look…look like what?" Her voice sounded tired and overused.
"Nothing, never mind." He put his hands in his coat pockets, "I thought I'd be thanked when I came back from saving the world…but instead I was lectured by the Tremere. Why don't you run by me everything that happened? From your point of view? Entertain me."
"I'd rather not." She looked down at the floor.
"I don't think you want to hear my summary."
"Summary?" She asked.
"Why did you leave?"
"Leave what?"
"The Camarilla."
She shifted uncomfortably, "I don't belong."
He pulled at his hair with both hands, "We just had this conversation…like…a few weeks ago…you said you were going to leave. I said you shouldn't. You said you wouldn't. And then you do. With…" He snarled, "Killian…of all people…what were you thinking? You're still linked to me!"
"You should be relieved it was someone who knew you." She glared at him, then crossed her legs and looked away, "He was taking care of me while you were out. He was upset you weren't there."
"I was saving the world, you ding-bat." He snarled through clenched teeth, "For the privilege of you getting plowed by the bastard, I guess."
She smirked. Smirked. When he raised a brow, she looked away, "A privilege indeed."
"This is why you'll never have a family."
Her face melted into a hideous look, "You would never understand."
"Try me."
She just leaned back against the couch and stared at the ceiling, "I wanted him to kill me and he wouldn't. He said you'd be mad at him. I think you would have been delighted."
"To be honest, I'd rather you both be dead." He said, "As it stands, I have a lot of chatting to do with Killian the next time I see him."
"You shouldn't be upset with him." She wiped some hair away from her forehead, "He…he did nothing wrong…the Magister had enough to say to him."
"You have no right to say anything." He snapped, "Just because you waltzed into what you think the Anarchs are for ten minutes doesn't mean you have equal say. I've been dealing with their shit for what feels like forever now. What…" He smirked, "I'm guessing Killian left out the massive falling outs he had with my sister, didn't he?"
"Killian didn't tell me anything about the Anarchs. He thought I would tell you things. I hardly learned anything from him, I was too busy whining and complaining…"
"Yeah, right into Victor's ear. Pretty much wore a neon dress that day saying 'Cadmus has connections to the Anarchs'."
She was silent for a while, "He tried to cover it up for you. Killian."
He waved a fist out, "I thought ghouls were supposed to keep their masters safe. Not…freaking, jeopardize them."
"That would depend on the regnant, I think."
"So basically you wanted to kill me."
"I…I wasn't thinking straight, at the time."
"No, no, I get it. You needed to save your hunk-muffin who you knew for two whopping days. Your master's life clearly didn't matter at the time."
She closed her eyes and crossed her arms, "You're too valuable to be killed for something like that, don't pretend I actually put your life at risk."
"You know how this system works. Whether I helped destroy the Tzimisce Antediluvian or not…if they found out that I had Anarch connections, it wouldn't matter. I'd be dead."
"I highly doubt that."
"My reputation would still be down the shitter." He said, "I mean, I just feel like someone like you would know how to keep a damn secret and all."
She just rolled her eyes and went back to staring at the ceiling, until she closed her eyes.
"I don't have time for this." He said, "I'll wipe your memory, sever the blood bond, and send you to the other side of the world. You want out? I'll let you out. Maybe if you're lucky you'll remember your damn name. I don't have time to come running back to the tower every five seconds because you can't do anything right."
Her eyes opened as she looked over at him, "Where would you take me?"
"Don't know, don't care." He raised a hand up, "Get ready."
"Wait!" She stood up, making sure not to look in his direction. "I don't agree to this!"
"Oh look at that, now you give a damn. I think that's the quickest I've ever seen you move."
"I need to live forever. I need time."
"No, I'm done. You've screwed me over twice. You're dangerous for me or for the Camarilla. Who knows what else you'll blurt out?"
"Then find me a different regnant."
"No."
"Why not? I'm not letting you take me away and erase my existence, you'd be no better than LaCroix!"
"I don't care."
She grit her teeth, absolutely furious, "Just, get out of my room! I need to be alone!"
"No. In a few seconds you won't be a ghoul anyway. You won't have a room. You'll be a normal person somewhere else, completely oblivious to the Jyhad."
She glared at the ground, then she suddenly lunged forward and shoved him, reaching for the door.
His eyes widened, he swung an arm out, trying to grab her by the hair. But it was shorter than he remembered, so he missed. He snarled, placing a firm hand on her shoulder and tossing her back to the ground, kicking the door shut. He pulled a single knife out, "I mean, killing you myself crossed my mind. But I found my other idea a bit more…diplomatic."
She kept her eyes shut, then screamed bloody murder. He was surprised her usually calm and pleasant sounding voice could have such a terrible sound to it.
Cadmus sighed. Simply flaring up Presence silenced her immediately. "That's not gonna work. Probably just thought you were having a fling given how many Kindred have sex in this tower." He said, putting Presence back down, "What's the matter? You ran away two or three times before. Here I'm willingly offering it to you, and now you refuse?"
Tears were leaking down her cheeks, "I want to live…long enough until…I can have a family…"
"Your dream and lifestyle don't match. Like, at all."
"I know they don't…" She whimpered, "I just…I can't fight a war against myself…my heart wants dead people, my head wants alcohol and my womb doesn't work…what else am I supposed to do?"
"If you drink yourself to death, you aren't going to attract family men. You're going to attract flings. Hence…the recent events in your life. If you just stay here and do nothing but…try to relax and catch up with the world, it'll probably have a better outcome."
"It hurts too much…"
"I can help you." He held a hand to help her up, "I mean…when Strauss doesn't send me away for two weeks. Probably should clarify that first."
"…why aren't you killing me?"
He sighed, "I wanted to get your attention." He put his knife away, "Those threats…they weren't real. I swear. I just…was annoyed to be interrogated when I got back. I knew the answers they wanted. They're trying to link my sister and I together…and I really don't want that. I knew that one wrong answer would either get me killed or reduce me to a joke position in their ranks." He said, "The fact that you got all tied up in it isn't really your fault."
She looked worried, "I'm sorry…"
"It's okay." He finally reached down and pulled her back up, "You know, with me being a hermit in here thanks to Remus and Gideon, it might work out. I'll be able to stop by more often. Hell, maybe if Strauss tries to send me to New York again, I'll say no."
She held onto herself, a chill rumbling down her spine. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" She whispered.
"I didn't mean to scare you." He said, "Although I do pull off the deranged killer look pretty good probably." He added, "Look, we both went through the same thing. At the time, you probably remember me as the guy who would flip LaCroix off screaming while being escorted out by either his Sheriff or other Ventrue. Don't think I haven't forgotten that. He never cared that Elspeth died. He never cared that Dalton died. He was just using both of us. But we're here now and he's not, I think it's nature's way of trying to tell us something."
"Every time I try to start over, something else goes more wrong…"
"I know, but I'll be here more this time. Last time…the timing was shitty…because then we uncovered Lafayette's final gambit of a plan…"
Her mind was still reeling with confusion. "Okay."
"You look like you got something on your mind."
"I just don't…understand…" She said slowly, "You seemed so aggressive before and…now…you're…offering to help…?"
"I mean…Killian needs to keep it in his pants but…I'm not just going to kill you over something like that."
"It wasn't his fault…" She said distantly, "I….I forced myself on him…he made it clear he wasn't interested, that's why he left without much hesitation…"
He sighed, "Look, I'm not gonna lie and say 'there's someone for everyone' or some kinda bullshit like that. But…I think if you stay away from the bar scene…you'll see different types of men."
"I don't want men…I want…I want peace…"
"I guess in that case this would be the last place to be." He said, "But even if you were transferred to another Jyhad, you'd get caught up in something."
She gave a shaky sigh, "I just need to be alone for a little while…"
"Right, I'll leave." He turned away, "Sorry…for that…thought it'd wake you up."
"Thank you, Cadmus."
"You're welcome. Call me if you need anything."
A/N: Don't think Harper can pull off the Halcyon look as well…Thanks for reading!