Moonlight Charm
Chapter 6:
**
Julian Luna had enough to deal with as it was, he didn't need what Cash was telling him. Leaning back in his leather chair he closed his eyes and sighed inwardly. The sounds of a fire crackling in the hearth did little to ease his tensions. Opening his eyes he cast a look up at he portrait of his late departed Sire. Archon would know how to deal with this.
"Julian?" Cash leaned forward in his chair. " My Prince?"
Julian blinked and shook his head focusing on the matter at hand. "Sorry Cash, go on."
"It turns out that Bowen and his posse are part of a 'unofficial' government. They were established back in the 1980's to deal with the influx of vampires. There was no way to find out who paid their bills just that they are very well funded."
"It's probably the Sabbat." Julian muttered as he stared at his piled paperwork.
Cash glanced down at his notes. "I thought that too, but it doesn't fit. They don't hire humans to do their own dirty work. No, it has to be someone else." Cash looked up and smiled. " This is where it gets interesting. Remember the odd looking girl who interrupted Bowen?"
"Yes, what of her?"
The Gangrel leader handed his Prince an eight and half by a eleven black and white photo. Underneath it was a color copy and three pages of typed information. "Her name is Tallis Maria Metternich. She came to America in the late 1990's and set up a life with her step brother Jamieson. Turns out that their parents were part of some German underground. When they were killed their children came here to escape. So far I haven't been able to find anything on Jamieson."
Julian regarded the two photos side by side. He had to admit she was beautiful in an exotic way. It was the color photo that held him captive as he studied her face. In the harsh lights of the camera her eyes appeared to be white. He glanced at the black and white photo, here they appeared to be silver. Then there was the hair. One was shock white and the other was a muted gray. Flipping over the first sheet of information he scanned the page and stopped at one section.
MEDICAL:
-Subject's retinal scan has found that both eyes are 90% lacking in cones and hyper sensitive to light. Testing has shown that subject has highly-acute night vision but minimal daytime vision.
-After a series of test subject has shown abnormal proficiency in tertiary skills. Supervision is highly recommended.
"What does this medical report mean?" Julian glanced at his bodyguard.
"Apparently the girl was born with absolutely no color vision. But her nigh vision is unparalleled. She has better sight then we do." Cash smiled slightly and laughed. " Seems funny that a human would be so gifted."
The Prince sat back and read over the report again. " What of this 'tertiary skills' section?"
"I don't know what they mean on that one. But all of had it mentioned."
"All of whom?"
Cash handed over the rest of his papers. " Bowen and his twenty odd members all had 'tertiary skills' listed in the Medical section. I have someone working on it now."
"What brings them to my city Cash?" Julian asked as he put the information down. His hands folded themselves over his stomach and he sighed. " Does it have anything to do with those killings?"
"I-" Cash was cut off as the door to the Prince's office flew open. It was one of Julian's servants.
"Sire you are needed."
Julian moved quickly from the room and down the stairs to the gathering of people. Daedlus was kneeling beside Frank as the man lay dying on the floor. The Prince of the City rushed up beside his human ward and glanced over at the Nostferatu.
"He is weak but there is a chance." Deadlus said grimly as he pulled away the bloodstained shirt. Revealing an angry red wound that was closed but in danger of opening under pressure. " I can't understand how he healed."
Julian gazed at the dark red flesh and shook his head. " Do what you can." Rising he watched Daedlus and two his clan members carried the cop to the basement. "Who brought him here?"
"She did." One of the men motioned to the hunched form of a girl. She sat with her back against the wall and one of the Toreador were looking after her. " Shortly after bringing him she fell to the floor. There was no sign of injury or illness of any kind."
Julian walked over and found it was girl from the photos and the club. " Ms. Metternich?"
Her head lifted, there was blood on it making her look more ghostly then human. The interior lights of the house made her eyes white as she stared up at him. With one shaking hand she took out a pair of sunglasses and slid them on. Some of the blood flaked off as she stood up slowly. The Toreador left them with a quick glance over her shoulder.
"Sire," her words were light and tired.
"Would you care to speak in private?" Julian motioned to his office on the main floor.
She shrugged and he lead them to the soundproof room. Cash closed the door and leaned against it while she sank into one of the arm chairs. There was only a fire in her so she removed her glasses with slow movements. Exhaustion rolled off her in tangible waves.
"I understand you brought Detective Kohanek here."
She looked at him as he moved to sit behind the desk. " I thought it was better then a hospital."
"Did you see what happened?"
A ghost of a smile touched her lips, "In a matter of speaking. I arrived on the scene after he had been...shot."
"So it was you that healed him?" The Prince asked. In the back of his mind thoughts clicked into place. Tertiary skills.
"I only did what I could."
It was a deliberately vague answer that caused Julian to give her a hard look. " Don't play with me young lady. He is under my protection and as such this attack on him is an attack on me. I will not sit by and waste my time with you when he might die."
"Then don't." Talisman said weakly. " I have done nothing but bring him here. If you have any quarrel with me it doesn't involve the detective."
Julian paused a moment. " What are you hinting at?"
She sighed heavily and closed her eyes for a moment. "I know that you are trying to understand why I am in town. You are perhaps even trying to tie me to the rash of killings? But I assure you Mr. Luna I am not the cause of your trouble."
"No?" Julian leaned close. " Since you have appeared in my city, my niece was nearly shot, a man under my protection was shot and things are getting worse."
"That has nothing to do with me." Talisman said darkly, her tone firm and leaving no room for argument. "Yes I admit to your niece's near harm and the present condition of Detective Kohanek. But that is all I admit to. I am here to try and keep Bowen and group from killing the wrong people. Any damage or death that follow from that is not my concern."
Julian sat back and regarded her intently before speaking. "What people?"
She sat in silence for a long time. " Your niece."
"Someone has put a hit on Sasha?" Cash spoke up from the door, his voice carrying his concern. " Why?"
Talisman shrugged again. " I don't know."
"You are lying I think." Julian stood up and crossed to stand in front of her. She turned her face up and watched him with empty eyes. He stared into them as he lowered his voice. " You know why she is targeted."
Talisman blinked once then twice. " Yes."
"Tell me." The Prince whispered, " Tell me everything."
"Three weeks ago a message was sent that all of those in support of you were to be removed. A team was sent here to kill the leaders of the clans and anyone else deemed important. Five days ago a message was sent that the mission had failed and the team had only been able to cause concern in the city."
Cash stood upright, " The killings?"
Julian glanced at him as Talisman blinked again. " What are they doing now?"
"They are waiting for me to report back to them about the status."
"What are you going to tell them?"
Talisman shuddered suddenly and her eyes flared bright white. She moved sharply causing the chair to clatter backwards and crash to the floor. Julian motioned for Cash to remain where he was, as Talisman walked to the fire. She knelt down and reached for the flames. Her fingers stopped just short of the heat and hovered. Seconds later her back arched and she fell to ground. Laying unconscious on the Persian carpet. Her hair fanned out around her head as she lay motionless on the floor. On either side of her body her hands lay limp at her side, there was an object in her palm. Cash approached with caution as he looked at the fire and then the girl. Putting his gun away he knelt down and removed the black stone from her. He held it up for his Prince to examine. The fire gleamed off the smooth surface reflecting back a perfect image of the flames.
"I think she is dead." Cash whispered as he searched for a pulse on her neck. " Sire, I think that she really is dead." He stared up at the other man, "What now?"
Julian gazed at the stone." Let's find this Jamieson person and go from there." Turning back to his desk the vampire sat down and dialed a long distance number. " It's Julian in San Francisco I am ordering a search for Jamieson Metternich."
Putting down the phone he stared at he black stone and wondered what it could mean. There was only one way to find out. " Cash, bring her to the basement."
Chapter 6:
**
Julian Luna had enough to deal with as it was, he didn't need what Cash was telling him. Leaning back in his leather chair he closed his eyes and sighed inwardly. The sounds of a fire crackling in the hearth did little to ease his tensions. Opening his eyes he cast a look up at he portrait of his late departed Sire. Archon would know how to deal with this.
"Julian?" Cash leaned forward in his chair. " My Prince?"
Julian blinked and shook his head focusing on the matter at hand. "Sorry Cash, go on."
"It turns out that Bowen and his posse are part of a 'unofficial' government. They were established back in the 1980's to deal with the influx of vampires. There was no way to find out who paid their bills just that they are very well funded."
"It's probably the Sabbat." Julian muttered as he stared at his piled paperwork.
Cash glanced down at his notes. "I thought that too, but it doesn't fit. They don't hire humans to do their own dirty work. No, it has to be someone else." Cash looked up and smiled. " This is where it gets interesting. Remember the odd looking girl who interrupted Bowen?"
"Yes, what of her?"
The Gangrel leader handed his Prince an eight and half by a eleven black and white photo. Underneath it was a color copy and three pages of typed information. "Her name is Tallis Maria Metternich. She came to America in the late 1990's and set up a life with her step brother Jamieson. Turns out that their parents were part of some German underground. When they were killed their children came here to escape. So far I haven't been able to find anything on Jamieson."
Julian regarded the two photos side by side. He had to admit she was beautiful in an exotic way. It was the color photo that held him captive as he studied her face. In the harsh lights of the camera her eyes appeared to be white. He glanced at the black and white photo, here they appeared to be silver. Then there was the hair. One was shock white and the other was a muted gray. Flipping over the first sheet of information he scanned the page and stopped at one section.
MEDICAL:
-Subject's retinal scan has found that both eyes are 90% lacking in cones and hyper sensitive to light. Testing has shown that subject has highly-acute night vision but minimal daytime vision.
-After a series of test subject has shown abnormal proficiency in tertiary skills. Supervision is highly recommended.
"What does this medical report mean?" Julian glanced at his bodyguard.
"Apparently the girl was born with absolutely no color vision. But her nigh vision is unparalleled. She has better sight then we do." Cash smiled slightly and laughed. " Seems funny that a human would be so gifted."
The Prince sat back and read over the report again. " What of this 'tertiary skills' section?"
"I don't know what they mean on that one. But all of had it mentioned."
"All of whom?"
Cash handed over the rest of his papers. " Bowen and his twenty odd members all had 'tertiary skills' listed in the Medical section. I have someone working on it now."
"What brings them to my city Cash?" Julian asked as he put the information down. His hands folded themselves over his stomach and he sighed. " Does it have anything to do with those killings?"
"I-" Cash was cut off as the door to the Prince's office flew open. It was one of Julian's servants.
"Sire you are needed."
Julian moved quickly from the room and down the stairs to the gathering of people. Daedlus was kneeling beside Frank as the man lay dying on the floor. The Prince of the City rushed up beside his human ward and glanced over at the Nostferatu.
"He is weak but there is a chance." Deadlus said grimly as he pulled away the bloodstained shirt. Revealing an angry red wound that was closed but in danger of opening under pressure. " I can't understand how he healed."
Julian gazed at the dark red flesh and shook his head. " Do what you can." Rising he watched Daedlus and two his clan members carried the cop to the basement. "Who brought him here?"
"She did." One of the men motioned to the hunched form of a girl. She sat with her back against the wall and one of the Toreador were looking after her. " Shortly after bringing him she fell to the floor. There was no sign of injury or illness of any kind."
Julian walked over and found it was girl from the photos and the club. " Ms. Metternich?"
Her head lifted, there was blood on it making her look more ghostly then human. The interior lights of the house made her eyes white as she stared up at him. With one shaking hand she took out a pair of sunglasses and slid them on. Some of the blood flaked off as she stood up slowly. The Toreador left them with a quick glance over her shoulder.
"Sire," her words were light and tired.
"Would you care to speak in private?" Julian motioned to his office on the main floor.
She shrugged and he lead them to the soundproof room. Cash closed the door and leaned against it while she sank into one of the arm chairs. There was only a fire in her so she removed her glasses with slow movements. Exhaustion rolled off her in tangible waves.
"I understand you brought Detective Kohanek here."
She looked at him as he moved to sit behind the desk. " I thought it was better then a hospital."
"Did you see what happened?"
A ghost of a smile touched her lips, "In a matter of speaking. I arrived on the scene after he had been...shot."
"So it was you that healed him?" The Prince asked. In the back of his mind thoughts clicked into place. Tertiary skills.
"I only did what I could."
It was a deliberately vague answer that caused Julian to give her a hard look. " Don't play with me young lady. He is under my protection and as such this attack on him is an attack on me. I will not sit by and waste my time with you when he might die."
"Then don't." Talisman said weakly. " I have done nothing but bring him here. If you have any quarrel with me it doesn't involve the detective."
Julian paused a moment. " What are you hinting at?"
She sighed heavily and closed her eyes for a moment. "I know that you are trying to understand why I am in town. You are perhaps even trying to tie me to the rash of killings? But I assure you Mr. Luna I am not the cause of your trouble."
"No?" Julian leaned close. " Since you have appeared in my city, my niece was nearly shot, a man under my protection was shot and things are getting worse."
"That has nothing to do with me." Talisman said darkly, her tone firm and leaving no room for argument. "Yes I admit to your niece's near harm and the present condition of Detective Kohanek. But that is all I admit to. I am here to try and keep Bowen and group from killing the wrong people. Any damage or death that follow from that is not my concern."
Julian sat back and regarded her intently before speaking. "What people?"
She sat in silence for a long time. " Your niece."
"Someone has put a hit on Sasha?" Cash spoke up from the door, his voice carrying his concern. " Why?"
Talisman shrugged again. " I don't know."
"You are lying I think." Julian stood up and crossed to stand in front of her. She turned her face up and watched him with empty eyes. He stared into them as he lowered his voice. " You know why she is targeted."
Talisman blinked once then twice. " Yes."
"Tell me." The Prince whispered, " Tell me everything."
"Three weeks ago a message was sent that all of those in support of you were to be removed. A team was sent here to kill the leaders of the clans and anyone else deemed important. Five days ago a message was sent that the mission had failed and the team had only been able to cause concern in the city."
Cash stood upright, " The killings?"
Julian glanced at him as Talisman blinked again. " What are they doing now?"
"They are waiting for me to report back to them about the status."
"What are you going to tell them?"
Talisman shuddered suddenly and her eyes flared bright white. She moved sharply causing the chair to clatter backwards and crash to the floor. Julian motioned for Cash to remain where he was, as Talisman walked to the fire. She knelt down and reached for the flames. Her fingers stopped just short of the heat and hovered. Seconds later her back arched and she fell to ground. Laying unconscious on the Persian carpet. Her hair fanned out around her head as she lay motionless on the floor. On either side of her body her hands lay limp at her side, there was an object in her palm. Cash approached with caution as he looked at the fire and then the girl. Putting his gun away he knelt down and removed the black stone from her. He held it up for his Prince to examine. The fire gleamed off the smooth surface reflecting back a perfect image of the flames.
"I think she is dead." Cash whispered as he searched for a pulse on her neck. " Sire, I think that she really is dead." He stared up at the other man, "What now?"
Julian gazed at the stone." Let's find this Jamieson person and go from there." Turning back to his desk the vampire sat down and dialed a long distance number. " It's Julian in San Francisco I am ordering a search for Jamieson Metternich."
Putting down the phone he stared at he black stone and wondered what it could mean. There was only one way to find out. " Cash, bring her to the basement."