Disclaimer: see in the Introduction.
Rating: G, for this part
Author's notes:
So, this is the last part to this story. It had taken me quite a time, but at least it's finished. The end may be a little abrupt, but I've run out of new ideas and thought it'd be better to have an abrupt end than no end at all. If inspiration hits, I can always add some more paragraphs to the end later.
PART TENSan Francisco, 29. August 1999
Luna Mansion, the Conclave room
Once again, the Clan Primogens had been called to the Prince's House for an urgent Conclave meeting. That in itself was nothing unusual. However, this time the circumstances were far from normal.
Grace, the Prince's personal Whip – a lovely, blonde Toreador, forcibly embraced by Zane, Lillie's wayward Childe who got recently executed for such actions – was preparing the documents for the meeting. Unlike Zane's other victims, who adapted to Toreador lifestyle rather quickly and ended up working for Lillie in the Haven, she nurtured a deep grudge against her late Sire – and against Lillie who had tolerated Zane's escapades for too long.
This was the very reason why Julian had made Grace his secretary. She would never allow Lillie to spy into his secrets. And after Lillie's schemings and hidden contacts to Eddie Fiori, Julian didn't trust her anymore. Besides, Grace was Blood Bound to the Prince… a practice that the Ventrue – unlike most other Clans – found both useful and acceptable.
Grace had asked for the Blood Bond out of her own free will. From the first time on when she stumbled into Julian's house, frightened, starving from Thirst and desperate about having become a monster, she fell for the Prince… for his honesty, his noble demeanour and his strength. After Julian had fed her his own Vitae, she realized that she would be unable to deal with her new, Kindred nature on her own, so she asked for help, and after some hesitation Julian gave in. It proved to be a mutually satisfying solution, especially after Julian's romance with Caitlin Byrne had turned to dust.
The break-up had hit Julian hard, even though he realized that it was inevitable. Caitlin had got too close to his secrets, and he could not keep manipulating her mind, unless he wanted her to got crazy from the weird dreams that were actually veiled memories, banned from her conscious mind. So Julian ended their relationship, arranging for Caitlin to be offered a job she could not resist. A job in Europe, far away from Julian. An opportunity to become a star journalist. She was an ambitious woman. She accepted, to Julian's great relief.
When he was honest to himself – and he usually was – he had to admit that letting Caitlin go hurt him more than anything had, since the death of his wife or the forced Embrace of Sasha. Caring for Grace, teaching her the Kindred way kept him occupied and distracted him from his recent losses. Alexandra. Sasha. Archon. Caitlin. There had been too many of them, in too short a time.
But this was not the time to mourn. They were on the verge of the greatest war for decades – a war that could end their whole existence… and that of the world as they knew it. They needed to plan and to regroup. Unfortunately, there were still too many unknown factors in the game. Angelus being one of those.
In her unique situation – standing above Clan boundaries and being Blood Bound to the Prince – Grace had a better perspective on Kindred politics than even the Clan Primogens. In a way, she filled the empty space that Archon's death has left in Julian's unlife. Sure, she lacked Archon's wisdom and cast experience, thus she could offer little advice, but the utter intimacy of shared thoughts more than made up for that. Sometimes Julian thought his Bound with Grace was the only thing that still kept his sanity intact. It was like a reward for all that he had given up for the good of his city. Love. Vengeance. Private interests.
And they weren't even lovers, in the common sense of the word. He hadn't as much as touched Grace physically, except when he fed him his Vitae to strengthen their Bond. More than a lover, less than a slave, was said about those who were Blood Bond to another. And though Julian didn't intend to abuse his Regnancy over Grace and make her a slave, the first part of the saying was certainly true.
"Is everything prepared?" he asked, just to hear Grace's soft voice. It was a rhetorical question, of course, as Grace was nothing if not thorough. She had never been one of those lost street kids who hang out in bars, unable to get a grip on their lives. She had just liked Zane's music, and it had proved fatal for her. Being on the wrong place at the wrong time.
"All is ready, my Regnant," she answered with a smile. "Will you need me on the Conclave?"
"I don't think so," Julian kissed her on the cheek affectionately. "But stay in your office and keep an open mind, just in case."
They both laughed, "keep an open mind" being something to take rather literally between the two of them. Then Grace brushed Julian's knuckles with her lips as a sign of her respect and retreated into her office to make further preparations.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
About twenty minutes later the Conclave room filled with Kindred. It was a lot more crowded than usually, as some of the Primogens have brought guests, to Julian's request. Madame Zorza and Eric accompanied Cash, while Salvador Garcia and Contessa Visconti sat next to Cameron. The Ventrue Primogen's chair was still empty, as Archon had not yet been replaced, but both Alexei and Sonny stood in the background. Only Lillie and Daedalus came alone.
"Thank you all to come in such a short notice," Julian opened the meeting. "Let me introduce you to our visitors from L.A, first. They not only represent their own respective Clans, but speak for the L.A. Ventrue and Tremere as well."
"And for the Toreador," Madame Zorza added, after the formal introductions have been made. "I've been asked by their Primogen, Victor Girard, to forward their point of view if necessary."
Julian saw Lillie stiffen in her seat and guessed that her relationship with her fellow Primogen must have been less than amiable. For the time being, the Prince chose not to address her about it, but he was determined to find out everything.
"Very well," he said, exchanging a look full of understanding and agreement with Daedalus. "We have much to discuss, and none of it seems particularly pleasant. But before we begin, I want to hear how the Gangrel of San Francisco have chosen."
All eyes turned to Cash anxiously. The choice of the Gangrel could keep – or fundamentally change – the balance of power in San Francisco. They all knew that.
"We decided to remain in the Camarilla… until the Sabbat threat is over, one way or another," Cash replied. "After that, we shall talk about our status again and probably choose to become independent like the rest of the Clan. But not before."
The announcement was met with great relief. Nobody wanted a power struggle in the current situation. Not even the Brujah.
"May I add something?" Salvador Garcia asked politely.
Julian nodded. "Please."
"Cameron and I have come to an agreement," Garcia said. "I've lifted the ban from Sorrel's progeny… what little is left of them. Cameron and his Childer now officially belong to my bloodline again."
"Somehow I doubt that Cyrus will be happy about that," remarked Lillie dryly. "He wanted to strengthen his influence here so badly…"
"Cyrus' happiness is no concern of mine," replied the Brujah coldly. "The well-being of my family is. Cameron is my blood, and as the head of our family, I have declared the blood feud between my bloodline and Archon's as closed."
"Cameron isn't all too happy about that, either, I guess," Cash murmured.
"That is of no importance," Garcia said dismissively. "He will obey, and that has to suffice. We have no time for petty Clan quarrels right now. Much more is at stake."
"I quite agree," Daedalus spoke gravely. "Let's exchange information and plan our moves now. Everything else can wait."
They all agreed, and Julian called Alexei first to update them about the Sabbat situation in New York. In her office, a few doors down the corridor, Grace opened her mind to Julian, to listen to the discussion through the Prince and make notices.
~Finish~
Copyright by Soledad Cartwright
Started: 2003-08-15
Finished: 2003-12-14