A/N Again with the cliffhangers! Hehehe I told you I'm evil.}:) Who will Lillie take Charlie too? What is Julian going to do? Yeesh. I'm starting to sound like an 80s soap opera. Will Luke and Laura stay together? (obscure General Hospital reference. Bwahahahaha!) Okay, I'm better now. On with the show!
Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own any o' these guys....or gals for that matter. Sad innit?
Chapter 9
Julian Luna sat in his lushly decorated office scowling. To say that the Prince of San Fransisco was not happy that afternoon would be an understatement. The new development with Cash's girlfriend was tieing the Ventrue in knots.
Early that morning, Cameron had stormed into his office with an outlandish story that Charlie had set him and several of his subordinates on fire. Julian had been quite skeptical of the Brujah until Sasha had shown up to display burn marks up and down her arm. When asked how it happened, his niece told him that Charlie had set her on fire simply by looking at her. Now, the Prince loved Sasha with all his being, but he had a hard time believing her even with the burn marks. First, because humans simply did not have the power to control fire with their minds. And second, because both Cameron and Sasha had told the story as if they had just been minding their own buisness when Charlie attacked them. This, Julian highly doubted. For all his love for his niece, Sasha was still Brujah and, therefore, prone to aggression. It didn't help that Sasha had a jealous streak and that Charlie was her ex's new girlfriend.
And on top of it all, Julian had been waiting over an hour for Daedalus to get back from wherever the hell a busy Nosferatu goes, without telling his Prince. Said Prince wanted to get his trusted friend's opinion on the human that had the Kindred population of San Fransisco in an uproar. Not to mention the fact that Cash had not shown up for work that day, which meant that Julian could not question him about Charlie. For that alone the Ventrue could tar and feather his bodyguard. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, there was a light knock on the office door.
"Come in." Julian called. Daedalus entered slowly. "Ah good, I was beginning to get worried. It's not like you to keep me waiting, old friend."
"Many apologies, my Prince. I was detained. It would seem you have a visitor."
"A visitor, Daedalus?"
The Nosferatu Primogen smiled enigmatically, an expression rarely seen on his eternily somber face. "Yes, sire, the young lady has requested a private audience with you."
"A human?" Julian asked, hearing the intonation in his friends voice. "Did you tell her she has to have an appointment to see me? I have vital matters to discuss with you tonight."
Daedalus once again went to the office door and opened it slighty. "You missunderstand, sire. The lady didn't ask for an appointment with Julian Luna. She requested an audience with the Prince of the City. Rest assured this is one audience you will surely want to grant."
As the Nosferatu escorted the lovely redhead into the office, Julian couldn't help but look shocked. Then, a feeling of dread swept over the Prince. If Charlie had asked, of all people, Daedalus for an audience with him, it could mean trouble for the Masquerade. The human seemed to know way too much for just a potential Childe. *Oh yeah,* he thought dangerously, *I am really going to haveta have a nice chat with Cash when this is all over.*
"Hello Miss McCall. Won't you come in and make yourself comfortable?"
Charlie sat down in the leather chair Julian indicated. She nodded her head in thanks before pausing to size up the Prince. Daedalus took up a place against the wall to watch the proceedings. "Thank you Mr. Luna." Charlie took a deep breath to calm herself, and began in measured tones, "You can probably guess why I'm here, and why I asked for you by the name that I did from the Kindred that I did. Cash told me he has spoken to you about Embracing me. I'm also told you gave permission to Lille Langtry for the same purpose. That tells me that you are leaving the choice up to me. But before I make my decision, I believe we have a few matters to discuss between the two of us."
Having regained his composure, the Ventrue regarded Charlie carefully. "And what matters would those be?"
The Firestarter leveled a hard gaze at him. "I came to visit your friend here earlier this morning," she swept an elegant hand in Daedalus' direction, " in order to learn as much unbiased information as I could about your kind. I did this so I could make an informed decision regarding my Embrace. In talking to Daedalus as well as Lillie and Cash, I learned that the penalty for my remaining human with knowledge of the Kindred is death, by your law, to both myself and the Kindred who revealed himself to me. As Cash was that Kindred, you can surely understand that I cannot allow such a thing to happen."
"And surely you can understand that as the Prince of the City, I must uphold the laws of the Camarilla." Outrage at the girl's impertinence swept through Julian.
"My cousin, Frank Kohanek, knows about you and yet he lives." She said, setting him up for her argument.
"That is an unusual situation requiring unusual methods." he said simply.
"As is this situation.... Look I know that as the Prince, you have a duty to uphold the law. I also understand that those laws were created to prevent your people from being hunted-"
"And what would you know about it?" Julian cut her off. His temper flared as he began to see that Charlie was nowhere near as innocent as she appeared.
Flames flashed visibly across the Firestarter's eyes. "I know a hell of a lot more about it than you would, Mr. Luna!" she hissed the last two words. "You and the other Kindred live in fear of those that might hunt you for what you are. You've never been actaully hunted yourselves. I, on the other hand, have been hunted all my life! While you sit in shadows with your precious rules, praying to whatever god you have that the beast that is Humanity doesn't get you; I have lived that nightmare. In my few years, I've been chased more, and had more loved one's killed because of what I am than you've probably lost in your... what? century of life? I will not lose any more loved one's to the fear of those around me, Mr. Luna. And I will not be bullied into such a lifechanging decision with the threat of death hanging over my head! Be it Cash's or my own."
Julian was taken aback temporarily by both the sight of flames in Charlie's eyes and by the intensity of her words. He had no doubt that what she said was true, both about being hunted and about making her decision. He glanced at Daedalus, whose face was totally bereft of expression, before regaining his composure.
"So what would you suggest I do Miss McCall? Hmm? If you do choose to remain human and cannot be made to forget, the law says I have to kill both you and Cash. I don't want to do that, but I've already lost support among my people by protecting your cousin. Unless you can give me a valid reason to pose to the Conclave, I won't be able to protect you or Cash, in the event that you decide not to be Embraced and cannot be made to forget." Julian settled into the back of his chair as he made this declaration.
Charlie thought a moment. *It's now or never.* "You can tell them that you made a choice between ignoring the rules and retaining a powerful ally, and making a powerful enemy by enforcing the rules."
"What do you mean?"
"Your niece has undoubtedly told you what happened in the alley next to The Haven, last night."
It wasn't even posed as a question but Julian answered anyways. "Sasha said that you set her and several of her clanmates on fire using some sort of mental power. Outlandish, I know, but-"
"But," she cut him off, "entirely true. Although she probably told you the attack was unprovoked, those Brujah attacked me first. And I felt obligated to defend myself by the only means available to me at the time, namely, pyrokinesis." Seeing Julian's eyebrows rise, Charlie had to supress a giggle. "You see, I was born with the ability to set fires using only the power of my mind. Now, that ability could make me a great asset or a great liability to you depending on how you react to my offer. If I do decide to remain human... and I'm not saying I will... you won't be able to hypnotize me. Believe me the best have tried and failed. That will leave you with two choices. A) You use what sway you have with your Conclave to protect Cash from those who would harm him. I can take care of my self."
"And B?" Julian looked at her skeptically. He still did not believe this little girl had the power she claimed to.
Charlie leaned forward and placed her palms flat on Julian's desk. She leaned forward far enough so that her face was barely a foot from his. To prove her resolve, the Firestarter mentally caused each one of the candleabras hanging from the four walls of the room to burst into flame one after the other. The last one to light itself was the one behind Julian's head. Both the Prince and his Nosferatu friend looked startled and shot Charlie looks of disbelief. "B)" she said in a low voice, "You could issue an order for a Blood Hunt for me and Cash. But I warn you, if Cash dies, I will come after his killer personally. And if I find out that you issued the order for his death because of me, I will see you and this lovely mansion of yours burned to a cinder before that day is done. Because, like I said Mr. Luna, I've lost way too many people I love. And I will NOT lose Cash as well."
Julian was silent for a few moments as he thought. He could have surrendered to the anger Charlie's threat imbued in him, but that would accomplish nothing. So, he thought about what she was really saying to him. All the girl really wanted was to know that her lover was safe so she could make a level headed decision about her Embrace. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to protect Cash. But the Gangrels revelation of their deepest secrets to such a dangerous human being would not be met lightly by the Kindred community. The possible harm that could come from Charlie being Embraced at all was not lost on Julian. But he had already issued a Free Embrace decree to Gangrel Clan and permission to Lillie to Embrace Charlie. There would probably be hell to pay from both sides if the Prince recanted now. So, in the end, what could the Ventrue do?
"Alright, Miss McCall. You have my word that no harm will come to Cash as a result of your decision no matter what that decision may be."
Charlie stood up straight, visibly relaxing. "Thank you Mr. Luna. And believe me when I say I keep my promises. I will be a valueable ally for you, either way."
Julian rose to his feet, an old fashioned habit he had whenever a lady stood. "May I remind you that you have two days after today to make your decision."
Charlie turned and smiled briefly at Daedalus before answering. "I'm well aware of that Mr. Luna, thank you."
"Miss McCall. Out of curiosity, where is my bodyguard today? He never stopped in like I asked him to, and my people haven't been able to locate him." The Prince said before the human could walk out the door.
"He's probably still at my apartment. I convinced him not to come in to work before I could talk to you. I'll tell him the coast is clear when I get home. Don't be too hard on him, though. As you know I can be quite persuasive."
"Indeed. Miss McCall. Indeed."
"Oh and Mr. Luna?"
"Yes?"
"My name isn't really McCall. It's McGee. But you can call me Charlie." With that, Charlie walked out of the office with a wolfish grin on her face. She'd done what she had set out to do.
As he watched Charlie leave, a thought made Julian smile to himself. *If she does choose Cash's offer, he'll have his work cut out for him. She's got the beautiful face of a Toreador and the heart of a Nosferatu. Just like Lillie."
************************************************************************************************
As Charlie's motorcycle sped past the huge wrought iron gates of the Luna complex, the Firestarter failed to notice the dark colored van parked across the street. Also left unnoticed was the van's white haired driver who watched the redhead pass. "Soon." came his silent promise. "Soon."
Disclaimer: You know the drill. I don't own any o' these guys....or gals for that matter. Sad innit?
Chapter 9
Julian Luna sat in his lushly decorated office scowling. To say that the Prince of San Fransisco was not happy that afternoon would be an understatement. The new development with Cash's girlfriend was tieing the Ventrue in knots.
Early that morning, Cameron had stormed into his office with an outlandish story that Charlie had set him and several of his subordinates on fire. Julian had been quite skeptical of the Brujah until Sasha had shown up to display burn marks up and down her arm. When asked how it happened, his niece told him that Charlie had set her on fire simply by looking at her. Now, the Prince loved Sasha with all his being, but he had a hard time believing her even with the burn marks. First, because humans simply did not have the power to control fire with their minds. And second, because both Cameron and Sasha had told the story as if they had just been minding their own buisness when Charlie attacked them. This, Julian highly doubted. For all his love for his niece, Sasha was still Brujah and, therefore, prone to aggression. It didn't help that Sasha had a jealous streak and that Charlie was her ex's new girlfriend.
And on top of it all, Julian had been waiting over an hour for Daedalus to get back from wherever the hell a busy Nosferatu goes, without telling his Prince. Said Prince wanted to get his trusted friend's opinion on the human that had the Kindred population of San Fransisco in an uproar. Not to mention the fact that Cash had not shown up for work that day, which meant that Julian could not question him about Charlie. For that alone the Ventrue could tar and feather his bodyguard. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, there was a light knock on the office door.
"Come in." Julian called. Daedalus entered slowly. "Ah good, I was beginning to get worried. It's not like you to keep me waiting, old friend."
"Many apologies, my Prince. I was detained. It would seem you have a visitor."
"A visitor, Daedalus?"
The Nosferatu Primogen smiled enigmatically, an expression rarely seen on his eternily somber face. "Yes, sire, the young lady has requested a private audience with you."
"A human?" Julian asked, hearing the intonation in his friends voice. "Did you tell her she has to have an appointment to see me? I have vital matters to discuss with you tonight."
Daedalus once again went to the office door and opened it slighty. "You missunderstand, sire. The lady didn't ask for an appointment with Julian Luna. She requested an audience with the Prince of the City. Rest assured this is one audience you will surely want to grant."
As the Nosferatu escorted the lovely redhead into the office, Julian couldn't help but look shocked. Then, a feeling of dread swept over the Prince. If Charlie had asked, of all people, Daedalus for an audience with him, it could mean trouble for the Masquerade. The human seemed to know way too much for just a potential Childe. *Oh yeah,* he thought dangerously, *I am really going to haveta have a nice chat with Cash when this is all over.*
"Hello Miss McCall. Won't you come in and make yourself comfortable?"
Charlie sat down in the leather chair Julian indicated. She nodded her head in thanks before pausing to size up the Prince. Daedalus took up a place against the wall to watch the proceedings. "Thank you Mr. Luna." Charlie took a deep breath to calm herself, and began in measured tones, "You can probably guess why I'm here, and why I asked for you by the name that I did from the Kindred that I did. Cash told me he has spoken to you about Embracing me. I'm also told you gave permission to Lille Langtry for the same purpose. That tells me that you are leaving the choice up to me. But before I make my decision, I believe we have a few matters to discuss between the two of us."
Having regained his composure, the Ventrue regarded Charlie carefully. "And what matters would those be?"
The Firestarter leveled a hard gaze at him. "I came to visit your friend here earlier this morning," she swept an elegant hand in Daedalus' direction, " in order to learn as much unbiased information as I could about your kind. I did this so I could make an informed decision regarding my Embrace. In talking to Daedalus as well as Lillie and Cash, I learned that the penalty for my remaining human with knowledge of the Kindred is death, by your law, to both myself and the Kindred who revealed himself to me. As Cash was that Kindred, you can surely understand that I cannot allow such a thing to happen."
"And surely you can understand that as the Prince of the City, I must uphold the laws of the Camarilla." Outrage at the girl's impertinence swept through Julian.
"My cousin, Frank Kohanek, knows about you and yet he lives." She said, setting him up for her argument.
"That is an unusual situation requiring unusual methods." he said simply.
"As is this situation.... Look I know that as the Prince, you have a duty to uphold the law. I also understand that those laws were created to prevent your people from being hunted-"
"And what would you know about it?" Julian cut her off. His temper flared as he began to see that Charlie was nowhere near as innocent as she appeared.
Flames flashed visibly across the Firestarter's eyes. "I know a hell of a lot more about it than you would, Mr. Luna!" she hissed the last two words. "You and the other Kindred live in fear of those that might hunt you for what you are. You've never been actaully hunted yourselves. I, on the other hand, have been hunted all my life! While you sit in shadows with your precious rules, praying to whatever god you have that the beast that is Humanity doesn't get you; I have lived that nightmare. In my few years, I've been chased more, and had more loved one's killed because of what I am than you've probably lost in your... what? century of life? I will not lose any more loved one's to the fear of those around me, Mr. Luna. And I will not be bullied into such a lifechanging decision with the threat of death hanging over my head! Be it Cash's or my own."
Julian was taken aback temporarily by both the sight of flames in Charlie's eyes and by the intensity of her words. He had no doubt that what she said was true, both about being hunted and about making her decision. He glanced at Daedalus, whose face was totally bereft of expression, before regaining his composure.
"So what would you suggest I do Miss McCall? Hmm? If you do choose to remain human and cannot be made to forget, the law says I have to kill both you and Cash. I don't want to do that, but I've already lost support among my people by protecting your cousin. Unless you can give me a valid reason to pose to the Conclave, I won't be able to protect you or Cash, in the event that you decide not to be Embraced and cannot be made to forget." Julian settled into the back of his chair as he made this declaration.
Charlie thought a moment. *It's now or never.* "You can tell them that you made a choice between ignoring the rules and retaining a powerful ally, and making a powerful enemy by enforcing the rules."
"What do you mean?"
"Your niece has undoubtedly told you what happened in the alley next to The Haven, last night."
It wasn't even posed as a question but Julian answered anyways. "Sasha said that you set her and several of her clanmates on fire using some sort of mental power. Outlandish, I know, but-"
"But," she cut him off, "entirely true. Although she probably told you the attack was unprovoked, those Brujah attacked me first. And I felt obligated to defend myself by the only means available to me at the time, namely, pyrokinesis." Seeing Julian's eyebrows rise, Charlie had to supress a giggle. "You see, I was born with the ability to set fires using only the power of my mind. Now, that ability could make me a great asset or a great liability to you depending on how you react to my offer. If I do decide to remain human... and I'm not saying I will... you won't be able to hypnotize me. Believe me the best have tried and failed. That will leave you with two choices. A) You use what sway you have with your Conclave to protect Cash from those who would harm him. I can take care of my self."
"And B?" Julian looked at her skeptically. He still did not believe this little girl had the power she claimed to.
Charlie leaned forward and placed her palms flat on Julian's desk. She leaned forward far enough so that her face was barely a foot from his. To prove her resolve, the Firestarter mentally caused each one of the candleabras hanging from the four walls of the room to burst into flame one after the other. The last one to light itself was the one behind Julian's head. Both the Prince and his Nosferatu friend looked startled and shot Charlie looks of disbelief. "B)" she said in a low voice, "You could issue an order for a Blood Hunt for me and Cash. But I warn you, if Cash dies, I will come after his killer personally. And if I find out that you issued the order for his death because of me, I will see you and this lovely mansion of yours burned to a cinder before that day is done. Because, like I said Mr. Luna, I've lost way too many people I love. And I will NOT lose Cash as well."
Julian was silent for a few moments as he thought. He could have surrendered to the anger Charlie's threat imbued in him, but that would accomplish nothing. So, he thought about what she was really saying to him. All the girl really wanted was to know that her lover was safe so she could make a level headed decision about her Embrace. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to protect Cash. But the Gangrels revelation of their deepest secrets to such a dangerous human being would not be met lightly by the Kindred community. The possible harm that could come from Charlie being Embraced at all was not lost on Julian. But he had already issued a Free Embrace decree to Gangrel Clan and permission to Lillie to Embrace Charlie. There would probably be hell to pay from both sides if the Prince recanted now. So, in the end, what could the Ventrue do?
"Alright, Miss McCall. You have my word that no harm will come to Cash as a result of your decision no matter what that decision may be."
Charlie stood up straight, visibly relaxing. "Thank you Mr. Luna. And believe me when I say I keep my promises. I will be a valueable ally for you, either way."
Julian rose to his feet, an old fashioned habit he had whenever a lady stood. "May I remind you that you have two days after today to make your decision."
Charlie turned and smiled briefly at Daedalus before answering. "I'm well aware of that Mr. Luna, thank you."
"Miss McCall. Out of curiosity, where is my bodyguard today? He never stopped in like I asked him to, and my people haven't been able to locate him." The Prince said before the human could walk out the door.
"He's probably still at my apartment. I convinced him not to come in to work before I could talk to you. I'll tell him the coast is clear when I get home. Don't be too hard on him, though. As you know I can be quite persuasive."
"Indeed. Miss McCall. Indeed."
"Oh and Mr. Luna?"
"Yes?"
"My name isn't really McCall. It's McGee. But you can call me Charlie." With that, Charlie walked out of the office with a wolfish grin on her face. She'd done what she had set out to do.
As he watched Charlie leave, a thought made Julian smile to himself. *If she does choose Cash's offer, he'll have his work cut out for him. She's got the beautiful face of a Toreador and the heart of a Nosferatu. Just like Lillie."
************************************************************************************************
As Charlie's motorcycle sped past the huge wrought iron gates of the Luna complex, the Firestarter failed to notice the dark colored van parked across the street. Also left unnoticed was the van's white haired driver who watched the redhead pass. "Soon." came his silent promise. "Soon."