A/N: Hey guys. Told you it wouldn't take so long this time, but I guess I lied.So, sue me. Okay, I just realized there are a lot of things in the last chapter that run conntradictory to the rest of the story. So, I wanted to explain some stuff. First, and least important, is the idea that the sitting room Charlie was in at the end of the chapter was one she'd never seen before. That was my bad, since I said clearly that she had been in Lillie's sitting room at the end of "Three Days". However, I maintain that there are two sitting rooms in Lillie's suite. Second, Charlie was very adverse to making a rash decision regarding her Embrace. But I see her as a very passionate person. And if her loved one's are threated all bets are off. Last I know some of you wanted to see Charlie become a Gangrel but I always planned on her becoming Toreador. I did this because I'm planning on making this story into a series and it's a good method of creating conflict between Cash and Charlie, especially with the connection they have. You guys got that? Cool. Then on with the story! R&R please.
Disclaimer: I keep saying I'll cease doing these things. But hey I actually have an original major character coming up in the next few chapters, Gregor Rainbird. You guys are welcome to use him but I'm gonna damn well make it a challenge to do so soon. Please tell me if you want to borrow him, I'd just like to see how you do it. Also, all Rainbird's flunkies are original but they don't really matter so use them all you like. Other than that I own nothing.

Chapter 11

Cash was bruised, broken, and bleeding. The human goons who had taken him had really done a number on the Gangrel. He knew they were human because he could hear their hearts race whenever he lashed out at them. But to spite all Cash's strength and speed they'd managed to chain him to a wall. And on top of all they'd done to the Gangrel, the worst part was when they dragged a likewise black and blue Brujah Primogen in and chained him up right next to Cash. Cameron was just as pissed off as Cash was but the Brujah was much more vocal, since he had not lost as much blood as Cash had. Soon after they brought Cameron in, the humans left them both in the dark room they were chained in. After that, Cameron had taken every opportunity to bitch and moan about his situation to the only person present. Luckily, Cash had lost consiousness halfway through Cameron's rant.

A few moments later, a pain shot through Cash the likes of which he hadn't felt since his First Torment. The Gangrel awoke screaming. It took him a while to realize that the pain he was feeling was not actually being rented upon him. Cash focused in on the sensations underlying the pain. He could feel confusion and apology as well as a surfacing of tremendous creative energy. It was like one powerful entity was being beaten down by another, mixing with it, and the two becoming one. It was then that he realized who was really physically in pain and why. He screamed Charlie's name over and over.

The pain lasted for what seemed like an eternity. In the background of his screams he could hear Cameron yelling at him to shut up and, surprisingly, to try and find out what was wrong. Finally, the pain subsided and Cash was left with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and loss. Charlie was feeling these emotions because she had lost part of herself when she'd been Embraced. For his part, Cash felt loss because he knew that his love was now Toreador. He'd lost yet another lover to another clan. However, the Gangrel also knew why Charlie had done it. She'd agreed to allow Lillie to Embrace her in order to strengthen her bond with Cash so that she might find him in time to save him. And she had accomplished that goal. Their mental link was now such that if Cash concentrated he could feel what Charlie was feeling. He knew exactly where she was and wanted nothing more than to comfort her. But he couldn't do much about it since he was quickly re-approaching unconciousness. Before he submitted to the exhaustion overtaking him, Cash felt determination flare in Charlie and he knew that, one way or another, he would not be spending much longer in that hellhole.

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It wasn't until Lillie returned to the second level of The Haven that she smelled the smoke. The Toreador immediately called for Julian and any other Kindred around to aid her. Lillie ran directly into the bedroom dragging Charlie's duffel behind her. The Firestarter had told her the bag was full of fire extinguishers should something go wrong.

And boy had it gone wrong. The bed was engulfed entirely in flames which, amazingly enough weren't affecting Charlie in the slightest. This did not stop the screams emitting from the fledgling, though. Charlie kept crying out for Cash as she writhed on top of the quickly burning satin sheets. Lillie handed the fire extinguisher she was toting to Julian who'd just rushed in behind her. She climbed on the bed, being careful not to singe herself, and proceeded to feed Charlie from yet another wound in her wrist until the girl's seizures subsided.

By the time Charlie was calm again, the bed was just a mass of burnt wood, steal wires, and stuffing. In true Toreador form, it occurred to Lillie that she now had an excuse to redecorate the room as most of the walls and the ceiling were also singed. She cradled her new Childe as the girl cried softly, the blood tinged tears marring the white silk of Lillie's blouse. Soon, the men had the fire put out completely.

Julian turned to his sometime paramour then and asked. "How is she?"

Lillie who was currently smoothing Charlie's hair in a calming motion, shrugged. "I think the worst is over. I didn't expect this, though."

"Clearly, she did." Julian said, indicating the fire extinguisher in his hand.

"'She' is sitting right here ya know." Charlie said in an almost inaudible voice. In spite of the ragged appearance this still was the same old Charlie McGee, at heart.

Lillie looked down at the girl who was curled up like a small child against her. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. Different. I don't know... I know where Cash is now." she said, looking from her Sire to her Prince with an unreadable expression.

Julian immediately slipped back into his role as concerned Prince. "Where is he?"

"He's in a holding cell in some kind of an abandon warehouse. Cameron is with him. Cash is pretty sure that it was Hunters that took them."

"You talked to Cash, communicated with him?" Julian asked, gazing at her intensely.

Charlie shook her head. "No. It was more like I could feel what he was feeling. The bond is still there on the edge of my mind... but it isn't active right now."

Lillie nodded then turned to Julian. "Maybe we should consult Daedalus?"

At this, Julian shook his head. "I sent him to find out about the Hunters in the city and he has not returned yet."

"He isn't going to return." Charlie replied solemnly, pulling out of her Sire's embrace. "The Hunters already have him."

"Your link with Cash showed you this?" asked the Prince.

"No, but I believe I know the man who is leading them. And if it is Rainbird, he'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. That includes killing Cash, Daedalus, and all of you. The problem is that I'm not so sure it's me he wants. Otherwise, why go after Cameron?" she concluded.

"So it's safe to assume this Rainbird fellow's motives are ambiguous, at best. But if he's in league with the Hunters I have no alternative but to have him eliminated as well." Julian decided.

Charlie nodded. "Then I guess that means you won't mind if I burn a few of them down when I go to retrieve Cash."

"Now, Charlie..." Lillie started, before being cut off.

"But you two said it yourselves. The Hunters have to be eliminated. So, I'll eliminate them. After what they've done to Cash, they deserve it." Something dark came over Charlie. Something neither of them had ever seen in one so young. A lust for vengeance surely, but also something even more frightening- the complete and irrefuttable knowledge that one had the full capacity and will to carry out that vengeance.

"It isn't as simple as that, Charlie. Killing endangers the Masquerade. We can't risk exposing ourselves to the humans." Julian supplied gently. This was a creature to be handled with great care, both because of her possible usefulness and because of her inherent danger.

But Charlie was in no mood for a discussion. "Then, it's obvious that you have no idea what I can do." She gazed slowly back and forth from her Prince to her Sire, finally landing on Julian. "I gave you my word once that should you protect Cash, you would have my loyalty. I keep my word and you now have that loyalty. If you forbid me from killing or harming the Hunters, I can do nothing but obey. But I'm telling you now that I'm going to get my Mate back. And if he has been hurt as badly as I think, I don't believe in the slightest you'd begrudge me some small revenge."

Julian thought for a moment and looked about to protest, but Charlie cut him off again. "If it's evidence you're afraid of, rest assured, there will be none. I don't know about these Hunters but Rainbird never was one for loose ends. And when I find the people who hurt Cash, all that will be left is an unidentifiable pile of ash blowing in the wind. On that you have my word.... But again, I leave it to you, my Prince. If you wish me to spare their lives I can bring them to you for judgement."

The Prince contemplated this for a few moments. He could tell that Charlie was gunning for a blood bath. Evidently, what she had seen of Cash had incited incredible rage within her. For this reason alone, Julian wasn't certain he shouldn't let the fledgling loose on his enemies. Cash was his friend and loyal servant as well as the respected Primogen of the Clan Gangrel, who had served him so well and loyally. Surely such agony, as to cause so much rage in Cash's Mate, deserved all Charlie had in mind. But the newly fledged Toredor was a wild card. Charlie had been right. They had no idea what she could do, to what extent her powers went. Could he, in good conscience, let her loose on unsuspecting mortals, even if they did happen to be Hunters? Could he afford to curb what could be his greatest ace in the proverbial hole? He decided to let the whole thing play out as fate intended. After all, either way he was sure to loose something, though he had little idea what. The Prince gave his orders. "Go and find Cash. Bring back Cameron too, if you can. But take some Gangrels with you, just in case. Try not to kill anyone. However, you have my permission to defend yourself and all other Kindred with you with deadly force if need be. Understand, I want as little exposure as possible in this. Do you hear me, Charlie?"

Charlie simply nodded. She turned to Lillie, at last, with the softest expression either Kindred had seen on her to date. It bordered between submission, despair, and hopefulness. "Sire?"

Lillie smiled lovingly. She had been waiting for Charlie to acknowledge her sovereignty over her. She was quite pleased to find that out of necessity Charlie felt some love for her maker, and in turn a sense of responsibility. Lillie understood that Charlie was asking final permission from her to part her Sire's company. She craned her elegant neck to place a gentle kiss on her Childe's forehead. "Go. Get your Mate."

Charlie's eyes lit up and she smiled as if she were a child whose mother had just given her the pony she'd always wanted. She rose from the bed and went to her Prince. The Firestarter knelt before Julian Luna and silently placed a kiss on his ring before exiting the small chamber and leaving the two Kindred Elders in her wake.

Lillie looked at Julian with a mixture of foreboding and hope. He simply shook his head and whispered, "And so, it begins."