The room was dark, save for a dim lamp that hung from the ceiling. There was an obvious breeze coming from vent a foot above the floor. The space was no more than six feet by ten. Kimberly didn't notice anything else as she felt the stake ripped out of her chest and heard the door slam shut. Nothing other than a man propped up against the opposite wall. She strode towards him, trying to recognize his features. Wallace. The Sheriff. With a stake in his chest.

It dawned on her that the Praxis attempt might be coming sooner rather than later. It wouldn't surprise her if they were soon joined by the Seneschal and the loyal Primogen.

Kim considered leaving Wallace where he was while she made her escape attempt, but knew that his clan's powers could be very useful. She grabbed the piece of wood and yanked it out of his flesh. He convulsed for a moment, and then sat up.

"Wh-where am I?"

"You and I are apparently being held captive, my dear Sheriff."

He squinted, letting his eyes adjust to the poor lighting. "Keeper?"

"That'd be me, yes. Any bright ideas?"

"Escape."

"No kidding."

"Did you see who did it?"

"I saw Sturluson. You?"

"Her childe. And the Primogen."

Kim nodded slightly. "So it is the Toreador."

"What's the Toreador?"

"Oh, don't tell me you haven't heard the Praxis rumor. The Roses are making their attempt for the throne. God…some sheriff you are…"

"Sorry."

"No, don't apologize. Let's just get out of here. Got any tricks up your sleeve?"

"Plenty. But not the power to use them right now. I hadn't fed before they got to me…and I feel even more of a need now. I think they took some of my blood."

"It wouldn't surprise me."

"I guess they didn't want me using my magic."

"Guess?" Kim laughed softly. "You don't need to guess. It's really fucking obvious they didn't want us breaking out of here that way."

"I don't think they wanted us breaking out at all…but yeah. Obvious."

"So we're back to the beginning. Any bright ideas?"

"Well, now that I think about it…"

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

The Prince was safe. Nobody knew how to bypass the security in his haven. There were halon gas jets to prevent mortal hunters. Stake traps and flame traps to rid him of any traitorous Kindred who might come around. He was in the security room. The traps were automatic. He was half-expecting Alice to pay him a visit, and was watching for her. She knew about some of the traps, yes…he'd wanted her, in the beginning, to think that he trusted her entirely. But he'd never told her about a few of them. He didn't want her to find out the hard way.

Sure enough, the cameras picked up on movement and he zoomed in on the intruder. It was definitely her. He gradually switched off the little traps as she came to them so that she could pass through safely. As soon as she cleared a hallway, they went back on. Just in case someone was following her. Andrew left the security in the hands of his loyal ghoul and pressed a button. A panel of the wall slid to one side, revealing one of the many secret passages in the haven. He stepped in, letting the door close behind him, and made his way through the dark maze to another hidden panel. The right combination opened it, revealing a small room. A desk was at one corner. The walls were lined with bookcases. Andrew had read each and every book he owned. He stepped out into the room and the door slid shut behind him just before a knock came at the other door. The big wooden doors that led in from the hallway.

"Come in!."

The door on his right opened and Alice stepped in.

"I wanted to talk to you about something important…"

"Of course, my love," he smiled widely, sitting on the edge of his desk. "Drink?"

"Hmm..? No, I've had enough tonight, thank you."

She seemed unsettled as she took her usual seat in the leather armchair facing him.

"Are you all right, darling?"

Her gazed darted up to him. "Yes…I'm sorry, just a bit worried, is all."

"About Kim and Wallace?"

"More about you." She folded her hands in her lap.

He chuckled. "Why would you worry about me?"

"Because…while they'll stake your officers and keep them out of the way so they can claim Praxis, they'd kill you if you refused."

"It won't come to that, Alice." He leaned forward, resting his hands on hers.

She stood quickly, pulling away and beginning to pace. "How can you be so sure?"

Andrew frowned. "Because security here is better than at Fort Knox…they can't get in here."

"And if you need to leave? What then?" She still wasn't looking at him; wasn't meeting his gaze.

"Then I'll take protection. High-caliber protection. Alice, look at me."

She turned ever so slightly and lifted her eyes to his. She seemed lost. Sad.

"I won't let them take my throne, Alice. I can't. But I'm not going to stay here like some scared idiot."

"I…" she paused, biting her lip slightly. "I did have an idea…"

"Well tell me, then." He strode towards her, lifting a hand to stroke her cheek.

She pulled away from the caress, moving to look out the window. "Well, it occurred to me that while they might not accept you as Prince, they might accept someone else. Other than themselves, I mean."

He paused. "Someone else…? I just told you I won't let them take my throne."

"Someone you trust. Someone who will still follow your lead. I'm sure one of your clanmates would be more than willing…but I don't think the Elder Rose likes the idea of a Brujah prince at all."

"Then who would you suggest, Alice? Who the hell can I trust other than my clan and…" he trailed off, gazing at her curiously. "And you…"

She turned slightly from the view of the park provided by the penthouse. "It's only an idea, Andrew. I can't guarantee that they'd accept me."

His brow furrowed and he frowned. "You want the throne."

"Not at all…I've never wanted it. It paints a target on the person who sits there. But I'd rather me be a target than you. I love you, Andrew…and I would follow you regardless of who sits on the throne."

He backed up, sitting back on the desk. He sat, silently processing what she was saying.

"I don't like it. It would put you in danger. The Roses could go after you."

"I can handle the Roses, Andrew. Put something pretty in front of them and they turn to mush." She walked towards him slowly, coming to a stop just in front of where he was perched. "And their elder is afraid of…"

"Afraid of what?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Afraid of Briggs." She forced the name to leave her lips

"You don't seem to like him much either."

"He's family," she replied almost automatically. "I would never wish him ill."

"But you still don't like him."

She gave him a look, not answering. "That's not the point."

"Well, if the old rose is afraid of him, why not let Briggs be Prince?"

Alice shuddered involuntarily. "Do you trust him, though? To pick up where you left off?"

"Of course not. Unless you think he could fill my shoes."

"No…" She glanced down, studying her own shoes for a moment. "He couldn't even begin to."

The Brujah managed to catch her gaze and smiled softly. "And you would know?"

The remark caught her off guard. She dropped her eyes from his and backed up to sink into her usual armchair. Her reaction surprised Andrew, and he found himself staring at her in disbelief. He was the first to find his voice.

"You…slept…with him…?"

His accusing tone made her cringe. "Not exactly. But it's not important right now. Keeping you in charge is why I'm here."

"Not exactly, Alice? What happened? I care more about you than the fucking throne. Did he do something? Because if he did, I'll rip his fucking—"

"You will do no such thing." She raised her own eyes to meet his, both stares full of anger. "You will not harm a Venture on my account."

"If he hurt you…"

"It doesn't matter." She forced a smile, her eyes boring deep into his as if searching his soul. "And we're done with this topic."

He shrugged. "All right. You were saying?"

A faint smile crossed her face. "I can manipulate the Toreador elder. I don't think I could do it on your behalf—he already doesn't like you. However, I spoke with the Harpy and he apparently has a weakness."

"What would that be?"

"Pretty girls."

The Prince frowned. "You mean, you're going to seduce him?"

"Oh, good lord, no…just let him think that I will. He'll be putty in my hands by the time I'm done. I can make him think I'm his puppet. And with you by my side, I'll be able to draw out their treachery and prove it to the court. Then they'll be executed. Breach of domain and a failed praxis attempt are capital charges, Andrew."

"So why don't I just have them killed right now?"

"There isn't enough proof."

"My word against theirs should be enough."

"Combined, they have more status than you. Therefore they are right and you would be wrong."

"But I'm the fucking Prince, god damn it…"

"I know, love. But I don't think that can save you here."

"Well it should at least do something!" He yelled, slamming his fist on the surface of his desk in frustration. "Wait…I can strip them of status."

Alice paused before responding. "Yes…you can. But we don't know how many are against you yet. We need to find out more. Let me speak with the Elder."

He studied her carefully. "It's too dangerous."

"Andrew, I can handle myself."

"I don't like it."

"I didn't say you had to. And I'm not really asking your permission."

He lifted a hand to brush a lock of hair from his eyes and shrugged. "Then I guess it doesn't matter what I tell you, Alice, because you're just going to do it anyway."

She frowned. "That's not what I meant…"

"Yeah, well, that's how it sounded. Go. Do what you need to do. Just be careful…I don't want to lose you." He stroked her cheek affectionately.

She leaned into his caress, closing her eyes with a smile. "I will."