Police Station

Special agent Ryan Clayton stepped out of his government issued Sedan and took a careful look at his surroundings. New York still seemed strange and foreign to him - even after several months he still couldn't bring himself to feel comfortable with the size and speed in which things moved in the city. He was a man of medium height, well built, with short brown hair cropped in an army cut and light hazel eyes. He made sure his tie was straight and walked into the large building that housed the police station.

He gave his name to the desk officer and took a seat in one of the plastic chairs in the waiting area. He surveyed the scene in front of him as he waited - several officers passed him, leading various noisy suspects in handcuffs. A few detectives in suits came in, handed reports to the desk officer and received new assignments.

"Special Agent Clayton, I just finished a call with the police commissioner telling me I should give you all the help you needed" the captain appeared in front of him and cut right to the chase "So tell me - what can I do for you?"

They started walking through the station, the captain walking a few steps in front and setting the pace "Well, I'm here about an investigation we're running down at the FBI." Ryan Clayton started to explain, trying to keep up with the large man who had an enormous step "A man named Robert O'riley or Bobby O'riley. Seems like he owns a large company down at the docks, using it for smuggling, money laundering - a whole lot of illegal activity."

"I know O'riley" The captain nodded as they finally reached his office "He's a local thug, has his gang of bullies and low life criminals - we picked him up a few times but he has deep pockets and strong back. You can pick him up yourself but I've got to tell you nothing ever sticks with that guy"

"That's exactly it" Ryan nodded "We don't want O'riley. He's small time. We know for a fact he's answering to someone higher and that's the man we're after"

"Any idea who that is?"

"Sebastian Kane"

THE HAVEN

Sebastian got out of bed and pulled on his pants, he sat on the edge of the bed for a moment – collecting his thought.

"You shouldn't have told Bobby off like that" Cassandra came up behind him, wrapping her hands around his bare chest "It's only going to aggravate him more"

"His actions are jeopardizing us all. I don't care if he's angry" He got up and pulled on his shirt, turning back to look at her as she lay back in the bed. No man could deny how beautiful she was. Her pale skin was almost as white as the sheets she was lying on. The candles and dim lighting around the room seemed to cast dancing shadows on her body as she lay sprawled on the cushions. Her red hair was spread on the pillows, a perfect contrast to the white satin sheets, her body liquid and elegant, her long legs uncovered by the soft fabric.

They were in the bedroom of her small apartment above the Haven, it was small but warm and cozy. Red curtains covered the windows, preventing daylight from coming in at daytime. A large Chinese screen separated the bedroom, which consisted of a large four poster bed and nothing more, from the living room where there were two large armchairs and a sofa with red velvet upholstery. The shelves and tables were decorated with various ancient candle sticks and small statues that Cassandra had spent centuries collecting.

"All I'm saying is that you need to be careful Sebastian, or you'll have a clan war on your hands"

He nodded absently and went over to the round window overlooking the club, the hour was late and there were only a few people still there. He heard the movement of the sheets behind him and a few seconds later he felt Cassandra's hands around his waist and her head resting on his shoulder. "You could stay the night you know?" she whispered in his ear, adding a slight nibble on his earlobe that sent shivers down his spine and made him close his eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation.

"I have to go back to the mansion" he lied as he entwined their fingers across his chest "Gabriel is waiting for me"

She watched as he finished dressing and kissed him lightly, almost modestly if that was even possible for her, by the door. She then stood by the door, ignoring several looks from the customers still enjoying their evening down stairs, and watched as Cross and Max flanked him, escorting him out of the club.

Cross made the way up the stairs to his apartment without bothering to turn on the light in the stairs. He could feel the dawn drawing near, the sun was just about to come up and he had just accompanied Sebastian back to his mansion. The Prince was very disturbed and kept Cross for a few hours more in his private study, going over information, dispensing orders - but now, his team was taking care of security at the mansion and all he wanted was to get to his bed and get a few hours of sleep.

He was at the door of his apartment when he finally sensed someone behind him. With amazing speed he turned around and grabbed the assailant by the throat pinning him against the opposite wall.

Only then did he realize it was a woman.

"Who are you?"

"You're Sebastian Kane's bodyguard – I need to talk to you" he noticed that she didn't really answer his question

He finally let her go, but still didn't let his guard down one bit. She took a moment to straighten her clothes and he took the opportunity to look her over – trying to figure out who she was, trying to assess if she posed any danger to him. She was petite, brown hair and brown eyes, a couple of pounds overweight. The girl next door type, her appearance seemed a little run down, a little neglected. She was kindred, his kindred senses picked that up easily – but for some reason he couldn't pinpoint what clan she belonged to.

"I came to give you a warning…" She said and his alertness went up a few levels immediately, preparing to defend himself from her threats "There's going to be an assassination attempt on Sebastian's life, the hit man is human but highly capable. You need to be alert"

"How do you know this? Who are you?"

"It's not important who I am or how I know this. Just be on your toes" she said and turned to leave "Oh, and...don't tell Sebastian, he'll behavior will change and the assassin will know that something is wrong"

"How do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know you're not the one planning to kill Sebastian?"

"You don't!" she smirked back at him "That's what's going to make you watch your back!"

She vanished down the stairs leaving him standing there alone. The limited view through the window at the end of the hall told him the first rays of sun were already showing – he couldn't worry about this right now nor could he do anything about it right now, he decided to go consult Dalamar later in the day but for now - he had to get to sleep.

Cross looked around as he crossed the empty street and walked up the few stone stairs leading to the large wooden doors of the church, ignoring the large sign that declared the church closed for renovations. The sign had been there for years – longer then Cross could remember. In truth there were no renovations being done on the old church – nothing in the structure had been touched in years – it was merely a way to keep people out and avoid curiosity. For Cross the church had always symbolized the simplicity in which people chose to lead their lives – how they seemed to settle for the simplest explanation, which is why none of the hundreds of people who walked by the church everyday seemed to notice that there were never any construction workers at the site.

He knocked loudly and waited for a few moments until a young man in robes opened the door and led him inside. As always, he found the beauty of the church breathtaking – most of the religious figurines had been stripped long ago, but the alter was still present. There was no electricity in the main hall, instead the light came from rows of candle sticks lined around the room and natural light coming through the large painted glass windows depicting various religious stories.

He passed the main hall through a small door to the left of the alter and entered the rectory where Dalamar was sitting at his desk.

"You know Dalamar I've never really figured out why you chose to live in a church" Croaa said by way of a greeting "Are you a religious man Dalamar?"

"Once a long time ago, I was. I was studying to become a priest before I was embraced…it was a long time ago" Dalamar's voice had a hint of longing in it

"I never knew that" Cross tried to imagine the man in front of him, the man he had know for years, as a young monk – but failed.

"Besides, people tend not to get suspicious about seeing men in robes and cloaks entering a church" Dalamar added with a slight smile "But you didn't come here to discuss my living arrangements"

"There was a woman, she came to my apartment this morning to warn me that someone is about to try and assassinate Sebastian – there was something about her…" Cross moved through the room, picking up books from the shelves and checking them as he talked "I got this vibe, a feeling – I think this time it's something serious"

"You're emotions, you're intuition is one of your strongest Gangrel attributes Cross" Dalamar said calmly, his eyes following the young man closely "If you're senses tell you to trust this woman…"

"My senses tell me that there is real danger to Sebastian, as for the woman – I don't know, I feel that there is more to her, that there is something she isn't saying…"

"We all have our secrets Cross, it's in us all, it comes from having a long past – sometimes, longer than you care to remember"

"Should I tell Sebastian? Should I alert him to the danger?"

"If you think there's a need… I myself don't see one" Dalamr said calmly and relaxed in his chair "You are aware, and alert. Your job is to keep Sebastian safe against all dangers – and so you will"

THE DOCKS

Bobby stomped around the office in rage, picking up tings and throwing them against the wall. He achieved a weird sense of satisfaction by the sound of them smashing into little pieces on the floor. The few men around him cringed in fear every time another item found it's way to the floor and immensely enjoyed the terror he was causing them.

"Who does that Kane think he is?" he screamed to no one in particular "Telling me how to run my business?"

He smashed another vase and inhaled deeply, finally calming down. His mind started racing as he paced the space behind his desk "This is the last time he tells me what to do…I swear to you… he thinks he can just boss me around like one of him minions, he has no idea who he's dealing with…"

"What are you planning Sire?" one of his trusted Brujahs came closer, a sinister smile on his face as he recognized the look on his Sire's face - the one suggesting the making of a plan.

"I don't know yet…" Bobby smiled back "But I'm going to find a way to hurt him… something painful, something that will make him take notice…"

"And the docks?" another Brujah asked

"Close it down, or at least make it look like we have… move all the activity underground" Bobby smiled again "Let him think he won for now, it will make him lower his guard, and then… he won't know what hit him…"

He took off his jacket and threw it on the back of his chair finally figuring out a plan that would satisfy him "Keep a close watch over Kane in the next few days - I want to know every move he takes, every one he meets, everyone he talks to - Tell me everything, no matter how irrelevant it seems. Even a prince has weaknesses - we find those - we know how, and where to hurt him…"