Sebastian sat in his seat at the head of the table. Dalamar to his right, Cassandra to his left. Gabriel and Cross were in their seats further down the table. Bobby was sitting at the other end.

"The facts are simple Sebastian" Bobby said with a fair amount of satisfaction "She broke the law and she must pay with her life"

"She saved the prince's life" Cross retorted

"So breaking kindred laws is allowed when the kindred breaking them used to share a bed with the prince?" Bobby spat "Is that the way you rule this city Sebastian?"

"What ever we may decide" Dalamar suddenly spoke, his voice clear and precise, earning immediate silence from his fellow primogens "I believe we must first hear what Miss Fitzgerald has to say…"

Everyone at the table remained quiet for a moment, waiting for Sebastian to say something. Finally he nodded his head slightly towards Cross who rose to his feet and went outside – returning a moment later with Ashton.

She stood proudly in front of them, the small smile still on her lips. Bobby looked at her without any shame – surveying her body and slightly licking his lips. Cassandra kept her gaze fixed, not showing any emotion. Sebastian refused to meet Ashton's eyes. Dalamar rose from his seat and approached her – circling around her.

"Hello Ashton…"

"Dalamar…" she bowed her head slightly, and Cross noted that it was the first sign of respect she showed anyone in the room. "It's good to see you again…"

"Yes…" Dalamar said thoughtfully, still circling Ashton "The last time I saw you Ashton was in this very room – almost a century ago… when the council declared you banished from the city. Why have you returned? Knowing the punishment you will face if you were caught – what made you come back?"

Bobby, from his place closest to the two, noticed Ashton's eyes have become somewhat glazed – like they've lost their focus, he realized Dalamar must have cast a spell on Ashton – he'd seen him do it before

"When I left New York I went to search for my clan, I searched for a long time – years…eventually I found a clan of Assamite outside Rome – their primogen was a kindred named Alexander and I became his lover. 6 month ago he was approached by members of the Sabath – they wanted him to join forces with them… when he refused – they killed him." The primogens around the table exchanged a look as Ashton continued her story "Alexander's dying wish was that I take his place and become primogen – but the Sabath already had hold of our clan – one kindred, named Corey, tried to kill me and then took control of the clan. I ran along with a number of my people – those who still wish to see Alexander's wishes come true…"

"Why have you come to New York?" Dalamr pressed

"I came to warn Sebastian… The Sabath are planning a blood war – they want to regain control, and their first attack will be here… New York is the strongest hold of the Caramilla – the rest of the cities are nothing… LA is already theirs, In San Francisco Julian Luna is so tied up in his own clan wars he will not realize what is happening until it is too late… Sebastian is the only prince they truly fear…"

Dalamar waved his hand in front of Ashton's face and she shook her head, regaining her focus "Next time you want me to tell you something, just ask me…" she said pleasantly "Save your magics, you'll need them soon enough…" But Dalamar simply smiled his crooked smile and took his seat around the table, motioning for Cross to escort Ashton back outside.

"Sebastian, if her words have any truth to them, I believe it will be wise to postpone our decision concerning her final death for the time being" Dalamar said quietly

"What does it matter?" Bobby tried again - he had nothing against the woman, in fact, under any other circumstances he would have applauded anyone who broke Sebastian's stupid laws - but he knew that the decision to declare final death on her would bring great pain to the prince - and that was something he immensely enjoyed "She endangered the Masquerade…she must die"

"If the Sabath has Assamites among them it would be wise for us to align ourselves with a few of our own" Dalamar advised, looking at the Brujah primogen impatiently.

"The Assamite's can't be trusted" Gabriel spat "That is why they align themselves with the Sabath to begin with. They are nothing but mercenaries for hire, renting themselves to the highest bidder…"

Finally, Sebastian rose to his feet "This decision must be made carefully" he uttered his first words of the evening "We must all take our time to make our decision. Tomorrow we will meet again."

Later that night Sebastian couldn't sleep. He lay awake in his bed, listening to Cassandra's even breath as she lay beside him. He looked over and moved a strand of hair from her face - she was still beautiful - as beautiful as the day he met her almost a hundred years ago - yet his thoughts kept wondering to someone else.

With a sigh he got up and pulled on some clothes, careful not to wake Cassandra. He left the bedroom and went down the stairs to the basement, passing an empty hall and opening a large metal door that led to the dungeons.

She was there, sitting with her back against the wall, her eyes closed. For a moment he simply stood there and looked at her.

"You plan on staring at me all night?" her voice was clear and alert, telling him she wasn't asleep "because I bet I'll start finding it annoying in about five seconds"

"I'm sorry about this…" was all he could offer

She smiled sadly at him and rose to her feet, coming closer to the metal bars "You did what you had to do Sebastian, what I expected you to do…you're a prince now! I knew it would come to this when I came here…"

"Then why did you come?" He was suddenly angry "Knowing the position you were putting me in? you could have sent a letter! Found another way to warn me!..."

"Would you have believed me if I sent you a note from halfway around the world? After all this time? Would you have taken my word for it?" Ashton asked softly, placing a hand over his through the bars "Don't be angry with me Sebastian, I couldn't bare it…I had to come…Besides, I had no where else to go…"

The simple touch of her hand brought back so many memories. He leaned his head against the bars and closed his eyes, savoring the sensation "I looked for you everywhere... I tried to find you for such a long time Ash…"

"I know you did, but you and me - we were doomed from the start. You know that as well as I do Sebastian. It was a long time ago - a life time ago. You have Cassandra by your side now - a worthy companion for a prince. You've come a long way…"

"I can't save you tomorrow Ash, whatever the conclave decides - I would have to agree - even if it means declaring your final death…"

She left the bars and headed back to the opposite wall, leaning against it again "I know, but I do want to ask you for something Sebastian…My clan, even if I'm gone, they will need a place to live - a place where they can be safe. There's a kindred named Dante among them - he'll take my place after I'm gone - go see him, he can promise you their loyalty…"

"Will he still promise me his loyalty after I kill you?" Sebastian said viciously, spitting the words out of his mouth. He was so angry - at her for coming and disrupting his life, for the position he was in, for her total lack of concern for herself - and most of all - for her leaving in the first place. His anger ran so deep he couldn't help it.

"He knows what he must do and he'll do it" Ashton's tone was cold and harsh.

For the first time he realized the change in her, saw the primogen she had become. He sighed and nodded, turning away from the bars. He suddenly heard someone moving upstairs and heard Cassandra calling him softly from upstairs.

"You should go… go back to her…"

He gave her one more look and then headed back upstairs where Cassandra was waiting for him in the bedroom. He didn't say anything, and she didn't ask any questions as he climbed into bed next to her.