Brittany: Are you shure he really admitted anything? *giggles* Remember what he'd said in chapter 14
Celeste: Schön, dass du wieder da bist. Jan hat für einen Ventrue seiner Position recht viel Menschlichkeit, aber heißt nicht, dass er eine Dumpfbacke ist und sich so einfach mit dem Ganzen zufrieden gibt. So einfach lässt er sich nicht abschütteln. Glück für uns, hehe.
Thanks to dropletsoflight, sister-b, shoryaku no neko, rednightmare Sazei and Zaekka for the reviews! So many of them and they currently help a lot to write, beacuse I'm myself a bit unsatisfied with the story. 16 chapters and still I don't have the main characters where I want them.
The rest of the night Katherine felt kind of like a train wreck before finding her way to El Segundo, the selected feeding ground for her picky Ventrue palate because of the military air base located there. Even during the night she had a better chance of finding suitable prey there or in the general neighbourhood. It was quite daring, however, because she didn't want to make herself a known face in the area, so it was more or less an emergency feeding ground for the Ventrue; besides she would now take anyone, the main point being that they were at least her standard. Katherine soon discovered that the flavour of blood was enhanced by the rank which the person inhabited. A private was drinkable but someone with the rank of colonel was way better in taste, though often these simple criteria were influenced by the person's health and other factors she still needed to find. With a sire this certainly wouldn't have been necessary to figure out on her own. Anyway at least this time she had some luck in finding a suitable vessel – after Simon dropped her off – within a mere two hours. It wasn't quite enough so she spent the rest of the night skulking around the block to find a second person to lure into an alley and feed upon. Dragging the kine into a pub or club wasn't her preferred way unless she wanted to get drunk too.
The next night her stop was of course the Confession, picking up Simon who at first gave her a curious look with his head tilted to the left and a short, "Hum." Venus on the other hand was more curious.
"I found your tool and put it in the office. The police were here." Slowly Venus eyed Katherine up and down. "Sure you're all right sweetheart?"
"As you can see I'm fine. How's Heather?" The red-haired girl wasn't present this evening and Venus had probably given her the night off after yesterday's events.
"Got a bit scared, our poor kid. Sprained her ankle after one of those thugs threw Simon against the glass and she stumbled backwards." So that was the scream of pain. Gladly it wasn't anything serious. Still Venus eyed her co-owner up and down which irritated Katherine. "Sure you're fine?
"I'm fine, yes. Why do you still ask?" Venus never asked so many questions.
"Some guests yesterday said that Simon carried you over his shoulder, pretty beaten up and full of blood." The Ventrue blinked – she finally somehow managed not to forget to again – and smiled softly.
"Venus, you know how people like to exaggerate things. Just got a knock against my head and passed out. If I had been beaten into a bloody pile of meat I'd be in a hospital now, right?" Venus frowned, looking thoughtful while a guest ordered a drink. "I lost my gun after the red-haired fury got me. We exchanged some punches in the dark until I got that said hit on my head. Still hurts a bit but I'm used to such stuff." The beat priestess mixed another drink and put it in front of Katherine, who gave her a questioning look.
"Special mix against pain," she smiled. "C'mon, try it."
"You know I don't drink when I'm here at work and secondly I want to minimize any private drawings to hold down our costs." Besides if she were able to drink something, it'd be a hot, steaming mug of black coffee, so strong that a spoon could stand in it.
"Don't be coy, Kitty. You're always so tense. Relax, okay? Our income is great and one drink won't hurt." That may be true but it would hurt the Masquerade, moreover she needed to tell Venus about her plan to go back to Europe.
"Venus Dare?" A female voice interrupted their conversation and both women turned their heads to the source.
"Yes Venus is her name, cutie. Anything to confess?" Immediately Venus shifted into her beat priestess role, however Katherine knew that this was about to be cast aside by the person. The vampire knew her.
"Well, not exactly. Detective Skinner, LAPD." Showing them her badge and with Venus inspecting it, Katherine frowned. Great. More problems. "About last night's incident with those thugs: I wanted to ask about the whereabouts of one of your bouncers."
"That would be me I guess." Katherine played a bit with the straw in Venus' special drink, stirring it and watching the ice cubes roll around inside.
"Miss...Falkner, right?" She sounded surprised, while Venus raised an eyebrow which said silently, 'Am I still needed?' "Never thought that you would be a bouncer in such a club."
"I own it together with my partner." A nod was thrown in Venus' direction who shrugged and walked to the other end of the bar, handling another guest. "Let's go into my office, Detective. There we can talk without interruptions." It would be easier to dominate her in such an environment than with all the noises around, and implanting things in people's minds required quiet surroundings to be effective at all. LaCroix would rip her head off if she'd violated the Masquerade, giving her a speech about how she was his protégé and how it humiliated him in public for her to breach the law. Strange. Why was she even still worried about him? Oh well, Katherine was still in his city after all. "Please, have a seat. How can I help you this time, Detective?" Arriving in the office, Katherine first grabbed her gun from the table where Venus put it. Of course she could nearly feel the curious eyes of the detective's on her action.
"There are various witnesses who claim that your bouncer carried you out. According to them you looked quite dead." Just great. It didn't take long for Katherine to figure out a possible scenario: Murder needed to be investigated and that's why Skinner was here. "French revolution? Military during the Napoleonic era? You're in history or your partner?" Skinner grabbed a book and browsed through it.
"Even if those strategies are kind of outdated in modern warfare, there are still some basics like the mistakes Napoleon made during Waterloo." This sentence came out fast and natural. Not that it was somehow suspicious if you read books about history.
"Or because your boss is French? How was the meeting? Got your job back?" Katherine turned around, not flinching a muscle and faced the smiling detective directly.
"Detective Skinner..." Oh god she sounded just like the Prince when he was offended. "...I doubt you're here to ask me about my involvement with the LaCroix Foundation. Please, I know the strategy of engaging someone in friendly, seemingly non-important chatter to squeeze information out. I was with the military police so be honest with me, all right?" Well there she got some bits of information, however they were not a secret and it was more important to steer the conversation away from the LaCroix Foundation and Sebastian LaCroix.
"That explains a lot. I was wondering why you cooperate so well." The book was placed back on the table, the smile gone from the detective's face. "So you're not dead, obviously, but I doubt that every witness was either drunk or drugged. So what the hell is going on?" Give her due, Skinner had a good intuition. "I'll be honest with you, because you clearly know how this job goes: Every time I encounter something with 'LaCroix' in the name there are strange things going on. I even received a kick in the ass from my superior because I poked around about you, and that I'm now stumbling into you again just backs up everything." Was it frustration which seeped out of the detective? Honestly, Katherine was a bit startled by the frank speech. Or was it just a trick, trying to ask for sympathy? However Skinner threw up her arms and sat down, shaking her head.
"I just passed out, which usually happens to even the best when they get something heavy hit against their head, and I barely avoided Venus' special drink which probably would make my headache even worse. I'm fine, not dead – thank god – so sorry to disappoint you." It may have sounded a bit pissed off but Katherine was still very suspicious, even if the detective was kine she wouldn't lower her guard that easily. "I have no idea why your investigations are blocked or something, but I can understand that it is frustrating. Some things you simply can't change." The Ventrue shrugged. "And I would offer you Venus' mixture but I guess you're not drinking during duty."
"Ha, thankfully it isn't that far yet." Foreboding cliché or sarcasm? Katherine picked the latter one.
"At least you won't be encountering me in the near future. I'm planning to go back to Europe." Dropping out some unimportant bits of information would steer the topic away from the crucial ones, and wasn't this something Mercurio had suggested? Engaging in normal conversations with humans? Katherine started to observe the reactions of Skinner a bit more closely, comparing them to her own to pick out what seemed inhuman.
"Homesick?" About that question she needed to ponder a second. Perhaps in some undeniable part of her it was true, besides the ability to clean up bits of her past. Maybe Mr. Pieterzoon would even allow a certain degree of contact with her family, since after his offer Katherine had again thought about her father and brother, even Tobias. With a lot of distance from LaCroix there was perhaps the possibility of gaining back those feelings she'd had for him. It also popped up in her mind to Embrace him at some time when she could get the permission, beforehand ghouling him so he wouldn't die or age until her request was granted by the local Prince. That's why the assumption of Skinner's was half the truth and Katherine nodded. "My grandparents came from Mozambique. They often spoke about how they missed their home country and I can understand that you can't simply shake off your origins, besides you have family there I guess." Again a nod from the vampire as her cell phone rang.
"If you'll excuse me a second...yes?" Katherine expected Mercurio, but even through her cell she was able to recognise the cold voice in an instant.
"My office. Now." And LaCroix hung up. The confusion in her mind must have reached her face.
"Everything all right?" It was asked cautiously. Somehow a welcome change in-between all the faked caring of other Kindred, something Katherine had nearly forgotten. Could she have misjudged the detective? Without a doubt she was interested in her work for LaCroix but after denying her this knowledge over and over again, stressing the fact that she would not talk about it, Skinner still kept up the conversation.
"Yes, it was only my mysterious employer who wants to discuss business." She was able to clearly spot how instantly the expression in Skinner's eyes changed.
"At this time?"
"He's kind of a workaholic."
"You're working for Mr. LaCroix again and yet you want to go back to Europe?"
"Home sweet home." Oh, if she could only know.
"Giving me a knock-back again, huh?"
"Occupational disease, Detective." There Skinner busted into laughter and raised her hands in defeat.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop asking – and it's Valerie." A hand was extended towards Katherine. It surprised her, glancing at presented hand and then back to the detective.
"Uhm, Katherine. Thanks...Valerie." She grabbed the detective's hand and shook it.
"I should visit your club when I'm off duty, and you still owe me a snack before you leave the States." 'Thanks Mercurio, your advice really conjures up more difficulties.'
"If we find time for it, sure." Later she'd need to come up with a new excuse but this problem was not yet important. It made her uncomfortable that the Prince even bothered to call her personally and after his pouting yesterday it also gave her some worries, but it seemed like the surprises hadn't ended for this night as Skinner, or Valerie now, went down with her again to the exit of the Confession.
"Kat! I'm so glad you're all right." The male voice spoke in German and Katherine didn't even need to wonder whose voice it was. How could she have forgotten her former fiancé's voice so easily? However the vampire managed to hide her startled surprise, instead welcoming Tobias with a cold glare.
"What are you doing here?" Those chilly words hit him like someone splashed ice cold water in his face. The detective gladly was only able to give rotating looks between the two, foreign language be blessed.
"A...a friend of yours called me and said you were in trouble and I wanted to talk to you since you vanished so...strangely the last time we met." A friend? What the hell was going on?
"I thought I had made myself clear on that topic, and about what friend are you talking?" The hostility seemed to shake Tobias and again there was this feeling of guilt, but mercilessly Katherine shoved it aside; however it was not easy, more so with the plan of some sort in the back of her mind to come back home. Trier was not that out of reach of Amsterdam.
"Cecilia. She said you broke up with that Sebastian LaCroix guy and..." He took a deep breath, but Katherine's attention shortly slid to Valerie who again had a curious expression in her eyes as LaCroix's name was dropped. "...she said you wanted to call me, that you regret it." The Ventrue's eyes narrowed which clearly made Tobias uncomfortable. Sure, he couldn't possibly know about this side of hers but her anger was not awakened by him, but by Cecilia. How could she dare to call him! What the hell was that stupid princess thinking? It now really fit that she was on her way to the Prince. Cecilia's actions simply screamed 'endangering of the Masquerade,' however it's not like it came ill-timed. "I researched about that guy. He's not good for you. I know why you were behaving so strangely, because it's him...he...influences you."
"What the hell are you talking about? Look, you came all the way here to tell me that? Come on Tobias, I know you better. You wouldn't waste your vacancies to fly over the ocean to tell me such nonsense." The determination in Tobias' eyes again surprised her and, of course, she knew him. That was only there when he was totally convinced about something.
"I can't tell you now. Not here. I know this sounds strange but you need to listen to me. I didn't believe it either but let's go somewhere else and I'll explain, okay?" Sighing heavily, Katherine massaged her temples and shook her head.
"I can't now. I have work to do." Well it was some kind of start for the plan she had up her sleeve, but still she'd report this to the Prince and it was an opportunity to stab Cecilia somehow – wait a second! Was this actually an attempt to carry out the threat?
"It's okay. You can come to the Luckee Star Motel in Hollywood. I have a room there. It's number 2." This was outright ridiculous! How could a simple police officer afford that? It's not like she didn't know his financial status. "I'll see you there." Tobias gave her a smile and then went out the door. Even Simon gazed with a questioning look at her.
"Who was that?" Naturally, Valerie was right on it.
"Long and complicated story." At last she really sounded like she actually had a headache. "Well I'm off. Mr. LaCroix doesn't like to wait." And with a forced smile she also slipped through the door, always looking around to check that no one was following her. At least no one who was more or less visible.
"Honey, I've got the jackpot!" The happy, rough voice came out of the shadows and made Katherine nearly jump as she passed through a dark alley.
"Dammit, Imalia! Just...just stop that!" Was everyone out tonight just to stress her nerves?
"Oh come on, stop bitching, okay? I have a loooot of dirty stuff about that fat ass bitch Tawni! Listen, my plan is -"
"Sorry, I have to meet the Prince right now and if I make him wait even more, he'll mop the floor with me. Maybe later." 'Like everything else.' She was again right on her way to the tower, however Imalia kept talking.
"Oh then I'll just follow you, wait until the kitty is done with her Prince and then I'll share the news! I swear it's totally gross. I can't wait to give this material to the tabloids!" At least someone was happy this night. "I want her to suffer, so I'll keep the best for the big finale!" The Nosferatu kept talking about how gross Tawni was, how ugly and so on. The usual stuff Imalia had to spill about her self-proclaimed arch-nemesis until Katherine closed the posh doors of LaCroix's penthouse office. She really had a headache now.
As usual the Prince was sitting behind his desk – well it was a new one apparently – and was shuffling through some papers, occasionally signing one of them.
"I beg pardon for not coming faster, sir, but there were -" Right in the first sentence she wanted to tell him about what Cecilia had done, however he interrupted Katherine's speech by raising his hand, not saying a word. Instead he continued doing his paperwork and made her wait until he was done, the documents finely stacked and leaving only one in front of him.
"Come here." Uh oh. Those words were never a good sign according to her experience, but of course Katherine obeyed, stepping slowly to the desk of the Prince as he shoved the leftover document and his pen over to her. "Please sign." Actually she stopped now to count the 'What the hell' moments for this night. It probably would bust her brain. Eyes slowly reading the paper in front of her, it irritated her even more. It was a contract of labour with the LaCroix Foundation as his personal assistant, including an insanely high payment which made her cringe in pain and excitement at the same time on the inside but instead of saying it, her jaw dropped. Even more she'd get back the apartment in the penthouse!
"Well, sir...this is...very compelling but..." Somehow Beckett's words came to her mind, 'Princes don't handle rejection well', but what was LaCroix aiming for? He knew that she wanted to leave Los Angeles and now he came up with such a thing? Did he actually want her to stay?
"So, you reject my generous offer?" Of course it was way too much to expect him to simply say, 'I want you to stay.' Preposterous!
"I already accepted Mr. Pieterzoon's offer to go back to Europe, sir. Given different circumstances I'd definitely sign it." The usual LaCroix reaction was narrowed eyes, staring right into her face.
"It seems that I have to put it bluntly: This is a second chance I'm not usually willing to give, Miss Falkner, but with regard to your past services and your ability to handle topics discreetly I am offering you advancement and trust despite your treachery and recent failure. Something not many Kindred are blessed with." Blessing or curse. The line to define it was very thin in Katherine's opinion and still a part of her was extremely tempted to sign the contract, to stay near him and make him happy and her gaze rested again on the paper for a short amount of time, but then moved back to LaCroix's face.
"I feel very honoured but I won't change my mind sir. I think this is the best for both of us." Furthermore she was kind of fed up with being served the Sabbat flirtation again and again. Yes, it was a mistake she wanted to make up for but he never gave her the opportunity to do so. Then she wanted to leave and out of the blue here it was? Now that she mentioned it in her own train of thoughts: that was somehow an odd fluke and flukes didn't happen in Kindred society. Everything served a purpose. The Prince frowned, stood up and took the pen.
"Katherine..." It nearly caused her to leap backwards as his tone was soft and in addition he'd used her first name! Her mouth went dry like a desert, though the trick had slowly gotten really old but that didn't imply it had lost its impact. Quite the contrary as she could feel how he opened her hand and placed the pen in her palm, never leaving Katherine out of his gaze. "...I offer this one last time. To decline again would be an insult, besides your debt would be paid back in a short amount of time. It would be foolish not to sign it." For a second the young Ventrue resisted. Again those honeyed words full of promises he'd given her before. Did he actually think she was that stupid? However it sounded honest and wouldn't it be dumb to decline? As if her hand had a life of its own it placed her signature on the paper right next to LaCroix's, while he gave her a satisfied, smug smile. "I knew you would recognise how charitable I can be." Katherine wanted to ram the pen into that mocking face of his! That fucking French bastard had dominated her! Her grip on the pen tightened and the idea to smash it through the document came to her mind but LaCroix was faster, taking it away, out of her grasp and putting it into a safe drawer in his desk.
"Why have you done this?" Barely she was able to hold her anger and on top of that the Prince made a pouting face and chuckled softly.
"I have done nothing." Somehow his voice sounded like a scoff to her ears. "Or are you implying I dominated you? Please, you're insulting me again." 'He did it, that prissy, snobby bastard did it AGAIN!' A volcano stood now in the Prince's office, only seconds away from exploding. He was right, she couldn't prove anything! "I will inform Mr. Pieterzoon of your change of mind." Against all the anger, a voice of desperation came through telling her to go immediately to the Empire Arms, however whose word was more credible? Even more so if a certain Kindred and Prince had her signature right on a contract? Katherine would only make a fool out of herself in front of Mr. Pieterzoon. LaCroix had forced her to stay in Los Angeles. All her plans, the teachings she could've received. All gone. Teeth were driven into the lower lip, a last attempt not to explode. "You seem vaguely upset, Miss Falkner. Shouldn't you be grateful, well at least now I'm able to take care of you, besides..." His hand grabbed her chin and it sent a cold wave through her body, like a block of ice being thrown into hot magma. "...I can now thank you for that...interesting title you gave me. Le phénix rusé, wasn't it? Quite flamboyant for my taste." That was more like a knock over for her anger to be directed at. But only slightly. 'Imalia you...YOU...DAMMIT! Stinking Sewer Rat!' "But I do appreciate it." The Prince smiled at her and made a step closer, scrutinizing her shortly and brushing a finger along her jaw. "You know that I can be very generous to those who serve me well." Katherine closed her eyes, however it was not because she enjoyed his touch, no, this time it only awakened refusal. He used it to manipulate her. It was far away from any kind of generosity or affection. As if the bloated French aristocrat could show any genuine emotions. He knew about her feelings and exploited them mercilessly for his own agenda.
"Please stop it." Those words were steam, a warning that the volcano would erupt. "I don't like it when you touch me."
"Indeed?" Katherine could feel his cold breath near her lips. "Nights ago it didn't appear like that." Now he turned this against her? What the hell was he thinking, and furthermore: Who the hell did he conceive himself to be? What gave him the right to do this? Nothing! He may be the Prince but no tradition stated that she somehow had to be his little toy! Her shoulders started to tremble, hands clasping and unclasping, eyes still shut.
"Sir, stop it...please...I don't want it." Voice only a whisper, still a warning.
"You're not showing any refusal," LaCroix chuckled, amused as he slid his free hand beneath her blazer, around the waist to the small of her back, closing the gap between them. 'I hate you! I hate you! Gay, sissy, spoiled, frog-sucking bastard!' This was most certainly not the kind of affection she wanted. No! Every warning she'd let out was in vain. The realisation came as soon as the Prince's lips met hers, a breeze of a kiss, slowly turning into a storm. Her hands reached for his shoulders, gripping them tightly which made the Prince smile into the kiss. Katherine could feel it and easily saw in her mind's eye the triumphant smile, as his kiss became more demanding. It was the last drop which made her snap. To put it simply: when a woman like Katherine was touched in an inappropriate way, having worked for a long time in what was a man's domain, she needed to stand her ground. Often with words, sometimes with action and now she took action, more reflex than sane thought, delivering a blow right into the spot where it hurt the most for a man: between the legs. One would think that a Ventrue would have some kind of balls of steel, but she heard the painful gasp LaCroix let out, immediately breaking the kiss and as she opened her eyes in horror he stumbled backwards, holding his crown jewels. She'd just kicked the Prince of Los Angeles in the balls. 'God.' Anger was replaced by the sheer horror of her action. Panic corded her throat, as she gave a glimpse to the still standing Sheriff. There was only one possible – SANE – option. Katherine turned around and made a run out of the Prince's office. A run for her life to wherever her legs could carry her now and wherever that would be.
AN: You think now LaCroix's a pushover (Thanks to Vivienne for that expression)? Oh just wait for the next chapter *blinks at the title at her profile*. Actually I want to thank again Vivienne for helping in word and need, especially during this chapter. I'd want to show later why LaCroix is feared, but in case of Kat this was complicated, to say the least. Juts look at the game for christ's sake! Does he ever really punishes you? No. But that's going to change...