Chapter 5

THE HALFWAY INN

SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA

MICK ST. JOHN'S P.O.V.

I signed the registration book at the front desk. And, the night manager gave me the keys to Room 113. As I took them from him, I could smell that he was a vampire. The reverse, of course, was equally true! Which is probably why he said what he said, next.

"If you need a...special flavor...for your breakfast, I'd suggest Willy's Bar, over on Main Street. He gets all kinds of requests."

I nodded: "Good to know. Thanks!"

THE HOUSE OF LAVENDER FLAME

SAN FRANCISCO (12 HOURS LATER)

Angel opened his eyes while Cordelia was still trying to will her right hand the rest of the way to his left shoulder.

"It's all right, Cordie. I know it's after sundown."

"Oh! Good! Then, maybe you'd be so kind as to tell us what our next move might be?"

"Our next move is to visit that restaurant across the street. Where's Doyle?"

"Right here," said the mysterious Irishman as he came into the Spartanly decorated hotel room.

"So, my car's OK, then?"

"No one came near it, all night."

"Then, let's go get you two something to eat!"

The restaurant was called "The Purple Dragon." And, its headwaitress personally escorted them to a corner booth complete with beaded curtains. She then gave them each a menu before leaving to resume the reservations desk at the front door. Five minutes later, a male waiter (wearing a purple dinner jacket, with black bowtie, slacks, and shoes) came to take their order. Doyle and Cordelia decided to split a pu-pu platter. Angel, however, simply removed a gold chain from around his neck, and asked to see the owner of the restaurant.

The waiter was understandably puzzled: "Is something wrong, sir?"

"Just show this to Lee Pow IV, and tell him it's from an old friend of the family."

He held up the necklace so the waiter could get a good look at its centerpiece: a fragment of onyx set in a gold circle. With a blood-red sigil painted on top of it. And, the whole of it curiously carved to resemble a bare human foot!

The waiter's eyes bulged in shocked recognition for a second. Then, he excused himself and went to carry out Angel's request, Doyle and Cordelia looked at each other in puzzlement. But, Angel held up his right hand and shook his head. Clearly indicating that he would not be answering any questions right that second.

Lee Pow IV did not keep them waiting long.

"Where did you get this?" he bluntly demanded, in the harshest of whispers.

"A hundred years ago," replied Angel: "I saved your great-grandfather from being overthrown, as rightful head of the Scarfoot Tong. In return, he pledged me the eternal gratitude of his entire house! All I needed, back then, was passage to China for myself and three others. Yet, now? I _must_ ask another favor. Will you dishonor your great-grandfather's house, and memory, by refusing me?"

The restaurateur glowered at him. Then, he threw the necklace back at Angel (who caught it with no difficulty).

"What do you want?" asked the former.

"An audience with the Ventrue Prince of the City. Nothing more. Do that for me, and I-probably-won't bother your family for another four generations."

"I will see what I can do," replied Lee Pow IV: "But, unlike my great-grandfather, I make no promises!"

"Fair enough."

The restaurateur bowed and left.

"What is that thing?" Cordelia now asked.

"It's the Medallion of the Scarred Foot," said Angel: "Previously handed down only from father to son within the tong leader's family."

"Then, how did you wind up with it?"

"Lee Pow the Great, himself, gave it to me. After removing it from the right hand of his would-be usurper. His eldest son."

tbc