Here by my side, an angel
Here by my side, the devil
Never turn your back on me
Never turn your back on me, again
Here by my side, it’s Heaven
Here by my side, you are destruction
Here by my side, a new colour to paint the world
Never turn your back on it
Never turn your back on it, again
Here by my side, it’s Heaven
Careful, be careful
Careful, be careful
This is where the world drops off
Where the world drops off
Careful, be careful
You breathe in and you breathe out
For it ain’t so weird
How it makes you a weapon
And you give in
And you give out
For it ain’t so weird
How it makes you a weapon
Never turn your back on it
Never turn your back on it again
Careful, be careful
Here by my side, it’s HeavenArtists:
VAMPIRE Gods and Monsters by *Elengwat
Beautiful commission by Elengwat. I can’t get over how good he is at doing these big dynamic posters. He was nice enough to do one for us and it came out fantastic.
Moreau, Klein, Rachel, Donald, Aubrey, Lukas, Bellamy, Selina, Rajeed, Damon, and Sabin <3So much love for this piece <3 <3
Hey guys - work has picked up, sorry for the lack of updates. Hopefully we can pick back up soon!! The game is still going strong and we have TONS of logs to sort through and edit. I’m just trying to make them more novelized so its easier for you folks to read <3
In the meantime, check out this awesome “Cover Art” made for the campaign!
Nicolas Moreau stood out on the corner of the rainy London street. His body was drenched and the coat he wore had long since stopped doing any good: too soaked to matter anymore. He felt the cold of the downpour, perhaps more acutely than the people around him would have; yet he had no worry of cold or sickness. Occasionally he would rub his hands together, to warm himself, his heartbeat clear to his own senses. He watched the people and horses go by, his eyes paying particular attention to carriages, but none had what he was looking for.
Finally a carriage rolled by: on the corners of it, there was a symbol made of simple shapes, a circle, engulfing a square, and on the upper right edge of that circle, a triangle. Nicolas stuck his hand up for only a moment, as the carriage stopped in front of him, the door opened, a small staircase snapped out in a rather rattling fashion.
With only a small nod Nicolas stepped into the carriage, sitting across from the shorter man with the long black hair, the carriage’s only other resident. “Mr. Reinhardt?” Nicolas said respectfully, with a thick French accent.
Lukas looked up across to Nicolas his own accent was clearly German though not as thick as Nicolas’, “Yes, that is me, I assume you have delivery from your master?”
Nicolas nodded, as he pulled out a wax sealed letter from his pocket. He held it in his hand, keeping his gaze steady, knowing that if he truly wanted it, the Vampire across from him could make him bleed out of his eyes and take it. But he held faith in his Master’s words, and his own willpower in the face of adversity. Nicolas swallowed nervously, a large lump formed in his throat from the stress of it all even as he said, “The last known whereabouts of the man you are looking for.”
“Your Master is a very resourceful man,” Lukas said, his eyes following the letter, “You should be proud, ghoul.”
“I am sir,” Nicolas said, though there was a certain resentment in his eyes, one uncharacteristic of most ghouls.
“As promised,” Lukas said as he pulled out a black leather satchel, stitched like a purse, with the bottom flat, he laid it on Nicolas’ side of the carriage and then snatched the letter from Nicolas’ hands causing the ghoul to jump.
Nicolas nodded again, “Thank you,” he said while he began to stand up, only to be stopped by Lukas’ own hand.
“A reminder for you and your master, it cannot get out that I gave you this… that it was taken from the Tremere Chantry, if it does, I swear that yours and his heads will roll, if it’s my last act before final death.” Lukas said, his eyes were cold, angry, and full of power.
“We understand sir,” Nicolas said with a nod, before standing up again, and leaving the carriage. He slipped down a dark alley as Lukas’ own driver hit the reins, and his carriage began to slowly trot out of view. Thirty minutes later had Nicolas at a dark door, in Nicolasa not very reputable part of town, a dog howled in the distance as he rapped on the door with the single white stripe across it. There was shuffling inside, and after a moment the door opened.
“Dr. Klein? Master?” Nicolas spoke softly, “I brought it.” he said, presenting the bag to his Master. The man who answered, Nicolas’ Master was tall and extremely thin, with a hawk like nose and short grayed hair. He was wearing a surgeon’s smock which had several blood stains on it.
“Excellent!” Dr. Klein said, as he took the bag swiftly from Nicolas and laid it on the table, pulling out the vials of what looked like blood. “Garou blood…” Dr. Klein said with an almost awe-like quality to his voice as he held it up to the light. After a moment he looked down, counting the vials quickly, “I thought there would be more?” he said in an almost accusatory tone as he turned quickly to look at Nicolas.
“He said that was all he could take without notice Master… I assumed that you would rather have what you could get than nothing at all,” Nicolas quickly lied.
“Yes…. yes… I suppose you are right, my pet,” Dr. Klein turned back around even as Nicolas fingered the vials he had slipped into the pouch of his own smock, which hung on the coat hanger, on his way in.
Dr. Klein began to busy himself back at work, as Nicolas waited a few minutes then spoke up, “Master… you did promise that this would be the last errand you had me run for you before you would embrace me… as you promised.”
Dr. Klein suddenly looked up, with inhuman eyes, almost questioning the insolence, before he stood up, and dusted himself off, “Yes, yes I did say that,” he said almost as if mulling on it. ”Then I won’t send you on anymore errands, thus my promise is kept,” he said after a moment, a proud grin on his face and went back to work.
The rage on Nicolas’ face was evident, even as he was completely unnoticed by his Master, after a moment, he picked up a large sharp piece of wood, laying nearby, it took more willpower than Nicolas had ever known just to contemplate what he was about to do. Desperately resisting the blood bond, remind himself of the repeated abuse he had suffered at this man’s hand.
His arm struggled with itself, his whole body resisting this, even as he called on the power of his Master’s vitae in his blood, to make him stronger, and finally, in one swift motion that took more willpower than strength, he shoved the makeshift stake through his Master’s heart, spilling blood onto the work table across from him.
The job done, and his Master paralyzed, Nicolas reached into his smock and pulled out small schematics for a device meant to leach his own blood out, then if his timing was precise it would drip his Master’s blood into him at the precise moment. He would begin work on it tonight: until his own guilt, or the hunger for his Master’s blood overtook him again.
He stopped briefly to glance over the travel papers that his Master had prepared for the two of them, so that they could make their way to the island Dr. Klein had acquired through use of his Vampiric abilities, at no cost, from the English nobleman. He supposed it would be his soon enough.
Now, he had to get to work…
Sabin was starting to head home after meeting with Aubrey for lunch. They had discussed quite a bit – from her time with Donald to her apprehensions about Bellamy and the ghoul that she had found spying on them. Not to mention, on top of that, there were issues with Bellamy – he must have a mole in the complex as well, and the files Sabin had glimpsed were a real problem for her and Moreau. The fact that Moreau had left it alone until he found Aubrey – while touching – just made the threat all the more poignant.
So Aubrey had asked him to see what he could do to … help. Sabin was prepared to head home, spend the evening with Lukas, and go to Bellamy’s asylum the next day when it would be safer and Bellamy himself wouldn’t be there. But then, a few ideas hit him: if he went during the day, and if his shadows were spotted, then it would be bad. As it stood, being seen could be blamed on a Lasombra. But not if it was during the day.
In addition, files and information and computers would be much more likely to be there if Bellamy were as well.
And then finally… it was Tuesday. Lukas wouldn’t be there anyway – it was a meeting night at his Chantry. Sabin sighed.
It would have to be tonight. He continued heading home. He was being a little paranoid, perhaps, but he’d rather shift somewhere safe, and not be seen heading anywhere near in Bellamy’s direction before this.
It was a little past dark when Sabin put his plan into action. He shifted to shadow-form and slipped out of his home, making his way to Bellamy’s institute. If he had a heart in that form, it would have been beating in his chest. Despite having been here before, Sabin did not like it. Despite the fear that emanated from the halls, it did not put him at ease. This wasn’t even Aubrey and Moreau’s asylum… this was their rival, their enemy. If he were caught, somehow, he could be in serious trouble. And locked in a sanitarium was Sabin’s idea of a hell.
But he focused, thinking of the task at hand, and started to get a feel for where the guards were that patrolled the halls. It was long after dark now, and all of the patients were in their cells. Only about a half dozen men patrolled the halls at odd intervals. He could do this.
Sabin waited crouched in a spot of shadow in a corner as he heard one of the evenly measured footsteps heading down the hall. The guard was on his own. He could hear the keys jingling on his belt on his waist. And then, the clanking of his stick down the walls, riling up the patients inside the rooms, making sure they stayed awake, ensnared in their madness.
He had just passed him when Sabin sprung; darkness engulfed the ghoul guard as Sabin grabbed for the keys, slicing through his belt while wrapping shadows tightly around his neck. The man swung the nightstick wildly, but it just passed through the monster as effectively as if he had passed it through a stream of water. Finally, his movements grew slowed as the shadows tightened and finally, he slipped into unconsciousness.
The guard slumped down, and the shadow grinned down at the ghoul as he dropped him heavily onto the floor.
Now, he had to act quickly.
Sabin moved from cell to cell, unlocking them, freeing the prisoners in some cases that were restrained within their own rooms. Shrieks and screams and shouts of excitement began to fill the halls as Sabin moved, forgetting his anxiety and riding the wave of insanity and long-term fear that still resonated in the patients who might as well be prisoners in the vampire’s asylum.
Sabin didn’t count how many he had released, but the halls were becoming a cacophony of shrieks, cackles, screams, and banging and smashing. It was wonderful.
Sabin melted onto the floor, dropping the keys as pounding shoes rushed past him towards the inmates who were now rampaging through Bellamy’s asylum. Sabin appreciated the symmetry with what Aubrey had described the ghoul had done at theirs.
Now… a suitable distraction was set up, Sabin slithered towards Bellamy’s office.
He slipped inside and was delighted to see that Bellamy was not currently in. Maybe he was occupied with the fun diversion Sabin had created.
Perfect.
His eyes roamed the surroundings ; it was just as disorganized as it was last time he was there. He rose up, going to the desk and smiled. This time, there was a computer on the desk. It was one of the thin ones that folded open. He must have carried it with him and been distracted by his diversion. However, probably because Bellamy was a vampire, there were no handy glasses of water. Sabin thought for a moment before smiling wildly and grabbing the twin sabers crossed on the wall, and plunged them through the book-computer until it sparked brilliantly.
Any apprehension upon entering the asylum was gone, Sabin was reveling in the destruction, even to the point of carelessness. He turned, looking at the antique flag that was framed behind the desk. He picked up Bellamy’s chair and threw it into the frame, shattering the glass and sending papers flying everywhere. He reached in, tore the flag loose from its mounting and began to shred it.
Sabin was distracted in his mayhem that he didn’t notice as the door behind him slowly opened. He didn’t notice as Bellamy’s eyes took on a mad cast as he looked at the shadowy figure rampaging through his office with his Malkavian eyes, seeing through him, making strange connections that would have driven any sane man mad. He saw the web, didn’t grasp it all, but he knew, knew Moreau was behind this. Somehow.
The clenching of Bellamy’s teeth in fury was audible, and Sabin made a terrible mistake. He turned around.
Sabin couldn’t comprehend what hit him. Suddenly, his world felt like it was being ripped in two. Two shadowy hands went to either side of his head as he doubled over in pain and confusion, letting loose a screeching noise that emanated throughout the hospital. His mind… his HEAD… the sanity that Sabin had arduously carved out for himself over years was being torn asunder, and he felt IT, the barrier, forcibly erecting itself in his mind.
He turned, fleeing, not even really rationalizing where he was going or what he was doing. He just fled, slipping into the shadows and following his instinct as his mind tried to build his consciousness back together.
Bellamy stood, shaking with pure fury, seeing red as he surveyed the destruction in his office. He was poised at the point of frenzy. YEARS of perfect cultivation – what was madness to most was Bellamy’s perfect organization. His computer…. His flag… HIS flag. Bellamy spun to DEAL with the bedlam that was exploding through his hospital, personally.
Moreau would pay for this. Think he could pull one over on him? Think he could beat him at his own game?! He didn’t know how he had gotten that… Lasombra to do his bidding, but that was irrelevant.
But that would come later. First… Bellamy pulled one of the sabers violently out of his laptop and strode down the hall towards the mayhem.
Elsewhere, Sabin tore through the city, not even thinking of what he was doing as he moved towards Moreau’s flat. Somewhere the back of his mind knew that he was in trouble, knew that Lukas wasn’t home… knew he needed to find someone….
But as he ran, the motivation for finding someone began to twist… change… and when the shadow slipped under Moreau’s front door and resolved into a three-dimensional creature, Creante smiled widely, seeing this new world through very different eyes.
With a sickening, chittery laugh, the creature strode through the halls, waiting for the inhabitants to return…
When Aubrey and Moreau returned to his flat, they could tell something was amiss almost immediately. There was an odd… chill in the air – not from temperature, but a sense of wrongness and unease. Moreau opened the door to a darkened room, even if he had left some of the lights on. Furthermore, a distinct smell of blood was palpable in the room. Trying to flip on the switch by the door revealed that the overhead lightbulb had been broken.
However, as their eyes adjusted to the almost cloying darkness, the source of the smell became evident: Moreau’s bottles of blood had been discovered and now lay empty strewn across the floor. In huge, dripping letters slathered on the wall across from the door was painted “Welcome Home.”
Moreau tried to flip the light switch a few times, then gave up, even as his hand went to Aubrey’s own and squeeze it, as their eyes adjusted to the light and Moreau looked down at the bottles of blood.
His mind immediately went to Leyland or Bellamy, “This isn’t funny, General…” Moreau called out in the darkness, his own confidence kept his own fear low, but it was still there, the buzzing fear of a Vampire who didn’t want to see a century and a half of existence end.
Aubrey’s own fear peaked when her eyes adjusted, stepping closer to Moreau and squeezing his hand back before taking a hold of his arm as the smell hit her. Her eyes scanned over the bottles on the floor - but she audibly gasped in fear as she saw the message.
“No one’s ever called me ‘General’ before,” A chittery, spidery whisper came as an answer, seemingly from all directions. The darkness shifted. “It took you long enough to get home. I’ve been soooo bored waiting. I decided to redecorate.” Despite the taunt, there was an edge to the tone, an implied threat.
“Show yourself,” Moreau said to steel himself, though there was some hesitation in his voice. It was clear he was feeling fear, but attempting to stay brave, and certainly in front of Aubrey.
Aubrey had seen these shadow plays before - but… it couldn’t be. She kept her hold on Moreau, waiting for whatever was there to show itself… hoping that sinking feeling in her stomach wasn’t right. She had nightmares along this line, though she thought they had all been put to rest. Is this how Rayya felt?
The fear was absolutely delightful. And he had been so patient in waiting for someone to play with. They felt the presence before they saw it as the darkness of the room seemed to collect itself into a looming figure behind them. Six slitted red eyes and a maw full of sharp teeth. Aubrey had seen this once before – briefly - tearing apart a gangrel.
“Your little errand had some COMPLICATIONS.” Came a venomous whisper from behind them.
“Oh my god, Sabin…” Aubrey said as she got pulled tighter to Moreau. “What the hell…. why are you doing this… “ Complications. “Shit… Sabin what did he do to you…” she pulled away from Moreau, stepping a few paces into the room, looking around. “Did he catch you? What did he do?”
It took a step forward, the shadows on its head and back ebbing off of it in coiling tendrils. “No, I’m sorry. Sabin can’t come to the phone right now. You’ll have to settle for ME.” It snapped.
“Sabin… if this is your idea of a joke,” Moreau said as he turned around, trying to keep his voice confident and unafraid, “It’s not funny, you are scaring Aubrey.” Moreau said, squeezing Aubrey’s hand tighter as he pulled her into a closer embrace. “This is my home you’ve destroyed,” Moreau said, with all of the willpower he had.
“THIS is NOT a JOKE. And I am WELL aware of Aubrey’s DELICIOUS fear. It has been… SO long… so… VERY long.” It crooned. “What did he do? Bellamy Broke me apart… Bellamy set me free…”
“Set you free? Set what free?” Moreau asked, as he began to use his scientific curiosity to suppress his own fear. ”Whatever Bellamy did it’s only a trick,” Moreau stood tall, “Don’t fool yourself Sabin.” Even now all the possibilities ran through his head, Bellamy was clearly more skilled at using Malkov’s own abilities than Moreau.
Aubrey got closer, obviously tentative but deeply concerned for her friend. “Sabin, listen to my voice…” she said, holding an arm up to him. “Nicolas is right… it’s a trick your mind is playing on you. You know who I am… where you are, yes?”
Part of Sabin’s buried consciousness had sent him here, hoping for help. But that part was deeply buried right now. “This is no TRICK.” It snapped. “I have been… a fool. An idiot. So much of me has been BURIED for far too long. This isn’t what it was supposed to be LIKE.”
The teeth bared wider as Aubrey got closer, a warning/threat display but he didn’t lash out. ”Oh yes, I know very well who you are.” The eyes narrowed. ”But do YOU know who you are? Where you belong? Still feeling drawn in two directions yourself, aren’t you, woman? Slave to your blood.” It grinned, an incredibly eerie, chittery laugh reverberating from around them. “And you.” It rounded on Moreau. “Did you ENJOY treating me like a servant? How does it feel? To have these tables turned?”
Aubrey stopped at the teeth baring, swallowing and stepping back as her fear edged back…this was obviously not Sabin. “I know where I belong,” she said sternly. “I made my decision, and I had to fight my blood to do - but I did. I can fight against it… as can you.”
“You do not know anything.” It snapped to Aubrey. “You feel what you have been told to feel. Even now. You are a toy. A Puppet! You are being controlled by one or the other. You might listen to pretty words, but you have no say in the matter. You might delude yourself into saying this is what you want, but that is only because if you did not want this, you would be stuck here Anyway! So compliance is a nicer fantasy.”
“No,” she said sternly. “I am not compliant. I know where I am. And why - you can’t persuade my otherwise.” Her eyes darted back to Moreau, the confidence in her voice wavering as all of Moreau’s confessions from a few days ago. “I am not a toy.”
“Did you not tell me how much you ENJOYED Donald’s company? How much your body ached for his touch? How… even now… you hear bikes pass and wonder… perhaps… HOPE that it is him?” It knew exactly what it was saying. It had been so long since Creante had had fun like this, seeing what its words could do to tear apart the delicate balance of social interactions. How its words alone could have such an effect. And to boot… There was so much fun with issues of control in this one… and that was his forte’. “You are just a chess piece – no… not EVEN that. A toy to be traded among the vampires.
Moreau shot Aubrey an angry look, but only for a fraction of a moment, he knew he couldn’t afford distractions; he would deal with her later.
Crenate didn’t want to dwell on why it was that the thought of violence, that had seemed so appealing as he lay in wait – his welcoming scenario all painted out for them, now tasted off to him. He didn’t want to dwell on why there was still that niggling restraint that was stopping him from biting or clawing at the pair – to make them feel the physical pain to match the emotional one he was beginning to serve up.
But still… Life had become so complicated recently – tied up in all of Sabin’s intricacies – knowledge and interactions and all of that mess. Emotional companionship. PAIN. GUILT. Once upon a time, Creante had willingly worked towards the merging. Would he have tried so hard if he had realized that how much of himself would have been suppressed and subverted in the process? He had grown bored with simple once. Now, he was remembering just how delightful the simple pleasures of existence could be. Just… doing what it was he was meant to do. “You hunger for his approval… the merest hint of his ire tears you apart. Is this the woman you pictured yourself becoming, Aubrey?” It pressed, eyes dancing. “Addicted to blood… seeing your future reflection in the shambling forms of mad ghouls. Torn away from every aspect of your life before this. Best case… a monster like the rest. Are you a monster, Aubrey? Do you wish to kill and feed? Do you… enjoy the harm that you cause others when you tear them apart while they still breathe? While their heart still beats?”
“I’m more than what I ever thought I’d become,” she seethed, refusing to let his words tear her down - at least in front of him, for now. In reality they were piercing through her; bringing up little fears and uncertainties that she had suppressed. It would be fairly obvious to the creature that her words were stronger than her conviction.
“Who says the tables have turned?” Moreau said, as he attempted to stare down the creature that was Sabin, “So if you aren’t Sabin then who are you?” he asked, attempting to garner more information was the best way to keep his mind distracted, though he took some small comfort in the fact that if Bellamy could affect Sabin, hopefully he could too.
Hopefully… he thought as a moment of ice cold chills ran down his spine.
It snarled again as Moreau stood up to it. “Call me… Creante.” There was mirth in its six eyes. “You may speak brave words, but I can TASTE you fear, ‘doctor’.”
“Creante… fear,” Moreau said, answering just that question might have tipped Moreau off more than perhaps ‘Creante’ had intended to. His mind was working as fast as it was capable of to find a solution to this, though so far the creature hadn’t physically harmed either of them, still all it took was a thought of Rayya to feel a shudder again. Moreau decided it was time to test his first theory, as he summoned up his impressive willpower, and choosing Sabin’s middle set of eyes to stare directly at and said with a supernatural force just one word, “Back.”
The anju turned its eyes on Moreau as it spoke his name, smiling in satisfaction. However, the pleasure turned to ire as with Moreau’s command, it flowed backwards several ‘paces’ worth. “FOOL!” It snapped, its ire obviously ignited at the command. “You think you can control ME!?”
Moreau grinned confidently, “I think I just did.” he took another step forward now, though he kept his hand locked with Aubrey’s. “That’s just the start,” Moreau bluffed, “You think that Bellamy did a number on you, you have no idea what I can do, what I am capable of.”
Creante snapped at Moreau again, furious. It didn’t know what he was capable of. But he wasn’t going to back down, just yet. From behind him, Moreau’s own shadow rose off of the floor and seized his wrists. “My kind and I have been around for millennia before your little book was ever written. You should have stayed on that little island playing god with your animals. Do not tamper with forces beyond you ken.”
“No!” she screamed as Moreau’s hands were bound, forcing her hand away from his. “Let him go!!” she screamed, taking several strides towards him.
“On my island… I was worshipped as God,” Moreau said as he only allowed himself to be distracted by the restraints for a short while. “What kind of power do you think that took? Plus I never said that Wells got it… right.” Moreau smiled darkly as the confidence inside him welled up, though this little trick… was near the extent of what he’d be able to do. “I don’t need my hands ‘Creante’. I don’t need them at all.” Moreau spoke again, the sound of his voice again unmistakable as it ran down through Sabin, though to Aubrey the voice sounded no different
All he said with this commanding power, was “Drop.”
The shadows gripping Moreau’s hand released him, and Creante looked irritated, its head shaking in a very human-like manner. “I could tear you apart if I wanted.” It snarled at him, not realizing at the moment that by saying so diminished his threat – revealed that he did not intend on doing so. “If I had wanted you to squirm, wanted you dead, then you would have been in ribbons before I even showed myself.” It hissed. “And you are still playing God here even now, aren’t you? Even now, you can tell you little ghoul that you mind controlled her from the get-go. That you stirred her feelings, played with her before you even made her yours. And I bet that you delight in the fact that she still follows you around like a slave. Even knowing that her feelings for you were created, manufactured by you.”
“Perhaps you could have, once… but the fact that you didn’t shows that you aren’t as powerful… or as in control as you think,” Moreau kept his cool, and continued to grow in annoying confidence, and lack of fear. ”Which is it… Creante? Sabin?”
The creature looked to Aubrey as she approached him. “Aubrey Aubrey Aubrey… can you really believe that what you feel is real? Even after Donald abused you… raped you… you still can not wish him harm. I even implied that and you grew furious with me. Your body still aches for him. You still feel GUILTY at the thought of being with the man that you delude yourself into thinking that you truly love.”
Moreau looked over at Aubrey for only a brief moment., “You toy with her… because you are now truly afraid of me.” Moreau knew he was completely bluffing, but if he could convince Sabin it was true. He hoped goading it and shaking it’s confidence was the best way to resolve this. Moreau’s hand still gripped Aubrey but with each revealing fact his grip had grown looser and looser on her hand.
“Frightened?? Of you??!” The creature let loose a sickening laugh again. “Do not mistake my CHARITY for weakness!” This time, its claws lashed out, but deliberately, intentionally, coming millimeters short of Moreau’s flesh, tearing through his shirt.
Moreau had succeeded in one thing, drawing Creante’s attention almost entirely on him. His toying with Aubrey was becoming increasingly less interesting as this man boldly challenged his power, his control.
That is… until Aubrey’s voice cut deep.
“That’s not my fault,” she hissed. “And you’re a hypocrite. At least Moreau was honest with me. You won’t even ask Lukas if he blood bonded you because you’re not ready to hear the truth. I know the truth and I love him despite it.”
The shadows that were rolling off of its head and back began to whip around, its anger evident. “Lukas does NOT CONTROL ME!” It screeched. She had obviously hit a nerve.
When Moreau noticed that mention of Lukas had hit a nerve he decided to “Of course he controls you… just like I’m controlling you right now,” Moreau grinned, “That’s what we Vampires do… we plot… we wait… and we control. We tell you where to go, where to live, who to kill for us… when you surface. We have thousands of years of experience controlling,” Moreau stepped back, closer to Aubrey, “We control you Creante. You are puppet of the Camarilla.” Moreau spoke clearly, keeping his attention focused on Creante.
Creante did not like that he was losing the upper hand in this exchange. He did NOT like what he was hearing at all. “You are mortals given a taste of immortality.” It hissed. “You keep playing with forces bigger than you and it will come back to BITE you.” It snapped its jaws for emphasis.
But the words were sinking in, its ire was being redirected. Lukas. Sabin had already been apprehensive about the control that his dark-haired lover might have ensnared him in. And Aubrey’s words were true – Sabin HAD been afraid, unprepared to ask. He HAD been told where to go, where to live, who to kill. Its hands went to the sides of its head – pantomiming a very human gesture of aggravation and frustration – before throwing them back down by its sides and leaning forward, gnashing its teeth in Moreau’s face.
“I make my own decisions. I choose who to kill. You should be thankful that there is enough of HIM still clinging to my coattails even now… this has nothing to do with YOU, nothing to do with Lukas.”
Aubrey screwed up her courage and bolted in front of Creante, putting herself between the monster and her master as he got dangerously close.
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that Creante,” Moreau said as he nodded at Aubrey in front of him, his own eyes leading Creante down to look at her, willing to sacrifice her life for her Master. “You are a simple, single minded monster,” Moreau wrapped his arms around Aubrey, “We are the children of Caine, and the true owners of this world.” Moreau was perhaps overstating… actually he knew he was, but he kept his cool.
Its lip curled again as it looked down disdainfully at Aubrey. “Even now you master tugs your puppet-strings.” It mocked towards Aubrey. “See how willing he is, even now, to let you throw your life away for him. Just like Leland” Its eyes danced. Sabin had talked at length with Aubrey – and all of those memories were a part of Creante.
But Creante was getting restless. This was NOT going as it had intended. The enjoyment of this game was dying as they began to poke at very vulnerable points in its psyche. He took that parting shot that he gave Aubrey as a winning while he was ahead.
Creante generally didn’t resort to using his fear-gaze. It was a cheap trick – he prided himself in causing fear – genuine fear, crawling doubts and dissent through manipulation and other displays. But Moreau was aggravating him, pushing his buttons and commanding him. If Creante left, redirected his attention elsewhere, if he left, it would be on his terms.
“Then, Childe of Caine… See the power of fear itself.” It hissed back at Moreau, and opened up his essence, the very nature of fear through his eyes and into Moreau. While perhaps reminiscent of the tricks that some vampires used, it was deeper, older, raw. Something elemental and otherworldly that bore into Moreau’s psyche.
And with that, the shadow moved as if blown by wind, retreating.
Moreau felt the terror overwhelm him as Creante slinked off, he slumped down to the ground and drew his legs up to his chest and held them there, as a Vampire… Moreau believed he had long since left human ‘fear’ behind him. But now, it felt as though he was swimming in it, stirring up nightmarish memories of his own, “I’m sorry Master..” he whispered, “Oh God he might come back for me.” he murmured as the emotions and memories ran wild within him.
Aubrey jerked, eyes wide as Creante slipped off. He can’t get away - he’s dangerous. But the move she was going to make after him was stalled as Moreau inexplicably fell behind her. “Nicolas!”’ she cried, spinning around and dropping to her knees beside him. She placed her hands on his face, making him look her in her eyes. She was relieved he seemed okay physically, but she knew something was very off. “Master…” she whispered to him, thumbs stroking his cheeks. “Get a hold of yourself… he’s gone. It was just a trick…”
“Aubrey?” Moreau said softly, his eyes wide and bloodshot… her calling him Master having distracted him for but the most fleeting of moments before the pure terror gripped him again. “No! Not gone! Buried! Buried Deep!” Moreau croaked, the Malkavian Blood not playing nice with Sabin’s powers of fear. He was now in the throes of a full blown psychotic episode.
”Oh god what if you turn on me too… bury me deep.” Moreau said as he pulled away from Aubrey and into a corner, “Don’t bury me Aubrey.” he whispered his eyes full of fear of her now.
Aubrey swallowed, mind searching for what to say. But her eyes went wide as he threw out his wild, fear-induced accusations. She reached for him as he pulled away, shuffling to the corner. She looked heartbroken, seeing him like this. She approached him slowly, trying to look non threatening, pain in her eyes. “Bury you..?” She knelt down close to him, trying to reach for his arm. “Nicolas… Master…” she said softly. “I would never, ever…”
Moreau pulled his arm away, “No… no can’t trust anyone… can’t turn my back… all it takes is turning my back.” Moreau said in a panicked scream. “Get away!” he said in response to her, “Keep back…” he murmured, “Can’t turn my back…” his voice said lower in pitch, speaking to himself again now.
Aubrey flinched as he rejected her advance. “You can trust me, Master,” she whispered to him, trying to be comforting. Her eyes darted around for a minute before she got up and scuffled into the kitchen. She was back just a moment later, a glass being carried by her mouth and she held her right hand over her left wrist. She knelt back beside him, grabbing the glass with a shaking hand and held her wrist over it which she had obviously cut while in the kitchen. “Drink, you’ll feel better…” she said, holding out the glass towards him with her wrist still pouring into it.
Moreau took the glass in an unsteady hand, even though he continued to flinch anytime Aubrey tried to touch him, apparently what Moreau feared most of all… on some deep sub-conscience level, was her. But he did take the glass and slowly slip on it, huddled in the corner for the next several hours.
Aubrey had to blink back tears at his obvious discomfort. As much as he seemed terrified of her she didn’t intend to leave him alone in this state, but she gave him some space. Eventually she would have crawled up on the couch, watching him carefully, the pain evident in her eyes. The only comfort to herself was that she knew, in a way, how it felt - to have your deepest, darkest emotions pulled from your soul and have them mirrored back at you. If whatever Sabin did to him was in a similar vein to what Leyland had done to her.. he would eventually be back his normal self - but you can’t unsee or unfeel the emotions wrenched from you.
It’s amazing how much people lie to themselves, sometimes. To cope. To move on.
After about five hours of time had passed would Moreau even look at her and murmur, “Thank you Aubrey,” even as he’d still have no interest in her getting near him… but he would seem more and more stable as the evening passed, until he fell asleep in the corner, just as the sun was cresting outside.
“You’re welcome, Master,” she would have said back with a sad, but hopeful smile when he finally addressed her. She made no motion to get off the coach - he needed his time and he would come to her when he was ready. She saw his body drift off into the supernatural slumber that meant morning was eminent. And she wouldn’t be able to easily wake him. She pulled herself off the coach and went about cleaning the flat to the best of her ability - not disturbing him from his place in the corner.
Aubrey returned from her supper with Sabin, agitated and generally not happy with many things that weren’t falling into place. She tried to get some work done while she waited for Moreau to rise, but she was heavily distracted with worries about Bellamy’s plans and where Jimmy fit in. Sabin also knew about the things Moreau and Aubrey do behind closed doors - and not the fun sexy stuff.
On top of all that…
Aubrey frowned as she chewed the end of her pen, wondering if, or when, Donald might come back into the picture.
It wasn’t too long after that Moreau woke up and went out to see Aubrey, he saw the concerned look on her face, “I assume you interrogated the ghoul?”
Aubrey closed her laptop and stood up as he came in. ”Yes…” she said, looking concerned. ”Well, its no question he’s a ghoul all right. But he’s not Bellamy’s - that’s what has me concerned. Did you meet a Kindred at the last gala named Jimmy? Tattoo artist, looks like a hippie? Well… yeah. Jimmy is Bryant’s Master.” She crossed her arms. ”He’s still at the hospital right now, but he’ll need blood soon. I didn’t know if he should let him go back to Jimmy or… if you wanted to just collect him for yourself.”
Moreau sat and mulled for a moment on this, “My first instinct is to ‘collect’ him, though that topic is feeling very… sensitive at the moment.” Moreau wasn’t quite sure he was prepared for his own ghoul stealing especially considering recent circumstances. “Perhaps we should ‘talk’ to this Jimmy,” Moreau said after a moment, “And find out how much he knows.”
Aubrey nodded, completely understanding where he was coming from; though to be honest she really was surprised he was so empathetic. “There’s…more….” she said with a sigh. ”For one, I don’t think Bryant is the only mole. Sabin said he found pictures of my parthenogenesis lab, which …. hasn’t been up and running since Leyland destroyed it. Sabin seems to think it could have been Leyland who took the pics, with a wi-fi enabled camera…but one wasn’t found on his body…” She pulled out a folded piece of paper from her purse, handing it to Moreau. “Speaking of Leyland…” It was like a random note - messy cutouts from magazine and newspaper that spelled out, I’m not as dead as you may think — Floomy
“Bryant said he got this from some punks in the parking lot from some guy who looked… burned.”Moreau looked down at the note, resisting an urge to crumple it, “He’s dead… this must be some trick of Bellamy, maybe part of his larger plan.” Still, Moreau was clearly somewhat disturbed by the letter, “Besides… Abel Floomy wasn’t even his real name. I don’t even know if he’d have the mental cognizance to write this,” Moreau said, continuing to speak to comfort himself.
“I… don’t know what happened to the body. But… I’m prone to believe that he was dead. Really dead. Unless…” She wrung her hands together. ”How long can you be dead before being embraced? You don’t think that’s possible, do you? The kids did say he was out at night.”
“No, you can’t, there is a very small… very precise window for the Embrace,” Moreau taped his fingers together ”Though the Tremere have been said to be able to do many things with the dead, but not Vampirism or Ghouling. Next time we use an incinerator,” Moreau said with a growl.
She rolled her shoulders. ”I asked Sabin to poke around more, see if he could find out anything else.”
“Ah, and Sabin again,” Moreau looked a bit… off at the mention of him, “Atleast you are putting him to good use.”
Aubrey frowned at his reaction to mentioning Sabin. ”The more information we have the better.” She reached out for his hand. ”We should talk to Jimmy before Bryant does. I want to know what his involvement is… he seemed like a nice guy.”
“Didn’t Sabin think that Donald was a… nice… guy?” Moreau said, clearly watching for reaction.
Aubrey’s face fell. ”Well. Sabin doesn’t think so anymore,” she said, crossing her arms, purposefully leaving off her personal opinions about the situation. ”But I get your point. What do you think the best way to approach him is?”
“Find a way to shake him up a little, confront him at his job?” Moreau smirked, “So we have the upper hand, but not the ill will that dragging him in here might cause. I’d also like you to talk to Sabin… about his little fact finding mission, and expanding it a bit,” Moreau grinned, “Word has come to me… that Dr. Melvin Bellamy has been… a bit paranoid regarding the possibility of a Lasombra. I’d like Sabin to make sure he’s noticed, to shake him up,” Moreau grinned, “Let’s see if that can distract him from whatever he has on us.”“I think I have that covered already,” she said with a grin.
“Look at you,” Moreau said with a smirk, as he leaned over to kiss Aubrey, wrapping arms around her, hoping this time atleast, she wouldn’t stiffen up.
Aubrey smiled into the kiss, holding his face as she returned. But, after a few moments, broke the kiss, her hands dropping down to his arms. “We have a lot to do…” she said, guiltily darting her eyes.
“I suppose we do,” Moreau stood up, though his eyes showed an annoyance that was growing more and more common. He had gotten Aubrey back, but not really, he didn’t want to blame her, but there was part of him that was wishing she could be… stronger. Moreau slipped on his jacket and then grabbed the keys to his car, “Coming?” he said, trying hard to suppress his current attitude.
“Of course,” she said, retrieving her own jacket. She gave him a sad smile and squeezed his hand before they headed out. Aubrey was annoyed with herself as Moreau was. But, she tried to comfort herself, it wasn’t just Donald. Bellamy’s plans were terrifying her,and as much as she tried to believe Leyland was dead and gone, she didn’t like what she was seeing.
And Jimmy… well that was just another mysterious knot in his tangled mess.
It was nearing midnight when they arrived, a tall, thin man accompanied by a tall voluptuous woman. Jimmy recognized the man as Kindred immediately, but it took him a moment to recognize the woman as the ghoul he’d met at the Prince’s ball. It was obvious there were not here for tattoos.
Jimmy tried his best to hide his discomfort as he pulled the cord that turned off the glowing neon ‘Open’ sign. “Hey miss Doctor, good to see you again. Hey man, I don’t think I’ve met you, I’m Jimmy.” He offered his hand.
“Dr. Moreau,” Moreau said as his eyes narrowed, he didn’t accept the hand though did look down at it long enough to acknowledge it so it was clear that he was ignoring it intentionally. “But I’m sure you know all about me by now…” Moreau gave a wicked smirk.
Aubrey nodded her acknowledgment to Jimmy, but she didn’t smile. She stayed silently by Moreau for the time being, but her arms did cross when Moreau made his veiled assertion. She looked to Moreau, waiting for him to speak.
“Ah, the man in the news a few months ago.” Jimmy shrugged and pulled his unshaken hand back, he lounged back against the counter. “I’ve heard your name a few times. What can I do for you doctors?”
“Well it seems we found something… belongs to you,” Moreau said cryptically as his eyes stared cooly at Jimmy’s. Moreau was certainly an older Vampire, though he’d certainly had a renaissance of his feelings recently, he still knew how to be stone cold. The effect was unnerving.
Jimmy did his best to ignore the man’s eyes, reminding himself that bully’s don’t change how the act between kindergarten and adulthood. He forced himself to crack a smile. “Well it sure was kind of you to come in yourself, man, but I don’t know that I’ve lost anything of importance recently. Whadja find?”
Moreau gave a small sigh, “Don’t attempt to play dumb with us Jimmy.” Moreau’s glare was evident, even as it was clear the older Vampire did not fear Jimmy as any serious threat. “Actually, it was my lovely ghoul Aubrey who… found what you lost. Go ahead Aubrey, you have my permission to speak freely,” Moreau said with a grin even as he stepped back a bit.
Aubrey looked over to Moreau with a nod before turning her gaze on Jimmy. ”We know there’s been a mole, or moles, in our facilities. One of them is Matthew Bryant. He told me you were his Master. So we want to know why.”
Jimmy allowed a quick look of concern to cross his face as he spoke. “I hope you didn’t kill the poor bastard, he’s really just a boyscout in an adult’s body. And also, I keep telling him that I’m not his ‘master’. Poor kid showed up here in a hunger frenzy the night after your institution was on the news, he was pretty much crazy. Some whacked out patient force-fed him a dose of some kind of fucked up vitae. I didn’t want to kill the kid, so I’ve been giving him just enough vitae to keep his sanity.”
He looked back and forth between the pair. “As for a mole, he gave me a camera that was in his pocket the night he wandered in. The pictures are all too blurry to make out, but I haven’t deleted them or pawned the camera yet. Aside from that I told him to stick to performing well at his job and be completely honest if anyone finds out who he is. So what do you want to know from me?”
Moreau looked unconvinced, “You expect me to believe you have a ghoul spying for you and you’ve done nothing with the information he’s gathered. “Are you working with Dr. Bellamy?” Dr. Moreau asked seriously. Dr. Bellamy, Jimmy would know was the Malkavian primogen, the clan leader in this city.
Jimmy looked the older man in the eye, using everything he had to not flinch or shrink away. “Look man, I’m not expecting you to believe anything. I work for Selina, as a tattoo artist, and I have no interaction with Bellamy at all. The camera, however, does report to Bellamy.” He kept talking as he walked around the counter and ducked underneath it for a moment. “Honestly, I considered using my lil’ Dudester to try and gather some info. My first thought was to call Rachel, she’s all kinds of power hungry and would love a piece of this. My second thought was to tell Selina. I didn’t tell either because, well, because I wasn’t a political person when I was alive, and I haven’t gotten any better with politics now that I’m dead.”
He stood back up and displayed the camera, glad he’d copied the photos to his own computer and network storage already. “Honestly, I wouldn’t know what to do with any of this information if I understood it, and if I tell any of the big dogs what I’ve found, they’ll want to use me. I hate being used.” Walking around the counter again he resumed his reclining position and held the camera out. “Miss Doctor, it’s all yours.”
Arching an eyebrow at the two he risked a gambit. “Just out of curiosity, did you nab my man the Dudester before or after the package from the crazy man arrived? I called him and warned him to expect it.”
“Warned him to expect it?” Moreau said raising an eyebrow, “What do you mean? What do you know?” Moreau did look somewhere between concerned and relief, he wanted to know that the situation with Leland was a mere prank.
Aubrey held tight to the camera. She knew whatever was on it would have copies and transmitted by now, but at least maybe she could get visual confirmation about exactly what evidence Bellamy had; and if it was Leyland who took the pictures of her secret laboratory and Purity Control experiments. “Crazy man?” Aubrey perked, definitely wanting to know what Jimmy had to do with ‘Flommy’
“I was taking out a bag of trash and saw a scuffle a few doors down.” Jimmy pulled himself up onto the counter and hunched forward. “A crazy dude had a couple of skater punks pinned to the wall behind the liquor store. He gave them an envelope and told them to go to your institution, fuck up somebody’s car, I don’t know who’s, deliver that envelope, and tell them it was from Flommy. Weird name for a weird dude.”
Jimmy paused for a second. “When they had run off and the crazy Flommy dude was gone, I called my man and told him to expect those kids to be showing up to cause some property damage.”
Moreau was inclined to suspect and question, but not automatically disbelieve the cleverly quick lies that Jimmy was spouting off, he tapped his chin in and concern but then looked to Aubrey to see what she thought. Moreau still was under the impression that it was not Leland, he had confirmed that death himself… but perhaps Dr. Bellamy had another stooge.
Aubrey’s expression made it clear she wasn’t believing a word he was saying. ”So, you just stumbled into this all by accident? Bryant just happened to wander into your tattoo parlor AND you just happened upon ‘Floomy’ when you were taking out the trash?”
She shook her head. “Even if that was true, there’s no way. Dr. Bellamy then is using you, whether you know it or not.”
She looked back over to Moreau. ”But still. Floomy wasn’t his real name and he knew we knew that. And Dr. Bellamy’s little joke doesn’t make sense without the first name.” She leveled her gaze back on Jimmy.
The hippie looking man looked straight at Aubrey. “Yes, miss Doctor, the Dudester just happened to wander into my shop. He could smell me. I think he’s just damn lucky he smelled me instead of some vampire who has ambitions on whatever the hell you guys are doing in there. And yes, I just happened upon someone who called himself “Floomy” beating up a couple of punks outside my shop. But, if you think I’m being used… well, I already said I hate being used.”
Jimmy paused, thinking. “This doesn’t even make sense, I’m too out of the loop. The only thing I’m doing that any random human couldn’t do is giving vitae to a scared man who was about to go all Angry Hulk in public with some fucked up blood in his system.” Jimmy paused again, still thinking. “He’s very clear on the thought that the blood he was force-fed came from your lab, not from the patient.”
“You think the Dudester was sent here because Bellamy knew I’d put him back in rotation, and then the Floomy thing was staged so I’d see it? That doesn’t make sense, if I hadn’t seen it or hadn’t reported it, the only thing that might, I repeat, might, have gone differently, is that somebody’s car might have gotten jacked up before security caught the punks.”
Jimmy stared, waiting for one of them to respond.
“Gah!” Moreau said hitting the wall, “You are useless…” the anger in his eyes was fairly evident. “You said that he was stark raving mad when he came into your shop?” Moreau asked, getting further clarification.
Aubrey placed a steadying hand on Moreau’s arm. “Where ever Bryant got the original vitae is irrelevant,” Aubrey said, knowing that admitting she had stored vitae somewhere was a bad enough offense on its own. “But however he got to you you made him yours. And he’s been gathering information - why? If you’re so out of the loop why didn’t you…handle him. Or contact us yourself?”
“Honestly…” the artist mused, “I thought y’all’d kill him or use him for tests. The man survived an attack that forced him to face a part of the world most don’t see, he got himself infected by something from your lab. Would you have let him just continue to live like a normal guy?”
He sighed. “When I first learned that we exist, all I wanted to do was stop knowing it. I guess it’s too much to hope that he’ll close his eyes and pretend he doesn’t know it either. When he asks me what to do… I tell him to enjoy being alive, to love his family, and do really well at work, all the things I wanted. But… I see you’re right, he’s not like me and he wants more.”
Jimmy looked back and forth between them. “I’ll give him some tasks to make him feel useful, to harness his ambition. Since I’m so out of the loop, why don’t you give me an idea? I’ll set him at something that will be useful for you… just, let’s not pick something that’ll get the boyscout killed.”
Moreau tapped his chin for a moment, “Fine. He’s clearly got experience in security with us… and I believe I saw Dr. Bellamy was hiring some new security staff, I think he’s getting paranoid. He certainly can’t continue to work for us. I refuse to have a spy in my hospitals… but if you are sincere,” Moreau grinned, “I think we can arrange for him to get on with Dr. Bellamy’s office. It might take a bit of background doctoring. He’ll have work… be able to feed his family, and be in the perfect place to feed you, and thus us information. It’s a win win for everyone. And he can get to the bottom of this Flommy business,” Moreau said, looking to Aubrey for her input.
Aubrey looked unconvinced. ”A lot of background doctoring…” she murmured. She gave a critical look over to Jimmy. ”I’m still concerned about Leyland. Is there a way we can confirm he’s really… gone. I know what you told me about the embrace, but Dr. Bellamy…” she rolled her shoulders. ”I don’t think he would exactly be the first ever to experiment with that kind of thing.” She gave Moreau a pointed look. “Its just a puzzle piece I can’t get to fit.”
Jimmy hopped off the counter and pulled the cord on the door, re-illuminating the ‘Open’ sign.
“Well cool.” He said. “That takes care of everything. The dudeling will probably come here in a panic after you let him out of whatever cell he’s cooling his heels in now, and I’ll let him know about our arrangement. He’ll be out of your facility, you can hunt down your real spy, and you’ll get him established at Bellamy’s place.
“Doctor, doctor,” He looked between them again. “You’ve both been delightfully pleasant and charming.”
He turned his gaze to Moreau, “I’m glad you’re putting your super healing abilities to some good work keeping that ulcer under control.” He turned his head toward Lockhart. “But you, you should really chill out or that pretty hair will be gray within a year. Gotta remember your stress won’t heal itself like his will.” He moved back behind the counter and flipped open his sketchpad. “Have fun with all the cloak and dagger games, kids.” He didn’t look back up as he returned to the sketch he’d been working on before they came in.
For Aubrey, Finding Matthew Bryant was almost comically easy. As a matter of fact, when she returned to Laurel Heights the next day intent on finding him, she hadn’t been in her office for more than a few minutes when there was a knock at her door. It was Matthew himself, looking a little uncomfortable, and holding some sort of letter by his side.
“D… Doctor Lockheart?” He asked with a wincing smile when she opened the door. “I… hope I’m not bothering you – welcome back, by the way – But I l…. uhm… found this note. I think it’s meant for you.” He gestured to the slip of paper in his hand.
Aubrey was surprised at seeing Matt coming to find her. She raised a suspicious eyebrow and stepped away from the door. ”Come in,” she said, motioning in her office. She took the note from his hands, and opened it before addressing him.
“Thank you but that’s really all…” He started to say, but then realized that her request was more of a statement. He took his hat off and stepped into her office, not taking a seat but just standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.
Aubrey opened the envelope to a rather chilling sight. Spelled out in letters cut and glued from a magazine was the following message:
“I’m not so dead as you’d like to think. Be ready. -Flommy”
Matt noticed Aubrey’s jaw clench,and some of the color drain from her face. She looked starkly back up at him. ”Where did you get this?” she demanded, waving it in his face.
Matt swallowed, already nervous but now more so. “Th… there were these punks in the parking garage. Skateboarding, graffiti… I stopped them, but they had this message. They said… they said he gave it to them.”
“Who? What did they say he looked like? When, exactly.” She stepped up, leveling her gaze at him - and it didn’t look quite like she believed him.
Matt shook his head, looking frightened. “IT… it was really early this morning. Before dawn. They… they scrammed pretty quick, but said his face and hands were all messed up – scarred or burned or somethin’.”
Aubrey shook her head, crumbling the note in her hands. ”I don’t think you’ve been completely honest with us here at MMG, Mr. Bryant,” she said, obviously upset by this information. ”Take a seat.” She went around to her side of the desk and flattened the paper back… taking a breath to calm herself.
This was… complicated. If Leyland was still alive.. either a ghoul’s healing ability was much better than even she thought. Of… could it have been possible that Leyland’s body got back to Bellamy? Could… he have possibly been embraced?
“Now, I’m sure you remember the confidentiality agreement you signed when we employed you, yes?” She sat down and rested her chin on her laced hands. ”Anything you want to… talk about?”
Bryant swallowed, obviously anxious. He looked in either direction before, lacking any other ideas, slipping down into the seat she offered. “Dr. Lockheart, I’m sorry… You… must be mistaken!” He started with a nervous grin. “And… of course I remember that.” His eyes darted to the side. This was bad. This was very bad. He had been so careful! He… thought he had at least. “N… no, Doctor. I’m just happy to be a part of MMG. You know how bad the economy is right now.”
Aubrey clicked some keys on her computer. ”Mmmm…yes. And with three kids. That would be tough.”
“Y… yes, Ma’am.” He continued nervously. “Little Kevin… he’s turning two in just a few weeks…” He said, deliberately trying to rack up some sympathy points.
She looked back over to him. “Talk about your job a lot, Mr. Bryant? Or… perhaps moonlighting at another hospital?”
“I’ve been keeping up with the changes in security routines, the increased demands.” He started to explain. “But no – I’ve not been workin anywhere else! And… my family really doesn’t care to know much about what I do here.”
Aubrey reached in her pocket and pulled out a vial, about 1/3 full, of blood. She help it up, her elbow propped on the desk… just to see what his reaction was. Moreau had mentioned to her that Sabin did not act right in the presence of vitae. Popped the lid off with her thumb, incase the smell mattered. It was fresh, from Moreau, form her supply she used to feed the ghouls… though now knew to keep it on her person.
Immediately, she saw a reaction from Matthew. His nervous demeanor of squirming in the chair under her questioning changed into a rather intense staring at the vial. Aubrey could smell the vitae within when she popped the lid off, and it was obvious that Matt could as well. His eyes widened, looking from her to the vial and back, subconsciously whetting his lips. He fidgeted, looking unsure what to do – but the desire was plain in his expression. However, Aubrey would know that if he had not been being fed regularly, he probably wouldn’t have been able to remain seated.
She grinned. ”You know what this is, don’t you Bryant?”
“N… no..” He lied terribly, his eyes not moving from the vial of crimson liquid. He sat up straighter as she moved closer, his arm jittering as he wanted very much to reach out and snatch it… taste it…
She stood up and walked over him, still holding the viate out as a tease, but making sure he couldn’t grab it. “Who gives it to you, Bryant. Let’s be honest with each other here.”
“No one… I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He hardened for a split moment. “This is that… bl – chemical that was in your laboratory… I’m.. I’m sure you know more about it than I do.”
She slipped it back into her pocket with a disappointed shake of her head. ”That was months ago, Bryant,” she said, walking up to him, standing behind him where he was seated in his chair. ”So yes, I know a lot about. Like, for example, the effects of withdrawal.” She placed a hand on his shoulder.
He straightened, trying to crane his neck to look back at her. He knew it was in her pocket. “I… don’t know what you’re talking about, Doctor Lockheart.” He repeated, but didn’t sound convincing at all. “Withdrawal…? From blood? Heh… that’s… that’s crazy.”
“Now who said it was blood? I didn’t say it was blood…” she said with a frown. She came back so he could see her better. ”But I know if you had gone very long with it, you wouldn’t be able to sit still right now. Even less so than you’re doing now.”
Matthew went slack-jawed as he realized his mistake. Then he shook his head quickly. “Doctor Lockheart… I’m just a security guard… I’ve been doing my duty… keeping the patients from hurting themselves or others… please, you have to understand.” He couldn’t betray Jimmy… he had saved his life! He owed him so much!
“What exactly do I have to understand, Bryant. I think you’ve been doing far more than your duty. And you better believe you want to keep your job… at the least keep your job, then you’ll tell me whose been giving you this since you first saw it in my lab.”
Matthew looked deeply troubled. Jimmy had wanted to keep him in this position to learn information. If he lost his job, he obviously couldn’t continue to do that. Jimmy would be so disappointed in him. But his cover was already blown… he couldn’t betray him. It looked like Matthew wanted to cry. “I can’t.” He finally whispered, desperation in his voice.
Aubrey sighed, tapping her nails on the desk. ”Do you know what’s it like.. to go without this for a week? More..? Bryant, it’s not pretty. I’d hate to think what your wife would say if I called her and say you failed a drug test. I’m sure she’d understand you wanting to be treated. Here. Of course.”
“What…?” He asked, aghast. “You.. wouldn’t.. you couldn’t keep me here like that…” He was scared, not liking the implications. “And please, don’t involve Lucy with this. She… she doesn’t know anything.”
“Well, finally some good news,” she said with a sneer. She slipped the vial back out of her pocket and held is tantalizingly close to him. ”Of course I would, Bryant. Can’t be trusting drug addicts with a billy club and a taser, can we? It’s either treatment or dismissal. Which do you prefer?”
“I don’t need treatment!” He said desperately. “I just… I just can’t tell you!” Bryant made a snatch for the vial, dismissing any possible doubt that that was what he hungered for.
“No,” she yelled at him angrily. ”You tell me who gives it to you or I’m starting your admission paperwork right now. Would you rather have your family out on the streets, Bryant? I can make sure you never work in this town again.”
He gasped. He knew… knew some of the things that the patients at Laurel Heights went through. He… he couldn’t do that. True terror was in his eyes now. “No… no, ma’am… please… please… you can’t…” He was drawn – truly terrified… but how could he betray Jimmy. “He… he’d be so… so disappointed in me!”
“Whose more important to you, Matthew?” she asked, sitting on her desk and looking at him. ”Him…” she waggled the vial again, “Or your wife. Your kids, Matthew.” She let that sink in got a moment. “I know,” she said, putting a hand over her heart, “Who you’re going to say. But I also know what the real answer is. Matthew, if you get put into treatment here, you won’t ever see this stuff again. Even if it kills you.”
Matthew crumpled, leaning forward in his chair and resting his hands on his knees. He felt like he was being ripped in two, and he didn’t even know why. Damn, he loved his wife… his kids. Why was this even a question? But it felt like it was ripping his heart out to betray Jimmy. “I’ve got a problem.” He sobbed, admitting his addiction. He never had questioned it before –but he could FEEL its pull. “And I LOVE my family. I can’t disappoint them… I can’t lose this job. If you lock me up… black ball me…” He shook his head. He wouldn’t be any good to Jimmy, either. “But if I tell you… then I won’t get any either, would I? I’m screwed either way!”
“That wouldn’t be my decision, Matthew,” she said, scooting off the desk to ‘comfort’ him. She put a hand on his back, rubbing it a bit. ”But I would certainly see what I can do. I have access to it, you know that.”
She waggled the vial again before slipping it back into her lab coat pocket. ”I can help you, but you have to help me first. Look at it this way… I can get you what you need - and you get to keep your job. OR… you go back to whoever you won’t tell me, and you’re family goes hungry. Or you refuse and I decide to lock you up in here for drug treatment, and you never see the stuff again.”
She patted his back.
Matthew stared at his lap as Aubrey patted his back, the scenarios running through his mind. Everything had been going so well… TOO well… Why did this have to happen? He rubbed at his nose, sniffing. If she could get him what he needed… he kept his job… that wasn’t so bad… His wife would never know…. It just tore him apart to upset…. He squeezed his eyes shut. “Jimmy! His name is Jimmy!” He blurted out before he could reconsider.
Aubrey blinked…. it was obviously not the name she had been expecting. She frowned. ”Jimmy what. Where do you get it? What does he look like. How does he give it to you,” she asked, an angry tone to her voice.
Matthew squeezed his eyes shut, tears starting to well up. For a man of his size, a security guard, it was pretty pathetic. He opened his mouth to talk and then opened his mouth in surprise, brows furrowing. “Jimmy… Jimmy… shit… I… I don’t even know his last name.” He ran both hands through his hair. What was wrong with him?! “He… he has this tattoo parlour… he… he saved my life… my job… I owe him so much. God, what am I saying? Why am I saying this?!”
Whoa whoa whoa…. “That Jimmy?” she asked, surprised, disregarding his lack of context. ”How does he give it to you?” she asked, pointedly. ”Specifically.”
She needed to be 100% it was the Kindred from the party - the one who gave Sabin his weed.
“You know him?” Matthew eeked. He swallowed, glancing away. He was in over his head now, what difference did it make? He whet his lips, looking down at his shoes. “He… he pricks his finger… with… a tattoo needle… puts it in this cup…”
What the hell?
“Thank you, Matthew…” she sighed belaboredly as she checked her watch. Hours and hours before dark. “You’re pulling a double shift today. Take a few hours to sleep it off on the cot in the security locker room before your next shift starts. You leave this building, you’re out of a job. I’ll see what I can do about… you know.” She pulled out the vial again and downed the vitae herself, in front of him. ”There’s no more in the hospital - so don’t get any ideas.”
“Y… yes mam!” He said quickly, scrambling to his feet. He knew he should feel lucky, but he couldn’t shake the utter feeling of betrayal that he had done for Jimmy. And he just watched, mortified, as he watched her drink the precious liquid. He watched every drop… disappear down his throat as if she had just stolen his car.
He swallowed, eyes downcast before nodding again. “Yes… ma’am.” He added again, sounding disappointed, but grateful. As soon as it was plain that he was dismissed, he slipped out of her office and headed towards the cot she was talking about.
Afterwards, Aubrey would have met with Sabin again, killing time untill Moreau rose. He brought her the last sample she required, and they spoke more at length on her stay with Donald and the conditions that she was kept in, the blood bond. And eventually, how she slept with Donald. And how she felt about it – that it was good, that she wanted to – but knew they talked about how the fact she wanted it was because of the bond. Sabin was surprised, and his anger flared anew at Donald – seeing it as having abused the bond – the “spell” he put her under to abuse her. That he wondered how she would feel in three months – and that he wouldn’t be surprised if Moreau called in his favor when she came to her senses. Her temper flared, telling Sabin not to lay a finger on him. Sabin protested, saying that it was thanks to him that Moreau did not just call in his favor when he found out who had Aubrey captive. Sabin pushed to try talking first. They spoke about the blood bond and its power – and of the blood bond in general – Sabin asked Aubrey if she was glad that she knew what Moreau had done to her at the beginning of the relationship. She… honestly said she wasn’t sure, but she believed in their love for each other – and knew that it was real now, causing Sabin to think more about his relationship with Lukas – he loved him… and he was happy – and he honestly believed that even if there was not a bond in the beginning, that Sabin would have fallen for him – everything that he had done for him… being a vampire… Sabin honestly believed that he would have fallen for him anyway. But… wasn’t sure if he WANTED to know.
Immortality came up – how all of this, the three months of infatuation with Donald was just a drop in the bucket – she would have Forever with Moreau – and how his not wanting Sabin to dance with her was because Moreau wanted to… that he would have forever. This depressed Sabin.. he had never really thought about that yet – he’d been so enthralled with everything… Aubrey asked if he was sure he was unable to be embraced – Sabin wasn’t, but doubted it… but conceded that maybe he would ask… or she could figure something out from the blood he had given her.
Sabin and Aubrey also spoke about the photos Sabin found – revealing that Sabin did see what they were doing – spurning a brief argument about ‘judging’ – Sabin … surprised that Aubrey was capable of it; Aubrey shoving Sabin’s murderousness back in his face. He tried to look for common ground and didn’t really succeed.
Aubrey asked Sabin if he would go back to Bellamy’s – to see if he could learn anything else from the files; if he had a computer to destroy it or pour water over it. And perhaps release a few prisoners while he was at it. Sabin smirked, and agreed to see what he could do – and would do that during the day soon.
It was just dark when Sabin arrived back home after spending the afternoon with Aubrey. They had done lunch, and she had finally gotten around to getting those samples from him, much to his chagrin. At least it was over, he told himself. He just hoped that it was mostly used for research and not… development.
Sabin opened up the fridge and peered inside, pulling out one of the raw steaks that had been stocked in the fridge, opening the container and setting it directly on the plate. He started to head back to the table when the best idea hit him, and he grabbed one of Lukas’s bottles, uncorked it, and “garnished” his steak.
It was just as good as he imagined.
Lukas walked into the kitchen and watched Sabin. He gave him a mock grin in response. He wrapped his arms around Sabin and grinned. “You know… you can’t just use up all my blood and leave me with nothing to drink,” he said rubbing his hands over Sabin’s flesh.
Sabin smiled widely, leaning back into Lukas’s embrace. “I’m sorry… I could not resist.” He reached back up, running a hand along the side of his face. “But… you know… I do not mind if you want to feed from me.” Sabin said seriously. “It is… nothing like the needles that Aubrey used.”
“Is that so?” Lukas would have said with a grin.
“You know… you do have an artery that I haven’t tried in a long time,” he said, rubbing Sabin’s inner thigh… next to his crotch.
Sabin lifted a brow. “Re…ally?” He asked suggestively. “But… honestly, Lukas… I… do not mind. I just know that you are not fond of my taste.” He slid his empty plate away and stood up, wrapping his arms around Lukas. “I… meant to thank you, by the way… for helping, and not minding me helping with Aubrey.”
“I was thinking of dirty nasty things to do to you the whole time,” Lukas said with a grin, and kissed Sabin’s hand.
Sabin laughed with a blush. “Were you now? You… shall have to tell me of the things you were thinking some time.”
“But I know how you enjoy things that are… entertaining,” Lukas grinned, “Would you like to see something neat?”
Interest immediately piqued in his eyes at the promise of something interesting. “Of course I do. What do you want to show me?”
“Oh they are along those lines,” Lukas said with a grin as his fangs popped out. He turned Sabin around, to look at him, to look deep in his eyes as he found his eyes starting to trace Sabin’s veins. “I could still… demonstrate with you.” Lukas smiled and said.
Sabin had nothing but trust for his lover as he gazed into his amber eyes.
He wrapped his arms around Lukas’s waist, intrigued. “I want to see what you can do, Lukas.”
Lukas grinned, and bit into Sabin, his hands working over Sabin’s body slowly…. calculatingly, as he took a much larger portion of Sabin’s ‘blood’ than he had before. Of course this combined with Aubrey’s pull earlier, left Sabin a bit loopy.
Sabin gasped in pleasure as Lukas sunk his fangs in, running his hands over his body as he fed. He didn’t pull back, instead leaning into him. “Lukas…” He crooned, even as he began to feel lightheaded.
Lukas finally pulled back, with a smile, wiping the black blood from his lips, “Let me tell you a little about the Tremere.” he said with a grin as his hand rubbed Sabin’s body. “We develop spells… using blood… most Vampires are very limited in what… powers they can use. Ones that come naturally to their kind for example, only an exceptional few might even branch beyond that.” Lukas grinned.
“We Tremere though, through centuries of study and work… the sky is the limit,” Lukas smirked.
Still reeling, Sabin leaned against the table, but his curiosity kept his attention rapt on Lukas. “Re… really?” He breathed, rubbing his neck, now healed over but still a little sore, where Lukas had bit him. “That is fascinating. You had mentioned… when we met that you were the sorcerers of the vampires, but have never shown me your magic before. I admit I have been very curious.”
“I’ve thought for a while your blood might help with… a ‘spell’ developed long ago.”
He cocked his head. “My blood…?” He inquired, only a touch of hesitance in his curiosity.
Lukas nodded, “Well I’ll show you a bit of it tonight… something that has always been difficult for my kind… that I think being with you has given me a special… talent for.” Lukas looked around the room, lit in the way it had been to encourage shadows… even as he reached out and after concentrating for a moment, one began to literally pull itself away from the wall.
Sabin had grown so accustomed to being in touch with the shadows that, especially in his lightheaded state, he didn’t think twice about it for a moment. But then he blinked, leaning forward and looking with surprise and a smile of approval. “Wow… Lukas… you did not tell me that you could do this! This is… because of my blood in you veins?” He breathed, reaching out to touch the shadow that he had pulled from the wall. Even if it had not been given substance by Lukas, Sabin caressed it with a finger. “I thought that only the Lasombra of your kind could command shadow…”
“These talents were developed long before you came along, to combat said Lasombra,” Lukas grinned. “But talent in them is rare… it’s more… difficult. But my time around you it seems, has born some… fruit,” Lukas smiled, as he whipped the shadow around a bit. “Are you impressed?” he asked.
Sabin watched the shade dart around for a moment. “I hope that developing these abilities does not make me less… interesting or useful to you, Lukas?” He smirked, not able to resist. “Although… I believe when I showed you something similar, you said… ah, what was it… a Novice Lasombra trick?” Sabin reached out and snatched the shadow from the air as it whipped about, changing its course, and had it slide along his arms – almost affectionately- before releasing it once more into the air and Lukas’s control. “But I am impressed, Lukas.” Sabin trailed his hand along Lukas’s arm. “You will have to show me some time what other magics you can perform.”
“Why would it make you less interested in you Sabin?” Lukas moved up to kiss him, “This is nothing compared to what you can do… Besides… I’d never be that shallow… I love you.” Lukas said sincerely.
Sabin shrugged, smiling softly, flattered. “I don’t know… I just… ah, it makes no difference.” He shook his head dismissively. “I love you, too, Lukas. And I am happy to have been able to help you with this, even passively. You have done… so much for me. And you show that every day. I want to always be here by your side.”
“I hope you are Sabin,” Lukas said, touching him.
“You look weak though…” Lukas noting that Sabin’s lack of blood was probably getting to him. ”Did I take too much?”
“I’m… okay.” Sabin said, starting to get off of his seat on the table, and stumbling just a little bit, undermining his dismissive statement. “I… never will be able to be … ah, embraced, though… will I? I know… Moreau intends on making Aubrey like him… to be with him forever. I…” He shook his head. “There is no precedent that I know of for what I am.”
“I’m not sure Sabin… I wouldn’t be willing to risk embracing you anyway… it requires draining someone to death almost, and then reviving them.” Lukas shrugged, “If it didn’t work you would die, and that I can’t let happen. Look how long you slept… you could be immortal in your own right, or at least age much slower than a human.” Lukas shrugged, “One thing I’ve learned… when dealing with Vampires who love Mortals though, is to just make every moment precious.”
“Let’s get you into bed Sabin,” Lukas said, offering himself for support.
“Maybe…” Sabin said quietly as he rose, wrapping his arm around Lukas’s shoulders for support, leaning in to give his ear a quick nibble. “I … wasn’t sure if I was in some kind of… I don’t know… statis…? Or if it was a normal sleep. You never told me very much. I… hope that you are right. Anju… they just… are… you know? Or… maybe you do not.” Sabin was rambling a bit, feeling still a tad dizzy. “I… do not want to die… there is so much to see… to experience… I have missed out on so much as it is.”
He moved with Lukas, towards the bedroom. “But you have made everything… so special for me. Bringing me into this world – both this time and the world of the kindred … and this, our home. It is… perfect.”
Lukas lowered Sabin to the bed, “I’m so glad you’ve liked it.”
Sabin said as he was lowered onto the bed, and he stretched out. It felt nice. He was still feeling rather dizzy, and the bed was a nice comfort. “I do not want to die. Not an uncommon sentiment, of course… but… I understand what you mean by me being different… it could kill me as opposed to making me like you. Besides… I am different enough as I am… I just… don’t know I suppose the full extent of what that is… how the anju… the human… have comingled. I suppose time will tell.”
He stretched out on the sheets again, looking to Lukas. “Are you planning on joining me… or do you have other things to do this night?”
“If there is one thing Vampires get better at with age…” Lukas grinned as he looked at his boyfriend’s form. “It’s sleeping,” he said with a grin. “I’d rather spend the time with you,” Lukas said, stripping and crawling into bed with Sabin, “Even if it’s just sleeping.”
Sabin laughed softly at Lukas’s insight and opened his arms welcomingly, wrapping them around Lukas as he joined him on the sheets. This was nice. He had had been up almost all day with Aubrey and giving those samples, and then the heavy meal and blood loss was making him quite sleepy. But wrapped… snuggled with Lukas sounded like an excellent use of time, even if it wasn’t exactly productive. “Thank you for showing me some of your talents, Lukas. You will always have an interested audience with me.” He said quietly to him as he got comfortable.
It didn’t take long for Sabin to drift off to sleep, but as he slept, something stirred him into consciousness. Something close to him, something… attractive. Even as he woke up, to notice Lukas stirring in his sleep, something Sabin had never seen since they had been together, as his body would unconsciously jerk.
The man that was probably the strongest at resisting fear that Sabin had ever met, was having a nightmare…
At first, the fear-pleasure would have just infiltrated Sabin’s own dreams, shaping them towards something darkly pleasurable – a hunt, a victim, the fear… Sabin would have murmured in pleasure as he slept, the tingles of pleasure running down his spine.
But then, a more sudden spike of fear jostled Sabin from his pleasant dream – coming to to see his lover twitching, lines of displeasure on his face. Sabin’s wide smile of pleasure turned downwards to see him uncomfortable and plagued in his sleep. As much as this was the man’s forte, he didn’t like seeing people he cared about suffering.
Still, it was a side of his lover he had not seen. He always kept a stoic, confidence to him. Seeing him vulnerable like this, it was… almost comforting. He lay a hand softly on his shoulder as he peered into Lukas’s dreams to see what might be disturbing him so much.
Lukas was laying flat on a table, as in his dream he stirred to consciousness. He realized where he was laying was not familiar, and tried to jerk up, only to find himself chained. His ‘breath’ was labored and his heart rate increased. He spoke in German, Sabin knew this, but could understand inside his dreams.
“Hello? Anyone? Where am I?” Lukas said, his voice was younger, more innocent, and his eyes darted incessantly, barely able to make out anything outside of his little area, his only light source the nearby candle. The dream was thick with his fear.
Sabin stared, not used to “eavesdropping” on a nightmare of his lover. Most of the time, when he woke and Lukas was sleeping during the day, Sabin did not linger in bed. Occasionally, he had caught the odd glimpse of a strange, braindump sort of dream that was not uncommon for most. Sometimes Sabin was in them, which made him smile.
But this… was personal… a memory if he had to guess… something from when he was still mortal? Sabin still knew so little about his lover… which did bother him some times. Hi s hand started to go to him to jostle him awake… but Sabin found himself pausing… watching, despite feeling a little guilty…. The unconscious pleasure he received from Lukas’s fear goading him on.
Three Shadowy figures stepped into view enough to be seen, but in the darkness enough to conceal their faces, as suddenly Lukas could see another man chained to a table, upright beside him. It took Lukas a moment to recognize who the bound man was, as the man looked heavily beaten and broken, and he had not seen him in several years, “Emperor Rudolph!” he gasped surprised.
Sabin’s brow furrowed and he shifted his position, very subtly to avoid bothering Lukas. What… was happening? Although, seeing this historical figure through Lukas’s eyes was a real privilege. With a mix of worry and curiosity, Sabin continued to watch.
“Rudolph the Second,” Came a stern raspy voice, “You have been convicted of betrayal of your own brothers, for you own personal gain. As such, we have sentenced you to final death.”
Rudolph spoke, as if were hard, “All I did, I did to advance the cause of the Tremere.”
This caused murmurs in the darkness, Lukas couldn’t make them out, but it made it clear that there were more people than Sabin could see. Sabin could feel Lukas’ emotions, his own fear still present, but also his almost unconditional love for his man. It burned brighter and hotter than anything Sabin could imagine.
Despite himself, Sabin began to feel a burning sympathy for Lukas. He had mentioned once in passing that his sire had been killed… Sabin had no idea that it had happened before his eyes… that the Tremere themselves had been the ones to order it… like some kind of… execution. What had happened? Why? Questions burned in his mind as he watched, unable to look away.
“Your words fall on deaf ears, Rudolph, you only know how to speak in lies, and lying to your own kin? Shameful,” the shadowed figure in the cloak waved his arms about as he spoke.
“The only lies are yours… the lies you all tell yourself,” this caused more low murmurs from the crowd as Rudolph said this.
“In the past… for your previous transgressions, we only choose to strip you of your crown, and replace you with your brother, the patsy that he is, but as you did not learn your lesson you leave us with no other choice.” the shadowy man continued. “But we aren’t… without mercy,” he said, as despite not being able to see his eyes, Lukas could feel them looking at him. His curiosity was growing as well, though he didn’t like where any of this was going, he didn’t even know why he was here, but for some reason, he was not speaking, if Rudolph was speaking, it felt too important.
This moment… felt too important.
Swallowing, Sabin continued to watch, enrapt. Poor Lukas… what had his sire done?? Was he as guilty as this group of Tremere proclaimed? The dream was shaped by Lukas’s emotions, and so Lukas’s love for his sire came through to Sabin brightly, stirring and coloring Sabin’s opinions of the man vicariously.
“No..” He whispered. He knew he could alter the dream, but that of course would not change history… and he wanted to see what had really happened. He felt like he was getting insight into his lover he never would have known otherwise. Even if Lukas were to tell him, it would not come through with the emotion and fear and anguish that he was seeing now.
“This one,” the shadow man said gesturing towards Lukas himself, “whom you have watched for so long, and requested permission to embrace many times.”
Lukas now just didn’t feel that man’s eyes on him, but everyone’s eyes on him but the shadow man, who was now addressing the crowd, even as he looked over at Rudolph to see that he too was looking at him, with some strange mix of sadness and admiration.
“This one will be made your childe tonight, it will be your last act, your last legacy before your sentence is carried out,” the man continued, “He shall drink your blood, and take your place tonight.”
Then the man’s eyes came back to Lukas, “Remember well, kine,” which somehow Sabin knew, because Lukas knew, even if he didn’t then, was the vampire word for human “This will be the last time you see your sire,” the shadow man nodded, “Hopefully, you will one day appreciate his sacrifice, and our need to carry out punishment.”
Lukas understood only part of what they were saying, but of course the implications that his mentor, his emperor (even if Lukas had served his brother since then) his friend, and the person he loved most of all, was about to die.
Sabin put his hand over his mouth as he realized just what he was seeing. This wasn’t just the death of his sire… this was Lukas’s rebirth as a vampire… all mixed up in one cruel, emotional package. He could tell how much love Lukas had for his sire, Rudolph. But to be created by him and … see his death… all at once…
“Lukas…” Sabin found himself mouthing, being swept up in the dream, in the scene.
From the darkness the shadowed man and two others stepped forward, even as they lowered their hoods Lukas’ dreams influenced their appearance, covered in shadows certainly still, but with fangs and strange eyes. Even as they moved towards his body, and began to feed in various places, the speaker from his neck, then the others from his wrist and his thigh.
Lukas began to quickly feel the life drained out of him, even as his body, which he hadn’t realized before was completely naked writhed in the pleasure of the kiss, all three at once. It was a strange experience, Lukas feeling himself dying while at the same time experiencing pleasure on a scale that he never had before in his life, he let out several moans… until everything began to fade.
The last thing that he remembered faintly, was a thick liquid being poured down his throat, and a loud chop sound behind him as the former Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph the Second, gave his last gift and experienced his last moment of existence.
Then Sabin was left alone… with Lukas, everything else seemed to have disappeared, as his dead body lay there… and lay there… as the dream had shrunk somehow Sabin, alone was with him. He was pale, and cold, and showed no signs of life at all.
Sabin winced briefly at Lukas’s monstrous characterization of the robed figures. He had seen enough dreams to understand a bit of how ones’ subconscious made associations – these were frightening figures to him in his dream – figures that made him feel helpless and scared. And he ascribed them features like the anju. He kept his hand firmly over his mouth, feeling himself overwhelmed with Lukas’s terror at the same time brought to tears. The dream, it was so vivid… so poignant. Seeing his lover’s death… even if Sabin… knew it was … “temporary”… it was no less powerful. Sabin watched, and yet also stood over his lover in his dream, tears flowing freely from his face.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the figure on the table began to stir, opening its eyes, no longer the eyes of a human, even as Sabin could feel the maddening hunger in its belly, threatening to tear the world apart to feed it’s hunger, the eyes that Sabin saw in that moment were not the eyes of his lover, they were the eyes of a bloodthirsty, remorseless monster.
They were eyes that Sabin himself had shared far too many times. This was not Lukas to him… this was something else. But then that feeling of hunger subsided, even as the whole moment suddenly felt different, less distant, less memory, and the figure on the table, who now felt like Lukas, turned to look at Sabin with an anger that Sabin had not seen before.
Those eyes… haunting – terrifying at yet also eerily familiar. The eyes of a monster. He had never seen Lukas like that. Even Donald, when he was gripped by frenzy seemed more human than the eyes that snapped open. At that moment, of both seeing and feeling Lukas in this state, Sabin understood the monster – the beast that lived deep within the kindred.
“Sabin! Get out of my dreams!” he leaped up from the table and shoved Sabin back, as suddenly Sabin was awake again… and saw the bed next to him was empty, and he could hear the shower going.
Sabin came to with a bolt, blinking in confusion. He… had been awake… He put his hand to his head, shaking it… he must have been drawn down into the dream without realizing it… fallen asleep into a shared dream. He swallowed, the implications and depth of emotion still clinging strongly to him as his eyes went to the bathroom and the sound of running water.
Quietly, he slid to his feet and padded in after Lukas. He opened the door gently and hesitated, hanging in the doorway. “Lukas…?” He called out, sheepish but concerned.
Lukas did not respond to Sabin’s inquiries, keeping quiet as he washed in the shower.
Sabin frowned as Lukas ignored him. But he didn’t care, he wasn’t going to let Lukas just give him the cold shoulder. Sabin was feeling emotional, and he knew Lukas was as well. Even if he wasn’t meant to see that – even if it was an invasion of privacy.
Sabin didn’t even undress; he just walked right up to Lukas despite the glare that the man shot him as he approached and wrapped his arms around him, standing with him quietly as the shower head pelted them both with warm water, soaking Sabin’s clothing.
Lukas stood there quietly for several minutes, before he finally reached up and patted Sabin’s hand. When Sabin looked again Lukas’ eyes were streaming blood tears, quickly being washed away by the shower.
“Too far,” Lukas said softly.
“I’m sorry..” Sabin whispered, cupping Lukas’s face and turning it towards him, wincing as he saw the blood tears. He leaned towards him, kissing his cheek, licking the vitae from his lips afterwards. “I…” He stopped, shaking his head. He didn’t have a good excuse. “You… could have told me, Lukas. I am… so, so sorry.”
“I didn’t tell you,” Lukas said sighing, “I didn’t tell you because I don’t like admitting it myself. It’s easier to ‘remember’ it differently, at least in passing.” Lukas rested his hand on Sabin’s shoulder, “Maybe I shouldn’t drink your blood again… atleast not for a while.”
Sabin smoothed Lukas’s hair back away from his face. “I… did not mean to watch, but…” He opened and closed his mouth with a shake of his head. “I… want to know more about you, even the difficult parts… “ He paused, wincing. “ It was… my blood that did that to you…?” A flash of guilt crossed his features. Of course, it stood to reason… Sabin was a living nightmare… taking that much of him into Lukas…
“I believe so… yes,” Lukas held Sabin for a moment, “It’s four hundred years later and I still miss him soooo much.” the blood had dried on his face.
Sabin nodded quietly. “I think… that is a good thing, Lukas. His… memory lives through you. You still care so much for him is an honor, yes?” He wiped a hand, wet from the shower, across his cheek. “I know… this memory must be very painful for you… if you wish to speak more about this… I would be happy to listen.”
“No Sabin, I love you but please… my memories are my own,” Lukas kissed Sabin’s cheek lightly, then walked towards their living room.
Sabin frowned as Lukas shut down on him, walking away. He sighed, starting to follow after him. “Lukas… I love you, nothing you could have done is going to change that. What… what I saw was not your fault. I am sure that you know that. But… sharing something like this… only brings us closer together, yes? I… have pain in my past as well. Let… me help you?”
“Are you ready to divulge all of your most painful memories to me Sabin?” Lukas said as he sat down, getting comfortable in the chair and looking distinctly uncomfortable with Sabin insistence on these matters. Lukas kicked up his feet, it was clear he was sensitive about these things, “I have four hundred years of memories as a Vampire, I’ve forgotten more pain than most people experience in their lifetimes.”
Sabin frowned. “I would be happy to share my life… my troubles and my pain with you, Lukas. You only needed to ask me. I understand if you are used to keeping your pain bottled up inside, to forget it yourself… but sometimes it does not hurt to let those you love in. I… think so at least. I went for years, feeling very alone. I hurt people who got close to me. There was a time I never thought that I would be able to have something like I have now… or maybe didn’t deserve it if I did. I’ve done… horrible things, Lukas… But I do not know if trying to forget what I did – even with the excuses of having been different then – is the best answer. “
“But we are better than them Sabin… my need for blood, your need for fear, these are the instincts of predator, while they are prey,” Lukas leaned back in the chair and continued, “I was prey… then I was given a chance, by my sire’s love, to be predator.”
“If the things you did were directed towards humans… if it hurt kine, then I understand how you are able to go on remembering,” Lukas said, then looked at his portrait, his keen eyes noticing imperfections that bothered him. “I will never look back or regret actions against my prey, the kine,” Lukas shrugged, “If I do, then what did my sire die for?”
Sabin shook his head. “I… know what you are saying. We are predators, you and I, but we live in this human world. We were both born human. And there is still a part of both of us that still is. We look human, we have human memories, we live in human cultures. Most of the world in which we live is human.” Sabin shook his head.
“It… took me a very long time to accept that. The… other side of me, at least. But without the human side, I am nothing but a killer, a predator. Something that goes from victim to victim harvesting fear and flesh. And while that brings a part of me utter pleasure… it is such a simple, bestial existence. It may be the human side of us that mourns, that brings us guilt and pain… but it is that same side that allows us to find love, and true happiness. Not just pleasure.”
“I do hold regret for people I have killed. Perhaps… not all of them… but I killed my mother shortly after I was possessed. I… still have nightmares of my own about that.” Sabin was quiet for a moment, looking down at his lap.
“You can have self control and restraint without clinging to some love of your food,” Lukas shrugged, “You don’t see humans loving the cow their hamburgers came from, but nor do you see them charging a bull head on to get beef. It doesn’t have to be a simple, bestial existence when you realize there are higher beings… peers for you,” Lukas said stroking Sabin’s face, “Of course you have the occasional kine you take a liking to… think of it like pets or baby animals, they are lesser than you, and you don’t deny that, but you find them cute and comforting.”
“Those occasional connections are natural,” Lukas said, referring lightly to Sabin’s mother. “You know what I’m talking about, Sabin,” Lukas kissed his hand, “I’m certain at least a part of you agrees.”
“No. But humans were not born cows.” Sabin countered. “A human doesn’t live in a pasture, or pretend to be a cow. Everything that you are, your outlook on this world, it is shaped by a human mind. Even if you now feed on them, you wouldn’t be anything without the human side of you.”
Sabin sighed, a part of him did understand what Lukas was telling him. Clung to it. For the longest time, when he had merged, his only option was to live among humans. He didn’t know of the kindred or their society – creatures that were much more his peers than the human he had merged with. Lukas could see the consideration in Sabin’s eyes. “Although… I never did know of creatures like you before you brought me into this world.” He ran his hands through his wet hair, looking conflicted.
Finally, he looked up to meet Lukas’s eyes again. “What… did your sire die for…?” Sabin asked gently.
“My sire was performing experiments on kine, trying to imbue them with the same types of powers that made him and I ideal candidates for the Tremere,” Lukas shrugged his shoulder and continued, “I’ve never found out exactly how the speaker was involved, but Rudolph’s experiments were apparently too large scale, too many bodies left behind from attempts, and too torturous to the kine in question. They decided he was too much in violation of the Masquerade,” Lukas smirked, “I think they were just afraid of creating a weapon, or an army of weapons against them.”
He looked to Lukas, nodding in understanding. “I… am sorry about what they did. It sounds like he had a great vision… even if it might have been dangerous.” He squeezed Lukas’s shoulder. “Thank you… I am sorry that I found out how I did… but I am glad to know more about you.”
Lukas patted Sabin’s hand then gripped it, “I know Sabin… thank you, perhaps I will try and open up more, even if revisiting my past is not something I am prone to do for myself, let alone over curious others. But… Sabin,” Lukas said rather seriously, “They are my memories to share… in the future, please resist temptation, and leave my dreams to me.” Lukas said, a bit nervous, if Sabin had gotten into his head and seen the secrets he had concerning him, it could have been much, much uglier.
Luckily for Lukas, the loss of almost his entire cabal had been less traumatic than losing his sire. If he truly had a worst nightmare, a worst memory, it was the one that Sabin had just seen.
Sabin nodded quietly. “I am sorry that I… choose to watch. I knew I should not have done it when I chose to. But I would be honored if you would speak to me more about where you came from, and the things you have seen in your long life.” He smiled, putting his hand gently on Lukas’s thigh.
“Maybe one day Sabin,” Lukas said, putting his arms around him and snuggling into him, “For the moment just hold me,” he said as he kept him close to him, old memories still playing on his mind.
Aubrey was playing her piano when he rose that night, having spent most of the day with Sabin. She looked tired, but otherwise much more her ‘normal’ self - a comfortable and classy sweater and her snug broken in designer jeans. Her hair was washed and styled, and just overall a complete reversal of the dirty and dingy outfit Moreau had found her in the day before. Her eyes were closed as she played, almost not even realizing Moreau was there until he came over to her.
It was nice to be back, but Moreau was disturbed by something. He was dodgy and distracted, despite his efforts to spend time with her. ”Are you still upset with me?” she asked softly as the evening crept by. She took a seat next to him.
“No,” Moreau’s eyes darted a bit, “It’s not about you.”
Moreau had wanted to tell her, it was really just on the tip of his tongue, after a moment he sighed and continued. “Alright, I didn’t want to lay too much on you, but while we were looking for you, we found out Bellamy has photos, surveillance photos, of us, and our experiments,” Moreau finished looking… disturbed. “Finding you was more important to me first, but now that you are back,” Moreau crossed his arms, “I’m worried.”
“What?” Her eyes widened. ”Pictures? Of us? Doing…” she shuddered. ”What do you think he plans to do with them? How long have you known about this? This… this is bad.”
“A few weeks,” Moreau put his own hands in his face.
She ran her hands through her hair. ”Shit.”
“I disregarded it… I was focused on everything to do with finding you,” Moreau leaned back, “I realized that was a mistake, now… now I have to figure it out.”
Aubrey sighed, her hands going to her hips. “I’m…surprised,” she said honestly. “That you waited. I wish my sister had at least told you I was… you know. Alive and stuff.” She paced a bit. ”I… it could possibly be the security guard that Leyland took out. I think he may have fed him vitae. I had just figured it was yours - but maybe not.”
“I don’t even know who this security guard was… with all that had been going on, would you be able to ID him?” Moreau said, tapping his chin.
“Matthew Bryant,” she said. ”I had to include him in the incident report to Rachel. Leyland had gotten a hold of his weapon. He’s still on duty, usually a day-shift. I can talk to him tomorrow.”
“Day shift,” Moreau nodded and shook his head. “I’ll have all the labs checked for unauthorized devices anyway, my experiments have been on hiatus since you disappeared.” Moreau said, obviously thinking on several things.
Her brow creased. Did he really stop…everything. Give up? Without me?
She nodded her head in determination. ”How do we know he has this information? Is he blackmailing you?”
“Sabin found it while we were looking for you, in Bellamy’s office. As to what he plans to do with it I have no idea, he hasn’t done anything yet, despite how long ago some of them were probably taken now.” Moreau shrugged, but the concern on his face deepened.
“Okay, well…Bryant is probably not the mole if that’s the case. But its still worth checking out. He might be working for Bellamy now at the very least, and therefore may know how else he has eyes on the inside.” She shook her head. ”How did they get access to our experiment labs. You have the top level of security clearance.”
“I have no idea,” Moreau said as he looked down at Aubrey. “You sure you are okay with this? Already?” he asked, looking a bit worried for her.
“What?” she asked, surprised. ”Trying to get to the bottom of this - of course. If Bellamy has what you say he does… that’s bad. And I’m worried why he hasn’t…done anything with the information yet. That only means he’s… either saving it for something or he’s planning something. Big.” She paced. ”What if this went public? That’s just bad news all around.”
“It would be,” Moreau said, “But I don’t think he’d want to draw that much attention to ‘us’. But I have no idea… perhaps you could talk to Sabin too about finding out more details?” Moreau said as he tapped his leg a bit.
Aubrey put a hand on his knee, trying to still his nervous energy. ”Unless he knew how much it would piss off the Masquerade and all.” She chewed in her lip. ”I will talk to Sabin, for sure. And I’ll interrogate Bryant. I’m sure we can figure it out.”
Aubrey didn’t sleep well at all despite her best efforts. She rested a bit, but ended up getting up in the middle of the day and wandering around her own home, feeling oddly like a stranger. She took the longest, best, shower she had in her life, then lounged around in the tub for a good hour. She dressed in her own clothes, staring at herself in the mirror for a long while, just re-absorbing everything. She styled her hair. She did her make up.
She poked around the kitchen to find it nearly completely void if human food. She played her piano for a while, which she usually found relaxing but two months out of practice was a bit frustrating.
As early as she thought he might be awake, she dialed Sabin’s number and asked if he would take her lunch. She was anxious to get out, to keep her mind off…him. Somewhere on the north side of town, way out of the way of Carthage.
Sabin was excited to hear from Aubrey – not having wanted to pester her the moment she got back; knowing she might need some time with Moreau – but with the strict nocturnal schedules of their lovers, it was nice to have his friend back.
Sabin agreed wholeheartedly to meet her for lunch, and headed out as soon as he had cleaned up and taken a shower himself.
He strolled into the restaurant, smiling broadly when he found her tucked away in a booth near the back.
“Aubrey!” He said opening his arms up expectantly for a hug. “It is good to see you again… and back to yourself.”
She slipped out of her booth and embraced him tightly. ”Good to see you, too, my friend..” she said, pulling back just enough to squeeze his hands before slipping back into her seat. She looked much to her old self, though tired. ”Back to the good ‘ol times.”
Sabin slipped into the seat across from her. “I hope I did not overstay my welcome last night, but I was very happy to have you back. I’m glad that you could make some time today to see me.” He looked her over again. While tired, she seemed… right. “And yes. Perhaps not what most would call normal times, but back to the way they should be, yes?”
Aubrey twirled the wine glass between her fingers, dodging the question. ”So!” she said, “…where do we start?”
Sabin expelled an overwhelmed sigh. “That… is a good question. Well… how did things go with Moreau last night…?”
She gave a genuine smile. ”Well. Very well…” she sipped her wine tentatively. ”We talked about a lot of things we needed to talk about for a very long time, that’s for sure. I’ve never seen him so…” she shrugged, “Open.”
Sabin quirked an eyebrow, looking pleasantly surprised. “I am… honestly glad to hear that, Aubrey. From everything you have told me, Moreau was often a closed book. Maybe… it is a vampire thing. But I am glad to hear he might have taken my advice.” He reached out and patted her hand.
“You’re advice?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
Sabin shrugged. “Perhaps? I told him how you had been feeling before Donald took you. Not knowing how he felt about you. I told him he needed to be more open with his feelings.” Sabin paused with a shrug. “To be honest, I did not think that he took my advice seriously.”
“I…guess I owe you a thank you, then,” she said, wringing her napkin in her hands. “I’m…sorry I couldn’t contact you. For making you worry.”
Sabin nodded quietly, looking down at the table. “We were both very worried about you. I… am glad that you are all right. I think the worst possible ideas went through my head of where you might have been.”
Aubrey looked pretty ashamed of herself. ”It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. But…thank you. For caring so much.”
“Of course.” Sabin shook his head. “You would have done the same for me, I am certain of it.
The waiter came by, and Sabin ordered a large rare steak for himself. He waited for the man to leave and Aubey’s order before continuing. Aubrey ordered a chicken Caesar salad, not one of her usual fair but damn did it sound good to her.
“Will you be all right? Will both of you be all right?”
She looked back to Sabin. ”I think we’ll be fine. We laughed, we cried…what can I say,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear. ”No, but seriously. He was very honest with me. That was… appreciated.”
“I’m glad. You two… I did not think so as much before you were gone, but seeing how worried Moreau was for you… how upset he was. I would not want anything to come between that. You two are good together.” He smiled. “And of course, selfishly, I am glad to have you back, too.”
“You think so?” she chuckled. ”Well, that’s good. Well, I don’t know how much things are going to change but.. I believe him.”
“Even that is a change, though, no? I know how worried you were beforehand. I am very glad that he talked. It sounds like he said some things you wanted to hear?” He grinned. “I want to ask… but I do not know if you want to tell me or not.”
“Fire away, my friend.”
“Well? I mean, what did he say? I … heard him finally say he loved you at the confrontation. What did he tell you last night?”
She smiled and shrugged. “Yes, that was finally good to hear. Very much so. You see… he is not one to say something he doesn’t mean. It … was pretty obvious when he didn’t say it, you know? I don’t know what happened. If it was a ‘don’t know what you got til its gone’ thing or what. But… I think he means it, you know?”
Sabin nodded in agreeance. “Yes, I know what you mean. While I am certain you know him much better than I, while he could be callous, he was generally honest with what he did say. And if he didn’t want to lie, he just… didn’t answer something. Like you say. So yes, I honestly believe it when he said that to you. I believe that he did not want to quite admit to himself just how strongly he felt about you.”
“Maybe so. I… think he thought he was saving my feelings by not telling me some things. Like… the blood bond and such. But in the end, I hope he knows now I how much I appreciate the honesty, even if I may not want to hear it. It’s respectful, you know?”
“Yes…. That…” Sabin tapped his finger on the table, looking a bit uncomfortable with the mention of the blood bond. It had been something that had nibbled at him since he learned of it – but he had mostly been able to distract himself with the search for Aubrey. Sabin looked distant, uncomfortable for a moment before he looked back up to her and continued, trying to brush his concerns away. “I am sure you are right – and yes – I Hope that this will be an open door for him to be more straightforward with you in the future. I think you two will be stronger for it.”
“Once… speaking of blood bonding, Donald’s fades from my system. It’s going to be a rough couple of months.”
Sabin’s brow twitched. “So … you still hold feelings for the man, despite everything… thanks to the blood bond in your system?”
“He…” she swallowed. ”He was only trying to do what was best for me. Because he cared…”
Sabin couldn’t hide the scowl from his face. “Maybe. But he was a damn hypocrite about it. I still feel as if what he did was an immense betrayal of trust. He kidnapped you. He imprisoned you. He took you away from everyone and everything you knew. He even put your life in danger, even if you asked for it.” He shook his head. “Maybe he cared, but I think he cared about himself more.”
Aubrey fidgeted with her napkin uncomfortably. ”I hate feeling this way. Guilty… like I’m betraying him. I… I want him to forgive me. To say its okay…”
“Donald?” Sabin asked incredulously and shook his head. “The blood bond… is powerful. I am certain you will change your mind when he has left your system. I just hope… that he knows when to call it quits, you know? That he’s not going to try anything.”
“Don’t get me wrong - I missed Nicolas and I’m happy to be back with him, but…” she sighed, “I… I wish I had his blessing, you know. I hate feeling like he’s unhappy with me. That’s the bond…I know it. But it doesn’t make it hurt any less.” She was quiet for a few moments. ”We had grown… close. I miss him, in a way. Like a friend. We knew a lot about each other.”
Sabin was quiet as well, digesting how this man’s blood had affected her emotions. He shook his head, finally with a look of distaste. “He used you. He… maybe not mind controlled you, but he did something almost as bad… if not worse. He forced these emotions on you. You… did not have any choice but to drink from you, and he knew what it would do to you. I had thought him a friend from the times we talked at the parties, but he…. Weaseled himself into your heart under false pretenses. If it helps… he did let you go to Moreau when you asked. That… I think… is his only saving grace.” But Sabin had seen the fury in the man as he had chased down the car afterwards. He did hope that the matter was settled, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe that yet.
“He’s not a bad guy,” Aubrey snapped. ”People do…stupid stuff when they’re in love. Especially… imagine if you had that power… to make someone loyal to you. Your friend… ” she sneered a bit, remember that Moreau admitted to doing something similar, if not a full fledged blood bond. ”Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. I just… am ready for the guilt to go away.”
He looked up as the waiter brought their food – sniffing with approval at how rare his steak was prepared before giving Aubrey a mock-disgusted look at her salad.
“How can you eat that?” He teased.
She took a heaping bite. ”Because for two months I’ve been eating hamburgers and fries,” she said around a smile and full cheeks.
Sabin laughed. “Okay, touche’.” He chuckled around a big juicy bite. “The kindred are terrible with food as it is, but biker kindred food – I’m sorry.” He took a few bites of his steak, thinking back on what Aubrey was saying before the waiter interrupted them. “I … will be interested to hear what you think on the matter in … three months? When the guilt is gone and your head is clear.”
“I don’t,” she said honesty, digging into her salad. ”I did some…things, I’m already regretting. But, I was in a strange place, Sabin. You really can’t understand what its like. I thought…no, I believed that my life here… like this, was gone. Just like when I learned about the Kindred: my whole changed. I had to expect new truths.”
“Well… I am glad that you were wrong. That you did not have to move on as he seemed to be forcing you to think you had to. I am surprised, honestly, the he had managed to convince you that we weren’t looking. I am just sorry it took us so long to find you.” He took another big bite of steak, taking his time chewing it, debating on whether or not to breach the subject. Finally, he swallowed and spoke. “I had not even heard of the… magic of this bond until you told me… er… prompted me to ask Moreau. But… it has caused me to do some serious thinking that I do not think I want to.”
Aubrey looked up. ”What do you mean, Sabin?”
Sabin shrugged, poking at his steak with the fork. “Do you think… Lukas has done that to me? You know… before I woke up?”
Aubrey frowned. ”You… should ask him,” she said after a few quiet moments. ”Lukas loves you very much, Sabin. And from what I know of you… you love him, yes? I mean.. you say you don’t drink from him, and until recently he never stayed over. Do you ever have, say, missing time or anything like that?”
Sabin shook his head. “No… I mean… I have a great deal of missing time. He said that he had me for ten years before he woke me up.” He ran a hand through his hair, his expression conflicted. “I… do love him. I have no doubt of that. And… I do believe he loves me. He has done… so much for me. Things he did not have to do. Things that take time… effort… like the painting.”
Aubrey chewed slowly. ”If you were blood bonded for ten years then, how long would that take to wear off I wonder…”
Sabin whet his lips, shaking his head. “I do not know.” He looked a little ashen. “I… it bothers me to think about this possibility. I do not want to think that what Lukas and I have is not real… or even based off of something that is not real. But… I can’t get things out of my head… like what I did for him before I even knew him very well. Or … I am not normally attracted to men…”
Aubrey frowned, definitely understanding where his apprehensions were coming from. ”I…well… I guess the first question is…if you’re happy, and you ask… would you be prepared for an answer you don’t want to hear?”
He shook his head with a scowl. “No. No, I don’t think I would.”
He sighed. “I… am happy. It is the idea of this not being real that I do not like.” He looked back over to her. “I know that you said all emotions are just… chemicals in the brain and so what does it matter where it came from. But… when something is done deliberately like that…” He leaned back in the booth. “It just makes… sense. If he did not know me, if he did not know that I would not be dangerous… why else would he wake me up?”
“I… do not know his motivations, Sabin. Maybe … he spent so much time with time with you he just wanted to be with you for real?”
“Maybe.” Sabin said with doubt in his voice, but there was a small smile on his lips. “I do not know if I am ready to ask him yet. But… I wanted to talk to you about this. I… have missed you.” He looked back up, finishing off his steak.
“Moreau did admit to me…” she said quietly, “that, while he didn’t blood bond me… he did influence my emotions. At the very beginning.”
Sabin lifted a brow. “He… did?” He leaned back in his seat at this news. “I…. wow. So… was it not genuine either? Even if he did not blood bond you initially?” He swallowed down the last bite. “But… he told you this? Voluntarily.”
“He…can enhance your emotions. They had to…be there, but he can toy with them. It’s… the same thing Leyland did - how he made all those people go so crazy at the hospital. So…” she sipped her wine again. ”He said, at first, he was playing with me. And yes… he told me this.”
“How does that make you feel now?” Sabin inquired. While Sabin was just hypothesizing about Lukas, he didn’t like how much sense it seemed to make for everything. But If Aubrey were manipulated as well …
“I… don’t know if I’ve fully accepted it, yet,” she said. ”He told me it was only in the beginning. You know, before he grew a crush, I guess. But something, even slight, had to be there. I mean, isn’t it much more likely I would end up with a handsome, brilliant scientist than a biker,” she said, refilling her wine glass. ”And you… if you were going to end up with a man, it would have to be a vampire, yes”
Sabin couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay, I suppose so.” He actually smiled. “I… know myself well enough… the thought of them being creatures from legend… real… you know… it is…” he shrugged, blushing a bit and making a vague hand gesture. “It is sexy.” He looked back to Aubrey. “And no. I… would have never pictured you as a biker. Granted, I did not know you before you had already been inducted into this society. But from what you have told me – you were always interested in science, and you respected men of intellect.”
“I’ve…just accepted that I love Moreau. Enough that even Donald’s blood bond could not shake it. No matter how much we tried to. So, you just have to ask yourself… does it matter why? Or just on the fact that you do. And he loves you. You cannot make him do that.”
Sabin swallowed, nodding. “You are smart, Dr. Lockheart.” He gave her a quirky smile. “You know what to say. That is why you are my best friend.” He patted her hand. “Promise me that will not change when you are kindred.”
Mentioning being embraced, her smile grew even bigger. “Well, I couldn’t take our much beloved afternoon naps with you anymore, of course. But I promise you will always be my friend.
Sabin smirked. “I will miss that.” He said with his cheek on his hand. “But I am glad to know that that will not at least spoil the friendship. How does that make you feel, though? He assured you that he will do it to you some day. A vampire.” He whispered quietly, with an excited energy. “Something else. I would say the ‘undead’ but I know how you hate that word.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to process that. But I will be happy to be Moreau’s lover finally, instead of his ghoul. In his eyes and the rest of society.”
“Is that all it means to you?” Sabin asked with a shake of his head. “I mean, that is wonderful, to be like him and not have to be worried about what others will think. But… that change is so much more… no sun… no pulse…” he gestured to the remains of her salad. “No normal food.”
“I know…” she said. ”But… I’m part of it so much, its strange to think that will happen to me. But I feel it will probably be a while.”
Sabin nodded. “This is true. But… when you do… I would love to do my best to help you through it… though I am sure that that is something that Moreau will want to.”
He patted her on the knee under the table before waving the waiter over to pay the bill.
“On that note…” she said, nodding her thanks for him picking up the bill. ”I… still need to gather your samples.”
“Ah yes.” Sabin said with a note of disappointment. “I had hoped you had forgot.” He added with a playful smile. “Well… where to, Doctor?”
“Laurel Heights,” she said with a nod. ”Much better security there.”
“Fantastic.” Sabin said with a scowl. “Did I mention that I was not fond of asylums.” He rose, shoving his hands in his pants pockets.
“You owe him,” she said, taking his hand. “And I won’t keep you there long.”
She drove Sabin there, signing him in through a series of checkpoints. However, once past main security Aubrey pretty much has full reign. The fear in this place would be putting Sabin in a strange place - long, chronic pain… shouts from those haunted by their own demons. The screams and the fear faded as they got to the labs. Aubrey locked the door behind then, pulling out some supplies from a locked cabinet.
Sabin resolved himself. He had prepared himself for it – just felt anxious regardless. Part of it might have been irrational – he never liked doctors – or asylums. But there was the fascination of what she might find out about him that he had never been able to discover for himself. He just hoped that she wouldn’t use what she found for… things she didn’t tell him. Discovery was one thing for science’s sake… but making things with him? He hoped he was just being paranoid.
He perked up, however, as he walked the halls, a visible smiling shudder as he walked down the halls. Oddly enough, it put him vaguely at ease, but in a shifted mental state.So by the time he got to the private lab, Sabin was actually smiling lazily.
“So… what first, doctor?” He asked with a purr.
“Well…” she said, looking down at her collection of vials and beakers. ”I want blood, salvia, semen, and stool. Also, hair and skin scrape. What do you want to do first?”
Sabin gave a look of distaste. “stool? Why do you need that? That is disgusting.” He shook his head.
“Don’t be immature,” she said with a sneer. ”It’s science. Unless you want me to dissect your colon, examine it, and put it back, we’ll have to settle for that.”
Sabin’s smirk fell from his face with a shudder, especially as he remembered the photographs that he saw. “No… nonono. No.. no dissections… vivisections, either.”
He reached up and plucked a hair, handing it towards her in a completely unhygienic, unscientific fashion.
She ignored his hair with a roll of her eyes and picked up a few long cotton swabs. “Open up,” she asked, holding it up to his face.
He opened his mouth for the swab, watching her with mild interest.
She wiped the insides of his cheek with four different swabs, putting each on in a plastic bag. She scribbled a series of number and letters on each one, that didn’t make any immediate sense to Sabin. She took some tweezers and plucked several of his hairs, right out of the root, labeling them much the same way.
Sabin blinked. So clinical. He watched her wipe the inside of his mouth, resisting the urge to fence it off with his tongue. Glancing at the numbers, he winced as the hairs were quickly plucked from his head.
She then handed him two glass beakers. ”Yellow and white, you’re choice what comes first,” she said with a smirk. ”There’s a curtain over there,” she said, pointing to the corner of the room with a chemical shower, a sink, and a drain. A small, black curtain hung from the ceiling on a rail.
When she handed him the vials, he smirked “Oh… Aubrey… you don’t want to help?” He couldn’t resist, shaking the beaker she designated “white”. “It would be much… ah… faster?” Mischief shone in his eyes.
“Nice try, Mr. Duvert,” she said with an impish look. “But hopefully just knowing I’m right out here… waiting… won’t distract you too much?”
“Tsk!” Sabin stuck out his tongue and collected the vials, casting a look over his shoulder as he walked towards the shower. “No… no I do not think that will distract me.” He teased. He didn’t push too hard – maybe once upon a time, before things had moved to a new level with Lukas and he was still trying to prove that he liked women … before he was honestly very happy for Aubrey that she and Moreau were working well.
He gave her a parting wink and blew a kiss before he drew the curtain closed.
A minute or so later he set down the first “yellow” vial, as requested, and then, shifted a little uncomfortable as he did find it a little tougher than he had boasted to do the other deed. She heard a grunt, he closed his eyes, and started to daydream. He started to feel the dregs of fear ebbing from down the halls… and he found his mind wandering to Lukas…
Five or so minutes after that, she heard the sink running, and then the curtain drew back, and Sabin stepped out holding the two flasks, in his true-form. He wanted to have a little fun with this at least – and it was a natural side effect of her second request anyway.
“Ohmigod..” she jumped, not expecting him to come out in his true form.
Sabin gave Aubrey a toothy grin at her startled reaction, having gotten what he was hoping for.
She cleared her throat, blushing a little through her professionalism as she took the beakers form him with her gloved hands. ”Thank you..”
“My pleasure.” He joked as he handed them over. “You are cute when you blush.” He added, attempting to make this more interesting than the scientific detachment that she had adopted since walking into the laboratory.
She set the beakers down and transferred several eyedroppers full to two sealed vials. Afterwards, she disposed of the leftovers in a biowaste receptacle, including her gloves, and then pulled out several needles, ripping them out of their sterile wrappers. “Ready for the blood draw?”
He eyed the handful of needles warily when she withdrew them, though, his eyes narrowing. He took a preparatory breath as he sat down. “not really.” He said, trying and failing not to show how much he didn’t like needles. But he took another breath and extended an arm.
She positioned him on the stool and pulled the cap of the first needle with her mouth and swabbed arm on the inside of his elbow. Then there it was - a prick, and suddenly the vial attached to the needle began to fill with the viscous black liquid.
Sabin winced, gripping the chair with his other hand and tensed. But he couldn’t help but watch with a morbid fascination as he saw his odd blood filling the syringe.
He glanced between Aubrey and the Syringe and back, watching her expression as she drew his blood.
“It feels… Nyergh… much better when Lukas does this.” He said, distracting himself. It really wasn’t so bad, but it was still a pinch, and it was still his vital blood being taken, and thus was not Sabin’s idea of a good time. He hated pain.
“God you can be such a baby,” she said, sealing that vial and going to the next.
He responded by sticking out his tongue petulantly. He drew a breath, looking away again. “You… will tell me what you find… when you examine these?”
“That’s not really my decision,” she said as she took the second one.
She pulled out another vial. ”Just one more should be fine she said. ”Eat some fig newtons and a glass of juice and you’ll be as right as rain.”
He sighed. “I just… well, I’m curious. I haven’t exactly been to a doctor’s.”
His eyes roamed the ceiling as she filled the third vial with his blood.
“And yes, doctor. I will be fine, I am sure.” He said begrudgingly.
He paused a moment before adding. “Thank you… and Moreau… I know I have been irritable about all of this… but I have not really expressed my gratitude for keeping my secret.”
She smiled gratefully to him. “You should express it yourself, but I do appreciate it,” she said with a nod. “And grateful to Lukas for not, you know… ordering you to assassinate me.”
He took his arm back after she filled the third tube, applying pressure to the small needlemark.
“I… will tell him next time I see him.” Sabin murmured, looking back to Aubrey. “And…” he shook his head. “I… I don’t know whether or not he… did bond me… but I do not think I could have brought myself to do that even had he forced the issue. Regardless… yes… I know he doesn’t like not being the only one to know… but he did listen to reason.”
“Ah, but that’s the thing, Sabin,” she said as she gathered her supplies up, “if you were truly blood bound, I don’t know if you could have. Not if Lukas -really- wanted it that way.”
Sabin swallowed, still cradling his arm, looking away. Could he have? If Lukas had ordered it. He shook his head to himself, fraught. “It doesn’t matter.” He said. “He didn’t ask. And I didn’t do it. And you are my friend.” He said, sliding to his feet again and starting to pull in his features.
She put a hand on his shoulder. “You’re right.” She smiled at him and gave him another long hug. “That’s all that matters.”
Sabin looked querulous for a moment before he realized exactly what she meant, and he gave her a broad smile, nodding. “Yes…. Yes, I see what you mean. It… it doesn’t matter.” His eyes cleared back from red to the blue-grey that she was familiar with as his reversal shift completed. “We… we feel what we feel. And… we’re happy… right?” He put a hand on her shoulder.
She gave a nod. “I will be. Once things and made right again, between Nick and I. But at least we’re back to normal.” She gave a smile. “I’m going to go store these. Then I ought to get back home…”
Sabin nodded. “Of course. It is not too much longer till dark.” He agreed. He waited for her to put up the samples, retying his hair back up while she worked. When she finished, he pulled her into a hug. “Don’t be a stranger, Aubrey. If… you need anything, please call? I don’t want to hear of you getting into trouble again.” He said with a playful- but concerned – smile.
She hugged him back, holding his tightly. “I promise.”
