My attempts at damage control have been thwarted by paperwork.
I had been so distracted in reading Henry's notes on Nox team's performance that I was genuinely surprised when Viola knocked on my office door to inform me that dawn was only an hour or so away. She then reminded me that, if I was willing, it was time for her dose of Vitae.
Even the mystically bound display ulterior motives. One could easily become jaded.
Still distracted, I motioned her over to me and idly slashed at my wrist. This I offered up to her, willing out just enough Vitae to keep her sated, to maintain her perfect form...and obedience. I pulled my wrist away, sealing up the gash motioning her to stand there, silently. No doubt there was an expression of hurt or confusion on her face...
...but this was interesting.
Sequential electric light explosions, mysteriously moving toy train, black fog that knocks a person out? Who knew this thing had that sort of power?
I looked up at Viola and, that little bit of attention turning her expression joyful, pulled her onto my lap. I told her to take the car and to go home, that I would be along later through my usual method. I didn't tell her what I was doing, nor where I would be going. As I watched her walk off, I marveled at her capabilities. Somehow, she kept hours with me, slept a few hours at home, and still managed to field requests during the day. Either she's extraordinarily gifted, or she takes a lot of power naps.
As for me, I grabbed my coat, cane, and Stetson, left and locked the office, and made my way out onto the lands I could now claim as mine. My request had been approved by the Prince. As long as I could protect the projects, and expect no Camarilla assistance in doing so, I could claim them as my feeding grounds. In our little neofeudal Kindred society, I had just become a landed noble.
And all moves according to plan.
In the remaining time before dawn, I made my way to Greenbriar and stood outside for a long time. Whether at the beginning or ending of my hunting career in Chicago, or even now, months after my semi-retirement, this little building continues to be a beacon, a nexus of sorts. The first gear any of us saw, the assault by Taraton, the formation of the team, Dr. Gale...it all started here. So many events tied to this one location....and now, it housed one man I needed to save somehow, and one man who would soon come to know far too much.
As the sun's corona peeked its way over the horizon, I walked through a door in the alley and into my bedroom at the mansion. Tomorrow night would be soon enough. I would work on my end, Massena would work on his.
Absolutely nothing could go wrong, right?
We'll have to move quickly. It's time for a phone call.
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