Man, I was all sorts o' excited when I got that invitation from that prissy Ventrue chick who'd showed up at my meetin' 'bout the Tremere. She was havin' a party and wanted me to come! See, I'd been talkin' to Zane and Reese and all, and now I was gonna get a chance to show the Toreador that I could be all cultured and stuff, and show the Ventrue that I wasn't stupid or nothin'. If I was lucky, maybe even Adonis would notice.
Ever since the last party, things'd been goin' kinda rough. That Tremere wouldn't stop bloodin' on me, and it was gettin' worse. Lotsa times I'd sweat, throw up real bad, or just bleed from my nose and mouth. My head hurt, sometimes my stomach too, and now I was seein' things, scary things, and I'd just pass out. But that wasn't the top of it, worst was that it was gettin' harder to think straight, ya know? I felt like I was walkin' around in a fog or somethin'.
Anyway, I went out to Goodwill and got some fancy-ass clothes. I mean, if I was gonna be cultured, I should at least look like it. It felt weird though, 'cause I wasn't wearin' none of my chains or leather braces or even my shades, but I guess I looked all slick. Man, for all this, Adonis better say somethin', 'cause I ain't dressin' like this all the time! Still though, it wasn't that bad, and I got goin' on my way over to Nora's house.
It was a nice place, and she said hey yo and stuff to everyone when they came in. That Navy Ventrue was there, and so was Rydia and Aiden. There was also this guy named Cletis who was dressed like somethin' outta 'Dukes of Hazard' or 'In the Heat of the Night'. He talked just like guys in the South, in fact, he was from Texas. It was good, 'cause he spit tobacco on the floor and then Jade went off on him and he apologized, but you could tell that he didn't care. Cool, another person who didn't take to highly to Toreador telling them how to live and stuff.
Like, the whole city was at this party, but the only other Brujah were Zane and Vince, so I guess Dylan, Reese, and Ryan were gonna come later. I saw Iris, that Gangrel who's always real nice to me, and Starline and Lazarus were there too. I didn't see no Tremere, not even Gustav, but then, that could be a bad thing 'cause they could be up to somthin'. Pretty soon Adonis called us all in a big room to talk.
He said like welcome to the party bein' had by the new Ventrue, this is Elysium and all, and hand in your weapons. See, I wasn't packin' or nothin' 'cause with my new outfit I didn't have no where to hide my gun. Some other stuff got said, but I stopped payin' attention. For some reason it was gettin' really hard for me to pay attention to anythin', and I felt like I was thinkin' like a little kid. Then, I saw that Jade was watchin' me, so I made like I'd been listenin' to Adonis the whole time.
Everyone scattered around to say hey and what's up and all, but I just stayed put where I was and started readin' the video game magazine that was on the table. People were askin' me how I was feelin' and was I better, and I told them that Tremere still wasn't leavin' me alone. How come no one would ever believe me about it? I mean, they could see what was happening to me, why didn't anyone do anythin'?
All of the sudden the Navy Ventrue started lookin' at me funny. "Pardon me, but are you quite all right?"
"Huh?"
"Your face...you're bleeding."
He was right, I was sweating real bad on my face, and the blood started to run down my cheeks. I wiped some off and held out my hand. "See? You see what those fuckin' Tremere're doin' to me?"
"Calm down, dear," Starline said, takin' the hem of her gypsy skirt and wipin' the blood off my face.
"Man, when Dylan an' Reese an' Ryan get here, I'm gonna tell 'em 'bout this and we're gonna do somethin' this time!"
She sat back, all surprised and stuff. "Didn't you hear? Ryan's dead."
"What?!?"
"Yeah."
"Oh man! I gotta tell Zane!"
I raced outta the room and found Zane talkin' to someone. Yeah, I know I was trying to be all sorts of polite and things, but this was somethin' important and I didn't have no time to be good.
"Zane, Zane!"
"Yes, Raven, what do you need?" Man, sometimes I wish I could be as slick as him.
"S-starline told me that Ryan's dead!"
He nodded all grim-like. "Yes, that is true. Dylan and Reese are, at this moment, on a road-trip in mourning for our brother."
"But how, why? I mean, how did he die? Who killed him?"
"I can tell you no more than this," Zane sighed, "he is gone. Ask no further questions."
"But Dylan and Reese?"
"Say nothing more of them now, nor when they return, if they return."
"What? Why aren't they coming back? Damnit Zane, I don't understand!"
"Raven! Listen to me, I cannot explain all of this to you, just trust me, trust that I would not deceive you."
"Oh, um, yeah...ok."
I wandered outside to find Vince. That all just didn't make sense, I mean, how come Zane, Reese, and Dylan knew about Ryan bein' dead, but they didn't tell me nothin'? And how come Starline knew? She's a Gangrel, not a Brujah! But more than anythin', how come Dylan and Reese didn't take me with them on their road-trip? I liked Ryan too, ya know, so why did they leave me behind in Swarthmore? I guess maybe they thought I was too stupid or somethin', 'cause I kinda guessed that Dylan don't think too much of me. That's a fuckin' low feelin', when your own clan dicks ya over.
Vince was sittin' under one of the trees talkin' with some new guys, but he looked up when I came over. "Hey Raven, what's up?"
"Yo, did you hear? Ryan's dead, man!"
"What? No kiddin'?"
"Naw! And Reese and Dylan took off...without us!"
Vince rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that's just like them. I bet they're headin' west out to California."
"What makes ya say that?"
He shrugged. "I hear stuff, ya know?"
Out west, California, there could only be one place they were headin' and that hadda be Los Angeles. Aw fuck! They don't got no idea what it's like out there, why didn't they bring me? I'd lived in that hell-hole for six years, I could've told 'em all they needed to know. Man, Zane had some answering to do.
"Hey, did you know that Dylan and Reese went to California?"
Zane looked 'round then pulled me into an empty room. "Are you trying to get them killed?"
"Huh?"
"Those two are in enough trouble without everyone around here knowing that they went to an Anarch free-state. Please say nothing else!"
"But Zane, they could be in real trouble out there!"
The elder put his hand on my shoulder. "Raven, listen to me. They are Brujah and Gangrel; they'll be able to look after themselves. Dylan and Reese are strong, don't fear for them."
"Ok, if you say so, I trust you, Zane."
Starline was sittin' out on the porch, so went out there to talk with her. See, I had a whole lotta questions 'bout how she was all knowin' some of this stuff.
"Um, Starline, how come you knew all 'bout Ryan bein' dead?"
She smiled all sneak-like. "A little cat told me."
Huh, a cat? Oh yeah, she was a Gangrel and they can do that kind of thing. But how did the cat know though? I wish that I could talk to that cat, I'd have a lotta things that I'd want to know. Hey, wait a minute, I could ask Rydia! I bet she'd help me find that cat. She was sittin' the stairs when I came over.
"Hi Raven, how are you feeling?"
"Um, I'm ok. Did you find out more about the Tremere who's bloodin' on me?"
"Well, I took a look at that blood sample, but, um, I still need to talk with Gustav about what he found."
"Rydia, can you talk to cats?"
"Um...I guess, I never tried it before."
I explained 'bout what Starline told me, and Rydia said that if I could find a cat, that she'd try to talk to her. It woulda been a good idea too, but then Nora said that I couldn't bring no animals in her house. Fuck. This was gonna be harder than I thought. Cats are smart, ya know, so maybe they heard from a Gangrel, but then how come all these people knew and I didn't? I hadda go outside an' think 'bout it.
Under this tree it was all slick and nice, so I just sat there and watched stuff. Everyone was talkin' and whisperin' with each other, and it made me feel like maybe I should be out there and be bein' all devious. I guess that's all Kindred are good for. All of the sudden, there was this woman sittin' next to me, guess she must've been invisible somewhere. She was real pretty, and there was this thing 'bout her, like she was shinin' or somethin'.
"You are Raven?"
"Yup, who wants to know?"
She smiled, and it made the whole part under the tree feel warm and safe. "Call me a friend, an old friend."
"Ok....." I was confused, I'd never had no friend what looked like her. Maybe she was thinkin' that I was someone else.
"I know that you're feeling poorly, and I wish with all my soul that there was something I could do to help you. Promise me that you'll be brave, however, and strong. Your road has been a long and tenuous one, and I pray that your rest will be peaceful."
"Huh? What're you talkin' 'bout?"
But the woman only smiled again. "Don't worry, everything is understood and explained in time. Know that you are loved, young Raven Galver of Brujah, by more people then you could ever imagine." She stood up and started to walk away.
"Hey, I don't understand! Who are you? Where did you come from?"
"I have many names, though while I was here, they liked to call me Catherine." Then, she was gone.
K...that was weird. Now there were a whole chunk-load of people all woofin' about, so I went inside 'cause all of this was makin' me feel a bit nervous, but it's not like I was 'fraid or nothin'! Man, there was like no one around, 'cept for Rydia sittin' on the stairs again, and Aiden and her ghoul hangin' 'round. They were cool, but always worryin' and thinkin' that everyone and their sire was after 'em.
"Hey yo, you guys. What's up?"
Aiden just shrugged, and her ghoul hid behind her. That girl had somethin' wrong with her that she couldn't talk, but Rydia looked up.
"Hey Raven, why are you dressed like that?"
I looked down at my new duds. "Well, last time everyone was all like, 'Raven's a punk and she's stupid and a loser', so I don't want no one to be thinkin' or sayin' that this time."
"But do you really think that people will change their opinion of you if you're dressed differently? If they like you then they like you, what you wear or how you act won't make a difference."
"Yeah, but maybe if Adonis sees me all like this, well, then..."
Rydia rolled her eyes. "What does he know, he's just a Toreador. Dress and act how you want to, not how you think other people want to."
Hmm, that kinda made sense when I thought about it, but I knew that if I didn't do what all everyone else did, then everybody would be snubbin' me all the time.
"I guess, but see, it's like this, if they think that I'm all respectable and stuff, then maybe they'll pay attention and believe me when I tell 'em 'bout that Tremere."
She shrugged. "Well, if that's your motive, good luck."
"You know what?"
"Hmm?"
"I wish I could talk all polite and proper like Zane. He's a poet, ya know, so he's real smart."
"Raven, how you talk doesn't indicate how intelligent you are."
"Hey, I know! You're a doctor, right? You could teach me some cool scientific words, so then I could say them when everyone's around, and they'd think I was all that and stuff!"
"Well, what words do you want to know?"
"Um, anything!"
"Ok...how about 'Erlenmeyer Flask'? Or here, 'graduated cylinder' or 'meniscus curve'. You could even use 'deoxiribose nucleac acid'."
"Yeah, those are great! Thanks, Rydia!"
On account of 'cause everyone was outside, that's where I went to use my new scientific words. Let's see Jade call me trash now! Some people were sittin' 'round a table, so I sat down there too. All them Nosferatu were talkin', so I decided to join on in the conversation.
"So, what you guys think of this party? Me, I'm havin' myself a genetic time."
"Really? Hmm, a 'genetic' time, huh?"
"Yeah. At first I thought that I left my graduated cylinder back at my haven, but I didn't."
"Um, ok." That asshole Nosferatu got this look on his face. "Hey, Raven, do you like hunting?"
"You bet, man!"
"I as well fancy hunting. In fact, you could probably catch a few snipes up here."
Huh? "Cool dude, but um, I don't want ya to think that I'm all stupid and stuff, but what's a snipe?"
He grinned, and looked at this other guy and nodded. "A snipe is a large insect who's carcass can sell for as much as two grand. Usually you'll find them in heavily forested areas, that is, if you can keep up with them."
"Hey! There's woods near here! I bet I could catch one, I've got Celerity ya know!"
Man, that sounded like a great idea, and I saw Zane, Vince, Rydia, and Iris on the other side of the yard, they'd probably want to go huntin' with me. There's been this whole meetin' of important people goin' on in the field behind the house, and Zane had probably just gotten out from that. Sometimes I wish I was an important person too.
"Hey you guys, ya wanna go with me on a snipe hunt?" Zane looked up.
"Raven, there is no such creature as a snipe."
"Yeah hon, who told you that?" Iris asked.
"Mark, that Nosferatu. He told me that I could get at least two grand for a snipe, and I can move all sorts of fast. I bettcha I could catch one!"
Zane came over and put his hand on my shoulder. "My dear, he lied to you. Rydia, you're a Gangrel, and your kind are indeed learned in the genus of animals; do snipes exist?"
"No. They're just giving you the run-around, kid. I'm going to go talk to that Nosse, because he shouldn't be messing around with Brujah who don't know any better."
Rydia and Iris went off to talk somewhere, and when I looked over, Zane and Vince were just lookin' at each other. I was 'bout to say somethin' but then Zane said that he was usin' a mind power to find things out in secret from Vince. That was kinda cool, but it was also really scary too, I mean, people shouldn't be able to do stuff like that. What if that Tremere had those powers and could mess with my mind and blood on me? Finally they started talkin' out-loud like.
"But Zane, how could they think that I said that? I wasn't even here then, it's just everyone spreadin' rumors 'bout me. You can't believe that, man!" Vince was real mad now, I guess that secret meetin' was 'bout him.
Zane started walkin' back to the house, and we two followed. "Vincent, one thing that you must understand about Cainites is that we are never what we seem. Of course people are spreading falsehoods in your name, for the other clans do not think highly of us. Do you see Raven here?" He reached over and touched my cheek. Man, Zane's so slick.
"Our Raven has been trying so hard tonight to play the game the others do. She's tried to dress, speak, and act in their manner. To some degree, we all must do that, but I warn you, be careful. I can only protect you so far."
"Yeah! Think 'bout it, Vince, no one believes me 'bout the Tremere 'cause they think that I'm stupid. See, I'm Brujah, but that doesn't mean I'm all ignorant, but Jade an' all think so. Dylan and Reese didn't take me with 'em 'cause I'm a girl, but I still play the game same as all the rest. We gotta, man, or else we're gonna get stepped on." I hadda say what I did, Brujah stick together.
"Yeah, well, I'm gonna take off for the night, no sense stayin' 'round here if everyone's gonna be out to get me." So, that was it for Vince that night, and he went home.
Me and Zane went inside, but then he hadda go to another secret meetin'. Damnit, how come I can't go to these meetin's? I mean, I've got cool and important stuff to say too! Maybe if I went, all the elder's would believe me 'bout the Tremere, but then 'gain, I'd probably just say somethin' stupid an' they'd laugh, an' they'd throw me out. 'Stead, I went to sit in the other room.
Nora and the Captain were sittin' there with Mark and Starline and talkin' 'bout the Navy. See, the Captain's all been in wars and stuff. That's cool, but he don't know nothin', 'cause I've been to Los Angeles, and that's a real war-zone, what with all them chink monsters. Then, all o' the sudden, Nora breaks in with how much of a nice-weather night it was.
"Naw, it won't stay that way though," I said.
"What makes you say that?" That's what cool 'bout the Captain, he'll disagree with whatever ya say just 'cause he can.
"Well, I know it's gonna rain 'cause my scar hurts." I pointed to where Eve shot me all those years ago.
"How antiquated, the pain from an old wound leads you to believe that the weather will change. Ah, the foolish notions of the soft-witted!" Man, that Nosferatu really gets on my nerves sometimes! I ain't stupid!
"Oh dear, how did you get that scar?" Starline asked.
"Um..." How could I tell them 'bout that? That someone who I all sorts of looked up to, had shot me 'cause I majorly fucked up? Naw, I didn't want them to know. Everyone who remembered that, well, 'cept me an' Eve, were outta Swarthmore, and besides, I wanted to forget.
"I got shot once."
"That's too bad. Who shot you, hon?"
"I...well...I don't wanna talk 'bout it, K? Just trust me, I think it's gonna rain tonight."
After that, the Professor came in an took Starline away to talk, and Nora hadda go an' make sure that her house was still ok and all. That just left me and the Captain. Man, what was I gonna say? I knew that he thought I was dumb, man, he was so smart. Hey, smart! Maybe he knew somethin' 'bout that book I snagged from Alabaster.
"Um, Captain? Can you read languages other then American?"
"Yes. Quite a few, actually. Why?"
"K, 'cause I 've got this book, and it's like in a line language that I can't read, and I wanna know what's in it."
He shrugged. "What does it look like? Can you draw it?"
I tried, but me scrawlin' with a pen on the back of a magazine didn't really look like all the pretty writin' in the book. The Captain didn't know what it said, and neither did no one else I asked. That kinda sucked 'cause I asked all the smart people, well, no, Adonis, Zane, and Jade were in a meetin' so I couldn't let 'em see.
K, I was walkin' through the room 'cause I saw Adonis, and I really wanted to talk to him. Then, and I swear this happened, the sun came up through the window, burnin' me all up. I remember screamin' and fallin', knowin' that I was for sure dead.
I was on the couch next, just bleedin' from everywhere. Rydia was wipin' all the blood off me, and everyone was yellin'. Once they finally listened to what the hell I was sayin', no one would believe what happened. I told them about the sun, but they all said that I dreamed it or made it up. Nuh-uh! I saw the sun, I felt it burn!
A lot of people were sayin' not to touch me or nothin', like I had some kinda sickness or somethin'. Jeez, the Tremere were workin' magic right in front of 'em, but still they said it wasn't! Was this some kind of big joke? Were they all like laughin' at me while I was dyin' just 'cause some asshole elder Tremere wanted to dick 'round with magic?!?
Man, I felt so damn lousy! My head felt like it was splittin' apart, and my stomach was all rollin' like I was gonna puke. After a while, everyone went away, and I ran and found Zane talkin' with Starline and Iris in a little room. My elder was all scared 'cause of what was happenin to me, but I told him that I was ok, and then he said to stay away from Adonis.
"What? How come, Zane? I mean, he's just so cool, and all nice to me, and he even doesn't think that I'm stupid or anything!"
"Please, I cannot tell you any more than I have, as before, just trust me. The feelings that you feel are not your own, they are false emotions created by his powers. For example, how do you feel about me?"
"Well, I mean, I like ya, and you're cool and all. Hell, I really respect ya, but Adonis, well...it's different, it just is!"
I ran outta there 'cause Zane just didn't understand. How was he supposed to anyway? See, I ain't never felt like that for anyone before like I felt for Adonis, well, except for Spike, but...but he was gone. It was just 'cause he was an elder, I bet. Man, those elders think that they're so great, but ya know what, I'm proud to be a neonate! I don't wanna be all old and stuff, I'm livin' my unlife to the best that it can be, and I'm gonna keep on like I am 'til Caine the Big Man comes for me himself.
Nora, Starline, and Cletis went walkin' by, and Lazarus was with 'em, and he was wearin' but only a really short nighty-gown. I started laughin' and asked what the hell was goin' on, and Cletis told me that when Lazarus was bein' all earthy and stuff, the Nosferatu done took all his clothes and hid them. There was all gonna be fightin' and stuff, but then I said hey let's go out and look for them, 'cause that's the only way that everyone can be settled. Man, I can really be a good political person sometimes.
So we went outside and Jade and Zane were walkin' in. "Raven, may I have a word with you?"
"Um, yeah Jade, ok..." Uh-oh, what'd I do? Was I gonna get in trouble?
I followed her into the house and up the stairs, and we were standin' on the hall part right 'bove it. I just kinda stood there not wantin' to say nothin', and finally Jade turned 'round to talk to me.
"Raven, I want you to stay away from Adonis." Her voice was all quiet and shakin', soft like she was really upset but didn't wanna speak up.
"Yeah, Zane said the same thing, but I know he's not evil or nothin', honest!"
Jade sighed. "You're not understanding." Huh? Why wasn't she yelling at me? What was all this 'bout Adonis?
"I appreciate that you've tried to wear you best and polish up your dealings with polite Kindred society, but you're not Toreador, so stay away from my sire."
"Wait, Jade, um...what's this all about?"
"He's mine!" And she yelled that, then like realized that she was shoutin' and calmed down.
Right as I was 'bout to say back sure you shoulda told me he was your man, this big, dark guy wearin' a cloak came up right in front of me. He spit in my face, and it all burned real bad! I went to hit him, but he was movin' so fast, faster than me even. All o' the sudden his sword was stickin' outta my chest, and my arm finally moved, knockin' him back.
Damn, that felt weird, and I was fallin' forward, like in slow motion. It...it didn't hurt anymore. Eve...I'm sorry. Spike...I...love you...then fall. And be as you were, as from whence you came, Daughter of Adam, Child of Caine. From the land were you born, and to the land you shall return. Ashes to ashes...
Jade backed against the wall as the remains of the young Brujah hit the floor. Frozen in abject terror, she could only but watch as the dark man calmly strode towards her. He put out a gloved hand and gently caressed her cheek.
"I bear a message from Hassim," he whispered softly, "she was diseased. This city is contaminated, it is unclean. Cleanse it or there will come a bloodbath."
And back into the nothingness he faded, leaving the shaking Toreador staring at the bullet, curved blade, and pile of ash lying on the floor before her. No more than a moment passed, and finally Jade screamed, the anguished cry reaching those downstairs. The Captain and Rydia, being closest to the stairs, and coincidentally, being the only ones presently in the house, hurried up to the second-floor landing. As they did so, Jade reached down and picked up the bullet, on which strange glyphs could be seen in the gloom.
Instantly, her sight went dark, while a force and flash jolted her back. Unimaginable agony filled her, and Jade saw her hand coming away from her own forehead, shaking and covered with blood. All around was the heavy, sickening scent of gunpowder and night in the city, so strong that it nearly choked her. The instant ended, and she found herself standing where she'd been before.
By that time, Jade was in quite a state, so the gentle Ventrue helped her down the stairs and past the dreadful spectacle. Rydia quickly pulled a bag and small brush from one of her pockets, and proceeded to take a small sample of the ashes. Others were beginning to fill the front rooms of Nora's house; there'd been a horrible fight in the yard, and Starline was helping the injured Professor to a couch.
Chaos reigned for nearly a half-hour afterward. From all accounts, there had been two assailants; the man Hassim who had murdered Raven, and Cletis, who had only been posing as a member of Camerilla society. The talk ran rampant. Some said the rumors of Raven having a disease were true, while others whispered darkly of a Tremere conspiracy, for perhaps the young Brujah had spoken the truth about being harassed. Fear gripped them on hearing Jade's report of the assassin, who seemed to be a member of the dread Clan Assimite
.
Suddenly, the front door flew open, and Zane of Brujah, eyes blazing in fury, strode into the main hall. All heads turned, but none could meet the gaze of the grimly calm elder. His even pace faltered not as he approached Adonis.
"So, you have heard what happened. My condolences to you and your clan, old friend."
"Who?" was the only word to come forth from Zane.
"From what I've learned, he called himself 'Hassim', and all that was left of your friend was this." Adonis held out the kris blade, which gleamed black and coldly in the strong light of the foyer. Zane seized the large knife, hand shaking with rage.
"What do you mean to do?" But the courtly man had already turned and stormed back out the door.
No one, however, noticed the figure cloaked in white at the door, and presently, it knocked. Mark, senior among the Nosferatu, answered.
"I wish to speak with your Keeper of Elysium."
"We do not just let anyone into our gatherings. Who are you, and what is your business here?"
The figure seemed to shrink slightly in stature. "My name is Chedren Williams, and I am a Nosferatu neonate. My business is with your Keeper of Elysium and none other."
"I will send for him. As for now, you may enter."
It kept its head down and face hidden as it reluctantly stepped into the front hall. From all around there was talk of the person in white.
"No, not another cloaked figure, not after all we've had this night!" someone remarked, and again, Chedren shrank away from the offending voice.
v Adonis, flanked by Gavin and Mark, approached Chedren, and waved her into one of the small side rooms. Jade followed. The sheriff silently closed the intricate glass doors, and the figure knelt on one knee before Adonis.
"I present myself to you, and beg leave to remain in this city, my lord."
"Of course, but who are you?"
"I am called Chedren Williams, neonate of Clan Nosferatu. I am but passing through your fair city en route to northern Maine and the Canadian provinces, and shall tarry in your realm only a few weeks."
Adonis extended his hand to help Chedren off the floor, but it shied away. "Please, remove your cloak so we might see your face," he asked kindly.
"I cannot, the sight of my face is one too horrible for your fair eyes, my lord."
"My dear, I assure you that no matter your visage, you will not offend."
Slowly, Chedren removed the thick white hood. All stared in horror. Hers was the face of a young woman, perhaps in her early twenties. On the right side of her head, cybernetic implants could be seen from under her skin, and her right eye was nothing more than a red laser-light. Jade fainted into the arms of an astonished Gavin. The newcomer sadly shook her head and replaced the hood.
"W-welcome to Swarthmore," Adonis stammered before leading the elders back through the front hall.
Presently, all Kindred were called to a meeting in the main room, and Chedren dutifully followed Mark, standing with him and the rest of the Nosferatu. Nicholas, one of the Prince's most talented ghouls, was loudly asking for silence from the general crowd, and reports of what had occurred. Jade took the floor.
"I was speaking with Raven when it happened...when he came. He j-just killed her, saying that she was unclean and that there would be a bloodbath. I bore her no qualms, I couldn't have done it, we were just talking..." Jade hid her face and began to weep, then was drawn aside by Adonis, who helped her to a chair.
Others came forward about the suspicious actions of Cletis in the time before the attack, as well as speculation from Rydia that Raven had been suffering from, possibly also carrying, a Cainite blood-borne disease. Uproar broke out, with all demanding to know who she fed from, and who fed from her. Silence fell, however, with the first flair of lightening and crash of thunder. A wild tempest was raging outside, and there was shouting. Quickly, everyone ran out to the field behind the house.
Through the driving wind and monsoon rain, was visible the figure of Zane, holding aloft the Assimite's kris blade and screaming in an unknown language. At first, many tried to approach him, only to be thrown back by an unseen force. Finally, his words became recognizable.
"Come to me, Hassim! You cannot resist my summons!" Only this over and over, until a thick, unholy fog lay over all, and the dark cloaked man stepped forward from the oblivion beyond the sight horizon of the bleak night field. He drew a wicked curved blade.
Suddenly Zane leapt forward. "Cowardly jackal, this is for Raven!"
Almost simultaneously, the Assimite leapt as well. Mid-air, Zane's hands erupted into flame, and he plunged them into the man's chest. The enemy jerked back, then was driven into the ground by the Brujah elder, falling to ash. While all looked on, Zane refused to withdrawal, beating the sodden grass where lay the remains of the assassin. Ultimately, it was Gavin who pulled the exhausted Kindred away from the site and into the house.
Chedren waited a moment before following the throng. The fog was lifting and the storm dispersing. To what manner of city had she come? Still, there was to be done what needed to be done. In that, the young woman was certain.
Within, the denizens of Swarthmore tried to settle their skittish nerves. The Professor still lay prostrate as he'd been before, and Zane sat beside him, not moving, only staring ahead. A neonate attempted to get word out of him, but Zane shuddered, and violently vomited blood all over the man. Terrified, Jade became fixated on the idea that the Brujah might have contracted the Disease, and helped him away to clean himself.
Dazed, Adonis wandered from room to room. He encountered Chedren as she came in from the field.
"Be cautious, my lord. One has died here, and the other failed. They will return now, and there will be more than two."
At this, the Toreador decided the party had out-lasted its time, and bade all return to their havens, praying the slumber of day might dull the horror of the night. They left, like lost children who's comfortable, ordered world had been utterly destroyed and laid low. Fear stalked them as they fled into the darkness, from the two-month Embracee to the two-hundred year elder. None dared look behind.
He'd known the instant she died. The blood within him rose and cried out, like the singing of a discordant Greek chorus, and he felt her fall, feeling himself fall with her. Spike knew Raven was dead, and that made it all the worse.
As he survived each night, his only driving goal and dream was to see her again, and as long as he knew she still lived, it could have been a reality. Now, with the finality imposed by Final Death, his worst fear realized, he could do nothing but mourn and keep struggling. He considered suicide for a few eternal moments; why fight the monsters any longer, surely he could not kill them all. Who was he without her? Anarch? Camerilla? Sabbat? Did it matter?
Spike of Brujah gathered the surviving members of the Ramblers, plus a few who'd been around during those days, then dug up some drunken mortals and holed up in the back room of The Mistress, Raven's favorite Cainite club. It was nearing dawn when the last of the old gang passed out under the table, and a weary Spike picked up the make-shift awl.
He stood at the back wall, and when sleep at last took him, there was chiseled into the stone:
IN MEMORY OF RAVEN GALVER, 1971 - 1999, MY DIAMOND OF THE NIGHT, WE SHALL NEVER FORGET.