I'm running but what else is new.  I'm running from him.  I've been running so far so long, that I can't remember not running anymore.  Ok maybe I'm exaggerating, but 2 years is a long time.  Every time I think I'm safe he's there to remind me I'm not.  Why is he after me?  I didn't do anything to him, hell I don't even know him.  When will he leave me alone!
    This all started 2 years ago, I was at my usual haunt on a Friday night, called the Torture Chamber.  It was just me and a couple of my friends, we were laughing when he came over.  He looked at me and asked "Would you like to dance?"  One of my favorite Cure songs called Love song was playing, so like an idiot I said "Sure."  God how I wish I could take that back now, but who would guess that this would happen because of that one dance.  I mean come on what's wrong with this guy?    After the song was over he took my wrist in his hand and said "It's time Veronica." "What are you talking about?  Let go of me your hurting!  And how do you know my name?"  He gave me an evil smile and said "You'll find out soon sweetheart." He tried to drag me out of the club but my friend Sean saw me struggling to get away from him.  "Let go of her asshole!" "Let me think about this for a second."  He let go of one of wrist and said "No." Then punched Sean right in the mouth.  Sean fell right down.  "Sean!" "Lets go love." he said pulling me outside, towards a car.  "I don't think so!" I said kneeing him in the back.    He turned around letting go of my wrists, "Fine lets have it your way, I like to play rough."  He went to grab my hair but I kicked him in the arm.  "You bitch that hurt!  You know you might break a normal person's arm like that!" he said grabbing my arm.  "I know thats why I did it!"  I said throwing my head back and slamming him hard in the chest.  He let go of my arm again.  I turned around and kicked him in the face.  Then ran to my car and sped off.  I got back to my city apartment and locked all the doors and windows.  I called Sean's house to see if he was ok and I got "Veronica, nice round house kick!  I'm impressed!"
    "Who is this and where is Sean?"  "This is Edge and Sean is hanging out side.  Take a look."  Sean lived in the apartment building across the street.  I looked out my front window to see, the guy from the club, Edge, holding Sean outside the
window.  "Sean!"  I screamed.  He laughed in the other end of the phone "Here's the deal love you come over here now and go easy or I let go!" "I'll do what you want just leave him alone." "Just what I wanted to hear."  He said pulling Sean in slightly.    "I'll be right there!"  I went running out of my apartment building and into Sean's.  I raced up the stair to the 8th floor and knocked on the door.  I got no answer, I unlocked the door with the extra key and no one was there.  There was no sign of anyone even being there.  I looked around the whole apartment building and found no one.  I came back out into the living room and there Edge was his back to me staring out the window.  "You didn't really think he could get back from the club so fast did you?"  He turned to face me.  "You really don't think I would hold him out a 8 story window?" "But I saw you."
    "It was an illusion to get you here.  As you can see it worked."  He lunged forward grabbing me and roughly kissing.  The kiss was so heated and rough that I was tasting blood.  I don't know why, but I kissed him back!  He broke the kiss and carried me out of the apartment house.  When he finally put me down I realized what he was doing and I pulled out of his hold and went running down the street.
    After that I left New York for New Jersey.  Then New Jersey to Massachusetts and so on.  Always running, never stopping.  I'm now in Los Angeles.  I'm so tired, I can't sleep anymore.  Every time I do he's in my dreams chasing me.  Each time he hits me or does something to leave a mark it's there when I wake up.  If I eat one more caffeine pill I'm going to throw up.  It's not like the caffeine is helping anymore.  I must keep going, I can't let him beat me.  I'm walking down another crowed street.  I can fell that his close.    "Veronica, darling."  I turn and see him smiling down at me, that knowing smile when the hunter sees his prey.   "Edge."  I turned to run, but he grabbed my shoulders and pulled me against him.  "Now where do you think your going love." "Far away from you!"  I said kicking up above my head and hitting him in the head.  Then I slid out of my jacket and took off down the street back to my flea bag hotel.  I grabbed my bag, that was already packed (because I never unpack my stuff it's easier to make a run for it that way).  I ran out to my car and took off down the road.  "Where the hell do I go now!"  I said out loud slamming my hand into the steering wheel in frustration.  Just then my cell phone rang.  "Hello." "Hiya sweet heart, look behind you."  I looked in my rear view mirrors to see his black mustang.  "Pull over!"
    "Like hell I will!" "Fine then lets play bumper cars!  I hope your wearing your seat belt."  His car sped up and reared mine.  Then I heard sirens, police sirens, then a cop's voice telling us both to pull over.  We both stopped and the officer came out "Excuse me Sir. you were doing 80 in a 60mph zone and you reared end this woman's automobile.  Can I see your license and registration?" "Sure, officer."  He walked up to the officer and looked him dead in the eyes, the officer fell to the ground.  "Now where were we?"  He said lunging at me.  He pinned me to the ground and said "You know you could have avoided all this pain if you would have coming a long easy." "Your right, but I'm having to much fun kicking your ass!"  I said using everything I had and more to throw him off me.  I jumped back into my car and got away again, for now.  I checked into anther motor hotel.  Once again I missed being caught by the skin of my teeth.  I can't think of anything other then to give into him to make him stop.  I tried going to the police after the Sean thing.  Sean didn't remember getting in the fight at the club or me even going to the club.  The police say that there is no such person as this Edge.  Every time someone else see him afterward they don't remember!       "I can't take to much more of this!"  I screamed.  I then began crying uncontrollably.  Once again the phone rang.  "Hello."  I said weakly.  "Whats wrong love?  I thought you were having fun, I sure am." "Why are you doing this?"
    "Why you ask because it's time." "Time for what?"  I said sobbing.  "Shhhh now.  There is no need to get so upset."
    "No need to get so upset!  Are you on crack!" "Oh sweet heart I know you don't mean that." "Like hell I don't asshole!"
    "Now honey, you keep talking like that and I'll have to do something bad.  You remember what happened last time I said that don't you love."  Of course I remembered.  It was a few months ago, I had said something and then he said he was going to teach me a lesson.  Then I said like what?  Something bad was all he said and hung up.  I thought nothing of it and I took my shower, then went to bed.  I woke up a few hours later to something touching my face.  I turned on the lights and my hotel room was covered with spiders.  I am so afraid of spiders that I grab my bag and left.  The first hotel I saw I got another room and took another shower.  The second I got out the phone rang and he said "I told you." "Do you remember or do I need to refresh you memory?"  "No, no Edge I remember."
    "Good!  Oh I have a surprise for you look outside."  I did and there he was,  walking out of the main building with keys in his hands.  "Ready for round 3 of the evening?"  I hung up the phone put the chair under the door knob.  I took my stuff and went out the bathroom window.  I creeped around to the front, he was no where in site.  Then I felt someone tap my shoulder.  "Looking for someone?"  I turned around and saw him "Edge."
    "The one and only."  He stepped forward and I stepped back tripping over something.  "Ow!"  I got a deep cut on my hand.  "Are you ok?" he said.  As if asking if I was ok was not strange enough the look in his eyes showed he meant it.  I jumped up and went to run once again, but he caught my arm and took my hand in his.  "You need to get stitches for this honey."  I pulled my hand away "What the hell do you care?  And don't call me honey." "You really haven't gotten it by now?"
    "Gotten what?"    He grab my hand and brought the cut to his lips.  He licked off most of the blood and then bit his finger.  He mixed my blood with his and let go of my hand.  The cut began to tingle and closed.  It looked like it was never there.    "How the hell?"  I said looking up at him like he had 3 heads.  He smiled and for the first time I saw them, glistening white fangs.  I grab my bag and ran as fast as I could to my car.  I drove about a mile and my cell phone rang "Yes, Edge?"
    "This game ends soon love.  You can run, but you can't hide; and soon you won't be able to run.  It's time."  Then he hung up.  I kept driving a decided to go back to New York.  I would catch a plane to New York in the morning.  For now I will just drive and think.  "He had fangs, fangs!  He used them to bite his own finger and seal your wound.  Your blood is mixed with his!!"  My mind screamed.    "What the hell am I supposed to do?  This can't be happening!  This has to be some kind of bad dream.  He can't be a vampire!  Even though it explains a lot."
    "Why else would he not bother you during the day and only at night.  How else could he pull that stunt with the police officer or Sean.  Or the nightmares and the spiders.  Why is he after me?  What would a vampire want with a human nobody?"  Before I knew it the sun was up and I was on a plane.  A plane back to my favorite place.  The place where this nightmare began, New York.  It's funny how I still love this place even if it's where I meet him.  I'm not going to tell anyone I'm here, till this is over, one way or the other.  As usual I'll stay at a hotel and hope when nightfall's, he'll give at least an hour before he starts.
    How do you get rid of a vampire?  I mean the myths and legends say all different thing.  Well, they all agree on sun light, but I would have to be with him at sun rise; or during the day.  That would mean for once I would have to find him.  If the police can't find him what makes me think I can.  Some say fire, but how would I set him on fire?  I would have to be near him and I don't want to be anywhere near him.  Stake thru the heart maybe?  If I try and it doesn't work I'm as good as dead.  Or worse.  I should get some sleep the nightmares aren't so bad during the day.  "Wake up sweetie."  I opened my eyes to Edge "Is this a dream?" "Yes." "Fun." "You know you can't kill me." "Why should I believe you?  Your just saying this to keep those thought out of my head." "No only my maker can kill me and he's dead." "And let me guess you killed him?"  "No, he went insane and killed himself."  "And let me guess you drove him insane?" "No, he was always insane.  Even before he made me."
    "Why did you call me here?" "To talk." "Oh great."1 "Cute, but I'm serious."
    "What do you want to talk about how you plan on killing me?" "No, and who said I was going to kill you?"
    "If your not going to kill then what are you going to do?" "You'll see." "Can you for once give me a straight answer?"
    "I am." "No, your not!" "Yes, I am." "Why do you do this to me?  Do you enjoy it?" "No, I don't enjoy it.  How could you say that?" "If you didn't enjoy it then why the hell do you proceed to do it!"  I said bursting out into tears.  "Shhhh, baby."  He said pulling me into his arms and stroking my hair.  "Let go of me!"  I said bring my fist up to strike his chest.  He didn't let go just tighten his grip.  "One-second you kicking the shit out of me the next your comforting me!  What's wrong with you?  Do you like me or hate me?" "Neither, I love you."
    "You don't love me!  If you loved me you would have left me alone by now!  Or acted like a normal person in the first place!" "You still don't get it love?  Come on, it's not that hard to see."
    "See what?!?!?"  I said waking up in my hotel room.  I had to get out of there and go for a walk. I walked a few blocks and decided to take a cab to Central Park.  I don't know why I mean it's 10 at night already and that is not a place to be walking around by YOURSELF after dark!  God I slept long.  I went to the park any way.  As I was walking in the Park I began to here footsteps behind me, I figured it would be Edge.  I turned around and said "Hey fang boy I hear you!  Come out, come out where ever you are!"  No one came out.    "Fine have it your way."  I turned around and felt something pressed hard against my back.  I knew it was a gun.  "Give me your money or you die."  A man said.  It was not Edge.  I went to hand him my purse, when I heard someone clear they're throat.  The gunman turned right into Edge's fist.  The gun fired and hit my purse but not me.  I turned and watch in shock as Edge beat the man to a bloody mess. I couldn't believe he helped me.  After about 10 minutes of beating him, Egde finally looked to me and said "Are you alright?"  I nodded.  "Say something Veronica please?"  The sound of my name on his lips sent chills down my spin.  I'm not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.  "I'm fine."  Was all I could get out.  He walk towards me I moved back a step.  "Stop that I'm not going to hurt you.  Come here."  I almost involuntary walked into his waiting arms.  We stood on that position for about 10 minutes, but it seemed like for ever.  Then I realized whose arms I was standing in.  My mind screamed "What the hell are you doing get the hell out of here!!"  I looked up to see his eyes closed and then he opened them.  He was about to speak but I pushed away from him.  "Veronica!"  He screamed as I went off running  to the nearest way out of the park.
    Even when I was out of the park I kept on going knowing if I stopped, even for one-second to catch my breath, he would grab me.  Like an idiot I ran down a dark alley.  I didn't know when I went down it, the alley was a dead end.  I went to run back out but I heard his foots pounding on the pavement.  I hid in the first place I saw which was behind a dumpster.  His footsteps slowed and came closer.  "Veronica, don't make me come and get you.  Come out from behind the dumpster."  Fear of what would happen to me if I did kept me from moving.  "Fine Veronica have it your way."  He moved in front of the dumpster and pushed it out of the way.  I screamed.  "I told you I didn't' want to have to come and get you.  Now are you
going to stand up or am I going to have to pull you up?"  I stood up and looked at him.  "Thank you!  Now I'm sick of this game!  Your coming with me!  Lets go!"  He took my hand and held to it tightly as he lead me out of the alley.  "Where are we going?" "You'll see." "I don't want to see I want to know." "Well, you have to wait."
    "But I..."  Before I could say anther word his lips clamed mine in a soul scorching kiss.  When he finally released me I was dizzy from my lack of oxygen or something.  He picked me up and continued walking.  After 15 minutes he placed me down confident I could walk on my own.
    I watch other pass us on the streets, they probably thought we're just a happy couple out for  a night time walk.  I had to get away from him my mind screamed.    "Your not going anywhere!  Relax I'll take care of you."  His grip tightened around me and he called for a cab.
    When one pulled up he gave the driver directions to his hotel and we were off.  He had his arms around me and pulled me to him and held me against his chest.  The cab stopped a few minutes later.  He paid and helped me out of the cab.  We walked thru the lobby of his hotel into the elevator, without saying a word.  I could no longer take the silence "What are you going to do to me?" "What do you think I'm going to do?"
    "Why do you always do that?  Would you please give me a straight answer!"
    "Answer my question and maybe I will."
    "Fine, I think you going to torture me then kill me, or something along those lines."  He looked down at me in shock, "What makes you think that?" "Well, lets see!  You have been torturing me since we met and..."
    "Ok I get the idea.  I'm not going to torture you anymore. I'll answer your question as to why this happened and more."
    "Then what?" "Then it's time." "Time for what?!?!?  No wait let me guess I'll see!"
    "Yes, you will."  Just then the elevator opened.  He took my hand and lead me to his room.  He opened the door and gently pushed me in.  "Go take a shower I'll order us diner."
    "If I don't?" "Then I'll still order us dinner.  What do you expect me to say?  Get in there now before I kill you?"
    "Fine I'll take a shower but what am I going to wear afterward?  And if you say your bathrobe or something I'll kill you!"
    "Don't worry I have clothes for you." "Let me see them."
    "There in the closet on the right."  I opened the closet door and there was a dark violet dress.  I pulled out and held it up to my body in the mirror.  It looked perfect.  Underneath it on the floor was matching heels.  "Do you like it?"  He said standing behind me.  "It's a beautiful dress."  "So that means you like it right?" "Yes." "I'm glad." "Why are you doing this?"
    "Take your shower and then we'll eat.  After that I'll answer any questions you have."
    "Fine."  I took my shower and wonder what the hell I was going to do now.  I mean I can't let him win.  I have to get out of here.  If I leave I'll have to keep running.  I can' t do that anymore, but I can't stay.  I turned the water off and got out and began drying my hair.  I can't kill him, because I don't know how.  I can't keep running and I won't beg him to leave me alone.  What the hell can I do this is hopeless, I might as well let the asshole kill me.   I finished drying my and put the dress and shoes on.  I opened the door to a dim room.  "Edge?"
    "Over here!  Come into the light, let me see you."  I walked cautiously towards the balcony, "You look beautiful.  There is just one thing missing, stay right there."  He walked back into the room and over to the nightstand door, then came back to me.    "Turn around please."  He pushed my hair out of his way and placed a silver chain around my neck.  I looked down at the pendent, it was a crystal heart with a diamond chip off to the left side.  I was beautiful.  "Do you like it? "It's beautiful." "Come and eat."
    "What are we having?" "Lobster."  I sat down and thought to myself what if he poisoned this?  "I would not do that."
    "Your reading my thoughts?" "Yes." "Well, stop."
    "Ok."  The dinner was fill of tension, we said nothing.  All he did was stare at me and all I did was look at my food.  When it was finally done he called the front desks to get the plates and so forth.  They came and left.  I knew I should have said something like "This guy has kidnapped me!  Help me!"  However that wouldn't do me any good considering what he did to that police officer.  I just sat there quietly till he left.  "Ok now here's the deal, I'll answer all your questions as long as you behave.  Since you have been behaving I don't think I'll have any problems, so ask away." "Why are you doing this to me?" "Like I said it's our time." "Our time for what?" "You see every one of my kind is chosen from the day they were born.  You were chosen to be a vampire and I was chosen to make you a vampire.  Until I make you a vampire I can't be come a real vampire." "What if I don't want to be a vampire and what does me becoming a vampire have to do with you?" "If you don't wish to become a vampire, I'll be forced to bring you to the elders.  As for what you have to do with me is that we are soul mates, we always have been.  I have been watching over you since you were a baby.  When you become a vampire both of us will have the ability to become master vampires." "Back it up!  Number one, who are the elders?" "Oh they're the oldest and wisest vampires of our clan." "Our clan?" "Yes, we are both members of the Brujah clan since birth." "Ok a-a-a will come back to that.  What would they do with me?" "If you said no, they would do torture you until you said yes.  Therefore please don't say no!" "Why is it so important for me to become a vampire?" "To make the clan stronger." "How would that make it stronger?" "You will be a very powerful vampire as will I when you are brought over."
    "Ok back up to this you have been watching me since I was a baby thing." "What about it?" "Prove it."
    "Ok close your eyes and think back to that fire at your house when you were 7.  Remember what happened?" "Yes."
    "Tell me?" "My little sister just learned to walk and she turned on the burner.  The flames caught on a dish towel and it went up in flames.  We were all asleep, I was the only one with a room downstairs and it was right by the kitchen.  There windows in my room were nailed shut because I had the habit of leaving them open at night and catching a cold chill.  The flames covered my door before my dad or anyone could get to me." "But someone did save you?" "Yes, but I don't remember who."
    "Think hard Veronica." "There was this voice that told me to stay calm.  The next thing I remember was me and some one else out in the backyard." "He said something to you?"
    "Yes, he said 'Until it's time farewell.'  Then he kissed my cheek and said 'call for your parents.'  I said 'Who are you?' He said 'Edge' and was...gone.  It was you?" "I told you." "Why didn't you just tell me?"  He laughed "You wouldn't let me get within 10 feet." "Good point." "Would you like some more proof?" "No, I believe you.  Tell me more about the Clan." "The Clan, what do you want to know?" "Who is the leader?" "The Princes are." "They're all male?" "No both male and female.  They're all called Princes." "Where are they located?" "All over.  Our clan doesn't have a base, but if someone is in need they'll come."
    "How did this start?" "Well it's a long story, so get comfortable.  According to Kindred myth, the first of our kind was Caine, the first murderer.  For his crime, Caine was cursed by God and thereby transformed into a vampire.  Exiled from his people, Caine was forced to stalk the fringes of civilization, fearful of the sun and ravenous for blood.    In his loneliness, Caine came upon a mighty witch named Lilit. Lilith taught Caine how to use his blood for mighty magic (indeed, a few heretics claim that Lilith, not Caine, was the First Vampire).  Lilith taught Caine many things, including how to use his blood to evoke mystic powers and how to create others of his kind.
    At first Caine refused to make others, believing it wrong to curse the world with others of his kind.  But eventually he grew lonely and brought three others into the vampiric fold. These three in turn begat 13 more, and these voracious monsters went among the early peoples of the world, carelessly feeding and using mortals as puppets in their sibling feuds.  Caine, outraged by this behavior, forbade the creation of anymore.  Gathering his childen and grandchilden to him, Caine built a great city - the First City in the world - and here vampires and mortals coexisted in peace.
    It couldn't last. Caine's childen squabbled for their sire's affections, and once again the mortals were used as pawns in the feud.  Finally the city was thrown down - some say a natural disaster was the cause; others, that a spurned childen's vengeful sorcery precipitated the cataclysm.  Caine vanished into the wastes, never to be heard from again.  The three vampires of the Second Generation likewise disappeared into the mists of legend.  But Caine's 13 grandchilden, free from restraint, began breeding new vampires with abandon.  The 13 vampires became known as Antediluvians, and their childer, created in their images, inherited the Antediluvians' magical gifts and curses. Thus were the clans formed.
    The clans spread across the world, sowing discord and misery. Though each successive generation of vampires proved weaker than the last, they made up for it with greater numbers.  In the ziggurats of Babylon, in the palaces of Crete, in the tribunals of Rome, vampires ruled as shadowy tyrants, forever using mortals as food and unwitting soldiers.  Vampire warred with vampire, clan with clan, and thus - from the ancient rivalries of the First City - was born the great Jyhad, which is still fought today.
        The Kindred reached their worst excesses during the early Middle Ages.  During this period, many vampires ruled openly, smothering peasant and lord alike beneath their nocturnal grip. The vampiric population reached unhealthy numbers, and it seemed that the Earth would belong to the Kindred forever.
    Again, it could not last. The Children of Caine, in their hubris, began to flaunt their power flagrantly. Terrified peasants whispered of the monsters in their midst - and the Church began to listen. The reports of a few horrified priests spawned a frenzied Inquisition, and vengeful mortals rose up in a tide of fire and blood. Though individually much more powerful than mortals, even the mightiest vampires could not stand against the humans' sheer numbers; vampire after vampire was dragged from its lair and hurled into fire or sunlight.  In the throes of the Inquisition, a current of revolt gripped the Children of Caine. Younger vampires, who were being deployed as sacrificial lambs by terrified elders, began to rise up against their sires and masters. In Eastern Europe, a group of vampires learned how to sever the mystic bonds through which sires controlled their childer. Soon all of Europe seethed beneath a nocturnal revolt, as rebellious childer threw off the yoke of their masters. Between the Inquisition and the revolt of the vampire "anarchs," it seemed as though the Kindred would not survive.
     And so, in the 15th century, a council was called. Seven of the 13 clans united in an organization called the Camarilla. With its advantage of numbers, the Camarilla suppressed the anarchs and agreed to exist behind a great Masquerade.
        We are part of the Camarilla.  Never more shall vampires rule openly, the lords of the Camarilla decreed.  We shall hide among the mortals, and conceal our natures from our prey, and in a few decades the mortals will know vampires only as myths.  Thus, the Masquerade was born, and the Inquisition gradually forgot its original target.  Those anarchs who would not join the Camarilla were driven into the wastes, from which they would later emerge as the dread Sabbat cult.  With the discovery of the New World and the dawn of science, humanity gradually forgot about the Kindred, relegating them to the status of childhood legends.  But, though hidden, vampires were still quite real.  The wars of the Jyhad raged on, though the nights of open battle were replaced by sudden ambushes and maneuvering of human pawns. Weaving their webs throughout the ever-expanding cities, the Kindred eschewed their previous games for more methodical but no less deadly ones.
    And the wars continued down the centuries, and continue still.  The Jyhad rages as it always has - though skyscrapers take the place of castles, machine-guns and missiles replace swords and torches, and stock portfolios substitute for vaults of gold, the game remains the same.  Kindred battles Kindred, clan battles clan, Camarilla battles Sabbat, as they have for eons.  Vampiric feuds begun during the nights of Charlemagne play themselves out on the streets of New York City; an insult whispered in the court of the Sun King may find itself answered by a corporate takeover in Sao Paolo.  The ever-swelling cities provide countless opportunities for feeding, powermongering - and war.  Increasingly, vampires speak of Gehenna - the long-prophesied night of apocalypse when the most ancient vampires, the mythical Antediluvians, will rise from their hidden lairs to devour all the younger vampires.  This Gehenna, so the Kindred say, will presage the end of the world, as vampires and mortals alike are consumed in an inexorable tide of blood. Some vampires strive to prevent Gehenna, some fatalistically await it, and still others consider it a myth.  Those who believe in Gehenna, however, say that the end time comes very soon - perhaps in a matter of years." "What about the others?"
    "They're in the sabbit or are neutral. "Ok what are they?"
    "The sabbat are the Camarilla's bitter rival.  Originally the remnants of the shattered anarch packs, the Sabbat has evolved - or devolved - into something much deadlier.  The Sabbat would 'liberate' all vampires from the chains of the Camarilla and their sires.  The ultimate Social Darwinists, the Sabbat espouses the tenet of vampiric supremacy - the doctrine that, because vampires are highest on the food chain, they should not hide from mortals, but instead dominate them outright.  This attitude toward humans often manifests itself in actions that appear horrific and cruel by mortal standards; accordingly, the Sabbat is often branded a sect of violent evildoers by outraged Camarilla vampires.
    Two clans lead the Sabbat. The Lasombra clan is the most prestigious clan and is dreaded for its members' control over the stuff of shadow. Its ally and occasional rival is the Tzimisce, a clan of twisted scholars and sorcerers infamous for cruelty. Tzimisce are said to have the power to warp and mold their own and others' flesh and bone.
    The Neutrals are four clans choose to remain neutral in the great Jyhad, bartering their services to (and jockeying for power with) Camarilla and Sabbat indifferently.  These are: the Assamites, a deadly clan of vampire assassins based in the Middle East; the Followers of Set, a dark cult of vampires devoted to the worship of the snake-god Set; the Giovanni, an insular family of incestuous necromancers and financiers; and the Ravnos, a nomadic line of Gypsy charlatans and thieves." "Ok who are the Anarchs and what is the Jyhad?"
    "The Anarchs Some younger vampires strive to remain free of both Camarilla and Sabbat control.  These vampires style themselves "anarchs" in homage to the warriors who led the great revolt of the 15th century.  For the most part these modern anarchs are ragtag bands of Brujah and Caitiff predators, though all clans are represented in their ranks.  The Camarilla treats them as it would termites - individually insignificant, but potentially crippling if allowed to breed and fester.
    Since the nights of antiquity, the Children of Caine have struggled for supremacy.  Leaders, cultures, nations and armies have all been pawns in the secret war, and vampiric conspiracies have influenced much (though by no means all) of human history.  Few things are as they seem in the vampires' nocturnal world; a political coup, economic crash or social trend may be merely the surface manifestation veiling a centuries-old struggle.  Vampire elders command from the shadows, manipulating mortals and other vampires alike - and the elders are often manipulated in turn.  Indeed, most combatants may not even realize for whom they fight, or why.  That is The Jyhad." "I thought we were part of the Camarilla?" "We are, for the most part." "Tell me about the Camarilla."
    "The Camarilla is a great sect of vampires that formed in the late medieval period.  A vampire 'United Nations' of sorts, it was formed to protect vampires from the purges of the Inquisition, to uphold the Traditions of Caine, and to enforce the great Masquerade.  Many Camarilla vampires, remembering the nights of fire when vampires were uprooted and destroyed, uphold the Masquerade fanatically.  Camarilla vampires reject the idea of vampires as monstrous predators, instead preferring to live clandestinely among mortals and feed cautiously.
    The Camarilla is the most populous sect, and (in theory) the most powerful.  But it comprises seven clans of vampires, each with its own culture and agenda, and this renders it prone to discord.  Ruled as it is by a fractious sort of parliamentarianism, the Camarilla is slow to act and often indecisive in the face of threats; when it brings its combined might to bear, however, the Camarilla is virtually unstoppable.
. The clans are: Brujah: A clan of violent, antiauthoritarian vampires espousing freedom from
societal restrictions.  Gangrel: A clan of solitary, nomadic shapeshifters who prefer the wilderness
to the confines of the cities.  Malkavian: A bizarre clan of lunatics whose members are infamous for their
insanity - and insight.  Nosferatu: A loathsome clan of deformed monsters who skulk in subterranean
tunnels and sewers.  Toreador: A clan of elegant, passionate vampires who patronize artists, musicians, actors and the like.  Tremere: A secretive, treacherous clan of vampire warlocks who practice blood
magic.  Ventrue: A clan of aristocrats and nobles who consider it their duty to lead  the Camarilla."
    I couldn't help but listen to every word he siad.  As he said I got the feeling that I had heard it before.  "You have." "What?"
    "Sorry caught your thoughts you already know this." "But how?" "I told you you're meant to be one of us."
    "Wait a second, if you can read my thoughts then what keeps you from putting them in my head?  Like when you made it look like you were about to kill Sean." "That was not putting thoughts in your head, it was creating an illusion."
    "So that whole thing, with the fire, you could've created and made me believe?" "Yes, but I didn't." "How do I know that?"
    "You don't I guess, but I'm telling the truth." "Why should I trust you?  You have caused me nothing but pain!"
    "Trust me because I love you.  I f I didn't love you would I do all this?  I didn't mean to cause you so much pain but you would not listen." "You did all this to fuck with my head!  You don't know me!" "Yes, I do I know everything about from where you grew up to your favorite Aunt." "Just because you read my mine and get that information does not mean you know!"
    "I know who you are or else how would I always find you?  A metal connection will only get me so close." "If you love me let me go!" "I can't do that they'll kill you and me." "Why?" "Because you are one of us.  You are my soul mate and I won't let them kill you even if I have to force you into this." "If you loved me so much you would not force me into this!" "Stop that!"
    "What am I making sense!  God for bid!"
    He screamed and grab the back of my neck, then pulled me to him.  His lips met mine.  I tried to push away but I couldn't.  Something held me there, what I don't know.  I wrapped my arms around his neck and he put his around my waist.  The phone rang.    He pulled away from me and walked to the phone.  He looked at me and said "Hold that thought."  He picked it up, "Hello?"
    "Yes, she is here.  She is fine.  By the end of the night it will be done and we'll be back at the tower tomorrow.  Ok bye."
    "Now where were we?"  he said wrapping his arms around me again.  "What was that about?" "That was The Primogen." "The what?"
    "The Primogen they are The prince's council of advisors chosen from powerful elders of the various clans. These elders are called primogen. They keep the prince in check, a prince who fails to heed their primogen often finds themselves dead. The primogen are a strong force in themselves, and plot against each other and the prince." "Why did they call?"
    "To see if I had you." "What will be done by the end of the night?" "You'll become a vampire." "If I say no?" "You won't say no." "How do you know that?" "By this!"  he said kissing me once again.  I could not find it in me to resist anymore.  All that I wanted was him.  I didn't care what he was doing as long as I was there.  He picked me up, carefully so I as to not break the kiss, and placed me down on the bed.  He began kissing my neck and then he bit down.
    I woke up the next night lying face down to him stroking my back.  "Edge?" "Yes Veronica?" "Am I..."
    "Are you a vampire?  Yes you are."  Part of me wanted to get up and throw things at him; but more of me would rather just lie here and let him continue stroking my back.  "How do you feel?" "Cold and hungry."
    "Well, we can't have that!"  he said getting up and opening the closet and pulling out some girl.  He pushed her down so she kneeled on floor right by me.  "Drink."  I pulled her neck to my lips and sunk my fangs in to the tender flesh.  As I was drinking my eyes never left his.  "She was a prostitute.   Ok, now you must stop before the heart stops."  I pulled away and stood up to kiss him.  He broke the kiss quickly and said "Later love.  Right now you go take a shower and get dressed, while I get rid of this."  Not wanting to disobey him I ran into the bathroom and took my shower.  When I came out he had black jeans and a black tank top laid out for me.  I put them on and then sat next to him on the balcony.  "You have a lot to learn my love." "Like what?"
    "Like about your own clan, the rules and so forth." "You'll teach me?" "Of course." "Lets start with the what is a vampire to you? "A immortal who feeds off of humans."  The vampires are both similar to and different from what we might expect.  It's best to think of the undead as if they were a separate species, with similarities to the humans they once were, but displaying a lot of physical and mental differences.  In many ways, vampires resemble the familiar monsters of myth and movies.  However many vampire hunters has learned  not all of the myhts are true.
    Vampires are the living dead, and must live on the blood of the living.   A vampire is clinically dead, its heart does not beat, it does not breathe,  its skin is cold and  it does not age.  However it thinks,  walks,  plans,  speaks, hunts and kills.  For the vampire must to live it needs to periodically consume blood, preferably human blood.  Some ancient vampires must hunt and kill others of their kind to nourish themselves, but most vampires indeed live from the blood of humans.  What else have you heard?"
    "That people killed by a vampire bit become one."
    "Not true,  if that were true, the world would be overrun by vampires. Vampires feed on human blood,  and sometimes kill their prey; but most humans who die from a vampire's attack die.  To return as one, the victim must be drained of blood and be fed a bit of the attacking vampire's blood.  This is called the Embrace, causes the transformation from human to vampire.  I bet you heard vampires are monsters or demonic spirits embodied in corpses."
    "Yes."  Thats falseand true.  Vampires are not demons per say, but a combination of tragic factors draws them toward evil.  In the beginning, the newly created vampire thinks and acts much as they did while living.  They don't immediately turn into a monster.  However, the vampire soon discovers they have an overpowering hunger for blood, and realizes that her existence depends on feeding on humans.  In many ways, the vampire's mindset changes, they adopt a set of attitudes of a predator.  At first reluctant to feed, the vampire is finally forced to do so by circumstance or need; and feeding becomes easier and easier as the years pass.  Realizing that they're untrustworthy, they ceases to trust others.  Realizing that they're different, they locks themself away from the mortal world.  Knowing that there existence depends on secrecy and control, they becomes a manipulative user.  And things only get worse as the years turn to decades and then centuries, and the vampire kills over and over, and sees the people she loved age and die.  Human life is short and cheap in comparison to there's.  Human life becomes of less and less value, until the mortal 'herd' around them means no more to them than a swarm of annoying insects. Vampire elders are among the most jaded, unfeeling, paranoid, monstrous beings the world has ever known.  Now your thinking can sun light kill you?" "Yes I am."
    "Well yes vampires must avoid the sun or die, though a few can bear sunlight's touch for a very short period of time. Vampires are nocturnal , and most find it extremely difficult to remain awake during the day, even within sheltered areas."
    "What about crosses, holy water or garlic?"
    "The garlic myth is jsut a myth. As far as crosses and other holy symbols is generally false.  However, if the person hoolding it has great faith, a vampire may get burned.    Vampires die can't die from a stake through the heart but it will paralyze theit until it's removed." "How about vampires powers and strengths?"
    "The power of a vampire increases with age.  Young vampires are little more powerful than humans.  As a vampire grows in age and understanding, they learns to use there blood to evoke  magical powers, which vampires call Disciplines.  Powerful elders who have stalked the nights for thousands of years, often possess literally god like powers." "Anything else." "Yes, but not on what a vampire is.  We can discuss it more in the car." "Where are we going?" "We are going to the tower?" "The tower?"
    "Yes, thats our home.  You'll love it there.  Come on lets go, we're already checked out."
    We went down to the waiting limo.  A driver stood holding the right passenger door open "After you my sweet!"  Edge said.  I got in and he followed me.
    "Next is, vampires value power.   We vampires find it all to easy to acquire wealth and power.  A  glance and a few words provide a cunning vampire with access to all the wealth, power and servants he could desire.  Some powerful vampires are able to implant commands in mortals' minds.  This way, vampires can easily acquire of slaves.  Most, not all, vampires tend to remain close to the cities. The city provides countless opportunities for 'perdition, liaisons and politicking - and the wilderness often proves dangerous for vampires'.  The wilderness is the home of the Lupines, the werewolves, who are vampires  enemies and desire nothing more than to destroy vampires outright." "Sir we are here."  Said the diver on the intercom. "Thank you.  Come me lady, you castle awaits."  I stepped out of the car to see a mansion of unbelievable size hidden from the city by skyscrapers.  The doors were open and a butler waiting on the inside to greet us.  Edge gave me a little push and whispered "It doesn't bite, but I might, later."  I looked at his face, which was covered by a evil grin.  "Prince it's a pleasure to have you home."  Said the man in the doorway.  "Prince?"
    "In a moment."  He said to me and then turned back to the butler "Thank you Matt.  Bring her stuff up to my room.  Come me lady."  He took me hand and lead me down a hallway to a room.  He turned on the lights and locked the door.  "Prince?"
    "Yes, I'm the leader of this division of the clan.  My Primogen told me to get you and not tell you who I was to the clan.  I was going to tell you in the car but we got here so fast." "Your the leader of the Brujah Clan?" "Not the whole clan just this area of vampires." "Oh." "You're not mad because I didn't tell you sooner?" "No, I'm not mad." "Thank you."  He said kissing my forehead.  "Have you had enough of our way of life for 1 night?" "Yes, unless you wish to go on." "No, why don't I show you to our room.  I would give you your own room but I don't want any Elders getting their hands on you." "What would they do?"
    "Here we go again.  Ok we here have a social rank.  It starts with the Prince.   Second, is the Primogen.  Third, the Elders.  Forth, the Ancillae.  Then last, you, the Neonates." "What's the difference?"
    “Well, the Elders are vampires who have lived for 300 years or up.  They have mastered many magical powers during this time; elders are deadly.  Elders are scheming, ruthless and paranoid; they will do anything to hold onto their power structures, oppress or manipulate the younger vampires, and destroy their enemies.  Ancillae are most often vampires who have lived from 100 to 300 years, some achieve the rank of Elder prematurely but not many.  Ancillae often serve as aides and agents for elders or the court.  They play their own 'power-games as well,' but not as much as the Elders.  Lowest in rank are the neonates, which are those vampires created less than a 100 years ago. Though occasionally cherished, neonates are often deployed as pawns by scheming elders. This callous treatment, combined with the value recent generations place on individuality, often causes neonates to resent their elders.   Don't worry my love, no one will hurt you.  I will not allow it." "Edge, I love you." "What?" "I said I love you."
    "I know what you said, but I can't believe you said it.  You just made me so happy say it again."
    "I love you"  He pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply.  "Lets go to our room, shall we?" "Lets." "Wait!" "What?"
    "This."  He said picking me up and carrying me upstairs.  He place me down in front of our door and unlocked it.  He pushed open the door and hit the lights, then carried me in and placed me on the huge bed.  The room itself could be a whole floor in a normal house.  I felt like a Barbie doll in my owners room, thats how big everything was.  "Do you like it?" "Yes." "Good, but wait there's more." "What?"
    "Follow me."  He said walking to 2 doors glass doors and throwing them open.  To reveal a stone balcony over looking a huge back yard with a hedge maze.  On the balcony itself had wild almost black roses growing on the stone ledge.  "It's beautiful."  I said awe struck.  "I knew you would like it." "I love it." "I got an idea." "What?" "Want to go in the maze?"
    "Ok.”  He took my hand a lead me downstairs and outside.  "Tag your it!"  I said running into the maze.  "I'm it!  Alright, what happens when I catch you?"  He yelled running after me.  "We'll find out."  He appeared in front of me, with his arms open.  I tripped over a fallen branch and fell right into them.  "Are you ok!" "Yes."  I said getting back on my own feet.  "Well, it looks like I got you." "No fair, I fell!" "Well, love your mine.  Now would you like to continue walking or go in?"
    "Continue walking." "Alright."  We kept walking through the maze.  The maze itself was quite beautiful.  The hedges were abotu 10 feet high.  There was about 20 feet of hedges and then a stone statue or a turn.  We finally got to the center at what seemed like an hour later.  There was a unicorn fountain in the center with wild roses curling around it.  "This is so beautiful." "Not as beautiful as you." "Thank you." "Your more then welcome."
    We sat down on the edge of the fountain in each others arms and watched the water flow down and the stars.  "Lets head back now love." "Ok."  He lead me through the rest of the maze and back up to our room.  Once up there we began kissing and somehow or clothes disappeared into a pile on the floor.  "Are you sure you want to do this Veronica?"  "Yes."  We made love and fell into a spent sleep.
    I woke up the next night wrapped up possessively in his arms.  I tried to move but his grip was to strong to break.  I just closed my eyes and dozed off.  Right after I dozed off the door flew open and someone turned on the lights.  I opened my eyes to see a man dressed in a white poet shirt with leather pants, smiling smugly down at me.  "Angel do me a favor and wake him."  he whispered to me.  I turned around and kissed Edge.  His grip tighten around me and he said "Good evening."  The man cleared his throat, Edge's eyes flow open an focused on the intruder.  "What are you doing in?" "My Prince, the rest of the Primogen wishes to see you and her." "Tell them we'll be right there." "Yes, my Prince." "Sorry, but we need to get dressed and then we'll go hunting."
    "Why do they want to see me?" "Probably just to meet you.  Don't worry."
    "Ok."  We got dressed and he lead me downstairs to a circular room, where the Primogen a waited us.  "Good Evening Prince and good evening Veronica."  Said all the members of the Primogen.  "Good evening to you as well, my friends.  What do you need to see us for?" "We just wanted to see her and ask what you have taught her already." said the man in the poet shirt.
    "I have taught her..."
    "No Prince please she has a tongue let her tell us.  My dear what has our Prince taught you?" said another man.  "He told me of vampires history, the truth about the undead, the Camarilla, a little on the clans, the Sabbat, The Anarch, The Neutrals, The Jyhad, Status of the vampires in the Camarilla and trait of those in that status."  The man then said  "He has taught you quite a bit.  Do you remember any of it?" "Yes." "Who was the first vampire?" asked the one in the poet shirt.  "Caine."
    "Name the clans of the Camarilla." "Brujah, Gangrel, Malkavian, Nosferatu, Toreador, Tremere and Ventrue."
    "What is your status?" asked the man.  "Neonates."
    "I think you know enough, thank you.  And most of all think you for this breath of fresh air in the Camarilla, my Prince." Said the one with the poet shirt.  "Your welcome.  We would stay and chat; but we're going hunting."
    "Well, then Veronica good luck." Said the one with poet shirt.  "Thank you."
    Edge pulled me out of there and kissed me passionately.  "I'm so glad you remembered all that Veronica."
    "So am I.  They were looking for me to make a mistake." "Yes, they were and you, my love, should them.  Now lets get the hell out of here.  Nicholas!" "Yes, my Prince." "We wish to go hunting get the car and meet us out there." "Yes, Prince."
    "Now the hunt, my dear, is our way of getting food.  We get it in many different ways.   Some of us get groups of willing mortals, who enjoy the ecstasy of the vampire's kiss.  Others creep into houses at night, feeding on sleeping humans.  Some stalk 'the mortals playgrounds' the nightclubs, bars and theaters.  They draw them in disguising their 'predation' as acts of passion.  And others use the ancient way of stalking, attacking and disabling or even killing mortals who wander too far down lonely alleys.  Now the first way is out.  So how would you like to hunt?" "I don't know?” "How about we do it the ancient way?" "Ok."
    "Let us go.  Your carriage a waits me lady."  I laughed as and got into the car.
    We drove for what seemed like forever.  My mind was screaming "The hunt, means you kill!  You kill some poor innocent person!  You can't do that are you crazy!?!?!?"  The car came to a stop at central park.  "Come on lets go hunting."  He helped me out and the car parked.  We walked into the park hand and hand looking for someone.  The whole time I was dreading finding them.  I walked, silent watching his eyes as the analyzed the area.  Then he spoke the word "Them."  He was pointing to a young couple who were taking a short cut through the park on to get home.  He took my hand and lead me to them.  We followed them for a while they didn't notice our presence, they were to wrapped up in each other.    I looked up at Edge's eyes which were crimson.  "I cant do this." "What?  Why?" "Look at them they're in love." "Fine I see your going to want something evil." "What do you mean?" "Veronica, criminals are always easier the first time.  Come on we'll go find some."  We turned and walked the other way.  Luck had smiled on us there was two men, drug dealers.  They had killed others to feed their need and now we shall feed ours on them.  Edge attacked first and I soon followed.  We feed our fill, sealed the wounds and left.
    We went home and back to our room.  We both showered and got redressed, then we went outside to the maze.  We walked through it not breathing a word, just holding hands.    Finally I said "How did you do it?" "Do what, my love?" "Make me a vampire." "I embraced you?" "What does that mean?" "I drained you of your blood, then gave you some of mine. Only a tiny bit, a drop or two." "Oh." "Come on lets go inside my love." "Tell me more about it."
    "Well, the embraced can still be performed on a dead body if it's still warm.  Once embraced your heart stop beating and you stop breathing.  Over the next weeks you will under go changes." "What kind of changes?" "Pale skin and your eyes will change color." "Oh." "Don't worry it's no big deal, it happens to us all." "I won't." "Good, now what do you want to do?"
    "How much time till sunrise? "Three hours." "Wow, I thought it was earlier." "So, did I." "What are we doing tomorrow Edge?"
    "Were going clubbing." "I can't wait." "Good." "What can we do with three house left?""Whatever you want."
    "How about a repeat of last night?"  We went back into the house and made love and fell asleep in each others arms.  The next night I woke up to him watching me sleep.  I sat up and threw a pillow at his head "Stop staring at me." "I couldn't help it you looked so sweet." "Thanks I think." "Well, what are you waiting for get dressed!"
    "Ok, you know your the one who wanted me out of the clothes last night and in them again today.  Make up your mind."  He laughed "Get dressed."
    "I'm going."  I took a quick shower and got dressed as did he.  When I came out we went down to the car and out to a club.  I was not even sure of the name of the club and from the looks of it I doubt it did have one.  This place was not for the innocent, it was for vampires and their prey.  Their prey were all people who had this illusion of what it's like to be a vampire.  They all suffered from one form of vampirism or another.  Weather they drank from themselves or from one another or form someone they had just killed it didn't matter.  These were the mortals who took it to the extreme.  As for the vampires they knew the truth and wished to give them a hint of what it was like.  Edge and I sat down and watched the others move around the club.  I could tell he was looking for potential victims by the look in his eyes.  After a while I grow bored of just sitting there.  "Edge?" "Yes, love?" "Can we dance? "Of course, my love."  He got up from his stool and lead me to the floor.  I slipped into his arms and spent the next 2 slow songs in them.  When a fast song came on he whispered in my ear "Our dinners are over your right shoulder.  Don't look!  They're leaving in a few minutes." "Ok."  We walked out of the club and waited in a near by alley for them.  When the pair of girls came out Edge attacked first, then I joined in.  We finished them off quickly and left them in the alley.  "Must we always kill them Edge?"
    "No, but for now you will work on just that."  "How come I can fight so well." "Brujah's have natural fighting abilities."
    "We do?" "Yes, there is a lot you must learn about your clan and clans in general." "Like what?" "Lets get back to the house and then while talk about the rules." "Ok."  We drove home and once there went back to our room.  "The rules are called The Six Traditions.  Camarillo vampires swear to uphold The Six Traditions of Caine, the laws which Caine supposedly passed to his progeny. Like any other laws, the Traditions are commonly ignored, bent or violated.  The First is The Masquerade which states: 'Thou shall not reveal thy nature to those not of the Blood. Doing so shall renounce thy claims of Blood.'  The Second, The Domain:  'Thy domain is thine own concern. All others owe thee respect while in it. None may challenge thy word while in thy domain.' The Third is The Progeny:  'Thou shall sire another only with the permission of thine elder. If thou createst another without thine elder's leave, both  thee and thy progeny shall be slain.' The Fourth is The Accounting:  'Those thou create are thine own childer. Until thy progeny shall be released, thou shall command them in all things.
Their sins are thine to endure.' The Fifth Hospitality:  'Honor one another's domain. When thou comest to a
foreign city, thou shall present thyself to the one who ruleth there. Without the word of acceptance, thou art nothing.'  The Sixth Tradition is Destruction:  'Thou art forbidden to destroy another of thy kind. The right of destruction belongeth only to thine elder. Only the eldest among thee shall call the blood hunt.' "What happens if you break one of these rules?" "You're punished accordingly." "Ok." "You won't break those rules, love, I won't let you."
    "Oh really."  I said raising my eyebrows.  "Really."  He said pulling me into his arms and covering my lips with his.  "I love you."  I said as our lips broke contacted.  "I love you more." "No." "Yes!" "No." "Ok lets stop before, we go on forever." "Ok."
    "Will you honor me by becoming my wife?" "Can you please repeat that?  I don't think I heard you right." "If you heard will you marry me then you heard right." "Yes, yes, yes and yes!"  I pulled him into a kiss and pushed him back down on the bed.  He pulled away and said "Wait a second my love you don't have a ring." "So?" "Stay here." "What are you doing?" "Getting you something and when I get back you had better be ready for me." "Yes, sir!"
    "I'll be right back."  He left and came back with his hands behind his back.  He turned out the lights and lit some candles.  He walked over to the bed and said "Pick a hand and close your eyes."  I picked the right one.  "Give me your hand, Veronica."  I gave him my and he slipped a ring on my finger.  Then kissed me and pinned me to the bed.  He began undressing me before I knew it we were making sweet love.  When I woke up he was rubbing my back.  "Veronica call me Adam." "Why not Edge?"
    "Edge is the name my sire gave me and Adam is my real name.  I want to hear my real name on your sweet lips."
    "Ok Adam, Adam, Adam, Adam and Adam." "Thank you." "Your very welcome." "Why don't we go get dinner."
    "Lets."  Went out quickly and got some dinner then we went for a walk in the maze.  "Veronica?" "Yes?"
    "Soon I have to present you to the rest of the Camarilla, you still have a lot to learn." "Then tell me."
    " As Brujahs we are inheritors of a majestic and ancient legacy, which is unfortunate. To others Brujah seem like a mob. The clan seems to be united in nothing.  Well, this is not entirely true!  'Clan Brujah are among the most savage vampires, and the most trivial slight' or annoyance may trigger a Brujah frenzy.
    'The Brujah's disunity keeps the clan tenuously in the Camarilla, but Brujah thugs routinely defect to the anarchs, the better to strike against their hated elders.'  Even the "tamer" Brujah annoy the elders and princes routinely through acts of defiance and rebellion.  'Despite their recalcitrance, however, Brujah are valued as warriors; they are perhaps the most dangerous vampires in a straightforward battle.  To anger a Brujah is nigh suicidal - and Brujah are notorious for their tempers.'
    Our advantage is Blood Rage.  While under the Blood Rage, a vampire may ignore the effects of pain, but must attack foes directly, without missiles or non-Physical Disciplines.  In other words who needs firearms when one has the opportunity to tear one's emery's apart with bare hands!  Our weakness is Blood Madness. Brujah anger much more quickly than other vampires do.   Our Clan Disciplines are Celerity, Potence and Presence" "What are those?"
    "Vampires with Celerity are dangerous foes, for this Discipline enables them to move and attack at superhuman speeds.  A vampire with activated Basic Celerity always gains initiative (the first move) over a vampire without it.  Likewise, a vampire with activated Advanced Celerity always gains initiative over a vampire without Advanced Celerity.  Bascly the vampire's movement rate doubles. If Advanced the vampire's movement rate triples.
    Vampires with Potence are terrifying opponents, for they possess the strength of several humans.  Potence is always there.  When resolving any feat of strength, a vampire with Basic Potence always beats a character without it.  Advanced Potence always beats any vampire without a similar level of Potence.  With basic the vampire inflicts damage in hand-to-hand combat, and may lift approximately 1000 pounds.  Advanced vampires inflicts a hell of a lot of damage in hand-to-hand combat, and he may lift about a one.
    All vampires are impressive, scary creatures, but those with the Discipline of Presence are particularly captivating.  Vampires with Presence can manipulate others' emotions, becoming their victims' dream lovers or most terrifying nightmares.
    A vampire with Basic has what we call the power to Awe, and fear. Awe means the vampire gains a charismatic aura, becoming a natural leader, seducer and orator.  With Fear, the vampire, by hissing and baring fangs, instills an unnatural terror in victems.   Advanced vampire has the abilty of Entrancement and Majesty.  The vampire with Entrancement becomes superhumanly fascinating.  The victim can become convinced that the vampire is his friend, lover, or whatever - a figure to be protected and adored.  Vampires with Majesty are quite literally awesome.  Majesty bestows an almost godlike aura upon the vampire; mortals fall to their knees in worship or terror." "Wow." "Yeah wow." "You can do all that Adam?" "Yes, I'm advanced and you will learn to do it at the basic level soon." "When will I be as good as you?" "When your ready, love."
    "Now their are many other clans and we view them differently.  The Gangrel are animal-types.  They're are okay fighters.  When our interests match, then sometimes they'll help out.  If we can get them on our side, well and good.  If not, oh well.
    The Malkavian are insane.  Some make good anarchs, some make good lackeys for the princes.  You can probably trust them. They've always know what's going on.  Just don't take your eyes off them.
    The Nosferatu is the only clan we get along with.  Most princes are Ventrue or Toreador, and those two clans want nothing to do with 'Sewer Rats'.  When they choose to get involved, it's almost always on the side of the anarchs instead of the princes.  One important thing to remember though, don't tell anything to a Nosferatu that you don't want every vampire in the world to know. They will sell any information for the right price.
    Now Toreador are art snobs are almost as obnoxious as the Ventrue. That's enough of an excuse right there to take on the clan. They're almost as bad as the Ventrue when it comes to ruling cities.  If they could throw a decent party, it might be a different story. We'll never forget their betrayal.  We don't hold that against the young ones that may have proven themselves to us, but never forget the betrayal.  That is proof of what their cowardice is capable of." "What betrayal?"
    "The our clan built a peaceful city we let them in they help the Venture destroy our city." "Assholes!"
    "Yeah.  The Tremere are mage guys are the most untrustworthy of all clans.  They always got plans within plans within plans.  'Half the time even they don't know what they've got planned'.  The most important thing to remember about them is never let one get a hold of so much as a drop of your blood." "Why?" "They'll warp it and use it against you, they call it blood magic."
    "Got you."  Then the asshole called the Ventrue.  They stand for everything we hate.  'Esteem, high society and organization are what they value most.'  Of course, that's why more princes are Ventrue than of any other clan. The elders may go on about how the Ventrue ruined their "Dream of Carthage," but that's centuries of old. " "Carthage was the city they ruined of ours?"
    "Yes.  Next we have The Assamite, their ok. They don't care about princes, they don't care about anarchs.  They they're the world's greatest assassins. They're schemers like the Tremere, but they don't have a blood bond to their elders. That makes them a little more trustworthy than the Tremere. If you hire them to do a job, they'll do it.  Of course, the princes can hire them as well.  Atleast you know where you stand with the assassins.  Usually, they're either trying to kill you or trying to kill somebody else for you.
    Then there's The Daughter's of Cacophony, they're a cross between a Toreador's tight ass love of art and a Malkavian's mental stability.  Avoid them if you can.  If you have to fight one crush it's throat first cause they can mess you up with their voices. "
    "How?" "You don't want to know." "Ok, I'll take your word for it."
    "Followers of Set, now these guys are worse than the Ventrue and Tremere.  The Sand-Snakes are the master manipulators.  They may claim to be you friends. They might give you what you ask for from them, but there's always a price.
    Giovanni are the  Italian Ventrue, they want to rule the world through money." "Whats the difference then?"
    "Their originator and they're not in the Camarilla."
    "Next we have the Ravnos, this clan is okay.  Its members are outsiders just like the Brujah.  The Princes don't trust them.  Nobody cares about Ravnos.  They make good anarchs if you can persuade them to settle down.  And you've got to persuade them they've actually got a reason to overthrow a prince.
    Then there's the rotting corpses known as the Samedi.  Watch out for them they can put you in worse shape than they are.
    Then the Sabbat these vampires are like us. They hate authority, they hate organization and; they hate the Ventrue, Toreador, Tremere triangle of power that wants to put us down.  The problem is, the Sabbat don't care about the Masquerade.
    The leaders of the Sabbat is the Lasombra .  They're worse than the Ventrue.  At least with the Ventrue you know where you stand.  The Lasombra get off on playing with darkness.  The other sabbat clan is The Tzimisce. These assholes are worse than Tremere at times.  Beware the fleshcrafters, that is unless your idea of fun is looking like a Picasso." "How the hell do they do that?" "Again you don't want to know." "Ok, go on." "Thats basically it.  Your really just need to know the Camarilla and the Sabbat" "Thank God!" "Did I bore you?" "A little." "Well, how can I fix that?" "Lets go back to the house and you can fix that."  When I woke up he was kissing my neck.  "Didn't you have enough last night?" "I can never have enough of you." "I see." "But we do need to finish the clan stuff." "I thought we were done." "Almost you should learn the disciplines and there locations of them." "Oh fun."
    "Hey." "But Adam." "Veronica, we'll be eating into night."  Just then another vampire brought in two wine bottles and Champaign glass.  "Thank you Michael." "Your welcome my Prince." he said leaving.  "Now lets drink and finish up." "Ok, but afterwards your going to have a lot of fixing to do." "I know, love."  He said pouring the blood into the glasses.  I leaned in and kiss his lips.  He wrapped his arms around and pulled me back onto the bed.    "Now, now my little temptress, later!” "Ok."  I said pouting.  "Stop it." "Ok." "Good lets start with the Tremere their displines are Auspex, Dominate and Thaumaturgy .  Then the Gangrel's disciplines are Animalism, Fortitude and Protean.  Next the Nosferratu have Animalism, Obfuscate and Potence." "Ok I know what Celerity, Potence and Presence are; but what are those?" "You'll see now let me continue.  Malkavians disciplines are Auspex, Dominate and Obfuscate.  Then the Toreador's have Auspex, Celerity and Presence.  Ventrue's disciplines are Dominate, Fortitude, and Presence.  The Lasombra disciplines are Dominate, Obtenebration and Potence.  The Tzimisce have Animalism, Auspex and Vicissitude.  The Assamites disciplines are Celerity, Obfuscate and Quietus.   Now  vampires with the Discipline of Animalism find themselves with greater control over both the animals of the world and the beast Within."  He began pacing. "The Discipline of Auspex gives telepathic and extrasensory perception powers.  Dominate may mesmerize others, or even control their minds outright.  Use of this power requires eye contact.  Vampires with Fortitude prove unnaturally resistant to damage.  They must often be literally torn apart, like the walking corpses they are.  Obfuscate is the ability to "cloak oneself in illusions or shadows", thereby disguising or concealing oneself.  Protean is the purview of the shapeshifting Gangrel, though they have taught their secrets to a few other vampires. Vampires with Protean may shapeshift into a variety of forms.  The study of Thaumaturgy is largely restricted to the Tremere, although certain vampires among the Sabbat are rumored to employ the Discipline. Thaumaturgy is vampiric sorcery: ritual spell casting and blood magic." "Fun." "Am I boring you again?" "Yes." "I'm sorry." "You should be."  He mock pouted.  "Stop it!"  He pouted more.  I got up and pulled him down on the bed, then kissed him.  He broke the kiss "I love you." "I love you too." "On to there locations." "Noooo!" "Yes!  The sooner we get it over with the sooner we can fix your boredom." "When you put it like that..." "Tremere's clan base is Vienna.  Their Meeting places are 'chantries' and any Tremere is welcome to enter any 'chantry' no matter where it is.  The Gangrel's basically stay away from cities and prefer bases in the woods or parks.  Malkavians tends to go where they feel comfortable. Such as Asylums and institutions. Some of the staff even think they are inmates.  Most Malkavians have no clue they are actually a clan.  And others are to busy denying the fact that they are Malkavians to worry about it." "Are you serious?"
    "Yes!  Then Nosferatu stay underground.  Sewers and dark basements mostly.  When they choose to live above ground it is usually in graveyards or abandoned buildings.  They keep to themselves, they're bound together by spirit.  Toreador congregate around artists.  They often live in luxurious houses or condos sometimes apartments close to the center of the city.  They gather at social meetings.  The Ventrue live in mainly mansions and other large buildings.  They just seem to meet often as possible but it is more talk then action.
     The younger Lasombora prefer community clan bases and the elders prefer private mansions.  They hold meetings 4 times a year to update clan members on what is going on among them and other clans.  Tzimisce they prefer mansions far away from the eyes of mortals. It is considered a great honor to be invited into a Tzimisce Haven.  They hold meetings at the beginning of fall, no particular date." "Are we done yet?" "No.  The Assamites elders live in Alamut, which is on a mountain in Asia Minor.  The young stay in havens away from people and other kindred.  They gather in Alamut when they want to hold a meeting or have something to discuss.   Giovanni generally dwell in mansions and large condos close to thecity. Back up havens usually located in sewers or graveyards.  It's based in Venice." "Now we're done." "Yay!!!!" "We'll continue tomorrow." "There's more?"
    "Yes, clan symbols.  Now lets fix that boredom."  he said pinning me to the mattress.  We woke up to the man in the poet shirt.  "Gangrel what are you doing in here?" "I came to tell you that we would like to see you down stairs."
    "Ok.  Come on Veronica."  I got out of bed following them to the room with the Primogen in it.  The man with the poet shirt from the night I first feed was Gangrel.  He walked into the center of the room and said "What have you taught her?"
    "Clan disciplines, locations, feeding, our feeling on other clans, our clan and I plan on teaching her the symbols today."
    "Have you thought of a vampire name for her yet?" "No." "Then you should think of one soon.  Has she begun to try and use her powers yet?" "No." "Then you must help her with that as well." "I plan to." "Good." "Come on Veronica lets go get something to eat." "Wait why don't you 2 eat into night and help her with her powers?" "We ate in last night." "So?"
    "Fine we'll eat in.  Come on we'll go in my office."  He took my wrist and brought me to his office. "Whats wrong?"
    "I hate Gangrel!  He is so annoying." "Shhhh."  I pulled him into a kiss. "Thank you.  Now the are symbols:

Tremere's: Square within a Circle with a Triangle on top to the right.
Brujah: Upside down Anarchy sign.
Gangrel:  Wolf Head.
Malkavians:  Cracked Mirror.
Nosferatu:  Crying Theater Mask.
Toreador:  Rose.
Venture:  Septer with crown on the top.
Lasombora:  Crown
Tzimisce:  Dragon curled in circle biting it's tail.
Assamites:  Bunch of squiggly lines
Giovanni: Fancy letter G
 
"Adam you look like your about to kill someone." "I know and I would love to get my hands on Gangrel." "Is that his clan?"
    "No, he's a Brujah.  They call him Gangerl because he acts like one." "Oh." "My name is Edge because I'm always on Edge.  What vampire name should I give you?" "I don't know." "Mystic with 2 y's instead of 1." "So my new name is Mystyc?"
    "When we're not alone yes." "Ok.  But why?" "Because you eluded me for so long before I got you.  Also because I think it suits you."  I pulled him into a kiss.  "Alright lets starting learning your powers."  It has been 3 long, hard and tiring months of learning to fight and use my clan disciplines.  Adam was a saint through it all.  "Come on you can hit me harder then that." "I'm tired, can we stop." "One more cork screw kick." "Ok."  I want to the other end of the room and went for it. "Beautiful!" "I knock you on your ass and you say beautiful." "Yes, my love I do.  You have made me so proud." "Thank you." "Now lets go up stairs and get some sleep, we have a lot to talk about tomorrow." "What about?" "Tomorrow?" "But Adam..."  He silenced me with a kiss and brought me up stairs.  "Adam I can't sleep unless you tell me." "Well, if you can't sleep maybe I'll just put you to bed some other way.  "No, more cork screw kicks." "Who said I was talking about cork screw kicks."  He crawled up the bed and kissed me.
    The next night I woke up sore from all the night before festivities.  Adam was not in the room to my dismay, I quickly got dressed and ran down to his office.  He was sitting in his office chair, reading what looked like an invitation.  "Veronica, my love, sit we need to talk."  I sat down across from him "What about?" "Come closer."  I sat on his desk in front of him.  "No, closer!"  I sat in his lap.  "This invitation is for the both of us go to a party held by my maker." "Cool!  What's your makers name?" "Gangrel."
    "But Gangrel is a Primogen member." "I know but he is also my maker." "So are we going?" "I don't know.  I think he's up to something." "What?" "I don't know.  He's capable of anything." "What's the party for?" "It's a meeting of  all the clans on the East coast." "When is it?" "In 3 days.  You'll make your debut there." "Ok."
    Well, it was the night of the party and I'm up in my room tossing my clothes every which way trying to find something to wear.  "Ok, Adam said it was formal, so this won't do!  Or this!  Or anything else!"  There was a knock on the door I thought it was Adam.  "Come in!" "Good evening Mystyc!" "Gangrel!" "Yes, how are you tonight?" "Fine and you?" "Fine." "What is it you came up here for?" "To tell you Edge wants to you downstairs." "Oh, thank you." "Your very welcome.  Oh do you know what your wearing tonight?" "No." "Well, I think Edge can help you.  Now go to him."  I went down to his office and when I opened the door I saw the his chair back facing the door.  "Edge?" "Veronica, come here."  I went to him and he had a dress box in his hand.  "This is for you."  I opened the box, and was breathless.  The dress was breath taking, it was a dark purple silk.  "Do you like it?"
    "I love it." "Go upstairs and put it on and I'll be right there."  I ran up the stairs and put it on, then Adam walked in.  "You look so beautiful.  So very beautiful." Of course I blushed "You look better in purple, but you still look good in red." "I hate you."
    "No, you don't." "Your right, I love you." "I love you too."
    "I have to finish getting dressed and you need to get dressed." "Your right, get dressed."  He kissed me and went into the shower.  "I did my makeup he got on his suit.  He was the one who looked beautiful.  We locked arms and went down to the party.
    As the doors open all you could see were vampires everywhere, laughing, talking, and dancing.  I heard someone announced "The Prince of New York Edge and his feedling Mystyc."    He smiled and whispered to me "Bow."  He bowed and we walked to the front of the room.  He began introducing me to vampires from all over the would, by the time was done meeting all of the important leaders my feet were killing me.  "I wonder were Christian is." "Who's Christian?" "My blood brother." "Are you sure we didn't miss him?" "Yes." "What does he look like?" "He looks like me only shorter." "Oh, well another one of you would be hard to miss." "Really, and why is that?" "Because your so good looking."  He smiled wickedly at me and said "Would you like to dance?"
    "Sure."  With him looking at me like that all I could think was "Screw my feet hurting!"  We danced for hours, every once and a while we checked for Christian, but he still was not there.  At the end of the night we said our good byes to the departing guest and went up stairs.  "I can't believe he never showed." "Maybe he will." "The party is over." "That doesn't mean he won't come anyway." "I guess." "I'm sorry." "For what?  You didn't do anything." "I wish he came." "So do I."  He looked so upset, he was practically pouting like a 4 year old who just found out that they're not getting to go to the park or something.  "I love you."
    "I love you too, Veronica." "Come to bed." "Alright."  He lied down next to me and held me so close to him I felt as if we were melded together.  At about 5 o'clock the next night we woke to the sound of our door being flung open.  Adam turned on the lamp on the night stand, next to his bed side, and there was no one there.  However the door was still wide open.  "What the hell?  Who's there?"  He got no answer, "Adam, whats going on?" "I don't know."  He closed his eyes, I knew what he was doing, he was trying to sense any other vampires in the room.  "There's someone in the hallway."  he told me through mind speak.    I answered him the same way "Who?" "There's more then one, there's about 10."  He got off the bed and he went to the door.  "Adam no!"  I screamed to him in my head.  He turned and walked back to me and pulled me into a heated kiss, that left me dizzy.  "I'll be fine."
    "No!" "Shhhh."  He went back towards the door, I put my hand on his shoulder and followed behind him.  Just as we reached the door Gangrel popped out.  "Good evening kiddies!"  he said with a smug look on his face.  "What the hell is going on Gangrel?"  Adam said.  "Nothing much, just having a little fun." "Well, Gangrel stop!  I'm not in the mood." "Why?  Oh it's because Christian never showed up right?" "Yes.""I never invited him." "What?  Why?" "He wouldn't like what's going to happen." "What are you talking about?" "This."  He said punching Adam in the face.  The next thing I knew about 10 vampires came running in the room.  Adam and I fought hard, but there was some many.  Then I felt a needle pierce my skin and I blacked out.
    When I woke up couldn't move and I was being carried through the woods somewhere, I could smell smoke.  After a while I could see a huge bonfire and my beloved tied to a tree, out cold.  Next thing I know I was tied to the same tree.  Everyone was wearing hooded robes, except Gangrel had his hood down.  "For 100 years we had to listen to Edge, well that stops here.  Tonight we kill him and her." "But why her Gangrel?"  One of them said.  "Good question, she will grew to be just as powerful as him and kill us all." Gangrel said.  "Then let her burn with him!"  Someone from the crowd screamed.  "No, not with after him, we shall let his little bitch watch him burn!"  Gangrel said.  "But Edge's brother won't he find out what we did?"  Came form the crowd.  "Not if we blame it on the right people." "Yes, we can blame it on the Toreador!"  Somebody yelled.  "Good idea."  Gangrel yelled back.  "Who will become Prince?"  A crowd member yelled.  "I will, he left it to his brother first then me and his brother isn't here to contest.  Anymore questions?"  He looked around and said "Good, untie him."  Two men came over to us and untied him and brought him to Gangrel's feet.  Gangrel injected him with something that woke him up  "Kill him!" "Why Gangrel?"  Adam said.  "My sire may have liked you better, so he made you prince, but now I'll get what's mine." "Gangrel, let her go."  Adam said in a dead voice.  "No, she kill us when she gets the chance." "Then let us say good bye." "Very well."  He picked Adam up and brought him to me.  "Adam."  I said tears falling from my face.  "I love you Veronica, my Veronica."  He brushed his hand across my face and said "I'm so sorry." "You did nothing." "Oh but I did, by brining you here.  Please don't cry." "I can't stop."  I said crying harder. "Yes, you can!  Say you love me." "I love you, Adam."  He leaned in and kissed me.  Then Gangrel pulled him form me and in front of the fire.  "Gangrel you won't get away with this." "Really what makes you think that?"
    "The mind connection he has with me."  Someone said from the trees.  We all looked up to see someone who looked almost like Adam.  "Christian, I knew you'd come."  Adam said.  "But he interfered to late!"  Gangrel said throwing Adam into the fire.  "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!"  I screamed.  As Adam screamed "Veronica!"  Christian jumped at Gangrel and the others went running.  Christian throw Gangrel into a tree trunk, knocking him out.  Then he looked to the fire and screamed.  Somehow his scream extinguished the fire and there on top of the would were the brunt remains of Adam.  "I'm so sorry bro., I'm so sorry."  He looked towards me and said "Are your Veronica?"  I nodded because I couldn't speak.  "You must hate me."  I shook my head no and he came over and cut me lose.  Then he took Edge's body from the remains of the fire and placed Gangrel in them.  He lit the fire again and we watched it burn crying on each others shoulder.  "Where do I go from here?"  I said.  "Your coming home with me."  Christian said.  "Where's that?" "In Los Angeles." "Your Prince here now, why leave?" "Soon there won't be a here."
    "What do you mean Christian?" "I mean I'm going to burn this hell hole into the ground, for Adam."  At the mention of his name I started crying hard.  "No, no, shhhh.  Your going to make me cry."  He said wrapping his arms around me.    "But he's, he's dead." "I know but." "No buts he dead and I'm still here." "He wouldn't want you to die." "But I want to die, I need Adam."
    "I know."  He cradled me in his arms till I could no longer cry and then he picked me up and brought me back to his car.  "Stay here." "What are you doing?" "Revenge."  With that he pulled to tanks of gasoline out of his trunk.  He disappeared towards the house, the next thing I knew there was a huge fire.  A few moments later he came back to the car and we speed off.  My Adam was gone, now I was leaving with his "brother" for Los Angeles, I wanted to die.  I needed Adam.
    Christian had his remains shipped to us in LA., we took his remains and placed them in a room in Christian mansion.  My dreams are haunted by my lost love and my day are spent with his look a like.  Christian and I have become good friends, but nothing can or ever will replace my Adam; and I count the days till I join him.  I hope it's soon.