The Lurkers' Domain

Staggering into her place, turning on the lights, Darauk looks up from the computer and his jaw drops. "what the Hell happened to you?" She stumbles into the bathroom, slams the door. Full fury and anger, enough to make even her oldest dearest friend stand back to give her time to cool down. The shower starts up.
Standing in the shower, Lilian looks down and sees the nasty wound on her chest. The blood stopped flowing a while ago, but it's still a terrible mess. Her back she'll have to deal with when she gets out. Looking down at her feet, water turns into red streams from the wounds front and back. (How could I have been so stupid to think that they'd care? I've done so much for so long, yet they just watch.) "Told ya so." whispers her demon of loneliness. Oh, and you'd think he would stop after once or twice, no way, for the rest of the night he went on. Stepping out of the shower, one of her favorite nightgowns lay on the cushioned chair of her vanity. Darauk always did know how to help without words. A long loose rose pink silk gown with sparkles on the bottom hem.
She opens the door and he stands there with a rose, "Ready to tell?" She brushes past him. "Let's just say that I'm done." His jaw again drops "How you say Milady?" "You heard me!! I'm done with them! I'm not looking anymore!!" She turns off the computer and pulls the white lace curtains across the expanse of windows. "Who attacked you?" "It was stupid, just humans. I thought maybe if I put myself in a compromising position, ...." She looks down at the rug and becomes silent. "Ana, please childe, don't do this to yourself." He holds her and she holds him back. "Do you know of your messanger?" She knods her head yes. "Then by your word, they'll be no further communication with the outside from you. Go and sleep now, you look terrible." She knods yes, and goes to her private chambers. Hopefully for the next 100 years. (I wouldn't be that lucky.) Thinking to herself.

His chest still aching from the psychic wound through his heart, the Elder stops to catch his breath. An nearby explosion sends waves through his brain like he just witnessed the Big Bang personally. He knows of only one person capable of discharging such a force.

"The Mistress!" he shouts to no one in particular. The Elder turns back to the childer following him and commands, "Return to the Grapevine and find out all you can. Contact me when you are certain of the fate of our Mistress and her Messenger."

They bow and scurry into the shadows, aware their mission has dire consequences from failure, and not by the Elder's hands this time.

Running will get me nowhere now, I must travel to her thoughts. A purple mist surrounds the Elder and dissipates to carry him to the park.

A gruesome scene is to be had here, as well as a very dark disturbance, equal in magnitude to the Mistress' glory, but at a negative scale. Too late, TOO LATE! His already aching heart now bears the crush of her lonliness.

It takes most of his remaining stores of psychic energy to locate her now by her pain instead of her love. It is almost as if she is blocking him. But her Quintessence has a most unique signature and it is finally tracked down her residence.

I only hope I am welcomed now that I am here. He isn't sure if it is he alone she believes has failed her. He will prostrate himself before her to achieve her forgiveness, if she will allow it now.

He doesn't need to knock, only await her decision.

Darauk watches his exhausted Mistress slowly walk into her chambers and shut the door. He waits a moment, silence. Good. Walking over to the phone, "Yes, go ahead. I have the approval now from the Mistress Herself. No, there you will be well taken care of. Just as we had agreed, burn it to the ground, completely." Darauk hangs up, and the door knocks. "So it begins." A smug smile of power pursed his lips. A tall older man in an expensive suit stands outside in the hall. "Come in." Darauk rushes over to his desk, unlocks the drawer, pulls out a long wooden box. Upon the box is inscribed one word..Gilgamesh. He unlocks that, and takes out the content. A single scroll. He gives it to the man, "Inside this you will find the names of all the elders of the clans in a 100ml radiace. Destroy every last one of them." "Yes My Lord." He accepts the scroll and walks towards the door. "Oh, one last thing..." The assasin stops, slightly turns. "Tell all of them, while they beg for mercy, that Lady Lilian sent you." "As you wish." The door shuts. (Perfection) He wispers to himself.
Going over to the computer, via internet. He reaches a very special port. Privacy only. He types in 3 passwords.
1 Ninlin/Air 2 Eroch 3 Nu-gig
Blue light illuminates his face as he looks on with great pleasure. (Now is the time)

The Elder Lurker didn't come by the title by being spotted easily, nor by trusting even those you desperately need help from. But, with the Great Hall lost to a fire, he was without a home. He knew he would need to find the Mistress. He didn't know why. Now that she sensed his presence, he would not disappoint her again.

"Mistress, I'm here," echoed through the open parking lot, but seemingly from all directions. She stood practically in the middle of the lot, overhead lights shining down, but they still only illuminated her presence. Even her black dress caught the light and she cast a shadow. But still, he did not reveal a physical presence to her. Not yet.

"My name is Daniel. I came to hear you many times when you visited the Great Hall. It was my home. My childer lived there with me. I fear they have all met their Final Death now. I'm alone and do not know why the Hall was sacrificed. But I know you were looking for Us." He pauses to observe her reaction. Was she responsible for this tragedy? Was he next to meet a fiery end? Or would she be the ally he is looking for?

The Ancient lord mask himself as he stalks Lilian from the fire to the cemetery. Smiling he watches her as she rest upon the old tomb. Yes, she is just as he remebered her and so far she has no Idea that he is there. He wonders if now is the time to come up to her...Perhaps, yes Perhaps.

Wait what was that. We are not alone....Somebody else is here. Yes, there in the shadows. Well lets just wait and see what happens. Obviously this one is not verry good at masking himself. As he waches Lilian bolts up and looks in the direction of the one Requeem himself only picked up on moments before. He picks up on her panic which brings a smile to the old ones face.

Soon she is on the move again with the new one close behind her. Requeem follows carefully wondering what will come of this. The streets become more and more direlict and deserted as they move on. Sevrel street lights blow out along the way. She must get a hold of that temper of hers. Lilian stops down by the river near the old abandoned warehouses. As he watches the other calls out to her. he must act now.

Using skills honed over Millinea Requeem slips around behind Lilian. He strikes with the spead of a cobra grabbing her from behind and using one swift chi strike to the chest to put her under. Can't have her fighting me not now. He lifts the unconsious Lilian over his shoulder and as swiftly and silently as he came carries her into the old warehouse.

Working quickly he takes a rope out of his coat and binds her hands and legs making sure there is not way she can get loose. Now that that was done The Darkone sits back smilling and waits for her to awake...

The captor could only have seen through my shadows if he is even darker still. This was not a comforting thought to the Elder.

Not the only trick up my sleeve... Requeem... Tzimisce clan... no, darker...

With the connection now to Requeem, he follows them to the old warehouse where he has stashed her away. He must find a way to uncover the dark one's plan.

Darker... knows Lilian... very passionate about his crime tonight... well-planned... many contingencies... did not expect to find me... had to escalate plans... too dark... who are you?

Requeem noticed Daniel's prying mind and asks back, "Where are you, Lurker? You cannot hide from me."

Then, come and find me, is Daniel's psychic reply.

Requeem has little time for childish games. Confident that Lilian will be out for a while, he decides to entertain a little Cat and Mouse.

silence

unseen movement

Requeem stands over the unconsious form and laughs. The fool did he actually think that he could get away with this. Right in front of me. The elder fell right into my trap and soon this city will be mine but first what to do with him.

Hmm..I got it. quickly the Ancient lord goes over to a chest in the corner of the room and pulls out a bunch of chains and a few locks. Carring the over to the fallen elder he hefts daDan up and drags him to the elevator doors. Oh..I am so good he chuckles roughly thowing the unconsious Dan down to the ground.

Using a might born of 2000 years he prys open the elevator doors. Looking up the shaft he sees the car is only a short climb up. This will do quite nicely..Yes it will. The dark one grabs the elder and the chains and accends up the shaft. Quickly he ties the old one to the bottom of the car then climbs back down. rushing up the stairs he reaches the top floor calling the elevator up. With the speed of the wind he rushes down to the sub basement where he waits for the right moment. Once the elevator reaches the top He pushes the button which will call it back down.

"Have a nice trip little one", he sighs."If you live mabey this will teach you a lesson"

Now for Lilian.

Good heavens! Is this the end of our beloved Elder?

Has Requeem chained him to a fate worse than death?

Will LadyLilian be the Dark One's next victim?

What does the villian have in store?

Tune in again for the next thrilling installment of this ever-unfolding drama!

Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel

The Dark One stands over Lilian chuckleling gleefully.

"Now what am I to do with you my sweet?" He whispers not expecting an answer.

Requeem reaches down and starts absent mindedly stroking her hair. Maybe no one else realizes who she is but, the Ancient Lord is well aware. He knows the power contained in this blood.

Smiling he pushes her hair to the side and begins to stroke her neck. They say there are dangers in taking blood so old but, he never believed that. Besides she smelt so sweet, so delicious. Well what the heck he thinks as he carefully kneels down beside her.

"No fear", he whispers, "No pain...Only bliss"

He strikes with lightning fast reflexes sinking her fangs deep into her throat. Then slowly begins to feed losing himself in the ecstasy....

When we last left our Hero (Of course I'm the Hero! It's my board, remember!) he was beginning a rapid descent, unconscious, chained to the bottom of an elevator car. With certain compression soon to occur in mere moments, Daniel has little time to free himself. He comes to, staring directly at the swiftly nearing sub-basement floor. Time is of the essence.

Calm... quiet... vapor... With no time left to spare, he is converted to mist and drifts over the elevator car and slips into the trap door above, then inside.

Recomposing himself, he has no time to waste. He returns the elevator to the level where Requeem has restrained Lilian, and exits, again shifting to mist, and quietly returns to the ghastly scene, only to find Requeem feeding off of the mistress. Diablerie! This was all for blood?

Fool decided to do this in a furniture warehouse? Scraps of wood lie everywhere. A choice chair leg is broken and laying on a table near them. With inhuman speed, the mist shifts to form, grabbing the stake, and drives it straight through the back of Requeem's chest.

Unlike the myths Hollywood would have you believe, he did not disintegrate into a pile of ash. Instead, a horrible scream left his bloody lips as he fell to the floor, paralyzed. He will not stay that way for long.

Lady Lilian is too weak to release herself, so Dan grabs at the ropes and breaks the bonds by force. As carefully as he can, he picks up the limp form of the Mistress, drapes them both within his trenchcoat, and then they both disappear from sight.

No idea where to take her. Requeem knows her hotel, the Hall has been destroyed, and he probably has childer in all of the graveyards. Even Sanctuary may not be safe tonight. If Lilian can get her strength back, perhaps she will know what to do. He would even provide her some of his vitae if it would help her now.

The Dark Lord watches as his targets walk out of the warehouse. He had picked up on the Elders thoughts about it all being for the blood. No little one the blood was only the begining...I had no intention on draining her dry on this night.

Requeem uses all of his will to move his arms and remove the stake. Then consentraing on the wound he heals it completely. He would need to feed soon this much he knew Donavan had done a bit of damage to him.

Wait a minute Donavan, Well then lets see what the high council says about his interference in all of this. There are ways and there are ways. But first back to the hotel.

Good luck, I admire your courage Donovan but that will soon end. The council is not going to like the actions you took on this night. Soon you will be paid a visit.

A Black Porsche 911 comes whipping down the main drag blaring a song from the Highlander Soundtrack.

"Who wants to live forever...When love must die"

Suddenly the car comes to a screeching halt sliding sideways so that it is parked perfectly. The door opens and out steps a man of about 21 years of age. The youngster stands about 6'4" and looks like he made a career out of lifting waits. Obviously not one to mess with. He is dressed from head to foot in black leather. His hair is a golden color. Although his eyes are invisible under the dark glasses.

The mysterious stranger rifles through his trunk and pulls out a battered black suitcase then disappears into the ruins of the great hall.

Walking for an hour or so hidden in the shadows, and nestled safely inside the dark ones trench, she can hear him talking to her. Not much, just rambling on in quiet soothing voice. Suddenly her body starts pitching in pain. Every fiber of her body is screaming in agony. Letting out a gasp and small yelp, "Let me down please." He does so immediately. Looking on with concern, he wants to help but doesn't know what words to use being that they never really directly met. No matter how many times she denies herself this, it always comes up in the end - to feed.

Staggering away, "Where are you going?" "I'm fine, just leave me alone for a little while right now." Daniel stands there dumb struck, "You've got to be kidding me." Leaning against the wall, it feels as if the whole wall is going to tip over. "Yes, leave me alone to hunt and get my strength, then I'll meet up with you later." Shaking his head No, he walks over to her to straighten her up on the wall. "Listen, there's no way you can go hunting like this." Such a soothing voice. Calm, rational, gentle. The stabbing pain bites again, slowly easing it's teeth this time. Next time it may not let go. That's the nature of the beast of hunger.

She looks up at him, he's leaning in so close. Too close, does he even realize? Her eyes ablaze, he can't take his eyes off them. He starts to hear a high pitch noise in his ears, almost too loud that it hurts. "I asked you to go. To leave me alone for a bit, yet you insist." In the corners of his eyes he sees a gray mist surrounding the both of them. No fear, no curiousity, no anger, nothing. Just acceptance. She stands away from the wall, mist twirls from her motions. Before him the tattered, dirty, hair cut to shoulders becomes something else. The long haired priestess that was in the hotel room. Her touch is real, yet what he sees before him dressed in a golden gown spilling to the floor and behind on the ground. Bare feet with Henna art scrolling up her legs and forearms, adorned with jewels. Thick black eyeliner adorn her eyes with additional jewels around them. Her red hair drawn back with golden ropes around the top of her head and forehead. Back of her hair was drawn in intricate large twists with more golden ropes twown in.

"Hic tutemet quae narrare mystera cum secretus puella in illa." A sly smile on her lips. He's frozen. Not responding. Gold painted nails brush his cheek. Leaning in so carefully, she kisses him gently on the lips. The gray mist gets thicker until he can't see. Closing his eyes, he can only feel love and excstacy. "A beautiful dream" She whispers. Silence.

He awakens with a start. What happened? Where'd she go? Who the heck was that? Too many questions. Calm down, take a look around. He lies on a huge mahogany canopy. There are no drapes on the bed, save for intricately placed cobwebs. It almost looks as if the spiders themselves have weaved this for the bed, there's nothing accidental of this spinning. The covers and pillows are of dusty black velvet. The chamber he is in is made mostly of flag/cobble stone. No windows. Only one old solid wooden door, like the kind you see in castles. Too damp in here to be a castle.

He hears keys, the door noisily opens. Looking down at himself, he realizes that he doesn't have any clothes on. Where the heck are my clothes? Walks in a chambermaiden. Dressed like a peasant. Her long blond hair done in a tight bun, and long black skirts made of cotton and the same for her tunic. She is human. "Oh, I see the master is awake." A large smile escapes her pink lips. "Did you sleep well?" "The Mistress has left for the evening, and she will be back shortly after she finishes her business." "When did she leave?" "Three days ago. You've been asleep for four."

Daniel is dazed and confused by his surroundings. Four days, here? As the chambermaid places some clothes onto the the bed for him, he thanks her. Still speechless, the chambermaid senses his confusion and suggests, "Now that you are awake, please dress and the Mistress will be back soon to answer your questions."

Daniel finds his voice again and says, "Right now, I have only one concern... is the Mistress safe? Somehow she told me that I would be safe here, but I must know of hers."

Far from the silence and security of the new lair Lilian had established for herself.
She wonders into the noisy sub world of the bar scene. No it's not her first choice,
but it is the best place to get information in a hurry.

Sitting at the bar, she has a saphire blue sequin mini dress. Fancy spaguetti straps and
a choker made of diamonds. Hair done up with kissy curls hanging down over her eye. Oh
ya, this is definately my first choice, she thinks sarcastically to herself. "Hey baby," Looking
down at her black tights and blue high heals are another pair of dirty sneakers with over
baggy jeans. (sigh) "You are looking good enough to eat sweetie. Can I get you another
drink." On the bar in front of her is her Sangrea, one of her few favorites, hardly touched.
(what kind of idiot would be asking me for another drink........oh never mind.) No one interresting
has been coming in as of yet. You would think with the noise, dancing and people there
would be at least someone of our kin here to speak with regarding the recent events. "Sugar,
you are yummy!!!! MAN what a hottie!!! I bet you'd just love to have a real man feel inside
those silky panties of yours." "And why would that be sir?" That was the last straw, "Cause
since you look like such a real woman, you'd probably be able to handle a real man." "I'm
more of a real woman, than you'll probably ever be able to comprehend." How the hell did
this happen, looking up and around the guys are staring from all over the bar. Trying desperately
to continue their conversations and drinking, yet a shift in atmosphere.

From the door she sees someone she was hoping desperately not to recognize. One of
Darauk's assassins. He was probably the one directly responsible for the clan leaders being
killed. He walks to the bar, directly across from her and asks the bartender if he's heard of
someone named Daniel, the dark one. He shakes his head no and gets the guy a drink. (Okay
there's just one,) In walks his partner. (Damn! Damn! Spoke too soon.) Sitting next to
each other, they speak of the nights work. They can't find him, but Requeem is handling that aspect. The deal will be cut, and they'll get the rest of their money.

Slowly getting up from her stool, Lilian makes her way calmly for the bathroom, nice easy exit.
An ambitious drunk walks past her, reaches his arm out and pulls her to his chest. "What the
Hell do you think you're doing?" She demanded, trying to be as calm as possible, not to stir
to much attention. "Your mine baby." The drunk laughs brashly. "Do you want to see how muc
I can truly be yours?" She whispers in his ear. Might as make the most of this. New plan
of attack. "Take me to your car and I'll show you." More than happy to accomadate her request
they both disappear into the parking lot. Of course the two men aren't going to think anything
of this scene. Leaning against the car, the drunk starts rubbing himself her while kissing her.
She kisses him deeply, and starts for his neck. "You know what I think could happen?" Whispering
seductively, "Anything" A quick motion, he let's out a quiet hiss. Holding his ribs, a small dagger
punctured a lung. "Can't breath, can't scream. Goodnight." He falls to the ground, she rolls him
over with her healed shoe and holding his keys says, "Thanks for a good time baby."

It's not her first choice, for a car but it'll do. A black 1976 camero z28 screams down the highway.
Well, now for another bar. This oughtta be a profitable night, keep this up.

Pulling up to a popular gothic night club, this is where our kin would come to hunt. Let's see
if anyone wants to play. A playful smile on her lips. Hope Daniel is alright.
than happ
they'll get the rest of their money. (Oh damn, I spoke too soon.)

As the plane circles , waiting for clearence to land. The Lady stares down at the lights of the city below. Someplace down there is the Lady Lilian and the person that is thwating her Lords plans.

Picking up the phone she dials requeems number. After he doesnt pick up following the tenth ring she hangs up in frustration.

Something is not right here. The Dark Lord Should of answered. Well there is one person in the city that may know what is going on. Last she new Donovan was in charge here. She doubts he would remeber her since it had been over a century but it was worth a try.

She dails his number as she gets of the plain and climbs into the waiting limo.

"To the Haven Driver" she commands.

"Yes Mi LAdy' answers the driver

Come on Donovan pick up the phone....

Happily cleaning the chambers, the maiden sees Daniel after she spoke with him and blushes. She hastily rushes out and returns with a bundle of fine clothing. "These are for you. Provided from the Mistress. She called and requests that you get washed, dressed and be ready for her to pick you up. She says that she would like to take you out." "Has she finished her job?" "She didn't say." Looking down at the clothes it was an interesting collection. Black jeans, silk black shirt, black socks and dress shoes. Where the hell was she taking him?

The maiden walks into another room where you hear running water. "Your shower is ready sir." Walking into the other room, it is an entire tiled huge bathroom. Double headed shower, flush mounted ceiling lights. A raised bathtub on marble steps. It reminds him of the Roman baths. "What's your name?" He asks as he sets his clothes down on the bench of a large gilded vanity. "My name is Michelle." She could smell that she was definately human, the hunger started quelling up again. "I've been in my Mistress' care for as long as I can remember. After your shower would you care for me to show you around?" There was more of this place? "How large is this place?" "Originally it used to be an underground military bunker, but since Lady Lilian has aquired it years before even I was born, she's turned it into her emergency lair. I've lived here all my life."

The Mysterious young man opens his beat up suitcase and pulls out some vials and a body bag. He kneels a charred skeleton and slips on his gloves. Carefully he places the remains into the body bag and zips it up. He takes some samples from the surrounding area. Then quitely returns to his car. After making sure he is not observed he heads off to the university and the laboratory he had arranged there.

When he gets to his parking space outside the lab he carefully surveys the area. All the lights were out and no one seemed to be anywhere around him this was a good thing. Still it pays to be cautious. Opening his glove compartment he pulls out his Browning .45 auto mag and checks the clip then tucks it into his belt an zips up his leather.

At the lab he prepares some slides with the samples he took. Then after many painstaking hours he finds what he is looking for undamaged blood. Yes.. Reaching into his bag he pulls out a needle and takes a sample of his own blood to compare to the other sample already knowing what he would find. Finally he had the blood of a vampyre and if his theories are right this blood will prove the cure for the disease which was slowly killing him.

When Requeem gets back to his hotel room he is in a rage. That bastard destroyed one of his best shirts. Daniel this is going to far, who do you think you are getting in the way of my plans.

He turns on the water of the shower and awaits the water to warm. Well at least he got a chance to feed. Those little retches partying near the ware house didn't even know what hit them. He studies himself in the mirror not knowing way he bothered with this ritual. I mean he had not changed since he was turnt so long ago.

His raven black hair flowed down to the small of his back, His Lithe body still held the tone of the warrior he had once been. Yes he was an Impressive sight this he had to admit. The biggest changes were too his black eyes which know held a golden tinge and to his skin which over the years had become nearly Luminent it was so pale.

Carefully he removed the Dragon Pendent and stepped into the shower allowing the feel of the hot water massage into him to soothe his nerves. One thing was for sure it was time for another lesson. He would come out into the open to night and head for The Haven.

He steps out of the shower and chooses a black velvet and lace shirt,Black velvet pants, His finest long coat, his cape, a top hat, his finest pair of shoes and of course his cane. After putting all this on and taking care of his hair and nails he heads out the door.

Meanwhile, the Lady of Shadows has already arrived at the club. Spotting the Lady Lilian she walks up to her and taps her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"May I talk with you Lilian" She Ask....

Lady Lilian had just gotten off the phone with Michelle, asking her to
get Daniel ready so she can take him out. "May I speak with you?"
Lilian turns around and sees one of her oldest friends Angelique.
"Oh my God!! It's so great to see you again!!" They both hug. "Let's catch
up."

The young man sighs and rubs at his temples. This work is so tedious. Sometimes he does not understand why he bothers. All the doctors say that the disease he has is incurable and if his pattern is the same as others he has only three more years to live. The thing is he does not want to die so young so he will keep trying.

What he needs is a drink. He could of sworn he saw a place not so far from here called the haven so maybe he will try that out.

As usual he pulls up to curb like he does not care if he lives or dies. That is one thing about knowing your going to die young. You get just a little more daring the closer you get to the time of your death.

He walks into the haven and sees to of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen sitting talking to each other. He walks up to them and greats them with a smile.

"Would you ladies mind if I get you a drink", He ask?....

The girls look at each other and at the young man. "Sweetie, can I have your e-mail and phone number? I'd love to get back to you if you know what I mean." Lilian asks Angelique and she knods. Knowing her old girlfriend all too well. Kisses on cheeks, "I'll talk to you soon." "You bet I will." Angelique leaves and gets the attention of 3 other guys as she's leaving. One follows her out the door. Well, at least we know she'll have her fun tonight, happily thinking to herself. Lilian makes a motion with her hand for him to have a seat. He sits quietly down and gestures thank you. "What'll it be?"
"Merlot, thank you." He looks at her with an expression she can't quite figure out.

"Bartender a Merlot for the lady and bring me a Black Velvet please",says the young man.

He looks at Lilian and finds himself becoming spell bound. This is highly unusual, he knows she is vampyre and for usually there powers do not work on him. Yet for some reason he can not take his eyes off this one. He finds himself growing more fascinated with her by the minute. What is it about her?

"My name is Ray",He introduces,"And you are?"

"Lady Lillian", she purrs holding out her hand.

Ray immediately takes it by the fingertips and gives it a gentle kiss.

"Is there someplace we can go to talk?" Ray ask, "Someplace more private"...

Requeem arrives at the club just in time to see Angelique walk out with some stranger close behind. Quickly he walks up to her and gives the stranger a glare which turns him white as a ghost and sends him stumbling back into the club.

"Hey that was my supper", Angelique Screams." You better have a good reason for that Requeem."

"If I were you childe I would mind my tongue," Growls the Dark Lord., I have not been having a very good last few days. UNDERSTOOD!!!!!"

"Yes my Lord", she stammers.

"Good ", Requeem relies, " Now I have a job for you. There is a Vampyre here who seems to like interfering with me. His name is Daniel. I want you to get rid of him. You will, of course be paid handsomely as usual."

"It will be done my lord" She whispers.

"Good", says Requeem,"Very good. Now lets go in shall we.

With that she takes her arm into his own and heads into the club....

Lilian looks up at the door and sees Requeem and Angelique together. She would
have gone sheet white is she wasn't already. "What's wrong?" "Damnit!!"
Letting out a louder cuss than she wanted. Looking at her present company
she knows that if she leaves him here, Requeem will surely find some way
of either torchering him or using him against her. Never underestimate that
villain. With her best friend no less. Oh damn, no wonder she wanted to
talk. Requeem and Angelique see them and walk over to the table. "Don't say
a word, just be quiet." Telling the slightly confussed guest.

Requeem looks at the table and grins. The beautiful young human captures his eye.

"Angelique why don't you entertain Daniel I have things to do here", he says.

"Okay", she whispers looking meaningfully at Lilian, "Daniel come on we need to go elsewhere."

The Lady of the shadows carefully leads Daniel away from the table. She hates doing this to her old friend but she has a job to do. After getting out of sight she kisses the elder. In a couple of minutes evreything starts going black on him and he falls into a deep sleep which will keep him under for a few days.

Meanwhile Requeem walks up to Michelle.

"I am Requeem Tzmisce", he purrs, "And who might this figure of angelic radiance be?" ....

Requeem just grins at Lilian. He orders a glass of wine and awaits for it to arrive before he clears his throat and begins.
"Lilian my dear", he whispers quietly,I suggest that you come with me, you realy should listen to what I say. I am going to put this quite simple if you do not I will kill Daniel and your old friend Angelique over there. You see the reason she listens to me is because she must. i have had her blood bound for over a month now. If I told her to offer her throaght she would and so will Daniel. so the way I see it you have no choice....

"It looks like I don't have much of a choice do I? Old friend." She gets up and walks out with Requeem. Angelique and Ray walk far enough away to keep Lilian from interfering, yet close enough for her friend to receive the order to kill him. "What do you want? You've got me, but don't get too damn comfortable."

Michelle was almost done giving Daniel the tour of Lilian's new lair. Michelle never once mentioned where the former bunker was located, nor where Lady Lilian was.

Dressed all in black, Daniel felt well-treated and wanted to thank Lilian for her hospitality, and his anticipation was beginning to show. But out of respect for her wishes, he did not attempt to contact her or find her. That is until...

HELP -- visions of a bar -- The Haven -- a female vampire -- Requeem! -- Lilian's cry out -- HELP

That's all he needed to see. He turned to stop Michelle from playing tour guide long enough to ask her, "How far is the Haven from here?"

Concerned that she let the Mistress' location slip, she started to defend, but Dan grabbed her hand as polietly as he could in the circumstances and said with urgency, "I don't have time for this, I'm sorry, this will explain why.." And with that, the Elder played the distress call back through Michelle's mind, transferred by touch.

Worried, she understood, but with fear said, "You'll never get there in time..."

"Not by foot I won't, but now I also know where. Trust me, your Mistress' secret is safe with me. She trusted me enough to bring me here, now it is your turn to let me go to her."

She nodded in agreement and said, "Godspeed, Daniel."

He nodded his thanks and with that, he disappeared from her sight into a purple mist...

*** MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE BAR ***

Requeem is sitting next to Lilian, exchanging smalltalk that they have perfected down the years to each other. An idle threat here, a calculated bluff there. Trusted friends have become pawns in their personal game of chess. The hustle of the bar around them, a volatile situation in the middle of innocent bystanders, potential expendable pawns. One pawn, Ray the Watcher, has already been removed from the board.

In the alley behind the Haven, the Queen's Knight, Daniel the Elder Lurker, arrives. Hopefully he has the right moves to make a difference in the game, protecting the Queen.

But he is too late in arriving at the bar (damn you guys are fast) and sees the car driving off... this is not a good idea Dan!

Seconds later he is in front of the car long enough to distract the driver...

Angelique receives the okay well after Requeem left with Lilian in her car. "Alright boss." She slits her wrist and lets Ray drink from her. He sits up now still clung to her wrist. His whole body feels as if it's totally on fire, then freezing after the blaze. It can't be what I was looking for, can it? She pushed him off her. "There's one problem with getting my blood dearest. Do you know what that is, besides the major side effects you already know....You will find yourself in service to me and Requeem, because I am bonded to him in servitude. Welcome to Hell."