Evermore Roleplay

Takes place after the coterie’s encounter with the Brood-inspiring hotspot at the Old Jail in Belfast.

Brenna had been nearly consumed by her wrath. She felt the need to kill Miora and even Ian. She knew she would not have been able to kill Kian, but the thought had in fact crossed her mind. They openly mocked her and treated her with no respect at all.

Friends they say. Does not seem that way. Kian never treated me like that when I did well in a fight. None of them seem to care. Of course it was the place Aife says. But did it not simply strengthen my own feelings of anger? It magnified all the little things that buzz like gnats, making them huge.

Time had passed before Brenna was ready to see Kian again. She knew he was furious with her. The question was this time did she care? The only way to know was to speak to him.

Kian had a note waiting for him when he woke. I was delivered to him by Trina when he emerged from his hidden haven:

If you would like to meet me I will be waiting for you at Kelley’s. I think I am ready to talk about things if you are willing to.

-Brenna

Kian read the note, then left his home without a word to his ghouled servants. He made his way to the bar and made his usual greetings to the regular patrons he’d come to know so well before finally picking his way toward Brenna’s table. Since she was already seated, he dragged up a chair and sat down.

“Hey,” he said.

The moment she saw him she had her answer. She cared a great deal more than she should. All she could manage to say was “I’m sorry.”

Kian’s sad eyes immediately changed character. He looked back at her with surprise at first, and then cheer washed away the darkness that had pervaded them since the Old Jail. He knew exactly what she was talking about because it had been on his mind constantly since then.

“We’re good,” he assured her. He seemed ready to leave it behind and move forward again.

“I don’t know if I am.” She said calmly. “A lot of things happened to me that night that I just don’t know if I can ignore anymore.”

“We all took a nip at each other here and there. I wouldn’t worry about it,” he said. “If you don’t have thick skin in this society, you break. Actions are what you really have to pay attention to. Actions reveal what a person is really feeling.”

“Not always. It is not that I don’t have thick skin, or that I have thin. Whatever was down there intensified your own feelings. Everyone seemed troubled but you, and still you…” She took a small sip of her drink, letting it spill back into the glass slowly. So it appeared she were drinkng it.

“No what everyone said and did down there was meant, even if it was pushed a little. I was shown to be cared for as less than I should. Not that I ask for much in that way, but you have never been so excited about me doing well in a fight.

“Guess none of it matters anyway. But, Kian you know why I left that night right?”

“Yes,” he said. “And I think you made a very poor choice in how you did it. But you already apologized for that so why worry about it?”

“Because I think you assume why I left that night. Thinking it was because I was upset at everyone and pouting. But that is not why. I left because I was about to attack Moira. I wanted to kill her. That I think would have been the worse choice. Besides I left the only way I could to make certain I was safe. My best understanding was that Chris most likely followed Pat again. He had what she wanted anyway. He said that.”

“You’re rationalizing a bad choice, Brenna,” he stated. “I don’t care why you left. I only care that you left without saying a word, leaving me to think you were taken by that diabolist, or worse, destroyed. That’s worse than simply rude. I thought that’s what you were apologizing for.”

She could see the edge of anger she was pushing him over. It is always like this for us. Maybe I should reconsider being here. “Yes, to you. Because of how you looked at me when you came in. I was not sure untill I saw you.”

“Anyway, we’re all Kindred. Everyone’s a predator and everyone wants to build themselves up at the expense of someone else. That’s just our nature as I’ve observed it.” He said. “But now you know you can fight it, right? You don’t have to let those voices guide you. Just focus on something and don’t pay them any mind. That’s what I did.”

“Yeah, sure.” Brenna was suprised at him. She had expected him to maybe be concerned. But to her he seemed to be pushing it all away. Maybe because he had his answer at that was all that mattered. Case closed for him. Not so much the I am right and you’re wrong. More the I have the answer why can’t you see it.

She sighed and tried to move on, like always. Just push your feelings and everythign else under the rug. Or rather the back of your mind. You have been wronged and insulted and still can not take it out or get what is owed for such slites. Again you acted and it is wrong, no matter how. If I had stayed I would have been wrong in my actions because of an external influence. I leave and that was wrong too. I’m Nos how am I supposed to protect myself?

Kian stared at her, watching her face. “Brenna? Can I ask you something without you jumping to conclusions or assuming I’m feeling things I’m not?”

She nodded her head yes.
Kian shook his head in wonder. “What this is about is that someone cares about you and cares what happens to you. I care about you. So when you disappear in the middle of a struggle against a deadly monster, I get scared you’re hurt or worse. Is it really so difficult to believe that someone cares about you enough to worry?”

“Can answer without you being upset?” She looked at him. “Sometimes is the answer. I get confused to reactions. You yelled and said you would be sure to tell Aife. It made me feel like you did not care for my well being. But that I had not done my part on this mission. I have seen those who are concerned with the well being, scared and angry but still they hug the other in relief once they see they are okay. That is not why I did what I did, not for any reaction. I was not thinking it would matter for me to be gone. I mean…” She stopped.

“Sorry I am rationalizing again. This really is about me and what I was feeling down there. I wasn’t sure I wanted to apologize for my actions. Did not feel it was necessary. But when I saw you, saw how you looked at me, I wanted to say I was sorry to you.”

Kian wanted to reach across the table and hug her, but he restrained himself for the sake of appearances. “Aye. I was quickly growing frustrated with the in-fighting down there. I didn’t understand why my friends were at each other’s throats. I had focused entirely on finding the diabolist and it seemed like others were just slowing things down. At the time I didn’t understand that the rest of you had been so influenced by that irritating voice. Ah well, I suppose it doesn’t matter now. One day, She Who Sleeps may take some action to get rid of that place, but I don’t know.”

“Influenced. Magnified is more like it. Whatever we were feeling was made intense and impossible to ignore. That is the danger. It did not try to persuade or change our nature or minds. It simply amplified what was there. That is my problem now. My own feelings and what I wanted to do down there. That is what I can nto ignore. Because I am getting pretty used to ignoring what everyone else says and does to me.”

She paused momentarily. “What I really wanted to do when I reached the surface was leave, but I stayed and watched that you were all out safe. Then after the clean up I left. That is when I realized how much I wanted to leave Belfast.”

Kian looked very pained at the thought of her leaving. “I know, but it only brought out the bad thoughts. Everyone has those. But what about the good thoughts? They went unsaid because there was nothing forcing them to the surface.

“Please don’t give up on us Brenna,” he asked in a voice that was quietly pleading.

“You I would never give up on. Myself and what I am becomming in this time is another story. It is not that the good thoughts have gone away. But you are my only good thought here. You and Rory. William has been good. Patrick has at least not upset me further. But Moira compounds it. Did you hear what she thinks of me? I am beneath her she said. The fact that she gets to bed you makes that worse somehow. Now I am faced with working with those who think so little of me. Plus the fact that all of society know my student became Brood. That will be poor for me as well.” She put her head in her hands.

“Moira?” Kian chuckled a might evilly. “You realize that when She Who Sleeps rises, Moira’s place will most likely be forfeit, don’t you? Yours will remain, but somehow I don’t believe our true Prince is very concerned about keeping Moira as a Seneschal. I’m certain you will remain Master of Elysium, but Moira will have to carve out a new place for herself or be left with nothing. That means She Who Sleeps has a far higher regard for you than she does Moira and that must count for something, yes?

“And, I think maybe now is a good time to tell you. I expect to be removed from the position of Guardian of Belfast as soon as it is convenient to do so, so that I may server the Prince’s interest directly as her right hand and bodyguard. Technically, this is a demotion for me, too, though I would certainly choose it if given a chance.

“As for Moira sleeping with me? Well, it has not happened yet. Actually, I’ve been wondering when she will let the spirit have what it wants. I’ve decided I won’t make the first move, though I won’t refuse it either.” He smiled. “I want to see how strong Moira really is. Will she give in and get it over with? Or will she foolishly try to defy the will of the spirit within her?”

“Make no mistake. Miora wants to taste your flesh more than the spirit does. To the spirit you were a random choice. To Miora you are a prize. Personally I hope she is a fool and the spirit takes over her. At least then we wil not be subject to her ego. Her beauty is not earned. Nor is it a gift. She takes it for granted. It also gives her a false sense of power.

“As far as her position. Well she is Aife’s daughter. I am sure she will have words to keep her there.

“I have learned my lesson with Chris though. I gave her pity and lenience. I tried to help her. This will not be repeated with anyone.”

Kian thought about what she said about Moira. “I think you’re right about her.”

He shook his head and then smiled as he considered some new possibilities. “You know, we are not married to this coterie. If you know some people you like better, we could simply form a new coterie with them. Keep what we like, and if you find you cannot tolerate someone bring it up to the rest of us. If given a choice between you and Moira, I would choose you. Then we just start hanging out with new friends and gradually pull away from old ones that are no longer good ones.”

Brenna looked at him in shock. Had he just said that? streamed through her mind. Kian is loyal to Aife, and this was her coterie. Chosen by her. “You would really do that? Give up that much for me?” Surprise filled her voice.

He nodded. “Yes. I still must be loyal to the city and to the Prince when she rises, and I am loyal to Aife, too. But that doesn’t mean I can’t pick my own friends. It doesn’t mean I can’t choose to express that continued loyalty and service among those I consider most trustworthy. That’s you.

“I know we’ve had our differences, but it has never changed the fact that we have always stuck it out and have always talked things over when we had half a chance. It also doesn’t change the fact that you are the most competent person overall in this coterie and who has shown the most growth in terms of skill and power.

“Well,” he paused with a sheepish grin, “I could come up with good reasons all night, but the fact is I just like you best. And if it comes down to splitting the coterie into a couple new coteries, it’s better to do that when we might still be on amicable terms with them.”

“Don’t be mad. But I thought since you are not interested in the joining ceremony you did not have such a connection to me.” She thought for a moment. “How is it I say…” Brenna scratched her head. “I did not think that our connection this life was one so deep as that you would give up or risk such for me. To break the coterie would go directly against Aife. Not to mention it would upset her. That would be going against what you have chosen to do with your life.”

He shook his head. “I disagree. First, I think Aife would learn two coteries loyal to the good of the city was even better than one. Second, this coterie is a very distant second to my mission here in Belfast. We work as a coterie because working as a team makes us far more powerful than we are alone. But I say that when the coterie begins to limit us, its time to shed it and begin anew.

“Now, you know I am perfectly willing to separate from the coterie with you. Are we to that point yet? I know you have given Moira more than enough chances to straighten up. Do you think it would help if I informed Moira she was going to break the coterie if she continues her antagonism? I have no compunctions against telling her that she’s crossing the line too many times.”

“I don’t think it will be viewed as such. Even Aife will see that it is me, not the others. ”

“Well, she won’t say that because if she did, she’d be wrong,” Kian stated.

“How would she be wrong? I am the one that has the issues. Well known issues. It does not matter if there is merit to them or not. I guess I don’t have as much faith as you do.” She smiled as she looked at him. “You are a good to me Kian.”

He smiled back and took her hand. “Listen. You and Aife might have had a history, but this time you are not in the wrong. And you’ve never been the antagonist in this stuff. I can get her to see that.”

“I don’t know. Breaking hte coterie seems so wrong. It is just not what you do. You don’t betray your family. Guess that is my issue. I feel betrayed by my family because of how they treat me. As less than they, inept. As though I am unworthy to be near them.”

“Well, back to my earlier question,” Kian said. “Would you like me to speak with Moira to give this coterie another chance? I know she hasn’t been listening to you, and if she also does not listen to me, then we won’t be wrong to pick new friends. That’s what a coterie is, after all, a circle of friends, and when they stop being your friend, it is no longer a coterie. What do you say?”

“You make it sound so simple. If you go to talk to her it will make her accusations seem accurate. That you had to bail me out. I guess I would rather provide her the rope. But you can speak to her if you feel strongly about it. I won’t stop you. I have already told Aife my concerns when it comes to Miora.

“To me the easiest solution was to leave, maybe see this new world. I have never ventured off this island until our trip to London.”

“That may be,” he agreed. “Although, so long as VII is after you, such trips might be well cut short. And I intended that pun in the worst way,” he said with a rueful grin.

“Are you sure I never told you why they are after me? And now that you mention it I don’t really appreciate being put on the sppot like that. Or meetings being held to discuss me and my personal life.” She smiled. It was simply a statement no anger behind it.

He shook his head and held up his hands innocently. “That wasn’t me, love. That was Katherine’s doing. Both times. The first time she asked to meet, I did and then found out it was about you so I told all of them we would not be discussing this without you there. So then she called it a second time in Elysium with the idea that you being right there, you’d be able to join us right away. It didn’t work that way, and they tried to start without you again, but I told them to hold up. I’m no harpy.”

“Then would you like to know what the answer is then? To your question about seven?” She stood and offered her hand to him. ” We can go back to my place then if you like?”

“That sounds perfect,” he said with a wide smile. His mind was already thinking they could be more free in their actions outside the bar.

—

Once back at her apartment. She went to a hidden safe and removed an ornately decorated metal box with intricate sculpted metal covering. She sat it down on the table in front of Kain. She herself sat next to him on the couch.

“I would like you to meet my Grandsire. Roxanna”

He blinked and looked left, then right. “Oh! You mean… in the box?”

“Yeah. From what I can tell her essence is in there. She is still alive, some Circle magics. I think. Anyway I figure this is why they are after me. To get to her.” Brenna opened a folder of news clippings and articles. “I could have sworn I showed these to you. But here is VII’s marker in her grave. It is an archeological dig. Like I said the museums keep taking my things.”

“Or in this case, your grand-sire. So, what do we need to do to bring her back? I mean, this can’t be good for her soul, right? All stuck in this box instead of reincarnated or resurrected?” he wondered.

“Hmm. I hadn’t really planned on bringing her back. She is ancient and powerful. That might not be a good thing to do. Well I would have to bring it up with Aife.

“It is funny really. I made the deal with the Lady of London to get my other bracer and this back. I am not supposed to get the items until I finish this poem for her. But I did a large favor so to keep good faith she sent this. I don’t think she realized how important this item is.

“So you think we should bring her back then?”

Kian wasn’t certain. “Well, that or let her pass on. Of course technically she is something like a vampire in torpor and she’s now in Belfast, so that would mean only the Prince or her Regent can order a someone’s death in a case like this. So that means we should probably figure out how to raise her again, if it’s even possible. But I guess before we do that we should try to find out as much as we can about her. Do you know if she was Circle of the Crone? Given that she’s family to you, you’ll be susceptible to her powers, just like I am susceptible to my sire’s powers so we need to keep that in mind. Also, where did she originally come from?”

“Oh man questions. Ack.” She smiled and leaned up agains him. “She is a very hard person to find anything out about. Except she was alive until about a hundred years ago or so. She is called Bloody Anna. I know of two who might be able to tell me more. Vlad mentioned her in familiarity and then there is the Hob Goblin.”

“Hm,” Kian considered. “Neither information source sounds like they’re handy. Have we got anything else?”

“There are a couple who might be able to find out. But I don’t necessarily want them knowing. However there is one I could get in contact with to see what he knows. No wait, I think I spoke to him about her already. I was just going to play it by ear and see what I could find out along the way. Too bad you don’t have Dorian’s memories. He would know more about her.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I bet he would. I wonder if I dream about past lives during the day? But then I’m sure it would be all jumbled up even if I could communicate.”

Brenna looked at him puzzeled. “Communicate?”

“Yeah, I know, stupid idea anyway. Everybody knows that’s not possible,” he said.

Brenna was even more perplexed. “No it’s not. What is going on Kian?”

“I was just taking your idea about Dorian’s memories and running with it, but I really have no powers or way of communicating when I’m asleep during the day,” he said. “So I guess I was just being silly.”

She considered his words. “Or not teling me something.” She looked at the drawings on the wall. They were memories. She knew it and he told her not to ask. “You have never mentioned dreaming before. In fact I am the only one who has ever said such. So now you dream, and can see past memories. Or at least have someone who can. Unless you have developed such art skills. I would just suggesting that if there were someone who could see such things it might be helpful to try. Be it you or whatever.”

“I’ll give it a shot. Although, I really don’t remember what I dream about any more than any other Kindred, so I’m not at all sure I have the control to try to bring up images of Roxanne. But I can try and focus by thinking about it when the sun rises. If I get something, I’ll be bringing drawings directly to you. No one else will know,” he promised. “In fact, I’d rather not have anyone else know either. They’d think I was just making stuff up anyway.”

“Good enough for me then,” she said with a smile.

Takes place after Kian took Brenna to see Aidan Fitztancred about the Crone’s Axe.

Brenna had been quiet the trip back. But then daytime tended to make any vampire silent as a grave. Once night had fallen and Kian awoke he found that Brenna was not there.

Trina told him Brenna had business to attend. Two nights passed before Brenna contacted Kian. She left a message for him that if he wanted to get together she would be able to tonight.

Mystified by the sudden halt of their quest to find this Axe, and curious as to what she’d found out, he appeared in Elysium and requested a private conference room with her.

Kian had been waiting for a few minutes when Brenna walked in with William behind her, shuffling through a stack of papers ans her saying yes or no. “William please arrange the meeting with Foster, his earliest conveinence. With that you may go, and thank you.” She excused her aid and closed the door.

Her clothing was an exquisitely tailored suite. She wore hip hugging style silvery grey slacks that were made of a shimmery material, though it was more a flat shimmer than sparkle. She had a matching satin dress top and suit jacket that stopped mid calf accompanied the outfit and she completed the outfit with a pair of matched heels.

“Glad you could make it. I thought it would be good to discuss what I found out, what it means, and what the next step will be. Do you have the time now?”

He nodded. “I’ve been pretty curious.”

“Yes. It was enlightening. So to speak.” She moved to a chair and took out the ever growing journal.

“I was accurate in many of my assumptions, surprised by some things and have a “it figures” response for things I feared. So let me start with this. Freya and Aiden helped fill in blanks and reassure my research. No this will take to long. Okay I will start over.

“The axe was taken or rather kept by Haakon who is still alive. He told Freya he was taking it to the Giants Causway and giving it to the hand of Kulac. This is halfway between Ireland and Scotland.

“My research is accurate as to what happened. The group took the axe, Haakon killed Kellach for what they thought was stealing it. Though he was trying to do the right thing and return it. Haakon sent his childe Aiden and Freya to finish off the enemy, the Magda. He could not after meeting her. This was after the battle that Aiden killed Dorian. Haakon went on with the axe.

“There was another Kindred there and no he or she never left. What they did with the axe, and what we must undo for this to succeed is this. The axe was used to call the totem spirit of the pack, place it within a kindred, then kill the kindred. They severed the pack from it’s totem. In order to restore this, we have to reverse it. Call the spirit out it in a kindred and release it.

“We can go find Haakon with you. He is your Grandsire and he you will know when he is near.

“Why did we have to stay a night? I imagine the Magda wanted to see me. She promised Dorian long ago she would protect me, watch over me. So she has.

“Yes, I learned other things. Though they are of little relevance to this mission.

“One last thing. Freya called a favor of me. We are not to return there to them untill it is time for you to see Aiden again. None of us on pain of death. If any of us do venture there without you, death will be instant.”

Kian chuckled. “He was always pretty strict. So my grand sire still exists. That’s pretty interesting. Do we have any clues where to being looking for him? A thousand years is a long time and theoretically a person could be anywhere in the world by now.”

“Yes we do.” She said. “So is that what you want to do next. Go look for him?”

“Is that what we have to do get this Crone’s Axe back?”

“Possibly. We could bypass it and go to where the axe is supposed to be and see if we can find it. The point in seeing him would be to find out if he actually got rid of it.” She paused. “I found it almost impossible to dislike your sire. He and Freya are a good thing to see.”

Kian scowled. “I never got to meet her. I just had to guard a worthless piece of dirt while he actually paid attention to you.” Kian was very obviously disappointed he hadn’t had the chance to meet his sire’s chosen mate. But he shoved the feeling from his mind as he concentrated on more important issues.

“Well, I’m getting the impression that my bloodline doesn’t take all that well to visitors. If we can maybe look and see if we can find this axe first that might be best. Then,” he continued, “we could try to find gramps as a last resort. From what you told me of the history around this stuff, gramps might be a major grump over this axe issue so it might be best just to avoid him unless we have no choice.”

“It was not some worthless peice of dirt you were gaurding.” She said firmly. “It was the Magda. Your sire gave you a great honor in letting you assume his post. A father saying his child is good enough, worthy enough to fill in for him. Brief as it was. But you will see it how you wish.

“Besides I needed the time with Aiden to speak to him. You will get to meet Freya one day, I suppose.” Brenna had longing in her eyes. Then let it wash away.

“We will plan a trip then to the Giant’s causway. Our next step will be to search for the axe. This means leaving Belfast again, and facing who knows what.”

“Well,” Kian said, “you have the best idea where the axe is, you’ll have to lead that search. I’ll provide muscle, backup, and all the scouting we might need, of course.

“As far as having the honor of guarding Magda, I really don’t think much of an ‘honor’ wherein instead of being asked, I am ordered to do a thing on pain of death. Sort of loses it’s spark, you know?

“Anyway you realize he’s just doing that to salve his own conscience. That’s not honor he’s trying to uphold. It’s shame he’s trying to assuage. And as I recall, what happened here over a thousand years ago was a lot more his shame than mine — and by that I mean Dorian’s. He’s doing penance — as I think he should.

“But don’t get me wrong. I don’t think ill of him. In fact, I probably respect him more for knowing that he had a very human… well, failing. And he’s trying to fix it by doing the right thing. I really do think that. And if he chooses to share nothing of his own life with his own Childe, then that’s his prerogative. But being that I am that Childe, I don’t have to like it.” Kian sighed. “Well at least he’s also shown no interest in my own life. That’s a plus I suppose; I don’t have to share anything with him, either.”

“It hought this was your test Kian. To not be part of his life for ten years. To make it on your own for that time. It is not so strange really. But perhaps that is my age and time talking. Or perhaps it is centuries of the Magdas influence rubbing off. He has participated in the wedding ceremony after all. But then other clans might have that as well. Who is to say without research. ”

Kian shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess it’s just not important if I met Freya or not then since he never mentioned that to me, or even what her name was. I spent all this time thinking it was a guy, a comrade in arms.”

Brenna’s expression and manner softened. She stood and took him by the hand. “Come with me.”

Brenna lead him thruogh various back routes, so that she would not be disturbed. She locked the apartment door behind them. Kian noticed that the pictures he had given her were framed and on the wall.

“How long were you with your sire before he told you to leave?” She said as she took a seat on the couch.

He walked over and sat down next to her. “Six months.”

“Six months is not very long. Are you so sure he does not want to be in your life?”

Thinking about it she restated. “Sorry. You have told me the importance of when one of your line chooses to protect someone. He shares that oath with Freya. So anything else is not as important as that charge right? If that is the case, would he feel it necessary to tell you all the details of his life?”

“If it were your childe and you were going to be sending him off on his own to live or die, would you be more concentrated on teaching him to survive or filling him in on all the details of your past?”

Kian shook his head. “That’s not the point. The point is that he chose to share something with a complete and total stranger rather than share something with his own Childe. And yes, I’m positive he’s not interested in me or my life, or else he wouldn’t have told me he didn’t want to see me around for ten years.”

He looked at Brenna. “Look, I know you are trying to make me feel better, and I do thank you for it. But the facts are the facts; he only took me in because he thought his charge, the Magda, expected it of him. I was apparently nothing but a burden to him for that short time he had me under his wing and it seems he could hardly wait to send me off with Roma — whom he hates, by the way.”

Kian stood and paced back and forth once, then he stopped and looked Brenna in the eye. “But you know what? I really don’t like him. I might not have been his choice to make a member of the Khaibit line, but I’m still his Childe. He just can’t seem to accept that. He’s been an asshole to me since the moment he sent me with Roma and Aife and I’ve never done anything to deserve it. So screw him. I think I’ve proven I don’t need that jerk. I don’t care if my line seems to be even more rare than the Lhiannan. He can go die off for all I care.”

Kian smiled for the first time since they got back to Belfast and it seemed a cloud had lifted. His posture was again his normal cheerful self.

“So, when are we going to hunt about for this Axe?” he asked her.

“True that he had never met me. But I am no stranger to him. If he had any guilt for killing Dorian though it was a noble death then I am his way to atone. I am part of his world not this one.” She paused and looked away for a moment. “Sorry that is not what I meant.”

“I know enough that whatever I say will make little difference to you. So I will speak with Eife and we will leave as soon as preparations can be made.” Brenna turned her head to the side trying to choke back tears. She felt one slide down her cheek and she wiped it away with a slender hand.

Kian tilted his head and blinked in surprise. “Why… why are you crying?” He held out his hands, as if to embrace her, but paused in momentary uncertainty.

“I wish it was you with your sire that night. I wish you had seen him with his bride and not me. I am trying to accept my role here, but it is so very difficult for me.” Her words were soft as she spoke. Looking at him she continued. Her eyes held unshed tears. “You got to move on and change with many lives to forget me. But I didn’t.”

Kicking her shoes off she curled her legs in. “I get to be me, the same me with the same feelings and no way to change them. With no way to fulfill them. I see what role I have to take and it is difficult for me because I miss him so much. You hate your sire for a misunderstanding. You don’t know him enough to hate him. I have every reason to hate him and yet I find that I envy him.”

Sad she did not accept his offer of comfort, he let his arms drop to his sides. “Because he has Freya?” Kian continued. “I knew him for six months, and I know him well enough to make my own opinions based on how he treats me.”

“I know how you are with your choices. I am not arguing your reasons for it, just saying I see it and accept it. It is not becasue he has Freya, more that he has what I once did. What he took from me.

He told me they looked for me. Because the Magda promised to take care of me for Dorian. That they looked for She Who Sleeps, as they did not know my name. Magda did. I can’t really recall her, but I guess I met her before with Dorian.”

Brenna stood and moved slowly to Kian. Taking his arms, she wrapped them around her. “You are you, and I am the same. I will never have what I did. I am trying to be okay with it. It is so very hard for me though. Seeing and speaking with Aiden only brought back so many memories.

“I know you think I am trying to make you Dorian. Or that all I see you as is Dorian. I want you to understand my pain is because you are not Dorian. I know that. Once maybe, but now you are new and different than when last we touched. You returned to me, but in a different way.”

She looked into his eyes. “I am the bride of Dorian, not Kian. For Kian I am a friend, and lover.”

Kian was reassured at her touch. He smiled slightly and said, “You know, if I was in Dorian’s place a thousand years ago and saw you as I do now, I would never have tried to hide you away to protect you from your destiny. I would rather live, love, fight and die with you beside me than without you at all. While you slept, I must have lived and died many times, but none of those times mean anything to me like the lifetimes I’ve had with you in them.”

Brenna held him tightly. “Veronica really has trained you to be quit eloquent. Do you remember the other lifes? I guess it does not matter.”

“I was nearly dead after the wolf attacked me.There was no time to heal me, and he wanted me to live. Dorian was a great warrior and I doubt he thought he would be killed and not be able to return for me.

“I am sorry. I stayed away for two days hoping this had passed so I would not burden you with this. I see who you are now, and feel who you were then. I see a little of who you once were in you now. I wish I could bury Dorian have him no longer be a burden to you. But I also think I understand the limits of this relationship. I so want for more, but I understand your fears on it. So I can accept that.”

Brenna was feeling a little guilty that she had to run out on Kian. They had finally gotten some time to themselves when Aife called. Brenna had been appointed Seneschal for an interim period. So when Aife called her she had to leave Kian.

Brenna had left a voice mail with him asking him to take her on a date as it is called. If he accepted she would be waiting in her apartment at eight the next night. She was waiting for him in a new outfit she had bought for the knight. Her dark red top was a suit style long top. The neckline was low cut. It flared out at the waist leaving the perfection of her lower abdomen revealed. Her skirt was tight black leather that clung to the curve of her legs. The bottom of the skirt stopped about an inch above her knee’s and the black boots that covered her lower legs.

She was sitting in the bar when he came in.

Kian paused to take in the view. Brenna was all woman tonight — no ambiguity at all. He smiled because that meant she really meant to focus her attention on him tonight and he aimed to return the favor.

He stepped softly, almost silently as was his habit as he walked through the bar in his expensive shoes, black designer jeans with a heavy belt and brass buckle, and a long-sleeve dress shirt with the top two buttons open to reveal what appeared to be a brass and ivory necklace. His shirt was such deep crimson it appeared to be almost black in the lighting of the bar, and the cuffs and collar had ornate gold stitching.

Clearly, Kian had been taking fashion lessons and investing his money.

Brenna only had eyes for him as he crossed the room. She slid off the bar in one sultry motion. “You look tastey.”

He gave her a suave smile. “I barely hold a candle compared to your flame,” he said.

Brenna returned his smile. “Hmmm. You have been studying since left. Your words move more like poetry.” She moved in close to him, close enough that there was barely an inch between them. “I have learned a few things too.”

“Thank you,” he said. Smiled and then added, “Will you show me what you learned?” A blush of life entered his flesh, reddening his cheeks slightly and enlivening his lips. He put his arms around her and she felt that he was, indeed, happy to see her.

Brenna returned the favor of life to him, and she did indeed feel and look very much alive. With her gifts of bloodline and the blush of life, it was very difficult to tell that Brenna was anything but human, even to other Kindred. In fact, the only ones she came across who could tell were Mages for they looked at something entirely different. Maybe Lupines could smell the difference.

Brenna traced the line of his face and ran her finger down his forehead, nose and lips. Her heart was beating for him and he could feel the warmth in her skin. The delicate perfume she had chosen was intoxicating. “If you promise not to be angry, I will show you.”

He chuckled and said, “Promises? You don’t need them. Trust in me as I trust in you, my lovely one. Show me what you have learned.”

She smiled and raised an eyebrow. “Can we go out first? I hate to ruin your clothes before we get a chance to leave.”

Kian raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Well, that would be nice since I don’t have another set like this yet.”

Brenna’s eyes lit up. “Great!”

She took his arm in hers and headed out. “Where do you want to go?”

“Some place we can show off a little,” he said. “A place with some live music, maybe a little dancing, and where the drinks flow all night. I know just what we need. And I have a car waiting.”

Brenna practically purred with excitement as she followed him to the car. “I have to say Kian you are impressive tonight. Your time with Veronica is well spent. It shows.” Though her eyes were full of excitement, her voice was neutral and calm.

He smiled. “Good. I like to think I can learn new tricks. Besides, I like to show off for you.”

“You do?” Her smile said she knew the answer. She slid gracefully into the car and closed the door. Once they were on their way she spoke up again.

“I know I was a bit of a bother to you on this trip. I apologize for that.”

Kian laughed as he wove through traffic in the early evening. “I don’t mind that. I’m sorry if I was ever short with you on the phone, too. But you know, I kind of got used to talking with you and when you didn’t I worried.” He flashed her a grin before returning his attention to the road. “I realized I like being the guy you can depend on and the one you talk to when the chips are down — or up.”

Brenna let out a sigh. She was playing human at the moment and decided to do a thorough job of it. “I am glad to hear that. Well if there is anything you would like to know about the trip or anything just ask.”

“Is there something I should know?” he asked with a sly wink.

Brenna looked quietly at the floor. “There is probably a lot that you would find interesting. Other than your sire killing mine. But some of it I want to save for later.”

“Okay, then just tell me what you think I should know now,” he suggested. “It will be a few minutes until we get there anyway.”

“I have lost faith in two members of our Coterie. Also I think it would be a mistake for Shawn to be groomed as a Sheriff. He is too busy playing harpy to repsect even his coterie. It concerns me that he met with The Herald of London. I had meetings with elders of my own, but it was only to learn of my grandsire and times past. I have no one other than elders to turn to for such information. I am too old for anyone to even remember me unless they are an elder.”

Kian looked over at her for a moment, then returned his attention to the road. His expression was strange, difficult to read, but it passed almost immediately.

“If that was why Shawn was meeting with her I don’t care. But we were warned that she is dangerous and with his other actions, it makes me wonder what he was up to.

“Did I tell you he tried to turn me against you? He tried to manipulate me.”

Kian frowned. “Some people are like children. You let them out of your site for one week and they’re running wild.” He sighed. He didn’t question Brenna’s word in this because he knew she wouldn’t have embellished anything. Not for something like this. He knew it happened just the way she said it did.

“That’s serious stuff,” Kian said. “Very well. He will never be Sheriff so long as I have any say in it.” He looked over at Brenna again. “Anyway, you’d make a far better Guardian if you wanted it. I know that in terms of status in this city it would be kind of a demotion compared to being Master of Elysium, but maybe you’d just think about it for me?”

There was a pleased look to her as if being given a compliment from a master. “You think so?” She thought about it for a moment. “That is so very tempting. I hate the dance of polotics. However I am not sure that I should leave the spot to someone other than Coterie. Though I have to say I am impressed with how Tara has handled things. I always knew she could do the job hands down, but I had to make sure she was on my side, our side.

“You know Kian I feel bad by talking about Shawn and Moira this way. It pains me that they acted as they did. I have discussed it with Aife. Just so you know I told her of my behaivor too. I lost my temper more than once and I only lucked out that it did not cause a problem. Shawn even helped me with it, but then.” She shook her head.

“Do you think you’ll be able to work these things out with Moira and Shawn given a chance to really sit down and talk about it with them? Or has that tactic already been tried?” he asked.

“I tried talking with them. They both know where they stand with me and what their actions were doing, and they proceeded with them. I don’t know.

“You know I have to deal with the enemies of my past. I have to choose to rekindle an alliance that was betrayed by Palladius. I have to let go of my hate of the lupines. Moira and Shawn seem insubstantial to that. If I really wanted to I have enough to hurt them both.” She smiled slightly as she looked at him.

He nodded. “I believe it. I guess you will simply have to make a choice whether to have your revenge now or simply keep what you have on them against the day they ever humiliate or harm you again.”

“Aife has declared that I must take any revenge against Shawn within two days. As his death is scheduled. But that is for the human world, I will not forget what he has done simply because he wears a new face. I will hold my cards and wait for the right moment.” She watched him for a while.

Kian nodded. “That’s wise.”

He pulled off the road and into a parking ramp. From there, they walked amid bustling, early-evening activity toward what appeared to be a kind of dance club. There was a long line outside, but Kian led Brenna to the front, showed the bouncer a business card and was allowed immediately inside. Clearly, his influence in mortal society was growing — that or he had somehow made arrangements ahead of time.

Inside the pub, their ears were blessed with the lovely, rhythmic strains of celtic-style music. A local group was performing on a stage and a few people were even engaged in some distinctive cultural Irish dance. Kian paused and turned to her with a smile. “Would you like a booth out here where we can listen to the music and watch the dancers, or would you prefer a private room where its a bit quieter?”

Brenna was delighted with the music. “Dance with me first!” She moved toward the dance floor and held her hand out for Kian. She was all smiles as she moved her hair long and flowing red. She was in her natural form for him tonight.

He smiled and dove into the dance as well as he could. While he was certainly a beginner at it, he kept to simple moves and surprised her by knowing how and what to move at what time.

Brenna laughed in delight. Her joy was showing in everything she did all the way to her eyes. She danced with him for a couple of songs and then left the dance floor. She threw her arms around him in a hug. “I’m ready. We can go to someplace more private.” Her smile had not faded.

“Great!” He led her away across the dance floor, stopping only at the bar to order a couple drinks. They might not drink any of it, but it was expected so he ordered without really caring what they brought him. Then he and Brenna slipped away out a side door into a narrow hallway. There were several doors here, but he stopped at the far one in particular, produced a key, and went inside.

There were facing couches and a coffee table between them, as well as a house phone. It was a place for privacy, to do business, or simply to get away from the hubbub of the slightly touristy main area of the place.

Kian guided her to a seat on the nearest cushioned leather couch, then sat down next to her. They could hear the Irish folk music playing in the background, but it was reduced in volume enough to talk with ease, while still making it unlikely anyone outside the room would be able to pick up any part of their conversation.

“There are a few perks to having contacts with the Catholic Mob,” Kian explained with a wicked little smile.

Brenna layed down on her backplacing her head in his lap. Looking up into his eyes. “You really are amazing Kian.”

He ran a hand through her gorgeous hair and then smiled with amusement. “Well, let’s just keep that between you and I.”

Bernna sat up and curled her legs in next to her. Her eyes were full of mischief. “You want to see what I learned now? Or would you rather wait until we get back?”

He looked at her as his imagination ran off with him. An impish gleam reflected in his eyes. “Oh I think sooner is better than later in this case,” he said in seductive tones.

Brenna moved to the door and made certain is was locked and secure. Then she turned to Kian with sex in her eyes. She crossed the floor to him with every move promising delights he had not dreamt of.

Once in front of him she let her hands slide down his body as she sank to her knees. She gave him gentle pleasure until his body was rigid with need. Then she grabbed him by the arms and moved him into a lying position. She was being forceful, and showing him exactly waht she wanted while giving him what he enjoyed. She held him and moved him with a strength she never had before.

Although he was surprised at first Kian began to move his body in cooperation and coordination with Brenna’s startling forcefulness. Accustomed to a more docile Brenna, Kian found this new version so exciting he followed her lead to its orgasmic conclusion.

Kian had Brenna in is arms during the afterglow of sex. He couldn’t help but wonder, “You did learn something new in London, didn’t you?”

Brenna smiled like a child caught doing something naughty. “ I did. I hope you are not upset with me. I really am enjoying tonight and I would hate to ruin it by making you angry. However I do feel guilt over obtaining this knowledge.” She paused for a moment in thought.” Though technique is all I learned.”

Kian laughed. “I can see when I look in your eyes that you are with me when we are together. So I don’t mind if you gained an education in sex or how to handle yourself from someone else. I won’t be jealous or angry unless you tell me I don’t measure up to my rival.”

Relief showed on Brenna’s face. “There is no one who could ever compare to you Kian. Not in my eyes. I did not go out looking for it either. We had some time to kill while waiting for Princess to get things in order, and well he seduced me. Granted I had been curious about him and did not fight I guess. I am sorry for that.” She laughed.

“I was afraid I had betrayed you because I was with another Kindred. But he has a similar understanding with his Sire.”

Brenna was quite for a moment and then asked, “ Are you sure it is ok? That I have not hurt or upset you?”

Kian smiled, “Of course.”

Brenna looked worried and began to get up. “I knew it, it’s all tits up now.”

Kian grabbed her and kissed her forcefully until she stopped struggling. And then he said in a soft voice, “Silly girl.”