Clair de Lune (Moonlight)

by dorikacicc91

Summary:

Helena got Embraced just a week ago, and it isn't happened an ordinary way. She is very lonely, but one day she got a task from Prince Lacroix...

The story happens during the game, but I had to change a few things.

Sorry for my grammatical mistakes, English is not my mother language. I tried to find someone for months who could help me to fix my mistakes, but couldn't find yet. I hope you'll it enjoy anyway!

Chapter 1: Kindred

Title: Moonlight (Clair de Lune)
Chapter one: Kindred

It was midnight. It’s been a week since she got ’Embraced’ – as they named this happening. Since then everything has changed. Previously, if she needed some help, she always knew who could help her. But now, it’s over. There are just a few people who she could get connected – she can’t talk with her old friends anymore – they think she disappeared about a week ago mysteriously.

Her name was Helena. She had a mid-long black hair which laid on her shoulders. She sat behind her desk. Her skin was so pale like hoarfrost on leaves on a winter morning. She wasn’t too tall and was slim. Helena was looking out the window: her green eyes reflected Santa Monica’s night lights. At that night she joined the not-so-populous Ventrue’s clan – it was quite hard to remember that night, the only thing she could remember well was she and her friends went to a pub at the suburbs of Los Angeles to celebrate the birthday of her friend. But in that pub, as she sipped her Long Island Ice Tea she felt sick – her head was dizzy, and suddenly the lights of the pub ganged up to a lump in her eyes, and the voices changed to long-drawn buzz and a moment later it was over.
The next thing she could remember back was a man’s face – he squeezed her shoulders at the pub’s bathroom. He had angular face, dark eyes. She started to kick and hit him as strong as she could because she felt his intentions were bad. Helena didn’t know who he was and what the hell he wanted to do with her. At that moment she had a belief about what he wanted to do with her, and she could not process this in herself.

After her ’embrace’ she and others were standing on stage of an old theatre – on her side there was that stranger from the bathroom. Next to him there was another two men: a strange monkey-like giant one, and a well-dressed blonde haired man. She could laugh about this scene if she wasn’t the progatonist of this grotesque, particular company. A minute later the stranger from the bathroom has been executed by the other two, but she didn’t care about him. Helena didn’t understand a word from the conversation they had with each other – they talked about kindreds, childes, sires and many other strange things. The most important thing she understand was she could left that place alive.
After that the blond haired man introduced himself – his name was Sebastian Lacroix. He was a bit taller than Helena, and he had a dark blond hair and light blue eyes. He was the prince of the Camarilla in Los Angeles. The strangest thing she had noticed on him was his slightly blue shaded lips. He worn a black suit on that night. He was polite and his speech was extremely eclectic – it’s been a long time she had met a person like this. Helena had a strange feeling about him: Lacroix’s appearance was like those she had read about from the old history books. A bit later she learned that she was right he really was born centuries ago. That’s the reason why he made an impression as a domineering aristocrat as he talked with others. Helena didn’t care about this until he started to talk with her like this way. But Lacroix talked with her respectfully, and it was a quite good feeling especially after that incident at the bathroom.

It wasn’t the greatest fun to be a vampire as a mortal would think. It’s been a week since the embrace has happened – since then she hadn’t met with anyone else. Jack, the fellow of Brujah clan taught a few things about vampire-life to her, and he cautioned her about vampires being really lonely after a while. Helena had never thought that she will feel that loneliness after one week.
The daylight was the period of hiding and resting. If a vampire is hit by direct sunshine his/her body will turn to ashes in a moment and gets the final death. But they can look out through the window and a curtain. So that’s why they are doing their jobs at night.
A few days ago Helena (because of this rule) broke to the local hospital to steal the werewolf blood which was in the laboratories. Someone failed his mission and the mortals got that blood pack, so Lacroix asked her to got that pack back to him. Knowing that she was doing this for other Kindreds she did that quite easily. Helena felt she had been changed a lot after she got embraced – before that she was retractive, who could noz open to others just to her friends and family members. Other people always misunderstand her and didn’t like her too much.

Helena didn’t know how to feel about her new life and that embrace – was it good or bad? Anyway she was sure that that night at the pub was life-changing. That man at the bathroom wanted to hurt her probably, so that’s why she felt a some kind gratitude to Lacroix.
She woke up her contemplating by the siren of the ambulance. She watched through her window to the little hospital but the ambulance car wasn’t there yet. The only person was a homeless one who walked around the streets – his brown coat waved on his back like a cloak as ambled slowly. Helena heard about the sickness they carried in that days which killed many of them, so she avoid accidental meetings with them when she was on the streets.

After that she standed up to switch the radio on, and started to eat that cold pizza slice she ordered a day ago. The same chat show was in the radio every evening called ’The Deb of night’. Helena listened to this while she tried to eat, but the pizza slice was threwn out very soon. She cannot eat those things which was her favourites when she was mortal. All of those dishes tasted like muddy shoes soles. The only thing she liked since embracing was blood. The more blood, the better. But not from anything or anyone – she had to realize that three days ago. Helena got an incident with a homeless on that day. She really needed someone who could be caught easily on street without being noticed. If she remembered to that moment, she always got nausea – don’t know why, plague or being unclean or the starvation but his blood tasted disgusting. It was awful. She gagged for a few minutes and vomited out that blood with those sweet blood drops which was taken out at the alley from the beautiful girl in the evening dress. Then she felt the Beast tried to overcome on her. Since then she selects her victims carefully. But she NEEDS blood.

 

She decided to go to the beach of Santa Monica on that night to see what happened there. In the telly she heard that someone got killed at the pier. Helena felt she had to know more about that. After she left her apartment opened the post box and found an envelope there with some money. Helena knew she got that money from the prince because she sent the werewolf blood to him. She was glad about the money because since her identity was gone, her bank account has gone too. Helena didn’t want to ask from other Kindred especially from Lacroix. She is not a beggar…
She went through the alley next to the hospital. In the dark alley she met with a tall, pale, and black haired mortal man. Helena didn’t want to look at him because she was afraid to being revelaed. Helena knew that was az irrational fear but since her embrace it was the most scariest thing for her. She didn’t want to disappoint Lacroix or other Kindred in the Camarilla. She felt she have to do her best, because at the theatre Helena almost got killed, but the prince gave a chance to her.
From Asylum club she heard the song ’Isolated’ was played loudly – the guests must loved this hit because it was played every night. As she continoued her way to the beach the song was quiter to quiter, and getting to the parking lot the silence was the harder. As hurried-down the stairs, silence was gone and the sounds of seagulls with the rumble of Pacific Ocean was getting loud. On the beach there was darkness almost everywhere but a bonfire with a bunch of people. Helena recognized them, they were ’thin-bloods’ – vampires too, but because of something they are not the same like her. Since their embrace they tried their way in this afterlife cluelessly.
When Helena and the thin-bloods noticed each other E was the first who welcomed her. He was grateful to her because Helena helped to his girlfriend, Lily to escape from the blood bank where she was detained.

As she entered to the sands, Helena took off her shoes and continued her way barefoot to the sea. She really wanted to go up to the pier, but it was closed by police cordon tapes. She pulled her skirt a bit up to her knees, and she let the cool ocean foams smoothed her foot. Helena stared to the horizon and noticed a huge ship. Previously she heard about a cargo ship which approaching to the city and it carried an important historical object. She heard a few words from the prince when he told something about a sarcophagus which was carried by this ship. Helena was waited for a few minutes, but the ship seemed to stopped the approaching. The girl gave up and decided to ask the thin bloods about the murdering at the pier.

’ Excuse me… did you were here when this murder happened? Did you see something?’ Helena asked E.
’No, unfortunately not’ answered the boy, and took his girlfriend’s, Lily’s hands. ’But thank you for helping Lily to escape. We are so grateful to you.’
’You’re welcome, E. I’m glad I could help you. Be careful, guys.’
’Thank you’ smiled the couple to Helena. After it, someone touched gently Helena’s shoulders. It was a black haired woman, who stares at Helena dreamy.
’You have been… no. You are going to China.’
’What? Who are you?’ asked Helena confused.

’My name is Rosa. But… Why is he smiling? The father… is it the father behind him?’ she watched over Helena’s shoulders. Helena turned around, but no one was there.
’Where? Who? What are you talking about? It doesn’t makes any sense’ told Helena, and wanted to leave this lunatic girl, but she didn’t want to let Helena go, so she grabbed her arm.
’You chased it for the one at the top of the city… on the sea… oh, underground… ha, you found it… in the crypt…hoh, he…it’s open! Oh god, oh god… run!!’ Rosa shooked her head distraughtly but she still squeezes her arm.
’What?’ asked again Helena getting angry. Rosa let her arm go, and she seemed to came back to reality.
’Ah, I sorry… Sometimes I see…nothing. Disregard what I say.’
’Okay… good bye’ Helena tried to close the conversation with her, but Rosa haven’t finished yet.
’I can see your future.’
’Oh, really? So, what will happen with me?’ asked Helena mockingly, but she already knew how many foolishness will be said.
’Fortune is not your destiny. All of us are unfortunate. Every time I sleep the future plays out before me. I know the ending… it will end over and over until I cease to dream. I know your questions. For 20 dollars, I’ll tell you what you don’t want to hear. I need money to leave this place. ’
’Umm, I’ve got a five dollars with me now, sorry.’
’Not problem. Then ask… again. ’
’Okay… What will happen with me at the next few nights?’ asked mockingly Helena.
’The crimson ship. He’s not who he says she is and it’s going to burn. Dinosaurs? He’s furious… the man with the crest… the voice in the darkness, boss. Chinese brothers. Follow the lights to the end of the tunnel. Where do you want to go?’
’It was a bit chaotic… hmm… who will be my enemies?’
’Many. Everywhere. Some with swords, some with smiles. But I pity them. You are a remarkable foe.’
’Hmm… I would want to tell you that I understand it, but no… Can I go for now?’
’No, please, ask something more!’ forced her Rosa.
’Okay… Do you have any advice for the next few nights? ’
’Yes. Don’t open it. ’
Helena couldn’t answer anything to this, just thanked her for her chaotic prediction, and started to think about she’ll visit Trip at his pawnshop and buy some ammuniation for the next days.

When she arrived at her safehouse she got an e-mail from Lacroix. He asked her to visit him at the Venture tower which is in the Downtown L.A..

Chapter 2: Chapter Two: The moonlight

Summary:

Here is the second one, I hope you'll like it.
This is the chapter, where the original story gets some changes.

So sorry for my grammatical mistakes, I really tried to fix my mistakes.

Chapter two: The moonlight
Helena didn’t want to waste her time: firstly, because Lacroix was the only one strong point in her new life, and he was the one who saved her, secondly, because until the night last, she could do her jobs. So fastly collected everything she needed – the ammunation and a bag of blood, then started to go. Helena found a cab near the Asylum club and sat down at the back seat. It took a while it arrived to the concrete jungle. Between the huge tower blocks and skyscrapers she felt herself too little to this life, and between mortals she was lonelier than ever.

When she got out of the cab, the city’s vibe was not the same as in Santa Monica. It was just a few kilometres, but there was az enormous difference between the two part of the city. Santa Monica – as Trip, the guy from the pawnshop said to her previously – is total dead compared to Downtown. As she glanced up to the Ventrue tower she had been amazed by the imposing building commanding authority height – it really reflected the style of Lacroix.
The lobby was a big inner height-place, the walls and the floor built with dark greeny-grey marble. Above the reception there was a table which had a label with ’Lacroix’. At the reception desk a low/short, balding dumpy little man smiled at her.
’Welcome at the Lacroix Foundation. May I help you? ’– asked Helena nicely. `Hi. Sebastian Lacroix has sent an email to me, and he is waiting for me. ’

One moment later she stood in the elevator on her way up to the prince. Sebastian’s office were on the top of the building. When she found his office, knocked on the door.
The office was spacious, and it looked like an old renaissance royal palace: there was gold everywhere and walls were decorated with many popular paintings. It was strange for her at first, but then she found it stylish – it wasn’t kitschy. A dark red carped layed on the floor – Helena didn’t know anything about that carpet’s value, but she could probable that her foot has never been put on a valuable carpet like this. On the left side of the room there was a fireplace which was surrounded with a red velvet couch and armchairs.

When she entered, he looked up from a big, dark green book which pages was decorated with gold edges. When he noticed her, he stood up from his chair and welcomed her with a half smile.
’Good evening. So you’ve got my mail. ’
’Good evening. Yes, as I received, I came here’ – answered the girl politely.
’Very good’ – told Sebastian frowned, and he slightly raised his chin. Helena’s got her mind that night when he was so disdainfully with everyone. – ’At first, I would like to congratulate for your achievement at the Sabbat warehouse and for the acquirement of the werewolf blood. But I would like to give you a task. As you’ve know there’s a big cargo ship near Los Angeles and…’
’Are you thinking of Elizabeth Dane?’ – asked Helena knowingly. As she said the question, she already regret it.
’May I ask you to let me finish my sentence?’ – he sat upon her. She was ashamed herself, but fortunately Lacroix continue his speech. – ’Yes, I’m thinking of Elizabeth Dane. So you’ve heard about that. The police are investigating the Dane as we speak. Even the Nosferatu have little information on what’s been found. However, the reason the ship has caused such speculation, is because it was transporting an object called the Ankaran Sarcophagus. Now, I’m not to predicate a decision based on conjecture, so what I need is fact – and more importantly, I need evidence that the occurrences on the Dane were not supernatural in nature, and in no way relate to this Ankaran Sarcophagus. You have three objectives: One – I want you to examine the sarcophagus for anything unusual, you may sense something peculiar about the sarcophagus. In fact, many Kindred in the city have reported an uneasiness in the air since the Dane’s arrival. Please, do not, under any circumstances open the sarcophagus. Secondly, the police have begun their investigation, find out what they have concluded thus far. Thirdly – take the cargo manifest for the ship, I want to find out what else it was carrying. And please, be careful what you do in front of the police. Is this understood?’

Helena nodded, because she didn’t dare to speak anything.
’If you don’t have any question, go. There’s a boat waiting for you at the beach of Santa Monica which brings you close to the Dane. And please, do not kill anyone. Do you understand?’ – asked Lacroix strictly.
’Yes, I do’ – answered Helena quietly and added: - ’Can I ask you some questions?’
’I think I could spare a few seconds…’ - he sighed, and started to squirming in his chair impatiently.
’So, there are some things I don’t know yet. The first one is…’ - she started. But before she could countinue, she saw that he really don’t want to answering on a lot of questions, so she tried to cut short her speech. – ’So… umm… I really don’t know anyone in this city, I… don’t know who could help me if I need something. And I don’t know how to find other Kindred. The only one, who I know where to find is you, in this tower. But I really don’t know you well. ’
’Me? Hm, there’s not too much about me. But if you insist it… So, I was born in Calais, France in the late 1700’s, and fighted in Napoleon’s army, and I was embraced by a Belgian noble. After that I tried to make allies, then gone Africa, I searched for erudite vampires to learn from them. In Africa I met with my Sheriff who stayed with me. In 1930, I came to America. ’
’I see’ – Helena nodded.
’Are you satisfied with my answer? If you need any other help, tell me personally or in e-mail, I could do anything for you. Do you have any more questions?’ – asked Sebastian impatiently.
’No… not, for now’ – lied Helena. – ’So I think I’m going to the Dane immediately’ – said Helena shyly, then turned around and left the office.
As she went down by the elevator, started thinking about Lacroix – is he really talks with everyone like her?

When Helena reached the street, started thinking about how could she go up to the Dane unobtrusively, which are full with crowds of guards, furthermore, the ship is carrying a historical object. And she have to get close to it… this thought woke up a lot of other questions in her, but she didn’t dare to ask Lacroix, because she hated to be the newbie, the fledgling. So she wanted to prove to the prince she isn’t a mistake. But Lacroix’s style was infuriating sometimes, but she had to be more patient with him. For now, Helena doesn’t have a lot of friends… or allies. If she started to being hostile now, she could be more lonely than ever.

 

As she arrived to Santa Monica, there was rain, but it didn’t disturb Helena. She hurried across the parking lot to the beach, and when she finally arrived, there was that boat. But before Helena launched that, a man’s voice behind her back addressed her.
’Hey’ – accosted Mercurio shyly. He was that ghoul guy who almost died a few days ago. Lacroix sent him to get the astrolite, but he failed it, so Helena had to get it and deal with the Sabbat. Helena obtained him some morphine from the local hospital.
’Mercurio, you’re fine now, aren’t you?’ – asked Helena.
’Yeah, yes, I’m fine, thanks’ – nodded absently Mercurio. – ’ So Lacroix sent you to the Dane… If you need some ’munition’, just let me know. You know where to find me’ – said Mercurio with a wink.
’Thanks Mercurio, I’ll think about that’ – answered, then launched the boat.

About half hour later her boat stood next to the Dane. Helena climbed up to the ship, and when reached the roof, she found a box where could hide. The guards didn’t noticed her as stealth between the boxes to the computer room. When she opened that room’s door, found the ship manifest and the police report. Helena hided them under her clothes, and took a look to the cctvs. As she scrolled the records, found one which looked on the sarcophagus. Helena shocked: the sarcophagus was opened and there was blood everywhere. She maded probable that blood was the crew’s.

When she tried to go back to her boat, started to admit in herself that everything went fine, but in that moment she almost got noticed by a guard. After it, Helena hided behind a big box – her heart skipped a bit. After waiting for almost ten minutes praying to not get noticed. A bit later the guard left that place, so Helena could emerge, climbed down the ship and arrived her boat.

As she arrived to the beach of Santa Monica the Sun started to get up, so Helena had to hurry back to the city and get a taxi to go back to the Venture tower. When she left the elevator, met with three man and a woman. They didn’t say a word. When she knocked on the door, Lacroix answered furiously.
’Who’s that? Come in’ – shouted out to her. When Helena entered the room, Lacroix walked in his office nervously, but when he noticed who just entered, stopped and looked on her.
’Are you already came back?’
’Yes, I am. When I came back to Santa Monica…’ - started Helena, but the prince stopped her.
’I don’t have time for a monologue. Give me the… bullet points of what you saw. What did you see?’
’There was blood all over the floor. Handprints indicate it was opened from within.’
’Opened? Let’s not jump to conclusions. Give me the manifest and your notes, I’ll sort this mess later’ - asked the prince strictly. Helena took those papers to him.
’Thank you… You might have noticed when you came in, the parade of malingering mollycoddles filing out. Those were the primogen – this city’s clan elders – a worrisome bunch devoted first and foremost to the security of their own skin. Which is why they were here. It seems Alistair Grout, the Malkavian primogen, has either forgotten HOW to answer his phone… or is missing. The Sabbat’s appearance has put the primogen on edge. Grout’s mansion is in the Hollywood Hills. I need you to pry Grout out of whatever crack he’s crawled into and have him contact us. ’
’Certainly’ – answered Helena quietly. – ’Is that all?’
’Yes, for the moment. You know, your demeanor thus far bears similar characteristics to those that rise to the top of this organization. Stay that course. ’
’Thank you’ – nodded Helena.
’Oh, and about Grout: as I said, Grout is the Malkavian primogen . His behavior and home are… eccentric, to say the least. He’s developed a paranoid bent lately, so you may have to check under every bed in the place for him. You have to be careful because there could be many of crazy people – he accomodate tons of them. Don’t try to talk, deal with them, all we need is Grout.’
’If there’s nothing else, you may go to have enough time to go home. If the sun goes down, go to Hollywood Hills. Good evening.’

When she found a vacant cab, started to think about these missions – she thought to going up to the Dane will be heavier than it was, but she was lucky to left that ship without attention. Helena loved the challenges in her mortal life, especially in job, but in job she didn’t have to risk her life. But now, she is risking a complete society’s life.

As she thought about this, sighed nervously. On the windows of the cab there were a lot of raindrops which fell on the top during the night. Helena started to remember those childhood vacations and christmas holidays where she went with her parents. They took trips to Seattle to visit her grandparents. In her memory Seattle was ’the city where always rains’, but she loved to being there, she could go back anytime if she could.

In her teenage years her grandparents died, so they didn’t go back to Seattle anymore. That time she got real friends in her hometown, Portland, and she kept in touch with them for ten years. She lost connect with them since she moved to L.A. for a school and a job four years ago. Her mother didn’t support her to move there because she was afraid that Helena got hurt or worse, because her mother heard that in L.A. there are a lot of crimes per year. But Helena didn’t care about this fact then. If her mother could see her now, perhaps she could be scared about her.
Meanwhile the cab arrived in Santa Monica, when it gets lighter slowly. Helena started to being afraid that she couldn’t arrive home in time and sunrise will reach her.
’We have arrived, miss’ – told the cab driver on his deep baritone.
’Thank you’ – answered, and pay some tip too. After that, she hurried to go back her manzard.

 

Helena spent her day with reading – she found a book under her bed which is about primogens and the masquerade. She read a lot of information about other clans and their disciplines. She was jealous for the Malkavians because they know how to being invisible, for the Gangrels because they can change to an animal, and for the Tzimisce too, because they can teleport. Helena decided to ask the prince or someone else about she could learn somehow other disciplines but Ventrue.

When the sun went down, Helena refilled her Jaegerspas (which was a gift from Mercurio) and started to go. Behind the hospital she found a drunk teenager boy, and she obtained some blood to being a bit stronger. After that, she got a cab and an hour later walked through Hollywood Hills.

At that address there was someone else already: Nines Rodriguez. Nines was a blue-eyed, tall, square-faced man with some beard on his cheek. Although he was the leader of the anarchs, he was quite phlegm and strong-minded, and his voice was always calmed.
’Helena! What the hell are you doing here?’ – asked Nines, after he entered from Grout’s house.
’Nothing, the prince sent me here. And what are you doing here?’ - asked back.
’You shouldn’t be here, this place is bad…’ - muttered Rodriguez.
’But I have to go there…’ - she persevered, but she became insecure. After she got warned about this place by two man, she started lose hope to get out alive from here. Then Nines disappeared, and she left there alone with that house which looked like a castle from an old horror movie. Helena forced herself some courage, and decided she’ll prove to other Kindred she really have a place between them.

The Grout mansion was a huge, storey house with a slightly gothic feeling. Helena thought it looks like a witch house in childhood scary stories which are told in the dark. If the child-Helena could see her now as an adult, the little girl could be frightened to see herself opening the door of this creepy castle.
Helena opened the door with the keys from Lacroix, after Nines closed that. After she entered to the hall, a young girl stood in front of her in black and white clothes. She held her head and murmured something incomprehensible constantly, sometimes laughed quietly. The door behind Helena has closed and she stayed with the crazy girl alone.
’Umm… excuse me?’ – tried Helena timidly. – ’I’m looking for Alistair Grout, could you… ’

But then, the young girl turned to Helena: now she could see that the girl is wearing a scary face mask, and attacked on her with a huge knife. Helena couldn’t have time to take out her knife or a gun, so she tried to not to get killed as she layed on the floor. When Helena almost got succeeded to push her away, she kicked to the crazy girl’s stomach who fell back to the floor. The girl’s knife fell too, so Helena tried to obtain that, but the insane woman was faster, and she cutted Helena’s arm, who screamed in her pain. Helena got angry, so took out her athame from her belt and pierced hardly it to the insane girl’s chest.

Helena felt herself terrible – she killed someone. But then, she remembered that Jack, the Brujah told her in vampire society there are other laws than at mortals. One of the laws of the Kindred is this: if someone trying to kill you, you could defend yourself, it doesn’t matter how, but you cannot be the one, who kill an innocent.

She didn’t have more time to thinking about this, because the lobby continued to a corridor which leaded another hall. There was many other similar person who were waiting for her with knifes and who knows with whatever. As the prince thaught, she gathered with her power, so she felt herself more powerful than ever. A few easy movement later, all of her enemies are layed down on the floor. Then, her way leaded her another room, then another, then another… In that night, she met a lot of crazy people at that house.

When she arrived to the room of Alistair’s, her body was ruined by many wounds. She was weak, needed blood, and worried about the Beast inside will soon appears. Her eyes got blurred, she knew she couldn’t do it anymore. She thought her vampire afterlife soon will be over, and she couldn’t really enjoy it as she wanted, and her mission would failed too.

She needed another minutes then found that primogen in his room – his skeleton laid on his bed. On that day Helena read about that man, she immediately recognized his famous, unique gold necklace and the silver ring with a sapphire. Helena gasped when as she noticed the huge athame which has pierced through his chest. She didn’t have enough time to examine the corp, because the door has opened by a man – he looked like a soldier, and his accent was quite germanish.

’Grout lay low and be cleansed by the flames!’ - shouted, and took out his weapon.
’No, please, don’t shot!’ – protected herself Helena with a knife.
’I’m looking for Alistair Grout, who the hell are you?’
’I was looked for him, too, but it seems he’s dead’ – answered Helena, hoping to not be attacked by the German man.
’Grout is dead?’ – asked disappointedly. – ’A pity it could not be by my hand! No matter – soon your self-made kings and false prophets, and all who bear the mark of the beast, will be washed from the earth, for the coming of the Lord!’ – mumbled.
’What?’
’You’ll be burn by the flames’ – murmured the man and pointed his weapon to Helena. – ’I know who you are and why are you here… I know… And you’ll be burn, too! In the hell… that’s why I lighted the fire in this house! You are a bad soul, you are the follower of Satan! You should be burn... and Lacroix, too! As you burn, tell them it was Grünfeld Bach who sent your damned soul to that lake of fire! All agents of Satan shall return to whence they came!’

Helena couldn’t answer to his hotchpotch because a window had been broken by the power of the fire. Bach fell back and dropped his gun, so Helena got some time to escape from him. She didn’t have energy because of the loss of blood and hunger, so tried to remember where she could leave the house, but got lost very soon.

Finally, Helena found another room on the top which wasn’t covered by fire yet. The only place where she could left the mansion – she opened the window and climbed out from there. When Helena reached the first floor’s window, she couldn’t hold herself anymore and jumped down from there. She heard a cracking from her left ankle after landing. Helena screamed, then she noticed the cab which probably was sent by Lacroix. The cabbie helped her to go to the car, and brang her to Venture tower without any word.

The woman could yell by her pain, and she couldn’t breathe because of the adrenaline and the loss of blood. The cab driver didn’t asked anything nor reacting about her appearance. Helena suspected he could be hexed by the prince or something, because a normal mortal wouldn’t react like this.
When they had arrive to Venture tower, the cab driver accompanied her to a secretary of Lacroix who were hexed, too. The secretary gave a bag of blood to Helena, who immediately drank it. It wasn’t enough to being well, but her wounds weren’t that painful anymore, and the Beast had stopped, too.
As she reached to the reception, Chunk surprised on her.
’Ugh, what’s that smell? Hmm… someone burnt the burgers?’ – sniffed on the air.
’Good evening. I’ve came to Sebastian Lacroix’ – answered Helena calmly, and she was surprised on herself too, couldn’t believe how polite she could be after all of these happenings. If Chunk would know where she was before and why…
’Yes, missy, he is waiting for you’ – told Chunk, and pushed a button on his computer. – ’I’ll accompany you. ’
’No, thanks, I know where are his office, I’ve been there’– raised her hand dismissively Helena.
’No, he is not at his office. I’ll accompany you, it was Mr. Lacroix’s wish.’
Finally, she followed Chunk obediently, because she was too tired to play hide-n-seek.

Chunk let her forward to the elevator politely, and when he entered there too, he took out a little key and put to a keyhole which was between the buttons. He turned the key, pushed a button, and started to go up. An embarassing silent minute later they had arrived to the level of the office, but the elevator didn’t stop there, just shaked a little, and continued a way for one more level, then stopped. The door opened with a little jingle.
’We have arrived, missy. Go through the corridor, at the end you’ll find a door. He’ll be waiting for you there.’
’Thank you, Chunk’ – nodded Helena, and followed his instructions. On that corridor where she limped across there weren’t too much light. The carpet of the floor smelled fusty, so Helena thought it’s a rarely used place. The only thing she didn’t understand was why are she here now? Maybe she didn’t do her job well and she’ll got her Final Death by the prince?

The woman didn’t have time to think about this more, because she already opened the door. She was surpired, because the door didn’t lead her to another room – it was the tower’s roof. It wasn’t equipped well, power lines and pipes layed down on the floor.

Sebastian standed there, turned to the city, watching down to the streets.
’I’m glad you have arrived safely. But Grout didn’t call us. I think I’ve told you clearly you must come back until he calls the Camarilla.’
’Yes, I know, but Grout is dead… ’
’Grout is dead? What?’ – turned to Helena.
’Yes, he is. And there was a German man, too... called Bach, maybe... He burnt up the whole mansion, I almost died’ – told Helena a bit angrily. She hoped that the prince will appreciate her sacrifice, but he didn’t told a word about it.
’Ah, Bach... Every time when I think he’s lost the scent... So Bach killed Grout to draw me out. ’

 

Helena was confused, but he continued:
’Bach is a hunter. They stalk and kill our kind to appease their God. But like many mortal, their so-called faith is nothing but a conduit through which they quench their killing urge. My history with that family dated back to Bach’s grandfather who pursued me into Africa where I killed him. Bach’s father tracked me to London to meet his death. And now Bach and the Society of Leopold have followed me across America. They never learn... But return to Grout... Bach killed him?’
’No, I think someone else did that’ – answered Helena, and she moved closer to him, but not that closer to make herself unrespectful.
’Really? Who else could?’ – asked the prince.
’When I arrived there, Nines Rodriguez just left the house. ’
’Nines?... Look at me. Are you sure it was Nines Rodriguez? Because if it was... The consequences... Do you know where this might lead? ’
’Yes, I’m pretty sure he was there.’
’It means... Under most circumstances I would call a blood hunt on the murderer immediately. However, the anarchs of the city may interpret such an action to be a declaration of war. I do not want a war with them. This decision will take some time.’

Helena wanted to know more about the worries of the pince, but the blood loss didn’t have replaced still, and she got sick, almost fainted. Helena tried to hide this from him, so she sighed, but her legs were shaking and she tried to hold on the railing. Helena wished to go back to her apartment – she didn’t want to look herself weak. She was bored to being the fledgling, the weak one, the green or newbie who could be always the subject of the jokes by other Kindred. She tried to seem stronger, but the prince noticed her sickness.
’May I ask you that are alright? Sorry for tell you that, but you don’t look good. Have you met with Sarah? I gave her some blood, I thought she forwarded to you at your arrival’ – said Lacroix, shooking his head.
’Yes, I got it, but... It wasn’t enough’ – moaned Helena, then she had to sit down to the concrete of the roof, which was still warm by the daylight sun.
’I bring you more, wait...’ - answered the pince, then touched his temple, and closed his eyes.
A few moments later someone knocked on the roof door. A jinxed guard had arrived, with two bag of blood in his hands.

Helena ripped out the bags from him, and opened them with her teeth to drink the whole liquid. She wouldn’t let a drop to escape from her. At the first sip, she immediately felt the energy which went through her veins, and the Beast started to sleep. Her senses got sharper like a hunting dog’s.

When she finished with replacing, threw away the empty bags, then stood up. The scars disappeared, her ankle pain went away. She adjusted her clothes and hair, then she really looked around themselves.

From that roof she could see to Burbank, recognized the Griffith Park, the Hollywood sign on the hills, Chinatown and the Monterey Park too. The ferris wheel of Santa Monica were still spinning, but the roller coaster has stopped, maybe it has closed for today. The Moon shined high above the Pacific – Helena didn’t know what time was it, but she thought the only place which was waiting for her today is her apartment. She really liked the view from the roof and hoped she will have another opportunity to visit it again some time later in the future.

When she woke up from her thought, noticed that the prince disappeared. She looked around, but didn’t see him. She was ashamed to being this stupid. Helena just decided to look after him, but when she turned around, the prince stood behind her, close to her. Helena scared a lot and blushed for a moment, so she turned back to the city pretending that nothing happened.
’I presume you thought you have been left alone’ – told the prince quietly, very close to her ears.
’Yes... I thought I...’ – moaned Helena, when she felt his breath really close to her neck and naked left shoulder. This was that moment when she realized her clothes had been battered by those crazies.
’Are you feeling better now?’ – asked Sebastian, but he didn’t care the answer probably, because the next moment she getting felt strangely.
’Yes, I am... It’s better now...’- answered Helena embarassed. She didn’t know what is he want from her. When she felt his strong hand on her arm, she wasn’t sure still. If she were mortal still, she could be pretty sure about he is flirting with her, but now...
Helena felt his staring which ran across her skin on her shoulders, neck, face and her arm...
’I’m glad. You know, none of my agents risk their life for me. I haven’t met a Kindred who would do anything for me. They are not like you. And I really like it a lot. There’s something in you, which they don’t have. I haven’t feel it for a long time.’

Her heart skipped a beat, stopped her breath as she was waiting to the next step. Deep down, she knew this man are ended with those stupid, mortally feeling, like love. But if he isn’t, she didn’t know what to do with this.

Then his lips touched her neck, and kissed softly. Helena closed her eyes, the artery of her neck beated like crazy in excitement. Then his kiss changed to something else: she felt tiny pin-pricks on her skin then something waterdrop-like went through fast on her bust down. She opened her eyes, and noticed that drop is not a waterdrop. The pain was getting stronger, but then it changed to something else, something... Euphoric. She was breathing faster and faster, and the euphoric feeling went through her veins.*
’Please, let me... A bit more.... Just a little’ – whispered the prince then bited again. She felt the pain again, but it wasn’t so painful than before, it was more likely pleasant.

A few moments later Sebastian finished sucking her blood, instead of it, he touched her face and turned it towards him. She opened her eyes, then saw the Moon almost next to the prince’s face. The moonlight made the prince’s face paler, than before. The only color which was conspicious was her blood on his face. Then he kissed her lips slowly. It was passionful and sick at the same time, but she didn’t care, she just never want to finish kissing him. Helena has never have a feeling like this. It was so secretly and exciting, she just wants more from it.

But Lacroix a bit later stopped kissing, changed back to the princey-educational style, then stepped back from her. Helena was confused.
’Have a nice day, Helena’ – said goodbye the prince than he disappeared.

The whole scene was so surrealistic, so Helena weren’t too sure about it was real. She only have two evidence for this, if it was real: the bite on her neck and the little white cloth tissue which layed on her shoulder with a gold embroidery: S. L..

*In this story, it's not diablerie yet, because diablerie is to drying out other Kindred until he/she die.

Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Visit in the museum

Summary:

As you read the title, in this chapter Helena will visit the museum as in the game the PC did.
I hope you'll like it!
Sorry again if my grammatical mistakes are annoying, I'm really trying to correct it, but I'm not so good at it. :(

Chapter three: Visit in the museum

She couldn’t think about something else, just the previous night. In the first moment, she almost died by crazies in that mansion, and in the next moment, she was standing on the highest building’s roof with the prince, who sucked her blood. It was so unbelieveable, the only thing she really wanted to call her mortal best friend, Samantha and tell her what the hell is going around with her nowadays. But now, Helena’s only best friend is herself.

As she thought it, started to feel the loneliness actually. Helena just stood there in front of her full lenght mirror. That was the first time when she really had time to watch herself really precisely. After the Embrace, she has changed a lot: not her face, not her body... The only thing which really changed is her personality. Helena felt herself with full of life, but the fact was she was lifeless clinically.

She stared her face in the mirror: that face, which won’t grow old, which never see the Sun and which never be tanned again. Helena won’t see ever again the sunshine as glistening on the sea’s surface till the end of the time. Those sundowns at the shore where she often appeared with her friends drinking wine until midnight... It will never come back. She couldn’t look after them, nor her family, but she knew where are they now – just didn’t want bad for them. Previously heard something from someone that if she could visit them, the Camarilla guards would kill her and her whole family and friends too. She felt bad herself, because argued with family three months ago when she visited them at last – now she couldn’t reconcile with them again.

Helena just laid on the bed, watched the missing part on the window’s shuttle, which let the afternoon sunshine into her room. The shining cutted a little lane in the middle on the floor - Helena just noticed some dust dancing cheerfully in it. She just stared at them, wishing she could do the same with them: enjoying the Sun, having fun. But it was forbidden to her, otherwise she would burn to dust.

Helena continued to fall into her thoughts: she will always be in danger as a vampire. She died once, and it wasn’t painful at all than she thought previously – it was just a moment, than it was over. When she was a child, she really loved to visit a lovely little old lady in the neighbourhood, but after the old lady died, Helena cried a lot. That was the part, when started to afraid of death. Feared about loved ones and her own death too. But this fear has ended on that ominous night. As a vampire, her life was balanced on a thin ice, where she never know when will ends eventually.

 

Helena accepted the fact the Kindred could try to kill each other if it is inevitable, attack mortals to live (important: never dry out anybody, or the masquerade has violated and the Beast inside will break out!) – it was acceptable and understanded. But the scene on the roof wasn’t understandable at all. Sebastian is a vampire since about two houndreds years or more. What is it he want to do with her? She doubted it is about love. But what was it then? And how to continue it? Will he be nice with her? Or are they have to pretend nothing has happened?

She played the memory in his head again and again about last night, and all of the happenings were so lively, it seemed it is the present. She felt the summer wind on her skin, saw the vibrating lights of the city, the pier, the Hollywood sign on the hills... Then Sebastian’s face when he just kisses her with the blood of hers on his face. When she thought about him, something moved inside of her, which shook her body too. It have goosebumps to her, then she grabbed a pillow, and pushed her face in it. Somewhere deep down in the hiding of the pillow Helena smiled widely.

It was the end of the golden hour when her laptop jingled once. Helena just calibrated the radio for find some music. She jumped for the sound and hurried to the computer. Lacroix sent an e-mail to her:

’Come to the tower tonight, please. I would like to give an important task for you. S. L.’

Helena sighed, and she felt that strange move inside. It were good news and bad news at the same time. She didn’t want to risk her own life, but she was extremely curious about the behavior of the prince.

She has waited the end of the slowest sundown of her life, then about half past eight she started to go. She threw away her dress from yesterday because it became useless, so she changed that to a black trousers with a black top – she felt that she’ll need to hide in the dark on that night. As Helena made a ponytail, she noticed something: there’s a mark of teeth of the prince on her neck – the discovering made her felt excited and strangely proud.
’Good evening’ – welcomed the cabbie. ’Bring me to Venture tower, please. ’

The man in the brown shirt nodded and started to drive. During the journey Helena became impatient and excited, she couldn’t wait to reach the tower. About ten minutes later they had arrived.
At the reception Chunk waved to her:
’Good evening, missy! How are you today?’ – asked cheerfully the little man.
’Good evening, Chunk’ – smiled to him Helena. – ’Thank you, I’m fine. And you?’
’Oh, me?’ – blushed Chunk. – ’I’m fine too, thanks… We have a lovely evening, isn’t it?’
’Yes, it is, Chunk’– nodded. – ’Can I go up to Mr. Lacroix?’
’Oh, of course, I’m sorry’ – nodded embarassedly Chunk.
Two minutes later she was standing in front of Lacroix’s room and being ready to knock, but before she could do it, noticed her hands were shaking. Helena moved her fingers, sighed, than finally knocked on the door.
’Get in’ - Sebastian told from inside.
’Good evening’ – Helena greeted.
’Good evening’ – the prince received as he standing in front of the window. – ’Good to see you… I would like to ask you something, because I need your dexterity.’
’What happened?’ – Helena asked back. She couldn’t deny it, she liked to being praised, but started to worry too, because of the pressure. Helena must do it well again.
- ’You know… you’re becoming quite indispensable to me, so – out of all my available personnel, I’m going to entrust the retrieval of the sarcophagus to you. It was quietly delivered to the Museum of Natural History a few hours ago. The manifest from the Dane shows there was a small box from the same dig on board, but it was listed as missing. I think the sarcophagus would be perfect under Camarilla protection. You should have to find and bring it here. If you want, I could send some help for it. But be careful… There’s a small security staff on site, it won’t make a problem, but we don’t know it surely.’

Helena nodded nervously. She started to become worried and couldn’t hide it anymore. She had to break into a big museum… The prince’s tasks are getting too much for her. That’s right that she have to do it without a mistake, but what’ll happen if she made one though?
But the prince continued:
’Keep an eye open for it, it may have been overlooked. It’s crucial we get the sarcophagus in our possession within the next few hours. Here are the keys to the front door of the museum. The sarcophagus shoud be in an examination room of some sort. And please, I don’t want a massacre! Mortals are just as easy to deceive as they are to kill. There is a degree of immediacy attached to this task. Work fast. And, as on the Dane, you are not to open the Ankaran Sarcophagus for any reason. Can you do it?’
Helena hesitated, and the prince noticed it:
’There’s something wrong? It’s too hard for you? Or can you do it? If you couldn’t, just tell me, and I’ll find someone else who could’ – told strictly.
’Yes… I can do it’ – Helena answered nervously. – ’Or I think I could do.’
’You know, your job is indisposed’ – Sebastian told a bit nicer. ’It’s important to me, and I believe you could do it easily, like a professional agent. Please.’
’Alright. I’ll do it’ – Helena answered.
’Splendid!’ – Sebastian clapped his hands, and grabbed the keys from the table. The keys were gold and looked really old. He searched for a big one, and gave that to her. – ’Here’s the key to the main entrance.’ Helena stretches her arm to the key, and the prince put that in her hand with a bit squeeze. – ’Be very careful.’
’I will’ – she told, grabbed the key and left the room.

About a half hour later she stood near the museum’s entrance. Sebastian was wrong: maybe on an ordinary day there must be a small security at the museum, but on that day, there were four guardian at the entrances, and God knows how many were inside. In the dark bushes she found a back entrance where she could broke in to the basement of museum. There was a long corridor in the half light. She hurried through, and at the end of it she almost died in scare: a prepared dinosaur were standing there – probably the bored staff pranks each other sometimes. At the end of the corridor there was a red door, which were closed, so Helena started to try to cracking up that quietly. When it succeeded, there were stairs which leaded up to another corridor. On that level the first room was the maintenance one – it was the best thing which could happened with her: lots of keys hanged on the wall with the names of those rooms which could open with them.

Helena grabbed the examination room’s key, and carefully opened the next door. Soon she reached exhibition hall, where were an army of guards walking circles. She made some of them in trance, but there was too many of them, so she have to be careful with this discipline. When she tried to moving quietly, had arrived another stairs which were closed to visitors – it leaded her the office rooms where was CCTVs. Helena hacked them to turn to the walls so she cannot be noticed by the cameras. One of the desks a document was laying, which had a name: Ankaran Sarcophagus. Helena fastly opened it, scrolled through, then put it back to the desk. Now she was quite sure knowing where it is: it’ll be on the examination room, which is pretty close to her. A few minutes later she discovered that room, and she recognized the shipping box from the Dane, but it was opened now – and was empty. Helena started to rethink the informations which she knew about it, but someone accosted her behind her back.
’I can’t understand why someone would go through the trouble of stealing a box with a very ancient corpse – this city’ not THAT dull’ – Beckett said disapprovingly in the dark. Helena was scared as hell, screamed silently.
’Beckett… What … are you doing here?’ – Helena asked with surprise.
’I’m an archeologist, so I thought I’d indulge in a quick study of this Ankaran Sarcophagus everyone’s so riled up about. My guess, from what I’ve read about it, is that it’s a mummified Mesopotamian king. I needed confirmation. Since it’s missing, I’m inclined to believe it was stolen, or intentionally misplaced, if you like. Clearly though, it’s not here.’
’So we still at the same point where we started’ – Helena diagnosed it with disappointment.
’Yes, we are. Oh, I really wish I could explore that. All this speculation about the sarcophagus containing an Antediluvian and being a portent of Gehenna is making me cringe. These are the kinds of ridiculous, superstitious assumptions I came here to debunk.’
’Gehenna? Antediluvian? What does these mean?’
’Gehenna is … Armageddon, doomsday, the end of all Kindred. It’s a common facet of most mythologies – fear that the world will end. Many believe Caine and the Antediluvians will return to consume or destroy all Kindred. I wholeheartly disagree.’
’Hmm… And the Antediluvian?’- Helena asked.
’No one I know has ever met one, but each of the clans and their bloodlines supposedly trace their origin to an original vampire – an Antediluvian. Some swear these grandsires still exist into the present. But then, Kindred and kine believe a lot of strange things. I think the true will reveal by time. But I think my job is done for tonight, there’s nothing I have to look after here. Goodbye, young one’ – Beckett finished his monologue then disappeared immediately.
- ’Goodbye…’ - Helena said slowly, but the man has already gone when she could tell a word. While she left the museum, she was thinking about Beckett’s words.

As she arrived at the Venture tower, Chunk stood up from his chair, seized his key, and nodded to Helena and leaded the way to the elevator. She already knew what does this mean, so she followed him without a single word. Now the receptionist just launched the lift then he left the woman alone. When she arrived to the top of the building, she adjusted her clothes, sighed, then opened the roof’s door. It was quite windy up there, and Lacroix was waited standing back to her. He held a Martini glass in his right hand, which contained with some red liquid in it. He could hear her arriving, because he suddenly started to speak.
’The folly of leadership is knowing that no matter what you do, behind your back there’s hundreds certain that their own solution is the sounder one, and that your decision was the… by-product of whimsical dart toss. I pronounce the blast sentence and I soak the critical fallout. I make the decisions no one else will. Leadership… I wear the albatross and a bull’s-eye. So… I think we have to drink to that’ – the prince told firmly, still standing back to her. Helena had no idea what is he talking about.
’I’m not exactly know what you mean’ – Heelna admitted.
’I know it. Get a glass and step closer, let me explain.’
Helena turned right, then saw another glass of red liquid which were standing on a little desk. She grabbed that up then got closer to him. They didn’t look to each other, both just stared the city lights of Los Angeles.

For a long moment there was just the silence between them. Lacroix turned left, then spoke:
’That cocktail is one of the best from my secret supply. Give it a try, please.’
Helena raised it to her lips – it was pleasantably sweet, and this was what she really needed at that moment.
’Is this blood, am I right?’ – Helena asked, then she sipped again. – ’But it’s somehow different…’
’Yes, it is. There’s some vodka in it and a bit clove. And the blood is from nobles. This is the most savory Bloody Mary which you ever taste, isn’t it?’ – the prince asked with a half-smile on his face. He looked charmly, and it fits to him well more than that irritating strict attitude he usually had.
’Yes, it really is’ – nodded agreely, then she sipped again. She would have preferred drink the whole up, but she didn’t want to seem greedy.
Another minute later he started to explain.
’Maybe I’ll regret it later, but the blood hunt on Nines Rodriguez for the murder of Alistair Grout will be called.’
’What does that mean exactly?’ – Helena asked carefully.
’A blood hunt is a death sentence. When one commits a high crime against our society, a blood hunt may be called. It is then the responsibility of the city’s Kindred to bring the offender Final Death. Rodriguez’s execution is only a matter of time. I have lit the fuse - if a war begins, it’s my head they will sharpen the pikes for. I wish I could know why he killed Alistair’ – Lacroix answered, sighed, then continued: - ’At least I can rest easy in knowing that you, my most promising attendant, has relieved me of one encumbrance tonight. Do you need assistance bringing the sarcophagus up to my office?’
’Well, the sarcophagus…’ – Helena started nervously. – ’Umm... bad news. It seems it is stolen.’
’What? STOLEN?’ – the prince outraged. Helena expected that he will be angry, but she got scared by his reaction. – ’But how? Who? When?’ – stammered, then he nervously smited down his glass to railing of the roof and started to walking uptightly. Suddenly he stopped, looked up to the sky, slapped on his own forehead as realizing.
’Oh, Gary! Gary, you treasonous maggot! I should have anticipated your breachery, sewer rat!’ – the man yelled.
- ’Gary…?’ – Helena asked shyly, Sebastian sighed.
’The Nosferatu primogen. The Nosferatu were responsible for finding out where the sarcophagus was taken after the Dane, and for getting keys to the museum. They were the only ones who knew! It’s obvious to me now, my mistake’ – explained the prince. ’We have to find Gary… The sarcophagus could be… exploited… causing who knows what catastrophe to this city. If it were to fall into wrong hands…’
’Where can I find him?’ – Helena asked with a sigh. She knew she won this task, too.
’The Nosferatu lurk in the filth below the streets of Hollywood, but not even I know just where they hide. Hollywood is, unfortunately lacking in any Camarilla loyalties. Hollywood’s Baron is an anarch named Isaac. Isaac’s more civil then the anarchs downtown, but… nonetheless, he wears his mistrust of me on his sleeve. He may know how to contact the Nosferatu. Find Gary and get him to talk. That sarcophagus could be used against us.’
Helena nodded then a silence had layed on them. Somewhere far away from them there was ambulance car’s siren whistled, then police cars’ too. She thoughtfully searched them in the lights of the city, but cannot find. The wind started to play with her locks of her hair. She drank up the last sips of the blood, put down the glass next to the prince’s. She glanced on her watch absently, when Lacroix spoke:
’I know I give you hard tasks, I demand you too much’ – the prince looked on her. – ’But currently in the very moment you are the only one who I could really trust. And of course, I’m not forgot fastly, I guarantee I’ll be very grateful.’
’I’m not just doing it for the money’ - Helena told firmly. ’I’m doing it for the Camarilla, I don’t want to disappoint.’
’Good to know. And yes, we all doing and work for the Camarilla, all of us. We have the same goal’ – the prince answered, while he walked closer to her back. Her heart started to beat a bit faster. – ’We have to obtain the sarcophagus, there’s something powerful… If it could be here with us… it would make us bigger, really historic. I’m doing everything for the Camarilla… or almost everything for Camarilla’ – the prince admitted, made a step closer to her back, then continued quietly: - ’In some of things, I’m especially selfish… Did you liked the Bloody Mary?’
’Yes, it was delicious, thank you’ – Helena answered disturbly.
’Let me admit that it isn’t that tasty like that in your carotid artery’ – the prince told, then pet his finger down on her neck. Helena unwittingly made her neck free as an offer to him.
The next moment he done the same like last night. He carefully tasted her neck with his lips, then bite her softly. Helena felt a little pain on her neck, it felt like a pin-prick, after it changed to the common euphoric-feeling. Some time later she realized he had pinches her shoulders, and still does. She couldn’t guess how much time have gone, she just woke up from euphoria with some wet stain on her top’s bust – that was the time when the squeeze got soften and the bite was over.

Helena slightly looked behind her back to Sebastian, who just standed there with closed eyes and her blood on his face. It was a bit astonishing again to see her blood on him, but something glistened to him: it was the Moon, as she shined on his blonde hair. The Moon still standed at that point like last night she did. Lacroix slowly opened his bluish gray gleaming eyes, and Helena couldn’t stand it anymore, she took the control and kissed him passionately. During the kiss she turned to him, touched his bust with her hands – Sebastian’s refined suit had a pleasant touch, it was a good feeling to caress it. Helena’s bravery inspired him to touch her face and kiss her back with more passion. It took a minute, then Lacroix slowly let her go. Finally, he grabbed her hands which still layed on his bust and made her to let it go.
’I think you shall go’ – Lacroix told, and he still squeezed her hand.
’Yes… I know’ – Helena answered, and squeezed him too. Sebastian’s face was stained by blood still, but his lips became swollen by the kiss. So it really happened.
’Have a nice day, Helena’ – the prince said goodbye, and gave her another snow white cloth tissue. – ’You are still bleeding.’
’Oh… thanks’ – she answered confusely, and put that cloth to her neck.
’Go Hollywood tomorrow’ – Lacroix smiled slightly, then he left her on the roof alone.

The euphoria started to pass as she left the tower to going home, but she still felt it a bit. There’s nothing better in the world than being with Sebastian on that roof. She had no idea what is she wants from him, or what is he really want with her, but she didn’t care about it anymore. She just wanted to have more of him.
Helena wished to go right back to him at the moment when left the tower. When Helena arrived at her safehouse immediately replaced the blood loss, but she was shocked when saw her almost-empty fridge. One minute later she was more worried when realized how really got out of money too, but as Helena arrived at the post boxes, noticed that something white is in hers. Then she opened up the envelope which contained some money and a letter:

Thank you for being trustworthy. – S. L.

She smiled as read this letter – not just for the money, she just amazed by his written letters on that little paper. So the prince is thinking about her as his counsellor.
Helena then started to go for shopping at Vandal, and hurried to go back to her flat to watching the sun raises behind the shutters.

Chapter 4: Chapter Four: The sewer rats of Hollywood

Summary:

In this chapter, Helena visits Hollywood and Nosferatu lair. I hope you'll like it! :)

Fourth chapter: The sewer rats of Hollywood
It was early afternoon when she woke up. Helena didn’t know who is Isaac or where could he at, but she hoped she will easily consult with him and find Gary very fast. She just really wished to go right back to the tower.
She couldn’t wait to start the night, because the task seemed easy. Before going, she dressed up with an easy black summer dress and a cozy sandal which looked nice and practical at the same time. When she braided her hair, she shocked on wounds on her neck: they had stained to purple. It was quite strange, so she touched the stains with her finger like Sebastian did last night. Stared it for a whole minute, shrugged, collected the armour, then started to go. Hollywood were farther than Downtown, so it took more time to arrive at the Red spot, where somebody was wait for her.
’Are ya Helena?’ – asked a bored-faced, unmannerly, black-haired man in sunglasses. His sport cardigan was a bit small for him.
’Yes… I am’ – answered uncertainly Helena.
’Are you looking for Isaac Abrams, right? At the end of this road, there’s a jewelry shop, he is waiting for you’ – told the stranger, and left her alone without saying goodbye.
’Thanks… anyways’ – murmured back.

As she walking down the street as the stranger told her, she had to admit that Hollywood is beautiful at night too – the streets are filled with life, and the palm trees are so high, they are taller than most of the buildings.

Somewhere near the Cavaletti café somebody yelled at her:
’I can’t believe it, Helena!’ – a woman screamed from the other side of the road. Helena’s heart skipped a beat: it’s over now, they recognized her, she will be executed. Her vampire life took about one and half week – this was the time where she could live in the shadow. Helena imagined Sebastian’s face when he will get the news about her revelation. She didn’t have much time to figure out a great excuse, because the owner of the voice already apperared at her. – ’Where the hell were you? You just left us alone at that bar! We have look after for you the whole bar, the nearby streets, we called the cops… And why are you couldn’t answer the phone?! Okay, okay, I know you were glad because of that handsome guy, I think I would do the same, but for me, your best friend you should…’ - chattered neverendingly the woman with curly brown hair, but Helena intervened in it by a sudden idea:
- ’Excuse me, but would you introduce yourself? I think you are mixing me with someone else…’
Helena knew it well, who is that woman before her, she was her mortal best friend, Samantha. Helena really wanted to hug her and tell everything about this vampire misery, about the prince, her life… but she couldn’t do that. Helena really hated to continue this acting. Samantha didn’t believe her, and continued with confuse:
- ’Very funny, ha-ha’ – Samantha mocked.
- ’I’m serious, I’m not Helena… ’
’Wh… what?’ – screamed, and raised her hand to her mouth. – ’So you… Oh my god. Oh, god! You don’t… oh do you have amnesia? Are you remember me?’ – Helena shooked her head denying. – ’And do you remmeber Stan? Holly? Melody? Still nothing? ’
- ’I’m sorry, miss, but I have no idea who are you talking about’ – sighed tiredly, and tried to being polite to her, as the prince would do in this situation.
- ’Oh, my god, poor you! I think you were in the hospital, yes, that’s why you weren’t call me, am I right? That guy… is he hurt you? Oh my god, I’m so sorry for not being next to you. But now I know what to do! I have a doctor friend, he operated my sister’s head when she had that accident last year…’ - Samantha chattered helpfully, but Helena intervened again:
’I’m sorry, miss, but I have to go. I don’t have more time for it. I think you’ve mistaken me with someone else who really look the same like me. I’m not Helena, my name is… um, Camille. Camille Hawke’ –Helena lied. Samantha was surprised, then accepted, but she really looked disbelieved.
’Oh, in this case… I’m sorry’ – Helena muttered and left alone.
Helena felt sorry for Samantha, started to cry, but she knew she did right – she did what she had to do. It’s the best to the Camarilla and for Samantha, too. To console herself, she decided if this Nosferatu-task will be done, she will ask the prince about this, maybe there’s a solution to get contact with her and with her family too, just one last time.
When she decided about this, already arrived at the jewelry store: when she opened the door, there was a tall, middle-aged man who were standing behind a desk in his old, grey suit.
’Oh, if I’m not mistaken, the new leading lady of the prince visits me in my own store? What a pleasure!’ – Isaac Abrams welcomed her mockingly. Helena nodded to him. – ’Welcome to Hollywood! ’
The prince has not mistaken when he said Isaac weren’t like him too much: Isaac named Sebastian a ’baby-faced two bit child’. Abrams wanted conditions for the information, so Helena did them immediately: she had to meet a complete stranger in an alley to obtain a cassette. On that night Helena had to know a few other popular figure of Hollywood, and when she really proved her reliability, Isaac gave an address where she could find a way which leads her to the Nosferatu.
On that address Helena found a new, nice flat – but inside, there weren’t so cozy like outside. Helena knew about it, because on that tape she saw a movie which was taken in this house: previously a girl was torn apart by some mysterious creatures, and Caine knows how many other people has died by them there.
There was blood everywhere: on the floor, walls, windows, chairs, desks and on the beds, too. As she went deeper down the house, she met more and more flies. Helena got ready her weapons, and approached slowly the rooms. She were stepped carefully down the stairs of the basement, when a deep man’s voice called her calmly. Helena scared about it, and tried to find the owner of the voice, but she couldn’t find it – it seemed it came from the walls.
’Ah, hello young Cainite’ – the voice told. – ’I see your face is not so lifeless, your nerves not so deadened, that you cannot express shock. Tell me, childe, is my appearance that frightening, or is it my knowledge of you that is so unnerving?’
’Who are you?’ – Helena asked nervously, when she found the owner.
’My name is Andrei’ – introduced himself a really tall, man-voiced, human shaped monster. Helena unwittingly stepped one back. He had red eyes, and his skin looked like a reptile’s, his head was unrealistically long. And if it wasn’t enough, there was nails on his forehead. On that night, he wore a big red cloak.
’What happened in his house?’ – Helena asked.
’Oh, childe of Caine, the sight in this haven pale in comparison to my ancestral estate. Comfort… is a custom, and all of this artifice brings me closer to my home. Do not fear from my furniture, young one’ – Andrei told with calm in his voice. – ’I have to admit to you: I want to destroy the Camarilla with the Sabbat. I’ve started it, so you could share this information with your prince. The sewers are clogged with my creations. I will kill or drive the Nosferatu from their pestilent nests. Without the sewer rats to guide them, the Camarilla will be blind to the Sabbat’s designs.’
’But why are you want to destroy the Camarilla?’– Helena asked thoughtfully.
’Because the young one wants to find that Ankaran Sarcophagus. The Ancient slumbers within the sarcophagus, one the fathers whose return shall hearken the Reckoning. Gehenna is at hand and the Camarilla unwittingly speeding us all toward our doom. Now Camarilla whelp, let me see you fight your nature in the face of those who have embraced their Beast. Deny yourself Caine’s gifts, and be torn assunder by my minions!’

Then Andrei disappeared, and appeared again other and other places of the room, and let his creatures to appear and make Helena weaker. But she was faster: opened fire with her weapons and tried to kill more and more, but she haven’t had easy job, because when she tried to deal with two of creatures, another two sieges her legs. But absorbed her blood, and a few moments later the creatures of Andrei were layed down on the floor, and made disappear Andrei for a while. After it, she continued her way deeper down, and finally she had arrived the sewers.

Helena rambled there for hours, her clothes became wet by the waters of the sewers, she was cold and getting weak. She drank a bag of blood, then met another monsters in her way. When she checked the time on her watch, she was quite surprised – it was half past eleven, a.m.. The woman couldn’t find the way out or a way to the Nosferatus, so she got lost very soon. She were getting angry, but then, she found a big hall which leaded her to a cave – to the cave of the Nosferatus.

In the caves she met a few Nosferatu Kindred, talked with them, and then she found Gary: he looked scary (like all Nosferatu), but not that scary like Andrei. Gary was tall, a well-dressed man, who’s face looked like a reptile’s. Helena felt she will never be scared anymore, because on this day she’ve met everything. She were tired, got a lot of wound again, and the Beast woke up inside her. But Gary felt entertained and made joke about Helena, because of her answers and behavior.
Gary knew where is the sarcophagus, but didn’t want to share with her, so they made a deal: he will tell her where is it, but Helena have to visit Chinatown and find Gary’s agent. But in Chinatown there are Kuei-jin, who are vampires too, but not exatly like Kindred. Their leader’s name is Ming Xiao.
After the Nosferatu visit, Gary showed her another entrance to their caves, and with it Helena easily reached Hollywood.

It was late afternoon when Helena came up to the streets – the sun weren’t came down then, so she had to hide in an alley until it was evening. She hoped she will met a mortal in the alley who could be perfect for ’dinner’, but the only one who strolled through was a homeless man.
When she arrived home, threw her belongings to the bed, and hurried to the fridge. Helena opened two bags of blood and drank the whole up shamelessly – half of the blood dripped down to her chin then to her clothes. She just sat on the floor drinking the second bag of blood, when someone knocked on the door. Helena didn’t have time to stand up and let the guest in, because the door has already opened, and Lacroix came in.

’Good evening’ – welcomed her cheerfully, then he looked around confusely. Her flat didn’t looked stylish: weapons were on her bed, her pillows were on the floor, an old pizza box layed on the floor behind her. Helena immediately stood up and fastly wiped her bloody face, and hoped he will forget this horrible sight soon.
’Good evening… I’m sorry, but I didn’t expect visitors – Helena murmured, and fastly adjusted her clothes and hair.
’You do not have to apologize. I just inquire that you had arrived safe and sound, and to ask you what happened’ – Sebastian told.

Then Helena told him everything about Hollywood. The prince just stood there in silent and listened to her. When she end her monologue, he was a bit angry.
’I was hope the Nosferatu hid the sarcophagus… But now we had lost it, again’ – the prince raged in inability.
’Sebastian, I really tried to…’ – Helena started to explain a bit angrily in her voice. She felt that the prince didn’t care about her sacrifices in this case.
’I did not say that you done it wrong’ – Lacroix showed her trigger finger up instructively. – ’I was aiming you to that someone else want to appropriate the sarcophagus too, so we won’t have an easy play. But we must obtain that for the Camarilla.’
’I’ll go to Chinatown tonight, look after the agent of Gary, and then I’ll find that damn sarcophagus’ – Helena sighed angrily. She was just hoping that old coffin is really worth it.
’But first, get some rest. And if you are ready, then go. Do not start it tiredly, because being the opposite side of the Kuei-jin… is not the best position. I feel the sarcophagus is very close to us now. Perhaps you will find it’ – the prince told, then he started to get closer to her. – ’And if it happens… I will be very grateful. You won’t be an agent in the Camarilla anymore… preferably you’ll be more than that. You really deserve a place by my side…’

The distant between them is started to reduce, the prince looked on her, and his eyes stopped on her neck then they came to her lips. Finally, he sighed, then looked in her eyes.
’If you start it later, and the sun could come up when you are in Chinatown, I suggest you could stroll in the sewers in the daylight. Never risk your life with sunlight’ – Lacroix suggested with a bit worry in his voice.
’Thank you’ – smiled a bit on him. She appreciated his attention, but she didn’t want to let him know that she knew it already.
’And… I think the time has come to move in Downtown. If you come next time to the Venture tower, I will give you a key to a Skyline apartment. Until then… be careful’ – Lacroix told quietly, then he left Helena alone.

Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Á votre santé

Summary:

In this chapter Helena and Sebastian's relationship will become a bit more stronger... I hope you'll like it. To being honest, it's my favourite chapter...

Sorry for my grammatical mistakes, I hope it's not so annoying. If it is, I'm so so sorry :(

Fifth chapter: Á votre santé

Helena couldn’t sleep in excitement, and after two hours later with full of suffering, she started to go. Chinatown was a part of the city which are more unique than others. As she expected, Chinatown was the place for Asian people. Buildings and the style of the streets were really looked like the capital cities of Asia. At the end of the main road there was an enormous golden temple, where Ming Xiao was wait for her. They had a conversation there: Ming Xiao told her she is searching for the sarcophagus too, and she wants to blackmail the prince with it. And she told her where could she find Gary’s friend, Barabus.
Barabus was detained by an Asian businessman, who done tests on him to examine the vampires life. Helena helped Barabus to escape from there, and she got revenge on the businessman because of the tortures which had been done on Barabus.
After the escape, Gary told her that the sarcophagus had been carried to the mansion of Giovanni’s – to a family’s mansion, who are famous fanatic art collectors. The next day’s evening they are going to organize a party, so Gary suggested her to take advantage in it and try to obtain the sarcophagus.
The sun already set down, when Helena came out from the sewers of Chinatown and got a cab which took her to back to the Venture tower. At the reception Chunk waved on her with a smile on his face.

‘Good evening, missy! Good to see ya’ – welcomed her nicely Chunk.
‘Good evening, Chunk. Is Mr. Lacroix….’ – started Helena, but Chunk intervened.
‘Mr Lacroix is not here at the moment. He asked me that if you’ll arrive here, I have to give this key to you. This key is opens the fourth apartman of Skylines, which is your new flat from now. And he also asked me to send you to the Empire Hotel. His room’s number is the seven. Oh, and he told me that you could get some help by the hotel’s receptionist, he will lead you to him, if Mr Lacroix is not in his room at that moment.’
‘Thank you very much, Chunk. Good night’ – Helena nodded, and left the tower. The Empire Hotel weren’t too far from the tower, so she started to walk. In her way she visited her new flat, and changed her dress there. Helena haven’t got any idea about her clothes how could be there, but she didn’t want to deal it with at that moment.

Helena previously visited that hotel, so she knew she have to pay attention to the attire. She decided a slightly cleaved, lacy black dress, which got straps on shoulders. Twenty minutes later she entered to the hotel. The receptionist accosted her.
‘Good evening, miss. May I help you?’ – asked smiling.
‘Good evening. I’m looking for Sebastian Lacroix. If I know it well, he is waiting for me somewhere.’
‘Oh, yes, yes. Mr. Lacroix is at the bar now. Turn left, and at the end of the corridor. Today we have happy hour, would you like a drink coupon? Tonight you could…’
‘Thank you’ - intervened Helena, and left him alone.

Helena left the lobby, and turned left as the receptionist told her. As she approached the bar, the jazz became a bit louder – it was from the speakers which was attached to the walls. The bar was in dark blue lights. In the middle of the bar, there was mixer desk with two bartender behind it. The bartenders mixed the coctails and put the glasses to the trays.
There were many of guests, just a few desks were empty. Well-dressed women and men talked and laughed with each other around her.
Lacroix was sitting in a corner alone, in his left hand there was a cigar, in his right hand he hold a glass of whiskey with one ice in it. He blows out the smoke of the cigar when Helena entered the room. When they noticed each other, Lacroix waved to her to come closer.

When she approached to him, she noticed that his shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and he didn’t looked so precise like other times. It was quite strange to see him like this – the always determined prince looked like a real human being. As Helena arrived to Lacroix’s table, he stood up politely for her, then they sit down together.
‘I’m glad you’ve came safe and sound’ – told Lacroix, and lifted up his glass for it.
‘Thank you. I immediately came here after Chunk gave your message to me’ – answered Helena. – ‘And I also got the keys of the new apartment. Thank you very much.’
‘You are welcome. Do you like it?’
‘Yes, I like it very much’ – smiled Helena with a little blush on her face.
‘I’m glad’ – nodded Sebastian, then waved to the waiter. – ‘Would you like to drink something?’
‘Umm… I would like the same’ – answered Helena, and nodded to Lacroix’s whiskey. Sebastian asked two glasses of whiskey, then they continued:
‘Did you find out something in Chinatown?’ – asked Lacroix.
‘Yes. Now I know where the sarcophagus is.’
‘Really?’ – gleamed up his eyes by excitement. – ‘Where is it?’
‘In the mansion of Giovanni’s, at the basement. Tomorrow night they organize a party or family gathering or something… Gary said that would be a perfect timing to get in without paying attention.’
‘To being honest, I think it won’t be easy like he thinks. But I really hope you could do this without a problem’ – admitted Lacroix. – ‘And did you find Gary’s friend? Or have you met with Ming Xiao?’
‘Yes, I found him. He were detained by a businessman and they did tests on him, cruel tests. But they are just ’past’’ – smiled wickedly Helena, the prince did the same. – ‘And yes, I’ve met with Ming Xiao, too. She is looking after the sarcophagus with her two agents. I’m really afraid she will succeed soon’ – admitted Helena quietly.
‘We should prevent this’ – sighed Lacroix with worry, then looked around. The waiter approached to them with two whiskeys. When the waiter left them alone, Helena asked:
‘The Kuei-jin are not our Kindred, am I right?’
‘No, they are not' – the prince answered, and blowed out smoke, and continued. – 'They are almost like us, but they are officially not Kindred. They also have super powers and disciplines like we have, but they’re not the same. There’s no clans, because they together a big clan, a unit, or I don’t know how to name it. Whilst, we have Brujahs, Malkavians, Ventrues – like us, and I could continue it...’
‘Ming Xiao mentioned that there are rumours about the sarcophagus. They say there’s a primogen or ancestor is laying in it… Is that true? That’s why we have to find it?’ – asked curiously Helena.
‘Yes, we have some reason to believe that it hides a primogen’s mummy. I have conjectures, and I am hoping about someone, but I really don’t want to guess. All I need is facts’ – told Lacroix.
He was just thinking about this, and stared to the table, then continued:
‘We have to find the sarcophagus, because if it hides a primogen, we could ensure our place in the Camarilla, we could be stronger, and the sarcophagus will be famous about it was obtained in the age of my principality. The Kindreds would appreciate me’ – told Sebastian daydreamingly. Meanwhile, Helena noticed the prince’s glass is empty again.

The waiter brang another two rounds to them, and Lacroix wasn’t confident anymore. He was so relaxed, he often shamelessly glanced on Helena’s neck and shoulders. Soon the guests started to left the bar, and the closing time had come, so Sebastian suggested to go up to his suite. Helena was surprised, her heart skipped a beat. She really don’t want to oppose to him, but it was too late, so she asked him worried:
‘I really would like to go with you, but the Sun will rise up soon…’ - started Helena as they were waiting for the elevator.
‘Maybe you have something else to do? Because we have to talk about the Giovanni’s’ – asked curiously Lacroix. Now he really looked like a child.
At the moment the elevator door opened with jingle, Sebastian entered in it, and looked askly to her. Helena bited a bit on her lips, then she thought ’now or never’, then she stepped into the elevator, right before the door closed.
‘I have nothing else to do’ – smiled Helena puzzled, then they became silent. While the elevator brang them up, she was thinking about why did she agree with it? What will they do? What should she talk about with him? Helena secretly looked on the elevator watch, which said it’s 4.48 a.m..

At the seventh level the elevator stopped, then Lacroix politely let her come first, then he opened the door with his keys.
The door has opened, Helena looked through the room: it was quite spacious, modern and a bit minimalist. Opposite of the door, there was a big window-door to the balcony. Near the door in the corner there was a big bed, and the right side of the room there were a sofa with a TV and a desk with a laptop. Also, a lots of cupboards with bookshelves were between the furnitures. It looked really ordinary suite until Helena noticed a big black piano near the balcony door.
‘If I have a lots of things to do here at Downtown, this is my safe haven during the daylight’ – Lacroix explained when he invited her to the room. Helena planned to sit down on the sofa, but he had another idea. – ‘Would you like to see the view from the balcony? We have some time until sunrise.’
Helena nodded, then they came outside. The balcony wasn’t too big, from the door it was just a few little steps, and she could touch the railing, but they could stand out there easily.
It started to getting light, but the Moon was still up on the sky. Helena looked up to her, and it was waning Moon. Sebastian stared at her, and followed her look.
‘How did you feel the Embrace? Do you remember?’ – the prince asked unexpectedly. Helena still watched Moon, sighed and answered:
‘I’m not remember that well. I was in a pub with my girlfriends, when someone put something in my drink. Then I didn’t know what could happened, but suddenly I was in the bathroom with a stranger man, who pulled my clothes and my arms, but I fighted against him. I don’t know what would he wanted to me, but I think I guess now… Then I don’t remember more. The next thing I can remember was the scene at the theatre, but you were there, too.’
‘Oh yes, I know, I remember. I made the death sentence on your ’Sire’. He embraced you without asking the Camarilla about it. But now I know I decided well because he probably abused you previously. However, I think he just wanted some blood from you, but he might could kill you. Probably he wanted the latter – but he didn’t expect that before he made you dry, you will have a little energy to bite him back, I suppose by self-defence. Actually… you made yourself to a Kindred. It’s quite difficult and rare.’

She nodded, then she didn’t answered, just thought about it – the reason of her embrace was quite blurry for her, but now the prince made it a bit clearer. Sebastian gave some time to let her think it through, then Helena thoughtfully asked him:
‘But I have a memory about Nines Rodriguez prevented the death sentence on me. Do you remember, too?!’
Sebastian sighed, then regretfully answered.
‘Please, forgive me. I’m so sorry. But… firstly, you have to know, Camarilla has very strict laws. It doesn’t matter what I want to do, I have to follow those laws. The first law is the prince have to approve the application of Embracing. Without the approving, the Embracing is not allowed. By the way, I knew your Sire personally… he always did everything against the Camarilla. He had Ventrue blood in his veins, but his virtue was like an anarch’s – or maybe worse. When he embraced you, I was really mad at him, because this crime nowadays are really rare, everyone knows how strictly the Camarilla is. So… Honestly, without knowing you, I really wished to watch his death and yours, too. But now, I have to admit that I’m grateful to Nines: if he didn’t stop me, I would be deprived by an excellent agent. I hope I don’t have to tell you how much I hate to decide about these penalties, especially if someone is innocent.’

Helena couldn’t find a word, so she became silent again, her thoughts were running through her head crazily. As her head processed the prince’s words, she glanced to the streets, to the mortals who started their day and go to work. They reminded her mortal years, and she remembered those mornings at her favourite bakery, where she always bought her morning coffee. Nowadays she wouldn’t want to get a coffee again, she hates it very much.
‘Would you like to dring something?’ – the prince asked, hoping he could switch topic with it.
‘No, thank you, I think I drank too much in the bar’ – rejected him a bit unkindly.
‘I have something which will never be served at a place like a bar’ – the prince smiled on her. Helena sighed, then she appreciated his trying.
‘Alright, I would like some, though’ – smiled back a bit reluctantly. He left the balcony and went back to his suite. Helena watched him while he disappeared at the cupboard, then he returned to her with two cocktail glasses, full of dark red liquids in it.
She was thinking through his words – Helena believed him. It’s true that she’s been used by him, but he appreaciate her job. But now… their relationship became intimate. Then something got her mind:
‘Sebastian, can I ask you something?’ – Helena asked, then accepted the Bloody Mary from him. – ‘Thank you.’
‘Of course, you can.’
‘You’ve mentioned you learnt from famous vampires… So I’ve read about superpowers and disciplines about other clans recently, and…’
‘Hmm, I guess you found it interesting, am I right? Well, which one won your liking?’ – Sebastian asked, with curiosity in his blue eyes.
‘Umm, I’ve read about Malkavians’ invisiblity, the Gangrels’ transformation into an animal, and the Tzimisces’ teleportation…’
‘I presume your question is about are these disciplines learnable. Did I guess it well?’ – asked the prince with a smile on his face.
‘Yes… Is it possible?’ – asked Helena with excitement in her voice.
But he didn’t answered to her, because he disappeared before her eyes, and appeared next to the cupboard in the suite. Helena just blinked surprisely, and when she noticed him, Sebastian grinned on her.
‘But… how?’ – Helena amazed.
‘When I was in Africa, I was working as an agent to an Tzimisce prince, who taught it to me. But, I’m not like him, so that’s why I couldn’t do just a few meters, but that Tzimisce prince could jump across countries. For me, this teleportation makes me really tired, so I’m not using it usually, and I think I have never mentioned it to someone else, except you. I was young, and I wanted to learn it – it doesn’t matter what is the cost of it. I’ve learnt it for years’ – explained Lacroix, while he walked back to the balcony to her.
As they stood there with the two glasses in hands, the prince hold it a bit higher solemnly.
‘Well… á votre santé’ – smiled on her. Helena looked on him questioningly. – ‘It means ’cheers’ in French.’
‘Ah, I see’ – nodded Helena. – ‘Umm… á votre sante!’
‘Santé’ – corrected the prince.
‘Santé.’

Helena smiled, then toasted with him. The glasses clashed loudly with jingling echo from the surrounding buildings strange acoustics. When they drank it up, Sebastian sighed, blinked a lot, and took back the glasses to the room.
He must be a bit drunk, Helena concluded, because he started to walk sometimes a bit strangely. Helena stayed on the balcony watching people who strolled down the streets. In her thoughts she already started to compare themselves to the mortals – so the alcohol does the same with them like with mortals, and alcohol won’t make an exception with a prince neither.

Suddenly, a cold hand touched her shoulder. She got scared a bit, but immediately knew what happened, because that hand pet her shoulder to her arm. Lacroix with his other hand adjusted her hair to her other shoulder. Helena’s dress made her left shoulder easily free to him, because the strap slided it down, when he touched her. She tilted her head right automatically to offer her neck to the prince – but her scars didn’t disappeared yet. Sebastian didn’t hesitated, his lips sticked on her naked shoulders, and started to kiss it. Helena held her breath waiting for another bite, but this time it wasn’t happened.
‘Your blood is mesmerizing me’ – whispered. – ‘But I don’t want to hurt you again.’
‘But it’s not too painful’ – Helena looked him back above her shoulder. She knew she was lying, but it wasn’t a big sacrifice.
‘But I shouldn’t do this’ – the prince whispered , and gave kisses on her neck. – ‘I already have addiction with it.’
‘I don’t mind’ – said Helena mysteriously and bravely, then she bend forward and took out her knife from her garter. – ‘Quite the opposite.’

When she lifted it up, Lacroix’s eyes were brighten up by excitement, and grinned by disbelief behind her, and couldn’t wait what will happen. Helena touched her cleavage with her knife and cutted a bit, thin notch – she quietly hissed by pain, and her blood immediately started to running down on her skin. Sebastian, as a hungry vulture, instantly begun to kiss and suck her blood. Helena felt she have to breathe faster and faster, the familiar feeling runned through her veins, and when the prince kissed her skin greedily, the adrenaline and the euphoria drove her crazy. If it weren’t enough, the consciousness that the prince kisses her cleavage made the moment more exciting.

But the next moment, the-always-polite prince became a bit different – maybe it’s because his Beast inside made it with him – he wildly yanked the other strap of the dress off her shoulder, so the cloth fell fastly down on the floor. In a second she became almost naked in front of the prince’s eyes, just her lingerie hide her completely. Sebastian stopped to suck her blood, and took a step back to have a hungry look through her: she looked like a real fighter, because she weared black lacey lingerie, and in her garther there was a Colt, a sheath of a knife, and cartriges, and in her right hand the knife was still there, which had her blood on it. Sebastian grabbed her left hand and turned her to make her see face-to-face. They were just standed there for a moment, then Lacroix kissed her on mouth.

Helena had no idea how they got back to the room, the next moment she woke up as she undressed the prince from his shirt. When his shirt fell off to the floor, he took out his own knife – which had silver blade, and blue stoned handle - then he lifted up to his own chest. Helena already thought by look it may be a quite rare, precious weapon.

She was curious what is will he want to do with it: he did a bigger notch on himself. He didn’t have to ask her twice to taste it, she immediately begun to suck the wound. The prince moaned by his deep voice, and he tilted back his head by enjoyment. Helena hadn’t taste a savoury blood like this.
It reminded her to Porto, where she tasted the famous local wine – it almost tasted the same. This blood wasn’t taste like those from the hospital, she felt she couldn’t drink anymore those desinfectant and plastic tasty enormity. Sebastian’s blood was warm, honey sweet, and after she swallowed it, it left a fruity aroma in her mouth. After it, she understanded the prince’s addicition to her blood.

When the wound dried out, Helena took a step back, and gaspingly watch into his eyes.
‘How did you like it?’ – asked the prince wickedly grin on his face, when she sighed.
‘Oh god, it was amazing’– admitted Helena, and licked her lips. Lacroix stepped forward to her, grabbed her face and hair with his hands, and started to kiss her. This was the first time, when their blood touches: they together made extramundane aroma, which made them to being addicted to each other for life. Helena wasn’t too sure about she was just addicted on his blood, or it was something more in it, but she didn’t want to think about it at the moment, she just let it happen…

About half hour later, they were just laid there in the bed, side by side. Helena had to have some time to believe what happened, and later she noticed that he still hold her hand, and didn’t want to let it free. When she turned her head toward him, saw that the prince was asleep. Helena covered him with a blanket, and set free her hand to make the room dark with the curtains. When she returned to the bed, laid back to him, put her head to his shoulder, and a few moments later she joined to him to sleep. This was the first time in her vampire life, when she was really happy.

Chapter 6: Chapter Six: Maria Rosselini

Summary:

Helena visits the Giovannis, and Lacroix tells a secret to her...

Sorry for my grammatical mistakes :(

Chapter six: Maria Rosselini

A few hours later Helena woke up unexpectedly fast. For a moment, she had no idea where did she woke up, needed a few seconds to remind herself what happened before she closed her eyes. Helena looked to the man who slept next to her: there wasn’t too much light in the room, but his face could be seen perfectly: his skin was pale and lips still slightly blue, the blonde hair was a bit tormented by the happenings of the dawn. She just stared at him for a while.
After she took a bath, and braided her hair, twisted herself with a towel, and returned back to the prince’s room. He already woke up, lighted up the place with a night light and some candles. There was daylight outside, but they had to be in the dark and use artificial lights. Sebastian sat at the piano and played something on it. He didn’t care about she already came out from the bathroom and stepped closer to him. She just stared at him behind the instrument: he always wears perfectly-ironed suit, but now, just wore an underpants and an unbuttoned shirt. The shirt tried to hide Helena’s dried blood on his chest – Sebastian seems he didn’t bother it, he looked like he proudly wears it. Helena got goosebumps when she discovered it.

Lacroix played a pleasing, calm music on the piano. Helena didn’t knew this composition, although she learnt to play when she was a child. She stared at him with a smile. When the music came to the end, she praised and thanked it to him.

’It was beautiful, thank you very much’ – smiled to him.
’Do you know what was it?’ – the prince asked.
’No… Maybe Chopin?’ – Helena guessed.
’It was Debussy. The title is Rêverie, which means ’Daydreaming’ in French. It was one of my favourite piece which was thaught by my teacher, and it was the last one at once. His name was Jean-Baptiste.’
’May I ask you what happened?’
’He died many-many years ago. He had bubonic plague’ – answered lose-heartedly.
’Bubonic plague?... It couldn’t happened recently’ – Helena told thoughtfully.
’Indeed. It was 190 years ago. But I still remember his voice, especially when he was mad at me, when I made a mistake with legatos, and I always forgot to push down the treadle…’ - remembered back with a nostalgic smile.

Helena knew what is he talking about, and when she looked on the prince, who is more than 200 years old, she reminded herself that how lonely a vampire could be. He always had everything he needed, but never had any friends especially after his embrace. Sebastian was always lonely, and for now, it became natural for him.
’I tidy up myself, then we have to talk about Giovannis. I am going to ask the sheriff to get a map about the mansion to make your work easier’ – switched himself to prince.

Helena didn’t answered to him, just hummed, then he left the room. A few minutes later, when she dressed up to her cloth from yesterday, he returned from the bathroom – now he really looked like the prince of the Camarilla: he wore dark blue trousers and light blue shirt, and his necktie fitted perfectly on the shirt.

In the afternoon, the Sheriff brang to them the map, then they examined it through. They couldn’t get an invitation to her, but she got another dress which was graceful, there were no chance to being noticed as an outsider. Before departure, Helena changed her clothes in the presence of the prince, she thought he is too busy to examine the map, but when she turned around, they looked at each other.

’This dress is fits you well’ – told the prince with a smile. – ’It’s a shame to let you go now’.
’I hope today I’ll find the sarcophagus, then we can finally calm down’ – answered hopefully.
Lacroix stood up from bed, and came closer to her. He stood before her, and looked in her eyes, then whispered to her ears:
’If we will have the sarcophagus… - the prince begun. – I won’t be the only one who control the Camarilla. I wish we could have a princess too, you really deserve it.’
Helena was that surprised she couldn’t find a word, Sebastian just smiled on her reaction.
- Are you sure? – asked back.
- I am sure – the prince answered, then kissed her on forehead.

One hour later, when the sun started to go down, they left the suite. Helena and Lacroix didn’t talk to each other in the elevator, just holded hands. She stared on him with a smile, but he didn’t reciprocate it to her, just stood and gone deep in his thoughts. In fact, Helena didn’t care about the rank in the Camarilla which was promised by him. The only thing which filled her heart was the promise – now she knew that she is important to the prince. Helena hoped these hard times will finally over tonight, then they could really be get together. When they left the hotel, he squeezed her hand before let her go.
’Be careful. Don’t come back, until you don’t have it’ – said goodbye stringently, and left her alone. Helena was confused, because this time he wasn’t that nice like in the suite.

She didn’t have time to think it through, was in a hurry. The cab was waiting for her at the next corner of the street. The Giovanni mansion was in North L. A.. Twenty minutes later she arrived.
The mansion was huge, and looked like a castle. Around it, the turf was arranged and a big fountain stood in front of the building. Near the gate there was a little man-made pond with a bench which partly hid by a willow. Helena fastly looked around, and she tried to mingle between the guests at the building. She already got to know an Italian couple. During the conversation the woman started to being sick – Helena enchanted her, forced her to vomit and giving the invitation to her.

After she got it, Helena didn’t want to waste time, so she stepped forward to the front door, and gave the invitation the guard.
’Are you… Maria Rosselini?’ – the guard asked bored.
’Yes, I am’ – Helena answered determinatedly, so she could enter. As she entered the hall, there were many other guests talked with each other. All of them got a glass of champagne in their hands. Helena started to mingle between them, and tried to find the kitchen, but someone accosted her.
’Excuse me ’ – the stranger told sharply. – ’But who are you?’
Helena turned around scaredly, and looked into a stranger man’s eyes.
’My name is Maria’- Helena answered pretending calm. She had to remember back to the conversation with the real Maria, then continued. – ’I mean, I’m Maria Rosselini. I came from Rome.’
’Oh, I’m sorry… I think I mistaken you with someone else’ – told the stranger frowned, then left her. Helena sighed relievedly, then she continued her way to the kitchen.

Ten minutes later she found it: there was just the cook who worked there alone. She watched him for a while, and when he left to the pantry, she came in, and opened the door which lead to the basement. Unfortunately, it was closed, so she had to try to picking the lock. When the lock clicked out, immediately opened the door, and hided behind it.

She hurried down the stairs to the dungeons. When she was deeply under the ground, there was extremely cold. The dungeons looked like crypt. She runned across long and dark corridors until she found another stairs. When Helena reached to the end of it, she found a big, spacious room: it was built at the ancient times, and lightened by torches.

Finally, she saw it. The sarcophagus layed at the opposite wall on a rolling device, which looked like a miller cart. Her heart skipped a beat, then she hurried down there, but someone with asian accent accosted behind her.
’Don’t move!’ – a man yelled at her with high-pitched voice. Helena turned around, and twin brothers stood opposite her. Both of them were bald, short and they have round beard. One of them had a big sword, and the other one had big claws on his fingers.
’Kindred, your presence here violates the agreement between our leaders! Leave now or face the consequences of your actions!’ – asked angrily the other one.
’What?’– Helena asked back nervously.
’There is an alliance between your leader, Lacroix, and mistress Ming Xiao! You violate the agreement! If you do not leave, we are not responsible of your death!’
’Nope, there’s no alliance between them!’ – Helena answered still nervously.
’We’ll give you one more chance to leave this place and keep your life. You will go?’
’Don’t tell me what to do, okay?’ – Helena replied back angrily, and took it out her Colt.

Both of them attacked her at once, but Helena immediately started to run away from them, but she wasn’t fast enough, because the man with the sword cut her back, but she didn’t had time to deal with it. Helena just ran as fast as she could, while bellowing by pain. When her eyes cleared out by the pain, she shooted them. One of them got a few shots, but it wasn’t enough for him, he needed five more, a hit with a torch and his final hit was a knife by full extent. After it, he died.

Meanwhile, the other one hide from her. Helena’s Colt was out of stock, and didn’t have enough time to reload it, so she obtained the sword from the dead brother. Helena hided too behind the sarcophagus, and she payed attention. For a few minutes it was complete silence in the room, then she heard quiet, careful little steps from the stairs. Helena softly stepped closer to the wall, and when he entered to the room, Helena hit the sword full extent to his back.

She checked were he really died, then she pushed out the sarcophagus from the room. At the end of the dungeons there was a long corridor, which ended by a wrought iron-gate. Helena picked the lock, and after it was open, a van was waited to her. She didn’t doubted in the prince, and when noticed the van with driver, calmed down.

Half hour later they approached to Venture tower. During the way her back looked horrible and had extremely pain, and the dress was torned. She bleeded the car’s backseat. A few minutes later she noticed a box, with a message on it:
’In case if you are injured – S. L.’

Her hands were shook by blood loss when she opened up the box: there was two bags of blood and some bandage. Firstly she drank both of the blood bags, then she started to tie up her back awkwardly. The wound healing already started as she replaced blood, but she still had pain there.
The van stopped near the back door of the tower. Helena squeezed her left hand to her back, and stumbled to the door. The driver took out the sarcophagus carefully and gave it to the security of the prince. Helena went up to him by elevator.

At the moment Lacroix talked with Beckett, with the man who met her one week ago at the Sabbat warehouse. She didn’t knocked on the door, just stumbled in. When she entered the room, both of them looked on her with surprise. She already knew she looked horrible, because both ot them hurried to her when appeared.
’ What happened?’ - Beckett asked.
’The sarcophagus… is here’ – Helena replied. Lacroix just examined her back, when his eyes glistened up, and looked at her disbeliefly.
’Did it succeed? And… where is it now?’– the prince asked greedily.
’The guards will bring it up…’ - Helena answered, then she gasped by pain.
’It was made by a sword?’ – Beckett asked, referred to her back. They helped her to sit down to the sofa.

-
Then she summarized the whole evening. During her monologue the guards brang up the coffin. The two vampire man examined it.
’Spectacular’ – Lacroix told admirely. – ’A few Kindred doubted on you and your skills, Helena, but I knew I trusted the right person with this task. Finally, the Ankaran sarcophagus is ours!’
’Can I ask you something?’ – turned to him from the sofa. Lacroix hummed back quietly behind from sarcophagus. – ’Is it true that you have an alliance with Ming Xiao?’
’What?’ – looked up startled from the coffin and came back to her. – ’It’s absurd. None of Kindred would trust Kuei-jin, and they don’t do it back as well. Jack told you this? If yes, sorry, to tell you that, but he made a fool of you. ’
’The Kuei-jin fighters told me that before I brang it to here.’
’And you believed them? They’ve been trying to take over LA for years. It’s a ruse, a falsehood, spread to undermine my rule and turn Kindred against each other – thin our ranks. They are duplicitous, evil creatures. And they try to kill you… Insurance. They lied to you in case you lived through this encounter. They hoped to create disession in the ranks, rumors. It’s a trick older than you or I. Ihope you didn’t believe them.’
’No, I didn’t’ – told Helena. She looked on Beckett who still examined the sarcophagus, then continued quietly to the prince. – ’ Thanks for my Colt and this sword, they won’t lie us again.’
Lacroix grinned at her wickedly, then he sighed and turned back to Beckett and switched back to being a prince.
’What have assessed so far?’ – asked him.
’Unfortunately for the hearlds of doom, it appears we won’t be opening Pandora’s box. The markings, as far as I can tell, all of assyrian origin, an extraordinary piece, but nothing earth shattering.’
’I see. Then there is no good reason why we shouldn’t open it’ – Lacroix told, then he tried to push it down, but it didn’t move. – ’Won’t budge. Beckett, do you see any mechanism for he lid?’
’I haven’t as yet had a chance to pore over it with my fine tooth comb. I think I have one in my bag.’
- ’But then, how could we open it?’ – asked impatiently Sebastian. Beckett still examined the lock, then answered.
’Hmm, fortunately for us I know of someone who has distinguished himself in this field. His name is Dr. Anders Johansen, a professor of archeology from Norway. He was the one responsible for finding the sarcophagus, and as far as I know, the only authority on it’s origin and design. Until yesterday, he could’ve been found in his suite at the Empire Hotel, downtown’ – at this time Helena and Sebastian looked at each other for a short second. – ’But when I stopped by earlier this evening, all I found is spilt coffee on a morning paper. Appears he’s been abducted.’
’What? And who could abducted him? Where could he be now?’ – the prince asked.

 

Then Beckett told that Johansen has been captive by the Society of Leopold (a secret society who are hunting vampires for a long time) at a monastery near a beach at Malibu. Helena have to go there on next night and rescue him to get more information about the sarcophagus.
-
Half an hour later Beckett left them with a promise that he’ll examine more about the sarcophagus. Then Lacroix sent the sheriff out, so they have left in private. Helena still sat on the sofa trying to find the position which could make her pain more bearable. After they left alone, Lacroix switched back to being ’night lover’, and sat next to her worrily.
’Let me see’ – told her, then she turned her back to him obediently.

Sebastian carefully undressed her to examine her wound.
’Just one moment’ – Sebastian said, then he stood up and stepped to the cupboard at the corner of the room. Opened the cupboard door, searched for a while, then came back with a tiny bottle. – ’Be prepared, it will be a bit cold.’
He salved her wound with an ice-cold, mucous cream. It was quite cold, so Helena unwittingly straigtened up by the unpleasant feeling. As she moved immediately, her pain increased.
’Just a minute, and it will be over’ – the prince soothes her. As he said it, the pain already started to decrease, and a minute later it was really over. – ’How does it feel?’
’It’s better now’ – Helena answered, then she turned back to him. She was almost naked before him, again.
’I am so sorry, for sent you to a dangerous place like that’ – the prince told regretly. – ’I didn’t expect for it. I knew that you will circumwent the guards easily, but I didn’t expect for tough opponents like them. I beg your forgiveness.’
Helena didn’t answered to it, just lowered her head.
’I’m sorry, Helena’– the prince sighed. – ’I might send Mercurio with you, if you will go the Leopold…’
’Rather not’ – Helena said. – ’At the warehouse he almost got murdered.’
’True. But rather him, than you.’
’Please, don’t say this again’ – shooked her head. – ’I’ll find a solution, but not tonight.’
’Of course not tonight. You need to heal, and the Sun will come up soon’ – the prince smoothed her shoulder. Helena slightly smiled on him, then fastly stood up, dressed up. Lacroix just watched her, then he stood up too. – ’Would you like to join me at my suite?’
Helena surprisingly asked back:
’Once you are kind with me, and in the other moment you command me like if I could be just a whichever Kindred’ – diagnosed her problem. Sebastian sighed, then answered:
’Our relationship has to be a secret for now, Kindred must not find out about it. You know, the pursuit of the sarcophagus is getting scandalous in our community: everyone wants to find it, not just us. I just want to protect you from others. If they would know about us, you could never get help to find it. Kindred wants my final death, as soon as possible, that’s why I never go with you. But they would never admire about I do everything for the Camarilla. Believe me, it won’t be too long, and we could live our life together’ – anwered honestly. Helena accepted this answer for a while, then she thought back to words of Jack’s, Nines’s and Strauss’s, who cautioned her to not believe the prince. Helena wondered are they those Kindred who Lacroix thought? Or are there someone else too?

Helena looked on the wall clock, it was 4 AM. The prince asked her again, just a bit quietly:
’Would you like to join me to the hotel? The Sun will rise soon…’
’Yes, I would’ - nodded. ’Thank you for healing my wound.’
’You are welcome.’
At the reception, Chunk stared at them surprisingly, but didn’t say a word, just wished a nice day to both of them. Helena wished back the same to him with a smile, but the prince just nodded.
At the hotel’s reception Sebastian asked his key, then they stepped in the elevator. They just stood in it, like a few hours ago they did. When reached the suite, Helena instantly examined her back at a mirror: Sebastian hided it without a single mark.
’It was quite deep wound, needs a few hours to disappear, but it seems it’s already gone. How does it feel?’– asked while he darkened the room by curtains. He lightened up some candles then he stepped closer to her.
’It’s almost gone.’
’I look after another clothes for you, you don’t have to stay in it’- offered Sebastian to her. He returned back about a minute later with his shirt in his hand. Helena took off her torned dress, and fastly dressed up with it. The prince helped her, then he exhaled a kiss on her shoulder.
’I am going to bring you clothes here, if you wish it’– whispered in her ear, then he kissed her again. – ’But not now…’
’Thank you’ – Helena smiled, then she kissed him back. For a minute they just kissed each other softly, then Lacroix let her off, smoothed her face with his ice-cold fingers. Then he went to the cupboard, and took off two glasses and a champagne.
’May I ask you that would you toast with me?’ - the prince asked, while he took the little metal bucket back to the shelf. She concluded the champagne was already cooled down.
’Yes, but why? What is the occasion?’
’Because of the sarcophagus, for what else?’ – the prince asked back confusingly, while he filled up the glasses with the glistening gold liquid. He gave hers to Helena, then raised his glass.
’This champagne is ice cold’ – Helena stated.
’Yes, because I was sure you will succeeded.’
’But why did you think it?’– asked with maze.
’I have some reasons. One: you are my best agent, the only one I trust, and you could do an important task, like this. Two: you learned a lot from others and from yourself too, so that’s why you could win on other Kindred, who are older than you. What do you think, how many Kindred would do the same and go back alive? I can assure you, not many.’

She felt she blushed, so immediately caught hands to her face to hide it, because didn’t want to look like a twelve years old girl. The thought annoyed her that she could deal with psychopath vampires, but can’t control her own body. She didn’t want to be ridiculous before him. Sebastian didn’t care about it, he just continued gloomy:
’The third reason is that I know you would do everything for me. And I would do the same for you too. And I will. That’s why I was sure that you will succeed.’
She just holded her glass thoughtfully, but when he raised his again and toasted to hers, she has pulled back to reality.
’Á votre santé’ - the prince smiled.
’Á votre santé.’
As she drink her champagne, thought about Sebastian’s words: he would do everything for her…

When she drank her champagne, took back to the tray. During this time, he stepped to the cupboard near his bed, opened that door, and took out an old gramophone. Helena was so deep in her thoughts, the only thing she noticed is the squeak of the disk. A few seconds later Tschaikowsky’s Waltz of the flowers was played, which was one of her favourite composition. Helena smiled with a blush when he stood at her.
’May I ask you for a dance?’ - Sebastian bowed at her theatrically, then she nodded with a smile. However, they didn’t start to dance instantly, just stood there face to face, and stared at each other. Sebastian kissed her, and she kissed him back. But then, he let her lips free, grabbed her hand, and a second later they started to waltz. It was so special moment, Helena got goosebumps by it. She already had beautiful memories which connected with this music, and she didn’t thought she will have another one in the future, but the prince done it well. At the end of the music, Helena stopped suddenly, looked in his eyes: Sebastian knew what is she really want, so he immediately kissed her again.

One minute later they laid in the bed of the prince’s. The gramophone played quietly other and other songs of Tschaikowsky…
When he took out his dagger, their breath increased to faster and faster, and when the disk was at the end, Helena’s wrinkled hair respired on Sebastian’s chest.

A few minutes later she sat up playfully, dressed up with the shirt, and stepped closer to the gramophone.
’Choose something else, surprise me’ – the prince asked her, while he turned on his side watching admired his ’princess’.
Helena assessed deeply the disks: she took two disks out, shooked her head, and took them back. But a minute later she chose a third one, carefully put it on the turntable, and waited for his reaction.
Lacroix was surprised by her choice:
’Oh, is it Édith Piaf? I didn’t thought you are know her songs’ – asked.
’Of course I do.’
’Nowadays it cannot be heard, I really thought it is forgotten’ – answered Sebastian, and welcomed her back in his bed.
’The next song is my all time favourite. I heard it in Seattle at the first time, when I spent Christmas with my grandparents. I immediately loved it, so I got this as a present on my next birthday from them. This song reminds me to that rainy Christmas and my grandparents.’
’I see. And what is your favourite song? ’
’La vie en rose’ – Helena answered –’ It might be tright, I know, but as a child, it was my favourite.’
’Oh yes, that is truly beautiful. I remember when that song was released. It wasn’t the best time in history by far’ – the prince told.
’Where were you at that time?’ – Helena asked curiously, turned back to him to see his face.
’At the end of the war, I was in London. That was the time, when Bach’s father pursued me.’
’Can I ask you a question?’
’Of course’ – smiled at her.
’You know, immortality is still strange for me’ – Helena admitted honestly. – ’I didn’t know what to feel if I thought I could live forever. And when I think about you that how many things you lived through…’
’Well, yes, I saw some things during my almost three houndred years. But the worst thing was my illness, which almost caused my death when I was a mortal. I didn’t told anything about this to someone else, except you. I was in Belgium with my parents, I was 21 years old. As my piano teacher, I got plague too, but I had lung plague. I got it from my bride at that time. I didn’t love her especially, and she died two days later.’
Helena listened the story amazed.
’One day I started to cough, and I had pain in my lungs. At my first cough my mother called for a healer, but at that time, there was a big snowstorm at the mountain village we were, and when the healer arrived, my mouth started to getting blue. I got heavy fever at the evening, the only thing the healer could do to diagnosed the plague on me. My mother begged at him to help me, but he didn’t gave anything. My parents came to the local town to ask all healers for me, in the snowstorm. They wanted to do everything just to see me being well, so they brang herbs and elixirs at dawn, but those were useless. On the next day, I could hardly breathe. My mother sobbed at my bed, when our local stablemen knocked at my room’s door. At that moment we knew that he wasn’t mute, just always observed our family silently. He sent out my mother from my room, who were so desperate she immediately do what the stableman said. She just wanted to see me being better, and didn’t care about how. When I have been left alone with him, the man took out a dusty knife from his coat’ – Sebastian sighed. – ’And asked me would I want to live forever. I was a half-child and I was at my death, so I said why not? Then he cutted his own wrist and raised it to my face, then he bited my neck. As I was seriously sick, the death was painful to me, but at that time I passed it through. The stableman swore me to left my home in a few days, and never meet my parents again. It was hard, but I had to do it. Fifty years later, I found a newspaper about them, and knew that they lived for thirty years after I left them behind. I was terribly sorry for done it, but I had to do it…’ - repeated the prince with regret in his voice. – ’They couldn’t see me after decades that I couldn’t grow old.’
Then the prince fell silent, swallowed and laid back to the bed. None of them told a single word, Helena turned back to her back, and stared to ceiling. At the background, the gramophone quietly played the Les Feuilles Mortes. They just listened it for minutes, then he suddenly stood up and went to the minibar. He lit a cigar and grabbed a whiskey bottle.
’Would you like some…’ – asked her.
’Yes, please’ – answered. She thought back to her previously idea about could she get a connection with Samantha, but now she wouldn’t ask it from him. She thought about the prince’s words, then asked: - ’And how was it? I mean… what happened with you after you left your parents behind?’
’The belgian stableman accompanied me for a while. I didn’t lie to you when I said I was embraced by a noble – in fact, he was a Ventrue, an expelled Ventrue. We were riding for days, and during this time, he told me everything about the unlife. He told me that he chose me as his Childe for months ago, and he planned to Embrace me later, but when he got know that I was sick, he had to do it immediately. I was hungry for two days to blood, and I was sicker than before. When we arrived to a belgian city, called Mons, a German vampirehunter killed my ’father’. The only luck was that the murderer didn’t know about me that I am vampire, too. Then I have to lead myself on own way’ – Sebastian explained, while he served the drink to her.

When Helena got hers, he smoked in his cigar, then continued:
’I went through a long way. I lived by my hereditary from my parents. A year later, I moved to London, where I learnt from local Kindred. I was an agent there, and I always dreamt of someday I want to be a prince somewhere. At the time of Jack the ripper, I left London, because no one knows why, but he hated vampires, too. Finally, I escaped to Africa by ship to examine ancient studies and artifacts which was found at that time. Like this Ankaran Sarcophagus. Then I knew the Sheriff, and you know what happened after it.’
’Yes, I know it’ – answered Helena. As their glass got empty, they fell silent, and the music stopped quietly an hour later…

Chapter 7: Chapter seven: The prophecy

Summary:

Here's the seventh part of my story. It contains some spoilers from the game, but I had to change a few things.
I hope you'll like it in this way, too.
Sorry again for my English grammar, I hope it's not so annoying and my story is readable and understandable.

Thank you if you could left a few words about my story, I'd appreciate it!

Chapter seven: The prophecy
An hour later both of them are slept. It was late afternoon when they woke up, the Sun started to set down. Sebastian lent his jacket to Helena to wear it on her torned dress, until she reach her apartment in Skyline. In her room, she prepared clothes in a suitcase which could be carried to the prince’s suite.
It was dusk, when she left her apartment to find a cab which brang her to a hillside, dusty-sandy drear place. It wasn’t too hard to find the monastery which was the base of Society of Leopold, because it was ligtened up with torches, so it could be easily seen by far. Helena carefully closed the cab’s door, and hided behind a rock. While she was hiding, she figured out a plan, but she couldn’t start to shoot the guards, because they were too many. So she had to find out another way.
Then she remembered back to her conversation with Lacroix – he said she handles her own disciplines skillfully than other Kindred, so she decided it is the right time to try. She took back the Colt to her belt, started to focus as strongly as she could: to her greatest surprise, all of the guards at outside of the monastery laid on the ground dead. Helena grinned in disbelief behind the rock. She carefully stepped out, at first she wanted to make sure about her success. The exceptional strength which was used by her really made her weak, so she had to drink a bag of blood. She didn’t want to risk her life, so she carefully stealth through on the hills to find the back door of the monastery. After finding it, she picked the lock, and entered in.
In the church it was just a few member of the society, and they were far from each other, so she had easy job. She went through the monastery, but couldn’t find Johansen yet. Finally, she found a door which lead her way to the basement. As Helena went down through the stairs, she realized the basement continued in a cave. At the downstairs other guards were wait for her with bored face Helena could easily saw them from behind a box. When three of the guards started to talking, she went onward. Then, the cave became halfly opened, because it continued to the ocean. Helena noticed that a little boat was tied up next to the way, she remarked it as an escape route, but she had to find Johansen first, so she continued her way. There was another room, she gave a try it in, and didn’t regret it, because someone were wait for her – it was Grünfeld Bach. When he noticed Helena, immediately started to shoot at her, but he was mistaken.
’You missed!’ – Helena insolented with him.
’I knew Johansen would lure the servants of Satan. But I set this trap for the archfiend himself. Where is Lacroix?’
’Lacroix? You think Lacroix would come here alone?’
’I prayed for God, I prayed for him to help me to deal with his agents, and when I killed all of them, I could kill Lacroix too. At the end I will find him, I know it! Until then… go back to the hell where you have always belong, you… you servant of Satan!’ – then he grabbed his rifle and started to shoot at her.
Helena hided behind a rock, and she grabbed her gun too. Behind the shelter she shooted on him back. When Helena hit him by his right leg, the hunter yelled in pain, and laid on the floor. She fastly went closer to him, aimed her Colt ready to shoot. Bach tried to get his rifle back which were about a half meter away, but Helena cruelly kicked it far away from him.
’Any message to Lacroix?’
’Go back to hell!’ – Bach shouted at her.
’You will go there, too, so don’t worry, we’ll meet someday. You know, killing people was always been a sin’ – answered Helena, throw her Colt away, got down on her knees and bited him on the neck. She sucked her blood until she dried him out, then she wiped her face and continued her way to Johansen. He was kept in a little storage.
’Please, don’t hurt me again, please’ – begged Johansen, raised his arms as a protection. When he noticed that it’s someone else, he begged more desparately. – ’Please, help me! Help me!’
’Are you Anders Johansen?’ – she asked.
’Yes, I am! Please, help me…’
’I’ve came to help you, don’t worry’ – provided him.
’Really? Thank you, dear Miss, I am very grateful!’
Then Helena took out her knife and cutted off ropes around his wrists, when the professor noticed her bloody hands.
’I don’t care who you really are or what have you done with those crazy out there to escape me out, but I’d do everything to make it right, if I able to.’
Helena didn’t hesitate more.
’You know, there’s something… Until we not reach back to the city, please tell me everything about the sarcophagus.’
’About the Ankaran sarcophagus?’ – asked back Johansen confused, she nodded. They started to walk out from the storage to the corridors which leaded them to the boat. When she started the boat, they had a conversation.

Johansen told everything about he knew: the sarcophagus was made in the ancient Mesopotamia. The pattern is Assyrian, about before Christ 800-1050. Helena learnt that in this period there was just only one king who govern the Assyrians, called Messerach, the one-eyed king. The archeologist thoughts Messerach wiped out everything about previous kings to making believe us that he was powerful. However Helena knew that it’s just a theory, not an explanation, because Messerach was a real vampire, but she didn’t react on this. The researchers thoughts Messerach was laying in the Ankaran Sarcophagus, but Johansen didn’t agree with them, because he said for now, his skeleton must turned to dust.
Then he started to talk about the pattern of the sarcophagus, told every myth he ever heard, but the most important thing she really needed was about the key, which was carried on the ship, but before it was taken to the museum, it has disappeared.
After he finished his monologue, Helena didn’t say a word, just thought it through. She remembered back to her conversation with the thin-blood Rosa at the beach of Santa Monica, who offered her to predict her future. At that time, it was just a pointless hotchpotch, but now, it made some sense for her. She didn’t remember everything well, just a few words, like underground, crypts, sea, and she called Helena ’boss’ once… at the end of the prediction, Rosa also suggested something. As she thought it through, found out that everything fulfilled since then. And now, the suggestion ’don’t open it’ had a real meaning. Helena immediately changed her mind, and drove their speedboat to the beach of Santa Monica instead of the port. The archeologist had a confused look, but didn’t commented about it.
As they reached the shore, Johansen fastly left the boat, thanked Helena for her help, and said goodbye. She saw the fear in his eyes, being afraid that she could possibly kill him, but Helena didn’t care about it anymore. The only thing that she wanted at that time was to find the thin-bloods, but they weren’t there anymore. She looked after them on the pier, at the parking lot, it looked like they really left Los Angeles, as they had planned it before. She decided to return back to Downtown LA, and share her concers with the prince.
At the Asylum club she found a cab, which carried her to Venture tower. Ten minutes later she opened the door of the tower, when she noticed something strange. There was no one at the reception, instead of it, blood was everywhere, more precisely, fresh blood. Her first thought was Sebastian, she was really scared, because didn’t had any idea what could have happened there. The death guards layed everywhere – Helena felt sorry for them, but she was glad that Chunk wasn’t between them. She hurried to the elevator, wiped down the blood from the buttons, and trembingly pushed the button which always brang her to her prince. She was afraid what could she find, but hoped that Sebastian and the Sheriff are strong enough to stop them, who did this with the guards. Helena didn’t knocked on the door, just impatiently opened it, and when she noticed both of them alive, took her hand to his chest to calm down her heart.
’What the hell happened here?’ – asked without any greeting. Sebastian turned around, smiled a bit, then sighed.
’Those desperate idiots… With whom do they think they’re dealing? Attack me in my own building?’
’But who did this?’
’The Sabbat. A pack of shovelheads with cheap pistols was all they could muster. Two got a few stories up, but… I took care of them. And my sheriff brought the rest their Final Death at the lobby. Sabbat animals’ – answered mockingly smile.
’The Sabbat attacked, but why?’
’Why else? The motive of every Kindred in the entire city these last few nights: the Ankaran Sarcophagus. They’ve been misled into thinking the sarcophagus holds a sleeping ancient, their most coveted feasts. The Sabbat’s infamy is in no small part due to their practice of diablerie – that is, drinking the blood of other Kindred, especially older ones, until they’re dead. In the Camarilla, this is an act punishable by death.’
Helena thoughtfully fell silent. She sucked his blood, and he did the same with her, but they didn’t dry out each other, just tasted each other. But now, she understanded that the Sabbat are felt the same like them, the euphoria which similar to drugs. So Kindred’s blood are like drugs, and the Sabbat are unwarrantable addicted.
’Fortunately, the Sabbat lost a lot of member today, so they didn’t have any other choice to left Los Angeles tonight. By the way, Beckett mentioned that the Society of Leopold does not exist anymore…’
’Yes, I just came from there. I’ve found Johansen, the archeologist, and learnt a lot about the sarcophagus.’
Then she told everything to Sebastian. He nodded appreciatively, when she mentioned the mass suicide which happened at the monastery by her own power, then told about Bach and the informations from Johansen.
- At first, let me congratulate to you to acquire perfectly your disciplines. It isn’t easy to make the mass suicide, and only just a few Ventrue know it well. With respect to the fact that you just became to Kindred, you have fairly clear blood in your veins, and my opinion is, that Ventrue himself could appraise it. Secondly, I congratulate again that you’ve dealt with the society, more of it, you’ve killed their leader, who wanted to kill me. Thank you very much. Thirdly, I would like to thank you for the informations about the sarcophagus. Now, we have to find out where is the key now.
Beckett just stood there while they had the conversation. It was dawn, when he left the tower. Helena decided to join the prince at his suite, but firstly she came back to her apartment to collect her belongings. When she was near the Confession bar, a familiar voice addressed her.
’Kindred, please wait!’ – called behind her Ming Xiao. Helena turned to her surprised. – ’Be at peace, Kindred. You stand amongst friends now.’
’Really? Your agents at Giovanni Stronghold weren’t so friendly.’
’Indeed. The Chang brothers, my greatest agents, undone by the young soldier of Lacroix. It was obvious your path was greater than I or he had anticipated.’
’What’s this about an alliance between you and Lacroix?’ – asked Helena couriously.
’We did have an arrangement, Lacroix and I. A mutual beneficial pact to drive the lesser fractions from the city. Lacroix’s zeal in recovering the Ankaran Sarcophagus has been the exclusion of many relationships… mine included. And I, like yourself, have been used by him in his desperate quest for power.’
’Used? You? How?’ – frowned Helena skeptically. She remembered well the prince’s cautionarry words, but she wanted to know what is she wanted to tell her.
’Lacroix feared Alistair Grout, the Malkavian primogen – for the cursed insight of his bloodline was strong and brought him uncomfortably close to the truth about Lacroix’s ambitions.’
’And so?’
’Lacroix saw an opportunity to rid himself of two problems – a hardened rebel leader and a problematic primogen – in one fell stroke. And, as you can see, I was integral to his plan’ – admitted Ming. Then, without any caution, Ming’s face changed fastly to Nines’.
’What the hell? How did you? I don’t understand…’ - Helena asked confusely.
’Lacroix convinced me that an alliance with the Camarilla could strengthen the position of the Kuei-jin. And so, with my help, your prince framed Nines Rodriguez for the murder of Alistair Grout. You were made to be the witness, for your political naiveté put your word beyond reproach, no one would believe you’d devise such a story. Lacroix used you and once again turned a problem to his advantage. You need to understand that you are a liability, Kindred. Once Lacroix finds the right moment, you will be disposed of, just as he did with Alistair Grout, Mr. Rodriguez, your sire and countless others.’
Helena fell silent thoughtfully, while Ming changed back herself. Helena decided that she will ask it about the prince again.
’If the rumours about the sarcophagus are true, it’s not going to matter’ – answered back.
’Hear these words, Kindred. The sarcophagus is sealed against the ages, only the proper key will break this seal. That key now lies safely in Kuei-jin’s hands. Your prince’s prize cannot be had without it.’

Helena nodded, but she didn’t know to believe her or not. Maybe now she told the truth?
After Ming left her alone, Helena hurried back to her apartment, sat down on her bed, hided her face behind her hands. Her thoughts were higgledy-piggledy, she didn’t know what to believe. Helena didn’t want to being disappointed in the prince, she loved that feeling which was between them, but Ming told a credible story… She knew that Nines couldn’t kill anybody, especially if he hadn’t a reason for it, and Ming easily could change to anybody in a second. But Sebastian was so honestly with her, told everything about his life, a lot ot details which are hidden from others. And there was the prophecy, which could be true, and of course even false too… But firstly, she decided to ask the prince about it.

So Helena took on her suitcase again, and went back to Empire hotel. As she was standing at the door of the hotel, someone called her name again behind her.
’Helena?’ – the calm voice was Beckett’s.
’Beckett, what are you doing here?’ – asked Helena a bit scared.
’About the sarcophagus…’ - panted. He might followed her for a while.
’What is it?’
’I’ve learnt a lot… a lot about it… I read about it’– panted still Beckett.
’And what did you find?’ – Helena asked, Beckett sighed, then he continued:
’Don’t open it. Whatever you do, do not open the Ankaran Sarcophagus. In what form, I cannot be sure – but after studying the evidence, I’m convinced now that it is better left undisturbed. And anyone who’d pursue any other course is deserving of the consequences. There’s an intangible sensation I haven’t been able to put my finger on since I came to town. I still don’t know where it steeps from, but the sarcophagus is a possibility to eliminate that chance, it should remain closed.’
Helena got goosebumps.
’But you said you are not believe in Gehenna. What happened since then?’
’If Gehenna has begun, then we are all doomed, no matter what course of action we take. If someone opens it, it will be a disaster. It’s better to left it undisturbed.’
’Thank you, Beckett for sharing this with me’ – thanked Helena to him honestly. ’I’ll think it through.’
’Sorry for telling you that, Helena, but I think you deserve more than you got, and you deserved a chance. There’s a good possibility we may not meet again. Goodbye, young one.’
Then Beckett left her fastly alone. She were just standed there thinking about Beckett’s words. Now she was sure that there’s some true about the prophecy, and it’s worth to think it through.
The receptionist Chunk just nodded to her, then she stepped in the elevator. When she reached the seventh floor, knocked on the office’s door. Sebastian allowed her to come in, and when he noticed her, smiled welcomely, but Helena didn’t reacted on it, just took off her suitcase.
’May I ask you that is something wrong?’ – asked the prince surprised.
’I know where the key is at this moment’ – said Helena moderately. The prince gasped.
’What? But… how? Where is it?’ – asked shockingly.
’I just met with Ming Xiao on the streets. They had it. And she messages you something… Your alliance are over.’
Sebastian sighed nervously, and started to rage.
’This nonsense again! Look, I told you before: no Kindred would ever ally themselves with those… demons. This is a subterfuge, a trick to start a civil war … and apparently it’s worked. I see you don’t believe me already.’
’So you didn’t ask Ming Xiao to kill Grout and transform to Nines? Then you didn’t want to make believe with me, the only neutral Kindred in the society, that Nines is a killer? Or… you just really didn’t want to kill Grout and Nines?’
’No. I mean, I have an argument with Anarch for a long time, but to kill their leader? If it would be true, I could must join the Sabbat. By the way, Ming Xiao admitted you that she killed Grout, so I can stop the blood hunt against Rodriguez, immediately. And if we have some luck, I propose an alliance with the Anarchs. Together, we Kindred shall drive out these foreigners once and for all!’
’Do you really think it could work? After all this… do you think they would ally with us?’ – asked Helena disbelief.
’I see a chance on it. The previous Anarch leader was killed by a Kuei jin. If our goal is common, it could work.’
’And what will happen if we kill all of the Kuei jin?’
’We are going to obtain the key of the Ankaran Sarcophagus. If it could become to our property…’ - the prince started thoughtfully, but Helena horned in.
’This is the other reason I wanted to talk about with you.’
Sebastian sighed tiredly.
’Is there something else that happened in this little time when we were separated?’ – Sebastian asked by loath.
’Yes… I mean no. Well, you know…’ - started in embarassment. – ’A few days ago, when I was in Santa Monica, I made acquaintance with a few thin-bloods at the shore.’
’And?’ – the prince asked impatiently.
’One of them, called Rosa, offered me to tell my future’ – admitted Helena, but the prince just smiled. – ’Yes, yes, at first I reacted on like this, as you do now. But I thought, why not?! Then she told a lot of distraught things, but I unwittingly remember to a few things. As I came back to the city with the archeologist, these things came back to my mind, and I had to realize that every prediction has happened now.’
’Which are?’
’She told she could see me under the ground, on the sea, between crypts… well, then I was in the sewers looking for Nosferatu, I was on Dane, and killed the Chang brothers... between crypts.’
’It doesn’t make sense, Helena, sorry for telling you that, but we are just wasting our time’ – he waved in. ’Anyway, that woman is just a thin-blood. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, I don’t misprize her or her skills, it’s quite interesting though that she really saw what will happened, but…’
’She told something about the sarcophagus, too’ – horned Helena in again. It really aroused his interest.
’Really? And what did she said about it?’
’To tell you the truth, not so much. She didn’t said about it is about the sarcophagus, or not, but she said whatever could happen, but ’don’t open it’.’
’Hmm, it’s quite interesting. But I’m skeptical in it too’ – frowned Sebastian.
’And I’m still not finished yet.’
’Did she told something else?’
’No, I don’t remember more. But, I’ve met with Beckett before I came up here. He suggested the same, to not open the sarcophagus, and leave the past behind.’
’Hmm, Beckett’ – said Sebastian thoughtfully. ’And how could he explain it? Why did he never told me this previously?’
’He said, he examined it, and he learnt that it’s better leave it undisturbed. He believes if it could be open, it will be a disaster. And he didn’t thinks it’s because of Gehenna.’
For a minute, they were in silence, deep down in their thoughts.
’I believe nothing could happen if we open the sarcophagus. Then… why did we do these efforts? You risked your own life to obtain it, and when we got it finally, we left it undisturbed… Or what is your opinion, Helena?’
’I don’t know yet, I didn’t had time to think it through. But… I think I would not open it. Maybe you think it’s fictitious these intuitions, and I understand it, I know you always need facts. Johansen said that if Messerach is in the sarcophagus, for now it’s just dust or less.’
They fell silent again. Sebastian sat down on his bed, eased out his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, and lied back.
’What should we do now?’ – Helena asked.
’I’m thinking about it right now’ – sighed. ’Firstly, I break the blood hunt on Nines immediately. I think we have to cut out the Kuei-jin, before they do the same with us. And then, we obtain the key from them.’
She lowered her shoulders disappointedly and sighed.
’Don’t worry, I won’t forget what did you told. I already have an idea, but I have to think it through, before I would tell it to you.’
Helena nodded, and sat down next to him.
’May I ask you something? Would you look after Nines? They must know something about him in the Last Round pub. Until then I’ll notify everyone about my mistake.’
’Of course, I would’ – Helena told. ’It must have to be over soon.’
On that night Helena started to go immediately. Fifteen minutes later she stood at the front door of the pub. Damsel, the red haired girl – who were the best agent of Nines – were talked with another Brujah boy, called Skelter.
’Damsel, can we talk now?’ – Helena addressed her quietly.
’What the hell could want Lacroix’s little bitch from us?’– Skelter asked snarled.
’Good evening to you, too, Skelter. Damsel, I would like to talk with you, in private.’
’What? Why is this so urgent?’ – stepped aside with loath.
’I’m looking after Nines. Do you know where is him now? The prince wants to make an alliance with him.’
’Lacroix… an alliance with us? Ha! Has he – The ca – You’re fucking with me, right? Do I look like a goddamn source of amusement for you?’ – Damsel asked raging, as Helena anticipated.
’The bloodhunt with Nines is off. Xiao killed Grout, she is a shapeshifter.’
’We told him Nines didn’t do it! That son of a … And that Kuei-jin bitch! If I ever get my hands on her, I’ll tie her eyelashes to her ass hairs and bowl her ass into a car compactor! Demon… whore!’ – Damsel told it angrily.
’Now you see why I need to talk to Nines. Where is he?’ – Helena asked.
Damsel sighed, then answered.
’Okay, alright, I’m fine. Nines, yeah… I can’t believe it’s come to this, but ugh, I hate those goddamn devils even more than I hate that fascist dandy prince! Nines is… oh I still don’t know if I should be telling anyone, but… Nines is hiding out in Griffith Park. If Nines agrees the alliance, guess that means me and the Cam’ll be on the same side. Think I’ll go eat something so I can vomit.’
Then she left Helena alone, who didn’t want to waste her time so she left to Griffith Park. The cab arrived there a few minutes later, and the cable car way took about ten other minutes to the top of the mountain, where the Park was. It was a waste land: there was dark, the only lights were at the pedestrian way and at the observatory. She soon found him.
’Helena?’ – Nines stepped out from the dark. – ’Good to see ya again, kid. Heard you made quite a name for yourself – no small feat in this city.’
’Thank you.’
’I hear Lacroix needs us all of a sudden. Well, I’ll be damned.’
’He proposes an alliance with the Anarchs to get rid of the Kuei-jin.’
’Does he, now? You know, we just ended a war with them, and we lost a lotta people – too many. Does he expect us to do all the fighting while the Camarilla throws mean looks from the sidelines? Or are they ready to go toe-to-toe with those goddamn devils?’
’They’ll fight. The prince want the Kuei-jin dead just as much as you.’
’I still don’t trust Lacroix. But then again, the Camarilla didn’t wholesale slaughter us upon arrival. Goddamn it… I’m stuck between a rock and a son of a bitch.’
’I’m ready to fight the Kuei-jin’ – Helena told bravely.
’Have you ever fought ’em? Do you know what they’re capable of? How they view our kind? They’re demons in battle – killed my predecessor. It’s strange though…’ - shooked his head, then sniffed in the air. ’Smell that?’
’What?’ – Helena sniffed in the air too. ’Smells like smoke.’
’I don’t like where this is going. We gotta get outta here, kid!’
’Ah, come on, it’s just a little fire somewhere, maybe in the observatory, or…’
’No, kid, we’ve been followed. You think I hide out here because it’s a nice view? I did it because no one would come lookin’ for me in these parts. This is werewolf country. The wolves are gonna be out for blood for that fire. C’mon, move!’
’I have weapon with me, we can take them!’
’No. No, we can’t. You don’t understand what these things are capable of. Guns are useless and getting close is suicide. The only thing to do is run. Now let’s get to the tram, we can’t waste any more time, becau…’ - started Rodriguez, but a werewolf grabbed her like a fox could take a chicken.

Then, another one appeared at her. Helena tried to shot at it with her Colt, but it was worthless. She was just runned away from it for minutes, hurried to the tram, and closed the door beind her. When the tram appeared, she steppen in and fastly left the Park. She decided to get some help for Nines if she arrived back to the city. The cab was still waiting at her, so Helena took it. A few minutes later when she arrived at the Venture tower, Jack, the Brujah leader sat down unexpectedly in the car next to her.
’Here a tenner, now go, move fast!’ – started without welcoming to the cabbie. ’You are in a great trouble, kid!’
’What?’ – Helena asked confused. ’I’m not in trouble, Nines is! We have to help him…’
’Kid, listen to me now!’ – yelled at her. ’Ya’re in trouble! Nines probably died now, rumours says. I was came to you to talk. Lacroix is against you now, he took the blood hunt on you, so now, everyone wants to kill you.’
’Wh… what?’ – Helena asked disappointed and angrily. ’But… why? This is…’
’Enough, kid. Don’t be lost in the details. Wake up. Maybe now you know too much about the prince, or you’ve know something about him, which makes him uncomfortable, so that’s why he said you’re in a league with the Kuei-jin, Ming Xiao’s puppet, that you’re the one who set up Nines for her. It doesn’t matter now, we have to go back to your haven, bring everything which might you can use later, and get the hell out here. Understood?’
’But I can’t believe it… the prince? Why...?’ – mutted desperately. So the prince misunderstanded her, or is she the one, who misunderstanded him? Why could do someone like this? She have done everything for him, her life was risked for a lot of times just for him. And now, when they could live happily, he just got rid of her, like a used tissue? This must be a misunderstanding.
’Don’t try to find logic in this. Let’s think it out what to do now, what is your decision?’
’Decision? What decision?’ – Helena scratched her head worrily.
’You have to decide that where you want to fight with, kid!’ – Jack told commandingly. At this time they had arrived to Helena’s haven in Santa Monica. Fortunately just a few homeless saw them when they hurried up to the apartment. Helena collected everything which were still there. She couldn’t think it through what to collect up, Jack’s words were runned through her mind again and again. Jack watched out the window.
’Great, they are coming now… Oh, and if I’m not wrong, they asked help from the vampires of Sacramento, too. Hmm, they could be easily cheat out, silly mob. Many vampire could be happy with a power like yours.’
’Oh, joy’ – told quietly, when she looked astonished to the three pair of socks which she squeezed in her hand. – ’God, I really don’t know what to do…’
’Steady on, kid, damn! It’s a blood hunt on you!’ – Jack yelled. ’I got a driver who can get you where you need to go. Interesting guy, you’ll like him. But this place is bein’ watched. He’s across Santa Monica, by the junkyard. Get there and he’ll get you outta town. Okay?’
’Umm… okay’ – sighed Helena.
’These wackies are easy to play out, they are stupid. I think they really don’t know who are you exactly. If they know you, you could kill them. It doesn’t matter now. But you cannot stay here.’
’Thank you, Jack… Thank you everything’ – turned back to him from the door with a little smile on her face.
’Hey, kid! Choose wisely. Whatever happens, do everything you can. In case we don’t see each other again, nice knowin’ ya, kiddo. Give ’em hell, they deserve it.’
One minute later Helena came out the streets. This was the second goodbye which she heard on that day, and now she felt herself it’s her last day on Earth. This feeling was quite discomposed, and she couldn’t wait to find that cab, because the only shelter was that at that moment. She hided behind a garbage container, and took a look on the streets: strangers stood at the corners and before the houses, they kept watching people. Then a man stood very close to the container – Helena was worry about the cab, which could left the place anytime, so she had to use her skills and dropped him in trance. She didn’t want to kill him, because if he just die suddenly, she could easily revealed in front of everyone – vampires and mortals, too. She dropped trance another vampires too, and soon she reached Brothers Salvage. Helena sat down at the back seat, she felt herself so powerful because of the adrenaline, she could do everything in the world.
’Where to?’ – asked a friendly voice from the front. The cabbie worn a black shirt, his hair was like ebony, and sunglasses covered his eyes.
’I don’t know now, just drive’ – answered fastly, then the car moved immediately.
’The night has not been kind to you?’ - started a conversation the cabbie. Helena sighed, and watched out the window.
’No night has been kind since I became… never mind.’
’Caine’s blood courses through me as well… there’s no need for Masquerade’ – the driver admitted. Helena surprised: she traveled with this man many times before. If she did know that… ’In your voice, there is desperation… certainly there is an exit out of your predicament?’
’If I can get the prince to understand my innocence, I’m in the clear.’
’I could take you downtown, if that is your wish. This Prince Lacroix – is he really the tyrant the Anarchs make him out to be?’ – the cabbie asked interested.
’No. What Lacroix is, is a leader. Something the Anarchs can’t understand.’
’But what of the Anarchs? Don’t you worry that Prince Lacroix’s vision for this city precludes their existence? Their ways of life seem incompatible.’
’Without Lacroix, they would be lost. I think we can find a solution to find it mutually benefit to them, too’ – tried to convinced herself Helena. If she could have influence on the prince again, she would never let them hurt.
’Lacroix makes many new enemies all the time. It will not be long before someone challenges him for this city. Is by his side the best place to stand?’ – the mysterious driver. asked curiously
’The prince has got a secret weapon, I’m not worried. He believes in that.’
’The Ankaran Sarcophagus, you mean? Strange how Kindred from all over the city seem to fear its presence. Have you seen what’s inside?’ – watched behind his back via rearview mirror.
’Hmm, to tell you the truth… no. But I’m beginning to think Beckett’s right. It’s nothing, and it’s better to left is undisturbed.’
’I’ll drop you off downtown, if you’ve made your decision to pledge allegiance to Lacroix. It is a shame though, that the Anarch experiment must come to an end. I suppose…’ - started the driver, but changed it to whispering, and Helena couldn’t understand a word from it. Right after it, they had arrived. Helena thanked to him the conversation, and when she wanted to give tip to him, he grabbed her hand suddenly.
- ’Remember, wherever we go, it is the blood of Caine which makes our fate. Farewell, vampire.’
Helena looked scared at him, but she just didn’t dare to ask back something, so she just nodded at it, then closed the door.
As she entered in the tower, Chunk looked at her confused.
’Uh, I don’t think Mr. Lacroix expecting you. In fact, he told me I should detain you if you should come in.’
’Chunk, I don’t have time for it. Please, let me up there. He’ll like what I have to say to him.’
’Well… ’- scratched his head the receptionist. – ’I guess it’s alright. Eh… go on up. Oh sheesh, I hope I don’t lose my flashlight privileges for this…’
’You won’t, Chunk.’
Then she came up by elevator to the office of the prince. She knocked on door and opened it. Sebastian was all alone, putting papers on his desk.
’Helena…’ - Sebastian told by surprise.
’What the hell is this blood hunt against me?’ – slammed the door Helena behind her angrily. – ’Did you think I killed Nines? So that is what you think about me?’
’Please, I …’
’Let me tell you something’ – her raged. ’He was caught by a werewolf. We almost had the alliance when someone put a fire around us, then werewolves came, and one of them caught him’ – explained angrily and fastly, while the prince hummed thoughtfully.
’Fire. Yes… It all makes sense. The Kuei-jin must have followed you and set the fire. The fire triggered the wrath of the werewolves. And you’ve survived, it’s amazing, simply amazing!’ – wondered honestly.
’So you’ll call off the blood hunt against me? What the hell was your plan with it?’
’I just… ’
’Do you want me to being murdered? Do you have any idea how many Kindred are on the streets and waits for me? I really don’t understand how could you do it, especially with me, it’s unbelieveable!’
’I didn’t want to kill you!’ – intervened loudly Sebastian. – ’I don’t know if you noticed that I was ask help from Sacramento intentionally. I knew they had no chance against you, because with your skills you could easily kick them off. Did I said you that I have a plan, or not? Please, trust me!’
’For now, I don’t know who should I trust.’
’You can trust me. We still have one job, and then, we could live our unlives the way we want. Believe me, please’ – Sebastian asked.
’After all of this, it’s quite hard to trust you. You are risking my life, again and again!’ - Helena told angrily.
’I’m so sorry, but I have no choice…’
’You know, I really want to finish this sarcophagus story for all’ – told honestly Helena. ’ I’ll obtain that goddamn key from Kuei-jin, but then, I won’t do any other favor to you.’
’That will be the last one, I promise’ – assumed her. Helena shooked her head in disbelief, and left him without a word.

Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: The light in the darkness

Summary:

The last chapter has come, I hope you liked it. To tell you the truth, this was my first fanfiction which was translated (by me) to English. In my country, VTMB isn't that popular like in other countries, but I love it very much, and strangely Lacroix is my favourite character. I like him that much, so I have to write another fanfiction about him - for now, it's available in my mother language, but if you are interested about it, I'll translate that too.
Thank you very much if you read my story, I hope you enjoyed it. I enjoyed the writing of it.

P.s.: I have another Lacroix/female Venture fanfiction, so if you wish, I'd translate it too.

Chapter eight: The light in the darkness

The cab driver was wait for her at the parking lot behind the building, when she sat down at the back seat, she asked him to bring her to Chinatown.

Twenty minutes later she stared the red lanterns hanging from the city gate. She sighed when she arrived at the Golden Temple. Helena had to kill silently mass of guards, and when reached the dungeons, she was running out of power and munition. She drank up the last bag of blood in a guard-less, dark room’s corner, when Ming-Xiao appeared at her in an arched room. It was quite bright, spacious room, which was built with cold marbles, and got lightened up with torches on the two long sides.
'You’ve become a grave disappointment, Kindred. This was not meant to be your destination, but your path will end here' – Ming Xiao told angrily.
'My purpose is not yours to decide. I know what is the best for me, thank you.'
'You were never more than a pawn, Kindred, puppet of those who drew the boundaries on your horizon. It was I who sensed in you the power to right the balance of this city, it will give me no joy to bring you Final Death.'

Then, the Asian vampire woman changed her look, like she did the previous day, but now she transformed to an enormous eel-like creepy monster. It was awful sight, and Helena wondered that will she left this room alive or not.

She decided to fight against this monster, so took out her Colt, shot a lot to her head. The munition was out of stock fastly, so she had to thrown away the useless weapon. Helena used her remaining vampire power, tried to force it to suicide, but she didn’t accomplished something with it, just made it slower. Fortunately she found a guard’s Katana, and stole it, then tried to cut the monster where she could cut.
It took a lot of time to make her slower, and Helena was getting tired, because she had to run away from Ming, then go back to slap at her with the Katana. But then, the monster gave up the fight, and got the Final Death. Helena couldn’t believe she succeeded, but didn’t want to waste her time, so grabbed the little box from the other half of the room which appeared after Xiao’s death. She examined it for a while just to be sure if it is the real key. Then Helena sneaked out from the Temple, and it was easier than before, because she killed almost all of the guards. When she left the Temple, another cab was waited at her – Helena was sure it was sent by Lacroix.

She asked the cab driver to bring her to the Venture tower. Chunk was a bit friendlier like he did it before, he let her come up to Sebastian’s office, where the sarcophagus laid commanding authority. Softly, somewhere maybe from the walls was played Debussy’s Clair de Lune. For some unknown reason it made her feel that something will be over now, but she couldn’t tell why.
‘Sebastian’ – Helena called him, right after she arrived.
‘Helena’ – Sebastian told surprisingly. – ‘Are you alright?’
‘Yes, maybe… I brang the key from Ming Xiao. She’s dead now.’
Her hands were shaking and sweating, her heart was beating like crazy, and her stomach twitched. The prince just breathed fastly in excitement when he stepped closer to the sarcophagus. Helena squeezed the key in her left hand, and stepped closer to him, next to his left side.
‘I must admit something. No one has ever do a lot of things for me like you, in the previous days. But believe me, it was worth it’ –Sebastian told, and smoothed over the coffin.
‘Sebastian…’ - Helena begged, and looked at him to her side.
‘Believe me, everything’s will be alright, just in a second…’ - the prince told, and smiled like a crazy.
‘Sebastian, please… don’t do it!’
‘We could do anything, we could have everything…’ - Lacroix mutted zealously.
‘Sebastian, don’t do it, please! I don’t want it to open!’
‘Helena, don’t be afraid, believe me! Please!’ –the prince asked and looked at her back. – ‘Open it.’
‘And if something disaster happens?’ – Helena asked worrily.
‘It won’t… I promise. Nothing bad could happen’ –the prince smiled. She was more afraid as she saw his face: Sebastian looked like a lunatic. – ‘Just take my hand.’

Helena tamely closed her eyes for a second, and sighed. As she raised the key with her left, in a second she saw every pleasant memory in her short vampire life: the first moment in the old theatre, the prince’s first bite on the roof by the light of the Moon, the smiling Chunk, the glass with full of Bloody Mary which glistened in the lights of Los Angeles, and the waltz in the Empire Arms hotel…

She took the key into the lock. As she did it, nothing happened, but hanged on prince’s arm. He grabbed the key, and turned in the lock. When the lock clicked quietly, they look at each other: Helena’s eyes were fulfilled with tears, bited her lips, and shook her head, hoping nothing bad will happen. Sebastian just stared at her with a calmed smile.
The next moment, the sarcophagus opened up, but Helena didn’t had time to look in it, because in a millisecond she were somewhere else.

 

It was cold and pitch black everywhere. The breeze of dawn smoothed through her hair – it was the first thing she noticed around her. Then she realized they are stood in the roof of Venture tower. She held her hand to her heart in scare, but still squeezed his arms with her right hand. She looked on him, who gazed something in the distance.
‘What the…’ - Helena started, when a big crash from down intervened. The roof was shaking like at an earthquake, the windows were broken out, and flames flashed out beyond Los Angeles.
The sarcophagus exploded.
When she realized this, he hugged her.
‘You saved my life, and our life, again’ – Lacroix told gratefully. Helena was so in shock, couldn’t answer anything, just blinkened.
‘What the hell was this?!’ – asked then finally. ‘It was the Gehenna? It has started?’
‘No! I will explain everything, but we have to leave this city, now!’ – then Sebastian grabbed two old and ugly coat from the floor.
‘Wha… what are these coats? What should I do with them?’ – Helena asked shakingly.
‘We have to leave this place immediately! No time to talk, the police will arrive soon with helicopters, and the fire will reach the roof in a minute. Do you see that fire escape ladder there? We have to use that, climb down, and go to the sewers as fast as we could. Come on!’ – Sebastian shared the plan fastly.
Then they started to climb down on the awfully long ladder which was built in the backside of the tower. She followed her prince automatically while they wore the ugly coats. They was half way on the ladder, when she took a last look to the roof… Her hands were shaking as she thought back to the memories from there: the view, the blood-sucking, and the prince’s first kisses… it made her somehow sad. The only thing which will be with them forever is the Moon, the only witness of their love. On that night it was waxing crescent. Then they left the building in a dark foreboding alley.
‘Come, Helena, we cannot be seen!’ – the prince urged her in a whisper. Without a word, she followed him to the first channel cover, which has raised up by Sebastian, then they climbed down to underground.
She took the cover back, when she climbed down, then everything became silent around them: there were no panicking people, no sirens of police cars or fire trucks down there. They stepped out to the long corridors of sewers which were slightly brightened. In the underground they couldn’t hear anything from what they left behind. The only thing which could be heard was the dropping of water and the chirping of rats. They fastly got wet by the channel’s stagnant, stinky water, while the walls emanated cold at them.
They runned fast through the channels, Helena just followed him silently. After they turned left, Sebastian stopped immediately, and turned back to her, took her hand, and smiled.
‘Do you want a last kiss in Los Angeles?’ – he was asking in a manner which was unworthy of him, then he looked deep in her eyes. Helena was still in shock, but smiled back to him. He passionately grabbed her face, and kissed her.
Fifteen more minutes later they reached the suburb of Downtown, then they took their way to Santa Monica. Sebastian searched the bus stations on the old map which was placed on wall. When they reached the closest channel cover of the station, they climbed up. It was strange and surreal feeling to her: she was hiding with a vampire prince between mortals. She felt like they do something forbidden, like a student who cheat at a test.
‘And now? What should we do now?’ – Helena asked as they stood before the boards which shown the departing routes.
‘Come’ – waved to her quietly. The bus station was the last place where Helena could imagine Sebastian, and he may felt it on himself, but tried to stay determined.
‘What the hell had happened? Could you explain it to me, please?’ – asked despairingly Helena, when they stopped at the wall.
‘Do you remember, when I told you I have a plan? Well, this was that. You were afraid last time when you asked about other clans’ disciplines… you reminded me about my Tzimisce skill, and that’s why we suddenly appeared on the roof. You know, I wanted to open up the sarcophagus, then govern the Camarilla together with you, but when you share the prophecy with me, I changed my mind. Then I decided I give a chance to this prophecy. If nothing will happen, the glory will be ours, but if something bad happens, instead of Final Death we could create a new chance to live.’
‘A new chance?’ – asked astonished back. Helena’s life was risked a lot of times, she knew her life could easily over in any minute, but she didn’t expect this exploding. And she almost died there.
‘When the Belgian noble asked me that do I want to live forever, I answered seriously. And for it, I would left everything behind I built up, and change it to a new, happier life. My whole life was a big escape, I got used to it now’ – Sebastian admitted honestly.
‘And why should we had to escape? Why we had to hide that we survived?’
‘They found out our relationship, Helena, and Kindred wanted me dead for a long time. Did you see what was in the sarcophagus?’
‘No, I didn’t, but I presume it was a bomb’ – Helena answered.
‘Yes, and there was a message with it, from Jack.’
‘From Jack?’ – gasped. ‘But…’
‘He wanted to give the chance to you to survive, but finally, you stayed with me, and he didn’t expect it about. Then it was upon to you how you decide, and after it he didn’t care about if you are living or not. But he meant death for me. If Kindred would have know about we survived the explosion, I’m sure the Anarchs could execute us. I know what are you capable of, and I know my skills too, but the Anarchs are outnumber us. So that’s why I save ourselves from it, because if they kill me, I’m sure that you were the next one. And the blood hunt upon us could be that strong if the Sabbat would done it. And you know it well, the Sabbat’s executions are the cruelest. So I wrote a testament, which could opened up after my Final Death: I think tomorrow they will know that I marked Strauss as my successor. If I didn’t wrote the testament, Jack could be the next prince, because he killed the previous one, but in this way, he couldn’t be the next prince of Los Angeles. I’ve done everything for the Camarilla, but my career has ended here.
That’s why we have to left somewhere else but here. I thought about Seattle, because I know you wish to go back, and it’s a completely different world, than this’ – Sebastian explained. – ‘If it’s right for you, too. I already wrote a letter to the prince of Seattle in that case if we are coming.’
Helena just blinked, then nodded on it. After it, Sebastian walked to the cashier desk, and asked the bored-faced, old, blonde haired woman.
‘We would like to buy two tickets to Seattle, please.’
‘To the next route?’ – she asked, and started to hide a yawn. – ‘Umm… If I see it well, it starts in an hour, and it takes a day to get there, but you could left the route anytime if you want to get some rest. But you must use the ticket in a week’ – the cashier told the well-trained text.
‘That would be nice.’
‘I give you schedule with the stops and departure times. Can I have your ID cards? What are the names of the travelers?’ –the woman asked. Helena scaredly looked on Sebastian, but he wasn’t scared like her.
‘A moment…’ – then he took out two cards from his pockets.
‘Thank you, sir. So, the lady’s name… is… Elena Parker… and the name of the gentleman… is… Alec Cross*. Thank you, have a nice journey!’

The End

*Note: Alec Cross is the name of the prince of Seattle in Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines 2. La Croix means ’The Cross’.