[b:1db3982941]Michelle[/b:1db3982941]

Swathed in nothing more substantial than moonlight, Kemintiri stood outside the doors of Julius Darrant’s York mansion. At those doors, the Toreador Eveshka now stood, dressed in black spandex and armed with her enchanted rapier and main gauche. For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet of night.

Kemintiri’s presence beckoned Eveshka, called to her deep in whatever soul she still possessed. Eveshka knew she was no longer bound to the anathema setite, but also knew that that dark beauty might still enchant her. Eveshka stepped forward cautiously, out of the doors and down the steps, but stopped well apart from her former lover. She was not at Kemintiri’s beck and call any longer. Neither beauty spoke, they simply stood there for a moment.

Without a word Kemintiri came slowly forward, hips swaying seductively, raven hair flowing like silk around her shoulders and breasts. She allowed Eveshka to see her as she truly was, to feel her presence and experience the perfection of form that 3000 years of un-life had brought her.

Still, Eveshka did not move.

Kemintiri came on, step by step, slowly crossing the distance between the two former lovers. Eveshka stood before her armed, perhaps armored, well prepared for combat. Kemintiri was not concerned; Kemintiri’s flesh was as marble and her powers far exceeded those of any mortal crafted weapon she had yet encountered in more than three millennia.

Kemintiri’s eyes ran across Eveshka’s lithe form as she approached. Her perfect, glossy lips parted just slightly as she considered the toreador’s body and remembered times they had shared. The thought of those lustful encounters prompted the release of slight gasp and Kemintiri licked her lips, her pink tongue sliding slowly between her slender, elongated fangs. Her eyes roamed the toreador as she remembered the creature’s sweet taste – and even sweeter bite.

And then the two stood, nor more than an arm’s length apart. Lust filled Kemintiri’s eyes; her mouth already parted as if to moan, her full round breasts, uncovered by anything but the stars and moon above, presented to her former lover. Slowly, she reached to Eveshka, gently taking the toreador’s hand. She could see lust in Eveshka’s eyes as well, but also mistrust, doubt, fear and defiance.

Kemintiri held Eveshka’s hand and began to slowly walk in a circle around the toreador, viewing her, examining her. She made no threatening move and said not a word. Kemintiri’s eyes ran across the black spandex that hugged every delicious curve Eveshka’s body had to offer and then strayed to look into Eveshka’s own eyes – still lustful, still wary, and still defiant. Kemintiri continued her circle, and once behind Eveshka she leaned in close to the toreador’s delicate neck. Kemintiri could see Eve’s hands slip slowly, but surely, to the hilts of her weapons. Kemintiri did not try to stop her, she simply breathed in the toreador’s scent and let the flame haired vixen breath in hers. As she leaned in, Kemintiri closed her eyes and let her breasts brush against Eveshka. For Kemintiri the contact was electric; her nipples hardened and she let out a slight gasp.

Kemintiri backed away slowly, completing her circle around Eveshka whose hands rested lightly on the hilts of her blades. Kemintiri reached out again, slowly, gently, and took hold of Eveshka’s right hand. Carefully, with as little force as possible she closed her hand around Eveshka’s forcing Eve to grip the weapon tightly. Eve’s eyes narrowed, but she did not yet resist. Kemintiri guided Eve’s hand back, drawing the blade free of its scabbard. Kemintiri stepped back away from Eveshka now, her hands sliding from Eve’s across the hilt and down the blade.

Silently, her eyes locked with Eve’s, Kemintiri stepped in front of the enchanted blade. Gingerly, her fingers lifted the tip of that dread weapon until it rested upon Kemintiri’s own breast. Her eyes still locked into in those of the toreador, Kemintiri took a half step forward and leaned into the blade ever so slightly. She gasped and the gasp turned into a soft moan, as if her lover had just entered her, which in some respect was true. A tiny rivulet of vitae ran down the milky white skin of Kemintiri’s breast, across her abdomen, and down to her sex. From there, a tiny dribble made its way down her leg.

There the two stood. Eveshka, in her black cat suit, arm and rapier extended, poised to impale, and Kemintiri, naked but for her own blood, poised to be impaled. Kemintiri’s eyes were heavy, her blinks slow and sensual. Her gaze was matched by her countenance, as her lips were still parted in lust and expectation.

For a moment, nothing happened. There was no sound and no movement other than the slow running of Kemintiri’s crimson vitae across her alabaster body.

Slowly a smile crossed Kemintiri’s lips. It was a wicked grin, born of lust, filled with expectation, and yet it also betrayed her vulnerability. She was hunter and hunted. Murderer and victim. Mistress and slave.

Locking eyes once again with Eveshka, Kemintiri finally spoke, asking but a single question:

“Are you still mine?”

[b:37a6a95f65]Julius[/b:37a6a95f65]

Julius headed firstly for the ballroom, where the three stunned Cascadians awaited. Gabriel opened his mouth as if to speak.

"Not now." Interrupted Julius before sound issued from Gabriel's mouth. "A Setite Antideluvean is at my front door and all here are in mortal danger. The name Kemintiri should mean something to you, Gabriel."

Gabriel blinked. Kemintiri, the Anathema, on Julius' doorstep. One of the Camarilla's most wanted kindred and considered dangerous beyond compare. The utter rediculousness of his situation was almost comical. From Seneschal of small town USA to this? At least Julius and Eveshka hadn't tried to eat him, yet just as he reels from discovering the truth of their powers, Kemintiri turns up. He should have expected it really. Doubtless Caine would be shortly arriving for tea and perhaps a slice of fruit cake.

"Stay here, all of you. The room is magically protected." Continued Julius. "If you see a small light appear, follow it to a secret exit from the manor. The wards upon the house will be your only defence, if this happens, for I shall surely be dead."

Gabriel could only nod as he watched Julius quaff a vast quantity of vitae, before running towards the front door. He stopped in the doorway, observing the dance. Watched as the snake once again attempted to snare Eveshka within her coils. Julius simply waited in the doorway, ready to fight if need be, but biding his time. This decision Eveshka would have to make alone and for herself only.

[b:fe83fffdcd]Gabriel[/b:fe83fffdcd]

[i:fe83fffdcd]"He wants us to wait here like fledglings?"[i] Porter snarled, taking several deliberate steps towards the door where the solemn Tremere slipped through.

[i]"Porter no!"[/i:fe83fffdcd] Kathy cried, chasing after him. Outside the chateau, barely visable through the high arching windows of foyer, lightning temporarily illuminated the treetops, and revealed three statuesque figures. Porter stopped, glancing over his shoulder, only a step from the front door. [i:fe83fffdcd]"Compared to what's outside, we ARE fledglings." [/i:fe83fffdcd]


[i:fe83fffdcd]"What do you think that makes Darrant?"[/i:fe83fffdcd] The Gangrel snarled, now pacing in front of the French styled double doors. The soft flicker of candles splashed his shadow across the narrow hallway, it's intricate dance moving with each step he took. Thick clusters of ebony hair trailed him as he stalked the room, almost catlike.

[i:fe83fffdcd]"Suicidal perhaps?"[/i:fe83fffdcd] Gabriel said quietly, having relocated himself near the front door as well. He crouched over several feet from where the Gangrel nervously paced, and sat digging through his suitcase.

[i:fe83fffdcd]"Well I refuse to hide in here like a coward."[/i:fe83fffdcd]

An oppressive silence overtook the room, and the three Kindred simply listened to the muffled voices outside quip back and forth. The air in the room began to stagnate and Porter was becoming increasingly anxious.

[i:fe83fffdcd]"Jesus Gabriel, what does she want?"[/i:fe83fffdcd] Kathy whispered, edging closer to the windows. At last her lover joined her side, staring apprehensively through the whitewashed window panes. The lawn spilled out in the front of them, drenched now in moonlight, the preceeding storm having seemingly vanished into thin air.

The Anathema, a figure he had never even comprehended running across, stood silently on the front lawn, her nude form contending with Eveshka's radiant beauty. She was both splendid and ghastly at the same time, the holder of so much power...

[i:fe83fffdcd]"I could say Kathy...but I've no intention to find out."[/i:fe83fffdcd] he whispered, finally producing a shimmering schimitar from a sack he had placed in his suitcase. [i:fe83fffdcd]"This thing is undoubtably more powerful than either Eveshka or Julius...I don't intend to be next in line."[/i:fe83fffdcd]

[b:0838291645]Michelle[/b:0838291645]

[i:0838291645]San Francisco[/i:0838291645]

Two women take seats at a small red table by the windows of Nirvana, a trendy noodle bar in the Castro neighborhood of the City. Though both beautiful, they are a study in opposites. One is a raven haired brunette whose gently wavy locks fall elegantly about her shoulders; the other is blond, her hair curly and seemingly unkempt, almost wild. The brunette wears a tight low-cut, silk, sweater that matches the blue of her eyes. With the sweater she wears a tight, but otherwise conservative, black skirt. Her legs are sheathed in shear stockings and she wears knee high boots with a substantial heel. Her make up is matched to her outfit and is perfectly applied. Her scent is musky, and expensive, without being too exotic. The look is elegant, relaxed, and professional.

The blond on the other hand wears an olive drab military style jacket, likely purchased from an army surplus store. She wears well-worn khaki cargo pants, the pockets clearly well used and full. She wears no make up, but its absence does not detract from her beauty. On her feet she wears Puma cross trainers. The look is somewhere between skateboard punk, homeless and third world adventurer.

The two study each other across the small red table. Both have ordered drinks and neither has tasted theirs. They are old acquaintances. Very old acquaintances.

As they sit watching the crowds go by out on the sidewalk of Castro St., they speak in French to lessen the chance of eavesdroppers. The general noise of the Castro adds to their protection.

The brunette speaks first. “You are a long way from home Lucinde. I find it hard to believe my return alone could drag you across the Atlantic. So what brings you here?”

The blond smiles. “Ever to the point Michele? No reminiscing?” She pauses, but only for a moment. The questions are rhetorical. “I have my reasons, and I have my questions.” The blond leans forward. “Tell me about York.”

The brunette, Michelle St. Claire, once Michele Du Claire, rolls her eyes at the question. “As I have said, many times now, I have never been to York. It has been years, decades even, since I have been to England at all.”

The blond, a creature known as Lucinde, simply nods. “Yes, but I had to hear you say it, see your aura.”

Michelle smiles. “I know. But you are still a bitch”. She holds the smile.

The blond leans back. “And you are still a whore. But lets leave the personal attacks out of this. You know why I have come calling don’t you? Why I am interested in your return? And your…departure?”

“You mean my betrayal? My torpor at the hands of the anarchs?” Though Michelle needs no breath, having been a vampire for more than 500 years, she sighs anyway. “Yes, I know why you are here. I have heard the rumors. Someone using my name and likeness went to York and the Camarilla, in its infinite wisdom made that person the Prince of the city.” Michelle smiles again. “Nice work by the way. I am simply soooo impressed by the efficiency of the Ventrue leadership and the inner circle in general.”

The comment bites at Lucinde, but she rejects the bait and does not bite back. “Do you know who we, or at least I, suspect is behind the deception?”

Michelle giggles. “Of course. Though you are the Ventrue Justicar Lucinde, you have had a single mission for decades. Besides, there is probably only one creature that could pull off such a ruse anyway. You are, as you have been for years, looking for Kemintiri.”

This comment bites Lucinde, as she fears her own transparency when it comes to her quest to find the anathema. For a moment Lucinde says nothing. Then she nods. She studies Michelle for a moment. She first met the dark haired beauty centuries ago when Lucinde was but an archon. She had helped raid a setite brothel, one that maintained a harem of vampires for clients whose desires could simply not be performed with, or on, mortal women. Michelle had been a part of that harem.

After her rescue, Lucinde had tried to train Michelle to become an archon herself. Michelle had so much potential. Her blood was strong, she was frighteningly intelligent and she seemed to be afraid of nothing. But, in the terminology of the Far East, she was a poisoned dragon. Her decades in the brothel, or perhaps her embrace or even just her native personality left her with a self-destructive hedonistic streak that could not be controlled. Even as Lucinde attempted to train her, Michele repeatedly got involved in one scandal after another in pre-revolution France. Her circle, then known as the Salon de la Nuit, formed the inspiration for Les Liasons Dangereuses. When the Salon was punished for their exploits, and for nearly violating the masquerade, their punishment was later recorded by the Marquis de Sade, a pet of certain elders at that time, in his 120 days of Sodom. Though Michele survived those times, as well as the revolution, she was no archon. Indeed, she was one of Lucinde’s great disappointments.

Lucinde looked across the table at her. On the outside, professional, elegant, and very attractive. On the inside, debauched, insecure and self-destructive. How sad. Still, Lucinde had a quest.

“I need your help.” Lucinde asked. “I need to know what you know about Kemintiri.”

Michelle furrowed her well-groomed brows. “Me? I know almost nothing. I have never met her as far as I know. I was told she performs a ritual on those who lives she assumes so I suspect she was probably mixed in with the anarchs who chased me into the tunnels. Why she left me in torpor and not destroyed I do not know.”

Lucinde considered the answer. It was what she expected.

For the next hour Lucinde asked questions and Michele gave responses that were not answers. She knew little or nothing that Lucinde did not already know.

“What is the inner circle going to do now? It’s bad enough that Kemintiri killed Michaelis and imitated a Justicar – now she has been a Camarilla prince? And note, both times, Ventrue. Our clan seems particularly inept at stopping her.” This last was a direct jab at Lucinde, who had served as archon to Michaelis and later as Justicar when Kemintiri had posed as the Prince of York.

Again Lucinde avoided the bait. She was not here to try and work out the centuries of bad blood that existed between her and Michele. She did have one final question.

“Michele, do you know a Russian toreador named Eveshka?”

Michele sat looking out the window at the colorful denizens of the Castro. “No. Should I?”

Lucinde smiled. She was well aware of Eveshka’s fondness for the false Michele. Perhaps that could be used. “No, I suppose not. Though perhaps I will arrange a meeting someday. Perhaps.”…

[b:c81c9d90e2]Eveshka[/b:c81c9d90e2]

"Are you still mine?"

The question reverberated and echoed through the night like a full battery of artillery firing in unison in the midst of a prayer meeting.

Kemintiri stared deeply into Eveshka's soul with her lips parted expectantly.

"Were you ever mine?" asked Eve, flexing her fingers beneath the immaculately roped golden hilt of her rapier. She knows that mere yards away, Julius and his entire arsenal of supernatural powers lay coiled to strike this snake from the past. Kemintiri smiled at Eveshka with a slow smile meant to disarm her. Eveshka does not smile back.

"Did it not seem so - am I not yours right at this very moment? Yours to kill, or yours to love...." said Kemintiri.

"It seemed like something," responded Eveshka with a hint of sorrow in her voice. Sorrow and longing. "what would you have of me now Kemintiri. There was a time when I would have given my very soul to keep you safe, yet you ran from me."

"Did I? I do not remember - I do not remember how I ended in sleep next to you, though I am aware that you drank from me - indeed, tried to drink all of me. It does not seem to me that I ran - but you did try to slay me..." purred Kemintiri seeming sincere enough.

Eveshka's eyes blazed defiantly as she growled, "You induced it somehow. I would not have destroyed you on my own. You tried to use me."

Kemintiri answered her with a bittersweet smile saying, "Perhaps, perhaps, there are certainly times when I long for the release of final death."

"YOU didn't want the release of final death, you wanted to be free of the hounds of the Camarilla, "yelled the Comtesse blinking a blood tear away. "You KNEW i couldn't take all of you!"

The setite antedeluvian regarded her silently for a moment, "If I wanted to be free of the hounds, why would I appear here - in front of their servants, with no disguise, no srtifice to hide me, naked, and at your mercy? If I wanted to disappear - I have had my opportunity.
But I came back - I came back for you.... And now I risk everything."

Eveshka blinked more blood tears away and looked away from her former Dark Mistress. Her rapier, still pointed into the Dark Mistress' chest faltered slightly as the spiritual battle within Eve raged once again. The battle between Sacred Love and Profane Love. Finally she spoke. "So what would you have of me?"

Kemintiri ran her hand down the length of the Toreador Methuselah's blade causing blood to run down it, through the rope work of the intricate guard and onto Eveshka's gloved hand. Even through the glove the vitae seered her undead skin. Kemintiri smiled and said, "I stand at your mercy, under the gaze of your wizard, in front of the hounds of the Camarilla who watch, behind leaded glass..." After an eternity of silence she finished with,"I would have you. As I had you before, and as you had me...."

"Who ARE you?" demanded Eveshka. Kemintiri gasped slightly. "Are you Kemintiri the Destroyer? Kemintiri the murdering Whore? Or are you something else completely?"

Kemintiri turned her head away, her turn to shed tears. "I....." began Kemintiri, only to be cut off by the Russian.

"I am not the same woman I was three years ago. Things are happening that are greater than me, more powerful than even YOU Kemintiri," said Eve, turning the Setite Goddess around in a slow circle with her rapier still pointed into her naked breast.

Kemintiri allowed herself to be turned while she softly said, "There are many, many things more powerful than I.... And few as lost."

Eveshka continued circling her, the rapier point forcing Kemintiri to circle with her. "So who or what are you," demanded the Russian, her aura flickering all over the place." Kemintiri sheepishly whispered, "You tell me. Who am I? Who SHOULD I be?"

Eve stopped turning Kemintiri and said, "It doesn't work that way KEmintiri. It's only taken me 800 years to figure that out. You've had 3000."

Kemintiri blinked and said, "Have I? I suppose I have..."

"There was a time that i would have gone through the fires of hell for you.... to be with you," said Eveshka, her emotions taking over more and more as she speaks with the Setite.

"And why not now?" asked Kemintiri.

Eveshka stomped her foot and lowered her rapier screaming into the night, accenting each word sharply, "BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE REAL!!!! Why am I different? HOW am I different? WHY ME!?!?! Why not that useless piece of shit Lucinde?," screamed the Toreador Princess, her words dripping with wrath.

Kemintiri smiled softly and asked, "A riddle of the heart Eveshka?" She regarded the younger vampire for a moment before continuing, "In all this time I do not understand mine any better than I did so long ago when...... well... when I was younger..."

"For once in our relationship, answer me straight forward," cut in Eveshka, ending the Setite's musing. "I know you still have emotion. I know you still feelm," she said. "We joined once... remember? In Warwick. We became one."

"I remember," said Kemintiri.

"You pushed me out.... why?" asked Eve. "Was it to save me? Or to HURT me?"

The Egyptian softly, and with all appearances of sincerity, "Never to hurt you Eveshka, never to hurt you."

Eveshka closed her eyes and used Skin of the Adder for the first time in years, a gift from the union of the two vampires in Warwick by an ancient Druid. Her skin changed colours and took on the appearance of a snake. Inside the house Gabriel and Kathy gasped. Julius, who still stood at the top of the stairs simply watched.

"You are still in me," said Eve to Kemintiri. Almost accusing her with the statement.

"So i see," said the Setite, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I don't want it anymore," said Eveshka, letting the effect run its course. "I can't take the debauchery. I can't take the immorality. I can't take any of it. I am too old for this nonsense and I am running out of time."

Kemintiri laughed outloud. A sinister sounding laugh, but one that had elements of humanity to it still. Anger flared up in Eve's eyes at the sound of it.

"The debauchery? The immorality?" asked Kem. "Where do you see either of these this night? Have a brought a harem of boys?"

"I saw the lust in your aura," said Eve. "The basest of romantic notions."

Kem smiled wickedly and said, "Yessssssss..... I do lust for you Eve - I always have, do you find that so repugnant?"

"No," answered Eve with cutting simplicity. "I still want it," she continued and lowered her head in defeat. The Setite would have her again, she thought. She would have her and there was nothing she could do about it.

Kemintiri reached out slowly to touch her chin and raise her head. She stepped in slowly and paused, a scant breath away form Eve's face. At the first touch of Kemintiri, Eveshka recoiled with a mighty gasp and summoned a host of wraiths which circled and screamed around them like banshees. Banshees that awaited the signal to attack.
Julius' eyes turned to flaming orbs at the site, but did nothing. He would not interfere until called upon. Gabriel and Kathy gasped at the site of the legion of wraiths circling the manor and the two seemingly omnipotent women standing out front.

"DO NOT TAKE SUCH LICENSE WITH ME!" screamed the angry Toreador. " I don't know anything. I don't KNOW a FUCKING THING."

Kemintiri, who had flinched slightly at the army of undead beings, recovered in less than a heart beat and icily said, "Vulgarity does not become you Eveshka. But i will not take such license again." Eveshka tried to read her aura at this, but could not as it was securely hidden behind Soul Mask.

"Even now you re hiddne from me, " said Eve. "You come desiring me and you cannot even reveal yourself to me."

"It is not you I hide myself from," said Kemintiri. "It is the sorcery of the wizard."

Eveshka flashed her eyes to Julius who stood smoldering at the top of the stairs. "He will do nothing Kemintiri. Unless you attempt to harm me," she said and paused a moment before continuing. "Then all Hell will break loose."

"You underestimate his passion, Eveshka," said Kemintiri.

Eveshka quipped back, "Enlighten me then."

The two regarded each other with tensions building to an electrifying peak. The tension broke as Eveshka flung her rapier into the ground saying, "This reminds me of another time...."

"When was that," asked Kem, watching Eveshka draw her main gauche and fling that away in turn as well.

"When i was your regent and tried to break the bond myself to see if you truly loved me," answered Eve. "I am unarmed. If you would have me, what will you do with me," asked Eve. Kemintiri said nothing. "I am now a Prince in my own right."

Kemintiri looked slightly taken aback, but then looked almost proud. "Are you?"

Eveshka took a few steps closer to Kemintiri and asked, "Would you have me give it all up for one last hurrah of destruction before the entire inner circle crashes down on our heads?"

Kemintiri recoiled, with tears flowing fown her cheeks. She opened her mouth as if to speak but cannot seem to find words.

"No," the villanized Egyptian Queen finally responded feeling beaten.

"Good-bye. Eveshka. Live long, and find happiness," she said with a smile and turned to go.

Eveshka watched her for a moment. Julius' eyes returned to normal thinking that the situation was finally over.

"Then WHAT," asked Eveshka moving towards Kemintiri again, Julius rolled his eyes thinking, "Ah fuck, here we go again."

"What would you have of me, Kemintiri?"

"You were the first to make me feel like a goddess," said Eve. "Did you USE me?"

Kemintiri stood slightly bathed in shadows, shadows that were pierced at times by the passing of the wraiths that yet circled the area. "You are right Eveshka - you have alife, a world, a place, friends - I would only destroy it. I do not wish to do that to you."

"Then WHY must you destroy it?" implored Eveshka. "Just banish Kemintiri, go back to being Michelle."

Kemintiri looked at her and shrugged with a smile, "Because I am the villain - and as you said - the inner cirle will come, Lucinde will come, and they will try to destroy me and those that are with me." She smiled another bittersweet smile and finished with, "And the real Michelle is awake."

That last statement didn't even register with Eve. "You want me to tell you who you are?" she asked. "You are a woman. You are a woman who has been MADE a villain. Lucinde and the entire Inner Circle thinks you are gone. STOP trying to find the secret to eternal Life. IT DOESN'T EXIST!"

Kemintiri's lips part to speak but again cannot find words for a moment.
"You may be right Eve, but whether I was made a villain, whether what I seek exists, you are also right that I will likely bring you only harm," she said. "so - what would YOU have me do?"

Eveshka covered her face with her hands and continues to weep. She meandered drunkenly to lean against a tree not far off the path. She knows she lost the fight. She knows it in her heart. She whispered more to herself than anyone else, "I love you, god help me I still love you." Eveshka looked up at Kemintiri and commands, "Come away with me to Touraine." She blinks her eyes frantically as if fighting within herself again. "You will be safe there. It is my domain: Chenonceau, Tours, Chinon.... all of it. Mine." Julius groaned standing on the door step, knowing the battle has just been lost for good now.

Kemintiri smiled at her and said, "I love you too Eveshka - and you want me to come with you I will, but I do not wish to bring you any harm."

"THEN DON'T HARM ME," shouted Eveshka in exasperation. "It's REALLY that simple."

"Is it?" asked Kem with genuine confusion. "Is that the way Lucinde will see it? Or the inner circle? Or even my younger bretheren?"

"Just don't surface again, and what they think can be changed, erased from their minds."

"But i HAVE surfaed Eveshka, right here... right now... to see you," said Kemintiri.

"I know that, take a new form, a new identity. Come with me to Touraine. Just start again. Just believe you can, that's all you need to do," said Eveshka sounding, in Julius' ears, like a complete fledgling.

"Continue your search for true immortality, just don't start blowing stuff up. Touraine is safe. It's quiet. It's MINE," said Eve with much conviction.

Kemintiri smiled and nods. "I will come Eve - but tell me this, will you allow me my search? Do you not have a search of your own? Do you not still seek the blood of the one you call Caine?"

"I seek something," said Eveshka. "I don't know yet what it is." Kemintiri nodded as Eveshka looked down, thinking. "I do know," she continued as Kemintiri smiled. "I am not seeking the blood of Caine. I am seeking redemption of my own soul."

Kemintiri looked at her strangely, not comprehending her meaning. "For what?" she asked. "Eveshka - just because you are undead - why do you believe your soul in peril?"

Eveshka looked into Kemintiri's eyes once again, her soul reaching out again, becoming entrapped in the unknown that is the Anathema Kemintiri. "What good is all the power in this world if you can only wield it for at most a few hundred years. A reckoning is coming," said Eve. "I still cannot commune with the Lord, I still cannot set foot on consecrated ground, I am still damned." She stared into Kemintiri's eyes and delivered the punchline, "As are you."

"I have heard that before Eveshka - in fact, I have heard for 3000 years, and as much as I would like that day to come it never does," said Kemintiri with bitterness and sorrow in her voice.

"Help us find it," begged Eve, sinking to her knees and grasping Kemintiri's right hand . "Help me, please my love.... help me."

Kemintiri dropped to her knees as well and kissed Eve's hand, "I will help you my love, I will help you."

Eveshka smiled and said, "Go home now... Go."

Kemintiri looked sad again and asked, "Home? Where is home?" Eveshka looked at her a moment before answering. "Do you recall the Loire Valley from Michelle's youth?"

Kemintiri smiled and nodded, "Of course, it is as if it was my own youth."

"Mont Louis. The chatelet on the hill, just outside of Valencay."

Kemintiri nodded.

"I will be there soon," said Eve. "If you are there, I will knoq you are true. If you are not," Eveshka paused and looked away. "I will forget you."

"Alright my love," said Kemintiri in something sounding like relief. "But Eveshka...."

"Yes?" asked Eve.

"I know you seek to protect me in your lands, in your domain, and I will go and will be there waiting for you - I ask this," she said. "Please do not turn your fortress into a cage for me. I have not the strength to escape anymore, and eternity as a prisoner is more than I can bear to think about. Let me be you lover - not your possession."

Evshka nodded with a smile, but said nothing.

"But I will be there either way - it is only a request," finished Kemintiri.

"It will not be a prison. You are free to go," said Eve. "If you go and do not return, know that I will not look for you. Also know that I will not betray you. If you leave here now and go your own way, I will not give you away."

Michelle smiled and said, "Then i will await you there in the Loire. But one lsat thing."

Eveshka looked up at the wraiths still flying around, to Julius who stood listening, to the nearly comical expressions on Gabriel's and Kathy's faces through the window as they strained to listen in but couldn't. "Yes?"

Kemintiri looked at Eveshka very seriously again before speaking. "As I mentioned, Michelle is awake in San Francisco. Stolen from Paris and sold back to the new Prince there."

Eveshka looked more confused than alarmed. "Stolen from Paris? What are you tlaking about. I had her KILLED. Gaelle brought me word of the success of her mission." She shook her head in confusion as the world again turned upside down. The battle within her began again.

"I do not know how it happened, I just have a link to her so I know it did happen," said the Setite. "She has been asked about her time in York.
About why she abandonded her city.... Her responses were as you might predict."

Eveshka said nothing, she wsa thinking that Renee had to have known something about it and kept it quiet from her. She was the one who observed that Michelle St. Clair was no more from her aura. What was going on? Had she been duped?

"Lucinde goes to San Francisco and will pick up the trail from there," said Kemintiri. " I say this just to warn you."

Eveshka looked down, heavy in thought. "I will have a talk with Renee. She led me to believe," Eve trailed off. "Lucinde is going to San Francisco? I can't have this." The desire for self preservation was warming up her well honed skills of deception and scheming. Kemintiri touched her hand and said, "I will try and disappear into the Loire."

Eveshka wasn't listening, "Lucinde already wants my head, she will just use this as as pretet to destroy me."

"Avoid her," commanded Kemintiri. "She may not be as powerful as you, but if slain, the whole of the Camarilla will follow. I know, it is what happened after I killed Michaelis. And I have been running ever since."

"But they already know, or THINK that they know that I diablerized you," said Eveshka in a slightly calmer tone.

The two talked for a moment longer about the possibilities of duping Lucinde, there was no question about it, Kathy's and Gabe's minds would be erased. It wouldn't be too difficult. Porter wouldn't need to have his mind altered. He could be trusted. Julius, of course, was completely trustworthy. Gabe and Kathy were the loose ends. Eve's mind was reeling. She did not want to have to make anyone "disappear." It depended on how well they responded to "suggestion." Eveshka finally looked at Kemintiri with concern in her eyes, "Go.... Hide."

Kemintiri nodded and said, "I will, goodbye Eve. Come for me. I will see you soon I hope." She turned and walked into the night, fading into the darkness.

Eveshka turned and walked up the stairs towards Julius who was going to need some explanations.

"When it rains it fucking pours," said Eveshka as she approached Julius.

[b:4fee17adfc]Eveshka[/b:4fee17adfc]

Julius looked at her apprehensively as if waiting for more information.
They were in relative seclusion here on the doorstep but she knew that inside were Porter, whom she trusted, and Gabe and Kathy, whom she did not trust, but could easily deal with. She whispered to Julius, "I will fill you in on everything, but their memories must be altered first. At least Gabriel's and Kathy's." Julius nodded. "We brought them out to the front entranceway to show them the lovely marble pattern," asked Julius. "That's as good as anything else," replied Eve. "And it is simple, it would be very hard to find fault with something that mundane."

The two rearranged themselves and entered the mansion to modify two memories. Eveshka gently took Porter by the hand and led him away, while Julius was finishing up the last bits of memory modification. "Please Porter, I am trusting you to keep this secret. It is not what you think. SHE is not what you think," said Eve, motioning back in the direction that Kemintiri had been. "Please, I have never betrayed you or led you astray Porter, in all the years we've known each other. Please go along with this one."

Porter considered it for a moment and said, "Ok Old Woman. But you owe me something big for this." Eveshka merely nodded adn then smiled. "I will owe you something for this, not a lifeboon, but something big." Ports patted her on the hand and said, "I believe you were showing us some pretty rocks in the entry way."

The two went back in and heard Julius giving a witty discourse on the various nifty things that can be done with Marble.

[b:7685afc2fb]Julius[/b:7685afc2fb]

What in the name of fuck was she doing? After all of this, after she tried to kill him and he yet again risked his life to break her bond, the snake slithers in and Eve promises to keep her safe. Julius felt betrayed and he did not care for being described as "your wizard". Only a few months ago an event like this would likely have shredded his often fiery temper and someone would have suffered for it. Perhaps himself. Recent events had taught him the value of restraint and it was only fair that he give Eveshka the chance to explain.

The night had been long. He had made some pretence of looking at Gabriel's sword, intending to study it further later. Gabriel had, finally, begun to be honest with him and with Porter as a trusted link between Eveshka and Gabriel, there had been less suspicion and tension during their discussions. Julius would be heading back to Turkey with Gabriel whilst Eveshka would head to Touraine. As far as Gabriel knew, she needed to attend her fief.

As the first hint of the coming sunrise began to lighten the sky, Julius and Eveshka were finally left alone. Gabriel and Kathy lay entwined in a guest bedroom and Porter was... well wherever he was. Julius poured three drinks, setting a large armagnac in front of himself and in front of Eveshka, both a large malt scotch and an absinthe, mixed with vitae, a stick of celery in the glass.

Julius raised his glass, meeting Eveshka's eyes and summarized all of the questions on his mind into one simple statement.

"I wasn't sure what you would want to drink, love." He said.