Dedopulos **of Note** “Because then you’d be hunted down and killed. You’ll be much better off getting legitimized.’’ “Providing your prince doesn’t just kill me.” “She’s not my prince,” said Theo. “Actually, technically she’s your prince. I work for someone else. I do have some authority, you know.” “Enough to make them leave me alone?” The0 paused. “No. Not quite.” Delphine grimaced. “I was right. You are an asshole. You’re playing games with my fucking life, Theo.” “I’m doing everything in my power to save you, child. It would be a lot easier if you’d just trust me. You know nothing about any of this. Nothing.” “Jesus, it’s always ‘Tell me all about it’ with you isn’t it, and never ‘Here, let me explain.’ You’re being a jerk. If I’m ignorant, fucking bring me up to speed then.’’ ‘‘I will, don’t worry about that. Just as soon as we’ve sorted your status out. Just say what I told you to, okay?” “I don’t have much choice, do I. W h y are you lying about Kris, anyway?” “K ris ’ ?” “My-what’d you call it?-sire. Don’t you think “Uh.. .” “Well, she does. So, why did you lie to your friend?” ‘‘I didn’t lie,” said Theo. “I hardly ever lie.” Delphine looked at him flatly. “It sounded like you were lying to me.” Theo shook his head. “I told him that she had been taken care of, and she has. She poses no further threat to this domain. If he chose to interpret that as my having killed her, that is his business.” “You’re being a weasel, Theo. That’s lying by omission.” Theo sighed. “Look, I was called in to solve the problem, and I’ve solved it. It would have proven she looks like a Kris!” difficult to explain to him why I needed to keep her intact. I suspect she is insane, but she may actually know something useful about this slavery operation. It’s always good to have an ace or two up your sleeve, too.” “Would you get in trouble if I told on you?” Delphine sounded mischievously eager. “I’m afraid not,” said The0 wryly. “But you’d probably cut our chances of finding your sister.” “You’re not playing fair,” said Detphine with a pout. The0 glared at her. “I’m not playing at all.” A knock at the door stopped Delphine as she started to make some retort or other. She actually got a little paler, though it hardly seemed possible. Theo rested a hand on her shoulder sympathetically. “Come on, kid. It’ll be okay.” She nodded vaguely and stood up, letting herself be drawn toward the door. The0 halted before the doorway. “Yes?” “You are summoned before the council, Archon Bell.” The voice was unfamiliar. Theo unbolted and opened the door. A stocky vampire with short, blond hair stood a couple of paces away, looking politely attentive. “Would you follow me, please?” “Sure,” Theo said. “Lead on.” They walked through the corridors of the museum in silence. Delphine was wrapped in her own thoughts and hardly seemed to notice the surroundings. The0 understood her feelings, but there was little he could do to set her mind at ease, and the risk was real. Thestoc~vampirepalmedopenthesec~~doorsthat The0 remembered, and stopped before the closed bardroom door. He waited until The0 and Delphine were standing behind him, then knocked on the door. “Come,” called Elizabeth from inside the room. The vampire pulled the doors open and stepped back to let The0 and Delphine into the room. The doors closed behind them with a very solid click, and Delphine jumped slightly. The desks were laid out in the same configuration as before, with Elizabeth at the head, looking out across the table at the pair of them. The force of her beauty washed out over them, demanding respect and adoration. Delphine looked visibly cowed. “It’s a trick,” hissed Theo. “She’s not that beautiful or awe-inspiring. Keep telling yourself that. We’ll be through with this soon. Just don’t underestimate them. Don’t underestimate any of them.” Delphine nodded, nervously. Elizabeth stood up and took a couple of steps around the end of the table. “Good evening, Archon Bell. Do come in.” Her voice rang like music. They walked forward a few steps, then Theo stopped and nodded pleasantly to the prince. One bow was more than enough. Delphine remembered her instructions properly and bowed deeply. If Elizabeth was put out by Theo’s lack of deference, she didn’t let it show. “Welcome, Archon. I’m grateful to you for taking care of our troublesome intruder so quickly. Thank you.” “You’re very welcome, ma’am,” said Theo. Elizabeth gestured at the vampires sitting around the table. “You already know Angus, but I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to Christopher Houghton, Gloria Astor, Simon Crieff and Angela v incenze. Theo nodded to the primogen in turn, receiving smiles from Angus and Simon, and a less than effective withering stare from Christopher. “Ladies and gentlemen,” said The0 firmly. “Thank you for getting together for me.” A couple of the vampires bristled visibly at the implication. ‘‘I have some news which you may find disturbing.” “So I see,” said Christopher, eyeing Delphine coldly. The0 ignored him. “A syndicate of slave traders with links to major organized criminal groups is active in this domain. The syndicate is headed by a partnership of kindred and uninfluenced mortals. They prey on both kindred and kine.” None of the primogen looked particularly surprised or horrified. The dominant expression was one of guarded disapproval. “The dangers posed by this situation are intense. One mortal already gives evidence of knowing more about our condition than many neonates and is working with others of his kind to circumvent our powers of dominance. If this information should filter up to government circles or, even worse, to the heads of the major criminal organizations, we would all be at extreme risk.” “While I naturally deplore any breach of masquerade, Archon Bell, I hardly see a need for panic.” Despite her pretty, doll-like face, Gloria Astor sounded like a rather fussy schoolmistress. “Surely we have nothing to fear from these thugs.” Theo fought down a growl. “In the mortal world, Gloria, criminals are the new aristocrats, even more so than CEOs and bankers. Maybe that’s the way it’s always been, but this new generation of scum are better organized, better armed and better financed than many governments-and they are considerably better at taking effective action.” Gloria’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and she made her tone deliberately patronizing. “Maybe you’re suffering from battle fatigue if you’re scared of shadows. Perhaps Paschek should give you some time off.” “That’s upward of forty million shadows worldwide,” said Theo. “Well-trained, well-armed, ruthless, regimented, unconstrained, with de facto access to just about all the information there is, and the ability to hunt during the day. Yes, I’m scared of what could happen if these people were to hear of us without being held back. You should be too.” That got to them. The0 could see it. “People disappear in the country surrounding the Twin Cities,” said Angela. “That much is true. We’ve all been aware of it for a while. These stories of white slavery and global mafias working with kindred are new, however.” ((It’s happening. Believe it. The important thing is to find out how far it goes, and then take steps to deal with the problem, whatever its scale.” ‘So far, all I hear is words,” said Christopher. “What evidence do you have for any of this?” “Are you calling me a liar ?” Theo’s head swam as the rage flared within him. He took great care to keep it out of his voice. “Of course not,” said Christopher a touch too soothingly. “But you have a certain reputation for excitability, Archon. Maybe you were mistaken about the nature of the operation. I think there’s no real need to get our baseball caps in a twist now, is there?” “It is my belief,” said The0 icily, “that the sale I disrupted last night was going to be to one of the kindred. Someone high-ranking, with considerable funds at his disposal. Someone, furthermore, who may have had a ritual purpose for purchasing red-haired virgin twins. If I find that such a person exists, he will surely be guilty of breaching the tradition of the masquerade, and I would of course have to seek that person’s immediate execution. A rich, high-ranking ritualist, Christopher. I doubt there’s many such in this city. Unfortunately, I’ll only have time to conduct a truly thorough investigation into the matter if I’m prevented from investigating the root problem.” “Don’t be a fool,” said Christopher dismissively. “If you have done nothing wrong, then you will “This is puerile,” snapped Christopher. “Quite,” said The0 calmly. ‘‘I seek leave to have nothing to hide,” said The0 flatly. investigate a threat that might just engulf us all. You have absolutely nothing to lose by getting in my wayunless you are somehow implicated. If you allow personal dislikes to overcome your common sense, you will only implicate yourself in the eyes of your colleagues. There is no reason to object.” Christopher gazed at him impassively. Elizabeth spoke into the gap. “If the danger is real, then it is definitely worth pursuing further. Archon Bell is known to be both loyal and trustworthy, and there is nothing to be gained by stopping his investigations here. His testimony is significant. I trust that there are no further questions regarding its authenticity?” She looked expectantly at Christopher. He scowled. “Oh, very well. Investigate your paranoid dreams, Bell. It makes no matter to me one way or the other.” After a moment’s further silence, Elizabeth nodded. “Fine. Thank you, Christopher. Archon Bell, you are free to investigate this entire matter without hindrance throughout this domain.” The0 bowed graciously, ignoring the look the Tremere shot him. “Thank you. There is one further matter that I need to raise.” “The presentation of your mysterious guest,” said Elizabeth. There was a pause, and then Delphine suddenly remembered her cue and lurched forward a step, white as a sheet. She bowed deeply, noticeably shaking. “My.. . Um, I am Delphine of the Broo.. . Brujah, childe of Kristine, and I off.. . offer you my fealty, my prince.” Elizabeth’s eyes flickered to Theo, clearly uncertain. “Delphine was one of the slaves, ma’am. She was embraced by the rogue last night, so as to frustrate the plans of her would-be purchaser.” The primogen erupted. Christopher sprang to his feet, walked to the front of the table, and stared Theo TI^ Dedopulov straight in the eyes. “Tell me, Archon. What is the penalty for breaking the third tradition?” “This is not the-” began Theo. “I did not ask for commentary,” interrupted Christopher loudly, “I asked you for the penalty for breaking the third tradition.” The room quieted. “Death,” said The0 flatly. “For sire and childe. But ...” “What is an archon’s role?” The0 sighed. “To uphold the traditions, as directed by his Justicar.” Christopher smiled nastily. “So what are you waiting for? Kill the little bitch and get it done with.” Delphine gasped. “Or are you going to turn your back on the traditions and your career, Archon?” “She is a vital witness and may be the only link to locating the slave operation,” said The0 furiously. “Stop playing games with me, warlock. If I’m going to stop this thing and save all our asses, I need her.” “I’m sure we don’t need to go that far Christopher,” said Angus uncertainly. “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?” “Overreacting?“ asked Christopher, furious. “Was it overreacting when Sandra and her childe were put out to bum? You didn’t think so then, fop.” Theo could feel Delphine start to tremble beside him. “There are circumstances.. .” began Angus. “There are always circumstances,” replied Christopher. “Always. One law for all, you said. One law for all. I invoke that law.” “Theo, I’m sorry,” began Angus. “Hang on a fucking moment,” yelled Simon. “NO one is executing any of my clansmen in here. Your bloody childe was a menace, Chris. She had it coming, and we all knew it. Her latest illegal neonate was so stupid, he could barely speak. Latest, remember? We were merciful before, and she had been warned.” He turned to Delphine, ignoring the Tremere’s outraged splutters. “Tell me, girl. Were you an unwilling and unknowing victim in this? More importantly, now that it’s happened, will you obey our laws and codes faithfully, and support your clan, your primogen and your prince?” “Yes, sir,” stammeted Delphine. “Yes and yes, of course. Please don’t kill me now. Not after everything I’ve been through.” “More rebellious Brujah teens?” asked Gloria dismissively. “Don’t you have enough, Simon? We’re overpopulated as it is. She’s an unwelcome burden. The course is clear. Eliminate her.” Simon turned to say something to her, while Christopher started in on Angus again. Elizabeth looked at the primogen and walked around the table to Theo. “Perhaps you and your companion would excuse us briefly, Archon Bell? I understand your plea. We shall discuss the matter and call you when we have reached a decision.” The0 nodded reluctantly, took Delphine by the arm, and led her out of the room. She followed numbly. As the doors closed behind them, she said, in a tiny voice, “Oh god. They’re going to kill me.” ‘‘I won’t let them do that,” said Theo. “You can’t stop them.” Delphine’s voice was toneless. “Wait and see,” said Theo grimly. “This is more important than one prince and her council.” Suddenly, Theo’s phone rang. His heart sank. Sure enough, it was Paschek. “Justicar Paschek,” said Theo pleasantly. “Good evening.” “What the howling hells do you think you’re doing, you ludicrous idiot?“ Paschek was screaming down the phone, on the verge of blind rage. The0 blinked. “I’m not sure I.. .” “We’re supposed to uphold the traditions, Archon.
