Fabrizia Conteraz

Third-World Mexico has no appropriate method for dealing with the uncontrollably insane. If a family cannot care for its own, there is little recourse besides pleading for a monastery’s mercies or stoning. Treatment of the imbalanced is unheard of, and they most often end up in prisons or dead. From a certain point of view, then, Fabrizia was lucky to get shelter within the walls of Reclusiorio Oriente Penitentiary. With heavy hearts — for they knew she would only suffer unknown horrors with her fellow inmates — Fabrizia’s family left her on the steps of the prison and never looked back. In 1984, Mexican Sabbat consolidated their forces and sought out new recruits for a prolonged skirmish with Camarilla-dominated Houston. At that time, Licero Blanco led a pack of his cronies to the prison where Fabrizia happened to be held. Licero selected the strongest and seemingly most violent for recruitment. He personally Embraced Fabrizia, as her lack of control was, to him, a strength. Although the CHAPTER ONE 29 other Embraced inmates proved to beº flawed at best, Fabrizia’s mind cleared for the first time in many years. The curse of Malkav that had worked so many tricks on neonates throughout the millennia focused her thoughts and brought her back to reality. Licero, both amazed and disappointed by his new childe, escaped into the night with his progeny, leaving the prison littered with broken bodies of guards and inmates. Licero considered himself an asset to the Sabbat, and few in his corner of the world disagreed. He led his pack with strength and conviction, dealing swiftly with dissenters. Any who supported him earned his favor, and Fabrizia was his most loyal member and confidante. Over the next several years, the two fought the Camarilla off and on, and they explored each other’s madness (or apparent lack thereof) intimately. While other vampires formed their own packs or died in the continuing struggle with Houston’s “Kindred,” Licero and Fabrizia grew ever closer. Constantly overlooked as Licero’s pet, it was not widely known that Fabrizia played a key role in many of his victories. As Licero aged, his insanity became more distracting. Only Fabrizia’s sharp wits kept him focused on the goals at hand. When fate finally separated the two, it meant Licero’s destruction and began Fabrizia’s own rise to power. Fabrizia’s heart shattered when the news arrived that Licero had been lost in the Miami siege. Although no one could confirm his final destruction, she sensed that after so many nights with her mad lover, she was finally alone in the world. Regent Galbraith hated Fabrizia for distracting Licero and considered her a poorly chosen result of Licero’s deranged libido. She didn’t realize Fabrizia’s true role in Licero’s success and saw her only as a liability. Despite the perception that Fabrizia was Licero’s servant, she still maintained the support of her sire’s pack, and even became a ductus after Licero’s departure. Galbraith wanted to remove Fabrizia but could hardly justify wasting time on such a minor Cainite. Publicly and openly attacking her would only bring ill will upon the regent, and might have easily made her a laughingstock. Instead, Regent Galbraith named Fabrizia archbishop pro tempore of Miami in Licero’s place, with hopes that the Malkavian would fail miserably and be replaced by someone less despicable. Fabrizia surprised everyone by quickly and efficiently organizing the forces under her command. Miami became a strict, almost military, city with no quarter given to anyone who stepped out of line. So far, under her direction, the Sabbat has retaken several small cities from the Camarilla along the East Coast. The new archbishop’s strategies showed patience and careful planing. Fabrizia slowly introduced single members of the sect into Camarilla cities to search for the weak links and learn the inner politics. With few vampires to protect these areas, coups were simple for an organized force with inside knowledge. She introduced covert vampires into Atlanta, Columbia, Jacksonville, New Haven and Baltimore — and coordinated her spies with previous Sabbat activity in these cities. Regent Galbraith is simultaneously pleased and upset by Fabrizia’s success. On one hand, the regent must appreciate the victories the archbishop has won. On the other hand, she cannot believe the Malkavian duped her. To Fabrizia, the victories mean nothing. She continues her assault on the Camarilla, not for freedom or power, but simply for revenge. She was quite content to follow Licero until the end of time, politics be damned. Camarilla vampires took that option from her; she intends to take everything from them in exchange.