l…the scent of blood, oblivion flooding over your senses like a cool wave, and an entirely unfamiliar se

r the smile on her blood-smeared face, light from above casting a radiant halo around her head. In that singular moment, she was the most beautiful thi

Cha

ced with sinewy muscle. For the second time in as many days this man has caused you no small amount of difficulty, although, were you given the option, you'd doubtless repeat today's misfortune over the events of the previous night. You massage your temples with your t

r—it's the fact that she apologized to you in the aftermath. Eden Corliss never apologizes to anyone, let alone a childe who disappointed her. Before she hid herself in her office, she handed you several file

ither side to an impressive peak. Voices above a hushed whisper have a tendency to echo throughout the chamber at dizzying frequenci

he dreary tasks were merely her way of asserting dominance over the younger generation, but you have to admit to yourself that the constant stream of reports on Ottawa's Kindred community have be

e

e day, swarming with hundreds of mortals all going about their agendas, then you look down at the files again and drum y

the Camarilla ordered an online communications blackout, your nights here have become dreadfully dull. Of course, after watching footage of the Second Inquisition's attack

w might you have dealt with the Anar

clan. It takes you a moment to remember his name, and by that point he's already torn his way through the room in a storm of scowls and swir

ghtly clasped hands. He smells musty, like old books, and his short black

tle doubt that he'll remember this favor in the future. "Gratitude," he sa

at you from a desk spilling with paperwork and reports. "Yes, childe? What do you—" She cuts off when she sees the

"It's lovely to see you, Eden," he says as he stands up straight, flashing a nervous smile at the Sene

ss. "You've caught me at an inopportune time, so I must request we

ther unusual courier. Furtive fellow. Eyes like a ferret." The Vizier procures a neatly folded paper from one of his robe's voluminous pockets and clutches it at his side. "The letter claimed to be from an anonymous Tremere outside of the city, and i

e

Have you any idea, Vizier, how many death threats I receive on a weekly basis?" Kashif shakes his head. "Enough

t stop him from continuing. "When I confr

Corliss's eyes

surd and went on to suggest I had fabr

ion, most Tremere left Ottawa in protest. Is it too much for your fragile ego to know that a single one remains? Do

ng factions of sorcerers and agree with my sire that

ling factions of sorcerers and warlocks when you can si

hen the Tremere afflicted them with a Blood Curse to prevent them from feeding off Kindred Blood—their precious vitae. The Banu Haqim had never forgiven them, and

neither fearful nor petty, Seneschal," Kashif replies dryly. "I merely petition the court on my own behalf. I was accepted into this city by its Prince under the Tradition of Hospitality, after whic

roof that these threats are even from the Tremere. How could we

would the Tremere play their hand so openly? Far more likely, another is ma

e investigated. Between this boldness and the growing presence of the A

an eyebrow, han

st. By all accounts, the condition is pandemic—elders from all corners of the globe unnaturally pulled

quickly. Both you and Kashif can sense that the circulation of such

s, pushing his luck. "The Beckoning strikes at random, drawing the elder blood home. Perhaps

"Leave these rumors in the whispers of El

f our Prince being called is not to cast aspersions; only

ve heard your petition, Vizier. I will open an investigatio

s before righting himself and spinning on his heel to face the exit, his multi-colored

hat Kashif has left the adjoining room. "These rumors co

oluntary nod. The tas

mors of Arundel's disappearance. If he was truly Beckoned, it woul

usat

nd. If the Prince cannot be found, I will assume control of the domain until such time as he returns. The office of Seneschal is not one to take lightly; Arundel hand-picked me for the position against t

in under

e you personally heard rumors about t

s's other childe, Lucca, and your retainer Gerard. Telling Corliss this may ingra

though it sounded like more of a quiet c

rmer hand with her. Thank you for informing me, Chasan. Your honesty is greatly appreciated." She looks over a sheet of paper on her desk for a few silent seconds

Nosferatu. I need you or Lucca to visit the Primogen, Bouchard, in his lair. Question him—gently—about any unusual activity he may have learned about in his domain." Just the thought of spending your night ankle-deep in sewer water fills you w

er estate. Vivian Maier was the last of us to meet with Arundel according to the Prince's personal ag

Street, and those are easy to get to and almost impossible to miss. Your fingers itch as you grasp for a cell phone that's no longer there. "Too dangerous," the Prince had said in his decree. While some princes turn a blind eye to cell phone usage, there had been

to reach the towering office building secretly owned by one of Vivian's shell companies through a means of financial wizardry you don't quite comprehend. Above the first floor, its soaring walls are a shining plane of mirrored segments,

What can I do for

see Vivian Ma

ooking down briefly to check somethi

asa

ls out an old-fashioned Rolodex, flipping through the cards to find your

I regret to inform you that Ms. Maier is not available at the moment. I have, however, been instructed to

a system in place to shuttle her "exclusive clients" to her home and back.

e

ation is an affluent neighborhood, largely cut off from the poorer parts of the city by an abundance of native greenery and the Rideau River. The home is surprisingly understated for a Primogen. Your ride takes you up

with a raised eyebrow. "Yo

here to speak w

red of station to be held at the front door without being offered

has recently concluded unrelated business. I shall inform her

e