The next morning, Jennifer returns to Arnborg's hideout under the mansion...

Damn, my head... Ugh, why did I do this? Going out to fuck some faceless strangers, what a horrible idea! Well, at least I turned back into a human when I was sleeping.... I just hope I didn't get any STDs... wait... who is that?

 

 

Muscular Vampire: "You little rat, you're gonna tell me what happened here, and you're gonna tell me now!"

Arnborg: "What's the big idea, knucklehead? Your golden boy played with powers he didn't understand and got the bill for it!"

Muscular Vampire: "Alright. You didn't want it any other way."

 

 

Jennifer: "Stop it!"

Muscular Vampire: "You think you can escape the Hawthornes, Rehnskiöld?!"

 

 

Muscular Vampire: "Talk! Or I will pick apart your bones, one by one, and send them to your little slut!"

Arnborg: "Don't... mention her.... you...."

Jennifer: "Hey, asshole!"

 

 

Muscular Vampire: "What? You already got a new bitch, Rehnskiöld? Heh. Can't miss her that much then. But you have taste, I must admit."

Jennifer: "I'm his apprentice, dickhead. And if you don't leave him alone, I'll..."

Muscular Vampire: "Do what? Tickle me? I just beat your master unconscious, how could you even think of rivaling me? After all, you're just a wo-..."

 

 

Jennifer: "Say what now? I don't think I heard you quite right. I'm just a what, exactly?"

Muscular Vampire: "You fucking brat!"

 

 

Muscular Vampire: "What the...?!"

 

 

Muscular Vampire: "A Succubus, Rehnsköld? That's.... not.... fair....."

As the mysterious assailant falls unconscious, Jennifer drags him into the what used to be Arnborg's cell...

 

About an hour later...

 

 

Arnborg: "How the mighty have fallen, eh, William? What's the matter, are the Kensingtons nothing more than the Hawthorne Dynasty's lackeys now?"

William: "Mock me all you want, Arnborg. At least the Kensingtons have made the most out of the last twenty years... while you have been rotting away."

Jennifer: "So... who exactly is this guy?"

 

 

Arnborg: "William Kensington. The last time I saw him, he was the heir to an influential British family of Vampires, dating back to the 17th century. That, however, was twenty-two years ago, when he was an Agent to the European Council of Vampires, just like me. The Kensingtons always were pretty power-hungry, but I would have never guessed in a hundred years that they would subordinate themselves to another family, let alone one that is from a rivaling Council."

Jennifer: "This William ain't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, huh?"

Arnborg: "You've guessed it. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that he ran the family into the ground after whatever happened to his father."

Jennifer: "And who are these Hawthornes? Another family?"

Arnborg: "Yes. They're Americans, however, so they sit on the American Council, not the European one. They are the Dynasty that's behind all this mess here, my imprisonment, Valerian's ambitions... I assume good old Willie here was sent to us after Valerian stopped giving reports to his masters."

Jennifer: "All this talk of families makes me think the world of vampires isn't too much unlike that of the mafia."

Arnborg: "It kind of is like the mafia, except that our criminals aren't usually out for money, but for blood. And sometimes Succubi run their own prostitution rings. It's more of a network of medieval feudal lords rather than an actual mafia."

Jennifer: "Seriously? Vampire society is stuck in the medieval times?"

Arnborg: "Well, yeah. It's kinda hard to overthrow the government if no one from outside is allowed to know about either you or the government."

Jennifer: "Fair point, I guess."

Arnborg: "Anyway. Time to interrogate our guest a bit."

 

 

Arnborg: "So, Willie. What's the matter here? I assume the Hawthornes wanted to check in on their little investment called Valerian?"

William: "Fuck you. You're not gonna get anything out of me, loser."

Arnborg: "You know, Willie, I may have been twenty years in this prison, but I think I can still remember the phone numbers of the offices at the European Council. Should I give them a call? Maybe tell them you said hi? Oh, and while I'm at it, I could mention that you betrayed them for the Hawthornes. How does that sound?"

 

 

William: "Smug little bastard. I'll...."

Arnborg: "Oh, and don't you try and teleport yourself out of this cell. I know better than anyone else that regular vampires cannot do that in there. Trust me."

William: "Fucking... alright. Yes, when the Hawthornes didn't get any notice from this... Valerian, they had a suspicion that he tried something funny and fucked it up."

Arnborg: "And what exactly was that suspicion?"

William: "Hell if I know. It sounded like he had different, personal goals, other than working for the Hawthornes. All they told me was to get here and beat him up if he does something funny, and find out what happened."

Arnborg: "And what are those goals? What do the Hawthornes wanted with him?"

William: "Man, Rehnskiöld, did the boy torture you down here or are you just this dense? The Hawthornes want what every vampire family wants; Expand their turf and increase their power. They just thought Valerian would be a good vassal for that."

 

 

Arnborg: *sigh* "I'm not buying it, but I don't think they told him more."

Jennifer: "Really? You mean you trust him?"

Arnborg: "Not really, but look at him. He's a henchman. He doesn't know anything about plans. Why would he? All that he's good for is solving problems you can punch away. He didn't even try to escape when I told him it was impossible."

Jennifer: "Okay, but... what now? We can't just sit here and wait for them to send more guys, can we?"

Arnborg: "No, of course not. Listen, I said I was going to train you, but you have to go out there once more."

Jennifer: "What? Where?"

Arnborg: "The Hawthornes have made their move, now it's time for us to make one. You shall go to their headquarters and find out more about their plans. In the meantime, I will get us a new hideout. This one will not remain secure any longer."

Jennifer: "And why don't you do it?"

Arnborg: "Silly question. They know me, they know my face. If I show up there, they will immediately imprison me again. So far, they don't even know what happened here. You, however, are youngblood. As long as you don't kick their other henchmen in the balls, you will not arouse any suspicions."

Jennifer: *sigh* "I'll see if I can get a good dress..."

 

A few hours later, upstairs...

 

 

Jennifer: "This one was probably meant for one of Valerian's mistresses. That should suffice, right?"

Arnborg: "Woah... If only you were a bit older..."

Jennifer: "Your balls are the next if you don't shut it now. After all you've told me, I'm heading right into a lion's den here, you're lucky I'm doing this in the first place."

Arnborg: "Alright, alright, message received. Anyway, our guest kindly told me the location of the Hawthorne's headquarters; It's in Northern Roin, just outside the forest."

Jennifer: "What, I just walk in there and ask the guards if there are any super secret evil plans they could show me?"

Arnborg: *laughs* "As funny as that would be to hear over the bugging device, no. See, every Vampire needs a support network, to keep them hidden and supply them with synthetic blood, and the American Council offers exactly such a network. The Hawthornes, being a member of the council, represent it to Vampire citizens."

Jennifer: "So basically, I'm going there with the intention to.... get my personal ID from them?"

Arnborg: "Something like that. If anyone asks you, a guy from downtown recommended you go there for synthetic blood. The Hawthornes will then ask you to swear an oath of loyalty in exchange for the services they're providing."

Jennifer: "...you're hoping I will permanently infiltrate the Hawthornes?"

Arnborg: "Easy, easy. For now, we're just looking for information on this hideout. You'd be no match for the Hawthornes if you stayed there for too long. You go in, find a Computer that looks important enough, get the information on Valerian and leave, ideally before anyone can offer you an oath of loyalty."

Jennifer: "Got it."

 

About three hours later, in Northern Roin...

 

 

Jennifer: "Are you sure this is the right approach? I could ask some IT guy at university, maybe he can hack the computer we're looking for..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Don't you go all chicken on me now. It may not be the safest option, but its the most certain one. I highly doubt the Hawthornes would be so stupid as to keep critical information on a vulnerable computer."

Jennifer: "I can see no guards outside. Suspicious."

Arnborg (over radio): "Not at all. A big presence would arise suspicions from humans, actually. Now, be quiet before someone hears you."

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "I'm inside the mansion now. Still no guards in sight."

Arnborg (over radio): "Good. What do you see?"

Jennifer (whispering): "There's this big hall in the middle... almost seems like a ballroom to me. And two hallways, left and right."

Arnborg (over radio): "The ballroom is probably not your target. Go into one of the hallways."

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "The next door here is guarded. I'll handle hi-..."

Arnborg (over radio): "No! Stop! Are you mad?! He's gonna call all the other guards if you beat him up! Have you never seen an espionage movie, for god's sake?"

Hawthorne Guard: "Can I help you, Miss?"

 

 

Jennifer: "Umm... yeah. I was wondering what would be behind that door."

Hawthorne Guard: "Sorry, Miss, but the towers are locked for guests. Say, are you here for nightly matters?"

Jennifer: "Umm..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Say yes. That is a code question for 'Are you a Vampire?'"

Jennifer: "Yes, I... was hoping to get an audience with the... Hawthornes... for the nightly matters."

Hawthorne Guard: "I see. I will inform the Lady shortly. In the meantime, I must ask you to wait in the lobby."

Jennifer: "Of course. Can I... go to the toilet?"

Hawthorne Guard: "Of course, Miss. To your right."

Jennifer: "Thank you very much."

 

 

Arnborg (over radio): "You're a terrible spy, you know that? Trying to assault the first guard you see? What were you thinking?"

Jennifer (whispering): "What's the matter? I beat up this William guy with ease, and this guy seems much weaker."

Arnborg (over radio): "You were still powered up from your first experience as a Succubus. The peak of your power is right after you've blown off enough steam. Now, you're in decline. But you can bet that if Julia or Nicholas Hawthorne themselves would take you up, that wouldn't even matter anyway; They would eat you alive."

Jennifer (whispering): "Alright, okay, no violence, I get it. But now what?"

Arnborg (over radio): "There is one trick you can pull here. Remember how you teleported out of your cell?"

Jennifer (whispering): "You mean I can do that with walls too? Not just windows?"

Arnborg (over radio): "If you have an idea of what the place you want to end up in looks like, yes. Can you imagine the room behind the guard?"

Jennifer (whispering): "Yes, it had a glass door. I should be right next to it."

Arnborg (over radio): "Okay. Then go, think of something that gets you going, and then imagine you in the room, with all your willpower."

 

 

Jennifer: "I... I did it!"

Arnborg (over radio): "Congratulations, I've told you I would teach you. Now be quiet and hurry up, before the guard realizes you're not coming out of the bathroom!"

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "There's some kind of winter garden on the roof... with two buildings in it."

Arnborg (over radio): "Sounds like it's worth a try."

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "The other building is guarded, but there's a glass top dividing the area. I don't think he sees me."

Arnborg (over radio): "He will, if you stay there too long. What else is there?"

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "Just... some garden. With a statue in it."

Arnborg (over radio): "Nothing else? Just plants and a statue? Disappointing. You should keep looking inside, before the guard finds you."

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "Wait... I... can get over there, can I?"

Arnborg (over radio): "Where?"

Jennifer (whispering): "The other building. This here has windows as walls, the other one, on the other side of the rooftop, doesn't. I can teleport there, can I?"

Arnborg (over radio): "Wait, wait, wait...!"

 

 

Jennifer (whispering): "Too late. I'm doing it."

Arnborg (over radio): "If it has no windows, you can't imagine it!"

 

 

Jennifer: "Oops."

 

 

Hawthorne Guard: "What the...- What are you doing here?!"

Jennifer: "I.... I...."

Hawthorne Guard: "Didn't anyone tell you that this area is off-limits? I'm gonna have to ask you to leave, right now!"

Arnborg (over radio): "Alright, grab him."

Jennifer: "What?!"

 

 

Hawthorne Guard: "I've told you to leave, Miss. Now!"

Arnborg (over radio): "Grab him and throw him off the roof. Maybe the other ones won't notice."

 

 

Manuel: "Relax, she's with me. I just told her to wait here while I had my audience."

Hawthorne Guard: "Uh....huh."

Jennifer: "Wait, Manuel?!"

Manuel (whispering): "Play alo~ong."

 

 

Jennifer: "I... didn't expect you to be back so soon! Ha, Ha!"

Manuel: "She jumped around the rooftop again, did she? Ha, that's just like her, I have to apologize for my girlfriend!"

Hawthorne Guard: "Your girlfriend seemingly tried to enter an off-limits area. You ought to take better care of her."

Manuel: "That's true? Well, I don't see her trying to enter anything, but I saw some guy causing trouble downstairs. Seen some guards rushing towards it."

Hawthorne Guard: "I'm not falling for that. I recommend you leave immediately and we forget this ever happened."

Manuel: "I mean, I could be lying, but can you risk it? What if the Lord and the Lady punish you for your inaction, turning you into a skal? Man, wouldn't wanna be in your shoes if that happens."

Hawthorne Guard: "Ugh... You better be right."

 

 

Jennifer: "Thanks, I owe you one..."

Manuel: "I hope so."

 

 

Jennifer: "What the hell? I ain't got time for this, I'm on a mission here!"

Manuel: "I can't help it, Jenny. Ever since we met yesterday, it's been increasingly hard to think of anyone but you!"

 

 

Jennifer: "Well, snap out of it then, I'm not exactly in the mood when the guards suspect I might be onto something!"

Manuel: "I.... I'm sorry. I see. God, to think that I would fall for a Succubus curse."

Jennifer: "Wait... what curse?"

Manuel: "Did nobody tell you? Succubi have this... well, this special thing about them that makes everyone who sleeps with them go crazy. Heartrate spiking, sleeping gets harder and harder... until they see them again."

Jennifer: "So that means..."

Manuel: "Yep. I already thought I've successfully coped with it, and so did Christopher, but then you came along again and threw me off balance."

Jennifer: "Oh no... this means trouble. I'll..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Hello?! What is going on? Did they get you?!"

Jennifer: "No, I just..."

Manuel: "So, mind telling me why I risked my goodwill with the Hawthornes back there?"

Jennifer: "I'm... *sigh* I'm looking for a computer. I have to look something up. On what the Hawthornes are doing."

Arnborg (over radio): "Say, do you even trust that guy you're sharing our plans with? What if he fixes his goodwill with the Hawthornes by telling them you're here??"

Jennifer (whispering): "Shut up, I'm doing the dirtywork, so I get to make the calls here! If you wanted it to be done differently, you should've come here!"

Manuel: "What does that mean? And who are you talking to?"

Jennifer: "I.... listen, I can explain it all in due time. But for now, I need you to watch out for guards while I use the computer over there. Deal?"

Manuel: "... Fuck, you're lucky you've cursed me. But I'm doing it, alright. Now you owe me two already."

Jennifer: "Thanks! Thank you so much!"

 

A few minutes later...

 

 

Manuel: "No sign of the guards yet. What exactly are you looking for anyway?"

Jennifer: "I'm wondering about that myself..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Anything mentioning the Erhler mansion. Or a girl named Celine."

Jennifer (whispering): "Who the fuck is Celine?"

Arnborg (over radio): "None of your business, that's who. Now keep looking."

Jennifer: "I got something! It's a collection of reports to and from the mansion."

Arnborg (over radio): "What does it say?"

Jennifer: "Ugh... this thing reads like a Sex diary... a chronic of all the girls that Valerian flirted with, to sleep with them and turn them into vampires... but..."

Arnborg (over radio): "What? What else is there?"

Jennifer: "Something went... wrong. There is a note next to most entries... it says 'unmanifested' and then 'subject disposed'... he... he killed them. All of these girls. Except for..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Except for you.... he saw something in you, didn't he? What does your entry say?"

Jennifer: "On the surface, it just says 'unmanifested'... but I do have powers... how is that possible?"

Arnborg (over radio): "When I cleaned up the cellar, I found one of these laughable devices, 'Vampirism Detector', what a ridiculous name. Basically, they scanned you for a vampirism gene, but not for a Succubus gene. That's how it must've happened. God, any vampire using these things ought to be ashamed of themselves. Anyway, can you check in on any details?"

Jennifer (whispering): "Yes... the description says 'Daughter of Gina Kyron, who is a former lover to Lord Maximilan Erhler. Personal comment: Due to the special circumstances surrounding my person, I believe keeping Jennifer Kyron-Basu within our custody will make it possible to bring back Lord Erhler himself.' So it's all the usual nonsense."

Arnborg (over radio): "Hard to believe. Seems like Willie was right so far, they really did use him only for recruitment."

Jennifer (whispering): "Wait! There's one more entry that wasn't disposed of... Huh. That's weird. She's just listed as 'Jane Doe' in here. That can't be right."

Arnborg (over radio): "Maybe she never introduced herself. But you say she was unmanifested, but not disposed of?"

Jennifer (whispering): "That's right. Her description is weird too. 'Unexpected fight ensued shortly after testing. Results were negative, but subject managed to escape. Personal comment: I highly recommend hunting her down. She could be a grave danger to all of our operations."

Arnborg (over radio): *laughs* "There we go, that's more like it. Is there anything else about this Jane Doe?"

Jennifer (whispering): "Nothing. Are we finished here?"

Arnborg (over radio): "Nothing.... nothing about Celine?"

Jennifer (whispering): "Nothing I can access, let's say it like that."

Arnborg (over radio): "Then yes, you're done. Now get out of there."

 

 

Jennifer: "Alright, I got it."

Manuel: "Then let's move, before the guards come back!"

 

 

Manuel (whispering): "Not good..."

Jennifer (whispering): "Is that...?"

 

 

Julia: "And you must be Mr. Thalstein's girlfriend... and what an eye candy you are! Manuel, sweetheart, why didn't you bring her with you to our audience? We could've had so much fun..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Uh-oh..."

Jennifer (whispering): "Don't you 'uh-oh' me, what's going on?."

Arnborg (over radio): "That's Julia Hawthorne... she's very dangerous, and I'm not only talking about her powers. She could always have at least one plan in the back of her hand to make someone do what she wants. Be very careful, the last time I've encountered her, I ended up in Valerian's prison cell."

Jennifer: "Thanks, Miss Hawthorne! It's great to finally meet the Lady of the house herself, in all her glory and.... gloryness."

Julia: *laughs* "I see, she has much to learn from you yet, Manuel."

Jennifer: "Yes, I'm... still new to this whole world of Vampirism. I'm basically a rookie."

Julia: "Is that so? Well, all the more pressing that she and I get the opportunity to talk about a few things. The Hawthornes can help you, Miss...?"

Arnborg (over radio): "Do NOT tell her your real name. The reports. She knows who you are if you do."

Jennifer: "...Miller! Jane Miller, nice to meet you."

 

 

Manuel: "Perhaps next time, Julia. I'm afraid I've already wasted enough of the Hawthorne Dynasty's time. We gotta go now, before the sun rises. You know how it goes."

Julia: "Too bad, too bad. I'm sure Nicholas could've appreciated her company. I can make an appointment for that if you want to."

Manuel: "That won't be necessary, really. I'm sure we can figure something out when the time is right."

 

 

Julia: "Alright then, your call. As always, let me know if you need anything. Take care of this one, I have a feeling she's a keeper."

 

 

Manuel: "That was close."

Jennifer: "A bit too close for my liking. What just happened there?"

Manuel: "I can explain the Hawthornes a bit better to you if they're not in eavesdropping range. Would you.... mind coming along to my place? We can... discuss a few things there."

 

 

Jennifer: "'Discuss', huh? And you're sure you don't mean 'fuck' with that?"

Manuel: "Well.... the sun *is* rising soon... it would probably be best if you stayed at my place for the day while you're already there..."

Arnborg (over radio): "Now, come to Caxton City, I'm almost done setting everything up here, we have some regrouping to do."

 

Caxton City?? In the States?? What is this guy thinking?! I might have agreed to this journey, but I still have a life in Frederickston... a life that Manuel might be helpful with. Arnborg was the first vampire to not outright abuse me, but if I could find a different, more friendly Vampire to teach me, then I'm not reliant on Arnborg anymore...

 

Jennifer: "Seems like an offer I cannot refuse, then."

Arnborg (over radio): "What?! You can't just leave now! We finally have a trail!"

Manuel: "Great. Then let's go. My place is in Downtown."

 

 

Nicholas: "And you're certain it was her?"

Julia: "Absolutely. There is no doubt about it."

Nicholas: "Then why didn't you stop her?! You know she must've looked for clues on Valerian."

Julia: "Relax, my dear brother, relax. Whatever they're looking for, it was too much for Valerian to handle, it will be too much to handle for them as well. And if it isn't, then so be it, they get rid of our problems without us risking anything."

Nicholas: "So you think she's working with Rehnskiöld?"

 

 

Julia: "Oh, certainly. This tragic-romantic revenge story is just like Rehnskiöld. He just can't help it. So many girls out there... and he still only wants this one. No, that's not what I'm worrying about."

Nicholas: "What is it then?"

Julia: "Valerian was wrong. She's not a Vampire, yes, but she's not powerless. I felt it when I met her, she is radiating pure, untamed power."

Nicholas: "You think...?"

Julia: "That's the only logical conclusion. She must be a Succubus. These testing devices are still relatively new, they aren't working with Succubus data for now."

Nicholas: "Then we have to keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn't contradict our plans."

Julia: "We might lose Rehnskiöld's girl, but that's something I can easily account for."

Nicholas: "As long as it doesn't need the service of my henchmen. Losing one of our lieutenants and a base is already bad enough as it is!"

Julia: "Don't lose your handsome head over it. Subtlety, my brother, that's the name of the game. No need to start a major war over just one or two girls. The ancient Greeks and Trojans had to learn that lesson the hard way so we don't have to."