"It is my grave duty to inform you, my lord, that our worst fears are realized. While we have done all we can to hold our territory against the Inquisitorial aggression, the Sabbat have not been idle. The departure of Clan Lasombra from their leadership has only deepened their resolve, and the Clan Tzimisce have free reign now that their more pragmatic partners are out of the picture.

To that end, I strongly advise against opening another front in Eastern Europe. My research shows that the elder Tzimisce have made massive innovations in their breeding programs. The legends of entire bloodlines of humans born with vampiric abilities are more than a rumor, they are present and dangerous truth. The clan of the dragon has bred entire lines of mortals naturally born with potent, though comparatively minor, kindred powers.

But all signs point to their efforts improving. It is not just their own blood the Tzimisce have toyed with, but that of all clans. Even the //REDACTED// who were once thought extinct, can be found in the dragon's care, their blood harvested to create new abominations. These almost vampires, or Revenants as the clan calls them, are out in the world. I've even heard rumors of other breeding programs, and when I questioned my sources: They claimed that several Tzimisce had defected to the Camarilla almost forty years ago, taking their research with them.

Surely this is idle gossip, but I thought it prudent to mention all the same.

Last documented report from Dr. Laura Regis, reported as KIA before she could be extracted by Archon //REDACTED//.

*********

This was the nicest car Jessie had ever been in. It was a fully loaded SUV with all the space and comforts one could need for a long road trip. OF course, the armor plating and blast-proof windows were a nice touch as well.

"I gotta admit, I could get used to this." Ian took up an entire side of the vehicle, reclining on the entire seat. His cheap-ass shoes were also getting dirt everywhere in the interior. "You know, if I'd been born a one percent shit-head, I'd probably have one just like it."

Jessie was no friend of the idle rich, but she also knew that comments like that would get everyone into trouble.

"I sympathize. Making the leap from poverty to wealth comes down luck, as it does to skill." Isaac was not offended though. He remained in the front passenger seat (he'd called shotgun, much to Jessie's annoyance), and kept his eyes along the city roads. "A bit of charm and common courtesy does not hurt either."

Jessie laughed at that. So many people would either dismiss or burst into fury at Ian's bullshit. Isaac just slapped it aside with a witty comeback and the occasional kind word.

"Two nights and both of them spent running around talking down assholes and beating down the rest." The first night with Isaac did not go as planned. He'd invited them to attend observe a negotiation between him and a prominent member of Clan Lasombra. The Lasombra was a former higher up in the Camarilla's chief rival, the Sabbat. This asshole had offered to defect and bring with him a who shit-ton of info with him.

When they got arrived at the restaurant for their rendevous, the whole building was in flames. A pack of Gangrels pretending to be gang bangers had burned it down and were attacking any kindred in the area. Ian and Jessie had a time fighting them off, as killing them might escalate an already fucked situation.

But Isaac stepped in. He'd walked straight into the fray, and right up to the Gangrel pack leader. The Ventrue were famed for their extreme durability, with the strongest members able to tank artillery rounds and wade through even the hottest flames.

The Gangrel leader must have forgotten that because he charged straight at Isaac and broke his claws against the blonde boy's face. Isaac then retaliated with a single straight punch that broke his opponent's shoulder.

With their Alpha at his mercy, Isaac addressed the whole pack and negotiated a ceasefire. They broke off their attack at the very least but weren't too keen on sharing why they hell they'd gone berserk. Isaac did let the pack leader go though, and promised him amnesty if he would speak with the rest of the clan in the city.

The pack leader accepted. But he warned Isaac that there wasn't much chance of his words having any effect. They had also killed the Lasombra contact and taken his briefcase as possible evidence of the Sabbat's aggressive intentions towards them. Isaac decided to let them have it, as it might reinforce the pack leader's arguments if he returned from a (mostly) successful mission.

The next night went about as smoothly. Only this time, it was all Ian's fault. The ghouls that Isaac kept were...odd. Ian told Jessie that one of Amaya's new instructions was to investigate the nature of Isaac's augmented army. Ghouls were of course stronger and far more loyal than any normal mortal servants, but having so many was unheard of. The Camarilla frowned on having so many aware of their secret world.

But from what Jessie could see, these were not typical ghouls. Only a few of them had the telltale signs of blood addiction, the rest seemed perfectly lucid and even independent. Most disturbingly of all, they were stronger than normal ghouls.

Ian tried his luck feeding on one of them and had gotten the shock of his un-life when his teeth failed to sink into the "hot secretary's" neck. He didn't even make a dent. Despite her lack of injury, the ghoul did not enjoy this assault on her person. A fight ensued, happening right outside the damn factory. Ian was of course winning, but the secretary was able to keep up and leave several holes in the cars parked in the lot.

The security staff broke up the fight, and Isaac gave a stern warning to both his secretary and Ian.

"You are here as a courtesy, not by necessity."

Isaac had not been playing around with that statement. His charm was put aside in favor of sheer and intimidating fury. The coldness of that anger had been the driving force of Ian's compliance.

Of course, that had been last night. Ian's cockiness had returned, however slightly. He was fine making remarks, as he knew by now they would not provoke Isaac into violence. But he moved cautiously and had attempted no other subterfuge.

"Are you enjoying the drive, Jessie?" Jessie's thoughts were interrupted by Isaac's calming and sophisticated voice. "I'd play music, but I've yet to ask your preferences."

"No, that's ok." She looked about the interior, once again confused at the simple layout. Expensive as this bucket was, it was definitely a utility vehicle.

"Jessie's one of those eat the rich types, comes from being a poor as shit orphan." Ian said that with a yawn, and remained as relaxed as he'd been the whole trip through.

"Fuck You." Jessie always struggled with her temper, not this time though. The gloves were off. "Fuck you, and fuck whatever trick bitch you crawled out of."

"Please, it's not the first time I've said it."

"That doesn't make you any less of an asshole. Asshole!"

"This attitude of yours-" Ian sat up in his seat, his shit-eating grin returning in full force. "Is it a Pilipino thing? Guess I should have picked up that little Japanese girl."

Jessie was about to get up from her seat and tear the bastard limb from limb until Isaac intervened.

"Enough! Save your anger for later." That commanding tone was back now, and he'd moved into passenger seats. "As for you, Ian. Understand me-"

"Don't give me that white knight bullshit. You don't scar-"

"I will tear your spine out of your asshole and beat you to death with it unless you shut the fuck up and listen." The sophisticated air, the formal speech, that was all gone now. In its place was a very tall and angry-looking monster looming over the cowering Ian.

The cocky shit just nodded to show his compliance and seemed ready to run. But he made the wise choice of shutting his mouth and listening to Issac's next words.

Which were as follows:

"I've put up with your pencil-dick bullshit because of the people holding your leash. That's done now. If you say one more disgusting thing to her, or come on to anyone, or try anymore frat boy fuckery: you die. We understand each other?"

Even his accent had changed. The aristocratic English tone was gone in favor of a central European one. It was a strange mix of German and Slavic, and Jessie couldn't place it. Whatever it was, it conveyed Isaac's cold fury in such a way, that Ian nodded like a spanked child and looked ready to curl into a ball.

"Mr. Sharpe, we've arrived." The driver hadn't said anything the entire drive and looked unmoved by all the ruckus that had just occurred.

"Thank You." Isaac's "normal" voice had returned, as had his attitude. His genteel smile was also renewed, kept strong as he opened the passenger door with a matching grace. "Shall we?"

Jessie got up and walked through the door as quickly as she could. She was grateful for Isaac stepping up for her. But she also didn't want to try his patience in any shape or fashion. Ian followed next, at a much slower and cautious pace. Isaac was the last to exit, and he gave a few parting instructions to the driver.

The car sped off into the night after that, and the three vampires were left standing in front of the little bakery they were meant to meet their contacts at.

Ian was too scared to make any sassy remarks, but Jessie was happy enough to volunteer a question at least.

"Not to second guess you, sir, but are you sure this is the place?" Her question was infused with as much deference as she could channel. She did not think she was in danger, but her usual survival instincts were cropping up as well.

"I believe so. I've dined with the two we are to meet once before." He through the windows with an appraising glance. His mouth nearly watered at the pastries stacked up by the display window, and the fresh bread coming from the oven at the back of the bakery. "Oh, Rakhmonesdik Got. I'd sell off a hundred of my years to taste fresh bread again."

For a moment, Jessie could see the face she'd spied in those photos. A boyish innocence to match that face of his. Then, it disappeared, and the gentleman king returned.

"Come, we'll hear no end of gripes if we delay." He motioned for them to enter the bakery, and both Jessie and Ian followed.