106

"Something new happened," Uuntezazk squeaks. "Your dreams. They were…" You can sense him fumbling for the right way to convey a human concept, "…sent to me. You are nervous. Uuntezazk wants to cheer you up!"

"Wait," you stammer through the bond. "You can see my dreams?"

Uuntezazk shakes his head and chitters. "First time. Saw a Hunt. Bad-smelling Warlock from the council. Mama Corliss and friend-Jordan. What happens?"

"Sire Corliss called a Blood Hunt for tonight," you say, running your thumb down Uuntezazk's wiry coat of Black fur. You'd never imagined that the tiny creature could see into your dreams. You had trouble sleeping; maybe you unconsciously called out through the bond for comfort as you tossed and turned? "Kindred politics," you say. "It's…complicated."

Uuntezazk sends an image that could be interpreted as a human sniffing in distaste. "All you people's business complicated. Calm down, stop fighting, and have something to eat."

"Don't say it," you say, quirking an eyebrow.

"Say what?" Uuntezazk replies. "Oh!" he wiggles excitedly. "Cheese?"

You dig into your top dresser drawer and take the last of your cheese curds from an older bag. "Be grateful this stuff doesn't need to be refrigerated," you say as you drop the small white chunk in front of him. Within seconds, it's devoured and any crumbs are scoured clean. "You should tag along," you say. "Just out of sight."

"Should all eat together. Less fighting. Less killing."

"I don't think we'll be eating together, Uuntezazk. Sorry."

"Fine. I come. But you owe Uuntezazk a new bag of cheese."

Next

You pull a plain, white shirt over your head and turn away from the mirror. This is no time to be concerned with vanity. Your fingers linger over the holster where you've stored the gun you stole from Hauberk. It could be useful to bring with you on the Hunt, but being seen with such a weapon might raise some awkward questions.

Outside the bedroom, the main chamber of your haven is quiet, the lights turned down to a neutral "dim" setting. Gerard's absence is conspicuous given the immediacy of tonight's Hunt, but you can't concern yourself with your servant's comings and goings at the moment. You check the ghoul's desk for a note, pleased to find a paper tri-folded in the center with your name written on the outward-facing side. You open it and start to read.

Your sire's servants have instructed me to send you to Bouchard's haven no later than two hours after nightfall. You are permitted, and encouraged, to feed before the engagement. Be well, ma'am. I'll be here when you return. -Gerard

Well, that answers your question about where you need to be. You walk to the front door and grab your coat. You'll want to be in full fighting form with less Hunger to drag you down. Allowances have been made for you to feed, and you should make good use of them.

Where do you plan to sate your cravings?