22

You lean back in your chair, grateful for the quiet that nighttime work provides you. You imagine the building during the day, swarming with hundreds of mortals all going about their agendas, then you look down at the files again and drum your fingers along the edge of the desk. Maybe the constant buzz of businessmen and women would be preferable, after all. Uuntezazk stirs inside a small pouch at your side, and you slip him a small piece of cheese to tide him over until you're able to set him free.

You stare up at the ceiling, unsure whether or not it's safe to leave and go about your night, or if Corliss expects you to remain here until she tells you otherwise. Since 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 on Vienna, you understand why such precautions are warranted—once the mortal inquisitors find a Kindred domain, they stop at nothing until every last vampire is wiped out.

Your mind drifts back to the Hunt—how might you have dealt with the Anarch infestation if you were in charge?

You're shaken from your thoughts as the entry door slams open, revealing one of the city's more recent arrivals—a vampire of the Banu Haqim 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 swirling robes. "Greetings, Mr. Salik," you say solemnly, doing your best to reset the room to a sense of proper decorum. "What can I do for you?"

"I must speak with Seneschal Corliss!" the Vizier replies, wringing his tightly clasped hands. He smells musty, like old books, and his short black hair is unkempt. You imagine he hasn't groomed himself for several nights.

The Vizier wrings his hands before schooling himself to a modicum of calm. "I must speak with her regarding the absence of our Prince," he says reluctantly once he realizes you're not going to simply let him in without a proper reason. "His lack of oversight seems to have…emboldened certain factions which Arundel had forced into submission."

You have to admit, that does sound serious. Perhaps you should check with your sire and see whether or not you should admit him. "Please wait for a moment while I announce you to the Seneschal," you reply. "As I'm sure you understand given recent events, she's quite busy."

He waves you on in a poor attempt at calm dismissal and you slip through the double doors into Corliss's office. She looks up at you from a desk spilling with paperwork and reports. "Yes, childe?"