Chapter Text
It was the night of the company party of one of the most influencing companies here in LA: the LaCroix.
Celene never met the leader of this company, though she heard he was young and has been leading this company for a while now, a succesful leader for sure.
The reason she was here was, that her boyfriend, John, was his guest and wanted her to come with him. She was used to expensive parties, her father owned his own share of companies, now it was her who took care of a good share of those after her mother has passed away.
She never saw so many attractive people in one place, and all of them were so interesting! She was looking around, dancing, enjoying the beautiful dress John bought her just for this occasion, while drinking champagne and talking to other guests.
After a while, a young man, blonde, eyes pale blue, came to greet them.
“I’m pleased to see you here, Mr. Simons. And your… wonderful acquaintance.” Said the young man and bowed his head slightly, then he raised Celene’s hand to his lips, just to brush them against it. A little old school, but surely charming and Celene couldn’t help but blush. John frowned slightly.
“Oh I’m sorry, what a host am I if I don’t even introduce myself to you, I am Sebastian LaCroix, the leader of the LaCroix company.” He smiled slightly and Celene did so, too.
“My name is Celene Lewis, I am John’s girlfriend. I hope you don’t mind him inviting me here.” There was something about this LaCroix. She wanted to look at him, but at the same time she wanted to look away in fear. Surely John must have noticed since he was also acting weird.
“Certainly not. I welcome every new visitor. Celene isn’t a common name, are you perhaps… from France?”
“Did the accent give me away?” she giggled “I’ve lived in Paris when I was little, my mother was French, my father American, obviously by the surname.”
“Mr. Simons, would you mind if I borrowed Miss Lewis for a dance?” he turned to John who seemed to look irritated.
“Of course I wouldn’t mind, just take good care of her.” He forced a smile when LaCroix was already dragging Celene away, resting his hand on her side, she around his neck, they started swaying into the slow music. She danced with many people around here, but she never thought she would dance with the LaCroix himself, it was probably normal though, nobody was looking their way, as if they didn’t exist.
“So tell me, you and Mr. Simons, how long have you been together? If you don’t mind me asking.” She wasn’t into answering him, but she did anyways.
“It’s been a month. I met him in a bar, he offered me a drink and we went on talking all night.”
“And has there been… anything unusual about him?” she smiled at his weird interest in their relationship, and then felt as if she was about to tell him everything about John.
“Well, surely you know about his allergy to sun. It’s been a bit hard for me at first, to only meet with him after sundown, but I’ve gotten used to it.” She notied that he frowned slightly, then the music ended and it was as if they were in some kind of bubble the whole time, because only now she started to notice the people around again.
“Thank you for the dance, may we meet again.” Then he just disappeared in the crowd. She still felt a bit dizzy, so she didn’t even notice John behind her.
“A charming guy isn’t he?” she almost jumped in surprise but instead she turned around and wrapped her hands around John’s neck just to bring his lips to hers. “Not as charming as you…”
“You look like you’ve had your share of drinks, maybe we should take this somewhere.. private…” he whispered and she nodded, feeling her mind clouded again as before. She probably had too many drinks.
So they took a cab to his room in the Empire hotel and as they entered, he went straight into kissing her and laying her on the bed. Then he whispered into her ear.
“Let me show you something…” he started kissing her down her neck and she drunkly giggled. But then her giggles turned into muffled scream as she felt something sharp stabbing into her neck, draining her of her blood. It wasn’t long and she went limb.
***
When she woke up, he was sitting nearby, smiling at her. Blood all around his mouth. She saw her reflection in the mirror just to see her lips slightly red with blood as well. And she was different. Her eyes were brighter, even the brown one. Her body looked more… curvy and attractive, something about her has changed but she had no idea what, and she didn’t have much time to think about that as something kicked open the door. She saw it pierce John’s heart with a wooden stake and then it was her turn. The world fell into darkness again.
***
She woke up in a theatre of some sort, with few people sitting in the chairs, whispering to each other. She felt her neck hurt, her head spinning and everything was so loud… Her hands were held behind her back, and she heard a familiar voice somewhere above her…
“Good evening.” It was the guy named LaCroix she met earlier that evening!
“My fellow Kindred, my apologies for disrupting any business or interfering with prior engagements you may have had this evening. It’s unfortunate that the affair that gathers us together tonight is a troubling one. We are here because the laws that bind our society – the laws that are the fabric of our existence – have been broken.” The people began whispering again, she couldn’t catch about what exactly.
“As Prince, I am within my rights to grant or deny the Kindred of this city the privilege of siring. Many of you have come to me, seeking permission and I have endorsed some of these requests. However, the accused that sits before you tonight was not refused permission. Indeed, my permission was never sought at all. They were caught short after the embrace of this.. Childe. It pains me to announce the sentence, as.. up to tonight I considered the accused a loyal and upstanding member of our organization. But as some of you may know, the penalty for this transgression is death. Know that I am no more a judicator than I am a servant to the law that governs us all. Let tonight’s proceeding serve as a reminder to our community that we must adhere to the code that binds our society, lest we endanger all of our blood.” Celene heard him move towards where John was probably held and whispered “Forgive me.”
Then he straightened up and stepped aside “Let the penalty commence.”
And then she heard something being chopped off, a head probably. She felt as if something was piercing her heart but at the same time it was as if she didn’t care about John anymore, as if she was under a spell. And maybe she was.. now that she wasn’t even sure what the heck was going on.
“Which leads to the fate of the ill-begoten progeny. Without a sire, most Childer are doomed to walk the Earth never knowing their place, their responsibility. And most importantly, the laws that they must obey. Therefore I have decided that-“ someone stood up elswhere and shouted “This is bullshit!”
Everyone started standing up, some trying to make the person sit down again.
“If mister Rodriguez would let me finish.. I have decided to let this Kindred live.” Said LaCroix and suddenly, Celene felt a bit relieved. “They shall be instructed in the ways of our kind and be granted the same rights. Let noone say I am unsymphatetic to the plights and causes of this community. I thank you all for attending these proceedings, and I hope their significance is not lost. Good evening.” With that they let her stand up and follow them to a small hallway behind the stage.There LaCroix started talking again.
“Your sire- tragic, my apologies, but you see, there is a strict code of conduct that all of us must.. must.. adhere to if we wish to survive. When someone, anyone, breaks these laws they undermine the well-worn fabric of our centuries old society. Understand my predicament. Allowing you to live makes me directly responsible for your subsequent behaviour.”
So this is the other side of you, a prince, huh?
“So.. what I’m offering is not generosity. But the opportunity to transcend the fate woven by your sire. This is your trial.” For the first time, Celene had the urge to speak her mind.
“Beg your pardon? A trial? Hell I don’t even know what happened to me. Merde..” she whispered the last word, though she doubted he didn’t hear it, judjing my the slight grin on his face.
“You will be brought to Santa Monica. There you will meet an agent by the name of Mercurio. He will provide the details of your labor.” Then he stepped closer to her, just to bring up her chin to look at him directly. “I’ve shown you great clemency. Prove it was more than a wasted gesture, fledgling. Don’t come back.. Until you do. Good Evening.” With that she could swear he disappeared from her sight, so she stepped out of the door that was directly behind him.
There someone laughed so she turned to him. There was something in the air though, she could smell something delicious. Trying to ignore the weird smell, she turned to the taller guy with dreadlocks, slightly tan skin and beard.
“What a scene man! Hoo-wee! Then they just plop ya out here like a naked baby in the woods. How ‘bout that? Ah.. look kiddo, this is probably a lot for you to take in, so uh, why don’t you let me show you the ropes. Whaddaya say?”
“Wait and.. who are you?” She could still smell the delicious thing, makes her feel a bit dizzy.
“I’m Jack. What’s important is, I’m offering help. You make it back from Santa Monica with your hide and we’ll trade life stories okay? ‘Til then I got about this much time. You in or out?” He didn’t seem evil, or about to use her, maybe she should trust this guy for now.
“Alright… I could use the help.”
“Alright, now we ain’t got much time but I figure somebody should fill you in on the bare bones stuff at least. You know, could save your hide..” Then he frowned. “You look wobbly, you even had a drink yet?” She was confused now, what the hell was he talking about. Maybe if she was drunk?
“A drink of what, exactly?” she better asked not to make any misunderstandings.
“Oh man, we’re poppin a cherry here! Ah you gonna love this! Alright, check it out. Blood’s your new rack’a lamb, your new champaign – blood is your new fuckin’ heroin, kid. Get ready though, cuz, heh, it’s never as sweet as the first time.”
“Okay, I’m not sure I follow but.. what do I do?”
“Well, down around the corner there, saw this human. Poor S.O.B. – can’t find his car, heh heh.”
“So what do I… I mean.. um…” she wasn’t sure what to say, how could she possibly drink blood? That was so gross!
“You go down there, casual like – creep up on him, then bare those little fangs and feed. Don’t worry if you weren’t the captain of the wrestling team. It’ll come so naturally you would think you’ve done it a thousand times already.”
“Won’t he become a vampire then?” she felt nervous all of sudden, as if she could do something wrong. Jack just put his hand onto her shoulder and grinned. “Still so much to learn, kid. Dontcha worry, he won’t. Now go for it. Be sure though – and this is important so listen up – be sure not to drain ‘em dry, okay? It might be hard to resist, but don’t kill ‘em. “
“Will make sure of it, I guess..” with that she turned around. Hell she was still wearing the dress that didn’t look so fancy as before now, now she looked like a ruined whore. Though at least she was prettier than most of them.
She sighed and then went after the delicious smell, only to find a man, facing her with his back. “Oh man, where is my car? I can’t lose a ferrari! Damn, father’s going to kill me!” he was mumbling to himelf and as adviced, Celene crouched from behind to him, then she felt the urge to jump at him and didn’t resist. She could easily turn his neck to the side and bite him. She felt the blood flow to her, it felt amazing, and it took a lot of effort to let go of the delicious thing. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand and licked the blood from it, then she grinned to herself. Maybe her life wouldn’t be so bad as she pictured it a while ago.