Opposites - ReVamped (Highlander/ Kindred: The Embraced Crossover)

Chapter 11 - Ideas

They had been talking for at least an hour, proposing theories and just trying to understand what had happened, but Julian realised they were going around in circles.

"We need more answers," he decided as silence once again descended, "Daedelus, if you would be so kind as to fetch our young friend; I believe it is time we asked some more detailed questions."

Daedelus nodded and stood up, just as Cash came into the room followed by a subdued looking Andre. Julian had only met Lillie's guest once when he had arrived in the city and he was not feeling overly hospitable now.

"Sorry for the delay," Cash said almost straight away, "we had to stop and get Andre a meal, he was rather low on blood."

"Richie drained him?" Lillie asked, sounding hopeful, that was one way to gain power.

"No," Cash returned and took his habitual place at the table, "Ryan drained his blood and used it to paint with."

Julian shook his head; Toreador could be so unpredictable.

"You have caused us a great deal of trouble," he said, looking at Andre, "and by rights I should have you punished."

Lillie looked worried, by Kindred law what Andre had done was tantamount to treason and Julian had the right to demand what he liked. Andre went to speak, most likely in his own defence, but Julian put up his hand, he didn't want to hear it.

"However," he said firmly, looking the other Kindred directly in the eyes, "if, and only if, we can settle this matter without further trouble I have no wish to quarrel with your sire or any of my Primogens, so I will let what Richie did to you serve as recompense. If you set one more foot out of line while in my city I will send you home in a crate with a stake through your heart, are we clear?"

Andre appeared a little shocked, but nodded and accepted the judgement. What Julian did not need was more trouble. Andre was too well known to deal with like one of his own, but he would carry out his threat if it became necessary. He was all too aware that Toreadors were at the mercy of their artistic whims.

As he sat down again Daedelus returned from the study, alone.

"Our guest is gone," Daedelus said in his usually unexcited tones.

"But the grounds are on alert," Cash pointed out.

That meant if a guard did not check in the others would know about it, so Julian was as surprised as his head of security.

"I believe," Daedelus said, "he may have flown."

The Nosferatu placed a single feather on the table.

Julian rubbed the bridge of his nose, he was getting a headache, quite an achievement for a Kindred.

"He may become human again soon," he said with a cool anger, "but for now he is my problem. Get Duncan MacLeod over here, we need to know what we are up against."

Then he stood and stalked into his study, leaving the others to do his bidding.

~*~

The roof top was like hundreds of others all over the city, but something about it called to Richie. He swooped down as he saw a shape which caught his interest. Almost as soon as he touched down, Richie morphed back into his own shape, and stood staring at the back of the person who had attracted his attention. She was pale against the night sky, dressed in a long white dress with only a battered leather jacket against the chill of the air. Her hair fell in long blond, slightly messy strands around her shoulders and, for a long moment, Richie just stood there looking at her.