The Forgotten: Nine

Jones chooses a suitably dark alley to bring the Lawrence vampire down, hard, cracking his skull.

Stewart acts nonchalant.

"Seems to me it's time your city came under new management. Do you have any loyalty to Barrett and his people?"
"Not really," David shrugs, "but I do care about the people that'll get hurt in the fight."
"Of course, of course. That's why I want to make sure there's a peaceful transition."

Jones arrives, holding the semi-conscious vampire up by the collar, dropping him at Stewart's feet.

"Good luck with that..." Mia says.
"So why now?" Samuel asks.
"Because of you and yours." Stewart looks up from the wounded vampire to Samuel. "A Tremere murdered. Only a matter of time before someone responds."

The Lawrence vampire stirs, broken bone clicking back into place.

"And what's your part in this?" Jones asks in a low growl.
"That fucker Barrett's got t' go. Banned me from making a childe. She's dead because of him."

Jessica, who has been listening at a safe distance until now, looks up. "Everybody's mad at everybody else. Why? You're far enough away that he wasn't your problem until you started making trouble for him in Lawrence."

Stewart peers at Jessica.

"It isn't always hidden agendas with us, child. Sometimes it's just what it looks like. Wait long enough and every vampire makes enemies, it's just a question of which ones. I believe he exiled your sire?" he adds with a glance to David. "And let yours die..." he says to Samuel.

Mia tuts.

"Well, you've had a man on the inside for a while now. Maybe a woman on the outside as well."
"And a few more sneaking around as well..." Jones adds.

Mia notices that Stewart hides a momentary look of surprise.

"Or don't you?"
"There are bound to be other interested parties."

Mia squares up to him.

"How about this... You don't invade until we know who else is planning to."

Stewart shrugs lightly.

"Good enough." Mia spins on her heel and heads for the door. The others manage to follow her out quickly enough that they look like they're in agreement.

"So what now?" Samuel asks as they head for the cars. "Find this other one Jones has been tracking?"
"It's a start." Mia shrugs. "I just want to know everybody who'd playing this little game."

...

They head back to Lawrence, and find the Vault is closed, one of its windows smashed.

And Grey comes out of a nearby cafe to meet them. "So... Lake's dead. Mac and Bats are on the run and Danni's in torpor. How was your night?"