The black Mercedes Benz weaved its way across the streets of Osaka City as its driver negotiated the afternoon rush hour.

Evan waited patiently for the boy in the passenger seat to speak. Taren usually spoke his mind most days, sometimes a little too much for comfort! Today he seemed to be in a pensive mood as he looked out the side window.

Finally, the boy sighed and glanced askance at him. "I almost hurt someone today, at a kendo practice match. It felt like something had taken hold over my conscious thought to finish that kid off, at whatever cost."

"A kendo match?" Evan frowned. "How on earth did you get talked into that?"

Taren shrugged, reddening a little.

'Right, most likely to impress that girl.' Evan thought with a slight shake of his head.

Aloud he said, "You haven't shifted in the time required to regain the balance your body needs. These lapses will happen more frequently until you've done so. Three fights in four days . . . I've almost a mind to pull you out of school. There are other ways to keep an eye on the girl and ensure her safety."

Taren glared at him as if he had sprouted a pair of horns. "That's out of the question and you know it."

"Then lay low and avoid any sort of fighting, real or otherwise. In your current state, you can get others seriously hurt." Evan admonished, concern winning over his irritation. "Or better yet, take a few days off from school and take the time to shift, for god's sake. Call in sick, I don't care."

The boy looked away, his blue eyes murky with dread. After an interminable silence, he said in a quiet voice, "That time when the Hunters came for her, I was almost too late. She could have—" He let out a shaky breath. "I'll take your first advice, although I don't know how long I can stay out of trouble. This school seems hell-bent on--" He dismissed the thought with an impatient wave of his hand. "How soon before the protections on her wear off?"

"As long as she returns to Elburke House this afternoon, the shadow ward should replenish itself. The Hunters won't be able to detect her presence anywhere in the city, unless—" Evan paused, his mind racing.

Taren glanced at him. "Unless what? Don't tell me a Guardian's ward isn't foolproof?"

"It's only as potent as the strength of the Guardian that wields it, which, I'm not so worried about." Evan shrugged. "But, you know as much as I do that it's not guaranteed against a powerful Clanless."

"A Clanless..." Taren said softly, transfixed by the name.

Evan noticed the boy's hand clench into a fist, knuckles turning white, a bleak, faraway look in his ice-blue gaze.

The older man cursed himself for running his mouth, the damn traffic and the narrow streets distracting him from his thoughts.

"That's highly unlikely." He reassured the boy. But Taren had lapsed into a stormy, black mood; the long-buried, painful memories clearly resurfacing.

In an attempt to bring the kid out of his dark reverie, Evan cleared his throat and said, "We have a number of important guests coming to the house tonight, several officials of State and our business associates. I can't keep them waiting for long. Of course, they're also interested in meeting the Leinier heir."

That brought the boy out of whatever hellhole he had traveled into, fast. "And you're just telling me this now?"

Evan sighed with exasperation. "Well, I did tell you days ago, but obviously you were too pre-occupied with other matters to listen."

Taren squinted at him through the glare of the late afternoon sun. "By business associates, you don't mean—"

Evan glanced at him sharply before pointedly looking at the road ahead. "I want you on your best behavior. The least we'd want is Alexander hearing that his nephew snucked out of an important function again."

"F-ck!" Taren swore under his breath.

* * * * * * * *

Kari wound the garden hose back in its shelf on the side of the shed. Taking one last, satisfied look at the flowerbeds, she said to herself, smiling from ear to ear, "Another job well done, Kari-chan!"

She stepped onto the cobblestoned path leading to the main gates, humming a little. Just as she reached the mansion's courtyard, her steps faltered to a stop.

There was a considerable bustle of activity around the front of the house. Several uniformed staff carried white linens, boxes of what looked like expensive silverware and goblets, tables and chairs from vehicles parked along the circular driveway. Kari saw Beth nearby and an older man in butler's attire on the far side, directing the staff.

Seeing Kari approach, Beth smiled and inclined her head. "Oh, hello, young miss!"

"Hi, Beth-san! What's going on, if I may ask?"

"Master Collins is having guests over for a dinner function tonight." Beth replied, her blue eyes hovering over the workers critically.

"Is there anything I can help with?" Kari inquired.

"Thank you, miss." Beth's cheeks dimpled. "The house staff should be able to manage just fine. Besides, this event is going to last through the night until god knows when!" She shook her head, seemingly resigned to the fact.

A maid in a blue uniform walked up to Beth breathlessly, a concerned expression on her face. "I just received news that one of the servers has called in sick with the flu. What should we do, Miss Beth? I don't think we can find anyone else this late to replace her."

Kari noticed Beth hesitate briefly, before saying, "We'll be alright, Margaret. I can fill in for her."

"I can help!" Kari stepped in, the maid looking her up and down with a doubtful stare. "I worked as a part-time waitress before this job. I can do it." She added firmly, turning to Beth. "Besides, you have enough responsibilities as it is."

"Are you sure?" Beth asked, reluctantly.

"Yes, please let me help you."

"Very well." Beth sighed, smiling in relief. "But only for a couple of hours after the guests arrive, no more than that. I will have Mr. Fallert drive you home."

"Deal!" Kari grinned, making the older girl laugh.

"Thank you, young miss!" Beth gave her a little bow. "What would I do without you?"

As the men brought the last of the items into the house, Beth turned to Kari. "All right, young miss. There isn't much time. Let's get you a uniform—it'll be a tad longer on the hem, but I think one of mine should fit fine—then I'll show you the kitchens and the ballroom, and give you a rundown of the tasks."

"Kitchens with an 's' and a ballroom?" Exclaimed Kari in mock surprise, pretending to gush while Beth laughed as they climbed up the wide stone steps to the house.

* * * * * * * *

"Oh—my—god!" Kari's mouth hung open as she stepped through the large, ornate, double doors. She had never seen anything like this in her life, mind-blown by the opulence of the place. A huge crystal chandelier hung in the center of the main hall, and colorful, Victorian frescoes decorated the entire domed ceiling above. Tall, gold-framed paintings graced the paneled walls, interspersed with floor-to-ceiling, high-arched windows. The white marble floor gleamed, warmed by a large dark blue rug with gold filigree. On the far end of the hall, a pair of wide, curved marble staircases converged into a balcony above that led to the second floor. On the far right, antique, comfortable lounge chairs were arranged before an arched, stone fireplace that was more than twice her height.

Kari felt a hand gently touch her chin, and she looked up to see Beth's eyes crinkle in amusement, but in a kind, understanding way. Kari immediately closed her mouth shut, cheeks flushed.

"I know." Beth shook her head as if she disagreed with the house's extravagance. "This place shouldn't garner this much effect on people but sadly, it does." She guided Kari to the left end of the hall, where a pair of slightly smaller, double doors led further into the building's interior.

* * * * * * * *

Taren, dressed in a sleek, all-black suit with a black bowtie and a crisp white shirt, stood beside Evan, who was similarly attired. Evan greeted the guests as they entered the ballroom, introducing them to Taren, who nodded graciously.

In truth, he was already extremely bored, and the night had just started. With a sigh, he scanned the guests, a good majority comprising of politicians and State officials.

He swept his gaze on the minority: the Leinier family's business associates in the country-- old, powerful families in their own right. Who wouldn't be, when they are Kindred?

His hackles almost rose at first sight of them, the inherent territorial nature of his kind rising to the surface. They in turn eyed him cautiously, with a hint of something else that the air around them brought forth: a faint smell of fear.

'They're afraid of me?' Taren wondered. He hadn't met Kindred from a different Clan in some years. Usually, each Clan kept to their territories, rarely meeting except for mutual purposes or business dealings. Then it dawned on him what it could be—he had changed--into something else--and they can sense it.

A revert.

A rogue Kindred that has transcended the limitations of their kind.

A freak of nature.

Taren gave himself a mental shrug. 'I don't need them. I've got other things to worry about.'

However, he had spoken too soon. To his dismay, curiosity won over fear on a young Kindred, a girl around his age wearing a black designer gown. Her long, dark hair cascaded down to her waist as she stepped boldly towards him, and her upswept, amber eyes regarded him with interest.

"Taren Leinier." She inclined her head, seeming to relish saying his name.

Taking her outstretched hand in his, he bowed, his lips barely brushing her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss—" He had already forgotten her name from the earlier introductions.

"Stella Renoir."

He made the necessary motions, a reflex like everything else, offering her a glass of champagne from one of the serving staff and taking one himself.

"You probably don't remember me," she said with a laugh, "We've met at an art auction in Rome that the Leiniers sponsored, a few years ago."

'No, I don't. I can't even count how many of those I've hosted!'  Taren stopped himself from gritting his teeth; instead, he smiled at her. "Is that so?"

* * * * * * * *

"Now, follow my lead, young miss." Beth instructed Kari as they each carried a tray of hors d'oeuvres.

Kari took a deep breath, looking down at her tailored black uniform, the pencil skirt hugging her slim figure.

"Don't look down. Look straight or you'll trip on your heels!" Beth teased, before relenting, "You look great, really, dear."

Kari rolled her eyes. She wasn't expecting to have to walk around carrying a serving tray in high heels! It was the most ridiculous thing!

"Ready?" Beth prompted as she stopped just outside the ballroom's side entrance. "I'll take the right and you take the left."

Kari nodded nervously as the lights from the crystal chandeliers greeted her eyes.