A large reception and party hosted by the Family in Vancouver, a Saturday in March.
Background[]
The Family had reached the conclusion that modern human civilization had become a threat and attempted to gather allies in fragmenting it and bringing it under control of themselves and factions friendly to them. They invited influential members of the Shadows to discuss plans on how to accomplish this.[1]
“No, darling. Like a party. The opulent, excessive, sexy kind, where you can trust no one. It’s even nearby, fortunately enough.”
— Zafirah, Past Due, chapter 8
Zafirah had meanwhile investigated the Family, and contacted Alex to acquire an invitation and to accompany her as her escort to the party. She had also discovered that the Family was a threat to Onyx. The Crew made plans to infiltrate the party in order to gather intelligence.[2]
Attendees[]
Hosts and guests[]
- Alex Carlisle
- Cythera
- Dominic, a demon and hunter
- Estevan, a demon
- The Family, hosts
- Bandar al-Farha, of the Ashen Scholars
- Hugo, a werewolf
- Spencer Kensington III, vampire lord of San Francisco
- Genevieve du Valois
- Leanne, a demon of seduction
- Lorelei
- Johanna Matthias
- Michaelis, a demon of sorcery
- Sepulveda and Topanga, lizard people of Los Angeles
- Katerina Sorrow
- Sumaya, a jinn
- Tanxin, a demon of wealth
- Trevor, a demon of sorcery
- Jackson Tyler, a werewolf pack leader
- Victor, a demon and hunter
- Zafirah
- and many werewolves, sorcerers, vampires, and other squiddy beings
Staff and helpers[]
- The Hound of the Mojave
- Drew Jones
- Moonclaw
- Wade Reinhardt
- Sierra
- Rico’s team
- Steve, a Canadian bodyguard
- Trevor, an expelled apprentice Practitioner
- and many unnamed people of uncertain duties and patronage
Party crashers[]
Events[]
Lorelei entered the formal reception separately and without an invitation, while Zafirah and Alex entered together. All three caused quite a stir and interest both professional and personal, but Zafirah found no way to reach the information she needed. Alex used Michiko’s attraction to him to get into her rooms, but when he refused to have sex with her she attempted to kill him. However, Lilith killed her first, and talked with Alex before Zafirah could enter. Zafirah and Alex managed to find a book describing the magic of the Family, and decided to extract. Zafirah left stealthily, while Alex returned for Lorelei.[1]
Returning to the main room, Alex was challenged to a duel by Gerhardt Stein. He won the first round but then faced an angry armed sorcerer without weapons.[3]
Molly, Onyx, and Rachel managed to work out how to destroy the wards protecting the mansion, and Rachel attempted to rescue Lorelei and Alex. She was severely wounded by the magic of the Family, and the trio barely escaped the house, pursued by members of the Family, werewolves, and other monsters. Alex could however take advantage of a call from the guardian angel switchboard to get assistance from the local angels, who evacuated Rachel and drove off many of the pursuers.[4]
Meanwhile, Drew, Wade, and Sierra had investigated the cellar of the mansion, and found Joel, a captive angel there. They escaped with assistance from Molly, Onyx, and Taylor, though at the cost of Kashvi reaching Onyx and casting a spell on her.[4]
Results[]
- The imprisonment and torture of Joel is discovered
- Alex meets Katerina and Lilith
- Death of Michiko and Jasper
- Rachel is severely wounded
- Zafirah manages to acquire a copy of the Family’s spellbook
- Awakening of some of memories from Onyx’s past lives
- The Family flees Vancouver on the Silver Delta