Promotions

Several minutes later, in her own room, Morgana searched through her purse, finally withdrawing a small address book. She opened it, flipping rapidly through the pages before stopping at one entry in particular. Sitting on the bed, Morgana took up the phone and began dialing.

The phone rang several times, but Morgana was patient, and finally a bleary voice on the other end answered “St. Anthony’s Rectory. Hello?”

“I need to speak to Father Mitchell: this is very important.”

“Who shall I say is calling?” asked the tired voice, crossly.

“Tell him,” began Morgana, then she paused a moment. “Tell him Michelle Brown is calling.”

Morgana impatiently waited several minutes, then she heard a familiar, deep voice over the phone. “Michelle? What is this all about?”

“White pawns, Father; white pawns.”

There was a sudden pause. “I, see. Just a moment, then.” There was a brief burst of static over the line, then Father Mitchell’s voice returned. “The line is secure, and I’m alone. What is so important that you have to talk to me about, Michelle, at 3:30 in the morning?”

“The Celestial Chorus keeps an eye on potential Mages, don’t they? Keeps track of them?”

“Yes, most every Tradition does: we have a data base solely dedicated to monitoring potential candidates for the Tradition. Why?”

“I just encountered someone who is definitely a potential candidate, and I need to know if you’re keeping an eye on her.”

“Just a second, and I’ll check; what’s the person’s name?”

“Carolyn Knight.”

Father Mitchell laughed. “Oh, her. I don’t need to check the data base for her name: she’s a prime candidate. Several members of the Chorus, myself among them, appreciate how she integrates her spirituality into her writing and personal life in a way that parallels much of our teaching: she would have little trouble being quickly accepted into our Tradition, and I suspect she would find our Tradition very compatible.” He stopped for a second. “Why are you so curious about her?”

“If I read the signs correctly, she is very close to Awakening.”

“Oh?” replied Father Mitchell. “How so?”

“She was sensitive enough to recognize that I wasn’t mortal when we first met.” She paused a second: “you know how difficult that is.”

“Indeed I do, Michelle: please continue, this tale is becoming very interesting.”

“Then she followed me unnoticed for most of the evening: only someone a powerful arcane ability could have cloaked herself so well.

“Finally, after she saw me feeding, she was able to use her cross to ward me away momentarily.”

Father Mitchell murmured in surprise.

“Father, you know crosses don’t particularly affect me: that she was able to make it unpleasant for me at all is significant enough.”

“I see. Is there anything else?”

Morgana sighed. “Yes: I had to entrance her to keep her from doing anything rash while I explained things to her. She almost resisted me, as if she were Awakened! I don’t think that I could have removed her memories of the incident if she hadn’t consented.”

Father Mitchell’s surprise was evident in his voice. “How did you convince her to let you remove her memories?”

Morgana laughed. “Father, you know how persuasive I can be.”

Father Mitchell returned her laughter. “All too true, Michelle, all too true. But what does all this have to do with the Tradition?”

“I know you Mages dislike the Orphans who Awaken outside the established Traditions, and I wouldn’t want to see that happen to Carolyn.” She paused, breathing deeply. “Right now, almost anything could Awaken her: I think someone should ensure she does it within your Tradition.”

Father Mitchell chuckled low and slowly. “Michelle, you amaze me. A vampire, and a Ventrue at that, freely demonstrating concern for a potential Mage? You transcend the stereotypes my Tradition assigns to your Kindred, and it is my pleasure to know you. I shall make some inquiries and be in touch with you soon.”