Hidden just below the swirling mist that had swept across the cemetery that night, Gabriel lay quietly in the dark, his eyes firmly closed as he took long deep relaxing breaths. He barely noticed the cold chill that was slowly creeping its way through his dark black overcoat from the soft dew covered grass that covered the grave he was currently lying upon. Wisps of clouds moved unhurriedly across the waning moon, its soft light occasionally catching the dark glistening blood of the circle that Gabriel had carefully drawn around the grave he was currently occupying.

Little time had passed since his last but memorable visit to the Lady of Mercy Cemetery, his aching shoulder now out of its sling a constant reminder of that fateful night. It was also the reason he was here tonight all alone, having told Adriana he was working on a nonexistent job. The whole incident had been deeply embarrassing for him. He’d screwed up badly and Adriana of all people had been there to witness it. It was a simple statement of fact; he had grown careless since he had started dating Adriana. And while enjoying the new person he was becoming, there were aspects of his personality that he could not afford to lose if he wanted to grow to a ripe old age.

So he lay there, whispering Latin mantras to himself while he slowly began to re-establish his dominant personality traits. When his mind finally cleared of all thoughts, he carefully began to manipulate his power, giving it purpose before releasing it slowly into the circle he had formed and allowing the pressure to build until he could feel it begin to push down upon his chest. When it started to become almost too hard to breathe, Gabriel finally extended his senses out far into the night like a lighthouse sweeping its beam across the ocean. His dark gift sending tendrils of cold power creeping swiftly over cemetery and deep into the earth in search of the dead. Soon the hunt would begin.

Gerard had decided to spend the night with Isabel. The two times that he made a trip down to this cemetery had been on business. Between those two nights he was not able to properly enjoy the sights and sculpture of this beautiful place. There was art everywhere and it was a shame that more people did not spend their time her to enjoy these wonderful works of art. Granted, that would require the humans to face their own mortality to enjoy a place like this. Few would do that except under extreme duress. It was like the very fiber of death was woven into their DNA. The entire cycle of life dying and being reborn was echoed even in the life of a vampire. There were just moments that one should sit back and enjoy the cycle.

That was when he felt the pull of the energy of an animator gathering their power for a ritual of some kind. Gerard never one to turn down such an open invitation and letting the curiosity of all things necromancer decided to turn towards the source. Even through what felt like a circle the necromancer knew what they were doing and then he felt the wave of energy begin to pulse and into the very ground and air searching for something. So it was not a dabbler that was true. There were only a few necromancers in this town that he knew could produce such a focused effect and it did not taste like any one of them.

When the cold tendrils of power came to him he let his shields be angled just enough that instead of striking head on and alerting the practitioner to his presence he angled them. This let the power roll over him like he was just another rock or hill and not once be able to appear on the necromancer’s senses. Gerard had more then enough centuries in dealing with such power and had learned quite a few metaphysical tricks to not even be noticed unless he wanted to be. The power dealt with in a way that was more than acceptable for him and his escort he arrived to the edge of the clearing where Gabriel had set up his circle. The soft nuances of Latin flitted over his ears and he had a moment to grimace at the gross mispronunciation of certain words.

He let Isabel fall a bit behind him still well within his ability and shields that it was not a stretch for him to cover them both in them. “Mr. Fischer, I do hate to be a bother but you are putting the accent wrong on that last word. If anything is worth doing it is worth doing right do you not agree?” He gave the man a smile still playing to the personality that he had greeted Adriana with.

“I would ask what you were searching for but based upon the fresh wounds on your shoulder and the reports of ghouls in the area one does not need much to find the answer. I hope you and Ms Raggio were able to handle the vermin appropriately.”

As his mind swept through the cemetery like a swift breeze, his senses touched upon the newly deceased and all the way back to the echoes of ancient creatures that had passed away long before the graveyard had ever existed. At the very edge of his consciousness Gabriel could hear faint distant voices trying to speak with him but ignored them all, focusing on the task ahead.

It was at the far north end of the cemetery that with a smile of satisfaction Gabriel finally came a across a large gathering of ghouls, their chaotic minds a beacon in the night. With a flicker of power, Gabriel sent out his instructions to his more then willing help for the evening. Before an answer could be returned, Gabriel’s eyes shot open as a voice prematurely pulled him out from the ceremony he was conducting.

With irritation Gabriel sat up sharply, his hand slipping to one of the shotguns within the folds of his long coat as he looked for the man who had so rudely interrupted him. To his surprise he found himself faced with two exquisitely dressed individuals who seemed strangely at home in the surrounding of grave stones and tombs. Reaching out with his mind, Gabriel was momentarily confused by the lack of any presence radiating from the couple. Examining the two through narrowed eyes Gabriel focused on the gentlemen who had spoken to him. With the mention of Adriana it dawned upon Gabriel with annoyance the identity of his unwanted visitor.

“And bother me you have.” Snarled Gabriel through gritted teeth as he felt his anger build within him. Clearly losing his temper with a vampire as old as Gerard was not the wisest of choices, so with a deep breath he forced himself to relax. Besides, he had promised Adriana that he would make the effort.

“The Latin is inconsequential to the ritual, intent of will is sufficient enough as I’m sure you know. I could have been singing Kum Ba freaking Yah and it wouldn’t have made the slightest bit of difference. So tell me Gerard, what do I owe the pleasure for an interrupted ceremony. It’s more than obvious that a ghoul infestation is of little concern to someone like you.”

Gerard could feel the cool power of the necromancer flicker over his shields and was quite pleased that they were able to hold against the gentle probing. Knowing humans enough as he did there was a fierce amount of joy that he could unbalance the man. It was one thing to suddenly have one of his senses not only silenced but rendered completely inefficient in tracking Gerard’s movements.

“You are only half right Mr. Fisher. The intent and will are very much important as you say for without them you would simply be saying hollow words to the air. Though I dare say singing ‘Kum Ba Freakin Yah’ would not help you conclude the ritual dealings as you think. For the weight of such a song is about peace and tranquility and that is not what you’re wishing to inspire if I recall the way your power felt. Furthermore the Latin of the ritual is not inconsequential for it would be a focusing agent and if I would hazard a guess how you first learned to control your power.”

He stepped to the very edge of the circle walking around it slightly as though he could not cross. “The words that you chose are very important. They hold more power for they have been used for such rituals longer then you or your ancestor have walked the Earth. Therefore, they hold more power through being codified with ancient practices and studied in all of their variations. Please try the correct pronunciation,” he spoke a few of the words out of order in the correct accent and pronunciation, “and you will find that the power that you call and that you rise from yourself will be focused and strengthened by those that came before.”

He kept walking a bit more before turning back around and retracting his steps. “You are incorrect the Ghoul infestation does concern me. I believe that is the public and perhaps civic interest to have them dealt with before we have any other victims clumsy enough to run into the carrion eaters. I do not want their death on my conscious when I know I have the resources able to be dealt with. As far as to answer your other question I wanted to take a tour of the architecture and sculptures here. It is very much akin to a museum of art that rarely is seen by the general public.”

“I would be polite and inquire to what you are doing here but the circle, the animated dead, and the ghouls speak for themselves on the matter.”

Gabriel’s annoyance was slowly fading away to one of wary amusement as the vampire began explaining a few of the basics of metaphysical law. He had long since learned how to perform the rituals without the need for verbalisation, and had to stop himself from laughing out loud as Gerard tried to teach him the correct pronunciations.

“With all due respect Gerard, I think I’ll give the Latin lessons a miss for tonight. I am working if you hadn’t noticed.” Gabriel said with a forced smile. What did interest him however was Gerard’s ability to shield his presence. Gabriel had a similar ability to hide his aura and power, but his technique would create a detectable void rather than Gerard’s more subtle approach. If had known Gerard a little better he may of asked how this feat was accomplished, but it would prove to be far more interesting to figure it out for himself.

Unfortunately Gabriel’s personnel interests would have to wait for the time being as there were more pressing matters. “I’m impressed to hear that you care so much for civic duty.” Spoke Gabriel in a voice which could easily be taken as either genuine sincerity or slightly mocking in nature. “But I can assure you that you need not worry yourself. The ghouls will be dealt with tonight one way or another.”

With a sweep of his hand Gabriel released his power from the circle and collected his possessions up in a small leather satchel which he threw over his shoulder. Turning back Gabriel chanced a glance at the vampires companion then back towards Gerard, making sure not to look him directly into his eyes. “I’m heading to the north side of the cemetery if you’re interested in continuing this conversation.”