In fact, many catered to my derangements almost as mortals cater to an allergy or medical condition.

Even though my second club (The Inferno) was not dedicated as Elysium until much later, it was treated with an unofficial status as such nearly from the beginning. This was likely in lieu of my "aversion to violence", as it was politely put more than once. In truth, I had it good there.

I enjoyed a mild celebrity status in the city as the "Goth Diva" when I first settled there. I performed on a weekly basis in my own nightclub (at the time known as The Club) until it burned down. After that, I was spooked out of public performances for a while, thinking that such a public face only left me open to further attack.

But I wasn't the Primogen then, only a Toreador. Ben was the true target. Ben..the Toreador Primogen. Ben..my closest friend and sometimes lover. After my Morgan, he was the only man I had trusted enough for my bed. And in the quick flash of a spark, he was gone.

Even now, I don't know how my loyal retainers managed to save me from that blaze. I remember waking in a bed in a dark room, barely able to open my eyes from the swelling there. The pain was excruciating and I was unconscious more often than not, I think.

I remained underground for a whlie, healing myself between bouts of delusions. They had to restrain me a few times as I writhed and howled as imaginary flames licked the flesh from my bones.