The sound of the gong hushed and froze the crowd, and Genevieve as well.  For a moment she was caught up in the announcement of the crier and forgot the chase.  Her patron did not, however.  The crier had only just announced the presence of House Mandrake when a hand closed on her upper arm.  Genevieve went stiff and carefully turned her head, careful not to move quickly and crush her fae wings.<br/><br/>Her patron stood behind her, or so she guessed from the description the other Adepts had given her.  He was dressed in a dark coat of soft wonderful material, his disguise a simple black velvet mask like that of a harlequin.  He was barely taller than Genevieve herself, and a bit portly.  All she could see of his face was his mouth, curved into a smile.  He had hired her from House Valerian and so it was not too much of a leap of intuition to see the mark of cruelty in the line of his mouth.<br/><br/>He said nothing, holding her firmly by the hand and turning his gaze back to the crier.  Genevieve did the same, returning her attention in time to hear the announcement continued.<br/><br/>"But the light of the new sun is that much more dazzling coming out of the darkness of winter.  Having our friend from House Mandrake perform for us would be a simple sunny summer day.  Tonight you have the pleasure of witnessing two houses demonstrate their unique talents, perfectly complementing each other and taking us some place none of us have ever been.  Tonight among us is one of House Valerian."  The crowd broke out into whispers in anticipation of what they knew was coming.  Genevieve felt her patron grip her tighter.  She did not move or react, but he knew the flush that went through her body at the sudden touch of pain on her skin.<br/><br/>"You will see tonight how pain and pleasure work together, one of the many blessings of Elua given unto us.  When the sun arrives it will be to dazzle us with light out of the darkest night."  Genevieve trembled, her eyes sliding around the crowd.  She knew her Patron was here, but where was this Mandrake who had also taken a patron tonight?