The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death

[ladydeathfaerie]

Title: The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death
Chapter Eighteen: Friends And Enemies
Fandom: Anita Blake universe
Rating: 18 and up
Warnings: graphic sex and violence, language, anything else i can toss in.
Disclaimer: the recognizable characters and places contained herein are the property of LKH. i'm merely borrowing for the sake of entertainment. no money is being made from this venture. the Sues are the sole property of their originators, Ginevra, Dazzledfirestar, Nanaea, SilverFoxChan and ladydeathfaerie. the concept and title of The Mary Sue Virus are used with permission from Dazzledfirestar. all beta work, plot bunny shooting and ass spanking is being done by Gin. 

The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death - Index Link  

Minette regarded her reflection in the mirror and frowned at the dress she wore. What on earth had Jean Claude been thinking when he'd had this sent to her? It was too... rich for her. She'd never in her life worn anything quite so stylish or sophisticated. Before he'd retired that morning, he'd told them all that there was going to be a dinner. Shortly after he'd woken, the gown had arrived. It was obvious he'd picked it out.

The dress was made of a heavy, deep forest green satin. The cut reminded her of something Audrey Hepburn would have worn back in the fifties and sixties. It was a classic style, the neckline cut into a yoke that plunged low on her chest. The sleeves fit to her arms, the upper edges resting under the shoulder joints. The bodice was made to be tight, decorated with swirling embroidery in a soft emerald green and jet black. It traced across the top in order to draw the eye to the slight hint of cleavage the gown showed, to the gentle swell of her bosom over the material. The skirt was made full by several layers of tulle and hung gracefully to the knee.

A pair of shiny black patent heels had come with it, along with a choker in the same emerald green as the embroidery on her dress. The lace adornment fit snugly against her throat, a scrolling pattern that complimented the decorative stitches. A few jet beads glittered against the paleness of her skin, a single black stone the size of a grape resting in the center of the green. It was a blatant decoration made to match her dress. It was also a subtle proclamation that told one and all she was off limits that evening.

"You look beautiful," a voice whispered in awe from behind her. She turned to look and found Micah leaning against the door frame. His arms were crossed over his chest and she wasn't surprised to find that his dress shirt was perfectly matched to the gown she wore. Another subtle claim of ownership. The slacks he wore with the silk shirt were black linen, tailored for a perfect fit. This shirt, instead of having a priest's collar, had a Mandarin collar to it. First glance named the two one and the same. But the difference was at the front, where a slight vee between one side of the collar and the other exposed a narrow strip of flesh right below the Adam's apple. Again, Minette saw a gentle reminder that Micah belonged to someone else and was off limits to the visiting Council members.

"You don't look too bad yourself," she offered him a faint smile before glancing down at herself. "I feel like a little girl playing at dress up with her mother's clothes. This dress is too..."

"Its perfect, Minette. Trust me. Jean Claude knows what he's doing when it comes to clothes. You look wonderful," Micah replied, his voice firm. She stared a moment, then nodded her head. The room fell uncomfortably silent. He stared at her a few minutes, then sighed and crossed the room to stand at her side. "Why are you so uptight? You haven't been yourself for a couple of days. Did you have some kind of run in with Gretchen?"

Minette blinked. What in the world had made him ask that question? She must have taken too long to answer, or maybe it was the look on her face, because Micah put his hands on her shoulders and frowned. "I saw the way you reacted to her name last night. What happened?"

"She threatened me," Minette told him quietly. There was no need to lie or hide anything. As her Nimir-Raj, he had a right to know. He made no reply, the look on his face suggesting she continue. She shrugged and reached up to nervously finger the choker she wore. "She told me that Jean Claude would hand me over to Belle and Padma to play with."

"He wouldn't do that," Micah shook his head.

"I know. I know he wouldn't. But it still scared me. And she wouldn't stop. She kept on and..." she broke off, refusing to meet his gaze. Micah said nothing, merely wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"How did you get away from her?" he asked softly.

"Requiem came to my aide," she said, carefully slipping her arms around him. She was afraid of leaving wrinkles in his shirt so she hugged him lightly. "He said Jean Claude sent him. It doesn't matter. He was there to help me. I don't think she'd have stopped otherwise."

"Then I suppose I should be grateful to him. Gretchen is crazy."

"Micah..." Minette pulled from his embrace and glanced up at him. He frowned and it made her wonder what he saw in her face. "There's more that we should talk about."

"This isn't really the best time for a chat," he reminded her, watching as she turned to drag a brush through her hair. Minette sighed and laid the brush down before dipping her head once in a nod. "How important is it?"

"Its really important. I... What do you want from me? I mean, what do you expect of me? Relationship wise. Do you want me as a girlfriend or a lover or simply as your Nimir-Ra? What am I to you?" she asked, the words tumbling past her lips in a rush before she lost her courage. Micah stared at her for a few seconds, then shook his head.

"I don't think I'd really given that much thought," he finally admitted. She simply stared, waiting for him to continue. "This whole situation has been... hard to deal with. In one night, in an odd twist of fate, I lost Anita and gained her back. You're nothing like her and yet you hold so much of her within you. Sometimes I get confused by that. I have to keep reminding myself that you're not her. So many things have happened that I never dreamed would happen."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"There's nothing to apologize for, Minette. Life goes on, even when we don't want it to. The sad truth is Anita is gone and you're here in her place. I'm going to have to find a way to deal with that," he reached out and laid a hand on her cheek. She sighed, his touch a gentle thing meant to reassure. "We've both got things we have to get used to. Maybe if this had been gradual... I don't know, Minette. I don't know how to answer your questions."

"The truth is always good. Even if it hurts. At least its the truth and not a lie," she encouraged with a faint smile.

"The truth. I don't know if I know what the truth is. I haven't really had time to think about things. Anita was my entire world for a long time and now..." he shrugged helplessly, staring at her as if the answers he wanted to give her were to be found on her person somewhere.

"I need to know, Micah. Requiem has asked me to... He asked me if he could..." she struggled to find the right words. Finally, she heaved a sigh and simply spoke. "Requiem wants to date me."

Micah blinked as if he hadn't quite understood what she said. "He wants to date you?" Minette nodded. He stared at her for several long moments before he shook his head. "I don't know what to say. Do you want to date him?"

"Yes. I do. But that confuses me and that's why I want to know what you want," she let him see the confusion in her eyes. "What am I to you? Am I just Nimir-Ra? Or am I something more? I need to know before I start getting involved with anyone seriously."

He was silent, merely looked at her as if he'd never seen her before. Perhaps he hadn't. The woman she was now wasn't the one he'd first met. She'd been on edge for the past few days. Every event or encounter brought more power or responsibility, brought things she didn't want to deal with. But she had to deal with them, had to cope. And she needed to know if she had to deal with Micah or not. It was something of a simplistic view, but it was the truth. So she waited for him to answer, to give her the truth. It was what she'd asked him for.

"I can't imagine having you as my Nimir-Ra in name only," he began. The words faded almost immediately and he reached up to tug his fingers through his curls. It was a motion that betrayed his frustration and nervousness. "My relationship with Anita was more complicated than it seemed. I had to share her with so many men and, sometimes, I didn't know where I stood with her. I know I wasn't the most important man in her life. At least, not the way I wanted to be."

"You loved her that much?" Minette asked, unable to believe that the conversation had gone down this path. Although, if she were being honest, she should have known that Anita would be involved in some way. She was the center of so many lives, the center of this little part of the world. How could she not be involved?

"I loved her more than I think she ever realized. Now she's gone and I can't even properly mourn her because she's thrown you into my life."

"I would never stand in the way of your mourning her, Micah. I don't want to do that. I know I'm not her and I could never be her. I wouldn't... I can't take her place. But I can't take away the things she's given me. I don't know how. And, to be honest, all that power scares me. I don't know what to do with it. And the vampires can only help me with a certain part of it. The rest of it, the part of it that belongs to the leopard... Well, I need your help with that," she admitted to him. "If you only want me as your Nimir-Ra, I'll understand."

Somehow, the idea that Micah would only want her for the power Anita had gifted her hurt. She turned away from him to play with the brush again, trying to decide if she should leave her hair down or pull it up into something a little more stylish. He stepped up behind her, took the brush from her hand and settled it against the vanity. She stared at him in the mirror, waiting to find out just what he wanted. "I want more than merely a Nimir-Ra. I need more than a Nimir-Ra. I need a real partner."

She turned to face him, head tilted back so she could look him in the eye. "What kind of partner?"

He seemed at a loss to explain himself, a look on his face that hinted at frustration. As if he knew what he wanted to say, but didn't know how to say it. Minette swallowed and dropped her chin to her chest, her heart twisting with a pain she didn't entirely understand. One of his hands cupped her chin and lifted her face so she looked him in the eye. "I need a woman who will be as much a part of my life as I am of hers."

"You want someone like Anita," she whispered.

"Yes. And no. I want the same kind of relationship as I had with her. Someone who will love me for me. Someone who sees me for me. Someone who accepts me for who and what I am. But I don't want someone that I have to share with every other man in St. Louis. I can't do that again. I won't," he sighed, his hands both reaching up to cup her cheeks. "Don't get me wrong. I loved Anita. I still do. I'm lost without her right now. But I can't share again. Not like that. It was harder than I thought it would be and it took everything inside of me to keep her from seeing that I hated it a little more every day."

Minette held herself still in his grasp, body strung tight with anticipation. There was something more he had to tell her. She could feel it. A kernel of excitement grew in the depths of her belly, ready to explode into bigger, better things. She didn't quite understand what it meant. She only knew that the two of them were caught on the edge of something amazing, waiting with baited breath for it to change.

Micah smiled down at her, one hand lifting to stroke through her hair with a sweet touch. "I need time to fully mourn Anita. But I don't want to set you aside. She chose you for a reason and there's something there. I don't know what it is yet. But I'd love to have the chance to find out."

"Of course," she whispered, offering him a smile that was bright and less timid than the ones she'd given previously. "I can't make the other men go away, though. Not all of them. All I can do is try not to give my heart to too many."

"That's all I can ask of you, Minette," he nodded, lips curving upward into a full smile that was colored with his joy. "Give me a chance to..."

"To date me?" she asked him with a hint of a smile.

"Give me the same opportunities that you give him. Let me find out if what I feel is because of you or because of Anita. I want the chance to find out that its real and not the ghost of a memory."

"I can do that, Micah."

They stared at one another for several heartbeats, eyes seeking out some bit of reassurance from one another. Micah's smile stretched into something that was both sweet and hungry at the same time. Heat filled his eyes a moment before his head dipped. Minette closed her own eyes and let him press his lips to hers. The kiss was soft at first, a tentative touch that stole her breath. Her body molded to his, her arms sliding up around his neck to pull him closer. He wrapped his arms around her, tightening his hold on her.

And the kiss changed.

He pressed against her, catching her hips against the vanity behind her so that she was pinned. His mouth took from hers, the hunger that had lurked in his smile rising to eat away at her resistance. There was none to tear down, so she fell headlong into the kiss, into the feel of him against her, and gave herself up to him. Micah growled in his throat, proof of his words prodding at her belly. He drove his tongue into her mouth, branding her with it, marking her as his. Heat poured through her, seared her until she was breathless and limp in his embrace. Only then did he let her go so that they could stare one another in the eyes.

"We'll continue this discussion later," he promised, sensuality dripping from every word. Minette shuddered, finding it difficult to manage a simple nod. "For now, we have a dinner to attend."

~*~*~*~*~

The dress was pretty, but she didn't like wearing it. There was no way to wear a gun with it and she was going to be surrounded by vampires and lycanthropes. Even if she knew most of them, she didn't like going without some form of protection. Nothing she'd said to Jean Claude about it had made a difference. He'd told her that there was no need for a weapon. Though the words had been delivered mildly enough, there'd been an underlying note in his voice that told her he wasn't about to change his mind about it. Aedan had been in a mood ever since.

If she was being honest, it wasn't the dress that bothered her so much. It was the idea of having to sit through a dinner with Belle and Padma. She understood the reasons behind the dinner. What better way for Jean Claude to demonstrate his power than by having a meal where every one of the heads of the major supernatural groups in the city attended? That didn't mean she had to be happy about it. She didn't like either of their guests and would have been happy putting a dozen rounds in both of their heads. Which was probably why Jean Claude had chosen the dress he had.

She looked down at herself one more time, trying to decide why Jean Claude had picked this dress for her. The main material was silk in a slate gray color that brought out the hints of the same shade in her eyes but didn't clash with the color of her hair. The bodice had a plunging vee neckline that ended in the valley between her breasts. Thin blue thread wove its way down the front of the vee, the color a match to Jean Claude's eyes. A pair of rhinestone buckles sat on the shoulders, thinning the straps down before they slid down her back.

The skirt was done in layers. The bottom was moderately full, more of the soft gray silk. There were two layers of lace over it. The top layer was a silvery gray, lighter than the silk. Another layer hung under it in a deep blue, the patterns on the two made in such a way that where there were gaps in the gray, the blue showed through. With the dress, she wore a pair of gray heeled sandals. They were strappy, with blue stitching running through the gray silk. The finishing touch to the simple dress was a silver chain decorated with a large blue stone. She wasn't sure what it was, but it helped draw every piece of her ensemble together to give her a look that was feminine, provocative and still strong.

Jean Claude stood beside her, clad in black velvet breeches that had been tucked into thigh high boots of butter soft leather. His shirt reminded her of something that would have been worn by the hero on the cover of some historical romance. Made of the finest silk, it was as blue as his eyes. There were lace ruffles at the cuffs and spilling down the front in the same lace that had been used in her skirt. The buttons on the shirt were a shining gray. His hair hung in loose curls over his shoulders and down his back.

Jason was on Jean Claude's other side, blonde hair shining in the flickering light of dozens of candles spread throughout the room. The wolf was wearing a long sleeved shirt in the same blue as Jean Claude, embroidery at the collar and cuffs in the same shade of blue as Jason's eyes. He wore his typical leather, his clothes a mix between exotic stripper and classic businessman. Jason had come to make sure she'd gotten dressed before Jean Claude had arrived to escort both of them to the dining room. They were now waiting for their guests to arrive.

"You look lovely, ma poupette," Jean Claude leaned down to whisper in her ear. She had to wonder at the action, knowing that Jason could hear him anyway. She gave him a smile and fisted her hands in her skirts. She could feel them arriving, power washing over her like a tidal wave, trying to pull her under.

Belle entered first, escorted by a vampire Aedan didn't know. She wore white again, a gown that trailed the floor behind her as she walked. The sleeves were long, hanging down to cover her fingers in flowing bells. The neckline had been made with excess material that hung gathered against her chest in gentle folds. A simple belt of gold was the only adornment, resting low on her hips. Her hair flowed around her shoulders like a cloak, enhancing the paleness of her flesh and the honeyed color of her eyes. She presented herself as delicate and beautiful. Harmless.

If Belle was harmless, Aedan was a member of fucking Ziegfeld's Follies.

Padma followed behind her, escorted by Meng Die. She wore leather again and left as soon as the Master of Beasts stood beside Belle. His human servant and tiger came behind him. Padma's kurta for the evening was a dark gold silk with accents in cream and brown. The turban twisted about his head was made to match. The colors darkened his pale skin to give him a more swarthy look. His human servant and tiger came to a stop on either side of him, the three of them staring at Jean Claude and herself intently. Carswell was wearing what appeared to be an English officer's uniform from the eighteen hundreds while the tiger was dressed in something a little more contemporary. He'd donned a pair of tight pants and a shirt in the same gold as his master's kurta.

"Good evening, Belle. Padma," Jean Claude bowed to the two of them.

"Jean Claude. A dinner thrown in our honor. How quaint," Belle mused, her gaze moving from where he stood to Jason. She studied him like he was on the menu. Then her gaze turned to where Aedan stood and she tried using that power to pin Aedan where she stood. Instead of saying anything, Aedan merely stared at her without moving until Belle gave it up and smiled. "Such a strong will. It will be fun to break you."

"I do hope you have provided us with much better than that horrible woman," Padma drawled, a look of disgust crossing his face.

"There is something wrong with Gretchen?" Jean Claude asked pleasantly. "She has not been doing as you have asked?"

"She complies, but slowly. And with much grumbling. It would seem she is unhappy, Jean Claude. Why is that?" Belle wondered out loud.

"Because she does not understand that I will not take her to my bed."

"She is jealous? Of your mortal?" Belle actually laughed at that, a tinkling, high pitched thing that was full of genuine mirth. Jean Claude said nothing, merely kept a pleasant, blank expression on his face. Belle turned back to Aedan. "And what do you think of sweet Gretchen, necromancer?"

"That she has some issues she should deal with. Maybe therapy would help," Aedan shrugged a shoulder gracefully. She heard Jean Claude's chuckle in her head and barely managed to catch herself before she wobbled on her sandals. Before anything more could be said, the first of Jean Claude's people entered the room and all attention was given over to them.

Aedan knew before they cleared the door that Asher and Janika came first. She could tell by the taste of the cold power that washed over her. It brought with it the confused, warm and wild energy that pointed to lycanthrope. Narcissus was accompanying the two of them since the hyena was Asher's animal to call. The sight of Janika's petite frame beside Asher's tall, graceful form was enough to catch her breath in her throat.

It was hard to decide who looked better, who was more attractive. Asher's hair shone like burnished gold in the many candles that lit the banquet hall, hanging around his shoulders like a cloak. He wore the same style shirt as Jason. It was silk, a pale icy blue with accents in bronze that only enhanced the color of his hair. The garment flowed as he moved, almost as if it were a living extension of him. His trousers were black, a pair of finely cut dress slacks that fit snug against the lean length of his legs. One of Janika's pale hands was tucked into the crook of his elbow, dark golden bangles hanging from her slim wrists.

Rich auburn hair had been swept up into a sleek chignon, spirals dangling as a frame for the delicate oval of her face. The gown she wore was stylish, a clinging creation of bronze liquid velvet that flowed downward from the left shoulder. Small blue chips of rhinestone sparkled in the candlelight, four lines of the stones starting at the shoulder and working their way down over the bodice like the spread of fingers claiming possession. The material hugged her curves until mid-thigh, where the skirt had been cut on an angle. The velvet pooled around her right foot, the ripples of fabric catching the light each time she brought her foot before her. The cut of the dress and the style of her hair served to give her the appearance of height, lengthening the leg and the slim lines of her throat. A pair of bronze heels hugged her feet and a necklace of the same darkened gold rested against her throat, a single stone of pale blue resting in the hollow at the front.

On Janika's other side was Narcissus, dressed in a brown suit that held hints of bronze in it. His shirt was a match to Asher's. His hair shone dark in the candle light and Asher had made sure that he'd not worn makeup to the function. Even Narcissus held an odd kind of appeal that left Aedan wondering if she was feeling well. She didn't miss that symbolism in the fact that all three of them were dressed in matching colors, a subtle method for Jean Claude to proclaim them all under his protection.

Quickly on the heels of the first trio came the second. Minette was caught between both Micah and Requiem, each of the men claiming an arm as her escorts. Minette was clad in green with accents of black, her hair left long and straight around her face. Micah was in green and black, his shirt matched perfectly to her dress. Requiem wore all black. His shirt, like Micah's and Asher's, was in the same style as the one Jason wore. Hints of green thread flashed in the light so that the three of them were tied to one another. For the evening, he'd left his cloak off and he cut a handsome figure in all black. Aedan watched them move into the room and realized she needed to breathe. Damn. What the hell was going on?

Almost as soon as the three of them entered, Richard and Rhiannon followed them. The pair of them were decked out in dark, chocolate brown. Richard's hair hung thick and long to his shoulders, the candles picking out the many different shades of highlights that ran through it, held back by a clip of some sort. He wore the same black dress slacks as the others, the silk of his shirt tucked into the waist. Silver flashed at his wrists and Aedan realized that he wore cuff links. Rhiannon looked like an earthy dream in several shades of brown. Her blouse was peasant style, made of both cotton and chiffon that hung well past her hips. The sleeves were full and caught at the wrist so that the sheer material puffed around her hands. A belt of silver hung about her waist. It showed the progression of the moon's phases, a star caught between each one of the moons. The skirt was knee length, made up of layers of cotton, lace and chiffon. There was another flash of silver at her throat and peeking between the strands of her curly hair.

Aedan knew without having to see them that Rhiannon wore stars in her ears. The necklace was the triple Goddess, a full moon in the center while waxing and waning took up positions on either side. Wondering briefly about whether or not Richard wore moons or stars provided her with an answer from Jean Claude and he mentally informed her that both the cuff links and the clip were moons with the image of a howling wolf etched into them.

Isis and Damian followed. She was clad in a dress of brilliant red. The shade almost perfectly matched Damian's hair and set off the golden color of her own. It was a knee length sheath of silk with a halter styled top and a slightly flared skirt. Her jewelry was gold and consisted of a single bracelet on one wrist, a pair of gold drop earrings that ended with a single stone in a soft golden brown color. The same kind of stone graced the wide collar of gold that hugged her throat. The ensemble was finished out with a pair of strappy gold heels that brought her height almost even with her escort's.

The color scheme was carried over into the clothing that Damian wore. The silk of his shirt was washed with a warm golden brown color. The edges of the collar and cuffs were piped in red. Even the buttons were red. He, too, wore black dress slacks that fit him well enough to hint at what lay beneath them without hugging too tightly in some areas. His hair hung long and loose around his shoulders, the darkness of it contrasting with the warm color of his shirt. Winking in the candlelight from around his neck was one last item. A torque made of gold rested against the collar of his shirt. It was reminiscent of the Viking style, though the ends of the piece were anything but. Golden lion's heads sat on either side of his Adam's apple, mouths open in a roar. Eyes made of ruby stared out at the gathered throng. The piece was so well made that each individual strand of the lions' manes could be made out

The last to come through the entryway was Rafael and Dr. Lillian. His dark good looks were enhanced by his suit. Both he and Lillian wore black on black. Rafael sported a suit that had obviously been cut just for him. The shoulders fit snugly without bunching up with each of his movements. The lapels of the coat were narrow, shiny with a different material than the rest of the garment. The shirt beneath it was black, too, though threads of metallic silver and blue had been woven into the mix so that little sparks of color flashed when he walked. The tie he wore was a deep, dark blue that had been shot through with silver. It was a subtle claim of alliance with Jean Claude.

Beside him, Lillian bore herself with as much grace as a queen. Her head was up, shoulders held straight. There was a look on her face that let one and all know she wouldn't take crap from anyone. Her hair hung to her shoulders, straight and unadorned, to frame a pleasant face that bore her sixty plus years well. She wore a simple black dress that hung to mid-calf, the cut of the skirt enough to say that it was a designer gown. A string of small, perfectly shaped pearls rested around her neck. The jacket she wore was black with extravagant piping done in blue and silver. She wore black, no nonsense pumps and dark hose.

Aedan took a deep breath, wondering what the hell was going on. She wasn't sure if it was a simple reaction to so many attractive people in one place or if it was a reaction to so much power in one place. Maybe it was both. She hoped that it wasn't anything else. If it was, maybe she'd get lucky and Jean Claude would hold it back for her until she could be alone. Pushing all of that aside, she allowed the vampire at her side to pull her forward.

Time for the show to begin.

"So many animals in one place, Jean Claude. Surely you did not invite them to dine with us?" Padma's gaze raked from one group to the next. Aedan realized that nearly every grouping held a lycanthrope of some kind, a vampire and a human. And every group was, in one way or another, visibly shown as tied to Jean Claude as well as one another. He'd held a claim on everyone in the room and made it known to his guests without ever having to say a word.

"But of course," Jean Claude inclined his head, a slight smile on his face. Aedan felt a brush of anger in Padma's power before he deftly hid it away. Good. Served the bastard right. "Through varied means, I hold an alliance with every one of the major groups of lycanthropes. They are here tonight to give evidence to the state of my territory and my power. As Aedan said last night, I am as powerful now as I was before Anita was killed."

"How is it you have managed to gain an alliance with every animal in the city?" Padma asked, eyes looking pointedly at Rafael.

"We asked for it," Aedan said, tone so cold that it drew Padma's gaze her way. She met his stare with one that promised him a world of hurt if he put a toe out of line. He chuckled and motioned to where Rafael stood.

"Should I ask the rat king to join me?"

"Go ahead and ask. Something tells me that Rafael would turn you down," she smiled at that.

"He has no ties to you. What do you care about what happened between us before you were even part of Jean Claude's kiss?"

"Because I asked him to continue his alliance with Jean Claude in the face of Anita's death. I promised to him the same thing that she did," Aedan replied, wondering what Jean Claude's game was? She'd expected him to put an end to this before it even started. But he merely stood at her side, watching the exchange as if it were a tennis match.

"Does that promise include your body?" Belle asked with curiosity. Aedan turned to her.

"That is none of your concern."

"But it is, if you have secured Jean Claude's city for him with the lure of your body. There would be many men showing up on his doorstep to swear fealty if only for a taste of your sweet flesh and blood," Belle crossed the floor until she stood before Aedan, her power reaching out to trace ghostly fingers along her arms. Dear gods, there was enough in that touch to make Aedan's teeth ache. More than Belle had let her feel before. If the woman didn't stop touching her, even metaphysically, she was going to lose control.

"Aedan isn't on the menu," Minette's hand was warm against her own and Aedan was grateful for the touch. It broke whatever spell Belle had been trying to weave around her.

"Does that mean you are?" Padma asked, his voice tinted with a dark hope that made Aedan's hand flex as if it were seeking the butt of her gun. Minette held her ground, remaining close to Aedan's side.

"No. I'm not on the menu, either," she replied firmly.

"Pity. I believe you would taste good," Padma said, appreciation and something more in his voice.

"Jason. If you would be so kind as to seat our guests," Jean Claude broke the tension to deliver the instruction in a mild tone of voice. The blonde moved to Belle's side and motioned toward the other side of the large round table. Aedan watched them go until she felt Jean Claude's hand on her arm. She smiled up at him and allowed him to escort her to the seat she'd be occupying. He was silent as he held it out for her, allowing her to settle into it before pushing it in.

She watched as the blonde wolf continued to escort people to their seats. After Belle and her loaner companion for the meal, he carefully escorted Padma, Thomas Carswell and Gideon to their seats. Aedan watched to be sure that the rules weren't broken. One hint of it and she'd be more than happy to skin the Master of Beasts alive. See how the fucker liked it. Sadly, the man kept his hands and his power to himself. Jason then came back around the table and started seating everyone else.

Requiem took the seat beside her, while Minette and Micah found their way into the next two chairs. After them came Asher, Janika and Narcissus. That put the hyena beside Padma's tiger. Then Jason began filling up the other side of the table. The seat on the other side of Jean Claude's chair was left empty, signifying Jason's spot at the table. Richard was beside him, then Rhiannon and an empty spot. After that came Lillian and Rafael, then Damian and Isis. There was a space or two left between the vamp beside Belle and Isis. Once Jason took his seat, Jean Claude followed.

Almost as if there'd been some silent cue, and she wasn't discounting that there hadn't been, a line of servers began pouring into the room. The man in the lead wore a high collared, button down shirt in white with a plain black vest over it. A pair of black trousers and a blood red bow tie completed his garb. Three more people followed him, dressed in the exact same ensemble. There were two women and one man. The first man carried a bottle of wine while the next one came with a large serving bowl of fine white china. The man and woman behind him were bearing trays laden with what looked to be salad.

It was the woman that came after them that baffled Aedan for a few moments. She wore a skirt in black, as well as the same black vest as the others were wearing. She wasn't wearing a shirt beneath it, though. Her long, chestnut colored hair had been drawn back into a high pony tail. The other woman's hair hung long and straight around her face, framing it with the shiny fall of black silk. And then it hit her. The hair style and the lack of shirt left the graceful line of the woman's throat exposed. She was obviously one of the offerings to be given to the vampires for a meal.

Several more people followed the others into the room. There was a fairly even mix of men and women who were designated as snacks mixed in with those who were fully dressed and off limits. The servers moved around the entire table, obviously instructed to pass each of the vampires, as they each handed off servings of fresh fruit, sliced meats and cheeses, crackers and assorted other tidbits. Aedan wasn't sure if this was meant to be the meal or if this was some kind of odd series of appetizers. She supposed it didn't really matter one way or the other. There was still the matter of feeding the vampires.

It wasn't as if they could pile the servers on their plates.

The room remained cloaked in silence as the servers came and went. The table had been set with a milky white table cloth that looked expensive. A quick feel of the length hanging in her lap confirmed that it was made of the finest material available. Plates of bone china sat before each guest. The silverware gleamed with polish and the wine glasses were of the finest crystal. It was a table set for royalty and heads of state. And, despite the lack of any food on her plate, Belle wore a look on her face that told Aedan the finery Jean Claude had had laid out for the occasion wasn't good enough for her.

Gods, she hated the bitch.

Several long moments later, the food had been served to all of those present who could eat it. The servers with shirts had left the room while those wearing only vests remained behind. They would see to someone's needs while still making themselves available among the vampires, waiting to be picked as someone's meal. Even though everyone in the room was at rest, she still felt power prickling along her skin and wished she had her gun. There was a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Nothing good could come of this. Nothing at all.

"I must commend you on your taste, Jean Claude. You have once again gone to the greatest lengths to provide us with the finest company and delicacies your city has to offer," Belle broke the silence. Aedan turned to look at her and watched as the woman's warm honey gaze moved from one face to the next of those gathered around the table. She stopped one each one for the space of a handful of heartbeats before moving on to the next. There was blatant hunger shining in her eyes, a hunger that seemed to change with each person. Desire and something darker lurked in them. "And your people are all so very lovely to gaze upon. You are very fortunate to have such beauty surrounding you."

"Thank you, Belle. I am, indeed, fortunate," Jean Claude inclined his head to accept the compliment.

"I must agree," Carswell spoke, surprising Aedan. She leaned over the table just a little so that she could see him where he was seated. She felt more than saw Belle's eyes settle on her with the action and wondered just how long she had to stay before she could leave. All of the power in the room, between the vampires and the shapeshifters, was making her edgy and nervous. Pushing the thought away, she focused on the man several seats down from her. Padma's human servant made a show of allowing his eyes to grace each woman at the table. When his brown eyes landed on her, she saw a mix of true appreciation and resigned exhaustion in them. She offered him a faint smile and got a brief nod of his head. "The women who have accompanied you and your people are exceptionally lovely to look upon."

"We are lucky to be honored with their presence," Jean Claude's words were spoken for the whole room, but Aedan felt something in them that was far more personal, meant for her alone. She resisted the urge to look at him. She was sure, if she did, she'd manage to somehow look sappy and doe-eyed. That wasn't the image she wanted their guests to see. Not when so much depended on how strong Jean Claude appeared to them.

"When last we visited, Jean Claude," Padma broke in, voice harsh in the silence, and drew all attention to where he sat. "You did not have so many animals in your control."

"I control none of them, Padma. The groups represented here tonight are allied with me. They lend me their strength if I have need of it. In return, I grant them my protection," Jean Claude told him softly, the last word delivered with a rebuke. Aedan watched as Padma scowled but said nothing more.

"You have been remiss, Jean Claude. You have not introduced us to everyone," Belle admonished, a slight smile playing at her lips. "Who are these lovely creatures that you surround and tempt us with?"

"You have already met with Aedan and Minette. Seated with Asher is Janika Odon. Seated with the Ulfric is Rhiannon Fitzpatrick. She is vargamor to his pack. Beside Damian is the Regina of the pride, Isis Moonrip." Jean Claude made the introductions casually, one hand motioning to each woman as he spoke. "Sitting with Rafael is Lillian. She is an important member of our community and so deserves the place of honor beside her king's side."

"Why an empty place beside the wolf, Jean Claude?" Padma motioned to the seat that stood empty between Rhiannon and Lillian.

"To honor Anita," Richard said, his words holding the hint of a growl in them. Padma gave him a blank look that could have meant anything, but Aedan was sure she was a glint of pleasure in the vampire's eyes. "She was the pack's lupa."

"You shared Anita with so many, Jean Claude. Will you do the same with Aedan? Will you allow her to run from one bed to another without saying a word?" Belle asked, interjecting the question so smoothly that it was obvious she'd been waiting for just the right moment.

Aedan shot a glare at her. "Why are you so damned interested in my sex life?" she asked, anger sparking in her voice. Belle turned a pleased look upon her and Aedan felt just a small finger of the woman's power stroke across her skin.

"I only wish to be sure that you will please Jean Claude. He deserves someone who will be willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy. Anita was so often busy with other men that..."

"I'm only going to say this once. Whatever my sex life with Jean Claude is like is none of your business, Belle," Aedan managed to speak without gritting her teeth. She felt a soft touch of Jean Claude at the back of her mind and it helped relax her.

"Surely he does not allow you to simply crawl into bed with whomever you feel like?" she posed it as a question, but Aedan knew that it was anything but. Belle had already come to the conclusion that Aedan was going to sleep with whatever man struck her fancy, regardless of how such an act would affect Jean Claude.

"Again, none of your business," Aedan replied, just barely managing not to spit the words out. Belle smiled, obviously pleased to know she'd struck a nerve. She opened her mouth, but help came from the oddest of places.

"Aedan has no need for a great multitude of lovers," Minette's voice was clear and strong as she spoke and all attention shifted to where the woman sat between Requiem and Micah. Belle stared at her with interest, the same way a cat watched a bird in a cage.

"Why not, my dear? She admitted to us last night that she has yet to sleep with Jean Claude. If she is not sleeping with him or any of his men, who is she sleeping with?" Belle asked the question with relish. It was obvious that she thought that Minette would reveal some deep secret that would see Aedan in trouble with the man on her left.

"Aedan and I were college room mates from the first day of the first semester. She and I have been lovers off and on for the last four years," Minette told Belle without a hint of embarrassment. Something like a chuckle slid through Aedan's brain and she had to force herself to remain still. The entire table stared at Minette as if they'd never seen her before. She looked back, eyes wide and innocent. "What? I thought everyone knew that."

Belle stared at her a moment, then let go with a thick, rich, full throated laugh that saw her tossing her head back. The sound of that laugh speared right into Aedan and, if not for the comforting presence of Jean Claude at the back of her mind, would have sent her to the floor, writhing. The laughter died and she again leveled a look on Minette. This one was assessing and calculating. A smile that was neither pleasant nor nice spread across Belle's mouth. "Well, well. It would seem that the kitten has claws," she commented lightly.

"And I'll use them to scratch those lovely brown eyes out if you touch her," Minette replied sweetly. Aedan blinked and stared at her friend. She'd never seen Minette like this before. The other woman turned and shot her a look that left her without any doubt that she'd meant everything she'd said to Belle.

That thought was driven from her head when Jean Claude laughed beside her. This time, she couldn't hold back the shiver that raced up and down her spine, sending thick fingers of need spearing into her belly. Damn it, she wished he wouldn't do that. His hand lifted, cupped her chin and turned it so that she was looking at him. He was smiling at her, a real look of affection that melted her resistance a little more. "Aedan chooses her own lovers. Within reason, of course. There are some I refuse to share her with."

The 'some' he'd mentioned politely were more than obvious to her. She felt that same finger of power again. This time, though, it touched her angrily. Aedan lifted her eyes to Belle's and managed a sweet smile. "Take your metaphysical hands off of me, Belle. I'm not interested in playing house with you."

"Will your angry little kitten play house with me?" Belle asked, gaze never leaving Aedan's face.

"I don't make decisions for Minette."

"Shall I ask her? Will you get jealous?"

Aedan shrugged. "What do I have to be jealous of? She won't play house with you any more than I will."

"Will she play with me?" Padma asked, his gaze intent on Minette. Aedan would have answered, but Minette chose that moment to reach out and take Requiem's hand in hers. She flashed the vampire a smile that held a world of emotion in it and Aedan found herself wondering just what the hell had been going on while she was at work.

"I don't think so. I have enough vampire lovers. I don't need anymore," she told him quietly. Aedan couldn't miss the way Belle and Padma turned to stare at Requiem. His fingers flexed around Minette's, turning to her to offer her a smile that held a deep well of tenderness behind it. It was something no one at the table missed. Aedan wanted to ask what the hell was going on, but Jean Claude laid a hand over hers in warning. She gave his fingers a squeeze to let him know that she understood, then waited in silence for this newest little drama to unfold.

"I have power," Padma said, as if that were enough to convince any woman to his side. Minette shook her head.

"I don't want power. I've got plenty of my own. To be honest, I think my master would be displeased with it if I were to seek to add another vampire lover to my stable," she flicked a hand casually toward Jean Claude. The smile that played about Minette's lips was almost gleefully wicked. "Whether you believe me or not, he doesn't really like to share. Neither does Requiem."

Padma seemed genuinely shocked by the admission. His gaze moved from Requiem to Jean Claude and back before sliding over Minette again. "You would turn me down for these two?"

"I would," Minette nodded. "Jean Claude hasn't ordered me to stay away, but he has expressed a certain amount of displeasure in the idea. I will, of course, bow to his wishes. Just as I'll respect Requiem's wishes. I would, however, be more than willing to play house with your tiger."

Padma spluttered in outrage. It was a blatant slap in the face and everyone knew it. Even the tiger. Gideon smiled from his seat, tipping his head at Minette in acknowledgement of her statement. What the hell was going on? When had Minette sprouted this sturdy a backbone? She'd obviously missed more than she'd thought. Keeping the frown off her face, she turned to glance at Jean Claude, her look telling him he had some serious explaining to do. "Anytime, kitten," he replied, his voice coming out in a rumble.

Tension hung thick in the air. Aedan could feel it. Padma was ready to explode. If he did, someone was going to get hurt before he was brought under control. She should have had a weapon with her. She felt naked with out it and cursed Jean Claude silently for forbidding her from bringing one. Once again, help came from an unlikely source. "Calm yourself, Padma. This is, after all, Jean Claude's territory and we must respect his wishes," Belle reminded him softly. The words were a reminder. The tension simply drained from the room as Padma closed himself off. Belle smiled and let her gaze once more rake the table.

"Everyone here has some importance to you, Jean Claude. Everyone brings power to you. Except one. I am trying to understand what Asher's... What is she to you, Asher? Is she simply someone to fuck? Or does she provide a tasty meal? Is she some kind of pet?" Belle asked, her gaze moving from the Master of the City to his second before sliding back again to the dark-headed vampire. "Why do you have a mere mortal here at the table?"

"Janika is here with me, Belle," Asher interjected. His gaze flicked to Jean Claude, who merely inclined his head in silent permission, before shifting back to where Belle sat. "She is my paramour."

"Really?" Belle seemed honestly shocked by the news. "And does she have feelings for you? Or have you bespelled her so that she does not see the scars that mar your face?"

"Asher's beautiful. The scars mean nothing to me," Janika answered before Asher could open his mouth. Belle directed her attention to the red-head, a predatory look on her face. "Anyone with half a brain can see that the scars don't make him who he is. Asher is kind and gentle. I'm lucky to have him. Your loss is definitely my gain."

"Such insolent women, Jean Claude. Do you encourage this kind of behavior?" Belle turned away from Asher and Janika to stare at the man beside Aedan.

"There is nothing wrong with a strong-willed, strong-minded woman, Belle. You are such a woman and always have been. Perhaps you dislike seeing the same trait turned on you. You are used to having people do as you order them without question. The idea that someone dares think for themselves and speak their minds must be very unsettling for you."

Belle's eyes narrowed on Jean Claude and Aedan was sure she knew what the other woman was thinking. Something to the effect that he had balls to speak to her in such a way. She'd left the question open. It was her own fault. But the look passed and something cold and calculating passed through Belle's gaze. "Tell me, Jean Claude. What will happen to your people when you accept your seat on the Council?"

"I have no desire to take a seat on the Council," Jean Claude replied quietly.

"But you know it is yours. Given to you when you destroyed the Earth Mover. Surely this quaint little city can survive without you. Asher is strong enough to be Master of the City. Leave it all in his care. Take up your seat on the Council."

"I am pleased with this city and my place in it. Give the seat to someone who seeks such power. I have no interest in it," he told her, then motioned to the people surrounding him. "I am content with what I have here."

"The seat is yours. We cannot give it to someone else. You won it when you killed the Earth Mover," she told him, repeating her words as if she felt he hadn't heard her the first time. She took her eyes from him to look at the human snacks. One elegant finger crooked at a blonde and beckoned him over. Obviously, she was hungry and wanted to eat. As if they'd been waiting for Belle to choose her meal, the rest of the vampires at the table followed suit, beckoning their chosen person over to where they sat.

Aedan watched, intrigued, as each member of the snack patrol took his or her place beside the vampire that had chosen them. There was a prickling of power from across the table and she cast her glance to where Richard and Rhiannon sat. There was an intense look of disgust on his face, letting her know that he wasn't at all pleased with the idea of the vampires feeding in front of everyone else. She sighed and glanced from him to the spot where Belle and Padma sat.

Belle had already convinced her meal to straddle her lap, his back turned to the rest of the table. Padma was pulling the girl he'd chosen down into his lap. It looked like the grip he had on her wrist was tight, but she wasn't complaining. Aedan let it pass for the moment and allowed her eyes to move from one vampire to the next. She noted that each one had chosen a member of the opposite sex to feed off of. She wasn't sure if it was something intentional or if it had simply happened. It was, she decided, a good move on their part. It was bad enough that Richard was already showing signs of his usual arrogant, asshole-ish self. If there'd been even the slightest hint of anything homosexual, she thought he might go through the roof.

When her eyes came to rest on Jean Claude, she found him looking at her intently. The brunette he'd chosen was happily straddling his lap, her arms settled over his shoulders. She was waiting expectantly. And so was he. Aedan frowned, caught in the snare of his blue eyes. He was staring at her, waiting patiently for her to... Shock took her. He wanted to know that this was okay with her. That she wasn't going to be offended by his taking blood from a stranger in front of her. The thought that he was concerned about her feelings did weird things inside of her chest. Stomping down on that sensation, she offered him a smile to let him know that it was okay with her.

She turned away before he could bite down on the woman's throat. There was something very intimate in the act of feeding and she didn't want to intrude on that. So she looked studiously at her plate and concentrated on her meal. She heard the soft gasps from the snacks as the vampires fed, felt a faint touch of their combined power stroke across her skin. It carried with it the reddish haze of blood lust and that worried her. But the worry was forced aside when she heard a snort from across the table. She lifted her eyes again and looked to where Richard was sitting.

The Ulfric's eyes were wide, repugnance crawling across his face as he stared at the vampires. A flush of anger washed through her. This was not the time for him to allow his prejudices and dislikes to surface. It took a while for his eyes to land on hers and, when it did, she shook her head at him. There was a promise of pain in her look. If he didn't keep it to himself, she was going to hurt him. Maybe not now, but she'd do so later. The evening was too important to Jean Claude, the show of solidarity was too important, for him to fuck things up now.

The message must have sunk in. He dropped his eyes to his plate, mouth twisted in a deep frown. The room was silent except for faint sucking sounds as the vampires fed. The evening couldn't go on much longer. If it did, something was going to break and all of this would have been for nothing. And the last thing they needed was for Belle and Padma to stay any longer than necessary.

Relief spread through her when the vampires set their chosen humans aside. Perhaps now the evening could end and they could all go their separate ways. The discomfort inside kept growing. She wasn't sure if that was because she was without a weapon or if there was a real reason to be concerned. All she knew was that the sooner the dinner party was over, the better she'd feel. She was sleeping with the gun under her pillow tonight.

The remaining members of the serving staff who'd agreed to feed the undead hurried over to help the freshly bled back across the room. Belle's white gown remained pristine, as did her face. She smiled across the table at Jean Claude, a gleam in her eye that told Aedan she wasn't quite done being a malicious bitch. "Last night, you said none of your people died, Jean Claude, but you did not explain it to me. I would like an explanation now. How is it that Damian still lives? And how is it that he's become Rex?"

"Anita gave the pride to him upon her death," he replied evenly. "The power she had over him was given back to him. His call drew Isis to him. As she is the strongest lioness in the pride and the old Rex and Regina have run, this makes her their Regina. Since Damian can call the lion, he has taken the position of the Rex."

"And what of Augustine's lion? Was he not to be the Rex?" Belle questioned, her gaze drifting over to where Damian sat beside Isis. Neither one of them were happy with her attention, both sets of power spilling across Aedan's skin almost painfully. She was going to need something stronger than wine to drink before the night was out at this rate.

"He was not here when Anita died. Isis has chosen Damian," Jean Claude pointed out.

"Perhaps we should see what kind of power he holds over the lions. Shall I have Padma summon them?" Belle asked lightly, something not very nice shining in her eyes. Aedan had had more than enough of this crap.

"Perhaps I should go find my gun and see if you can survive a shot to the head, Belle," she replied, drawing all eyes to where she sat. Belle smirked at her, as if she'd been expecting such a reaction.

"But if you shoot me, then you will have broken the terms Jean Claude agreed to," Belle managed a pout. Aedan rolled her eyes at that.

"I'm not entirely stupid, you know. The terms that allowed you to enter the city work both ways. I can't just rush out and shoot you. But neither can you play with our people as if they were chess pieces. Having Padma call the lions breaks the agreement. Damian is Rex by right. He holds power over the lions. That will have to be good enough for you," Aedan told her in a soft tone that held authority to it. "Let me remind you of a few things, Belle. Maybe you don't know these things. Maybe you've forgotten. Either way, its important you understand this. I'm the last person you want to do anything really, really bad in front of. Because I'm the first person who'll make you pay for doing something really, really bad."

"Is this because you carry a gun, necromancer?" Belle asked, all pretense at being polite gone. Her voice was hard and grating. Aedan smiled at her.

"No, it isn't because I carry a gun. Its because I'm a Federal Marshal. And because I'm an executioner. And all I need is for you to threaten one of the civilians here. Put them in danger. Do that and I'll make you pay. I'll make you bleed." Aedan's words were spoken with quiet assurance. She didn't make them a threat or a promise, merely a statement of fact.

"I am the last person you should threaten, necromancer," Belle's voice had regained its sweet politeness. But there was something more in it, something Aedan hadn't been expecting. Grudging admiration and the smallest hint of fear.

"I would never presume to threaten you, Belle," she replied evenly. "I'm simply stating a fact."

The table was silent as everyone digested that little bit of conversation. She wondered for a moment if she'd upset Jean Claude because she felt nothing from him. Then he allowed a trickle of pride and warmth to slide through her and she relaxed in her seat. Belle finally spoke, offering Jean Claude a mockery of a smile. "She reminds me much of Anita, Jean Claude. So many similar traits."

"I believe Anita chose Aedan for a reason, Belle," Jean Claude told her quietly, a warning in his tone. She inclined her head before turning to where Richard and Rhiannon sat. Richard watched her with wary eyes, his dislike blatant and naked on his face. Belle smiled again, this time her expression a little predatory.

"And what of you, wolf? How do you cope with the loss of your lupa? How does your pack cope with her loss?" Belle asked him, putting him on the spot. Aedan watched as his fist tightened on the fork he held. Rhiannon laid a hand on his arm and his fingers opened to allow the utensil to slide from his grasp. The predatory smile became something more knowing. "Ah, I see. The witch holds your heart now, does she? How interesting. How long did it take before you betrayed Anita's memory with this one? Did you ever truly mourn her death?"

"Shut the hell up!" Richard snarled, his voice rumbling with the growl of the wolf. Belle sat back, looking supremely pleased with herself. "Just shut up, you bitch. You have no idea what you're talking about! I loved Anita and her death tore my heart up..."

"Richard," Rhiannon's voice was calm and cool, a soothing balm against the bright red slash of anger hanging in the air. He turned to look at her and some of the boiling rage faded. "Don't let her upset you. Its what she wants. What she thinks doesn't matter. She wouldn't understand emotion if it jumped up and bit her on the ass. What matters is that you know how you felt, and so does everyone here. Let it go."

"Wise words for a mortal so young," Padma sounded thoughtful, his gaze resting on the two of them. He studied Rhiannon for several long moments before offering her a smile that wasn't in the least bit sincere. "How is it that you come to be here, witch?"

"I was sent by my teacher. She knew something horrible was going to happen and she said the pack would need me. So I came. I've been helping the pack deal with their loss and their grief," Rhiannon explained.

"So I see," Padma nodded, the meaning of his words plain for everyone to see. Rhiannon ignored the jibe and maintained her placid demeanor.

"Anita was more than just their lupa. She was their friend. I knew her enough that I can share their grief with them. It helps them deal with it," she told him. She paused a moment, a quizzical expression on her face. Then she asked, with no hint of remorse in her words and every last bit of perverse pleasure she could muster heavy in the query, "Tell me. Do you even know what grief is? Do you feel any emotions at all? Or have you become so inhuman that not even the loss of someone close to you will register?"

"Insolent..." Padma began, temper rising with the subtle barb.

"Careful, vampire. Your weakness is showing," Rafael finally spoke, his voice filled with pleasure at the man's obvious discomfort. The two men stared hatefully at one another, eyes locked in a battle of wills.

"You are beneath me, rodent. Let us not forget what happened last time I visited this city," Padma shot back, his words carrying a threat.

"I kept every last one of my people from you," Rafael replied easily.

"And I took every last inch of flesh from your back," Padma countered.

"Enough," Jean Claude stood. His voice held a hint of anger to it, that single word a command that brought silence to the room. "Do not think to abuse my hospitality. It will not be so readily given the next time."

"You would think to deny the Council entrance into your territory, Jean Claude? Do you think yourself that powerful? You are still bound to..." Belle began, but her words fell to silence as Nathaniel hurried into the dining room with something in his hand. Aedan frowned as she recognized her cell phone.

"I'm sorry, Jean Claude. I don't mean to intrude but..." Nathaniel said as he came to stand between Aedan and the vampire. Jean Claude said nothing, merely watched as Aedan took the phone from Nathaniel's hand.

"Kinkade," she said into the phone. She listened as her caller spoke, issuing orders quickly. Then she closed the phone and stared up at Jean Claude. "I have to go. Its work."

"I understand, ma poupette," he returned quietly, then reached out for her. She went into his embrace without complaint. It was for the benefit of their audience, nothing more. But that didn't stop her heart from kicking into overdrive when his lips touched hers. She found herself falling into the kiss and only realized that she was clutching at his shirt when he drew away from her. He motioned to Nathaniel, who took her arm and escorted her from the room. As they passed through the door, she heard Jean Claude address the table. "I believe that we shall end the evening here since Aedan..."

The rest of it was lost as Nathaniel led her out into the hallway, back toward the main part of the Circus. She should be relieved. She'd been saved by the bell.

So why did it feel like she'd just fallen into a deep pit of dread?

Comments

[ladydeathfaerie]

thanks, bb. there was so much cattiness going on in this chapter. i'm glad it holds up