The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death
Mar. 3rd, 2018 06:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ladydeathfaerie posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
marysuevirusTitle: The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death
Chapter Fifty One: Out of the Frying Pan
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.
Author's Notes: oh, look. some actual, planned for, real plot! just don't let it go to your heads. you never know when i'm going to say fuck it and ignore the plot for personal gain...
The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death - Index Link
He found her three yards over, standing in front of an old shed. She was staring at nothing, eyes blank, a wicked looking knife clasped in one hand. Even in the darkness, there was no mistaking the glistening wetness that covered her skin and clothes. He let his gaze travel around the yard, all of his training telling him to ensure that the enemy had been defeated. That there was no one lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce. He saw nothing. He didn't like that he saw nothing. It made him wonder what had happened. Based on how Aedan looked, there should be blood everywhere. Disturbed earth. A body. Signs of a fight. There was nothing.
Slowly, hesitantly, Edward put the gun back in its holster and reached a hand toward the knife Aedan held. "Aedan?"
She didn't react to his voice. Nor did she move when his hand touched hers. But the moment his fingers tried to pry her hand off the blade, it tightened and she tugged free of his hold. In the blink of an eye, she was in a defensive position with the blade held out before her. There was bloodlust on her face, a silent reminder that she wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone who threatened her. He'd never seen her wear that look before and, to be perfectly honest, it frightened him. It made him rethink everything he knew about her. It also made him rethink how he planned on dealing with her.
Edward stepped back and put his hands up to show her he meant no harm. "Relax, Aedan. Its me. I'm not going to hurt you."
She must have heard him this time because, just like that, the bloodlust was gone. Her gaze flicked to his face, eyes wide with confusion. They were so wide that he saw too much white. It made him think she was going into shock, but he couldn't tell if it was shock from blood loss or shock from trauma. That worried him. He needed to get her back to the Circus as soon as possible so he could figure it out. "Edward?" she whispered, sounding very much like a child for just an instant. The moment was shattered when she heard a noise and spun toward it. Aedan took up that same defensive position, knife held out before her in an expert hold that said she knew how to use it.
The beams from a pair of flashlights landed on them, blinding them both. Edward heard someone mutter a very heart-felt, very incredulous "Jesus Christ!" His gaze shifted from the flashlights to where Aedan stood so he could get a good look at her. She was almost as bloody as Micah had been. That was definitely not a good sign.
He heard the soft creak of leather that told him a gun was clearing its holster, then another voice spoke. "Hands up where I can see them. Don't move. This is the St. Louis police. You're both under arrest."
Edward put his hands up almost immediately. Aedan remained as she was for a few beats of his heart before she melted out of the defensive position. She did not put down the knife. "Good evening, officers. What seems to be the problem?" Edward asked, making sure he put on his good old boy act. These were uniformed officers, and it was highly likely they weren't part of the RIPT squad.
"We received a 911 call about a kidnapping. The person who made the call said that there was a maniac here trying to kill someone. We checked the address we were given and found lots of weapons and blood, but no victims," the second voice explained. Edward squinted against the light shining in his face and tried to look harmless. There was a pause. "Ma'am, I have to ask you to drop the knife and put your hands up."
Aedan kept her hold on the blade.
"Ma'am," the officer said, voice becoming harder and firmer. Perhaps a touch more aggressive. "Drop the knife and put your hands above your head. Do it slowly. Do not make me shoot."
Even with a flashlight shining in his face, Edward could see that she wasn't going to let the knife go. "Officer, I think my companion is going into shock. If you'll allow me the opportunity, I think I can get her to let go of the blade."
"No one moves," the first officer said, tone letting Edward know that he'd fire first and ask questions later. If there was a later. "Ma'am. Put the knife down now! We'll shoot you if you don't lower your weapon."
"Aedan. Do as the police say. Put the knife down," Edward said, shifting his attention back to the woman at his side. "Don't give them a reason to shoot you. If that happens, they'll start a war. Think of who stands to lose if anything happens to you."
She blinked at that. It took a moment, likely the time required for her to process what he'd said and what it meant, but she blinked. He saw her hand quiver just a bit before she so very slowly squatted down and put the knife on the ground. When she rose back up, it was with hands raised in a non-threatening manner. The cops took that as their cue and closed in on them, each one already pulling cuffs off their belts. Well, shit.
"I think this would be a good time to tell you that both of us are armed," Edward said. Better to let them know now than to surprise them and end up with a permanent case of death.
"Why are you armed?" the first cop asked. The aggression was stronger in his voice. Shit and more shit. This was all going south so fast.
"Because you're about to arrest Federal Marshals Aedan Kinkade and Ted Forrester." The explanation came from behind the uniforms. Both of them stopped what they were doing and turned to face the newcomer. A tall, slender black man melted out of the shadows, his suit and tie impeccable. The look on his face was unreadable, but Edward was willing to bet he was not happy. This night just got better and better. The RPIT squad had arrived.
"Federal Marshals?" the first cop asked. Edward saw his head swivel back and forth between Aedan and himself. It was plain to see he didn't believe it.
"Yes," Detective Perry confirmed. The look he gave the uniforms let them know he wasn't going to have any arguments from them. "Federal Marshals. Both of them. Now, I suggest the two of you go secure the crime scene. I can take it from here."
Edward watched as the two cops shared looks between one another, took another good look at both he and Aedan, then holstered their guns and turned to go back the way they had come. He and Detective Perry watched them go. It wasn't until he was sure they were gone that he put his hands down. Aedan was slower to do so, but she eventually dropped her hands to her sides. Edward was worried that she hadn't said anything yet. He looked at the other man and offered a faint, lopsided smile. "Should I be thanking you or...?" The look the other man sent him saw his words trailing off before he'd even gotten to the end of the sentence.
"Don't thank me just yet. I've been ordered to escort the two of you to RPIT headquarters. You'll wait there until Detective Storr is done at the scene here. He'd like to talk to you," Detective Perry told him. His tone sounded ominous. Both men glanced to Aedan, who had yet to move or even say anything. "Is she okay?"
"I don't know. I was trying to get her to talk to me just before your boys in blue showed up. I can't tell if she's in shock due to trauma or if she's in shock because she's been hurt. She's covered in blood." Not that the fact wasn't evident. But he was trying to jog something in Aedan and wake her up out of the fog she was in. Edward motioned to her feet. "The knife she was holding is right there. I expect you'll want to bag it for evidence."
"You seem awfully content to let the St. Louis police department to handle this," Detective Perry said, voice filled with curiosity as he moved closer.
"My understanding is they're already working this case. I'm not going to step on toes," Edward told him. The other man took a moment to consider those words, then shrugged and turned his attention back to Aedan and the knife on the ground at her feet.
"Marshal Kinkade, are you alright?" the detective asked as he closed the distance between himself and Aedan. She blinked again, her gaze finally focusing on the man in front of her. Edward considered it a good sign, but he wasn't going to let go of his worries until he was one hundred percent certain that she wasn't hurt.
"Detective Perry. What are you doing here?" She sounded genuinely confused.
Perry shot Edward a glance before giving his attention back to Aedan. He seemed as concerned about her state as Edward was. "Someone phoned in information about a kidnapping victim. There may have been mention made about the lycanthrope killers. Naturally RPIT was dispatched to the scene. Zerbrowski recognized your car some distance back." Perry stopped a moment and stared at her. "I'm here to escort you to headquarters. Detective Storr's orders. He has some questions for you. Are you alright? Do you need medical aid?"
She frowned, then glanced down at herself. Not like she could really see anything in the dark, but she did it all the same. "I'm not sure. I... don't think so? Nothing feels painful? But then again, I don't really feel like I can feel anything."
"You're going into shock," Edward told her. Damn it. That was not a good sign. It made him wonder what the hell had happened out here. It also made him wish he could give a certain vampire a call because he suspected Aedan was going to need Jean Claude. "If you have no complaints, Detective Perry, I'm going to give Aedan a hand."
"You'll hear nothing from me," the man said. This time, the concern was audible in his voice. Edward moved over and put a hand on Aedan's back, ready to escort her to their destination. For now, it was just to ensure she didn't stumble over anything in the dark. But if she needed it, he'd have no problems lifting her and carrying her. Something horrible had happened out here tonight and he didn't know what it was. And that bothered him. A lot.
They watched as Detective Perry bent down and retrieved the knife Aedan had been holding. He'd pulled a glove from his pocket with which to pick up the bloodied weapon. He kept it between his fingers and the handle, protecting the integrity of the prints that were on the grip. It went into the evidence bag with the blade, which he kept a tight hold on. Then he stood and looked at both of them."If you're ready?"
"Lead the way, Detective," Edward said.
~*~*~*~*~
Aedan sat calmly in the hard chair and stared blankly across the desk at Dolph. He was pissed. She could see it on his face. Zerbrowski stood behind him, watching Aedan closely. She thought he looked more worried than angry, but Zerbrowski tended to keep his emotions in check better than Dolph did. Edward had the other chair in the office. He had what she realized was his Ted Forrester face on, all soft smiles and unthreatening eyes, and he looked as relaxed as could be.
Unlike him, Aedan was on edge. She didn't want to be here. This whole interview was ridiculous. Every question Dolph asked got him an answer he didn't like. Or no answer at all, which he liked even less. It didn't help that he couldn't find his kidnap victim or his kidnappers. She got the feeling he wanted to arrest both Edward and herself and be done with it. Hell, she got the feeling that he was sure she'd killed a man in cold blood and he was pissed because he couldn't find a way to prove it. She also got the sense that he wouldn't believe anything she told him. So she wasn't telling him anything.
She wished she was back at the Circus, curled up under the covers. Or relaxing in a hot bath. She felt cold and shaky and fuzzy-headed. It was hard to focus on being calm and empty and on Dolph's questions when she felt the way she did.
Dolph's gaze flicked over her dispassionately before returning to her face. She saw his thoughts in his eyes. He made no effort to hide his disgust. Made no effort to hide the fact that he felt he was looking at a killer. That wasn't her fault by any means. Maybe if she was still wearing her own clothes, he wouldn't be so quick to pass judgement. But she wasn't.
The cops at the precinct had allowed her to clean up, had sent her to a private room to change. But only because they wanted samples of the blood that covered her and her clothes for evidence. She'd made sure that she'd stared the female cop down who had stayed in the room with her. And the lab techs, too. Fuck them all. Let them be uncomfortable. The woman had done a good job of not staring at her, but Aedan had seen it for the ruse it was. Her watch dog had been very uncomfortable about the whole deal.
While she'd been stripping, she'd discovered several gashes that had been still oozing blood. They were enough to send the cop with her for some medics. The lab techs had been forced to suspend the collection of their evidence while a pair of EMTs had been summoned and then had dressed her wounds. The bandaging they'd applied was annoying and tight. She wanted to rip it off. The sweats that they'd handed over for her to wear were too big and made her feel like a small child playing dress up with her mother's clothes. She wanted those off, too.
"Where are the alleged kidnappers, Kinkade?" Dolph asked. He'd asked that question a half dozen times already. Her answer was the same now as it had been the last half dozen times.
"I don't know. I witnessed the man stabbing his female accomplice with the knife before I announced my presence. He threw a tray of knives at me and ran. I gave pursuit. The woman was on the ground when I left. It was dark outside and he jumped me."
"How did you end up in possession of the knife?" Another question he'd asked at least half a dozen times. It took a supreme act of will to keep her eyes from rolling around in their sockets.
"I wrestled it away from him. Other wise, he was going to stab me in the chest with it. I'd rather not have to go out and buy a new bra, thank you," she snapped. Very sarcastically. Because she was going to have to do that anyway. The cops had taken hers for evidence.
"We arrived to find a bloody scene. No victims. No criminals. Only you and Forrester here," Dolph said, his head motioning toward Edward. The tone of his voice told her exactly what he thought that all meant. "I find it intriguing that Forrester is so buddy buddy with you, Kinkade. He was pretty close to Anita before she died."
"We run in the same circles. Anita introduced me to Miss Kinkade and asked me to keep an eye on her. I'm only fulfilling a promise to an old friend," Edward drawled. If Aedan didn't know the real story herself, she'd never have known Edward had just told a lie. He was so smooth and steady. He opened his mouth to say more but a feeling of cold death washed over Aedan, making her miss what ever it was Edward said. She tried hard to tune it out, but found she couldn't.
The sensation was strong. And it was moving toward her. And it was not happy. "Shit," she whispered softly.
All three sets of eyes turned her way. Aedan let her gaze shift from Dolph to Zerbrowski and finally to Edward. She didn't know what any of them saw in her face. And she didn't care. Then there wasn't time to care because there was a quick, sharp rap at the door before it opened and a harried looking uniform officer pushed into the office. The door closed just as quickly and the cop leaned against it. He turned wild eyes to Dolph. "Detective Storr. There's... Outside."
Dolph frowned at the interruption. "What is it, Peters? Can't you see I'm conducting an interview here?"
"Someone's here. For Miss Kinkade," the cop finally got out.
"Someone? Tell them they'll have to wait. As I said, I'm in the middle of an interview," Dolph returned.
"I'm afraid, Detective Storr, that the interview is over," came from the other side of the door in a tone that allowed no argument. Everyone in the room turned a look to Aedan. She shrugged, telling them she had no idea what was going on. "Now I suggest you let me see my client or I'll hit this department with a lawsuit the likes of which its never seen before."
Dolph barely held on to his sigh, then nodded his head at the cop by the door. The officer stepped back and turned the knob, opening the door for the person on the other side. A woman with bronzed skin and dark hair swept up into a sleek bun stepped into the room. She was wearing a well fitted power suit and carrying a leather briefcase that told everyone present she was well out of their league. She let her gaze land on each person there, making sure Aedan and then Dolph were the last two. Her heels clicked smartly on the tiled floor as she closed the distance between the door and Dolph's desk. "Good evening, Detective Storr. My name is Angel Cervantez. I represent Miss Kinkade. Is my client under arrest?" she asked without preamble.
"No. I'm merely asking questions about a crime scene she was at earlier this evening," Dolph replied. He tried to make it sound like they were simply have a nice little chat. But it sounded like the words had been ripped out of him. The woman lifted a brow at him, an indication that she obviously found his statement suspect. Aedan held on to the smirk that came. It looked like he'd met his match in Angel Cervantez.
"Does my client have any knowledge that will help you in your investigation?"
"It doesn't appear that she does," Dolph admitted, voice telling them all he didn't like the answer he'd given.
"Then I'm taking her home. If you need to ask any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me." Angel Cervantez put her hand into her briefcase for a moment, then removed it and set a small white rectangle on Dolph's desk. She turned and shot Aedan a look. "Come along, Miss Kinkade. Your ride is waiting."
"I'm taking my weapon home with me, Dolph," Aedan said as she rose to her feet. Her legs felt like jelly, but she wasn't about to admit that. Hell, her brain had been fuzzy through the whole interview and it had taken every ounce of will she had to keep herself focused. She wasn't going to let on just how happy she was to be leaving. All she wanted to do was go home and climb into bed. After she checked on Micah.
"We aren't done with this, Kinkade," he reminded her. Angel Cervantez gave him a look and tapped the card she'd laid on his desk.
"Make sure you call my office if you want to schedule a meeting," she reminded him. Without another word to him, without looking at him, Angel Cervantez clicked her way back over to the door. Aedan followed after her, body sore and mind turning back into mush.
"If you have no need of me, Detective Storr," Edward said pleasantly. Dolph muttered something that Aedan took to be a dismissal. A second later, she felt Edward at her back. Great. If she went down, he'd be there to catch her. Though she wouldn't put it past the lawyer to heft her up into a bridal carry. She could absolutely believe that the woman would be a weight lifter in her spare time. The three of them exited Dolph's office and made their way through the rabbit warren of halls and offices to the main area of the precinct. Aedan wasn't surprised it was dead silent. Every single cop in the joint was staring at the small entourage waiting at the desk.
Jean Claude headed up the group, his hair falling in midnight curls around a pale face that was devoid of expression. It may not have been on his face, but his posture screamed that he was extremely unhappy to be there. He was clad in business wear, his suit coat and slacks black. The shirt he wore beneath the coat was a shade of blue lighter than his eyes. He watched her come with an intense stare that told her he was assessing every bit of her. His gaze flicked distastefully over the sweats she was wearing.
She had mixed feelings about his presence. On the one hand, she was happy to see him. Because she had serious doubts that Dolph would try anything with the Master of the City standing in his precinct, exuding power like he'd been dipped in it. Especially not when he'd brought with a high powered attorney who appeared to be willing to eat Dolph for lunch if he so much as put a toe out of line. On the other hand, she was still mad at him and hurt by his actions. She didn't want to have anything to do with him. Unfortunately, she was going to have to put on a show for the boys and girls in blue. Fuck
Asher was with him, which made her happy like nothing else could at the moment. She was honestly glad to see him. Even if he was pulling a typical Asher move with his hair hanging over the scarred half of his face to hide it from prying eyes. He was wearing cream linen with a bronze shirt in silk. He looked as blank at Jean Claude, but that single eye was watching her with the same intensity. Neither man was happy. Wow. If her knees hadn't already been wobbly, having both of them look at her that way would have definitely made them turn into jelly.
It was bad enough that Jean Claude had felt he had to come to her rescue himself. The fact that he'd felt it necessary put on a show of power by bringing Asher with spoke to just how really not happy he was.
Behind Asher and Jean Claude were the Wicked Truth, both brothers wearing leather pants with dark coats that no doubt hid weapons. Wicked was guarding Jean Claude while Truth watched Asher's back. Beyond the brothers was a grouping of lycanthropes. Most plentiful were the rats, Bobby Lee and Claudia among them. The rats were accompanied by Shang-Da and Jamil. They'd brought a half dozen of Richard's wolves with them in a show of unity and force. A handful of hyenas rounded out the group. Not a single one of them wore a pleasant expression and, collectively, they gave off an aura of pissed off. Aedan was surprised no one had shit themselves yet.
"You are unharmed, ma poupette?" Jean Claude asked, prompting her to turn back toward him. His voice was loud enough that everyone heard him. Aedan had no doubt he'd done it intentionally, so that everyone knew she was tied to him. She also had no doubt that Dolph was behind her and he'd heard the entire exchange. She wanted to be annoyed by the term of endearment but she was just too tired. Not to mention their audience. Best not let everyone know that not all was well between her and the undead Casanova.
"I'm okay," she replied. She kept her voice low and soft, to hide the exhaustion and sense of horror that lingered there. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms, but she was mad at him and doing so would be counter-productive to her temper. Not to mention she was a big, bad vampire executioner and she did have a reputation to maintain.
The look Jean Claude gave her suggested he didn't believe her.
"You do not look okay, cherie," Asher commented. She offered him a faint smile, which put a touch of warmth into his eyes. Maybe Asher would hug her tight? She'd see if she could swing it because she felt like she really needed a hug. But not here. When they got home. Which they could not do until she'd gotten her personal property back from the cops. So Aedan pushed the thought of being squeezed to death by Asher's strength aside and turned to the desk sergeant. She had to do this now, while she still could. It was getting harder for her to pick her feet up, harder to maintain the illusion of wellness. Yet another reason they needed to be gone soon.
"My gun and holster, please. I'm going home." She was polite, but it was still obvious that it wasn't a request. She watched the cop look behind her, no doubt to Dolph for permission, before moving to gather up her things.
"Mine, too," Edward added. He sounded almost cheerful.
Silence reigned as the desk sergeant went about the task of retrieving the envelopes of personal property that belonged to her and Edward. She noted that the man was practically glued to her side. She wondered if he knew just how bad she felt at the moment, if he was hanging close by on the off chance her knees gave out on her. She wasn't about to question his attention. She was just grateful that he was going to ensure she didn't go down in front of all these cops.
The five minutes it took for the desk sergeant to find their possessions and bring them to the desk where Aedan and Edward signed for them were the longest, most stressful five minutes of her life. Edward took hold of her property for her, telling her with a look that he would carry it. She flashed him a brief smile of thanks and turned to leave. There was no way anyone in the precinct could miss how both Jean Claude and Asher took up protective positions on either side of her. Jean Claude made a show of taking hold of her arm, hand curled around her elbow, so that he could escort her out of the building. Aedan let him because to pull her arm from his grasp would be making a show. Not only that, but she was certain doing so would see her on her ass on the ground.
"Kinkade," Dolph called out, stopping her in her tracks before she'd even gotten going. Everything and everyone in the room came to a stand still, tension suddenly springing to life on the air. Aedan sighed and turned her head so she could look at Dolph over her shoulder. "This isn't over yet," he said. It sounded like a warning and a promise all rolled into one.
"Yes, Detective. It is. Now good night and please stop harassing my client," Angel Cervantez said, her tone frosty cold. The woman started for the door, heels once more clicking smartly against the tiled floor, prompting Jean Claude's little entourage to follow her lead. Aedan shrugged at Dolph, then turned to face forward when Jean Claude's hand urged her to move. She found that Shang-Da, Jamil, Bobby Lee, and Claudia were out front. The lawyer followed behind them. Next came herself with Jean Claude and Asher. Oddly, Edward was at her back. Wicked and Truth were next, while the rest of the lycanthropes made up the rear of the group.
No one made a sound as they headed for the exit.
The outside air was brisk and crisp. It cut through the sweats Aedan wore, sending shivers up her spine. Jean Claude shrugged out of his suit coat and settled it over her shoulders for warmth. Aedan concentrated hard on slipping her arms into the sleeves while also trying to keep on her feet and move forward at the same time. The limo was waiting in the lot, a pair of rats guarding the long car. There were also three big black SUVs there, obviously meant to haul the obscene number of lycanthropes Jean Claude had brought with him. They stopped next to a sleek, cherry red Porsche. Angel Cervantez plucked a set of keys from her briefcase before turning to look at the group behind her.
"Always a pleasure, Jean Claude. Don't hesitate to call me again if you have need of me." The smile she gave him transformed her face, melting the ice and giving it a warmth that felt welcoming.
"Of course, Angel. Thank you for coming when I called. I am sorry to have disturbed your evening," Jean Claude said, voice all sincerity.
"Think nothing of it. That's why you pay me that disgustingly large retainer." The woman turned and offered a hand to Aedan. "Miss Kinkade. Pleasure to meet you. If Detective Storr tries to contact you to ask questions regarding this matter, refer him to my office. That's what I'm here for."
"Thank you, Miss Cervantez. I'll be sure to do that," Aedan replied, giving the woman's hand a quick shake. The lawyer let her gaze slide between Aedan and Jean Claude, then she smiled and let herself into her card without another word. As a group, they watched the red Porsche pull from its parking space and speed away into the night.
"Shall we go home?" Jean Claude asked softly. He sounded concerned and solicitous and good enough to eat. Ugh. She ignored all that and wrapped her hands tighter around her anger. No way was she letting him charm her into forgiving him.
"Please. I just want to climb into bed and sleep," Aedan told him, doing her best to maintain a civil tone.
"Are you okay to make it to the car on your own, Aedan?" Edward questioned, all trace of his good old boy act wiped out of his voice. His words earned her intense stares from both the vampires at her side. She wanted to be mad at him, but she was just too tired. Too disconnected.
She considered his question a moment. "I'm not sure. I think so." It was the best response he was going to get.
"Aedan?" Jean Claude's tone suggested he wasn't going to let her get away with not explaining herself to him. Great. The last thing she wanted was for him to be all up in her shit. He was watching her face intently, no doubt looking in it for the lie he expected her to tell him.
"I'm okay. Just... fuzzy. Tired. Cold. Maybe a little wobbly," she informed him. It wasn't a lie.
"You're in shock," Edward told her. He sounded so matter of fact and dispassionate about it. "Whatever happened tonight, it did a number on you. I'm surprised you held it together in front of Storr the way you did."
"What did happen tonight?" Jean Claude stared at her. Aedan frowned and shot a glare Edward's way. It was a good glare. And it didn't phase him one bit. "Aedan?"
She gave an exasperated sigh and motioned toward the limo. There was no way she wanted to do this here. Or ever. "Can we just get in the car and go? I've had my fill of this place for one night." She didn't bother to add that she was about to fall over. She could well imagine how that would be received.
"But of course, ma poupette," Jean Claude agreed. She made a face at him, letting him know without words exactly what she thought of that phrase, then turned for the car. Asher kept pace with her, one hand resting on her back. Jean Claude chuckled faintly, then followed after them. She swore she could feel Jean Claude's smug smile pressing against her back. He knew how much she hated that moniker.
The Wicked Truth reached the car first. Aedan watched as Truth opened the door and peered in, ensuring the back seat of the vehicle was clear. She thought it rather unnecessary, but he obviously took his job seriously. He then climbed in and left his brother with the duty of standing guard as every one else got in. Asher waited until Jean Claude had once more taken hold of Aedan's elbow before he entered the car, then held his hand out to her in a silent offer to help her in. She took it, grateful for the strength she felt in that single hand. Jean Claude did not let go of her elbow until she put her ass down on the seat. Only then did he relinquish his hold on her so that he could join them in the vehicle.
She found herself settled between Asher and Jean Claude, their power and presence cocooning her. The cool sensation of death wrapped itself around her and made her feel safe. It was really easy to let go of the tenuous grip she had on reality, which left her feeling as if she was floating. She was vaguely aware of her limbs going liquid, prompting her to sort of slide into Jean Claude. She felt his arm come around her, pulling her body into his.
She wanted to fight out of his hold, wanted to sit up straight and not touch him. She didn't want him softening her feelings for him. But she had no energy to do so. He was there, his chest welcoming. His arm so possessive where it rested against her shoulders. The weight of it added to the feeling that she was safe, so she let her eyes flutter closed. Sleep sounded so wonderful. The car shifted two more times, letting her know that Edward and Wicked had joined them. The door shut with a soft thud and a second later, the car was in motion.
The car rocked her gently and she felt herself slipping away.
"Thank you for contacting me, Edward. I would never have known she needed my help had you not called," Jean Claude's voice filled the silence in the car. It rumbled against the ear that pressed his chest, drawing her away from the beckoning arms of slumber. It took a bit to process what he'd just said. Which left Aedan wondering when Edward had had time to do that because she didn't think he'd have gotten the chance at the station. The cops had probably been watching them both like hawks.
"I'm glad I was able to get a message to you. I knew Aedan wasn't going to call you. And I knew she didn't need to spend any length of time at the precinct. She wouldn't have been able to keep the ruse up for much longer," Edward replied.
"What happened?" The question came from Asher. Aedan thought she detected some emotion coloring those two words. But it could have simply been her imagination. Everything was so muddled and she was so tired.
"I don't know. I found her standing in an empty yard with a knife in her hand. She was covered in blood and there was absolutely nothing on her face. It took me far too long--" Edward's words slid off into nothing as exhaustion pulled her under.
~*~
"Aedan, wake up. You must wake up and eat something." She thought there was a faint sense of urgency in the voice that cut through the fog. Of course, it could have also had something to do with the hand that kept pushing at her insistently. She didn't want to wake up. She was warm and limp and comfortable where she was. Not to mention that her brain was still like thick soup, making it hard to pull herself away from the sweetness of oblivion. But the hand on her shoulder wouldn't leave her be, forcing her to struggle up from the depths.
She found herself tucked into bed, the covers tugged up to her chin. It took several long minutes to really focus on her surroundings, her lids heavy and attempting to shut repeatedly. She finally convinced them to stay open. The first thing she saw was Jean Claude's face as he stared down at her. She thought perhaps he looked slightly worried but that impression was gone a moment later when he frowned at her. She got the sense that he was displeased with her for some reason. Well, shit. If they were going to argue, she wasn't going to be lying down for it. But wasn't she supposed to be the one who was displeased with him?
She forced herself to plant her elbows in the mattress, made herself struggle up into a sitting position despite the look Jean Claude sent her. And he really didn't like it when she ignored his offer of help. Not that she thought he liked that she was trying to sit. Too bad. They were going to be on equal footing if he was going to act like he had any right to chastise her for anything she chose to do.
When she'd gotten herself raised up and settled, it was to find that her clothing had been removed and she was wearing nothing but the silk sheets that covered the bed. Which let her know terribly fast that she wasn't even in her own bed. Fucking great. Well. No time like the present to go on the offensive. "What the hell am I doing here?" she demanded.
He stared for the span of a heartbeat. "You live here. The Circus is your home, in case you have forgotten." His voice was very dry.
"I know I live here. What my question was asking was what the hell am I doing in your bed? I don't recall living in your bed." Aedan glared at him, telling him what she thought of his smart ass comment.
"You fell unconscious in the car," he said, as if that explained why she was naked and in his bed.
"Okay. So why didn't you put me in my own bed?"
Jean Claude heaved a sigh meant to imply that he was hard pressed by her behavior. Aedan didn't give a flying fuck if he thought she was acting like a child. She was mad at him, damn it. Waking up in his bed was not conducive to holding on to that anger. Especially when the silk of his sheets smelled of whatever products he used on his hair, hints of his cologne, and the ever present smell of dirt and death. "Edward insisted you were not to be left alone."
"Oh, I see. He could have watched over me, you know. You didn't have to put a hold on your super busy schedule just for little old me," she retorted. If her tone was snide... well, who was she to care?
She saw a hint of his growing anger, no doubt because of her flippant attitude, before it was hidden away behind his blank mask. "You were in dire need of a bath. You were covered in blood. Are you telling me you would want Edward to bathe you?"
His tone suggested that he thought she couldn't be serious, that she couldn't possibly be saying she'd turn him down. Well, she really hated to burst his bubble but... "Better him than you."
"Of course. Because allowing Edward to clean you up would keep hidden the wounds you sustained this evening," he accused. His eyes narrowed on her. "You told me you were unharmed."
Aedan frowned at him and pushed the covers away. "No, I said I was okay. And I am. It isn't like they'll even last much longer. No doubt they're already almost healed."
"What are you doing?"
She snorted and scooted toward the edge of the bed. "I should think that would be obvious. Even to you. I'm going to get out of your bed and then get out of your room. Maybe I'll go back to my own. Maybe I'll just go find a hotel for the night."
"Aedan," he replied, a warning in his voice. She ignored that warning and slid toward the edge of the bed. She could tell she was still a little wobbly, but she wasn't about to let that stop her. She just needed away from him and she needed it now. In the worst possible way. Because every time she looked at him, her brain was filled with images of Jean Claude with Minette. It hurt and if she stayed here much longer, she'd probably break out in tears. And then she'd have to tell him why she was crying, which would only make things worse. Because she knew that he was never going to care about her the way she cared about him. She was stupid enough as it was for having fallen for him. She didn't want to feel worse by giving him a good laugh at her stupidity.
"Don't. Just..." she began, but trailed off. There was no way she could say anything that would convince him to let her be without giving him details as to why she wanted him to leave her be. Jesus Christ, she was an idiot of the highest degree.
"Where are you going?" he asked when she scooted over to the other side of the bed.
"I told you. Back to my room or even to a fucking hotel. I'm not staying here," she replied slowly and carefully, as one would with someone who was unable to grasp even the simplest of ideas.
Just like that, he was standing at the edge of the bed closest to her, blocking her path to the door. He'd come all the way around the bed in the blink of an eye. Aedan held back the sigh and stared up at him. "You should not wander the Circus in your present state," he told her softly.
"What? Naked? I think its safe to bet that nearly everyone here has seen me without my clothes on by now,' she retorted. She watched as one eyebrow went up, telling her that he'd heard the self-derision in her words.
"No. You forget that we are tied. I can feel the exhaustion eating at you, Aedan. Edward was correct when he said that what happened tonight left you in a state of shock. You should stay in bed and rest." There was no authoritarianism in his voice this time. Just simple statement of fact. Aedan frowned up at him.
Technically, he was correct. She needed to eat and rest, regain her strength. The marks had done a good job of helping with that already, but they couldn't rid her of honest tiredness. And there was a part of her that desperately wanted to stay tucked into his bed, that wanted to have him curled around her as she drifted off. But it was just too damn painful. Because she knew that she was never going to have his heart. He might grow to like her. Some day. She just wasn't sure if she was okay with that.
She wanted to leave. Needed to leave. Because every time she looked at him, she saw him twined with Minette. She saw how absolutely beautiful and perfect he was. And she saw how terrible she was in comparison. He was never going to want her. She was damaged. In ways she didn't think anyone could ever help her heal. She didn't want to saddle him with that. He deserved better. Certainly better than her.
"I can rest in my own bed," she replied, tone far more brittle than she'd planned it to be.
He sighed. His gaze was a heavy weight on her shoulders as he studied her intently. She rather wished that she was clothed because she really hated not having some kind of armor to put between those deep blue eyes and her very soul. Finally, one hand reached out to cup her cheek, his touch gentle and tender. Inviting. Aedan had to fight not to press her cheek into his palm. "I have hurt you and I am sorry. That was never my intent."
She blinked at him. He was apologizing to her? She couldn't wrap her mind around that, couldn't understand why he'd offer her an apology. They weren't dating. They weren't a couple. They weren't even a possibility. There was no reason for him to apologize. "Its no big deal," she replied, trying to brush his words off.
"Aedan," he sighed, his free hand coming up to cup her other cheek. She couldn't stop her eyes from fluttering closed at the contact. It felt so good and so right. "Ma poupette. I am sorry I hurt you."
The softness in his voice saw tears well up in her eyes. Damn it, she was not going to go soft and cry just because he said he was sorry. She was made of sterner stuff than that. But his touch felt so good. The gentle press of his skin on hers was as close to heaven as she felt she'd ever get. She knew she should pull away from him. But she just couldn't. She was weak and she didn't want to give that up.
He said nothing more, merely leaned in and pressed a kiss to each eye lid. The caresses were so soft, she felt she'd imagined them. She didn't stop him when he gently urged her back into the bed. Nor did she say anything when he climbed in beside her. One arm slid around her shoulders and tugged her into his body. "Tell me what is going on with you." There was possibly a bit of compulsion in his voice. Not much. Just enough to make her actually want to tell him. But she resisted. How could she tell him? He'd cast her aside if he knew the truth.
"Nothing," she replied.
"Aedan. Please. Whatever troubles you, it is tearing you apart. You must tell someone before it consumes you. Allow me to share your burden," he whispered, one hand stroking up and down her arm.
"There's nothing to tell," she said.
"Nothing?" he asked, disbelief plain to hear in his voice. "You have barely spoken to Minette since the party. You have been so obsessed with finding the man who attacked her that it left me worried about the state of your mental health. I watched you run from the room like a scared kitten when confronted with Minette's questions about Micah. You should have been the one to tell her and yet you left me the task. She was distraught upon discovering he had been kidnapped and she needed someone to lean on. That someone should have been you. You tell me there is nothing wrong, but your actions speak louder and with more truth than your words do. Why? What has happened?"
She struggled to find something to say. There was a part of her that wanted to explain, that wanted to spill the whole sordid story. But she just... couldn't. She knew how it would look. She knew what people would think. She didn't want to see revulsion or hatred in his eyes. She didn't want to see pity. "Nothing happened," she told him.
"Aedan. Please. I can see how these things have been eating you up inside. Please share your burdens."
"There's nothing to share," she insisted, putting strength into her tone.
He sighed, letting her know that he was obviously disappointed in her refusal to share. For some reason, she didn't like that he was disappointed. But she knew that she wouldn't like it if he knew the truth. "Then tell me what happened tonight. How did you find Micah?"
"Rhia has a friend," she replied. No harm in giving him the truth. "He's a seer. He found Micah's location for me."
Jean Claude gave her a look, as if he didn't trust her. He obviously thought she'd given him an answer far too easily. "And he asked you for nothing in return?" he questioned.
"He did not."
The vampire at her side was silent a moment. It made Aedan think he was trying to decide if he believed her answer. Why did he have to ask so many questions? Why didn't he let her eat and rest like he'd said she needed to do? "What happened when you arrived at Micah's location?"
"The female part of the duo was standing up to the male. I don't know why or what made her do it. But she was telling him that she wasn't going to be part of the murder spree anymore. She said she was going to turn herself in to the police. He didn't like that so he stabbed her in the abdomen." Aedan shuddered with the memory. The last thing the woman had said told her that she'd known Aedan was there. She'd been counting on Aedan to right her wrongs for her.
"He stabbed his own partner?"
"She was turning against him. Micah had obviously been trying to get through to her. It must have worked because she acted like she was planning on taking him down with her. I think she was considering using her enhanced abilities."
Jean Claude frowned. "What stopped her from shifting or simply using her own strength to stop him."
Aedan considered it, holding back a yawn as she mulled over what she'd heard. "I got the impression that he'd made her believe there was some taint on her or something. Perhaps because she'd contracted lycanthropy? It would explain why she'd avoid shifting and overpowering him. He mentioned something about cleansing the taint from her soul. I... I have no clue what it was all about. "
"What happened then?" The question sounded innocuous enough, but Aedan knew he was doing his best to prod more information from her. She'd humor him, only because she didn't think it could hurt anything.
"I announced my presence. Called out that I was law enforcement. Ordered him to put his knife down. He chose instead to throw a table of bladed implements at me. I ducked in order to avoid being injured. He used that as an opportunity to bury his blade in Micah's belly, then he ran. "
"And you chose to go after him?" There was no denying that he sounded as if he had a hard time believing she would chase down the man who had been murdering his way around the city instead of remaining behind to help Micah. She frowned at him.
"No. I was going to help Micah. He's the one who told me to go after the perp. He's the one who told me to pull the knife out of his abdomen and give chase."
"Aedan. You should not have left Micah alone."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Its a moot point now, isn't it?" she snapped. He sighed, one hand stroking down the length of her arm in an attempt to soothe her. She did her best to ignore it because she knew what would happen if she let him succeed in calming her down. "How is Micah?"
"Resting. He shifted once all of the silver in his body was forced out. He was brought here and is presently in the middle of a pile of wereleopards," Jean Claude told her. Aedan didn't bother to stop the relief that flooded her. She'd been so worried he wouldn't make it when she'd found him. She should have stayed, should have let the kidnapper get away. There would have been another chance to catch him. He wouldn't have been able to accomplish as much without his accomplice. But pride had driven her actions. She was glad Micah was going to be okay.
"I'm glad."
"Tell me what happened after your brief conversation with Micah." He wasn't going to give up. Aedan held back her sigh and shifted so that she was sitting up a little higher. Since she wasn't going to get any rest any time soon.
"I pulled the knife out of his abdomen like he told me to do. Trust me, it was not something I really wanted to do. But the blade was coated in silver. It was better to remove it than leave it in. So I pulled it free and followed after the kidnapper. There was a set of stairs behind the cross they'd nailed Micah to. It lead out into the house's backyard," she told him, her mind flashing back to those first few seconds when she'd stepped out into the darkness. "There was no moon. So I couldn't see which way he might have gone. But there are lots of bodies buried out there. Its almost as if the local police don't bother going there. So there were ghosts lingering. And I could feel them. I followed the kidnapper's path based on how disturbed the ghosts were."
"Ghosts told you where the kidnapper had gone?"
"Not in a physical sense. Ghosts can't speak. But I can feel how calm or agitated they are. Ghosts that have not been disturbed by anyone are so placid that its like walking through a gentle mist or fog. The more activity that occurs near them that they don't like, the more upset they become." She paused a moment, looking for the best analogy. "Think of it in the way Hollywood wants us to see zombies. In the movies, they're always milling around aimlessly. Not doing anything. Until a living human stumbles into their midst. Then they become active and start moving with more purpose. Ghosts are like that. They were fine until the kidnapper ran through them. Then they got riled up. And I can feel that upset because they're dead things. Or associated with the dead."
"I see," he said. She could tell by the tone of his voice that he hadn't known this before and was digesting the fact. She waited until he finally nodded his head. "Go on."
"The ghosts led me to a yard three houses away. They were centered around an old shed. So I stopped before the shed and called him out. Told him that there was no way he was getting away. He realized he was cornered, so he launched himself at me from the interior of the shed. He'd apparently grabbed another knife when he'd run out of the basement, because he had one in hand."
"That is how you ended up injured," he murmured, mostly to himself. But as he spoke, his hand stroked a pink scar on her arm. Aedan glanced down at it and shrugged.
"Part of the job," she replied.
He turned to look her in the eye, letting her know that he thought her response was terrible. "That does not mean that I have to like it when you put yourself at risk, Aedan. You may not believe me, but I have no wish to see harm come to you."
She ignored the warmth his words sent running through her. "He was an amateur with the knife," Aedan informed him.
"And what happened to this amateur?" Jean Claude asked her.
"It doesn't matter. All that does matter is he won't ever bother us again. I made sure of it," she said quietly.
"What did you do to him, Aedan?" There was an edge to his voice. Almost as if he was worried about her answer. She shot him a look and slid out of his embrace. She was off the bed before he could reach for her again. She was just pulling his robe on when he came to stand at her side. "Aedan."
"He won't ever bother us again, Jean Claude. That's all you need to know. Don't ask me again," she told him. The look he shot her said he wanted to argue with her. She glared in return, letting him know that she wasn't going to be swayed. Not now. Not ever. She tied the robe shut and started for the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked. Exasperation colored each of his words.
"I'm going to check on Micah. And then I'm going to go climb into my bed. And sleep. By myself." She made sure that she put emphasis on the last two words. So that he'd know she meant it.
"Micah is sleeping. Let him be until he wakens and shifts back," Jean Claude ordered.
Aedan whirled on him. "I'm sorry? Are you telling me what I can and can't do now? That's rich. Really fucking rich."
"You should be resting, Aedan. Whatever happened tonight, you were not unaffected by it. Come back to bed and--"
"No." She shot him a look that told him all was not forgiven yet. He sighed and reached for her. Aedan took a step back. "I am not climbing into your bed like everything is peachy keen between us. I don't know what kind of relationship you think we're in, but I can assure you that it isn't anything like what you're thinking. You only just started dating me not that long ago. You said you wanted to woo me. And then you turned around and fucked my friend. How the fuck am I supposed to feel about that?"
It was stupid of her to be mad at him. When it came down to it, they weren't in any kind of relationship beyond what being his human servant entailed. It wasn't like he couldn't sleep with whomever he wanted. But that didn't make it hurt any less. She hated that he didn't care about her that way. And she hated that she cared about him far too much. She had no right to yell at him. But it had been a really, really shitty night and she needed to release some of her frustration. He was an opportune target.
"Just... Don't. Okay? I'm going to go to my room and put clothes on. I'm going to go visit Micah and ensure he's okay. Then I'm going to go to bed and forget that this night ever fucking happened. Come find me when you figure out what it is you want from me. If you ever figure it out."
Aedan crossed to the door and jerked it open, intent on escaping as quickly as possible, with as much of her dignity intact as she could manage. But she pulled up short when she found that London stood in the doorway, hand raised to knock. He blinked at her, obviously sensing her heightened emotions, then looked past her to where Jean Claude stood. She shot him a glare, then pushed past him and hurried up the hall.
Jesus fuck, why were men so fucking complicated?
She made it to her room without running into anyone else. Once there, she shoved the door closed and moved for the dresser, intent on putting clothes on. She needed to be clothed. She needed to be armored. Maybe, after she'd checked in on Micah, she'd sneak out of the Circus and find some place to hole up while she tried to get her head back on right.
If such a thing was even possible anymore.
~*~*~*~*~
"Good. You are dressed." Jean Claude caught Aedan coming out of her room, clad in jeans and a t-shirt. She wore a long sleeved shirt over it. No doubt because she'd put her holster on and wanted to pretend she was keeping the gun hidden. She shot him an annoyed look and opened her mouth, likely to give him a piece of her mind. He didn't let it happen. Instead, he took hold of her arm and tugged her into a walk along side her. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?" she asked, hastening her stride to keep up. She tried tugging her arm out of his hold but he refused to let it go. He spared her a look and kept walking. She'd find out soon enough.
He was surprised she didn't ask more questions. Maybe she'd already realized he wasn't going to answer them so asking was a moot point. Whatever the reason, he was secretly grateful. He was in no mood to put up with her questions after their previous conversation. He knew she'd lied to him. Perhaps not about everything, but definitely about Micah's kidnapper. There was something about him that she was hiding. He just couldn't figure out what it was or see a way to make her understand she could trust him. He was infuriated and frustrated.
She hurried along beside him, bewildered look on her face and confusion radiating from her like heat. The confusion didn't get any better when the stepped out of the hall and into the main room of the Circus to find that Wicked and Truth were there, as was London. Bobby Lee and Claudia were also among the group. Each one of them wore a serious expression on their faces and they were in motion as soon as Jean Claude and Aedan joined them.
The woman at his side was silent as they crossed the floor to the large wooden door. As they climbed the stairs to the upper level. As they exited out into the night and got into the car idling near the door. Jean Claude made sure that Aedan was between himself and London on the bench seat and that her arm remained in his hold. The moment everyone had climbed into the limo and gotten the doors shut, the car rolled into motion.
No one spoke as the car sped along the smooth surface of the road. Aedan kept her eyes on the windows, watching buildings pass them as the driver navigated through the flow of night time traffic. Jean Claude stared straight ahead, mind turning over the news London had brought him. It seemed as if they'd get one fire put out only for another one to kindle. When would it end? When would things settle into a normal, mundane pattern? When could he start enjoying his life again?
The driver took away from the center of the city, away from the vampire district and its bright neon lights. Soon, they were on quiet streets that ran between houses filled with slumbering families. Tension was filling the car, pulling shoulders tight in anticipation. He had no doubt that the tension would shatter in a spectacular way when they finally arrived at their location. And he had to wonder what the woman sitting next to him would do.
Time stretched as they continued their silent drive. By the time the car started slowing, Jean Claude could tell everyone was on edge. He felt Aedan shiver next to him, turned to see her staring out the window intently. He recalled what she'd told him about buried bodies and ghosts, and he wondered if that was the reason for her reaction.
The car slid through the cemetery's open gates, wheels crunching softly on the gravel lined drive that ran between the rows of headstones and markers. Aedan frowned, spine straightening as she stared more intently into the shadows. "Something bad happened here. The ghosts are so restless. They're... angry."
Moments after her statement, the limo swung to the left. The headlights panned over towering pillars of granite, sightless angels, and marbled headstones. The car traveled forward for a short time, then came to a stop. Even before the car had come to a complete stop, Aedan was trying to break his hold and slip from the vehicle. Jean Claude tightened his hold on her to ensure she remained at his side.
One by one, the group exited the car. Bobby Lee was first to climb out, having ridden in the front with the driver. Wicked opened the back door and climbed out, then stood by the door and waited. London went next, followed by Claudia. Only then did Jean Claude let go of Aedan's arm. she scrambled off the seat and out of the car, almost as if under some kind of compulsion. Jean Claude followed her out. Truth was the last to exit the car.
Jean Claude watched as Aedan hurried up the drive, the limo's headlights caressing her back as she went. He started after her, Bobby Lee and Claudia with him. Truth followed them while London and Wicked remained with the car.
The smell of blood lingered on the air, though it was old and stale. Mingled with it was the smell of oil and gasoline. Of tree sap. Of death. He watched as Aedan came a halt. She knelt down and examined the ground at her feet. One hand touched the road, shone a rusty red color in the beam of the headlights. Her gun cleared her holster in the blink of an eye, pointed before her as she started moving again.
A crumpled car rested sideways against an old oak tree. The way the passenger's door had been crushed suggested that another vehicle had rammed it and driven it into the tree. The oak looked like it had weathered the accident well enough, save some of the bark being scraped from the trunk. Aedan gave the car a cursory examination, then turned and headed off into the darkness. They found her on her knees in the dirt, leaning over a bulky shape hidden by the long grass. "Son of a bitch," she swore softly.
"That's Jessie," Bobby Lee commented. There was a mix of sorrow and anger in his voice.
"His throat's been ripped out," Aedan said. She lifted a hand, fingers curled, to show what she meant.
"What's he doing all the way out here?" Claudia asked, slowly tuning circles so she could take in the entire cemetery.
"He was with Minette," Aedan said quietly. She rose to her feet and turned to face them, face pale in shadows. One hand motioned to the destroyed vehicle. "That's Micah's car."
"Are you sure he was with Minette?" Jean Claude asked.
"Why else would he be here? She got tired of waiting for me to get off my ass and figure shit out. So she went looking on her own." He could hear the self-loathing in her voice. She blamed herself for this. "Goddamn it. I should have told her not to leave the Circus. This never would have happened if... She knew she was being followed. She shouldn't have left."
"Aedan?" Claudia looked at the other woman.
"Someone's been following her. I know of at least one incident. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more. She must have thought she could handle it herself. And if I'd been out looking for Micah from the get go, she wouldn't have left the Circus. She didn't think i was doing enough to find him, so she went looking on her own."
"Who would have taken her, though? This isn't the work of the same people who kidnapped Micah, is it?" Bobby Lee asked.
"No. I smell leopard," Truth said.
"Shit, shit, and double shit," Aedan snarled, hands limp at her sides. While her face was empty, Jean Claude could feel the fear and guilt building around her.
"Aedan?" he asked softly.
"Its Bruce. Her old alpha. It has to be. He's had a hard on for her for far too goddamn long. His people must have been the ones following her. This was an opportune moment to grab her." She turned and stared at Jean Claude. "I'm so done with Bruce's shit. I'm going to find the son of a bitch. And I'm going to kill him."
Chapter Fifty One: Out of the Frying Pan
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.
Author's Notes: oh, look. some actual, planned for, real plot! just don't let it go to your heads. you never know when i'm going to say fuck it and ignore the plot for personal gain...
The Mary Sue Virus: Beyond Death - Index Link
He found her three yards over, standing in front of an old shed. She was staring at nothing, eyes blank, a wicked looking knife clasped in one hand. Even in the darkness, there was no mistaking the glistening wetness that covered her skin and clothes. He let his gaze travel around the yard, all of his training telling him to ensure that the enemy had been defeated. That there was no one lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce. He saw nothing. He didn't like that he saw nothing. It made him wonder what had happened. Based on how Aedan looked, there should be blood everywhere. Disturbed earth. A body. Signs of a fight. There was nothing.
Slowly, hesitantly, Edward put the gun back in its holster and reached a hand toward the knife Aedan held. "Aedan?"
She didn't react to his voice. Nor did she move when his hand touched hers. But the moment his fingers tried to pry her hand off the blade, it tightened and she tugged free of his hold. In the blink of an eye, she was in a defensive position with the blade held out before her. There was bloodlust on her face, a silent reminder that she wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone who threatened her. He'd never seen her wear that look before and, to be perfectly honest, it frightened him. It made him rethink everything he knew about her. It also made him rethink how he planned on dealing with her.
Edward stepped back and put his hands up to show her he meant no harm. "Relax, Aedan. Its me. I'm not going to hurt you."
She must have heard him this time because, just like that, the bloodlust was gone. Her gaze flicked to his face, eyes wide with confusion. They were so wide that he saw too much white. It made him think she was going into shock, but he couldn't tell if it was shock from blood loss or shock from trauma. That worried him. He needed to get her back to the Circus as soon as possible so he could figure it out. "Edward?" she whispered, sounding very much like a child for just an instant. The moment was shattered when she heard a noise and spun toward it. Aedan took up that same defensive position, knife held out before her in an expert hold that said she knew how to use it.
The beams from a pair of flashlights landed on them, blinding them both. Edward heard someone mutter a very heart-felt, very incredulous "Jesus Christ!" His gaze shifted from the flashlights to where Aedan stood so he could get a good look at her. She was almost as bloody as Micah had been. That was definitely not a good sign.
He heard the soft creak of leather that told him a gun was clearing its holster, then another voice spoke. "Hands up where I can see them. Don't move. This is the St. Louis police. You're both under arrest."
Edward put his hands up almost immediately. Aedan remained as she was for a few beats of his heart before she melted out of the defensive position. She did not put down the knife. "Good evening, officers. What seems to be the problem?" Edward asked, making sure he put on his good old boy act. These were uniformed officers, and it was highly likely they weren't part of the RIPT squad.
"We received a 911 call about a kidnapping. The person who made the call said that there was a maniac here trying to kill someone. We checked the address we were given and found lots of weapons and blood, but no victims," the second voice explained. Edward squinted against the light shining in his face and tried to look harmless. There was a pause. "Ma'am, I have to ask you to drop the knife and put your hands up."
Aedan kept her hold on the blade.
"Ma'am," the officer said, voice becoming harder and firmer. Perhaps a touch more aggressive. "Drop the knife and put your hands above your head. Do it slowly. Do not make me shoot."
Even with a flashlight shining in his face, Edward could see that she wasn't going to let the knife go. "Officer, I think my companion is going into shock. If you'll allow me the opportunity, I think I can get her to let go of the blade."
"No one moves," the first officer said, tone letting Edward know that he'd fire first and ask questions later. If there was a later. "Ma'am. Put the knife down now! We'll shoot you if you don't lower your weapon."
"Aedan. Do as the police say. Put the knife down," Edward said, shifting his attention back to the woman at his side. "Don't give them a reason to shoot you. If that happens, they'll start a war. Think of who stands to lose if anything happens to you."
She blinked at that. It took a moment, likely the time required for her to process what he'd said and what it meant, but she blinked. He saw her hand quiver just a bit before she so very slowly squatted down and put the knife on the ground. When she rose back up, it was with hands raised in a non-threatening manner. The cops took that as their cue and closed in on them, each one already pulling cuffs off their belts. Well, shit.
"I think this would be a good time to tell you that both of us are armed," Edward said. Better to let them know now than to surprise them and end up with a permanent case of death.
"Why are you armed?" the first cop asked. The aggression was stronger in his voice. Shit and more shit. This was all going south so fast.
"Because you're about to arrest Federal Marshals Aedan Kinkade and Ted Forrester." The explanation came from behind the uniforms. Both of them stopped what they were doing and turned to face the newcomer. A tall, slender black man melted out of the shadows, his suit and tie impeccable. The look on his face was unreadable, but Edward was willing to bet he was not happy. This night just got better and better. The RPIT squad had arrived.
"Federal Marshals?" the first cop asked. Edward saw his head swivel back and forth between Aedan and himself. It was plain to see he didn't believe it.
"Yes," Detective Perry confirmed. The look he gave the uniforms let them know he wasn't going to have any arguments from them. "Federal Marshals. Both of them. Now, I suggest the two of you go secure the crime scene. I can take it from here."
Edward watched as the two cops shared looks between one another, took another good look at both he and Aedan, then holstered their guns and turned to go back the way they had come. He and Detective Perry watched them go. It wasn't until he was sure they were gone that he put his hands down. Aedan was slower to do so, but she eventually dropped her hands to her sides. Edward was worried that she hadn't said anything yet. He looked at the other man and offered a faint, lopsided smile. "Should I be thanking you or...?" The look the other man sent him saw his words trailing off before he'd even gotten to the end of the sentence.
"Don't thank me just yet. I've been ordered to escort the two of you to RPIT headquarters. You'll wait there until Detective Storr is done at the scene here. He'd like to talk to you," Detective Perry told him. His tone sounded ominous. Both men glanced to Aedan, who had yet to move or even say anything. "Is she okay?"
"I don't know. I was trying to get her to talk to me just before your boys in blue showed up. I can't tell if she's in shock due to trauma or if she's in shock because she's been hurt. She's covered in blood." Not that the fact wasn't evident. But he was trying to jog something in Aedan and wake her up out of the fog she was in. Edward motioned to her feet. "The knife she was holding is right there. I expect you'll want to bag it for evidence."
"You seem awfully content to let the St. Louis police department to handle this," Detective Perry said, voice filled with curiosity as he moved closer.
"My understanding is they're already working this case. I'm not going to step on toes," Edward told him. The other man took a moment to consider those words, then shrugged and turned his attention back to Aedan and the knife on the ground at her feet.
"Marshal Kinkade, are you alright?" the detective asked as he closed the distance between himself and Aedan. She blinked again, her gaze finally focusing on the man in front of her. Edward considered it a good sign, but he wasn't going to let go of his worries until he was one hundred percent certain that she wasn't hurt.
"Detective Perry. What are you doing here?" She sounded genuinely confused.
Perry shot Edward a glance before giving his attention back to Aedan. He seemed as concerned about her state as Edward was. "Someone phoned in information about a kidnapping victim. There may have been mention made about the lycanthrope killers. Naturally RPIT was dispatched to the scene. Zerbrowski recognized your car some distance back." Perry stopped a moment and stared at her. "I'm here to escort you to headquarters. Detective Storr's orders. He has some questions for you. Are you alright? Do you need medical aid?"
She frowned, then glanced down at herself. Not like she could really see anything in the dark, but she did it all the same. "I'm not sure. I... don't think so? Nothing feels painful? But then again, I don't really feel like I can feel anything."
"You're going into shock," Edward told her. Damn it. That was not a good sign. It made him wonder what the hell had happened out here. It also made him wish he could give a certain vampire a call because he suspected Aedan was going to need Jean Claude. "If you have no complaints, Detective Perry, I'm going to give Aedan a hand."
"You'll hear nothing from me," the man said. This time, the concern was audible in his voice. Edward moved over and put a hand on Aedan's back, ready to escort her to their destination. For now, it was just to ensure she didn't stumble over anything in the dark. But if she needed it, he'd have no problems lifting her and carrying her. Something horrible had happened out here tonight and he didn't know what it was. And that bothered him. A lot.
They watched as Detective Perry bent down and retrieved the knife Aedan had been holding. He'd pulled a glove from his pocket with which to pick up the bloodied weapon. He kept it between his fingers and the handle, protecting the integrity of the prints that were on the grip. It went into the evidence bag with the blade, which he kept a tight hold on. Then he stood and looked at both of them."If you're ready?"
"Lead the way, Detective," Edward said.
~*~*~*~*~
Aedan sat calmly in the hard chair and stared blankly across the desk at Dolph. He was pissed. She could see it on his face. Zerbrowski stood behind him, watching Aedan closely. She thought he looked more worried than angry, but Zerbrowski tended to keep his emotions in check better than Dolph did. Edward had the other chair in the office. He had what she realized was his Ted Forrester face on, all soft smiles and unthreatening eyes, and he looked as relaxed as could be.
Unlike him, Aedan was on edge. She didn't want to be here. This whole interview was ridiculous. Every question Dolph asked got him an answer he didn't like. Or no answer at all, which he liked even less. It didn't help that he couldn't find his kidnap victim or his kidnappers. She got the feeling he wanted to arrest both Edward and herself and be done with it. Hell, she got the feeling that he was sure she'd killed a man in cold blood and he was pissed because he couldn't find a way to prove it. She also got the sense that he wouldn't believe anything she told him. So she wasn't telling him anything.
She wished she was back at the Circus, curled up under the covers. Or relaxing in a hot bath. She felt cold and shaky and fuzzy-headed. It was hard to focus on being calm and empty and on Dolph's questions when she felt the way she did.
Dolph's gaze flicked over her dispassionately before returning to her face. She saw his thoughts in his eyes. He made no effort to hide his disgust. Made no effort to hide the fact that he felt he was looking at a killer. That wasn't her fault by any means. Maybe if she was still wearing her own clothes, he wouldn't be so quick to pass judgement. But she wasn't.
The cops at the precinct had allowed her to clean up, had sent her to a private room to change. But only because they wanted samples of the blood that covered her and her clothes for evidence. She'd made sure that she'd stared the female cop down who had stayed in the room with her. And the lab techs, too. Fuck them all. Let them be uncomfortable. The woman had done a good job of not staring at her, but Aedan had seen it for the ruse it was. Her watch dog had been very uncomfortable about the whole deal.
While she'd been stripping, she'd discovered several gashes that had been still oozing blood. They were enough to send the cop with her for some medics. The lab techs had been forced to suspend the collection of their evidence while a pair of EMTs had been summoned and then had dressed her wounds. The bandaging they'd applied was annoying and tight. She wanted to rip it off. The sweats that they'd handed over for her to wear were too big and made her feel like a small child playing dress up with her mother's clothes. She wanted those off, too.
"Where are the alleged kidnappers, Kinkade?" Dolph asked. He'd asked that question a half dozen times already. Her answer was the same now as it had been the last half dozen times.
"I don't know. I witnessed the man stabbing his female accomplice with the knife before I announced my presence. He threw a tray of knives at me and ran. I gave pursuit. The woman was on the ground when I left. It was dark outside and he jumped me."
"How did you end up in possession of the knife?" Another question he'd asked at least half a dozen times. It took a supreme act of will to keep her eyes from rolling around in their sockets.
"I wrestled it away from him. Other wise, he was going to stab me in the chest with it. I'd rather not have to go out and buy a new bra, thank you," she snapped. Very sarcastically. Because she was going to have to do that anyway. The cops had taken hers for evidence.
"We arrived to find a bloody scene. No victims. No criminals. Only you and Forrester here," Dolph said, his head motioning toward Edward. The tone of his voice told her exactly what he thought that all meant. "I find it intriguing that Forrester is so buddy buddy with you, Kinkade. He was pretty close to Anita before she died."
"We run in the same circles. Anita introduced me to Miss Kinkade and asked me to keep an eye on her. I'm only fulfilling a promise to an old friend," Edward drawled. If Aedan didn't know the real story herself, she'd never have known Edward had just told a lie. He was so smooth and steady. He opened his mouth to say more but a feeling of cold death washed over Aedan, making her miss what ever it was Edward said. She tried hard to tune it out, but found she couldn't.
The sensation was strong. And it was moving toward her. And it was not happy. "Shit," she whispered softly.
All three sets of eyes turned her way. Aedan let her gaze shift from Dolph to Zerbrowski and finally to Edward. She didn't know what any of them saw in her face. And she didn't care. Then there wasn't time to care because there was a quick, sharp rap at the door before it opened and a harried looking uniform officer pushed into the office. The door closed just as quickly and the cop leaned against it. He turned wild eyes to Dolph. "Detective Storr. There's... Outside."
Dolph frowned at the interruption. "What is it, Peters? Can't you see I'm conducting an interview here?"
"Someone's here. For Miss Kinkade," the cop finally got out.
"Someone? Tell them they'll have to wait. As I said, I'm in the middle of an interview," Dolph returned.
"I'm afraid, Detective Storr, that the interview is over," came from the other side of the door in a tone that allowed no argument. Everyone in the room turned a look to Aedan. She shrugged, telling them she had no idea what was going on. "Now I suggest you let me see my client or I'll hit this department with a lawsuit the likes of which its never seen before."
Dolph barely held on to his sigh, then nodded his head at the cop by the door. The officer stepped back and turned the knob, opening the door for the person on the other side. A woman with bronzed skin and dark hair swept up into a sleek bun stepped into the room. She was wearing a well fitted power suit and carrying a leather briefcase that told everyone present she was well out of their league. She let her gaze land on each person there, making sure Aedan and then Dolph were the last two. Her heels clicked smartly on the tiled floor as she closed the distance between the door and Dolph's desk. "Good evening, Detective Storr. My name is Angel Cervantez. I represent Miss Kinkade. Is my client under arrest?" she asked without preamble.
"No. I'm merely asking questions about a crime scene she was at earlier this evening," Dolph replied. He tried to make it sound like they were simply have a nice little chat. But it sounded like the words had been ripped out of him. The woman lifted a brow at him, an indication that she obviously found his statement suspect. Aedan held on to the smirk that came. It looked like he'd met his match in Angel Cervantez.
"Does my client have any knowledge that will help you in your investigation?"
"It doesn't appear that she does," Dolph admitted, voice telling them all he didn't like the answer he'd given.
"Then I'm taking her home. If you need to ask any more questions, please don't hesitate to contact me." Angel Cervantez put her hand into her briefcase for a moment, then removed it and set a small white rectangle on Dolph's desk. She turned and shot Aedan a look. "Come along, Miss Kinkade. Your ride is waiting."
"I'm taking my weapon home with me, Dolph," Aedan said as she rose to her feet. Her legs felt like jelly, but she wasn't about to admit that. Hell, her brain had been fuzzy through the whole interview and it had taken every ounce of will she had to keep herself focused. She wasn't going to let on just how happy she was to be leaving. All she wanted to do was go home and climb into bed. After she checked on Micah.
"We aren't done with this, Kinkade," he reminded her. Angel Cervantez gave him a look and tapped the card she'd laid on his desk.
"Make sure you call my office if you want to schedule a meeting," she reminded him. Without another word to him, without looking at him, Angel Cervantez clicked her way back over to the door. Aedan followed after her, body sore and mind turning back into mush.
"If you have no need of me, Detective Storr," Edward said pleasantly. Dolph muttered something that Aedan took to be a dismissal. A second later, she felt Edward at her back. Great. If she went down, he'd be there to catch her. Though she wouldn't put it past the lawyer to heft her up into a bridal carry. She could absolutely believe that the woman would be a weight lifter in her spare time. The three of them exited Dolph's office and made their way through the rabbit warren of halls and offices to the main area of the precinct. Aedan wasn't surprised it was dead silent. Every single cop in the joint was staring at the small entourage waiting at the desk.
Jean Claude headed up the group, his hair falling in midnight curls around a pale face that was devoid of expression. It may not have been on his face, but his posture screamed that he was extremely unhappy to be there. He was clad in business wear, his suit coat and slacks black. The shirt he wore beneath the coat was a shade of blue lighter than his eyes. He watched her come with an intense stare that told her he was assessing every bit of her. His gaze flicked distastefully over the sweats she was wearing.
She had mixed feelings about his presence. On the one hand, she was happy to see him. Because she had serious doubts that Dolph would try anything with the Master of the City standing in his precinct, exuding power like he'd been dipped in it. Especially not when he'd brought with a high powered attorney who appeared to be willing to eat Dolph for lunch if he so much as put a toe out of line. On the other hand, she was still mad at him and hurt by his actions. She didn't want to have anything to do with him. Unfortunately, she was going to have to put on a show for the boys and girls in blue. Fuck
Asher was with him, which made her happy like nothing else could at the moment. She was honestly glad to see him. Even if he was pulling a typical Asher move with his hair hanging over the scarred half of his face to hide it from prying eyes. He was wearing cream linen with a bronze shirt in silk. He looked as blank at Jean Claude, but that single eye was watching her with the same intensity. Neither man was happy. Wow. If her knees hadn't already been wobbly, having both of them look at her that way would have definitely made them turn into jelly.
It was bad enough that Jean Claude had felt he had to come to her rescue himself. The fact that he'd felt it necessary put on a show of power by bringing Asher with spoke to just how really not happy he was.
Behind Asher and Jean Claude were the Wicked Truth, both brothers wearing leather pants with dark coats that no doubt hid weapons. Wicked was guarding Jean Claude while Truth watched Asher's back. Beyond the brothers was a grouping of lycanthropes. Most plentiful were the rats, Bobby Lee and Claudia among them. The rats were accompanied by Shang-Da and Jamil. They'd brought a half dozen of Richard's wolves with them in a show of unity and force. A handful of hyenas rounded out the group. Not a single one of them wore a pleasant expression and, collectively, they gave off an aura of pissed off. Aedan was surprised no one had shit themselves yet.
"You are unharmed, ma poupette?" Jean Claude asked, prompting her to turn back toward him. His voice was loud enough that everyone heard him. Aedan had no doubt he'd done it intentionally, so that everyone knew she was tied to him. She also had no doubt that Dolph was behind her and he'd heard the entire exchange. She wanted to be annoyed by the term of endearment but she was just too tired. Not to mention their audience. Best not let everyone know that not all was well between her and the undead Casanova.
"I'm okay," she replied. She kept her voice low and soft, to hide the exhaustion and sense of horror that lingered there. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms, but she was mad at him and doing so would be counter-productive to her temper. Not to mention she was a big, bad vampire executioner and she did have a reputation to maintain.
The look Jean Claude gave her suggested he didn't believe her.
"You do not look okay, cherie," Asher commented. She offered him a faint smile, which put a touch of warmth into his eyes. Maybe Asher would hug her tight? She'd see if she could swing it because she felt like she really needed a hug. But not here. When they got home. Which they could not do until she'd gotten her personal property back from the cops. So Aedan pushed the thought of being squeezed to death by Asher's strength aside and turned to the desk sergeant. She had to do this now, while she still could. It was getting harder for her to pick her feet up, harder to maintain the illusion of wellness. Yet another reason they needed to be gone soon.
"My gun and holster, please. I'm going home." She was polite, but it was still obvious that it wasn't a request. She watched the cop look behind her, no doubt to Dolph for permission, before moving to gather up her things.
"Mine, too," Edward added. He sounded almost cheerful.
Silence reigned as the desk sergeant went about the task of retrieving the envelopes of personal property that belonged to her and Edward. She noted that the man was practically glued to her side. She wondered if he knew just how bad she felt at the moment, if he was hanging close by on the off chance her knees gave out on her. She wasn't about to question his attention. She was just grateful that he was going to ensure she didn't go down in front of all these cops.
The five minutes it took for the desk sergeant to find their possessions and bring them to the desk where Aedan and Edward signed for them were the longest, most stressful five minutes of her life. Edward took hold of her property for her, telling her with a look that he would carry it. She flashed him a brief smile of thanks and turned to leave. There was no way anyone in the precinct could miss how both Jean Claude and Asher took up protective positions on either side of her. Jean Claude made a show of taking hold of her arm, hand curled around her elbow, so that he could escort her out of the building. Aedan let him because to pull her arm from his grasp would be making a show. Not only that, but she was certain doing so would see her on her ass on the ground.
"Kinkade," Dolph called out, stopping her in her tracks before she'd even gotten going. Everything and everyone in the room came to a stand still, tension suddenly springing to life on the air. Aedan sighed and turned her head so she could look at Dolph over her shoulder. "This isn't over yet," he said. It sounded like a warning and a promise all rolled into one.
"Yes, Detective. It is. Now good night and please stop harassing my client," Angel Cervantez said, her tone frosty cold. The woman started for the door, heels once more clicking smartly against the tiled floor, prompting Jean Claude's little entourage to follow her lead. Aedan shrugged at Dolph, then turned to face forward when Jean Claude's hand urged her to move. She found that Shang-Da, Jamil, Bobby Lee, and Claudia were out front. The lawyer followed behind them. Next came herself with Jean Claude and Asher. Oddly, Edward was at her back. Wicked and Truth were next, while the rest of the lycanthropes made up the rear of the group.
No one made a sound as they headed for the exit.
The outside air was brisk and crisp. It cut through the sweats Aedan wore, sending shivers up her spine. Jean Claude shrugged out of his suit coat and settled it over her shoulders for warmth. Aedan concentrated hard on slipping her arms into the sleeves while also trying to keep on her feet and move forward at the same time. The limo was waiting in the lot, a pair of rats guarding the long car. There were also three big black SUVs there, obviously meant to haul the obscene number of lycanthropes Jean Claude had brought with him. They stopped next to a sleek, cherry red Porsche. Angel Cervantez plucked a set of keys from her briefcase before turning to look at the group behind her.
"Always a pleasure, Jean Claude. Don't hesitate to call me again if you have need of me." The smile she gave him transformed her face, melting the ice and giving it a warmth that felt welcoming.
"Of course, Angel. Thank you for coming when I called. I am sorry to have disturbed your evening," Jean Claude said, voice all sincerity.
"Think nothing of it. That's why you pay me that disgustingly large retainer." The woman turned and offered a hand to Aedan. "Miss Kinkade. Pleasure to meet you. If Detective Storr tries to contact you to ask questions regarding this matter, refer him to my office. That's what I'm here for."
"Thank you, Miss Cervantez. I'll be sure to do that," Aedan replied, giving the woman's hand a quick shake. The lawyer let her gaze slide between Aedan and Jean Claude, then she smiled and let herself into her card without another word. As a group, they watched the red Porsche pull from its parking space and speed away into the night.
"Shall we go home?" Jean Claude asked softly. He sounded concerned and solicitous and good enough to eat. Ugh. She ignored all that and wrapped her hands tighter around her anger. No way was she letting him charm her into forgiving him.
"Please. I just want to climb into bed and sleep," Aedan told him, doing her best to maintain a civil tone.
"Are you okay to make it to the car on your own, Aedan?" Edward questioned, all trace of his good old boy act wiped out of his voice. His words earned her intense stares from both the vampires at her side. She wanted to be mad at him, but she was just too tired. Too disconnected.
She considered his question a moment. "I'm not sure. I think so." It was the best response he was going to get.
"Aedan?" Jean Claude's tone suggested he wasn't going to let her get away with not explaining herself to him. Great. The last thing she wanted was for him to be all up in her shit. He was watching her face intently, no doubt looking in it for the lie he expected her to tell him.
"I'm okay. Just... fuzzy. Tired. Cold. Maybe a little wobbly," she informed him. It wasn't a lie.
"You're in shock," Edward told her. He sounded so matter of fact and dispassionate about it. "Whatever happened tonight, it did a number on you. I'm surprised you held it together in front of Storr the way you did."
"What did happen tonight?" Jean Claude stared at her. Aedan frowned and shot a glare Edward's way. It was a good glare. And it didn't phase him one bit. "Aedan?"
She gave an exasperated sigh and motioned toward the limo. There was no way she wanted to do this here. Or ever. "Can we just get in the car and go? I've had my fill of this place for one night." She didn't bother to add that she was about to fall over. She could well imagine how that would be received.
"But of course, ma poupette," Jean Claude agreed. She made a face at him, letting him know without words exactly what she thought of that phrase, then turned for the car. Asher kept pace with her, one hand resting on her back. Jean Claude chuckled faintly, then followed after them. She swore she could feel Jean Claude's smug smile pressing against her back. He knew how much she hated that moniker.
The Wicked Truth reached the car first. Aedan watched as Truth opened the door and peered in, ensuring the back seat of the vehicle was clear. She thought it rather unnecessary, but he obviously took his job seriously. He then climbed in and left his brother with the duty of standing guard as every one else got in. Asher waited until Jean Claude had once more taken hold of Aedan's elbow before he entered the car, then held his hand out to her in a silent offer to help her in. She took it, grateful for the strength she felt in that single hand. Jean Claude did not let go of her elbow until she put her ass down on the seat. Only then did he relinquish his hold on her so that he could join them in the vehicle.
She found herself settled between Asher and Jean Claude, their power and presence cocooning her. The cool sensation of death wrapped itself around her and made her feel safe. It was really easy to let go of the tenuous grip she had on reality, which left her feeling as if she was floating. She was vaguely aware of her limbs going liquid, prompting her to sort of slide into Jean Claude. She felt his arm come around her, pulling her body into his.
She wanted to fight out of his hold, wanted to sit up straight and not touch him. She didn't want him softening her feelings for him. But she had no energy to do so. He was there, his chest welcoming. His arm so possessive where it rested against her shoulders. The weight of it added to the feeling that she was safe, so she let her eyes flutter closed. Sleep sounded so wonderful. The car shifted two more times, letting her know that Edward and Wicked had joined them. The door shut with a soft thud and a second later, the car was in motion.
The car rocked her gently and she felt herself slipping away.
"Thank you for contacting me, Edward. I would never have known she needed my help had you not called," Jean Claude's voice filled the silence in the car. It rumbled against the ear that pressed his chest, drawing her away from the beckoning arms of slumber. It took a bit to process what he'd just said. Which left Aedan wondering when Edward had had time to do that because she didn't think he'd have gotten the chance at the station. The cops had probably been watching them both like hawks.
"I'm glad I was able to get a message to you. I knew Aedan wasn't going to call you. And I knew she didn't need to spend any length of time at the precinct. She wouldn't have been able to keep the ruse up for much longer," Edward replied.
"What happened?" The question came from Asher. Aedan thought she detected some emotion coloring those two words. But it could have simply been her imagination. Everything was so muddled and she was so tired.
"I don't know. I found her standing in an empty yard with a knife in her hand. She was covered in blood and there was absolutely nothing on her face. It took me far too long--" Edward's words slid off into nothing as exhaustion pulled her under.
~*~
"Aedan, wake up. You must wake up and eat something." She thought there was a faint sense of urgency in the voice that cut through the fog. Of course, it could have also had something to do with the hand that kept pushing at her insistently. She didn't want to wake up. She was warm and limp and comfortable where she was. Not to mention that her brain was still like thick soup, making it hard to pull herself away from the sweetness of oblivion. But the hand on her shoulder wouldn't leave her be, forcing her to struggle up from the depths.
She found herself tucked into bed, the covers tugged up to her chin. It took several long minutes to really focus on her surroundings, her lids heavy and attempting to shut repeatedly. She finally convinced them to stay open. The first thing she saw was Jean Claude's face as he stared down at her. She thought perhaps he looked slightly worried but that impression was gone a moment later when he frowned at her. She got the sense that he was displeased with her for some reason. Well, shit. If they were going to argue, she wasn't going to be lying down for it. But wasn't she supposed to be the one who was displeased with him?
She forced herself to plant her elbows in the mattress, made herself struggle up into a sitting position despite the look Jean Claude sent her. And he really didn't like it when she ignored his offer of help. Not that she thought he liked that she was trying to sit. Too bad. They were going to be on equal footing if he was going to act like he had any right to chastise her for anything she chose to do.
When she'd gotten herself raised up and settled, it was to find that her clothing had been removed and she was wearing nothing but the silk sheets that covered the bed. Which let her know terribly fast that she wasn't even in her own bed. Fucking great. Well. No time like the present to go on the offensive. "What the hell am I doing here?" she demanded.
He stared for the span of a heartbeat. "You live here. The Circus is your home, in case you have forgotten." His voice was very dry.
"I know I live here. What my question was asking was what the hell am I doing in your bed? I don't recall living in your bed." Aedan glared at him, telling him what she thought of his smart ass comment.
"You fell unconscious in the car," he said, as if that explained why she was naked and in his bed.
"Okay. So why didn't you put me in my own bed?"
Jean Claude heaved a sigh meant to imply that he was hard pressed by her behavior. Aedan didn't give a flying fuck if he thought she was acting like a child. She was mad at him, damn it. Waking up in his bed was not conducive to holding on to that anger. Especially when the silk of his sheets smelled of whatever products he used on his hair, hints of his cologne, and the ever present smell of dirt and death. "Edward insisted you were not to be left alone."
"Oh, I see. He could have watched over me, you know. You didn't have to put a hold on your super busy schedule just for little old me," she retorted. If her tone was snide... well, who was she to care?
She saw a hint of his growing anger, no doubt because of her flippant attitude, before it was hidden away behind his blank mask. "You were in dire need of a bath. You were covered in blood. Are you telling me you would want Edward to bathe you?"
His tone suggested that he thought she couldn't be serious, that she couldn't possibly be saying she'd turn him down. Well, she really hated to burst his bubble but... "Better him than you."
"Of course. Because allowing Edward to clean you up would keep hidden the wounds you sustained this evening," he accused. His eyes narrowed on her. "You told me you were unharmed."
Aedan frowned at him and pushed the covers away. "No, I said I was okay. And I am. It isn't like they'll even last much longer. No doubt they're already almost healed."
"What are you doing?"
She snorted and scooted toward the edge of the bed. "I should think that would be obvious. Even to you. I'm going to get out of your bed and then get out of your room. Maybe I'll go back to my own. Maybe I'll just go find a hotel for the night."
"Aedan," he replied, a warning in his voice. She ignored that warning and slid toward the edge of the bed. She could tell she was still a little wobbly, but she wasn't about to let that stop her. She just needed away from him and she needed it now. In the worst possible way. Because every time she looked at him, her brain was filled with images of Jean Claude with Minette. It hurt and if she stayed here much longer, she'd probably break out in tears. And then she'd have to tell him why she was crying, which would only make things worse. Because she knew that he was never going to care about her the way she cared about him. She was stupid enough as it was for having fallen for him. She didn't want to feel worse by giving him a good laugh at her stupidity.
"Don't. Just..." she began, but trailed off. There was no way she could say anything that would convince him to let her be without giving him details as to why she wanted him to leave her be. Jesus Christ, she was an idiot of the highest degree.
"Where are you going?" he asked when she scooted over to the other side of the bed.
"I told you. Back to my room or even to a fucking hotel. I'm not staying here," she replied slowly and carefully, as one would with someone who was unable to grasp even the simplest of ideas.
Just like that, he was standing at the edge of the bed closest to her, blocking her path to the door. He'd come all the way around the bed in the blink of an eye. Aedan held back the sigh and stared up at him. "You should not wander the Circus in your present state," he told her softly.
"What? Naked? I think its safe to bet that nearly everyone here has seen me without my clothes on by now,' she retorted. She watched as one eyebrow went up, telling her that he'd heard the self-derision in her words.
"No. You forget that we are tied. I can feel the exhaustion eating at you, Aedan. Edward was correct when he said that what happened tonight left you in a state of shock. You should stay in bed and rest." There was no authoritarianism in his voice this time. Just simple statement of fact. Aedan frowned up at him.
Technically, he was correct. She needed to eat and rest, regain her strength. The marks had done a good job of helping with that already, but they couldn't rid her of honest tiredness. And there was a part of her that desperately wanted to stay tucked into his bed, that wanted to have him curled around her as she drifted off. But it was just too damn painful. Because she knew that she was never going to have his heart. He might grow to like her. Some day. She just wasn't sure if she was okay with that.
She wanted to leave. Needed to leave. Because every time she looked at him, she saw him twined with Minette. She saw how absolutely beautiful and perfect he was. And she saw how terrible she was in comparison. He was never going to want her. She was damaged. In ways she didn't think anyone could ever help her heal. She didn't want to saddle him with that. He deserved better. Certainly better than her.
"I can rest in my own bed," she replied, tone far more brittle than she'd planned it to be.
He sighed. His gaze was a heavy weight on her shoulders as he studied her intently. She rather wished that she was clothed because she really hated not having some kind of armor to put between those deep blue eyes and her very soul. Finally, one hand reached out to cup her cheek, his touch gentle and tender. Inviting. Aedan had to fight not to press her cheek into his palm. "I have hurt you and I am sorry. That was never my intent."
She blinked at him. He was apologizing to her? She couldn't wrap her mind around that, couldn't understand why he'd offer her an apology. They weren't dating. They weren't a couple. They weren't even a possibility. There was no reason for him to apologize. "Its no big deal," she replied, trying to brush his words off.
"Aedan," he sighed, his free hand coming up to cup her other cheek. She couldn't stop her eyes from fluttering closed at the contact. It felt so good and so right. "Ma poupette. I am sorry I hurt you."
The softness in his voice saw tears well up in her eyes. Damn it, she was not going to go soft and cry just because he said he was sorry. She was made of sterner stuff than that. But his touch felt so good. The gentle press of his skin on hers was as close to heaven as she felt she'd ever get. She knew she should pull away from him. But she just couldn't. She was weak and she didn't want to give that up.
He said nothing more, merely leaned in and pressed a kiss to each eye lid. The caresses were so soft, she felt she'd imagined them. She didn't stop him when he gently urged her back into the bed. Nor did she say anything when he climbed in beside her. One arm slid around her shoulders and tugged her into his body. "Tell me what is going on with you." There was possibly a bit of compulsion in his voice. Not much. Just enough to make her actually want to tell him. But she resisted. How could she tell him? He'd cast her aside if he knew the truth.
"Nothing," she replied.
"Aedan. Please. Whatever troubles you, it is tearing you apart. You must tell someone before it consumes you. Allow me to share your burden," he whispered, one hand stroking up and down her arm.
"There's nothing to tell," she said.
"Nothing?" he asked, disbelief plain to hear in his voice. "You have barely spoken to Minette since the party. You have been so obsessed with finding the man who attacked her that it left me worried about the state of your mental health. I watched you run from the room like a scared kitten when confronted with Minette's questions about Micah. You should have been the one to tell her and yet you left me the task. She was distraught upon discovering he had been kidnapped and she needed someone to lean on. That someone should have been you. You tell me there is nothing wrong, but your actions speak louder and with more truth than your words do. Why? What has happened?"
She struggled to find something to say. There was a part of her that wanted to explain, that wanted to spill the whole sordid story. But she just... couldn't. She knew how it would look. She knew what people would think. She didn't want to see revulsion or hatred in his eyes. She didn't want to see pity. "Nothing happened," she told him.
"Aedan. Please. I can see how these things have been eating you up inside. Please share your burdens."
"There's nothing to share," she insisted, putting strength into her tone.
He sighed, letting her know that he was obviously disappointed in her refusal to share. For some reason, she didn't like that he was disappointed. But she knew that she wouldn't like it if he knew the truth. "Then tell me what happened tonight. How did you find Micah?"
"Rhia has a friend," she replied. No harm in giving him the truth. "He's a seer. He found Micah's location for me."
Jean Claude gave her a look, as if he didn't trust her. He obviously thought she'd given him an answer far too easily. "And he asked you for nothing in return?" he questioned.
"He did not."
The vampire at her side was silent a moment. It made Aedan think he was trying to decide if he believed her answer. Why did he have to ask so many questions? Why didn't he let her eat and rest like he'd said she needed to do? "What happened when you arrived at Micah's location?"
"The female part of the duo was standing up to the male. I don't know why or what made her do it. But she was telling him that she wasn't going to be part of the murder spree anymore. She said she was going to turn herself in to the police. He didn't like that so he stabbed her in the abdomen." Aedan shuddered with the memory. The last thing the woman had said told her that she'd known Aedan was there. She'd been counting on Aedan to right her wrongs for her.
"He stabbed his own partner?"
"She was turning against him. Micah had obviously been trying to get through to her. It must have worked because she acted like she was planning on taking him down with her. I think she was considering using her enhanced abilities."
Jean Claude frowned. "What stopped her from shifting or simply using her own strength to stop him."
Aedan considered it, holding back a yawn as she mulled over what she'd heard. "I got the impression that he'd made her believe there was some taint on her or something. Perhaps because she'd contracted lycanthropy? It would explain why she'd avoid shifting and overpowering him. He mentioned something about cleansing the taint from her soul. I... I have no clue what it was all about. "
"What happened then?" The question sounded innocuous enough, but Aedan knew he was doing his best to prod more information from her. She'd humor him, only because she didn't think it could hurt anything.
"I announced my presence. Called out that I was law enforcement. Ordered him to put his knife down. He chose instead to throw a table of bladed implements at me. I ducked in order to avoid being injured. He used that as an opportunity to bury his blade in Micah's belly, then he ran. "
"And you chose to go after him?" There was no denying that he sounded as if he had a hard time believing she would chase down the man who had been murdering his way around the city instead of remaining behind to help Micah. She frowned at him.
"No. I was going to help Micah. He's the one who told me to go after the perp. He's the one who told me to pull the knife out of his abdomen and give chase."
"Aedan. You should not have left Micah alone."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Its a moot point now, isn't it?" she snapped. He sighed, one hand stroking down the length of her arm in an attempt to soothe her. She did her best to ignore it because she knew what would happen if she let him succeed in calming her down. "How is Micah?"
"Resting. He shifted once all of the silver in his body was forced out. He was brought here and is presently in the middle of a pile of wereleopards," Jean Claude told her. Aedan didn't bother to stop the relief that flooded her. She'd been so worried he wouldn't make it when she'd found him. She should have stayed, should have let the kidnapper get away. There would have been another chance to catch him. He wouldn't have been able to accomplish as much without his accomplice. But pride had driven her actions. She was glad Micah was going to be okay.
"I'm glad."
"Tell me what happened after your brief conversation with Micah." He wasn't going to give up. Aedan held back her sigh and shifted so that she was sitting up a little higher. Since she wasn't going to get any rest any time soon.
"I pulled the knife out of his abdomen like he told me to do. Trust me, it was not something I really wanted to do. But the blade was coated in silver. It was better to remove it than leave it in. So I pulled it free and followed after the kidnapper. There was a set of stairs behind the cross they'd nailed Micah to. It lead out into the house's backyard," she told him, her mind flashing back to those first few seconds when she'd stepped out into the darkness. "There was no moon. So I couldn't see which way he might have gone. But there are lots of bodies buried out there. Its almost as if the local police don't bother going there. So there were ghosts lingering. And I could feel them. I followed the kidnapper's path based on how disturbed the ghosts were."
"Ghosts told you where the kidnapper had gone?"
"Not in a physical sense. Ghosts can't speak. But I can feel how calm or agitated they are. Ghosts that have not been disturbed by anyone are so placid that its like walking through a gentle mist or fog. The more activity that occurs near them that they don't like, the more upset they become." She paused a moment, looking for the best analogy. "Think of it in the way Hollywood wants us to see zombies. In the movies, they're always milling around aimlessly. Not doing anything. Until a living human stumbles into their midst. Then they become active and start moving with more purpose. Ghosts are like that. They were fine until the kidnapper ran through them. Then they got riled up. And I can feel that upset because they're dead things. Or associated with the dead."
"I see," he said. She could tell by the tone of his voice that he hadn't known this before and was digesting the fact. She waited until he finally nodded his head. "Go on."
"The ghosts led me to a yard three houses away. They were centered around an old shed. So I stopped before the shed and called him out. Told him that there was no way he was getting away. He realized he was cornered, so he launched himself at me from the interior of the shed. He'd apparently grabbed another knife when he'd run out of the basement, because he had one in hand."
"That is how you ended up injured," he murmured, mostly to himself. But as he spoke, his hand stroked a pink scar on her arm. Aedan glanced down at it and shrugged.
"Part of the job," she replied.
He turned to look her in the eye, letting her know that he thought her response was terrible. "That does not mean that I have to like it when you put yourself at risk, Aedan. You may not believe me, but I have no wish to see harm come to you."
She ignored the warmth his words sent running through her. "He was an amateur with the knife," Aedan informed him.
"And what happened to this amateur?" Jean Claude asked her.
"It doesn't matter. All that does matter is he won't ever bother us again. I made sure of it," she said quietly.
"What did you do to him, Aedan?" There was an edge to his voice. Almost as if he was worried about her answer. She shot him a look and slid out of his embrace. She was off the bed before he could reach for her again. She was just pulling his robe on when he came to stand at her side. "Aedan."
"He won't ever bother us again, Jean Claude. That's all you need to know. Don't ask me again," she told him. The look he shot her said he wanted to argue with her. She glared in return, letting him know that she wasn't going to be swayed. Not now. Not ever. She tied the robe shut and started for the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked. Exasperation colored each of his words.
"I'm going to check on Micah. And then I'm going to go climb into my bed. And sleep. By myself." She made sure that she put emphasis on the last two words. So that he'd know she meant it.
"Micah is sleeping. Let him be until he wakens and shifts back," Jean Claude ordered.
Aedan whirled on him. "I'm sorry? Are you telling me what I can and can't do now? That's rich. Really fucking rich."
"You should be resting, Aedan. Whatever happened tonight, you were not unaffected by it. Come back to bed and--"
"No." She shot him a look that told him all was not forgiven yet. He sighed and reached for her. Aedan took a step back. "I am not climbing into your bed like everything is peachy keen between us. I don't know what kind of relationship you think we're in, but I can assure you that it isn't anything like what you're thinking. You only just started dating me not that long ago. You said you wanted to woo me. And then you turned around and fucked my friend. How the fuck am I supposed to feel about that?"
It was stupid of her to be mad at him. When it came down to it, they weren't in any kind of relationship beyond what being his human servant entailed. It wasn't like he couldn't sleep with whomever he wanted. But that didn't make it hurt any less. She hated that he didn't care about her that way. And she hated that she cared about him far too much. She had no right to yell at him. But it had been a really, really shitty night and she needed to release some of her frustration. He was an opportune target.
"Just... Don't. Okay? I'm going to go to my room and put clothes on. I'm going to go visit Micah and ensure he's okay. Then I'm going to go to bed and forget that this night ever fucking happened. Come find me when you figure out what it is you want from me. If you ever figure it out."
Aedan crossed to the door and jerked it open, intent on escaping as quickly as possible, with as much of her dignity intact as she could manage. But she pulled up short when she found that London stood in the doorway, hand raised to knock. He blinked at her, obviously sensing her heightened emotions, then looked past her to where Jean Claude stood. She shot him a glare, then pushed past him and hurried up the hall.
Jesus fuck, why were men so fucking complicated?
She made it to her room without running into anyone else. Once there, she shoved the door closed and moved for the dresser, intent on putting clothes on. She needed to be clothed. She needed to be armored. Maybe, after she'd checked in on Micah, she'd sneak out of the Circus and find some place to hole up while she tried to get her head back on right.
If such a thing was even possible anymore.
~*~*~*~*~
"Good. You are dressed." Jean Claude caught Aedan coming out of her room, clad in jeans and a t-shirt. She wore a long sleeved shirt over it. No doubt because she'd put her holster on and wanted to pretend she was keeping the gun hidden. She shot him an annoyed look and opened her mouth, likely to give him a piece of her mind. He didn't let it happen. Instead, he took hold of her arm and tugged her into a walk along side her. "Come with me."
"Where are we going?" she asked, hastening her stride to keep up. She tried tugging her arm out of his hold but he refused to let it go. He spared her a look and kept walking. She'd find out soon enough.
He was surprised she didn't ask more questions. Maybe she'd already realized he wasn't going to answer them so asking was a moot point. Whatever the reason, he was secretly grateful. He was in no mood to put up with her questions after their previous conversation. He knew she'd lied to him. Perhaps not about everything, but definitely about Micah's kidnapper. There was something about him that she was hiding. He just couldn't figure out what it was or see a way to make her understand she could trust him. He was infuriated and frustrated.
She hurried along beside him, bewildered look on her face and confusion radiating from her like heat. The confusion didn't get any better when the stepped out of the hall and into the main room of the Circus to find that Wicked and Truth were there, as was London. Bobby Lee and Claudia were also among the group. Each one of them wore a serious expression on their faces and they were in motion as soon as Jean Claude and Aedan joined them.
The woman at his side was silent as they crossed the floor to the large wooden door. As they climbed the stairs to the upper level. As they exited out into the night and got into the car idling near the door. Jean Claude made sure that Aedan was between himself and London on the bench seat and that her arm remained in his hold. The moment everyone had climbed into the limo and gotten the doors shut, the car rolled into motion.
No one spoke as the car sped along the smooth surface of the road. Aedan kept her eyes on the windows, watching buildings pass them as the driver navigated through the flow of night time traffic. Jean Claude stared straight ahead, mind turning over the news London had brought him. It seemed as if they'd get one fire put out only for another one to kindle. When would it end? When would things settle into a normal, mundane pattern? When could he start enjoying his life again?
The driver took away from the center of the city, away from the vampire district and its bright neon lights. Soon, they were on quiet streets that ran between houses filled with slumbering families. Tension was filling the car, pulling shoulders tight in anticipation. He had no doubt that the tension would shatter in a spectacular way when they finally arrived at their location. And he had to wonder what the woman sitting next to him would do.
Time stretched as they continued their silent drive. By the time the car started slowing, Jean Claude could tell everyone was on edge. He felt Aedan shiver next to him, turned to see her staring out the window intently. He recalled what she'd told him about buried bodies and ghosts, and he wondered if that was the reason for her reaction.
The car slid through the cemetery's open gates, wheels crunching softly on the gravel lined drive that ran between the rows of headstones and markers. Aedan frowned, spine straightening as she stared more intently into the shadows. "Something bad happened here. The ghosts are so restless. They're... angry."
Moments after her statement, the limo swung to the left. The headlights panned over towering pillars of granite, sightless angels, and marbled headstones. The car traveled forward for a short time, then came to a stop. Even before the car had come to a complete stop, Aedan was trying to break his hold and slip from the vehicle. Jean Claude tightened his hold on her to ensure she remained at his side.
One by one, the group exited the car. Bobby Lee was first to climb out, having ridden in the front with the driver. Wicked opened the back door and climbed out, then stood by the door and waited. London went next, followed by Claudia. Only then did Jean Claude let go of Aedan's arm. she scrambled off the seat and out of the car, almost as if under some kind of compulsion. Jean Claude followed her out. Truth was the last to exit the car.
Jean Claude watched as Aedan hurried up the drive, the limo's headlights caressing her back as she went. He started after her, Bobby Lee and Claudia with him. Truth followed them while London and Wicked remained with the car.
The smell of blood lingered on the air, though it was old and stale. Mingled with it was the smell of oil and gasoline. Of tree sap. Of death. He watched as Aedan came a halt. She knelt down and examined the ground at her feet. One hand touched the road, shone a rusty red color in the beam of the headlights. Her gun cleared her holster in the blink of an eye, pointed before her as she started moving again.
A crumpled car rested sideways against an old oak tree. The way the passenger's door had been crushed suggested that another vehicle had rammed it and driven it into the tree. The oak looked like it had weathered the accident well enough, save some of the bark being scraped from the trunk. Aedan gave the car a cursory examination, then turned and headed off into the darkness. They found her on her knees in the dirt, leaning over a bulky shape hidden by the long grass. "Son of a bitch," she swore softly.
"That's Jessie," Bobby Lee commented. There was a mix of sorrow and anger in his voice.
"His throat's been ripped out," Aedan said. She lifted a hand, fingers curled, to show what she meant.
"What's he doing all the way out here?" Claudia asked, slowly tuning circles so she could take in the entire cemetery.
"He was with Minette," Aedan said quietly. She rose to her feet and turned to face them, face pale in shadows. One hand motioned to the destroyed vehicle. "That's Micah's car."
"Are you sure he was with Minette?" Jean Claude asked.
"Why else would he be here? She got tired of waiting for me to get off my ass and figure shit out. So she went looking on her own." He could hear the self-loathing in her voice. She blamed herself for this. "Goddamn it. I should have told her not to leave the Circus. This never would have happened if... She knew she was being followed. She shouldn't have left."
"Aedan?" Claudia looked at the other woman.
"Someone's been following her. I know of at least one incident. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more. She must have thought she could handle it herself. And if I'd been out looking for Micah from the get go, she wouldn't have left the Circus. She didn't think i was doing enough to find him, so she went looking on her own."
"Who would have taken her, though? This isn't the work of the same people who kidnapped Micah, is it?" Bobby Lee asked.
"No. I smell leopard," Truth said.
"Shit, shit, and double shit," Aedan snarled, hands limp at her sides. While her face was empty, Jean Claude could feel the fear and guilt building around her.
"Aedan?" he asked softly.
"Its Bruce. Her old alpha. It has to be. He's had a hard on for her for far too goddamn long. His people must have been the ones following her. This was an opportune moment to grab her." She turned and stared at Jean Claude. "I'm so done with Bruce's shit. I'm going to find the son of a bitch. And I'm going to kill him."
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-03 07:29 pm (UTC)Dolph's being an ass. I mean, sure, he probably has a good reason for it, but still.
I'm glad Aedan isn't letting JC off easy. Serves him right for being such a horndog. *glares at JC* I do sorta feel for him though and the whole 'when can I start enjoying my life again?' bit. I get that.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-03 11:32 pm (UTC)Dolph is being an ass. and you're right. likely with good reason. but yeah. still an ass.
those two... ugh. they're so close! they're almost there! but she acts like a bitch and he fucks her friends and... *sighs* what's (a not yet quite)a couple to do? i'm sure they'll get their shit together. ... eventually. for now, though. she is totally not letting him off.
thanks for reading, bb. glad you enjoyed it.
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-04 05:47 pm (UTC)The thot doth plicken...er, plot doth thicken. Again. *evil grin*
Man, Dolph is just such a sweetheart isn't he? Sheesh. Never really warmed to him in the books and even less so now, LOL. ;-)
How Jean Claude is going to finally atone (in Aedan's eyes) for all the shit that went down, I'm still curious about. 'Cos he still has a long way to go it looks like. ;) (And for good reason, natch.)
And goodbye Bruce! He's such a dead one...
Damn this is nailbiting...if I bit my nails I'd have none left. Seriously, there's SO much to the plot(s) and I'm loving it!
(no subject)
Date: 2018-03-05 12:33 am (UTC)Dolph is... Dolph. his issues will always cloud his treatment of anyone who isn't strictly normal, i think. and Aedan is definitely not of the normal variety. he may come to his senses at some point. but i wouldn't count on it.
you know, i'm not really sure, either. we'll have to see when we finally get there. hopefully, it'll happen soon. the tension between those two is killing me, you know.
Bruce will certainly get his. as soon as i come up with a plan for the next chapter.
glad you enjoyed my offering, sweets. and thanks for giving it a read