читать дальшеChapter 25- The Brothers by nicola71
"I can't feel them, Jean-Claude. Why can't I feel their magic?" Anita was next to him the instant he let her in on the secret.
"I do not know, ma petite. Why could I not feel them? Why could Asher not feel them?" He was perplexed beyond measure. And irritated. And perhaps, deep down where he could hide it, a little bit frightened.
Castor looked like himself again, except for the silver chains that bound him. Jean-Claude had called all of his master vampires, as well as every alpha were that was present at The Circus. If the brothers were as powerful as he thought they might be, it probably wouldn't be enough. But that was the most irritating part of all. He could not tell how powerful they were. Jean-Claude had himself become a master of hiding his true power, but he had never met another being who could do it as well as he. Until now.
Pollux suggested that Jean-Claude have them bound in silver, a prospect that Castor protested with vigor. But the silent conversation that always connected the brothers changed his mind. And shut his mouth.
They now sat side by side, chained and in the cross-hairs of about ten different kinds of automatic weapons and sharpened fangs. However, since at least one of the brothers seemed to be reasonable, Jean-Claude was more than willing to hear what they had to say.
"You cannot feel us, Anita, because we are not quite as old and powerful as you might think." Pollux's words were strained by the obvious pain he was experiencing. The silver was settling into their tanned skin, burning them with every move, every struggle against the pain.
"Well, how the hell old are you?" Anita was losing patience and in no mood for the games the old ones seemed to like to play.
"Do not tell them anything, brother!" Castor struggled against the chains, his skin ready to break open under the stress and effects of the silver.
Pollux silenced him again with a look, then turned to Penelope.
"Could you not feel us, madam? Of all of them, I thought for certain you would feel us."
Penelope had been watching the scene unfold from a distance. She stood beside London, while Asher functioned as Jean-Claude's second. Her mind was open to him though, and she could hear him questioning his bonds with the Hyenas.
I should have felt them. But I feel nothing more than I do from Narcissus. Their power seems to fluctuate a bit, but really, nothing more.
Asher, it's not your fault. But there is something...
Penelope moved forward past Anita and Jean-Claude until she stood in front of Castor, who looked away.
"Why do you look away?" she questioned, then turned to Pollux. "What have I done to him?"
She didn't wait for an answer, but instead reached out to stroke Pollux's cheek, in an attempt to relieve some of his pain. She admitted to herself that she did not like to see them so tortured. She didn't know why, but she was suddenly certain that they were two of the good guys.
As her hand gently slid down the side of his face, Pollux's eyes shut and his head fell back. When he opened them again, the same hazel eyes that had looked on her with kindness in the past were there. No tears, simply the same man she had grown to trust through countless conversations.
"You remind him of our mother."
It was a short, but powerful statement. One that touched her, for she had very few memories of her own mother.
"Your mother?"
Jean-Claude was suddenly reminded of an old story he had once heard at court.
"You cannot be the children of that old fairy-tale," he said with interest. The Master of the City was standing with his arms folded trying his best to disbelieve.
"What story?" Anita was definitely at the end of her patience. Her tone demanded answers, and she was about to get more than she wanted.
Castor still refused to speak, so Pollux raised his head and spoke to them, although his eyes never left Penelope.
"I think that you are all acquainted with the Mother of all Darkness and her special guards. We are the offspring of one of their kind, and one of yours, Penelope."
"More." Jean-Claude's directive was unneeded though, for Pollux had waited a long time to tell his story.
"I do not know all of the details, only what our mother told us before she died."
"Before she was murdered, brother." Castor broke his silence and a hot wave of power swept through the room, causing rifles to click into place and Penelope to wince in pain as she finally felt some of Castor's true power pierce through her.
"Hyena, vampire or whatever you are, restrain yourself or you'll be eating silver the next time you decide to lose control." Anita repositioned her gun at Castor's cheek as he snarled and once again bared his vampire fangs.
"Brother, let me speak." Pollux's words and silent soothing brought the power level down, and calmed Castor. He then turned back to Penelope and continued his story.
"We had what we thought was a very normal childhood, traveling the world with our mother, who for all we knew was a respected archaeologist. We grew up believing that our father had abandoned us and was killed during the war."
"What war?" Asher was surprisingly calm, and interested in where the story was going. He knew the same "fairy-tale" Jean-Claude spoke of, and was curious as to the brother's part in it.
"World War I."
A small gasp was heard although no one would own up to it.
"Continue." Things were becoming much clearer to Jean-Claude, and he could not help the small curves of a smile that were beginning to form. They ARE the children of that tale!
Pollux continued, "Our mother raised us all over the world, and despite a few incidents that we only remember as fevers or other illnesses, we had a life of love and learning and travel. She taught us herself, but when it came time for us to go to university she sat us down for a very overdue conversation. You see, there were gaps in our memories that needed to be filled."
Pollux explained that their mother, Athena, told them that they were very special, and that she had protected them their entire lives but that the time of her protection was nearing an end.
"When she told us about her magic we did not believe her. We thought perhaps she had spent too much time in the sun digging or had inhaled too much ancient dust in the tombs she explored. But she proved it to us in a most spectacular fashion."
Athena restored every memory she had hidden from them, and like a modern movie they suddenly saw everything. Blood, claws, and death.
They saw their father, a member of Marmee Noir's elite guard. Older than time, vicious and untamed.
"Our mother thought she could control him. He was one of the last of Marmee's guard to fall into the great sleep. Mother saw him and lured him away from his fellows. He was the youngest of their kind, one of the lastMarmee made, and for all his power, one of the weakest. It was folly on Athena's part. She felt if she could gain control of him, then she might be able to harvest Marmee's power while she slept. Our mother was ambitious and power hungry, and despite my brother's misguided ideas about her death, she cheated her ultimate and deserved fate on more than one occasion."
"But, Pollux, how old must she have been?" Penelope was astounded. She had heard the story as well, but dismissed it as pure fiction. A rogue sorceress from the same world as her Grandmother had abducted and enslaved one of the most powerful crossbreeds of the preternatural world? She could not possibly have achieved this, let alone survived.
"She was very old, milady. Very old."
Castor and Pollux's mother had used her considerable magic and beauty to capture their father. She held him in a cave for several centuries, trying to absorb his magic and power. With the rest of his brothers and Marmeeasleep he had been left very vulnerable. However, when her tactics failed time and time again, she figured there was only one way left for her to get what she wanted.
"We are all men at our core, after all. Our father was no different. Her beauty enthralled him, and she used it to seduce him."
"What happened to him?" Jean-Claude knew the story of the missing guard. In vampire circles it was thought that Marmee herself had killed him, or that the other guards had because of his weakness. In their world there was no room for the weak and there was seldom a body left for evidence.
"Mother killed him."
Castor reared back his head in anger, "to protect us, Brother, to keep him or Marmee from killing us."
Pollux shook his head. "Whatever her reasons, she killed him after she got pregnant, and we were her prize."
Athena used her magic to erase all memories of their true nature from the brothers. Their cravings for blood, their incredible strength, and their superior magical abilities.
"Suddenly we could hear each other without speaking. Our strength grew tenfold, as did our desires. It was a very difficult transition period."
Both brothers' faces showed deep regret upon mentioning this "transition" period. Penelope restrained her base desire to take them in her arms and comfort them. But that was not all she was restraining. The temptation to reach into Castor's mind was unreal. He was so angry and so vulnerable at the moment. She knew she could have him and all of his memories in an instant. But that was rape. And she had been there before.
Pollux went on to explain that because they were the offspring of a hybrid and a human, albeit a magical being, they learned through discipline to control their desires.
"We walk in the sunlight but must ingest fresh blood from the vein once a month, just before the full moon. Our hyena selves are not like others. We are very...different. If you paid attention, the last full moon we did not spend with the pack, but rather on our own." He looked to Asher, "you thought it was because Narcissus despised us, and partly that is true. She knows, without knowing, that we are not like her. We do not belong to her pack, and never will."
Asher stared at him, "but you come when I call."
"We are attracted to you in the same way Richard is attracted to Jean-Claude. It may be because of the added power you received from Penelope. She is like our mother. It attracts us. We are as much hers as we are yours. It is because of her that we are here. We have been tracking her for almost eighty years."
"Eighty years?" Penelope was shocked, "but I have only been out in society for the last several months."
"We have known of you for a very long time."
"From your mother?" How could she have known me?
"Your grandmother, her name was Helene."
"Yes."
"Then you must have been a child when Athena came to her."
Penelope reached back into her own childhood memories. Ones that she tried so long to block out, simply to save herself the intense feelings of regret. But now she let herself fall into a trance and delved deeply into her own past.
A woman with long dark brown hair and a deep red gown was sitting at the wooden table in the kitchen with Helene who was a contrast in every way to her guest with her flaxen hair and dark green homespun dress. They were arguing. Helene was refusing to help her. Told her she was mad and that they should all be thankful that Marmee was asleep. That they should not tempt fate, and instead be happy with what they had.
The argument escalated until the two women seemed to come to blows without touching each other. Penelope and Julianna were hidden behind the door, peeking through the cracks. Whatever battle took place, their grandmother had won. The pretty woman with the flowing hair sat slumped in a chair, breathing heavily. Helene brought her a mug of wine.
"Sister, you cannot manage this type of magic."
"Helene, you never did have any respect for me or my abilities. I'm just as powerful as you. Just as powerful as our mother was," she heaved, "just as powerful."
"Athena, let me kill him now, before it is too late."
"No! You will not touch him. If you will not help me, then this is the last you will ever see of me."
Helene sighed heavily, "yes, sister, of all the things you have ever said to me that is the one thing I am certain is true."
The memory ended and Penelope swooned. London caught her in his arms. She was extremely cold.
"Your mother, and my grandmother were sisters," she said weakly.
"Yes." Pollux looked at Castor, and back at Penelope.
It was suddenly very clear to her why Castor was so uncomfortable around her. In essence they were cousins and the intimate moment they had shared had clearly shaken him. She could not understand why he was so prudish at the time, but now she looked on him with tender affection and with her eyes tried to tell him that no harm was done.
Penelope looked across the room at Asher and smiled. "It appears, my love, that you have in-laws." And with that, she passed out.
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Chapter 26- Family Ties by nicola71
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After a ridiculously long hiatus, I have once again found my muse! Many, many, many thanks go to Rekastormborn, and all of the people who have recently discovered my stories. (As well as some of you from the past who have encouraged me to continue!) Reka...thanks for the Beta duties!
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Penelope came to in Asher's arms. Touching him always helped to speed her recovery from a spell. His ice blue eyes were the first thing she saw as she awoke, and they always made her feel safe and secure.
"Penelope?" Asher said her name gravely, rather than using an endearment, which indicated his worry.
Penelope could feel both his and London's concern for her, but strangely enough she felt quite well.
"Where are Castor and Pollux?" she asked as she sat up and scanned the room.
"They have been taken to their quarters, under guard, but without the restraints," London said. He sensed her desire to know they were alright, and wanted to reassure her. "Jean-Claude feels the guard still in order, but silver chains no longer necessary. Now drink this." He gently stroked her hair and brought a cup of mint tea to her lips.
"Thank you, really, but I must speak to them now." She broke away from their hold with more strength than they expected and was out the door before anyone could grab her.
Something was different. Different and good. Penelope felt fantastic. Energized and invigorated, confident and full of magic and energy. That power preceded her through the halls of the Circus until she came to a door heavily guarded by rats.
"Claudia, move aside," she commanded.
Claudia was not used to being spoken to in that fashion, especially by Penelope who barely had two words for her up to this moment. The surprise was all over her face, and the other guards watched as she seemed to suppress the desire to smack the little girl, who stood before her, across the face.
"You do not give orders here."
All six feet of solid woman was behind the words, but that didn't deter Penelope. She was hopped up on power and nothing was going to stand between her and the men who waited on the other side of the door. However, years of playing politic had taught her a few things about tact. And so she changed hers.
She let just enough of her power ease out so that those around her could tell that there was more to her than what appeared, but she made it obvious that she had no intention of using that power to force her way through the door. It was dominance, not fear, that she was trying to display. There was a time in her life when she wouldn't have given such a courtesy, and not have thought twice about mind raping her way into that room. Penelope was determined to not go down that road again.
She concentrated on Claudia, though, and spoke to her with authority.
"Please let me in that room, Claudia. They are of my blood and I know you understand that kind of connection. Look at your brothers here. You would do the same." Penelope spoke her words clearly and directly. Something the powerful wererat in front of her understood and appreciated.
Claudia could not argue Penelope's logic. She also felt the depth of Penelope's magic and what she could do with it. After all the time she'd spent among the powerful at the Circus, Claudia had come to respect those who had power and didn't use it. She also liked Penelope. Sort of. Asher certainly had been less of a pain in the ass since Penelope's arrival and she was thankful for that. The broody vampire tended to create quite a mess, from time to time.
Wordlessly, Claudia, who was in charge, moved to the side and let Penelope go through the door.
Inside the two brothers seemed casual, at first glance. Castor stretched out on one of the beds, Pollux sitting at the desk, pen in hand, as if about to write.
He put the pen down and both brothers slowly stood up.
"Hello, milady. I am relieved to see you well." Pollux made a courteous bow of his head.
"I am better than well. I feel wonderful. Is that because of you?"
Pollux stayed very still, "Perhaps. On the contrary, I, we, feel very drained, and weak." The silver damage was healing at a tremendous rate of speed, but they seemed far worse for the wear.
Penelope wondered if maybe she had drawn from them on her trip down memory lane.
"May I touch you?" she asked cautiously, making sure that her voice was steady and nonthreatening. Touch was so important in the vampire and were world, she figured that it might help.
Pollux instantly reached out his hand to her, and when she grasped it something surged between them. He smiled.
"Thank you, yes, that is much better. Brother..."
Castor was reluctant, but something in his brother's voice, or perhaps their unheard conversation, drew him over to them. He took his brother's hand at first, while keeping his distance from Penelope. It was good but not enough. With a reassuring look from Pollux, she reached out and gently took Castor's hand in hers, completing the circuit.
It was an easy power that flowed through them. Gentle, and cool, and invigorating. She shared back some of what she had borrowed from them.
"Well," she said as she broke away and took the seat at the desk, "that seems right, now doesn't it?"
There was a small silence as the brothers sat down on the bed, facing her.
"Your mother," Penelope didn't know where to begin, "she was very beautiful as I recall."
Pollux spoke, "Beautiful, yes, and also very foolish."
Castor did not say anything, but shifted his body. Obviously the brothers had very differing opinions upon their mother and her motives.
"But she loved you?"
Pollux pondered for a moment, "Loved us? " he looked over at Castor, "She loved us, yes. In her way, I suppose. I think that you have already guessed that there was some enmity between us."
"I surmised as much." Penelope spoke to Castor, next. She wanted to address the awkwardness between them, and decided that the direct route was most likely the best.
"There is no need to be upset or humilated about what happened in the bed. You saved my life most likely." She looked kindly at him, knowing that what she said was the truth. Their warmth had made it possible for her physical body to survive.
Castor finally looked up, "I may seem a monster, but I am still a gentleman. And to be aroused in that way, with you, was wrong," he looked hard at Pollux, "no matter the amount of power that flows through us."
Penelope understood what he was saying, and knew that to make things right between them would take some time.
"Listen, this place is full of vampires from Belle's line. And Jean-Claude's power lies with the ardeur, I know you are familiar with it. Maybe you know more than you're telling me. I have seen the damage it can do, but I have also seen the good side of it as well. I can promise you both that Jean-Claude and his servant in no way wield that power to cause pain. This is not Belle's court. But by your reaction, I think you know something of that."
"We found ourselves there for a short time." Pollux took his brother's hand, lovingly. "He does not speak of his experiences, and I do not press him. I ask you to do the same."
"Very well. There are those here who share your experiences though. And it might not be a bad idea to speak to them, when you are ready. Belle's dainty fingers have tightened around the throats of many, and many have found that here with Jean-Claude are the means to break free of not only her grip, but the memories of her love, as she pretends it to be."
Penelope suddenly saw, in Castor's eyes, the very same look she had seen in London's when he spoke to her of his time in Belle's golden prison. She knew that Castor had been tortured with the ardeur. No wonder he lost it a little when Jean-Claude flexed his power.
Surprisingly, Castor spoke up.
"He feels very different from her, this Master of the City." He looked at Penelope squarely for the first time. "I am not afraid of him, as I was of Belle Morte. It's just hard, sometimes, to differentiate. I need to remind myself of where I am."
"When you are ready to talk about it, if ever, there will be someone to listen." Penelope instantly thought of London, or even Asher. But Castor's behavior was that of a former addict. Something her dear London knew something about.
"When will Jean-Claude clear us?" Pollux asked.
"I don't know." Penelope thought for a moment. "I think he knows you are not a threat."
"We must protect you, you know. You are the reason we are here. You're the only family we have."
"It's been so long since I had any family that I'm not sure what to do. But, we'll figure it out."
Penelope smiled as she rose and walked toward the door. She wanted to embrace them but felt that maybe it was not the right time. Enough had been said for one evening.
"I'll speak to Jean-Claude and see you in the morning?"
"We'll be here. Especially with that She-Rat they have on our door. I don't plan to cross that one." Pollux smiled, and Penny thought to herself that if the brothers really wanted to escape, they could. But as she smiled and left she knew for certain that leaving was the last thing they wanted. They were home.
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Chapter 27- Late Night Requests by nicola71
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Thank you to everyone who has stuck with the story! Your support means a lot to me! Thank you to Reka as well for being a wonderful beta!
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The exhaustion from the evening’s activities finally caught up with Penelope, and all she really wanted was some sleep. But there were still a few more things to do before dawn stole away the people she needed to talk to the most, so she grabbed a protein bar from the kitchen and started her rounds. First up, Jean-Claude.
She found him, curiously alone, in his living room.
“Where is everyone?” Penelope asked, leaning against the door jamb. Jean-Claude looked up from his papers and smiled. It made her feel warm to see that smile for her especially after all the excitement. It was genuine and open, and familiar.
“Even the Master of the City can enjoy a rare moment of solitude, non?” He teased, but offered up the truth, “Anita has been called away on some police matter, and Jason is asleep in my bedroom.”
He allowed a large grin and told Penelope that Jason’s reward for being the ‘Go To’ guy in the last few days was the full ride of Asher’s feeding. It made her chuckle to think of the blond wolf passed out from pleasure in the next room. Jason had been a true friend to her these many months and he deserved it.
“You chose well your pomme de sang,” she remarked, thinking of all the wisdom Jason casually dropped on those around him. Looks certainly were deceiving.
“When I did, no one would have said so,” Jean-Claude mused, remembering the misguided advice of other vampires and pack members who decried his choice as “weak.”
“But then, Jean-Claude, you always have had the talent of seeing the potential of a person, not just the physical aspects of what is set before you. It’s one of the things that makes you one of the most powerful vampires I have ever known.”
His laughter filled the room and twirled around her body making her feel all it’s velvety warmth.
“Oh, ma belle etudiant, you flatter me so! But you didn’t stop by to inflate my ego, nor offer a good night kiss, I imagine. So, how may I assist you in these early morning hours?”
She walked in and sat on the plush black carpet at his feet. There were still many old-fashioned customs that to her were simply natural. Sitting at the Master’s feet was one of them.
Jean-Claude looked down and saw her eyes as bright as he remembered and he thought that at this moment she looked almost as innocent as when he first met her. However, innocent she was not, and like everyone else in his life, he waited to find out what she wanted.
“I would like to know your intentions with Castor and Pollux.” She asked quietly.
“I see.” He did not move.
After a moment, “Well, Jean-Claude?”
“Would you believe me, if I said ‘I do not know?’”
Penelope sighed, disappointed that he would play this game with her.
“Ah, I suppose you would not believe me. In that case, I will tell you what you are so keen to know. I plan to keep them here, if they so desire, of course. They have a place in my Kiss and my organization if they wish, although I was planning on leaving the final decision up to Asher. Their hyena nature calls them to him. Their vampire nature calls them to me because the part of them that is vampire desires to be blood-oathed to a powerful master. And their blood and magic, the part of them that is their mother, apparently calls them to you.”
Penelope couldn’t help but smile. “Good.”
“You are very confident that Asher will agree to this.”
“Of course he will!” As she said the words she clasped her hand over her mouth. Jean-Claude let out an enormous bellow.
“Oh ma mei! For one who was cloistered for so many centuries, it certainly did not take you long to remember how to handle a man!” He was entirely amused at her confidence, even though he also knew it was not misplaced. Asher would do anything for her. A fact that both pleased and alarmed him at the same time.
“As I recall, it didn’t take me very long to learn how to handle you.” She parried and looked up into his eyes. Although her intent was to tease, for the briefest moment she allowed herself to get lost there in the midnight.
Jean-Claude broke the reverie before it began. He would be the strong one tonight, and she had others to see before dawn. He rose, taking her hand, and her body, up with him.
He kissed her cheeks, “Asher is waiting for you. And then I believe there is a particularly sulky vampire who would like to see you as well.”
Penelope was suddenly hit with the memory of London’s harsh words. She knew he was completely justified, but it had been their first real quarrel, and she couldn’t let him die for the day without talking about it. There were things between them that must be said.
“Well, good day to you then,” she smiled and turned to go.
Jean-Claude watched her leave him, again.
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Asher was sitting at his writing desk when he felt his servant come in the door. He didn’t turn around, but instead closed his eyes. He had changed into a soft beige cashmere turtlenecked sweater and light brown wool slacks.
Penelope rested her hands on his shoulders and slid them around his chest until her cheek rested against the roughness of his scars. She figured he must have showered because he smelled like fresh linen, but it was when Penelope opened her mind to him that she really drank in his scent. The scent that seemed to be exclusively for her. It was always the decadent combination of chocolate and cinnamon. Warm spices that were at once inviting and delicious. He reached up and laid his hands upon hers.
“Je t'adore,” she whispered, softly.
“I know, bien aimèe.”
He pulled her around until she was sitting in his lap. As much as he wanted to play, he had something rather serious to tell her, and he wasn’t so sure she would be totally agreeable. He planned on relying on her old fashioned sensibilities, and prayed that his servant had not yet succumbed to every aspect of modernity.
“Penelope, I must take care of this Narcissus business tomorrow evening. There was no time to go to her tonight, but I have called and made it clear that we will be having a formal meeting and that this behavior will end.”
Asher had no idea how he was going to accomplish that at the moment, but at least when he called, Narcissus was playing the good Oba. She agreed that they needed to speak face to face, and had admitted her part in the publicity meltdown. She also vehemently denied wanting to cause any physical harm to Penelope, or Asher. An admission that she believed would save her from severe punishment or excommunication from Jean-Claude’s powerful city machine. Asher had remained calm and cool on the phone, but he made no promise and no acknowledgement of her halfhearted apology. All he said was that everything would be resolved, one way or another, before the sun rose on Monday morning.
“What time should I be ready to go?” Penelope assumed that Asher would be going in with a full entourage, including his servant.
“You are not going,” he said with a finality she was unused to hearing from him.
Penelope was startled. “My place is with my master when he deals with his Oba.”
“Not this time. I forbid you to leave the circus until this matter is settled. Period.” Asher hoped she would not ask for more, but of course, he knew her too well. There were things he had no wish to tell her. At least not tonight. Not ever, if he truly had his way.
“Then tell me why.”
Penelope knew she surprised him with her apparent complicity, but she was not about to argue. She was a modern woman in many ways, but as a human servant she was still steeped in thousands of years of tradition. When her old master gave a command it was obeyed. Although she debated and fought with Asher on many other issues, this was a direct order given not only with his voice, but with his entire essence and with the power that he held over her. She could feel through his words that this was non-negotiable. Also, Penelope was nothing if she was not practical. To waste the waning hours of the night in a potentially violent argument with her master would neither change his mind nor give her desired results. But she felt she deserved the truth about Narcissus. That, also, was non-negotiable.
Their promise to be open with each other was taken lightly by neither of them, so Asher told her the truth. Mostly.
“Narcissus thinks she’s in love with me, and she is insulted that she was not involved with choosing my human servant. She is almost certainly put out that you are female.” And not a dominatrix, he added to himself.
“But she’s not your Animal to Call.”
“She thinks she will be.”
Penelope didn’t pretend to understand, especially since she had very little experience with weres, and those she had met were pleasant and friendly to her. Narcissus sounded neither pleasant nor friendly.
“She and I have an arrangement,” Asher continued with a deep sigh, “and I don’t know how to explain it to you. I know we promised to be open to one another, but I really don’t want to share any of those memories with you.” It was very hard for him to say it, but it had to be said.
“Why not?” came her disappointed reply.
Penelope knew about Asher’s involvement with BDSM. He had not indulged his desires in that way since they had been together, but he had begun to explain it to her, and of course she knew from Requiem about Asher’s performances at court. She had also seen countless memories of what he was made to do and what he willingly did at the behest of Belle Morte. It was a part of him that she totally accepted although it was not something she was necessarily interested in to participate. Nevertheless, she had told Asher that she would be willing to try. In any case, whatever he needed to be happy was fine with her, and he knew that.
“Penny,” he kissed her lovingly on the forehead, cheeks and lips, “You are very sweet to want to experiment with my ‘other interests,’ and in time, maybe we will. But you also know that there are certain aspects of my sexuality that I do not want to share with you. That I cannot share with you.”
Penelope nodded. There was a dark place in Asher’s mind that he prevented her from penetrating, and she would never try against his wishes. The bond between master and servant was strong and open, but each individual was expected to keep certain things to themselves. Some things were just that sacred, that personal. If he invited her in, that was one thing. Of course, she had dark places too. Dark places where it was not Asher’s destiny to go.
“I understand.” She truly did understand, so when she said it, it was not just lip service, or a woman trying to reassure a man she loved. She meant it.
“I don’t believe that Narcissus would physically harm you because she knows I would kill her. But until I get things sorted out I want you to stay with London.”
“I will, I promise.” She went in to kiss him, but he turned from her.
“Tonight. He is waiting in your suite. I need to speak with Jean-Claude before I die for the day, and so I will most likely stay with him tonight.”
Asher had spoken to London, and knew about their argument. The Knight had all but poured his heart out, and Asher had to remind him that his words were being wasted on the wrong person. London needed to speak with Penelope, and so it would work out perfectly, because tonight Asher needed to be with Jean-Claude.
Penelope was slightly hurt, but never begrudged him time with Jean.
“Will I see you before you leave?”
“I will say goodbye, but in all honesty I hope that you will be sleeping. You have not rested properly since your...incident. I want you to give me your word you will rest.” He kissed her then, passionately, stroking her silky hair which she had hastily thrown up in a ponytail.
“Now, go!” He smiled, “And don’t let our knight wear you out! He promised to help you...relax.”
She laughed and, looking back at him one last time, left him there alone.
Asher sat back in the chair. He needed to go and talk with Jean-Claude, but that meant he would have to tell him everything. He now, too late, realized what a mistake it was to exclude the Oba from the servant ceremony and the preparations for the opening of Veritas. He knew that Penelope loved him, but he was still unsure how she would react to what he did when he visited Narcissus’ club. It was a part of his life that he needed. It was a release for him that he could not find elsewhere, not even in Jean-Claude’s arms, and one that he so desperately thought he could do without. But even if he could not leave it behind, Penelope was not meant to be featured in that particular snapshot of his life. He shuddered imagining about what she might think if she walked in on a scene he was playing with Narcissus. Nathaniel, she might understand. Their scenes never quite reached the same levels as with the Oba. That one was an entirely different animal.
“Damn!” he said out loud.
Narcissus was a problem. She was obviously insanely jealous and enraged over Asher pledging himself to another. She was living in a delusion that she would be the main ‘woman’ in Asher’s life. She must also be terrified of Castor and Pollux, especially if she couldn’t recognize them for what they were. If she was not so afraid of them she would never have let them go to the circus full time. They were both too beautiful to let go, and if Narcissus was anything she was a connoisseur of beautiful men.
“I must find out what she is capable of doing.” He muttered to himself. Jean-Claude would have the advice he needed, and maybe something more of what he wanted tonight.
Keeping Penelope safe from the Oba and also keeping his hyenas in check might be the most difficult task Asher was going to have. In the times to come he knew that Jean-Claude was going to need as much power as those around him could offer. Heaven forbid if the Council visited St. Louis and reported back that Asher had failed to empower Jean-Claude, even with an animal to call and a powerful human servant at his back. He had to regain and retain control of the situation.
He got undressed and put on Jean-Claude’s favorite robe.