— У меня правильнописание хромает. Оно хорошее, но почему-то хромает...(с) Винни-Пух.
читать дальшеChapter 37- Masters and Servant by nicola71
London was solid and still as he sat across the large obsidian desk from Jean-Claude. The Master of the City had his hands clasped together, forefingers supporting his chin. Midnight blue met onyx black, and neither seemed moved to speak.
Inside, however, each vampire’s mind was churning.
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London awoke to find Penelope in exactly the same position that he remembered her from the previous night, snuggled tightly against his cold body. She was dressed which told him she’d been awake for hours already and returned to him to be there when he rose for the day.
Her good-morning kisses were very welcome and tender, and they shared more than a few laughs over their sexual adventure. London promised to go find the nameless tiger and apologize as well as offer a deeply deserved thank you.
Kisses turned into more, clothes were gone and although he had not yet fed, they made the most of what his body could accomplish. Afterwards they mused that they were in for another long night.
But things got very serious after about ten minutes.
“How do you feel?” Penelope leaned up on one elbow and gently brushed London’s dark curls from his face.
London thought it an odd question at first, but then things slowly began to fit together.
“I feel wonderful. More than wonderful. I feel…powerful.” His tone descended with each phrase from confident delight to just this side of abject terror.
He sprung out of bed with his vampire speed and into the bathroom. Penny followed him.
He was standing in front of the mirror staring down his reflection, looking into his own glowing eyes. Penelope slid her arms around his naked torso, rested her cheek against his back and pressed her warm skin against his. He was so incredibly closed off at the moment that she thought she wouldn’t be able gauge his true reaction. However, to her surprise she felt from him a mixture of revulsion and excitement. How she was able to discern this, she didn’t know.
“Jean-Claude?” was all he asked, with a somberness Penelope had hoped never to hear in his voice again.
“Yes. He came to see me this morning…”
But her words were barely out before London had grabbed his shirt and pants and was out the door. This time Penelope just let him go.
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It was London who broke their silence.
“Why, Jean-Claude? Why not simply ask from the beginning?”
Jean-Claude’s Gallic shrug was accompanied by the lamest excuse anyone could give, human or vampire.
“I don’t know.”
“That answer is unworthy of you,” London charged.
“That unfortunately, I do know.”
“Then answer me truthfully. You are my master as well as Penelope’s through Asher, so to ask us would not have been out of the question. But to spy on us…to take without asking like a thief in the night? I have known you for many centuries, Jean-Claude, and that is not your style.”
Jean-Claude didn’t move, but his voice changed slightly, now infused with just a hint of frustrated anger.
“And many centuries separate the vampire you knew from the one who sits before you now. Many centuries of servitude, of not being able to feed my incubus in the way I should, in giving up what I wanted in favor of what I needed to survive to see the next evening’s sky. So when you speak of “my style” perhaps you don’t know me as well as you thought, mon ami.”
London was stunned, not only at Jean-Claude’s response, but also at his own mixed bag of feelings. He was not angry with Jean-Claude for feeding from him because in truth he felt both physically energized and metaphysically powerful. He had spent so many centuries neglecting his own needs because he feared the one woman who could charge his power would end up destroying him. Now there were two people in close proximity, neither who wanted to use him for ill, who could feed that power, and he was shutting them down.
He didn’t want to be with Anita physically anymore, but not because he didn’t like her, because he truly did. She had been kind to him, especially when things were going no-where with Penelope, and he admired her gift for swift action and her ability in a fight, but he didn’t desire her anymore. The extra baggage that came with Anita was not something he wanted to bother with, but more than that, his love for Penelope had freed him from his addiction to Anita’s ardeur. He was also well aware that Anita had breathed a sigh of relief when he gave up her bed. The last thing she needed was another man, especially one she did not love.
As for Jean-Claude, London didn’t particularly desire men in general, although he long ago came to terms with the fact that he did very much enjoy his time with Asher. And if he was truly being honest with himself, he didn’t mind when Jean-Claude was allowed to feed on him at court either. Belle never gave up an opportunity to make a self-confessed heterosexual go against everything he believed about himself, so on the occasions Jean-Claude was involved with feeding on him it was never from a distance.
Besides Asher and Jean-Claude, every other time he had been with a man it was at the behest of his master, and taking a page from Jean-Claude’s well read book, he had learned to make a virtue of necessity. All that considered, London had never once imagined that he and Jean-Claude would become lovers when he came to St. Louis. In fact, Jean-Claude had promised he would not again become the ardeur’s plaything. A promise that was not kept.
“I know you did not invite me to St. Louis to become your toy as once I was our mistress’s. And It was not my intention to come here to feed your incubus in order to gain power for myself.”
Jean-Claude sighed and wished it were not always so difficult to get his people to see that what was good for them was good for the kiss, and subsequently good for him. If only he could persuade the powerful beings around him to actually embrace their power...
“I know you did not, and you also know that could I have prevented your re-addiction last November, I would have. But we both know that your addiction is under control if not entirely conquered, and you are now free to pursue your gift down its logical and beneficial path. If that is what you wish.”
Jean-Claude was hoping that by taking the direct approach London would be easily convinced. However convincing was not needed, and Jean-Claude was about to be surprised by his chevalier.
“It was the way you went about it this time, Jean-Claude, that bothered me. What happened in November was beyond even your control, and I have never held you responsible, but this time you had a choice. With that said, I do desire to grow more powerful. If that means allowing you to feed from me, then that is what I want to do.”
Jean-Claude didn’t bother to hide his feelings. A rarity for him, but he was caught off guard, and his voice echoed his surprise.
“Do you have aspirations beyond your place here?”
London didn’t move, he had anticipated that question.
“No, I do not.”
“You would grow your power simply to help me strengthen my position?”
“I would grow my power to protect the people I love, and yes, I have sworn fealty to you Jean-Claude. That was a vow I took very seriously. I believe in what you have done here and in what you are trying to do.”
“The people you love.”
“The woman I love.”
“And you believe in me.” Jean-Claude did not doubt London’s words, but he needed to hear them again.
“As I have said.”
“And what is it you think I am trying to do here other than create safety for the people who I in fact love?” Midnight blue eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and inquiry.
“Jean-Claude…”
“Non, I want to know what you are thinking. Even without the benefit of your growing powers, you were already a formidable vampire when you arrived here, London, one who I am well aware could be Master of a City, or at the very least challenge for a higher position within this kiss, so indulge me, sil vous plais.”
London remained as still as a statue. “In my opinion, you are creating an American Council.”
“Those are very dangerous words.”
“You asked me what I thought. You didn’t say that thought had to be safe.”
“And if this, American Council, as you say were a reality, where would your place be in it?”
London looked at him directly so there would be no doubt that his words were the absolute truth.
“As long as Asher is by your side, then my place will be one step away from him, beside my lady.”
“You love her that much? Enough to forego your own city, your own future?”
Penelope was his future and although London could think of many chivalric phrases that would emphasize just how much he loved her, there was really only one word that mattered.
“Yes.”
Jean-Claude rose and walked over to London, put his hands on his shoulders and raised him to stand, taking him in an embrace. It was the closest physical contact they had shared in many centuries, and even though Jean-Claude had total control over his powers now more than then, there was still the ghost of what once was and what could be that made them each shudder.
“I believe you, mon chevalier.” Jean pulled back until he could see London’s face. “But there is one thing I must get your word on before we proceed.”
“Ask.”
“Do not mention to anyone, not even Penelope, your theory about my plans. I am neither confirming nor denying them, but even a whisper in that direction could put all of us, including her, in serious danger.”
“You have my word.”
London, turned to go, but looked back over his shoulder with perhaps an unintentionally sensuous look, one inherent in Belle’s line, that was enhanced by his dark good looks. It reminded Jean-Claude of another time, another place.
“Jean-Claude?”
“Yes?”
“Penny and I will be in your room at two…if that’s alright. I want as much time with her alone as possible.”
“I’ll arrange a lite supper, for us all.”
“I’m fond of cats these days.”
“Really?” Jean-Claude cocked his head.
“Yes.”
“Then cats there will be.”
London left, and saved his grin for after the door closed behind him.
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Asher emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam with a blood red towel wrapped loosely around his hips. He was struck for a moment by the scene before him.
Gerard was still asleep on his stomach with his head turned in the other direction. His black hair spread out so that it blended easily with the black silk sheets that were askew on the bed in contrast with his lightly tanned, muscular back.
Asher had more than indulged himself, and was feeling rather smug and powerful as he strode past the sleeping hyena to get to the bag of clothes Pollux had dropped off for him while he was down for the day.
He felt no need to let up the pressure from the previous night, but his wardrobe this evening was going in an entirely different direction, one that up until now had been a private matter between he and his Oba.
He pulled out and put on a pair of dark, though well worn, jeans that hung on his hips and hugged his ass and muscular thighs. He had always been a big man, even in life, and had prided himself on having a build that crossed the lines between aristocrat and artisan. Becoming a vampire only enhanced what was natural.
He thought about all that his body had done for him during his long life, as he ran his hand over the defined muscles of his abdomen, then higher to the scars of his mangled chest.
He sighed, but had no time for lamentation now. He would be barefoot, shirtless, with his hair tied in a loose ponytail. It was an image that Narcissus had begged him to adopt during some of their private times together. It reminded her of the handsome farm hands of her youth.
The ones I wanted to want me, she had said.
After he was dressed, he stretched on the bed and listened to Gerard softly breathe. There was more to this hyena than just rugged good looks and unmitigated, yielding submission. They talked about a great deal before the dawn crashed on them, mostly about some of the things Gerard would like to do at the club, but their conversation drifted to talk of hyena politics.
Asher knew that Narcissus talked a good game about wanting more of a say in the inter-workings of the Coalition, but her refusal to leave the confines of the club was stagnating the hyena presence.
After laying a gentle kiss on Gerard’s bare shoulder, Asher got up and went out to the darkened hallway. He thought about contacting Penelope. Right now he was missing her touch, her smile, her voice, her everything. If she had been a different person she might be with him right now walking towards the club’s main room. But she was not that person, and may never be that person. He shut his shields even tighter, and decided that a phone call was best. He ducked into the office that was his when he was at the club, sat on the corner of the mahogany desk and dialed Jean-Claude.
“Hello?” Jean-Claude’s voice purred over the line in English.
“Bonjour.”
“Bonjour, mon ami. How are things progressing?”
“Very well. How’s Penelope? Did the Knight survive the night?” Asher made light of it because he really didn’t want to think about London as the beneficiary of all of his lust.
“Very well, I imagine. She was up very early today.”
“And she is well?”
“I have already said. Wouldn’t you rather speak to her?”
“Non, not yet.”
Asher still wasn’t sure about how his control could hold out if he heard her voice. Up to now he had done an excellent job of keeping thoughts of her from bleeding over into what he was doing. When he finally unleashed his lust last night, Gerard was such a focused, willing and able recipient, Asher had no worry that Penelope would feel anything. He was also confident that her own exhaustion would protect her from seeing anything he didn’t want her to see. For centuries he had been able to masterfully control the powers he had because they were weak. Now between Anita and Penelope, his powers were growing faster and keeping up with them was proving to be very difficult.
“You still fear that she will see and feel something you are not ready to share?” Jean-Claude didn’t need to see his lover to read his expressions, but after he said it, he realized that this was not the time.
Indeed, Asher was not in the mood to be psychoanalyzed, “Actually, I just called to tell you that things were going well and that I should be home no later than tomorrow evening. Also, I wanted to know how Penny was and for you to tell her that I am alright. That I love her, I miss her, and I can’t wait to feel her once again in my arms.”
“I will pass along the message.”
“Does she seem...” Asher couldn’t help himself. He wanted to know, and he didn’t want to know.
“She is as happy now as you are when you are with me, mon chardonneret.”
“Then she is indeed, very happy.”
Jean-Claude wanted to change the subject before it turned to his incubus. He had already been given permission to feed on Penelope, so he felt no need to give up further details.
“Has Narcissus agreed to your terms?”
“She does not know them yet. But she will.”
“Bon. I will see you when you return? I would like to know what has transpired, in detail.”
“But of course. And Jean?”
“Yes?”
“Je t’adore.”
Asher closed his phone without waiting for a reply, stood up, stretched his long body and headed out towards the hallway. When he entered the main room, he saw Narcissus sit up suddenly from where she was balled up on the floor of her glass prison.
Castor and Pollux were sitting, sharing sections of the New York Times. Pollux doing the crossword in pen, Castor reading the financials. Asher nodded to them as he passed.
“Would you both retreat to the bar area? I would like to speak to Narcissus in private.”
The brothers silently complied. Other than them, the room was empty.
Asher walked slowly towards the box, every muscle in his body moving in a glorious concert of grace and ease. By the time he got to her, Narci had pulled her body to the wall closest to him. Her eye makeup ran in charcoal streaks down her cheeks, and she pressed her palm to the glass.
When he got to her, Asher placed his own hand on the glass and slid down until he was on his haunches.
“Good evening, Oba”
“Good evening, master.”
Off to an auspicious start, Asher thought.
“Are you ready to hear my terms, or would you like to see the second act of my power play, first?”
Narcissus closed her eyes, “You are going to make me fully submit to you, aren’t you? This is not one of our scenes...this is...this is...”
“This is how it has to be.”
“I would not have hurt her. Not physically.”
“I cannot take that chance.” Asher’s eyes bore into hers, and although her own power would have protected her, it was not bespellment that she saw there.
“What do you want?” She whispered.
“No, Narcissus, what is it that you want?”
The Oba looked up into his clear, pale blue eyes, now softened just a bit. “What?”
“What would make you happy? Really and truly happy.”
Narcissus was shoved off the delicate balancing board she had teetered on for most of her life. It was truly not that often when someone asked her what she really wanted.
“I want you.”
“Is that all?”
“I want my hyenas to be safe. To grow in power as they have grown in number.”
“And?”
“I want to be introduced to her, formally, as your Oba.”
“Penelope.”
“Yes.”
“Say her name.”
“Penelope.”
Asher’s grin was painted with victory.
“Done.”
Narcissus sat all the way up. “What!”
“I will give you what you’ve asked for.”
Narcissus began to realize that she had been tricked, but she was not sure how.
“I don’t understand.”
“You asked to be with me. I will be with you once a month, twelve times a year. On these occasions I will top you for one evening. I will also be your escort at your annual Bondage Ball, where we will show a united front for our Hyenas and the lycanthrope community.”
Asher could see the wheels turning in her mind. The thought of having him once a month was an attractive offer, but she also knew that in her haste, she had given up the big prize.
“What’s the catch?”
“The ‘catch’ as you say is that you have given up all hope of becoming my Animal to Call. I will never select you for that honor. It’s what you have exchanged for my attentions.”
The Oba began to cry, as Asher continued, “Would you rather me never touch you again? Because that is the only trade I would consider. I choose you, but never again would you feel my hand at the end of a whip, never again feel what I know I alone can give you.”
She shook her head and looked away, defeated. “What of my hyenas?” Her words came in a raspy whisper.
“I will appoint Gerard as the hyena representative in the Coalition.”
Her voice rose suddenly in disbelief and screeched dryly, “You are taking Gerard as your Animal to Call?”
“Non, I am appointing him to look after the well being of our hyenas. He will not be my Animal to Call.”
“Then who will be?”
“I have not yet decided, or rather, my power has not decided for me, but when it does I give my word that I will let you know.”
“And, her? Penelope?”
“I will bring her back in three months time, for the Ball.”
“I will meet her in three months?”
“Three months, in August.”
“But on that night you will be my escort?”
“As I have said.”
Narcissus smiled, “You will be mine, for that night?”
“For that night I will be your escort, and Penelope will be here as my servant. But yes, it will be the one night of the year where I will be with you in public. All this is providing you behave yourself, and offer a sincere and contrite apology to her when she arrives.”
“And if I don’t?” Narcissus’ expression was not nearly as bold as her words, which is why she got away with the question.
“Then the loneliness you’ve felt in this box is nothing compared to what you will feel when I invite the oba from Boston to relocate her pack. I understand she is looking for a warmer clime.”
The Boston oba had a reputation for brutality when vying for supremacy. It was rumored that she killed the former oba without even fully shifting. Narcissus was confident in her powers, but she had not been seriously challenged since Chimera, and she didn’t really handle that occasioin all that well. She liked St. Louis, she liked the mini empire she had built, and she liked Asher. She was not prepared to give any of that up.
“I will apologize.”
“Excellent.”
Meng Die, Faust, and the five submissives appeared on the stage, as Gerard crawled to Asher’s feet, eyes begging for more of what the vampire had to give. Narci licked her lips.
“Will you let me play, now, master?”
Asher rose slowly, “I think not.”
“But!?”
Asher pushed his power out and directed it all at Narcissus, knocking her across the box until her body slammed into the far wall, shaking it so that those watching thought it might shatter into a million shards of glass. The look on Narci’s face betrayed the fact that the pain she was feeling was actually a small reward, and a promise of later fulfillment. For now she would content herself with voyeurism.
Asher turned to his people.
“Shall we begin?”
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Chapter 38- Setting The Table by nicola71
“I guess that look means you like it.” Penelope smiled widely, absolutely tickled by the look on her knight’s face.
“I...I...” He was laying on his stomach in the middle of Penelope’s bed, in nothing but a pair of black silk pajama bottoms, surrounded by the pale blue silk of her comforter. He buried his head in his arms for a moment, then looked up at her again, his eyes sparkling and his mouth spread in a wide grin, showing his fangs, something he only did when he was caught off guard. Which was almost never.
“I. Love. It.”
Penelope had on something very special, something she had been saving, from the only lingerie shop in town where one could find European designs. Asher had taken her shopping a few weeks before to bolster her collection of frilly, lacy underthings. It had been a particularly fun night, as she recalled. Asher had the shop opened especially for them at midnight, and the clerk he requested was both discreet and conveniently scarce whilst Asher himself dressed her in outfit after outfit.
“Is that too tight, bien aimèe?” Asher, said devilishly as he pulled the cords of the pale blue corset tighter.
Penelope had both hands pressed against the mirror, bracing herself for every taut pull.
“No,” she gasped, “tighter.”
Asher tightened his grip again, this time pulling her off balance and into his arms...
Penelope jogged her mind from the memory. As good as it was, she always tried to focus on the man in front of her. This ensemble, though, owed much to Asher’s choice. It was he who suggested she take it for London’s pleasure, insisting that the Victorian style would be much to the knight’s taste. As usual, Asher’s knowledge of both fashion and people was on the mark.
It was a black and purple satin jacquard corset with purple ruffled panties and a matching Kimono style robe. She had paired it with black thigh high stockings held up with purple satin bows, and a pair of leather Victorian lace up boots. Impractical? Yes. Sexy? Absolutely.
She walked towards him and bent over suggestively as he rolled onto his back. As she bent low for an upside down kiss, he reached his arms over his head, one hand fisting her hair and the other gently caressing her thigh.
They had spent most of the day making love, with side trips to the gym and kitchen, where London was still steadfast in his command that she eat. Asher’s pull on her was far less than it had been the day before, which Penelope translated into the thought that things must indeed be going well for him. An idea that was confirmed by a note from Jean-Claude, delivered by Jason, saying that Asher missed her and sent his love, as well as a post sсript from the Master of the City that he would see her and the chevalier at 2 AM.
When her lips came up for air she spoke, “You are certain about this?”
London sighed and rolled over again as Penny sat down on the bed. He absently stroked her arm and looked into her eyes searching for the doubt he feared he would find. Doubt that he had decided to let go.
“Yes. I am certain that this is the right thing to do. Are you...do you not want to?” He braced himself for her answer.
Penelope had been thinking about this for most of the day. She wanted London to start increasing his power once again. If she knew anything at all from her long years as a servant, it was how important it was for a Master vampire to not allow his or her power to stagnate. She had joined Socrates long after he had been turned, but she could feel his growing weakness even then. Her master descended from a vampire of great potential, to one who needed legions of servants and centuries of clandestine secrets to protect him.
As for the sex...it was not as if Jean-Claude had not seen her, or been with her in that way before. Penelope was no prude, nor did she have the same sensibilities that Anita had to get over when her sex life went public. Asher had given his blessing, London wanted this, and Jean-Claude was wise enough to see the great potential of the situation. She trusted the men in her life implicitly. Maybe she trusted a bit too much, but it was all she had to go on.
She took London’s hand, kissed it and held it to her heart, smiling.
“Do you think I should wear a coat over this to get to Jean-Claude’s room?”
London smiled, took her in his arms and held her as tightly as he could.
****************************************************************************
Asher sat back hard against the velvet cushion of the chair that had been his throne for these games. He was done.
“Castor, would you please call Davis and tell him to get the car ready.”
“As you wish. What time? I was under the impression that you would be spending the day here.”
“No need. I will be showering and dressing though, as well as taking some time to chat with Gerard about club business. Tell him to be ready to transport us at 4 AM. That gives us plenty of time to get back to the circus before the sun rises.”
“Shall I call the circus and tell them we are coming?”
“We’ll call from the car. I’d like our return to be a surprise.”
Asher was planning on bedding down for the day with Jean-Claude. Penelope had been a great asset the last two days and he felt waves of power coming from her, energizing and invigorating him in the way a servant should. He wondered if Jean-Claude could claim the same. Anita made an art of shutting herself off from her master, and the master had made an art of finding power elsewhere. Sometimes Asher wondered how powerful Jean-Claude could really become if he had a servant and an Animal to Call who cooperated. As a reward he wanted to give Penelope one more full night with London before he snatched her away for awhile. He also knew London was in part responsible for this, and he was in a generous mood tonight.
Regardless, he needed to brief Jean-Claude about Narcissus’ compliance as well as what he had given for his part of the bargain. He smiled, smug in the knowledge that Jean-Claude would indeed be proud of him. Validation was something he had always needed from Jean-Claude, even during the years when they were Belle Morte’s pets. His approval meant the world to Asher, and proving that he had indeed been the right choice for his temoin, despite the doubts of so many, was something that was very important to him as well. Not to mention that his curiosity was brimming over how the ardeur enjoyed it’s feeding. It was time Jean-Claude started reaping the benefits of having so many powerful people around him.
Asher started to laugh out loud...so loudly that even the action on stage ceased and Castor and Pollux, Ixion and Ares turned from their duties.
“Sir?” Pollux questioned this odd behavior.
Asher waved him away, “Do not worry, mon cher, I am simply feeling extraordinarily unselfish at the moment. I find it amusing...”
**********************************************************************
It had been quite some time since Jean-Claude had been so anxious. He had lit, blown out and re-lit, every candle in his bedroom twice.
He had also changed a dozen times, which was not so unusual on a normal day except that he was well aware that there were only a few ways to make silk pajamas and a robe look different. He had finally settled on red silk pajamas. It was not his usual custom to wear the top, but he didn’t want to appear too eager. He also had his black sable trimmed robe on and tied tightly shut around his lean body. It really was his favorite, but tonight it served as a barrier between his skin and that of one he should not touch.
The strong knock on the door came as no surprise, but it was not quite two, so he knew it was not his guests.
Instead it was the serious face of Claudia staring at him when he opened the door.
“Boss? Just checking in.”
“Everything is as it should be?”
“The crew at Guilty Pleasures just called in, and all was well there. There was a fight at Danse Macabre, but that was taken care of swiftly by WickedTruth, and the police did not get involved. Requiem called in to say theVertias party went very well, and that there were several bookings made this evening. The humans are really digging that place.”
“Requiem said that?”
“Well, he didn’t say ‘digging’, I paraphrased as I always do with his flowery shit. We’d be here until sunrise if I repeated what he actually said”
“Indeed. And Asher?”
“No phone call.”
“Bien.”
“Will you be needing anything? Is Anita expected?”
He and Anita had been closed off to one another since the previous night. It was not unusual after a fight for them to do that, but it frustrated the vampire all the same. Micah, who had returned from a long diplomatic trip for the Coalition, had stopped by briefly to talk to Jean-Claude about business. He mentioned that Anita had been at the old house, and that the pard was staying there, as well as Damian, as long as she would. He imagined her anger would work itself out as it always did, but he told Jean-Claude not to expect to see her for a few days. Her pride was wounded, and that wound was going to need a lot of soothing before she realized that she was wrong.
Jean-Claude agreed that it would be best if she was calm when she saw him again, and especially Asher. But considering that it would be good news he was expecting from his temoin, that should go a long way to un-ruffling her feathers. Either way, things would right themselves. In Anita-time of course.
“Non, Anita will not be expected tonight.”
Claudia could see easily that Jean-Claude had prepared his room for company.
“Is Asher coming home tonight?”
“I don’t expect him until tomorrow’s sunset.”
“I see.”
“That is all, Claudia. You may go.”
With a sigh, Claudia slung her rifle over her shoulder and turned around to leave. She was pretty certain that whomever was expected, was not coming to talk business. But as she almost always did, she kept her thoughts to herself.
When she was gone, Jean-Claude looked over the room once more. He had secured one of the charms Penelope had made to each post of the bed. Although she maintained that their power was waning, there was no need to take a chance. If he was correct, then tonight would be an incredible release of power. It was his intention to drink that in, and subsequently have London benefit. But he also knew that Penelope’s power was growing, and she was not so skilled as one might think at controlling it. He would speak to her about consulting someone to at least assess her power. But not tonight. Tonight he would finally feed better than he had in almost two centuries, and that was something he wanted very much, just for himself.
Feeding on Asher and Anita together was wonderful, but London could alone provide a meal that was far and away better than that. What Penelope could now bring to the banquet was still a mystery.
The door knocked again, this time with less surety.
Jean-Claude opened to find two shapeshifters, a wolf and a lion. Both men were medium tall in stature, and reasonably new to the feeding pool. Both were dressed casually in jeans with no shirts. No strangers to feeding vampires, they knew better than to have shirts get in the way, and Jean-Claude’s reputation precluded that he preferred his blood-donors to be in some state of undress.
The wolf, who naturally felt more compelled and at ease around the vampire who called him, smiled and stepped forward.
“Good evening, master,” he bowed his head. Clearly he was new.
Jean-Claude raised his hand, “There is no need for such formality. Please call me ‘Jean-Claude’. What is your name?”
The wolf avoided direct eye contact, “My name is Anthony. I recently relocated from a pack near Baltimore to attend graduate school here in St. Louis. I am studying preternatural biology.”
Anthony had shaggy dark brown hair and eyes to match. His Italian descent showed clearly through his coloring and olive skin. He was very pleasing to the eye, Jean-Claude noted. Exactly the type of young man he might have chosen if he were choosing young men. Although careful not to fully look Jean-Claude in the eyes, the vampire could still see an air of good natured mischief in the wolf’s. A dark reflection of my Jason, perhaps. He wondered if the two were acquainted.
“Aha, Richard must have quite a bit to talk to you about?”
“Yes, mast...sir...Jean-Claude. He has been a great help to me with my studies. It is my hope to become a doctor in order to better serve my clan and my fellow shapeshifters. And vampires too!” He added as a politically correct afterthought. “Your physiology is fascinating.”
“A noble purpose, most certainly. You work in the clinic with Dr. Lilian?”
“Yes. When I can.” Anthony suddenly realized his manners. “This is Drew. A lion just arrived from Chicago.”
Drew was a fair haired young man of about 25 or 26. His build was that of a someone who spent a great deal of time in the gym. His dark brown eyes held something of secrecy, but in general he seemed warm and accepting, if a little in awe.
“Good evening, Jean-Claude.” Drew bowed his head in the same fashion as Anthony, careful not to meet the vampire’s eyes.
“You come from Augustine?”
“Yes. I have been with him since I was turned five years ago. I was a boxer, back then. Got infected during an illegal fight in one of his gambling dens. Master Augustine felt responsible for me ever since. You see, the fight was for shapeshifters only. I heard about the purse, and bribed my way in. The guy who infected me was pretty broke up about it, even though I broke his jaw first.”
“As a human, you broke the jaw of a werelion?” Jean-Claude didn’t know if he should be impressed by his bravado, or frightened by his stupidity.
“It was a lucky shot, sir. There was so much going on, and such a mix of humans and shapeshifters, he didn’t smell me clearly until I started bleeding. Then it was too late. My own fault really, but Auggie said he liked my ‘moxie’. Sent me here because he thinks I can be of some use to you, seeing you are collecting lions now.”
“Interesting.” Jean-Claude had not realized he was ‘collecting’ anything. Anita, on the other hand...
“Sorry if I spoke too much, sir. I tend to do that.”
“Not to worry.” Jean-Claude stepped back to look at them. “You have fed vampires before.”
“Yes.” Came the unison reply.
“Very well. My guests will be here shortly. There will be a lady, so please conduct yourselves accordingly. When we have fed, we will place you on the couches in the living room. When you feel well enough to stand, please help yourselves to a sports drink from the bar, and you will find sandwiches and snacks in the kitchen.”
Jean-Claude regarded them as they each found a place to sit on the bed. They certainly were comfortable enough, which made him happy. The last thing he wanted was novitiates. However he did take notice to the fact that Drew, the lion, seemed anxious, and he could smell the cat’s arousal.
“Drew, are you alright?”
“Fine, thanks. Just a little tingly. Like I used to feel around Auggie sometimes. I fed him regularly when his pomme was resting, or well, like tonight, when Auggie was entertaining.”
“I see. Did you often stay...during his entertainments?”
“Yes, sir. Sometimes. As a reward, I guess.”
Jean-Claude didn’t want to press him any further. If this lion was going to be part of his organization though, he’d want to know more, especially why he was ‘tingling.’
At that moment, the door to the bedroom, which had been left ajar, swung open to reveal what he had been waiting for.
“Welcome,” Jean-Claude said, as he reached and took each of their hands. As humans all over the city were stumbling home drunk, or sound asleep in their beds, his night was about to begin.
London was solid and still as he sat across the large obsidian desk from Jean-Claude. The Master of the City had his hands clasped together, forefingers supporting his chin. Midnight blue met onyx black, and neither seemed moved to speak.
Inside, however, each vampire’s mind was churning.
**************************************************************************
London awoke to find Penelope in exactly the same position that he remembered her from the previous night, snuggled tightly against his cold body. She was dressed which told him she’d been awake for hours already and returned to him to be there when he rose for the day.
Her good-morning kisses were very welcome and tender, and they shared more than a few laughs over their sexual adventure. London promised to go find the nameless tiger and apologize as well as offer a deeply deserved thank you.
Kisses turned into more, clothes were gone and although he had not yet fed, they made the most of what his body could accomplish. Afterwards they mused that they were in for another long night.
But things got very serious after about ten minutes.
“How do you feel?” Penelope leaned up on one elbow and gently brushed London’s dark curls from his face.
London thought it an odd question at first, but then things slowly began to fit together.
“I feel wonderful. More than wonderful. I feel…powerful.” His tone descended with each phrase from confident delight to just this side of abject terror.
He sprung out of bed with his vampire speed and into the bathroom. Penny followed him.
He was standing in front of the mirror staring down his reflection, looking into his own glowing eyes. Penelope slid her arms around his naked torso, rested her cheek against his back and pressed her warm skin against his. He was so incredibly closed off at the moment that she thought she wouldn’t be able gauge his true reaction. However, to her surprise she felt from him a mixture of revulsion and excitement. How she was able to discern this, she didn’t know.
“Jean-Claude?” was all he asked, with a somberness Penelope had hoped never to hear in his voice again.
“Yes. He came to see me this morning…”
But her words were barely out before London had grabbed his shirt and pants and was out the door. This time Penelope just let him go.
**************************************************************************
It was London who broke their silence.
“Why, Jean-Claude? Why not simply ask from the beginning?”
Jean-Claude’s Gallic shrug was accompanied by the lamest excuse anyone could give, human or vampire.
“I don’t know.”
“That answer is unworthy of you,” London charged.
“That unfortunately, I do know.”
“Then answer me truthfully. You are my master as well as Penelope’s through Asher, so to ask us would not have been out of the question. But to spy on us…to take without asking like a thief in the night? I have known you for many centuries, Jean-Claude, and that is not your style.”
Jean-Claude didn’t move, but his voice changed slightly, now infused with just a hint of frustrated anger.
“And many centuries separate the vampire you knew from the one who sits before you now. Many centuries of servitude, of not being able to feed my incubus in the way I should, in giving up what I wanted in favor of what I needed to survive to see the next evening’s sky. So when you speak of “my style” perhaps you don’t know me as well as you thought, mon ami.”
London was stunned, not only at Jean-Claude’s response, but also at his own mixed bag of feelings. He was not angry with Jean-Claude for feeding from him because in truth he felt both physically energized and metaphysically powerful. He had spent so many centuries neglecting his own needs because he feared the one woman who could charge his power would end up destroying him. Now there were two people in close proximity, neither who wanted to use him for ill, who could feed that power, and he was shutting them down.
He didn’t want to be with Anita physically anymore, but not because he didn’t like her, because he truly did. She had been kind to him, especially when things were going no-where with Penelope, and he admired her gift for swift action and her ability in a fight, but he didn’t desire her anymore. The extra baggage that came with Anita was not something he wanted to bother with, but more than that, his love for Penelope had freed him from his addiction to Anita’s ardeur. He was also well aware that Anita had breathed a sigh of relief when he gave up her bed. The last thing she needed was another man, especially one she did not love.
As for Jean-Claude, London didn’t particularly desire men in general, although he long ago came to terms with the fact that he did very much enjoy his time with Asher. And if he was truly being honest with himself, he didn’t mind when Jean-Claude was allowed to feed on him at court either. Belle never gave up an opportunity to make a self-confessed heterosexual go against everything he believed about himself, so on the occasions Jean-Claude was involved with feeding on him it was never from a distance.
Besides Asher and Jean-Claude, every other time he had been with a man it was at the behest of his master, and taking a page from Jean-Claude’s well read book, he had learned to make a virtue of necessity. All that considered, London had never once imagined that he and Jean-Claude would become lovers when he came to St. Louis. In fact, Jean-Claude had promised he would not again become the ardeur’s plaything. A promise that was not kept.
“I know you did not invite me to St. Louis to become your toy as once I was our mistress’s. And It was not my intention to come here to feed your incubus in order to gain power for myself.”
Jean-Claude sighed and wished it were not always so difficult to get his people to see that what was good for them was good for the kiss, and subsequently good for him. If only he could persuade the powerful beings around him to actually embrace their power...
“I know you did not, and you also know that could I have prevented your re-addiction last November, I would have. But we both know that your addiction is under control if not entirely conquered, and you are now free to pursue your gift down its logical and beneficial path. If that is what you wish.”
Jean-Claude was hoping that by taking the direct approach London would be easily convinced. However convincing was not needed, and Jean-Claude was about to be surprised by his chevalier.
“It was the way you went about it this time, Jean-Claude, that bothered me. What happened in November was beyond even your control, and I have never held you responsible, but this time you had a choice. With that said, I do desire to grow more powerful. If that means allowing you to feed from me, then that is what I want to do.”
Jean-Claude didn’t bother to hide his feelings. A rarity for him, but he was caught off guard, and his voice echoed his surprise.
“Do you have aspirations beyond your place here?”
London didn’t move, he had anticipated that question.
“No, I do not.”
“You would grow your power simply to help me strengthen my position?”
“I would grow my power to protect the people I love, and yes, I have sworn fealty to you Jean-Claude. That was a vow I took very seriously. I believe in what you have done here and in what you are trying to do.”
“The people you love.”
“The woman I love.”
“And you believe in me.” Jean-Claude did not doubt London’s words, but he needed to hear them again.
“As I have said.”
“And what is it you think I am trying to do here other than create safety for the people who I in fact love?” Midnight blue eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and inquiry.
“Jean-Claude…”
“Non, I want to know what you are thinking. Even without the benefit of your growing powers, you were already a formidable vampire when you arrived here, London, one who I am well aware could be Master of a City, or at the very least challenge for a higher position within this kiss, so indulge me, sil vous plais.”
London remained as still as a statue. “In my opinion, you are creating an American Council.”
“Those are very dangerous words.”
“You asked me what I thought. You didn’t say that thought had to be safe.”
“And if this, American Council, as you say were a reality, where would your place be in it?”
London looked at him directly so there would be no doubt that his words were the absolute truth.
“As long as Asher is by your side, then my place will be one step away from him, beside my lady.”
“You love her that much? Enough to forego your own city, your own future?”
Penelope was his future and although London could think of many chivalric phrases that would emphasize just how much he loved her, there was really only one word that mattered.
“Yes.”
Jean-Claude rose and walked over to London, put his hands on his shoulders and raised him to stand, taking him in an embrace. It was the closest physical contact they had shared in many centuries, and even though Jean-Claude had total control over his powers now more than then, there was still the ghost of what once was and what could be that made them each shudder.
“I believe you, mon chevalier.” Jean pulled back until he could see London’s face. “But there is one thing I must get your word on before we proceed.”
“Ask.”
“Do not mention to anyone, not even Penelope, your theory about my plans. I am neither confirming nor denying them, but even a whisper in that direction could put all of us, including her, in serious danger.”
“You have my word.”
London, turned to go, but looked back over his shoulder with perhaps an unintentionally sensuous look, one inherent in Belle’s line, that was enhanced by his dark good looks. It reminded Jean-Claude of another time, another place.
“Jean-Claude?”
“Yes?”
“Penny and I will be in your room at two…if that’s alright. I want as much time with her alone as possible.”
“I’ll arrange a lite supper, for us all.”
“I’m fond of cats these days.”
“Really?” Jean-Claude cocked his head.
“Yes.”
“Then cats there will be.”
London left, and saved his grin for after the door closed behind him.
************************************************************************
Asher emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam with a blood red towel wrapped loosely around his hips. He was struck for a moment by the scene before him.
Gerard was still asleep on his stomach with his head turned in the other direction. His black hair spread out so that it blended easily with the black silk sheets that were askew on the bed in contrast with his lightly tanned, muscular back.
Asher had more than indulged himself, and was feeling rather smug and powerful as he strode past the sleeping hyena to get to the bag of clothes Pollux had dropped off for him while he was down for the day.
He felt no need to let up the pressure from the previous night, but his wardrobe this evening was going in an entirely different direction, one that up until now had been a private matter between he and his Oba.
He pulled out and put on a pair of dark, though well worn, jeans that hung on his hips and hugged his ass and muscular thighs. He had always been a big man, even in life, and had prided himself on having a build that crossed the lines between aristocrat and artisan. Becoming a vampire only enhanced what was natural.
He thought about all that his body had done for him during his long life, as he ran his hand over the defined muscles of his abdomen, then higher to the scars of his mangled chest.
He sighed, but had no time for lamentation now. He would be barefoot, shirtless, with his hair tied in a loose ponytail. It was an image that Narcissus had begged him to adopt during some of their private times together. It reminded her of the handsome farm hands of her youth.
The ones I wanted to want me, she had said.
After he was dressed, he stretched on the bed and listened to Gerard softly breathe. There was more to this hyena than just rugged good looks and unmitigated, yielding submission. They talked about a great deal before the dawn crashed on them, mostly about some of the things Gerard would like to do at the club, but their conversation drifted to talk of hyena politics.
Asher knew that Narcissus talked a good game about wanting more of a say in the inter-workings of the Coalition, but her refusal to leave the confines of the club was stagnating the hyena presence.
After laying a gentle kiss on Gerard’s bare shoulder, Asher got up and went out to the darkened hallway. He thought about contacting Penelope. Right now he was missing her touch, her smile, her voice, her everything. If she had been a different person she might be with him right now walking towards the club’s main room. But she was not that person, and may never be that person. He shut his shields even tighter, and decided that a phone call was best. He ducked into the office that was his when he was at the club, sat on the corner of the mahogany desk and dialed Jean-Claude.
“Hello?” Jean-Claude’s voice purred over the line in English.
“Bonjour.”
“Bonjour, mon ami. How are things progressing?”
“Very well. How’s Penelope? Did the Knight survive the night?” Asher made light of it because he really didn’t want to think about London as the beneficiary of all of his lust.
“Very well, I imagine. She was up very early today.”
“And she is well?”
“I have already said. Wouldn’t you rather speak to her?”
“Non, not yet.”
Asher still wasn’t sure about how his control could hold out if he heard her voice. Up to now he had done an excellent job of keeping thoughts of her from bleeding over into what he was doing. When he finally unleashed his lust last night, Gerard was such a focused, willing and able recipient, Asher had no worry that Penelope would feel anything. He was also confident that her own exhaustion would protect her from seeing anything he didn’t want her to see. For centuries he had been able to masterfully control the powers he had because they were weak. Now between Anita and Penelope, his powers were growing faster and keeping up with them was proving to be very difficult.
“You still fear that she will see and feel something you are not ready to share?” Jean-Claude didn’t need to see his lover to read his expressions, but after he said it, he realized that this was not the time.
Indeed, Asher was not in the mood to be psychoanalyzed, “Actually, I just called to tell you that things were going well and that I should be home no later than tomorrow evening. Also, I wanted to know how Penny was and for you to tell her that I am alright. That I love her, I miss her, and I can’t wait to feel her once again in my arms.”
“I will pass along the message.”
“Does she seem...” Asher couldn’t help himself. He wanted to know, and he didn’t want to know.
“She is as happy now as you are when you are with me, mon chardonneret.”
“Then she is indeed, very happy.”
Jean-Claude wanted to change the subject before it turned to his incubus. He had already been given permission to feed on Penelope, so he felt no need to give up further details.
“Has Narcissus agreed to your terms?”
“She does not know them yet. But she will.”
“Bon. I will see you when you return? I would like to know what has transpired, in detail.”
“But of course. And Jean?”
“Yes?”
“Je t’adore.”
Asher closed his phone without waiting for a reply, stood up, stretched his long body and headed out towards the hallway. When he entered the main room, he saw Narcissus sit up suddenly from where she was balled up on the floor of her glass prison.
Castor and Pollux were sitting, sharing sections of the New York Times. Pollux doing the crossword in pen, Castor reading the financials. Asher nodded to them as he passed.
“Would you both retreat to the bar area? I would like to speak to Narcissus in private.”
The brothers silently complied. Other than them, the room was empty.
Asher walked slowly towards the box, every muscle in his body moving in a glorious concert of grace and ease. By the time he got to her, Narci had pulled her body to the wall closest to him. Her eye makeup ran in charcoal streaks down her cheeks, and she pressed her palm to the glass.
When he got to her, Asher placed his own hand on the glass and slid down until he was on his haunches.
“Good evening, Oba”
“Good evening, master.”
Off to an auspicious start, Asher thought.
“Are you ready to hear my terms, or would you like to see the second act of my power play, first?”
Narcissus closed her eyes, “You are going to make me fully submit to you, aren’t you? This is not one of our scenes...this is...this is...”
“This is how it has to be.”
“I would not have hurt her. Not physically.”
“I cannot take that chance.” Asher’s eyes bore into hers, and although her own power would have protected her, it was not bespellment that she saw there.
“What do you want?” She whispered.
“No, Narcissus, what is it that you want?”
The Oba looked up into his clear, pale blue eyes, now softened just a bit. “What?”
“What would make you happy? Really and truly happy.”
Narcissus was shoved off the delicate balancing board she had teetered on for most of her life. It was truly not that often when someone asked her what she really wanted.
“I want you.”
“Is that all?”
“I want my hyenas to be safe. To grow in power as they have grown in number.”
“And?”
“I want to be introduced to her, formally, as your Oba.”
“Penelope.”
“Yes.”
“Say her name.”
“Penelope.”
Asher’s grin was painted with victory.
“Done.”
Narcissus sat all the way up. “What!”
“I will give you what you’ve asked for.”
Narcissus began to realize that she had been tricked, but she was not sure how.
“I don’t understand.”
“You asked to be with me. I will be with you once a month, twelve times a year. On these occasions I will top you for one evening. I will also be your escort at your annual Bondage Ball, where we will show a united front for our Hyenas and the lycanthrope community.”
Asher could see the wheels turning in her mind. The thought of having him once a month was an attractive offer, but she also knew that in her haste, she had given up the big prize.
“What’s the catch?”
“The ‘catch’ as you say is that you have given up all hope of becoming my Animal to Call. I will never select you for that honor. It’s what you have exchanged for my attentions.”
The Oba began to cry, as Asher continued, “Would you rather me never touch you again? Because that is the only trade I would consider. I choose you, but never again would you feel my hand at the end of a whip, never again feel what I know I alone can give you.”
She shook her head and looked away, defeated. “What of my hyenas?” Her words came in a raspy whisper.
“I will appoint Gerard as the hyena representative in the Coalition.”
Her voice rose suddenly in disbelief and screeched dryly, “You are taking Gerard as your Animal to Call?”
“Non, I am appointing him to look after the well being of our hyenas. He will not be my Animal to Call.”
“Then who will be?”
“I have not yet decided, or rather, my power has not decided for me, but when it does I give my word that I will let you know.”
“And, her? Penelope?”
“I will bring her back in three months time, for the Ball.”
“I will meet her in three months?”
“Three months, in August.”
“But on that night you will be my escort?”
“As I have said.”
Narcissus smiled, “You will be mine, for that night?”
“For that night I will be your escort, and Penelope will be here as my servant. But yes, it will be the one night of the year where I will be with you in public. All this is providing you behave yourself, and offer a sincere and contrite apology to her when she arrives.”
“And if I don’t?” Narcissus’ expression was not nearly as bold as her words, which is why she got away with the question.
“Then the loneliness you’ve felt in this box is nothing compared to what you will feel when I invite the oba from Boston to relocate her pack. I understand she is looking for a warmer clime.”
The Boston oba had a reputation for brutality when vying for supremacy. It was rumored that she killed the former oba without even fully shifting. Narcissus was confident in her powers, but she had not been seriously challenged since Chimera, and she didn’t really handle that occasioin all that well. She liked St. Louis, she liked the mini empire she had built, and she liked Asher. She was not prepared to give any of that up.
“I will apologize.”
“Excellent.”
Meng Die, Faust, and the five submissives appeared on the stage, as Gerard crawled to Asher’s feet, eyes begging for more of what the vampire had to give. Narci licked her lips.
“Will you let me play, now, master?”
Asher rose slowly, “I think not.”
“But!?”
Asher pushed his power out and directed it all at Narcissus, knocking her across the box until her body slammed into the far wall, shaking it so that those watching thought it might shatter into a million shards of glass. The look on Narci’s face betrayed the fact that the pain she was feeling was actually a small reward, and a promise of later fulfillment. For now she would content herself with voyeurism.
Asher turned to his people.
“Shall we begin?”
Back to index
Chapter 38- Setting The Table by nicola71
“I guess that look means you like it.” Penelope smiled widely, absolutely tickled by the look on her knight’s face.
“I...I...” He was laying on his stomach in the middle of Penelope’s bed, in nothing but a pair of black silk pajama bottoms, surrounded by the pale blue silk of her comforter. He buried his head in his arms for a moment, then looked up at her again, his eyes sparkling and his mouth spread in a wide grin, showing his fangs, something he only did when he was caught off guard. Which was almost never.
“I. Love. It.”
Penelope had on something very special, something she had been saving, from the only lingerie shop in town where one could find European designs. Asher had taken her shopping a few weeks before to bolster her collection of frilly, lacy underthings. It had been a particularly fun night, as she recalled. Asher had the shop opened especially for them at midnight, and the clerk he requested was both discreet and conveniently scarce whilst Asher himself dressed her in outfit after outfit.
“Is that too tight, bien aimèe?” Asher, said devilishly as he pulled the cords of the pale blue corset tighter.
Penelope had both hands pressed against the mirror, bracing herself for every taut pull.
“No,” she gasped, “tighter.”
Asher tightened his grip again, this time pulling her off balance and into his arms...
Penelope jogged her mind from the memory. As good as it was, she always tried to focus on the man in front of her. This ensemble, though, owed much to Asher’s choice. It was he who suggested she take it for London’s pleasure, insisting that the Victorian style would be much to the knight’s taste. As usual, Asher’s knowledge of both fashion and people was on the mark.
It was a black and purple satin jacquard corset with purple ruffled panties and a matching Kimono style robe. She had paired it with black thigh high stockings held up with purple satin bows, and a pair of leather Victorian lace up boots. Impractical? Yes. Sexy? Absolutely.
She walked towards him and bent over suggestively as he rolled onto his back. As she bent low for an upside down kiss, he reached his arms over his head, one hand fisting her hair and the other gently caressing her thigh.
They had spent most of the day making love, with side trips to the gym and kitchen, where London was still steadfast in his command that she eat. Asher’s pull on her was far less than it had been the day before, which Penelope translated into the thought that things must indeed be going well for him. An idea that was confirmed by a note from Jean-Claude, delivered by Jason, saying that Asher missed her and sent his love, as well as a post sсript from the Master of the City that he would see her and the chevalier at 2 AM.
When her lips came up for air she spoke, “You are certain about this?”
London sighed and rolled over again as Penny sat down on the bed. He absently stroked her arm and looked into her eyes searching for the doubt he feared he would find. Doubt that he had decided to let go.
“Yes. I am certain that this is the right thing to do. Are you...do you not want to?” He braced himself for her answer.
Penelope had been thinking about this for most of the day. She wanted London to start increasing his power once again. If she knew anything at all from her long years as a servant, it was how important it was for a Master vampire to not allow his or her power to stagnate. She had joined Socrates long after he had been turned, but she could feel his growing weakness even then. Her master descended from a vampire of great potential, to one who needed legions of servants and centuries of clandestine secrets to protect him.
As for the sex...it was not as if Jean-Claude had not seen her, or been with her in that way before. Penelope was no prude, nor did she have the same sensibilities that Anita had to get over when her sex life went public. Asher had given his blessing, London wanted this, and Jean-Claude was wise enough to see the great potential of the situation. She trusted the men in her life implicitly. Maybe she trusted a bit too much, but it was all she had to go on.
She took London’s hand, kissed it and held it to her heart, smiling.
“Do you think I should wear a coat over this to get to Jean-Claude’s room?”
London smiled, took her in his arms and held her as tightly as he could.
****************************************************************************
Asher sat back hard against the velvet cushion of the chair that had been his throne for these games. He was done.
“Castor, would you please call Davis and tell him to get the car ready.”
“As you wish. What time? I was under the impression that you would be spending the day here.”
“No need. I will be showering and dressing though, as well as taking some time to chat with Gerard about club business. Tell him to be ready to transport us at 4 AM. That gives us plenty of time to get back to the circus before the sun rises.”
“Shall I call the circus and tell them we are coming?”
“We’ll call from the car. I’d like our return to be a surprise.”
Asher was planning on bedding down for the day with Jean-Claude. Penelope had been a great asset the last two days and he felt waves of power coming from her, energizing and invigorating him in the way a servant should. He wondered if Jean-Claude could claim the same. Anita made an art of shutting herself off from her master, and the master had made an art of finding power elsewhere. Sometimes Asher wondered how powerful Jean-Claude could really become if he had a servant and an Animal to Call who cooperated. As a reward he wanted to give Penelope one more full night with London before he snatched her away for awhile. He also knew London was in part responsible for this, and he was in a generous mood tonight.
Regardless, he needed to brief Jean-Claude about Narcissus’ compliance as well as what he had given for his part of the bargain. He smiled, smug in the knowledge that Jean-Claude would indeed be proud of him. Validation was something he had always needed from Jean-Claude, even during the years when they were Belle Morte’s pets. His approval meant the world to Asher, and proving that he had indeed been the right choice for his temoin, despite the doubts of so many, was something that was very important to him as well. Not to mention that his curiosity was brimming over how the ardeur enjoyed it’s feeding. It was time Jean-Claude started reaping the benefits of having so many powerful people around him.
Asher started to laugh out loud...so loudly that even the action on stage ceased and Castor and Pollux, Ixion and Ares turned from their duties.
“Sir?” Pollux questioned this odd behavior.
Asher waved him away, “Do not worry, mon cher, I am simply feeling extraordinarily unselfish at the moment. I find it amusing...”
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It had been quite some time since Jean-Claude had been so anxious. He had lit, blown out and re-lit, every candle in his bedroom twice.
He had also changed a dozen times, which was not so unusual on a normal day except that he was well aware that there were only a few ways to make silk pajamas and a robe look different. He had finally settled on red silk pajamas. It was not his usual custom to wear the top, but he didn’t want to appear too eager. He also had his black sable trimmed robe on and tied tightly shut around his lean body. It really was his favorite, but tonight it served as a barrier between his skin and that of one he should not touch.
The strong knock on the door came as no surprise, but it was not quite two, so he knew it was not his guests.
Instead it was the serious face of Claudia staring at him when he opened the door.
“Boss? Just checking in.”
“Everything is as it should be?”
“The crew at Guilty Pleasures just called in, and all was well there. There was a fight at Danse Macabre, but that was taken care of swiftly by WickedTruth, and the police did not get involved. Requiem called in to say theVertias party went very well, and that there were several bookings made this evening. The humans are really digging that place.”
“Requiem said that?”
“Well, he didn’t say ‘digging’, I paraphrased as I always do with his flowery shit. We’d be here until sunrise if I repeated what he actually said”
“Indeed. And Asher?”
“No phone call.”
“Bien.”
“Will you be needing anything? Is Anita expected?”
He and Anita had been closed off to one another since the previous night. It was not unusual after a fight for them to do that, but it frustrated the vampire all the same. Micah, who had returned from a long diplomatic trip for the Coalition, had stopped by briefly to talk to Jean-Claude about business. He mentioned that Anita had been at the old house, and that the pard was staying there, as well as Damian, as long as she would. He imagined her anger would work itself out as it always did, but he told Jean-Claude not to expect to see her for a few days. Her pride was wounded, and that wound was going to need a lot of soothing before she realized that she was wrong.
Jean-Claude agreed that it would be best if she was calm when she saw him again, and especially Asher. But considering that it would be good news he was expecting from his temoin, that should go a long way to un-ruffling her feathers. Either way, things would right themselves. In Anita-time of course.
“Non, Anita will not be expected tonight.”
Claudia could see easily that Jean-Claude had prepared his room for company.
“Is Asher coming home tonight?”
“I don’t expect him until tomorrow’s sunset.”
“I see.”
“That is all, Claudia. You may go.”
With a sigh, Claudia slung her rifle over her shoulder and turned around to leave. She was pretty certain that whomever was expected, was not coming to talk business. But as she almost always did, she kept her thoughts to herself.
When she was gone, Jean-Claude looked over the room once more. He had secured one of the charms Penelope had made to each post of the bed. Although she maintained that their power was waning, there was no need to take a chance. If he was correct, then tonight would be an incredible release of power. It was his intention to drink that in, and subsequently have London benefit. But he also knew that Penelope’s power was growing, and she was not so skilled as one might think at controlling it. He would speak to her about consulting someone to at least assess her power. But not tonight. Tonight he would finally feed better than he had in almost two centuries, and that was something he wanted very much, just for himself.
Feeding on Asher and Anita together was wonderful, but London could alone provide a meal that was far and away better than that. What Penelope could now bring to the banquet was still a mystery.
The door knocked again, this time with less surety.
Jean-Claude opened to find two shapeshifters, a wolf and a lion. Both men were medium tall in stature, and reasonably new to the feeding pool. Both were dressed casually in jeans with no shirts. No strangers to feeding vampires, they knew better than to have shirts get in the way, and Jean-Claude’s reputation precluded that he preferred his blood-donors to be in some state of undress.
The wolf, who naturally felt more compelled and at ease around the vampire who called him, smiled and stepped forward.
“Good evening, master,” he bowed his head. Clearly he was new.
Jean-Claude raised his hand, “There is no need for such formality. Please call me ‘Jean-Claude’. What is your name?”
The wolf avoided direct eye contact, “My name is Anthony. I recently relocated from a pack near Baltimore to attend graduate school here in St. Louis. I am studying preternatural biology.”
Anthony had shaggy dark brown hair and eyes to match. His Italian descent showed clearly through his coloring and olive skin. He was very pleasing to the eye, Jean-Claude noted. Exactly the type of young man he might have chosen if he were choosing young men. Although careful not to fully look Jean-Claude in the eyes, the vampire could still see an air of good natured mischief in the wolf’s. A dark reflection of my Jason, perhaps. He wondered if the two were acquainted.
“Aha, Richard must have quite a bit to talk to you about?”
“Yes, mast...sir...Jean-Claude. He has been a great help to me with my studies. It is my hope to become a doctor in order to better serve my clan and my fellow shapeshifters. And vampires too!” He added as a politically correct afterthought. “Your physiology is fascinating.”
“A noble purpose, most certainly. You work in the clinic with Dr. Lilian?”
“Yes. When I can.” Anthony suddenly realized his manners. “This is Drew. A lion just arrived from Chicago.”
Drew was a fair haired young man of about 25 or 26. His build was that of a someone who spent a great deal of time in the gym. His dark brown eyes held something of secrecy, but in general he seemed warm and accepting, if a little in awe.
“Good evening, Jean-Claude.” Drew bowed his head in the same fashion as Anthony, careful not to meet the vampire’s eyes.
“You come from Augustine?”
“Yes. I have been with him since I was turned five years ago. I was a boxer, back then. Got infected during an illegal fight in one of his gambling dens. Master Augustine felt responsible for me ever since. You see, the fight was for shapeshifters only. I heard about the purse, and bribed my way in. The guy who infected me was pretty broke up about it, even though I broke his jaw first.”
“As a human, you broke the jaw of a werelion?” Jean-Claude didn’t know if he should be impressed by his bravado, or frightened by his stupidity.
“It was a lucky shot, sir. There was so much going on, and such a mix of humans and shapeshifters, he didn’t smell me clearly until I started bleeding. Then it was too late. My own fault really, but Auggie said he liked my ‘moxie’. Sent me here because he thinks I can be of some use to you, seeing you are collecting lions now.”
“Interesting.” Jean-Claude had not realized he was ‘collecting’ anything. Anita, on the other hand...
“Sorry if I spoke too much, sir. I tend to do that.”
“Not to worry.” Jean-Claude stepped back to look at them. “You have fed vampires before.”
“Yes.” Came the unison reply.
“Very well. My guests will be here shortly. There will be a lady, so please conduct yourselves accordingly. When we have fed, we will place you on the couches in the living room. When you feel well enough to stand, please help yourselves to a sports drink from the bar, and you will find sandwiches and snacks in the kitchen.”
Jean-Claude regarded them as they each found a place to sit on the bed. They certainly were comfortable enough, which made him happy. The last thing he wanted was novitiates. However he did take notice to the fact that Drew, the lion, seemed anxious, and he could smell the cat’s arousal.
“Drew, are you alright?”
“Fine, thanks. Just a little tingly. Like I used to feel around Auggie sometimes. I fed him regularly when his pomme was resting, or well, like tonight, when Auggie was entertaining.”
“I see. Did you often stay...during his entertainments?”
“Yes, sir. Sometimes. As a reward, I guess.”
Jean-Claude didn’t want to press him any further. If this lion was going to be part of his organization though, he’d want to know more, especially why he was ‘tingling.’
At that moment, the door to the bedroom, which had been left ajar, swung open to reveal what he had been waiting for.
“Welcome,” Jean-Claude said, as he reached and took each of their hands. As humans all over the city were stumbling home drunk, or sound asleep in their beds, his night was about to begin.