A New Start

 

Picture by talented fantasy artist bluestheword. Find her stuff here:http://bluestheword.deviantart.com/gallery/ 

This is another piece of ABVH fan fiction I wrote, but this one does NOT take place in the Anita Blake universe. I lost interest in the books when Anita started collecting boyfriends, so I re-imagined the story by removing the main character, and placing my favourite vampires in the spotlight. This story is a prelude to my very long, and still incomplete piece, Marguerite. I'm really inspired to finish it now! 

A New Start 

"Do you love me?" It's an almost inaudible whisper in the darkness, but thanks to heightened sense, Asher hears every word.

"I always have, cher..." he answers honestly as he gathers the raven-haired vampire into his arms. Jean-Claude and Asher are in the Master's private chambers. Everyone else has been ordered to stay away and Jason is just outside, standing guard with specific instructions they are not to be disturbed this night. But the two vampires are not doing anything naughty or fun. Quite the opposite.

Jean-Claude is trembling, his beautiful pale face stained with blood tears. He’s been crying for hours, his fragile heart broken yet again by Anita. Asher was very upset himself when The Executioner arrived at the Circus early this evening and dropped the bombshell, but Jean-Claude was devastated. His worst fear had come true. His Anita was gone.

Her timing couldn't have been worse. Jean-Claude had planned a surprise birthday party for his ma petite, scheduled for this very night. His living room had been beautifully and lavishly decorated, the ridiculously expensive gifts had been purchased, the delectable food prepared, and all the guests invited.

Every preternatural being in St Louis had received an invitation in the last week and no one had turned it down. It was going to be a fabulous celebration; an elaborate show of Jean-Claude's dedication and commitment to his lover and human servant. He had spent months arranging it, making sure every detail was nailed down perfectly for Anita, the woman he loved dearly... the woman who destroyed him with three small words.

"I'm leaving you." That was all she said. And then she left, arm-in-arm with Micah and Nathaniel. There were no explanations, but Jean-Claude really didn't need one. He just stood there, staring at the door through which she exited, as if he were expecting to her to stroll back into the room with a smile on her face, saying it was all a joke.

It breaks Asher's heart to see Jean-Claude in so much pain and the blond vampire refuses to dwell on his own feelings regarding Anita's departure. He will deal with them later. For tonight, he will be here for Jean-Claude. To hold him; comfort him... to be whatever he needs.

Asher waits for his cue. But Jean-Claude does not move for hours, a beautiful pale statue with very sad eyes. And then after a long while, he blinks, and tears stream down his face. When Asher moves to hug him, the dark-haired vampire collapses in his arms.

"She will return to you, Jean-Claude..." Asher says softly, not believing it for a second, but wanting so badly to comfort his best friend and former lover. Asher had only recently realised he still loved Jean-Claude madly despite everything that has transpired between them. He had never really stopped loving him, but pride and anger buried those feelings so deep in his heart he wasn't even aware they were still there!

But he was too late. When they were thrown back together by the Council, Jean-Claude was already in love with another and Anita would not permit them to take such liberties with each other any longer. It was one of her many rules. Asher respected that, so he kept his feelings locked down and never openly pursued Jean-Claude.

Asher passed his time living for the all too brief moments they shared together... with Anita. But how he yearned to taste Jean-Claude for himself once again! Perhaps now that Anita is gone, Jean-Claude would be more receptive. Perhaps…

"You do not really think that," Jean-Claude says, shaking his head sorrowfully, his usually wonderful voice hoarse from crying. "I believe this time she is gone for good."

He closes his eyes and tries to get a hold of himself. He is the Master of the City and weaknesses such as these are not tolerated. Who could respect him if they see him crying his eyes out over a woman? Jean-Claude knows he needs to get a grip. Emotions like these can, and will be, his undoing. And with Anita gone, he has nothing left except his position in the preternatural community. He must be stronger than this, but the pain in his heart is more than he can bear.

Somewhere in the back of Jean-Claude's mind, he KNEW she would leave him one day. Running away was always Anita's solution when things become too complicated. And things WERE getting harder… for all of them. The combined power of their triumvirate was threatening to overwhelm her and she resented having Jean-Claude and Richard inside her all the time. It made it more difficult for her to hide things from them.

Her other men were also becoming more demanding. Micah finally found his spine and insisted she return to the home they shared every night. There were to be no more sleepovers at the Circus.

Jean-Claude and Asher were not happy with this new arrangement, and argued strongly against it, but Anita's mind was made up. She began pulling away from them after that. Things were never the same and her visits to the Circus became less frequent and she never stayed longer than it took to satisfy her ardeur.

Jean-Claude knew something was going on in her head; she had been distracted for a long time, so he gave her plenty of space to work things out for herself. He retreated from her mind and waited for Anita to come back to him like she always did. He never imagined she would leave without talking to him first.

And then there was Asher. His temoin was demanding more alone time with him, and to be perfectly honest, Jean-Claude was equally eager to have the blond back in his bed. Especially now, since Anita was avoiding them. But what could he do? He knew she would bolt the instant he and Asher made love and Jean-Claude did not want that to happen.

Despite all their problems, he still loved Anita with all his heart, and was content to wait for her to lift her restrictions regarding Asher and himself. He had no doubts she would eventually agree.

Asher was not so patient. They would argue about this constantly and Jean-Claude knew it was a matter of time before the blond decided he would wait no longer. He dreaded the day he would have to choose between his mon chardonneret and his ma petite. But that day would never come; Anita had made that decision for him.

Asher's tight embrace brings Jean-Claude back to the present. He wills his body to stop trembling, but fails. He sighs deeply, not really understanding why his body betrays him. Regaining control should not be this difficult. After all, he had spent much of his undead life learning control, keeping that blank face on in spite of everything. But Anita's decision to leave is a huge blow and it all but shredded his heart. So here, in the privacy of his own rooms, Jean-Claude allows himself to break down, leaning on Asher. But there are no more tears. Jean-Claude is all cried out.

Asher continues to hold Jean-Claude, not knowing what else to do or say. He has comforted Jean-Claude many times in the past; they were both much abused and sought solace in each other's arms, but never because of something like this. This is different.

Asher cannot remember the last time a woman left Jean-Claude of her own free will. He doubts it has ever happened. For centuries they had loved them and left them, men and women both, never thinking about the consequences. Their dark Mistress would decide when each 'relationship' ended, but they knew the other would be there when their duty was over.

And Asher will be here for Jean-Claude now. He hopes it will be enough, but knows from experience it may not be. After all, Jean-Claude wasn't enough for him when Julianna passed. No! He will NOT think about his Julianna. Jean-Claude is the one who needs him now. Asher is so lost in his own thoughts he does not notice the other vampire has gone still in his arms.

Jean-Claude shrugs out of Asher’s embrace and looks searchingly into his temoin’s face. Asher flinches under the intense scrutiny and shakes his head, allowing his golden locks to obscure the right side of his face, covering the burn scars there. Jean-Claude pushes the hair back and looks into Asher’s eyes.

“I am being selfish. She left you as well. I am sorry.” He leans his head on Asher’s chest, still trembling ever so slightly. A wave of anger comes over Asher. He cannot bear to see Jean-Claude like this. He curses Anita.

"I hate her," he declares, venom dripping from his voice. He still cannot believe she is gone. Everything was normal yesterday. The three of them had gone on a date and had a very pleasurable time in bed after. For the first time in a long time, there were no arguments. It was like it had been when they first forged their ménage a trois.

Asher was happy again for the first time in centuries. He was alive, safe, hopelessly in love, and in the arms of two people who loved him back. He should have known it wouldn't last. It never did. It is their curse, his and Jean-Claude's... love is their weakness, it always has been. And these emotional wounds take so long to heal. Some never do. Nobody knows this better than Asher. He is still bleeding inside from Julianna's loss... and now Anita is gone. He fears Jean-Claude may never recover.

"That is not the truth and we both know it. You love her as much as I do." Jean-Claude speaks softly, each word a tortured whisper. "I knew this would happen; that it was only a matter of time... Why else would she keep refusing to take the fourth mark? But Anita was with me so long, I deluded myself into believing her love for me was genuine and she would stay with me forever. I am a fool..."

Asher looks at him sadly. It is painful for him to see the other vampire so distraught, it brings back terrible memories. The last time Jean-Claude was so broken was when Asher cast him out his life; after Jean-Claude had saved him, and then sold himself to heal him.

"Do not think of those times, mon amour..." Jean-Claude looks into Asher's eyes, a lone tear sliding down his perfect pale cheek, but the blond looks away, the guilt still eating at him. Jean-Claude reaches out to Asher, but his second moves away from the bed. "Asher...?"

"Why did you do that for me... after everything I have done to you, everything I said?" Asher shakes his head. "I… I hated you, Jean-Claude. I tried to get Belle to kill you. Why would you want me with you now?" Jean-Claude watches Asher pace the room, getting more agitated with each stride.

“Do you not know?” Jean-Claude asks softly. Merde! How could Asher not know? After all this time, does the blond vampire still doubt his love for him? The Master of the City wonders, not for the first time, why he is drawn to people with severe emotional problems. The other two-thirds of his triumvirate, Anita and Richard, certainly possess enough baggage to sink a ship, and Asher... well he was never the same after the loss of Julianna and the scars. But Jean-Claude loves them all. Even the Ulfric.

“Non. I will never understand how you can forgive me. You were there, Jean-Claude, you know the things I did…I may never have tortured you myself, but I was always there, watching, happy to see you being raped and beaten, laughing at your suffering...” Jean-Claude takes a deep breath, shakes his head and closes his eyes. He is not ready for this conversation, certainly not tonight of all nights.

“I never blamed you for any of that. You were not yourself, mon chardonneret,” Asher stills when he hears those last two words. It is an ancient pet name he never thought he would hear again, at least not from Jean-Claude's lips. Overwhelmed, Asher begins crying silently.

“Mon chardonneret,” Jean-Claude whispers. “I loved you then… I love you now and I will love you always. Why is that so difficult for you to comprehend?" He hugs Asher and places a gentle kiss on his lips. Asher returns the kiss with a passionate one of his own, imprisoning Jean-Claude to his chest as his tongue does a slow exploration of the Master of the City's mouth. Asher has missed this closeness.

Jean-Claude stiffens for a moment, and then relaxes in Asher's embrace. For the first time since their reconciliation, the raven-haired Master does not shy away from Asher, giving the other vampire permission to do whatever he pleases. And Asher doesn't waste this opportunity. He's been waiting so long for this, for Jean-Claude's surrender.

Jean-Claude moans into Asher's mouth, his eyes fluttering close as Asher pushes him roughly back onto the bed and climbs on top of him, their lips still sealed together. After holding that kiss for longer than humanly possible, Jean-Claude gently pushes Asher away and sits up. Jean-Claude smiles as his tongue slips out to taste Asher’s flavour on his lips. Asher's heart melts. It's been an eternity since that smile had been directed at him, and only him.

"Mon amour, I had forgotten how wonderful your kisses are..." Asher whispers breathily, reaching for Jean-Claude and finding him hard and ready. He caresses him and smiles seductively when Jean-Claude collapses back onto the bed, his body trembling invitingly.

"Oui. I made myself forget. I had no choice. I have missed you terribly." The dark-haired vampire moans loudly as Asher continues to stroke him through all that leather.

"Mon chardonneret! You will be the death of me!" Jean-Claude laughs shakily as moves away from Asher's wandering hands but continues to gaze at him longingly. He removes his shirt, and then slowly peels off his leather pants, swaying to music only he can hear.

Asher watches him hungrily as inch by inch of flawless alabaster skin is revealed. When he is nude, Jean-Claude chuckles and does a little spin, showing Asher everything he has to offer. When he turns back around, his face is serious again.

"Anita is gone, but we will survive. It will not be like before. Now we have each other..." With these whispered words, Jean-Claude turns and heads towards the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" Asher asks, sounding slightly panicked as he leaps off the bed after Jean-Claude. He pulls his Master to him once again and devours the smaller vampire in another hungry kiss. Jean-Claude chuckles, untangles himself from Asher's strong embrace and then rips the shirt off the blonds’ body. Another strong tug and Asher's jeans and underwear are gone. Jean-Claude licks a line down Asher's quivering body, pausing just before his throbbing member.

"To have a bath, mon chardonneret... Would you care to join me?" Jean-Claude's eyes are sparkling sapphire jewels, shining with arousal. Asher recognises that look and goes willingly to his Master. Jean-Claude grabs Asher and pulls him into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind them. The water doesn't start running for a very very long time...

Death Takes A Detour

I've decided to post a piece of fan fiction I wrote some time back.

It's set in Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake Vampire Hunter universe and my imagined events happen during The Killing Dance. It's told from Edward's POV, which was a challenge as Edward wasn't a major character for me.

I don't own anything. I wish I owned Jean-Claude... but that's a different story!

Death Takes a Detour

I told Anita on the phone I would arrive in St Louis tomorrow. I lied. I'm already here, sitting in my black nondescript rental car, watching her back. She's at a party at her lawyer friend Catherine’s house. Her new boyfriend is with her. I snort. Boyfriend. Right. How any human can date that monster is beyond me.

But I suspect Anita may be less than human these days. I warned her not to get too involved with the vampires and shape shifters, but would she listen? No! How else can she explain her OTHER boyfriend? He's dead for God’s sake! Well, I suppose undead is the politically correct term. But I'm not known for being tactful. That's Ted's department.

I shouldn't even be here. I'm supposed to be at a family retreat with Donna and the kids. But this will be more fun. I get to kill things; and if I'm really lucky, I may even be able to take out Anita's boyfriends in the process. Collateral damage. Anita will understand. We are more alike than she knows.

I'll have to make it up to Donna later though. I’m not looking forward to that. She's getting much too clingy and whiny, but I have needs and she lets me do what I please. Plus she and the kids are good cover for my other, less legal but infinitely more interesting, activities. But it’s getting increasingly harder for me to resist putting a bullet between her eyes. That scene she made before I left for St Louis was bad. She's lucky I'll be gone a while.

Anita is finally leaving the party. I wonder what took her so long. She was reasonably freaked when I told her about the contract on her life so I expected her to bolt out of the house immediately. But that woman is always unpredictable. Keeping her alive is going to be a full-time job. I may need some help. Maybe Harley... or Bernardo. But not Olaf. That guy is crazier than I am.

I decide to follow them back to her apartment before I proceed with the rest of my plan. The werewolf is with her so she already has some protection. I don't like preternaturals as a rule, but shape shifters make great cannon fodder.

I trust no one but myself in situations like this, so I won't leave her until she is safely indoors. Besides, I am not looking forward to what comes next; but I can’t put if off any longer... not if I want Anita safe.

The drive to her apartment is uneventful. I don't expect any trouble; only an idiot would try to take her out when she's inside a moving vehicle. Unless they use a bomb… But no one has been near her car since I arrived.

I maintain a safe distance between our cars and neither Anita nor the wolf is aware I am only a few cars behind them. They are too engrossed in their conversation to notice me. I'll have to talk to her about watching her own back. Distractions like this can get her killed!

We reach her apartment building soon enough. It's as familiar to me as my own place. I've blended into the shadows many times in the past waiting for Anita to show up. Everything looks quiet tonight. Even that annoying dog her neighbour has isn't barking. I can’t remember how many times I’ve wanted to shoot that infernal canine! He makes breaking into Anita's apartment more difficult than it has to be. I scan the car park slowly; everything looks clear.

I find a spot where I can watch her apartment. It's dark, but I can see well enough. I need her to be safely inside before I leave for Guilty Pleasures. Just the thought of voluntarily going into Blood Quarter at night makes me nervous. Not that I’ll ever admit it! But tonight, it is necessary.

I’m getting impatient. What's taking them so long? By my calculations, they should have been in the apartment by now. I hope they are not smooching in the hallway. I don’t have time for that!

I squint into the darkness, and then I hear a deafening boom. Shotgun! I reach for my weapon and walk deliberately towards the building. I keep my eyes trained on Anita's apartment and my ears peeled for the slightest noise. And then I hear it; a little pop. It's Anita's gun. I’d recognise that sound anywhere. She’s OK.

However, my relief is short-lived because seconds later, there’s another boom, followed by deathly silence. I sigh unhappily. I’d be so disappointed if that idiot managed to kill her. And with a shotgun! What was he thinking?

I move quickly but stealthily, using the shadows to conceal my approach. Once I’m inside, I plan to head directly for the stairs that will bring me to Anita’s apartment.

I’m almost at the building when I hear two more pops from the Browning. And then the screaming starts and lights come on all over the building. But I am only interested in one apartment. When Anita's lights come on, I see her silhouette moving around, a dark shadow against the curtains. That's something else we have to talk about, but not right now. The police will be here soon and I have a vampire to see before sunrise.

I get the heebie jeebies whenever I drive into the Blood District. I'm well known here; all the monsters fear me. I am Death, their death. I kill them for sport... and for huge amounts of money. You'd think they'd give me a wide berth, but there's always some dead or furry fool who thinks he can get me before I get him.

I drive straight through to Guilty Pleasures, a strip club owned by the Master of the City, head bloodsucker in St Louis. The impossibly well-muscled vampire bouncer lets me through with no argument. Apparently I’m expected.

Once inside the club, my ear drums are assaulted by loud music and screams from lusty women thronging the stage where an almost nude vampire is strutting his stuff. I shake my head incredulously. A vampire strip club. What will they think of next.

I am surprised when a cool hand lightly brushes my arm, but after years of practice and meditation, I am able to remain outwardly calm. This vampire tells me he is Robert, manager of Guilty Pleasures. I study him through narrowed eyes. He looks more like a stripper than a manager.

Robert relieves me of my gun and escorts me to the office in the back. I am not amused by this, but decide to let it go. I did not come here to kill anything; not tonight anyway. The vampire is careless though; he misses the knives hidden in my boots and the wire in my hair. When we reach the office, Robert knocks one time, opens the door for me, and then leaves. I take a deep breath and step inside. Here goes nothing.

"Monsieur Edward. Always a pleasure..." A soft silky voice from deeper in the room makes the hair on my arms stand on end. "And what brings Death to my doorstep?" The voice belongs to Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City of St Louis.

He glides towards me gracefully and stops just in front of me, a small smile on his lips. His face is the usual unreadable mask, but he is obviously waiting for me to make the next move. Don't tell me he wants to shake hands! I ignore him as much as I can. But he is not an easy creature to ignore. His clothes are ridiculous and his hair... the less said about that the better!

"I've come to talk to you about Anita." I say curtly. It’s short and sweet… and maybe a little rude, but I did not come here to make small talk.

"What about ma petite?" That awful nickname makes me cringe. It's bad enough she's dating him, but pet names are not her. I'm surprised she hasn’t killed him for that yet. Anita has a bit of a problem controlling her temper.

"Yes. I have been offered a contract to kill her." The vampire's eyes flash in anger. His blank mask vanishes and is replaced by something that looks a lot like concern. I raise an eyebrow. Is it possible he truly cares about Anita?

A mere second later, his mask is back in place. A regular person would have missed it, but I am a trained observer. The emotions that played briefly across the vampire’s face fascinate me. I’ve never seen a real expression from him before today. Not even when he was near death all those months ago.

When he speaks, his voice is a low and dangerous growl.

"And have you accepted this contract, monsieur?"

"I have come to protect her." He laughs; it’s a sinful sound that makes me shiver. I glare at him and the laughter dies away.

"Why have you come to me then?" He asks mockingly. "Surely you do not need MY help to do that." I almost walk out right then, but the look on his face earlier buys him a little slack. Maybe we can work together on this. I can always kill him later.

"I need information and I don't have time to screw around. They've already tried to kill her once tonight." His mask slips again and worry floods his eyes.

"Is she alright?" He whispers, fear tainting his words. So he DOES care. I was wrong about him... maybe.

"She's fine. She took care of the killer." He smiles softly to himself, clearly proud of Anita. This is bizarre.

"What kind of information?" The abrupt subject change is jarring, but I’m impressed by his ability to see the big picture and not dwell on things he can’t change. The worry in his eyes has been replaced with grim determination, and I know I made the right decision coming to him for help. I have a feeling Jean-Claude will do almost anything to protect Anita.

"I need to know what you plan for your date with Anita tomorrow." His eyes narrow as he considers my request. I hope he's not going to be difficult. There's not enough time for that. Apparently Jean-Claude comes to the same conclusion. He may be a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.

"I will be escorting ma petite to the opening of Danse Macabre, my newest business venture.” He glides to his desk, picks up a card and hands to me. It’s an invitation to the opening of his new dance club in the heart of Blood Square. All the relevant details are there. I pocket the card and begin asking questions.

"Will there be a crowd?" I hate crowds. It’s almost impossible to find one lone killer in that din.

"Oui. We are expecting a crowd. The press has been invited. The mayor will be in attendance as well." He pauses, and then continues, speaking so quickly and softly I can barely hear him.

"You only need to ensure we reach the club without incident. Once inside, my people will protect her. She will be in your hands again when we leave." He shuts up and lets me think. This is complicated. Why couldn’t they just be going out for dinner?

I run several scenarios through my mind. If it was me, I wouldn't even dream of attacking her in a crowd. Too many things could go wrong. I would hit the car on the way back, when she's more relaxed and her guard is down... But other killers may not be so patient. I know many who would prefer to kill from a distance with a bomb. Which brings me to my next question.

"How will you get there?"

"My limo." Of course he would have one of those. Everything about him is over-the-top, so why would he settle for a mere car when he can have a limo?

“Do you trust your driver?”

“Oui. He is one of my people.” That’s good enough. For now.

"I want to check the car before you leave." He nods. “That’s it then. I have everything I need.”

"It is very late, monsieur; will you require accommodations for the night? There are several guest rooms at the Circus." Is he joking? Death having a sleepover in the Circus of the Damned? Has the Master of the City gone insane?

"I'll be fine. Are you worried about me?"

"Non. In truth, I am worried for my people." He says with a chuckle as I turn to leave.

"Monsieur?" I turn back. "Promise me no harm will come to her." His voice is calm, but there is turmoil in his eyes and his face is suddenly vulnerable.

"I promise to do my best."

"Under the circumstances, that is the best I can hope for. Merci. If there is anything else you need…"

“I’ll ask.” He turns to go back to his desk.

"Jean-Claude?"

"Oui?" I surprise both of us by sticking out my right hand. He looks at it for a moment, and then shakes it. His palm is warm and his grip is firm. I'm glad he doesn't try to crush my hand, or I would have to kill him.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." He nods and I leave, closing the door softly behind me.