Have you ever wondered if mythical creatures exist? The Loch Ness monster. Godzilla. Vampires. Werewolves. What if they did exist? Laurell K. Hamilton has created her own brave world in her novels. In her world vampires and werewolves do exist. They walk among us. They arent monsters. Not all of the time. Theyre like you and me. They just have special abilities.

In the world of Laurell K. Hamilton vampires are legal citizens. They have rights like everybody else. And like everybody else if they mess up they get punished.

I wanted to try something else for a change. So Ive tried to write something completely different from what you normally read in these fanfictions. Imagine a crossover between the L Word and her novels.

Im not sure if anyone is going to like any of this, so please leave me comments or mail what you think. And if people actually think this is fun and might be going somewhere, I might write another chapter. Otherwise Ill just go back to reading her books ~chuckle~. So PLEASE let me know what you think of this chapter and these ideas. Since this is only the first chapter and Laurell K. Hamilton has written nearly a dozen books in this series a lot of things are going to be hard to grasp. But if you like it I will continue and clear things up as I go along.

I hope youll enjoy!!! AceofHearts_1@hotmail.com

Blood Heir

Chapter 1 – Guilty Pleasures

Her tears were nearly blinding her, but somehow she still managed to keep her truck on the road. Images were flashing through her head. The first time she had met Cherie. Cheries voice whispering in her ear. Stevens warning her away from his family. Provocations. Shane wiped her nose brushing away the traces of white powder. She couldnt stop shaking. She lost her grip and felt the car swerving. The impact caught her off guard. Shane couldnt remember how much time had passed when she finally got out of her truck. She got out of the car and the moment her feet touched the pavement her knees buckled under her. Without warning the tears started again pouring down her cheeks and she lowered herself to the cool tiles hugging herself.

Shane felt her haze lift a little. Enough to look around her. A feeling of alarm started building in her. This was not a good part of town. Thered been reports of attacks in this neighborhood and here she was all alone with hardly any money and no way to get out. Slowly she tried getting up, but her legs didnt seem to want to cooperate. It took her three times before she was finally on her feet. She blinked at the street sign but her eyes wouldnt focus enough to let her make out the letters. She had to find a phone. She had to call someone. She had to call Alice. Alice would help her. She always came through for her. She looked down the alley to her left and started walking. The scent of rotting garbage and human waste almost made her gag, but she kept walking.

Suddenly Shane heard a sharp sound behind her. She swiveled back to see what it was her palms pushed forward as if to protect herself, but there was nothing there. She felt herself relaxing a little. When she turned around there was a man standing in front of her. Shane stumbled backwards almost tripping over her own feet. The man was almost a foot taller than her. His blonde hair was combed back with a lot of gel. He was wearing a black suit. It looked expensive. Tailored almost, but not quite because it looked like it was maybe a size too large. His crimson shirt brought out the dark of his eyes. The moment she looked into those eyes she felt a sense of calm envelop her like a big cloak. All her fears subsided. Her tears dried up instantly. It was as if he was calling to her. He held out his hands. Slowly she walked towards him. The closer she got to him the more she felt this craving build up inside her. When she reached him close enough to touch her hands reached out to him almost as if something was compelling her to touch him.

She let her hands trail up and down his chest drowning in his gaze. She was standing in a darkened alley with a complete stranger and she felt no fear. In fact she felt amazing. It was like she was fascinated by this blonde man standing in front of her. No not fascinated, but mesmerized. He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear exposing her neck. His fingers caressed the smooth skin of her neck. He moved towards her and she buried her hands in his lapels pulling him closer. She saw the glint of his fangs, but felt no fear whatsoever. The man opened his mouth as he drew nearer her neck as if he was about to lay a gentle kiss on it. When his mouth was barely an inch away he bared his fangs. As he was about to sink them into her, a sudden force pushed him away into the opposite wall making it rock slightly.

Now that the gaze was broken, Shane felt that fear find its way back into her brain. She tried to scream but she couldnt produce any sounds. The blonde man got up to look at his assailant. He exposed his fangs trying to induce fear. The other man just smiled. He looked young. Probably in his early twenties. Long auburn hair framed his handsome face and trailed down his back to below his *****. He looked harmless, but Shane knew he wasnt when she saw the muscles ripple beneath his purple shirt. The shirt brought out his lavender eyes. His face changed in an instant. He let out a soft growl that barely sounded human and in that moment Shane knew he wasnt. He was some kind of shapeshifter although she didnt have enough experience with them to know what kind.

The blonde man looked as he was about to attack when two other men showed up behind the shapeshifter. He looked at the three of them and then quickly ran away. The man who had saved Shane turned to the blonde man at his back.

Should we chase him? This was an unauthorized feed. This made Shane blink. She hadnt realized what kind of danger shed been in until she heard those words. That man had been a vampire and he had been about to drain her. And she had almost let him. In fact shed practically been begging for it. Her body started shivering violently. The other man with a buzz-cut quickly cut in.

Maybe we should discuss this later after we take care of her.

*****

Shane looked at her surroundings. Shed never been inside Guilty Pleasures before. She didnt go to stripclubs. Especially not ones where the main attractions werent human but monsters. Her body was still shivering, but not as violently as before. The young shapeshifter that had saved her was still talking to her soothingly. He had a very trusting voice. He had brought her some coffee that she was sipping carefully. She didnt quite know what to say or do. Shed never really encountered vampires or shapeshifters. She knew about them and the clubs and the Church of Eternal Life. But she wasnt into the weird *****, so she just tried to stay far away from all of it. And now she was smack dab in the middle of it.

Are you feeling better? Shane nodded at the young guy kneeling in front of her. He was close but at the same time respecting her space. He smiled. He could feel the fear in the young woman subsiding.

My name is Nathaniel. Shane looked down to meet his gaze. She expected to see the question there, but it wasnt. He just smiled at her. She felt herself relaxing even more. And even as she did, she couldnt help but berate herself. For crying out loud, she was in a room with at least one shapeshifter. She didnt know what the blonde man leaning against the far wall was, but she knew he probably wasnt human. Guilty Pleasures wasnt known to have humans on staff.

Shane looked at the room she was in. She was finally able to focus her eyes and see things without a haze. The room was filled with antique furniture. Beautiful armchairs and tables. Even the fireplace seemed like it belonged in the Middle Ages. The focal point of the room however was the large bed. The rooms colors were completely coordinated. Even the colors of the sheets seemed to complement the dcor. Her eyes swept the walls and rested on a life-size portrait of two men and a woman. They were all dressed in clothes that looked like theyd been the latest fashion hundreds of years ago. For a moment Shane held her breath captivated by their beauty.

She turned around when she heard the door behind her open. Her eyes became huge as she saw one of the men from the portrait enter the room. His long black hair fell in curls nearly to his waist. He was wearing a black vinyl shirt that seemed like it was hugging him. His pants were made of the same material and made his legs look like theyd been painted with black leather. Black vinyl boots came up to his knees. His eyes were so dark blue they almost seemed black. He seemed to glow. Not just his clothes or boots, but his face and his body. He was beautiful. His beauty looked almost like it was both masculine and feminine. Sort of androgynous, but not quite. But his walk. His walk was graceful and all male.

She knew who he was before he introduced himself. He was the Master of the City. Master vampire to most of the vampires in LA. Shane looked at the woman who had entered after him. She was slightly shorter than him. Her dark brown hair had been pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing a short black skirt and dark blue blouse. A leather jacket complemented her outfit. Her dark eyes were almost blazing with anger. Shane shrank back a little when she caught a glimpse of the gun hidden inside the jacket.

I am Jean Claude, Master of the City, the man spoke. His voice was like fur. Rich and soft and it made Shane want to wrap herself in it. He turned to the woman. I believe you are scaring her ma petite. The womans face relaxed a little and a small smile appeared on her lips.

This is Anita Blake. Shane nodded. Shed heard of her. Anita Blake was the Executioner. When a vampire went rogue and started killing people, she was the one theyd call to execute him. She was also as some people called it coffin bait, because she was sleeping with the Master of the City. Rumor had it she was also Nimir-Ra of the local leopard pard which kind of made her their queen. Not many people knew how a human could be queen of the leopards. Shane was one of them. Just thinking about it right now, made her head hurt.

Shanes body started shaking a little again. Nathaniel reached out to steady her, but she backed away.

I believe we frighten her ma petite, Jean Claudes silky voice nearly filled Shanes head. Anita moved forward and knelt in front of Shane. She reached out and this time Shane didnt move. The moment her hand touched her shoulder, Shane felt this force building in the center of her being. It felt like a flame spreading through her entire being trying to push its way out of her body. When the flame reached her shoulder and jumped to Anitas hand it tore screams from both women. Anita felt the ardeur hit her like a truck at full speed and it tore another scream from her mouth. It bowed her back and made her convulse as she felt that need, that desire building in her.

Nathaniel rushed forward, but Anita backed away from him. She knew that if he touched her the ardeur would jump to him. How could this be? She now had control of the ardeur. It no longer could take her by surprise. It came when she called. It fed when she opened up to it. It hadnt risen by itself for months. Not until shed touched this woman.

Dont touch me. Its the ardeur. Nathaniel gave her a puzzled look. Jean Claude moved closer his face a frown.

You have just fed ma petite. How can it be back so soon? Anita shook her head. She was about to speak as a wave of the ardeur hit her again. She felt it rushing through her and it tore a scream from Shane when it jumped back to her and then it was gone. Anita tried to get up from the floor. Nathaniel helped her up.

What happened? Jean Claude asked her still cautious.

I dont know. Its gone. Shane gasped from behind her.

What the ***** was that? Anita turned to the young woman. For the first time she took in her appearance. Her hair was slightly disheveled as were her clothes. Perhaps not disheveled but casual. Her gaze immediately rested on her eyes. The pupils were slightly dilated and she knew the woman had taken something tonight.

You have never felt this before? Shane shook her head. Anita looked back at Jean Claude confused.

She raised the ardeur. But how? Shes human. The ardeur is strictly from Belle Mortes line. Jean Claudes face was no longer puzzled but pensive. He turned his back to them and started pacing.

I do not know. This should not be possible. But then again we have been witnessing a lot of things that should not be possible. Shane was witnessing the exchange and her fear and confusion were starting to take a backseat to her anger. She was stuck in a room with a bunch of strangers and theyd obviously done something to her.

What the ***** is the ardeur? What the ***** is going on? she almost yelled drawing everyones attention back to her. Jean Claude looked at her patiently. He owed her an explanation, but exactly how elaborate this explanation would have to be was at his discretion.

Powerful vampires have certain special powers and abilities. You know this right? He didnt wait for an answer before he continued. The power a vampire has depends on the source of his blood line. I am of the line of Belle Morte. Her power and therefore also mine lies in seduction, desire, *****. As my human servant, Anita, shares some of this power. One of the side effects is the ardeur. It evokes, for a moment Jean Claude hesitated, desire. And like blood lust it needs to be fulfilled.

Shane blinked uncertainly at this. So you need to feed. With blood? Jean Claude shook his head.

There are different hungers. The ardeur is the hunger for desire. Therefore it feeds on *****.

So she used it on me? Shane asked pointing at Anita.

Non, Im afraid you used it on her. For a moment everyone in the room was silent.

But thats

Impossible I know. You are a human. The ardeur should not be able to rise in you. But somehow it has. Suddenly all eyes were on Shane. She saw her life crashing before her eyes. Shed always stayed away from the weird ***** and now it looked like she was right in the middle of it.