…the book suggestion of this fic is A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton. Ok so Im a bit obvious. With A Kiss of Shadows L.K. has created a magical world very different from Anita Blakes world but not less fascinating. It tells the story of Merry Gentry, also known as Princess Meredith NicEssus. She has been in hiding for three years, ever since she fled the high court of Faerie and her aunt, the Queen of Air and Darkness, who wants her dead but no one can tell her why. Trust me this book is awesome. Its got adventure, magic, intrigue, ***** This is the book that got ME hooked If you want to read an excerpt of the first chapter, check out http://www.laurellkhamilton.org/KissOfShadows.htm

@Trysian – Mmm… I think Jean Claude has a wicked sense of humor… he’d probably think it’d be interesting for Anita to uhm… explore other avenues… As for Nathaniel… maybe we should get to see his more scary and protective side… And you really want Lara back… don’t you? Your wish is my command… The only catch is your gonna have to have patience…

@Liz – Even if the person in the doorway is stunningly gorgeous? Yes… I AM shallow ~grins~ Besides you didn’t think there wouldn’t be any interruptions considering I rule in this kingdom… Might I remind you of a Alex and Shane and several phones? ~cackles madly~

@Amazed – I don’t think you’re the only one frustrated…

@CFone – You gave me some mad wicked ideas… Excellent stuff!!! I especially liked your third suggestion… Oh and as for Alice being trouble… I must have powers of my own… psychic powers that is… Just read on and enjoy…

@bvhall – Reading minds is definitely the power I’d go for… Although sometimes you should be careful what you wish for I suppose… Maybe my power should involve chocolate… I just love chocolate… Oh… thanks to CFone I have plans for Tonya… Just keep reading and prepare to weep…

@m_rave – Aw shucks… Thanks :$… Rave on dude!

BLOOD HEIR

Chapter 12 – Yikes!

Anita had to suppress the urge to scream, because that would have been very unExecutioner like. She got up in a whirlwind of clothes and flailing arms pushing a very confused Shane off of her in the process. Shane got knocked back on her *****, which is when she saw a smiling Jean Claude standing in the doorway. A blush rose to her cheeks to match the crimson one that had already appeared on Anitas.

I am sorry, mes petites. I did not mean to interrupt, Jean Claude spoke still smiling. Shane got up off the floor and watched Anita fumble around a bit obviously distressed. She just wondered what exactly was distressing her. Was it what happened between the two? Or was it that theyd been caught by Jean Claude? Suddenly another thought entered her head. Shed just been caught making out with the Master of the Citys girlfriend by the Master himself. People had been drawn and quartered for less. What if he was going to hurt her? But he didnt look too upset. Shane looked from one at the other trying to gauge their emotions. Jean Claude was an open book, or at least something very close. The emotion that shone through the brightest was amusement, which matched the twinkle in his eyes.

Anita however looked a lot less amused, Shane noticed. Her eyes were steadfastly cast downwards avoiding both Shanes and Jean Claudes glance. Shane tried to get a read off of her, but for some reason she drew a complete blank. Her face frowned in confusion. Before she could even ask herself the question, Jean Claude already answered.

When people are experiencing an array of emotions, it is hard to read any of them.

Why? Shane asked her embarrassment and confusion making place for curiosity. Anita finally looked up at the exchange her face now back to its normal complexion.

Imagine a playground full of kids each screaming for attention. Would you be able to hear what each child was screaming? The same applies to thoughts. When people are distressed in one way or another there are too many thoughts to read. That is why it is extremely difficult to read the thoughts of those that have been traumatized or mentally unstable.

What are you two talking about? Suddenly a thought occurred to her. She swivelled towards Shane.

You tried to read my mind again, she said accusingly. Shane looked a little sheepish and shrugged.

I was worried you might be embarrassed.

Why would I be embarrassed? Anita heard a soft chuckle behind her and turned around just in time to see Jean Claude shaking his head slightly.

Oh to ***** with both of you! She rushed past Jean Claude and out the door leaving a perplexed Shane behind her.

She seems a little upset, Shane ventured carefully. Jean Claude moved towards her and gently guided her to a chair and then sat down himself.

I suppose she is a little. Anita has always been rather vehement that she only how do you say swings one way. Until you that is.

Youre not though.

I have a lived a very long time, Shane. Long enough to know that it is possible to love more than one person at the same time. And that it is possible to love both men and women.

Youre a swinghitter?! Shane let out. Almost immediately her hand flew to her mouth. She couldnt believe she had just said that out loud. But Jean Claude seemed unperturbed. In fact he still had a glint in his eyes as he nodded his head. Shane didnt quite know what to say.

How have you progressed at controlling your powers? he asked suddenly his face a lot more serious than it had been before. Shane shifted in her seat.

Ok, I suppose. Im getting better.

Good, he said getting up and walking towards the door.

Why? she called after him.

Because tonight you meet Musette, ma jeune amie.

*****

Alice looked once again on the pictures in front of her on her desk. She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath to fight the urge to throw up. Again. She refused to bow down to porcelain goddess. Three times in one day was her limit. But the images were rather unsettling. And unfortunately very detailed. Alice could see every line and curve of the bodies in the pictures. She was still in awe of her own cunning. She couldnt believe she had managed to get all of the crime scene pictures. Only what was she going to do with them now.

At first glance the crime scenes looked the same. So it had to be the same person. But then again how many people go around flaying their victims. Alice picked up one of the pictures and peered at the bloody mass on it. She wasnt even sure how one would go about flaying someone. The only flaying shed ever seen was on Buffy, when Willow had gone berserk and flayed some ***** for shooting her girlfriend. She made a mental note to watch that episode again when she got home. She just loved it when good girls turned bad in the movies.

She put the picture down proud that shed managed to keep down the little food that was still in her system and picked up the police report shed managed to get from the St. Louis police department. She was sure that what shed done wasnt illegal well pretty sure. She skimmed through the information. When she had almost the bottom of the page her mind suddenly stalled. Her eyes moved back up the paper and opened wide in shock when her mind registered the words that were written there black on white. flayed alive Alice clamped a hand to her mouth as she rushed towards the bathroom.

*****

The shadows the torches were casting on the gray stone walls were doing nothing to settle Shanes nerves. Theyd started when the car pulled in the parking lot of the Circus of the Damned. The Circus was where Jean Claude had finally arranged to meet Musette no longer deeming it wise or safe to put her off any longer. Shane had fought tooth and nail when Jean Claude had insisted she come along. She didnt want to meet some bervamp. Even after Jean Claude and Anita had guaranteed her they would do anything to keep her safe, Shane hadnt been reassured. In the end it was Jason who had finally convinced her but only by pointing out that she would have small army looking after her. Anita and her posse had gone first and Jason had followed later with Shane.

Small army hadnt been an understatement, Shane thought as she looked at the people in front of her and heard the footsteps of the ones behind her. When theyd left the house there were only a few wereleopards and werewolves, including Micah who was apparently Anitas live-in boyfriend. Shane had wondered what Nathaniel thought of that and had been genuinely surprised to see that they seemed to get along. They even seemed to be close. Jean Claude had also seemed to be on friendly terms with both men. Anita sure did give new meaning to the word open relationship, Shane had thought.

When theyd entered the Circus, theyd been joined by at least twenty others. From what she could gather they were either shapeshifters or vampires. That should have been scary enough. But what she saw left her speechless. They were all dressed like they were on their way to some weird kinky club. Most of them were dressed in tight skin hugging leather. Leather pants. Leather jackets. And the parts of their bodies that werent covered by leather were either not covered at all or were covered in almost translucent materials showing off their muscular shapes. Jason had immediately stepped beside her grinning at her dumbfounded expression and had guided her to the inner bowels of the Circus. In hushed whispers hed explained that some customs never change. When meeting with powerful vampires from other cities Jean Claude had to dress to impress. And so did his people. Shane now noticed that all the people from the house had also changed.

She could see the back of Anita and she noticed Anita had traded in her jeans and shirt for a tight leather skirt that barely covered her *****, knee high black leather boots and a black leather jacket. The jacket looked a little big and when Anita stuck out her hand looking for support against the wall Shane noticed why this was. Underneath the jacket she saw a sheath sticking out. She also saw a belt with several clips attached. Her gaze traveled down and she noticed the black-sheathed knives that were attached to her boots, which she had missed before. When she looked around her more carefully she noticed that there were more people carrying weapons. Jason had definitely not been kidding when hed said a small army.

*****

They were on their way back from Milk, when Alice suddenly let out a yelp and made a U-turn that had Dana grabbing for the sissy bar. Alice pushed the pedal to the floor trying to catch up to a black 4×4 Jeep three cars in front of them.

Its Shane! Its Shane! she yelled. Which did nothing to clarify for Dana why they were following their friend.

So what?

What dyou mean so what? Shes with a strange guy in a strange car?

So? Dana sounded incredibly annoyed, but Alice barely noticed through the rush of her excitement. Shed been sitting in her office for hours after her final visit to the porcelain goddess and hadnt gotten any further in her search for clues. Shed reread the article on the murders in LA and had had an epiphany when shed read the last paragraph again. Apparently the Federal Marshal had been involved in the matter. Which meant that she had to find some way to talk to Anita Blake. And who did she know who just happened to seem awfully chummy with the Executioner? Shed thumped her head with the heel of her hand, because she hadnt thought of it sooner.

So I wanna talk to Shane.

Why dont you just call her? Dana asked as if she thought her friend had lost her mind. Probably cause she spent a little too much time with her head in the clouds. Before long she probably would have to change her name to Ms. Pot Head.

Alice remained suspiciously silent. Dana glared at her friend.

What are you up to, Al? Why dont you want to call her?

Well, technically I dont want to talk to Shane. I want to talk to Anita.

Jesus, Al, so youre following her?! Thats stupid. No, thats way beyond stupid. Youre a reporter. Not Nancy bloody Drew. Lets just go home. You can call her tomorrow and ask for Anitas number. Alice shook her head.

No. Were going to follow her because I have a hunch.

A hunch?! No kidding. So do I. And my hunch says youve finally lost your head. It also says we should GO HOME! Dana was exhausted. Shed been training all day and had gotten very little sleep the night before. She always got tired around this time of month. It was like her body was preparing for the change somehow by storing energy somewhere leaving less energy for Dana to make it through the day.

We are NOT going home. We are going to follow Shane. And then Im going to talk to Anita. And then we can go home. Dana started to say something, but then stopped herself. She knew from experience that arguing with Alice was pointless. Alice always did what she wanted anyway. Nobody could deter her from being Alice. A total busybody.

And Im not Nancy Drew, Alice huffed as she parked the car in the far dark corner of the parking lot of the Circus of the Damned making sure Shane didnt see them. She got out and tugged Dana with her right over the gearshift when Dana showed no intention of getting out by herself. Alice pulled her along and followed Shane to the back entrance staying hidden in the shadows. Alice thought it was best if Shane didnt know they were there, because she wasnt always too pleased to have Alice talking to her conquests. Probably worried theyd reveal her bedroom tactics or something and that she wouldnt be able to keep it to herself. As if she didnt know how to keep a secret.

As soon as the back door shut, Alice sprinted to the door pulling Dana with her. Alice already had her hand on the door, when Dana pulled her back.

I am NOT going in there, Al.

Why not? Were just here to see Shane. No big deal.

No big deal?! Its the freaking Circus. Its ***** creepy.

Fine. You stay here and Ill take a look inside. Alice turned to the door again, but before she could open it Dana had pulled her back again.

What now? Alice asked feeling incredibly impatient. She was dying to find out what the insides of the Circus looked like. Shed been to one or two shows, but shed never actually seen the rest of it. She wondered if it was as scary as everyone had said.

I really dont think we should go in there, Al, Dana said intentionally letting a little fear slip into her voice. Alice sighed and said.

Its fine. You just wait here. Ill be right back.

No, if youre going, Im going. Alice smiled and thought to herself that she was the queen of persuasion. Dana stuck her tongue out at Alices back. She couldnt believe she was being forced to go in there. Of course Alice had said, she could wait outside, but she had no intention of letting her friend wander into the lions den alone. Or in this case the vampires, leopards, wolfs and rats den. She first cursed Alice for being such a damn snoop. And then she cursed Shane for ever hooking up with the damn Executioner.

Alice opened to back door and smashed right into a mean looking black guy with a crew cut. He was dressed completely in black. Black fatigues. Black boots. Black formfitting long-sleeved t-shirt. And Alice visibly swallowed at the sight of the gun holster and the two automatic weapons in their assigned slots. She managed to produce her Im so nice you wanna do everything I say smile, or something she hoped resembled that. The guy looked her over almost dismissively. Then he looked at Dana. He nodded to them and stepped aside. Alice smiled smugly. She couldnt believe the smile had worked. Shed have to remember to try it on some other bad ***** bouncers.

Dana exchanged a glance with the bouncer before following Alice into the dark. She had felt her beast rising inside her and so had he. It had been a long time since shed been around anyone of her kind and the mere presence was making her beast a little antsy. She caught up to Alice and they started down the stone steps. It was a little difficult going down them, because they were very large and uneven. Almost as if almost as if whatever they had been carved out for, wasnt entirely human.

They heard voices in front of them and quickened their pace a little until they saw a large group of people milling downstairs. They all looked dressed for a party and Alice was glad she wasnt wearing her usual rags, but had gone full out for her night at Milk. Now theyd be able to blend in just fine. Of course it wouldnt be as easy as that considering Alice had neither fangs nor fur, but she didnt know that yet.

*****

Shane felt Jason gently holding her by the elbow. She wasnt sure whether he was being a gentleman or whether he wanted to be able to stop her if she tried to run away. And she really wanted to run away. Theyd reached the entrance to the main area of the Circus and the army was finally milling through them. She took a deep breath. She could do this. After all, what was one bervamp anyway? She had the Master of the City and the Executioner looking out for her. And a bunch of vampires and shafeshifters. Besides she had mad wicked skills now. If they werent going to kick Musettes *****, she would. Shane grimaced. Giving yourself a pep talk didnt quite pack the kick shed been hoping it would.

Dont worry. Just let Jean Claude and Anita do all the talking. Go with the flow. And well all be watching your back. I wont let anything happen to you, Jason softly whispered in her ear and he felt Shane relax a little. He smiled. He still had it. He wondered if hed be able to turn her.

No! Shane hissed sharply under her breath as she glared at him. Before he had time to say something witty back they had walked into what looked like a big arena. There was a large open circle where Shane imagined the acts were performed. Chairs surrounded the circle. Big spots had been turned on illuminating the entire room. Shane saw that their army was larger as she had thought, when she noticed a lot of other vampires and wereanimals lined up around the arena with their hands on their backs giving anyone who was looking a perfect view of all the guns and blades they were packing. In the middle of the circle Jean Claude and Anita with a small gathering had moved forward and were facing a group of approximately twenty people. They were dressed in a similar fashion, leather and lack of clothing being the common denominators.

Jean Claude, a voice sounded from somewhere in the middle of the group. Outwardly the voice sounded friendly enough, but there was a certain coldness underlying it. Shane felt the hairs on her arms and neck stand to attention at the two syllables.

Musette, Jean Claude said his voice blatantly cold and unfriendly. You should have informed me you were coming. I would have prepared a proper welcome.

But surprise are much more fun, darling, she cooed. The front row parted and Musette moved forward.

***** me! Shane whispered. The woman that had moved forward, looked like the spitting image of Gabby, Alices ex-girlfriend.