"I wondered when you would come, Buffy. Your lovers are good men and love you very much. I'm glad that you found them. Come in and sit with me for a while. It has been so long since we have talked and I have missed our special times together." Fauve walked over to stand beside her.
Buffy sat on a small chair that fit her perfectly and was there for that exact purpose. "Fauve, I have never wanted to see my future not after all that I have seen and done but now I'm not so sure. Did I do the right thing? I didn't tell them everything but I didn't think that I had to this trip has been an eye opener for them. I hate her so much Fauve but do I have the right to determine what happens to her? She isn't one of my children; she isn't even tied to me any longer. I pulled out all traces to me. She no longer retains her inner beast and her links are broken to the pard, my mate and the former Ulfric. Even her necromancy is gone since she tried to use it on me and it turned back on her. She doesn't realize it yet but she burned it away by her own hand. The Executioner is no more. Please, my sweet Fauve what should I do? I don't want to do anything that would make Jean-Claude feel a need to protect her. There is nothing that can protect that woman from her worst enemy - herself."
Fauve looked at Buffy with eyes of burnished gold then leaned forward to kiss her tenderly. "You already know what you need to do Buffy, you knew before you came down here. I can tell you that you don't have anything to worry your pretty head over; your Jean-Claude is a smart man. He will tell you what should be done with his ex-lover."
She stood up to caress his golden cheek then slid her hand into short golden curls. Fauve's eyes closed and a look of bliss crossed his face. Buffy moved closer so that they now stood chest to chest. She made her heart beat in rhythm with his until the blood flowed through his veins at the same pace as her own. The old friends looked into each other's eyes, Buffy saw herself with Asher, and Jean-Claude and she knew it was the future. She smiled at her friend, she knew he only showed her the slightest glimpse of the future but it was enough for her. She pulled him to her and did something she never had before - she kissed him. It was Fauve's turn to experience Buffy's power, which she poured down his throat. The fawn began to glow brighter and brighter, lighting up his entire cavern. They pulled away from each other and smiled. Buffy walked away humming a sultry tune and Fauve blushed at the thoughts and images that flooded his mind.
Buffy went to see how the others were doing not surprised to find Jason in the pool - nude. "Hello mother, why don't you join me? Clothes are optional of course." His eyebrows wiggled up and down like a naughty schoolboy. He flipped over to float unconcerned on his back.
She smiled but just sat on the side of the pool dipping her feet into the cool water. "How are you doing, Jason? Have you met anyone that you are interested in as a lover or as a possible mate?" Buffy liked the young wolf. He had a great sense of humor and didn't allow anything to get him down.
"I met someone yesterday but I'm not sure if she is interested in me. She is an alpha and I'm a beta so she might not even consider associating with me. She is close to you, which makes it even more complicated, but there is something about her that calls to me. It is more than her beast. She needs to learn to laugh and I can give her that. It is one of my best features, not my best but one of them." He grinned confidently.
"What is her name?" Buffy had a feeling that she already knew whom Jason was head over paws for.
"Her name is Hannah and she is the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen, well next to you of course."
"Of course." Buffy giggled, seeing a picture in her mind of her Hannah towering over the much smaller Jason. Thinking about the two and their strengths and weaknesses, Buffy thought they just might fit. "I think that you should give it a try. Hannah is an independent soul but I think that you might be exactly what she needs. She is the ultimate alpha; in fact, she is the start of the wolf line through me. I guess you could call her the Mother of Wolves."
Jason's shoulders slumped when he heard Hannah's pedigree. He straightened up and squared his shoulders then looked Buffy in the eye. "I am going to woo her right off her ultimate alpha feet. She won't know what hit her when I am through with her."
Buffy got to her feet and waved at him. "Don't stay in too long. You don't want to prune, it isn't a pretty sight."
Her next stop was to talk with the Nimir-Raj about the pard. She wanted a chance to hear what he thought was best for the wereleopards. She knocked on the door to the room that she knew he was sharing with the flamboyant one named Zane. Speak of the devil; Zane answered the door in a bright yellow thong. He gave Buffy his best smile and bowed her into the room.
"I need to speak with your Nimir-Raj, is he here?" Before Zane could answer, Micah walked out of the bathroom freshly showered. "Hello Micah, I think that we need to talk about the future of your pard."
Micah's eyebrows rose at the wording. He was used to hearing the pard being mentioned in conjunction with Anita's name not his. "Do you want to talk here or go somewhere else?"
"How about we take a walk and get to know each other better? There are a lot of decisions that need to be made and your answers will help to determine the outcome." Buffy walked over to the door and held it open waiting for Micah to join her.
The laid-back wereleopard calmly walked over to join her leaving a confused and curious Zane gapping at the interchange of words. The door closed before his thoughts cleared enough to ask a question.
Buffy and Micah walked in silence through the castle to an area that Micah didn't remember seeing since his arrival. She threw open a large door to a library that held what appeared to be every book ever published. "Please, sit down and make yourself comfortable. You need to decide what the future of the pard should be. Anita is no longer a part of it in any way. I am sorry if this hurts you that is not my intent. The most important thing right now is the pard. They have suffered too much already in their short lives and it is your responsibility to take care of them and keep them safe from harm. You are a good man, Micah. I think that with your leadership that they will grow stronger and heal over time. Any who would like to remain here are welcome, I have a feeling Nathaniel and Cherry will not want to leave my Belle. I promise that if that is the case that I will watch over them personally." Buffy waited to hear what Micah had to say about everything that happened over the past few days.
"I will return to St. Louis with those of the pard who want to return. But, I think that after we that I will take them back to Cincinnati. St. Louis holds too many bad memories for all of us. We can try and put this all behind us and start fresh together." His feline eyes said more than his words, as did the slight slump of his shoulders.
Buffy put a hand on his shoulder in sympathy, not for his breakup with Anita but for the pain, it was causing him. She felt that Micah needed to learn how to stand up for himself and his pard and being with Anita he would never do that. Anita's personality would never allow any of the pard members to grow into their strengths. "I'm sorry that you have been hurt, Micah. I know what it feels like to lose someone that you care about deeply and that you are helpless to change it. Time does help and helping your pard will be the best way to fill that time until your heart heals. I don't mean to seem harsh but did you really love Anita or were you hiding behind her so that you didn't have to take on the responsibility for the pard. It should have been yours all along regardless of what happened prior to your move to St. Louis. Someone who is not a were cannot lead them, not if they are not willing to understand all of their needs and to put them first. Anita's mindset was not able to come to terms with everything that being a Nimir-Ra entailed. I know that you understand what I am speaking of," Micah shook his head then looked away. Buffy caressed his cheek and pulled him back around to face her. "You have to step up and be the leader that you are meant to be. Your pard needs you and you need them." She leaned forward and kissed him softly on the lips, cradling his head in her hands. Buffy pulled away to look at his face once more. "Your pard will be safe, I promise. No one will harm them, vampire or were, no matter where you decide to settle but it would be best for all of you to leave St. Louis on that I do agree. Take care of yourself, Micah. Let me know when you are ready to leave and I will see you all of on your journey to your new life."
Micah watched her leave the room all the while her words rang through his mind. He hated that Anita put him in the situation of having to choose between the pard and her. Getting up to walk over and look out a window, Micah looked out over the dessert that surrounded the castle and the mountains beyond. He smelt her long before she opened the door to the library. There were no less than three distinct smells mixed with Anita's own unique smell and Micah's nostrils flared in disgust. He wondered why it never bothered him before coming here to the place where they all began.
"I've been looking for you everywhere. Where've you been?" Anita's voice no longer held the underlying growl of her inner beast.
"The more important question is where've you been, Anita. I don't have to ask what you've been doing; I can smell you from here. Truth is I could smell you from down the hall. I am taking the pard back to St. Louis later today, if you would like to go with us you are welcome to come." Micah moved past her while Anita looked at him in shock.
When she got over her shock, she ran down the hall the catch up with him. "MICAH! What do you mean you are taking the pard and I can come if I want to? I am the Nimir-Ra; you can't just make those kind of decisions about my pard."
"That is where you are wrong, Anita. You are no longer the Nimir-Ra. That honor is no longer yours and neither is the pard. I am the Nimir-Raj and will decide what is best for all the members of 'my' pard. The invitation was merely an act of courtesy, nothing more. When I return to St. Louis, my company will be moving back to Cincinnati along with those of the pard who don't want to stay on here." Micah walked away without looking back.
Anita marched off in the opposite direction not knowing how to take the news, her 'lover' just delivered to her. It seemed that she wasn't to keep any of her men as a result of this trip.
Buffy felt like skipping down the halls of the castle after checking on Nathaniel and Cherry. They were once again wrapped around Belle as she slept. Buffy giggled to see the handcuffs on the bed frame and knew the little leopards took her advice, from the smile on their faces fun was had by all.
Her day of visiting was almost over when she decided to visit with Kera and Janif while she waited for her Gypsy to wake up. She knocked on the door to their suite of rooms not wanting to interrupt, in case the bound lovers were otherwise occupied. "Hello, is it all right if I come in?"
Kera's sweet voice called out. "Come in Buffy. We are only waiting for Alice to wake up and play with us."
Buffy laughed out loud causing Janif to purr and roll on the floor like large cat. She saw they were lounging on floor pillows and joined them. "You have grown into your own while I have been gone, Kera. Have you been taking lessons from my Gypsy? I imagine that makes Janif a happy little kitty." Buffy scratched the large black man on the back of his head. He was a beautiful man whose skin was so dark it had a blue sheen to it. He kept his hair long, reaching to the middle of his back; his eyes showed his beast and were the pure golden yellow of beast. In his human form, Janif stood almost seven feet tall but his beast was a hulking giant pure black panther that was the size of a horse.
His teeth showed white when he smiled at her. "Yes, mother I do enjoy my little dove showing her claws. She bosses the both of us as if she were born to it." He pulled Kera off her pillow and onto his lap causing her to laugh. It was a sweet sound, one of innocence and trust.
"What is all the ruckus? Can't a broad catch her death a few good winks?" Alice strolled into the room in all her naked beauty. Her long auburn curled around her lush body like a living breathing flame. When she saw Buffy, she squealed in delight, rushing forward to be wrapped in her mother's arms.
Buffy welcomed her second daughter with open arms, kissing her brow. "My sweet, naughty, bawdy Gypsy, I missed you. Janif tells me that you have corrupted Kera; I am so proud of you." Alice tried her best to pout but when Buffy started laughing, she couldn't help but join her.
Alice pushed further into Buffy's arms begging for attention. Mother and daughter looked at one another and smiled. Small hands smoothed over alabaster skin and a golden neck arched up offering itself to her child. Fangs slid into her neck and Buffy smiled at Janif and Kera over Alice's head. She put her hand out to them and they moved forward to hold the head of their Triumvirate as she rebounded with her mother.
After leaving a very happy Alice, Buffy made her way back to her lovers. She opened the door to her room to find them just waking up. "Hello, my loves." Moving over to the bed to look down at them, she smiled to see them smile up at her.
Asher pulled her down to him causing her to laugh. "You are supposed to be here when we wake, chère. We will have to spank you so you will not forget and do this again."
"That would not ensure anything and you know it." She grinned at him then leaned over and bit into his neck. Asher's eyes rolled back in his head. Buffy pulled away after several minutes only to turn to Jean-Claude to do the same. "Now that I have both of your attention, I need to ask you a question. I already talked with Micah and he is taking the pard back with him to St. Louis then to Cincinnati. I need to know what you want to do about your city and the Executioner. It is your decision."
Jean-Claude was quiet while he thought over her words then told her what he thought should be done for both. "I think if Damien were a Master that I would put him in charge of the St. Louis."
"Then he will be made a Master if he agrees that it is what he wants."
"You can do that?" Asher exclaimed in wonder. "I have never heard of anyone being able to make someone a Master if they do not have it in them already."
"But he will have it in him, once I put it there. One day you will both quit underestimating me and what I can do. Now that we have possibly settled the matter of the city, what about Anita? If you could choose anything, anything at all, what would it be that you would want to happen to her?" Buffy waited to hear what he would ask for and only hoped that she wouldn't regret her earlier boast.
"I wish now that I never met Anita, our meeting has only brought heartache to ourselves and others. The only good thing that came out of it was that through her, I came here to you. If I could, I would wipe away all memory of me from her mind and the past two years. I don't think that Anita is meant to be as close to the monsters as she thinks. She was always afraid of becoming one and I'm afraid she was right. If she could somehow go somewhere else, be something else I would like that. I don't love her but I don't want to be the cause of her pain."
"I am going to talk to Damian and see what he wants to do. Jean-Claude, I can do what you ask regarding Anita, if you are sure. I have to warn you that once it is done it can't be undone and the outcome is not always guaranteed to be what you want or expect it to be. Do you still want it?"
He looked at her then pulled her to him, kissing her deeply. "Yes, I want it and I want you, so both Damian and anyone else will have to wait."
"I hope you are not including me, mon ami, we should not have to duel over our love when she is woman enough for the both of us."
"There is more than enough of me to share. Let's say hello properly now that everything is settled. Did I tell you that I love you both very much and I am glad that you chose to stay here with me? Let me show you what Fauve showed me this morning." She kissed their closed eyelids showing a scene of them swimming in Fauve's crystal clear pool. They knew it was sometime in the future and could feel how happy they all were through their bond.
Everyone was gathered in the Council's Chambers to witness Damian's transformation. Buffy stood before her throne in full Mother of Darkness regalia. She wore an intricate outfit of straps that crisscrossed over her breasts leaving her stomach bare then reforming once again over her pubic bone dipping low almost to her nether lips. The straps then split again to wrap and cross over themselves on her legs until they came to knee-high stiletto boots with four-inch metal heels. Her arms were bare but small ribbons of black peeked out of her intricate hairstyle, which resembled a crown. When the others approached, they realized they weren't ribbons but black pearls all perfectly matched.
Buffy's spoke in a whisper but her voice rushed out to them, entering their minds. "You are here to witness Damian's rise of power to that of Master of St. Louis. He will leave here a true master in everyway and will take with him my promise of protection. Damian step forward."
Anita tried to step forward but Dalith stopped her. His eyes flashed golden and she swore she saw flames in their depths. "Do not interfere here; you do not want to know what she is capable of if you were to try and stop her."
She stepped back shaken more than she thought possible. Anita walked to stand as far away from everyone as she could possibly get without drawing any more attention to herself. She watched as Buffy took the last 'man' she considered as hers away. Anita knew that once Damian became the Master of St. Louis, he would no longer her hold over him would be broken.
Damian proudly stepped forward. He remembered Buffy knocking on his door and asking to talk to him privately. Surprise was the least of the emotions he felt at seeing her standing there. After she explained what she wanted, he couldn't contain his excitement. Never again would he be under anyone's control or rule other than the Council's and he knew that things would be different on that front now that Buffy was back in control.
"Kneel before me." Buffy ordered and Damian obeyed instantly. "Do you take what I offer you willingly and agree to obey the rules that I have decreed for this Council and all its member down to every child new or old?"
"Yes Mother, I do willing."
Her hands came up and once again, she held living flames. "Look into the flames, Damian. This is my flame; it comes from my innermost being, within it is the power to grant your greatest wish. Do you trust me, Damian?"
"Yes Mother, I do." His pure cat green eyes showed that he was telling the truth.
"Touch the flame, Damian. I promise you that you will not be injured if you trust me."
His long slender fingers moved toward the flames without hesitation. His eyes never left hers while he obeyed her every command. Damian was not surprised that he didn't feel any pain; he waited to hear what was expected from him next. Buffy clasped her small fingers within his causing the flames to flare higher then slowly die out.
"Bare your neck to me as I bare mine to you."
They sunk their fangs into each other's necks at the same time creating a circle of blood. Damian felt the fire of her blood and the flame rush through his body. He pulled his fangs out and gave a mighty roar. His beast to call was waiting for him to call them forth. It took him a moment to identify his beast to call then he smiled and nodded his head at Buffy in understanding. She gave him a worthy ally to help him keep his new city strong from any who dared to challenge his place. Rafael would be a good partner and Damian respected him very much. He knew how to be a leader without taking away anything from those under his care. He bowed over Buffy's hand then kissed it graciously then turned and walked over to Jean-Claude to shake his hand. His former master pulled him into his arms and wished him well. Next was Asher, who kissed Damian on both cheeks. The new Master of St. Louis walked out of the room followed by the rest of the pard members; all but Nathaniel and Cherry decided to follow Micah back to St. Louis then on to Cincinnati.
Buffy nodded at Dalith who grabbed Anita and all but dragged her to Buffy. Anita fought with everything that she had but without her marks or inner beast, it was no use. The Dragon let the Executioner loose none too gently causing her to land on her hands and knees in front of Buffy.
"What is the meaning of this? I haven't done anything to you bitch. I am leaving with the others so what more do you want?" Anita got to her feet to stare at Buffy with hate-filled eyes.
"I have a present for you from Jean-Claude, Executioner. This is his wish and I have agreed to grant it." Buffy slipped into Anita's mind before the other woman could respond. She shifted through the memories as if she were shopping for clothes deciding what she wanted to keep and what could go back to the rack. She smiled when she saw Jean-Claude use Anita to fight Nikolaos. Buffy knew the longer she took the more she would be tempted to make the outcome of Anita's life turn out the way she would like. Of course, that didn't mean that she would take away everything. Many of the things that happened to Anita were of her own making and Buffy didn't plan on fixing that part of her life. Buffy grinned to herself when she peeked into Anita's innermost fears and desires.
Anita fainted when Buffy withdrew from her mind and Dalith caught her. "I will take her to the plane, Mother. The others should be ready to go. You said that you wanted to see them off personally."
"Yes, I will be there in a moment, Dalith. Her things have already been packed so just take her straight to the plane. Jean-Claude, Asher let's go and wish the others well in their new life." They walked forward and each took a hand while the rest of the Council returned to their own private suites in the castle.
They talked among themselves on the way back commenting on how happy Mother was with Jean-Claude and Asher. As her children, they were happy for her, as some of her past lovers they would miss spending time in her bed.
One year later:
Buffy pulled Jean-Claude under the cool water at the same time that Asher jumped into the pool. The dark haired vampire came up sputtering and laughing then moaned when she took him in her mouth sucking and nibbling. Asher swam down to treat Buffy to similar treatment. The vision that Fauve showed her was playing out in delicious detail.
Hannah and Jason were swimming in the pool at the oasis. It took him over six months of chasing but he finally convinced the She-wolf that he was serious about her. They were lovers but she wouldn't agree to become mates, not yet. Hannah and Nacia had been lovers for many centuries and she was having a hard time coming to terms with letting the other woman go. Unknown to Hannah or Nacia, Buffy had a surprise, she found the only other Naga in the world. He was this very minute making himself known to Nacia.
Micah wrapped his arms around his mate. When he returned to St. Louis, he immediately set about moving his construction company back to Cincinnati. All the pard members were more than willing to leave St. Louis without a backwards glance. They were all doing well living together on the twenty acres of land that he owned just outside the city limits. Not long after they arrived a new member joined the pard, a young woman whose name was Celeste. She was small with long chestnut hair and large brown eyes. From their first meeting, Micah and her beasts called to each other and three months later became mates. The strangest thing of all was that Zane and Elizabeth did as well. It turned out that the surly brunette always liked the laid-back leopard but with Anita around, she never had a chance with him. Jamil even allowed Stephen to transfer out of the pard to go with Gregory, so the twins were happy and healthy.
Damian couldn't believe the Circus of the Dead's latest act. If he hadn't seen it himself, he still wouldn't have believed it. He lost contact with Anita after taking control of the city upon their return. She didn't remember Jean-Claude; therefore, she didn't remember him or any of the people that were on the plane with her. She only woke up mere moments before they landed in St. Louis. Anita merely walked off the plane and called a cab. She went to her old apartment but someone else lived there now. She called her friend Ronnie, who picked her up and took her back to her apartment. They talked for several minutes but when Ronnie realized that she couldn't remember anything about the last few years she tried to convince Anita to go to a doctor. After that night, no one had seen or heard from her for over a year, now here she was standing on the stage of the Circus.
She stood as if in a trance with fewer clothes on than Damian had ever seen her not wear before, even for Jean-Claude. When Damian recalled what this act was supposed to be, he sucked in his breath and made his way to the stage. His power rushed out filling the club and the minor vampire on the stage cowered in fear. He wasn't sure what he did to make the Master of the City angry but went to his knees in a submissive pose. Damian's power held the audience while he moved like a blur to sweep Anita up in his arms and off the stage. "Come with me." He ordered the vampire.
Damian moved towards his office in an angry stalk. Anita stirred in his arms, nuzzling his neck then biting it. He growled at her and she cowered back. His second-in-command, Jerrof, opened the door and he laid Anita on the couch before turning on the scared vampire being hauled in by two large vampires.
"Tell me where and how you met her."
"She was given to me by her previous owner. She is a vampire whore and will do anything for the bite." Damian's hand lashed out sending the smaller, weaker vampire flying across the room. "Hey, I'm only telling you what you asked. He got tired of her even vampires need a break. This one can go all the time; the more you hurt her the more she likes it. You don't believe me ask her and you will see. The way that I understand it, she went looking for it and would do anything anyone ask her to do. Watch and I'll show you, just don't kill me." Damian nodded.
"Come here." The smaller vampire ordered and Anita rushed over to him.
Her face lit up in a smile. "What do you want, master? I will do anything, please; it has been so long since you have bit me." She was already pulling her shirt off showing that she wore nothing underneath.
Damian looked at Anita's once smooth skin. It was now marred with scars from scratches, lash marks and deep bite scars. He watched while she pulled her hair up thrusting her breasts out and displaying the bite marks on both sides of her neck. They were brutally done, no finesse. Anita allowed young, arrogant vampires to use and abuse her body for the high she attained from their bite. Damian had seen enough and motioned for the other vampire to leave the room.
"No, don't leave, I'll be good, what do you want. Your friend can join us if you want whatever you want, please I need it." She cried then fell to her knees begging as she crawled after him.
"Enough Anita! Go sit on the couch and be quiet." She did as he commanded without a word of protest. He paced the floor trying to decide what to do with her; he couldn't leave her like this. There were few options left to him, once a human was addicted to the bite there wasn't anything to do but to continue to feed their addiction, kill them or turn them. He wasn't sure that he could do any of them. At one time, he would have followed this woman straight into hell itself. "Come here to me."
She jumped up and rushed over to him. He pulled her up to him until the were nose to nose. "Do you want me to bite you, Anita?"
"Yes, yes, please. I will do anything that you ask." She arched her neck to him and waited.
His decision made Damian sunk his teeth into her neck. He sucked until she was weak then drew a nail across his own neck and pressed her mouth to it. "DRINK!" He barked out and she obeyed without hesitation. When she stopped, he laid her back down on the couch then went to prepare a coffin for her.
Buffy started laughing when she felt Damian create Anita. Now the former Executioner was under her rule for the rest of her unlife and she didn't have to do a thing, well not much to make it happen. A mother's rage was as uncontrollable as a wildfire, only with Buffy there were no firemen who capable of putting out the flame until she was satisfied with the end result. Always remember boys and girls - Don't Mess With Mama.
The End