"Jean-Claude, someone needs to go get Asher's coffin, and his other belongings, from the mansion. I can provide protective locks for the rooms that house your coffins. The weres won't need to guard them so there's no risk of any of them becoming a hostage. The spell is linked to your soul, so as you awaken the locks will open in a certain order. It's kinda like putting in a magical security system. Asher, I can do the same for you here, although no one enters the house or grounds unless I allow it. Think about it and let me know," Buffy offered, addressing the vampires.” Richard, could I talk with you and Anita in my study please?” She turned and left, knowing they would follow. She raised her eyebrow at Jamil and Shang-Da as they tried to enter. Shaking her head, she closed the door in their faces.

"Please sit down. This is about the munin. Your pack needs the munin especially if this develops into a war. I already explained the dangers for Anita to try to channel it. There is another one, I'm not trying to butt in your business but I have to say this. I know that you, Jean-Claude and Richard are in a strange place right now. The big question is what happens if Anita were to take the munin then chose Jean-Claude? Richard, are you going to be able to look past that and allow her to help your pack? And Anita, are you going to be able to watch him choose a different lupa as a mate?” She eyed them both. Richard and Anita look into each other's eyes, each seeing the love, jealousy, possessiveness, self-doubt and fear of the other.

"No, I don't think either one of us could live that way," Richard replied.

"Good. Glad we're on the same page. This is what I propose I'll take a member from your pack, and your pard, and teach them to channel the munin think Cherry would be a perfect choice for the pard. Richard, I haven't met all the members of your pack of course. There is a full moon in a few days. With your permission, I could attend and meet them. Normally a Vargamor is older, but I should be able to tell if anyone has healing abilities easily. They would have to live with me for a month but should be ready by the next Lupanar. If you are friends with other weres, I will make them the same offer. But, only if their leaders are honorable."

"You are most welcome at the Thronnos Rokke Clan Lupanar, and we thank you for your help.” Richard said formally, then he left the room.

Anita continued looking at Buffy, trying to figure her out. She had an uncontrollable urge to draw her gun. She was starting to believe everything she had heard. Anita finally realized she was angry because she was afraid of Buffy.Maybe not so much of her power as she put on but of her as a woman. She seemed so comfortable in her own skin. Would whichever man she didn't choose run to this tiny blonde-haired woman for comfort?Somehow, Anita couldn't bear that thought.

"I don't want either one Anita. I am here to help. A relationship is not in the stars for me right now. Even if it was, neither one is my type. Don't get me wrong, they are both hotties. But every girl has her own shopping list and they aren't on mine."

Anita blew out her breath. “I guess I do need to spank my inner bitch, huh?" She drawled, smiling at Buffy for the first time.

"Who knows? With all the leather I am sure Jean-Claude has bought you, she might like it."

In perfect understanding, they left the room laughing. Looks of awe graced every face as they rejoined the larger group.

Lupanar: Full Moon

Buffy waited in the Jeep, with Anita, for Richard to come for them. She saw him moving through the woods bare-chested in cut off shorts. Anita finally noticed him when he reached the edge of the clearing and got out to greet him.In the immortal words of Cordelia Chase, "Hello Salty Goodness!” Too bad, he was such a wimp at heart. I would so like a pair of the glasses this guy looks through!Buffy climbed out of the car and joined them when they finished macking on each other.

She knew there were the ten others that followed closely behind Richard when she opened her senses to know where they were. Buffy took immediate notice of the number of wolves within the five miles of woods around her. She looked up at the full moon, smiled, and winked.” Hello Richard do we have enough time to meet your friends or should we head for the Lupanar?" Buffy asked quietly.

Richard raised an eyebrow at Buffy, shrugged his shoulder and responded, "Come on out guys, she knows you're there."

"Jamil that means you too!” Buffy whispered, knowing all the wolves could hear her. Jamil was the farthest back and to her left, partially blocked by the Jeep.

"Hey, everybody! I'm Buffy. I’ll let you in on a secret - I'm terrible with names but I never forget a face so give me time and I will know each of you."

The wolves sniffed the air then murmured Vanilla, Rain, Forest, and the Mother... She smells of the Mother.

Anita whispered to Richard "Why does everyone keep saying that? Who is the Mother?"

"The Moon."

Buffy allowed them to rub against her taking her scent. "Who wants to race?" She suddenly darted off like a jaguar in the direction Richard had come from, Selene guiding her.

Richard grabbed Anita's hand cursing - afraid that, this close to the change, they might attack Buffy. He reached the lupanar mere seconds behind the pack to find Jamil, Shang-Da and Sylvie flanking Buffy on three sides. To his surprise, the pack wasn't attacking her, but rather, crowding one another to get close to her.

She gave him a significant look.” You handle this or I will."

Richard released his power over the pack and they pulled back, whining. He strolled up and took her hand, still clutching Anita's in his other, and escorted her to a rock throne.” This is Buffy Summers. She has come to find and train for us a Vargamor so once again the munin can be called.” Howls and whines echoed through the clearing.

Buffy stepped forward.” The best suited will need to have an innate gift to heal. I am learned in moon magic and will call on the Moon Mother to help find the right person to help provide your pack with the best healer. Remember the munin can to heal the body and the spirit."

She stepped down into the middle of the opening, the pack made for her. She raised her face to the moon, palms raised, her voice a mere whisper, only a were could hear.” Mother, it is I, your daughter. Your children of the forest need a healer. One to call the munin to aid the pack in time of great injury of body, mind or spirit. Help me Mother to find your tool to help protect your children.” The moon shone on Buffy's full body, turning her into a statue of the finest gold and silver. Her eyes glowed blue, a single beam of light shot from her left palm to point directly at a man in his early forties. He crept toward Buffy, moving to the edge of the moonlight that surrounding her. The beam around Buffy faded gradually, leaving her face last. She smiled once again in a soft whisper "Thank you Mother."

Looking down at the man at her feet, she smiled extending her hand to him. He crawled forward to lick it. She allowed the submissive affection for a moment then she pulled him up, kissing him on both cheeks and said to him, "The Mother chose you to aid your pack. You are submissive to no one but you're Ulfric and his lupa. What is your name?"

"I am Robert, lady," he said humbly. He was about 5'8'' with chestnut brown hair and large brown eyes.

"Robert, after the full moon you will come and stay with me for a month. I will teach you how to call and control the munin. Is that all right with you?"

"Yes, lady, I would do anything to help my pack"

"Please, it is just Buffy and it will be hard work, but I have a feeling you will be a wonderful Vargamor" she hugged Robert, turned and walked back to Richard and Anita.

Buffy laughed at the expressions on their faces.” Did I give you the wiggins again?"

"I don't know what to think, and this is the second time I've seen you do that," Anita groused.

"How about thanks and we will leave it at that."

"Thank you Buffy, you are giving my pack a great gift. You and Anita better leave before everyone changes."

"I am not sure how they will act around you. If I'm not careful, they could vote you in as the wolf queen and I sure as hell don't want to fight you," Richard intoned, his somber tone softened by the slight sparkle in his eyes.

Buffy laughed then started walking toward the jeep. Jamil joined her, prowling silently by her side.” Got something on your mind, big fella?"

"You would make a good lupa," he murmured.

"Sorry, the position is already filled. Does your Ulfric know you're playing matchmaker?"

"She isn't honorable. Richard doesn't see it, yet. She holds tightly to both men but this situation is killing him. If she truly cared for him, she wouldn't let this continue, only pain can come of it," Jamil sounded worried.

"It would be nice if we could solve other people's problems for them. We always think we can see exactly what they should do. It's not that easy to convince yourself you love two people, let alone force yourself to choose between them. Richard has his own problems. His compassion and desire to change the pack system is admirable, but he also needs to step up to the plate. If he isn't going to be a true leader, change the attitude, and handle the outside forces that endanger his pack by any means necessary he should step aside. Your pack was under the reign of cruel aggressive leaders. Until he deals with the legacy of that reign, he can't replace it with something better just because he says so. As for being lupa, that isn't my destiny. All the weres are my priority, not just your pack. You better head back Jamil, I'm sure your Ulfric may have some things to discuss with you.” Dismissing him, Buffy called over her shoulder, "Anita, are you ready to go?"

Buffy looked at Anita under her lashes on the drive back to her house.” Anita, can I asks you a question without you jumping down my throat? How do you feel about your pard?"

"They're mine to protect. Gabriel put them through so much and Elizabeth keeps pulling at them. I'd kill anyone that hurt them."

"Even Richard or Jean-Claude?"

"What do you mean Richard or Jean-Claude would never harm my pard. They've sworn to protect them. I know you and I don't know each other very well, but you should understand, once someone has my protection it's theirs for life, theirs or mine."

"I'm not trying to make you angry I'm just trying to understand the dynamics here. Trying to figure out how to make sure the least amount of people are harmed. I don't think you understand what it's like to have a beast inside you. The 'warrior' in me is a part of me. I had to learn to accept, but it's its own entity and has to be allowed to do what its meant to do or I have big problems. Richard has a wolf inside him; he has not accepted it. Once he does, he's going to expect his mate to fall in line as a wolf would. The man will compromise as much as he can; the wolf will react defensively. If one of your pard were the cause of more danger for you, the wolf - the Ulfric - would break through and punish or kill them as is his right in his eyes."

"I don't believe you! Richard would never harm an innocent! You don't know him! You are way off, Buffy!"

"Talk to someone you trust about wolves and their mates. Talk to Richard, his jealousy is tearing him apart and the wolf is leaking through. If the wolf takes control without Richard making peace and accepting him first, all hell will break loose."

"How do you know so much about weres and wolves in particular?"

"My best friend from high school dated one. Oz was so easygoing, like Richard, until his jealousy made him lose the control he thought he had."

"You said something about Jean-Claude. Why would he hurt the pard? He has the wolves and the pard already working for him."

"JC's about control and power. He didn't have the power to call the leopards. Before you came, they were his just the same. He'd have given you the second mark if Oliver Twist hadn't come to town, and then he would've seen them as still under his control. You bear no marks Anita; he has no control over you and has effectively lost the pard, as well. If he can't convince you to let him mark you again, he may think removing or using the pard as leverage, may convince you."

"Jean-Claude has done some underhanded things in the past but he wouldn't do that. You told me with the shields in place, he can't mark me. Is that true?"

"True, he can't get in, but they won't last forever. You need to learn to build your own. I'm going to be busy training the Vargamors.You could sit in for part of the training and learn, if you like," Buffy offered.

"Fine. Just let me know when and I'll be there. I’ll also bring in Dr. Lillian.She's a wererat and I'll introduce you to their Rodere - Rafael."

"Anita, I'm not trying to hurt you. I just don't want to see you or your pard hurt. From everything that I've seen and heard, they've been through enough. As soon as I train Cherry, she should be able to help heal their minds and spirits.” She tried to think how to say what else she needed to say to the woman beside her.” I think Jean-Claude may truly care for you. I just know that he's power hungry, and if you took that out of his reach, I'm not sure how he'd react. The other problem is that if you were to become his true human servant you could possibly share each other's powers. I’m not sure what the results of that would be. Would you be able to raise vampires? Would he be able to raise zombies? The combinations between you are staggering. Would you become a succubus?” Buffy rambled on.

Anita startled, jerked the steering wheel. When she had straightened it out, she pulled the car to the roadside, looking at Buffy with her death glare. “What the hell are you talking about Blondie? Jean-Claude isn't a succubus. When he marked me before I didn't feel any different, only an increased appetite and the creepy dream walking!"

"Didn't you ever wonder why when he laughed or put his power behind his voice, you got wet and felt it all the way down your spine? Come on Anita, haven't you slept with him. Wasn’t it more intense, didn't you come more times than you thought possible? He is from Belle Morte's line, otherwise known as Beautiful Death. Haven’t you ever heard of the little death? Come on Anita, wake up and smell the orgasm! For a Vamp Executioner, you sure don't know a lot about the Master of the City you live in, especially since you are dating him!"

"Well how the hell do you know all of this? The Powers put it in your head right? I mean it isn't like you could just look this shit up in a bo..." She stopped cold at the smug look on Buffy's face.

"Yeah, some info the Powers gave me. Just basic background, but the rest was from books in my study and off the internet, blasted machine!" she giggled. “My bad. Just a memory. I and the Scoobies would research the big bad before we would go and kick their ass."

"Scoobies? What is a Scooby?"

"Just the friends I grew up with," Buffy smiled sadly. Anita pulled to a stop in front of Buffy's house. Buffy climbed out, but before she went inside, she looked at Anita and added, "Think about what I said, Anita. I’m here if you want to talk. You can bring Cherry over any time tomorrow. I’ll be up."

After dropping Buffy off, Anita drove to the Circus of the Damned to see Jean-Claude. Buffy’s words playing repeatedly in her head or rather, one word in particular - succubus. Just thinking about it made her shiver. She remembered studying them in college and was happy they were only a myth. The mere thought she could become one or even like one gave her nightmares. Anita still couldn't even believe that she cared about two men at the same time and had slept with both. She was determined to make a liar out of Buffy.No way was that true about Belle Morte!She slammed her car door and marched in the Circus, going straight through to Jean-Claude's office not saying a word to anyone.

Throwing open the door she startled Stephen into jumping back. Jean-Claude merely looked up and gave her a dazzling smile." Ah!Ma petite, I didn't expect you but of course, I am so glad you are here! Come in, come in.” He waved Stephen out the door as he fluidly rose from his chair approaching her. He wore a midnight blue shirt opened to the waist and tight black leather pants tucked into his knee-high boots.

Anita caught her breath then put her hand out to stop him knowing if he touched her, she was lost.” Stop right there. I have a few questions for you. Go and sit back down, this could be a long night," she told him, sharply.

He raised his eyebrow at her tone but obeyed, knowing Anita won't budge once the bit is in her mouth.” What can I do for you, ma petite?"

Anita began to pace "Tell me about Belle Morte" she threw out and looked for his reaction.

Her question startled Jean-Claude but he quickly recovered.” She is head of my line they call her the Beautiful Death. She only allowed the most beautiful to be of her line."

"Figures. What is her power base, what kind of vampire is she, her second source of nourishment?"

Jean-Claude suddenly became very still and eyed Anita, questions suddenly flying through his mind.Who could have told her? How could she have found out? What will she do? Will I lose her? How will I fight the Council without her? Will I lose my city? As doubt assailed him, he hesitated.

"I'm waiting for an answer, Jean-Claude."

"She is a succubus," he whispered, eyes on the floor.

"Does all of her line inherit her power?"

"Yes, in one form or another. We call it the arduer."

"Do you still want me to become your human servant?” Anita asked in a husky whisper.

"You know I do, ma petite, more than anything."

"When a person becomes a human servant, they share the vampire's powers to some degree, right. Heal quicker, faster responses, that kind of thing right?" He watched her face closely as he simply shook his head. He feared what her reaction would be if he spoke. "What would happen if that person has powers of their own? Does the vamp share those powers, as well? I mean you could taste the food I ate, right. If I were to take all the marks or say even three would, you are able to say - raise a zombie?"

His eyes flew open wide as he realized what she was getting at. Knowing he needed to find a way to stop what was happening, he tried to formulate an answer she could accept. Before he could do or say anything, however, Anita whirled and headed for the door. Jean-Claude caught her in a flash."Non! Ma petite, please let me speak! Let me try to explain. I didn't think about the arduer; it's so much a part of me. I never considered it could transfer to you!"

Anita studied him, wanting to believe him, but found she couldn't. Not yet.” I’m sorry Jean-Claude I need some space to think about this. Leave me alone I will call you when I am ready to talk" she turned and walked away from him.

He stormed to his desk and threw everything to the floor, screaming, "Damn it Anita!” Suddenly, understanding dawned, and he stiffened growling, baring his fangs."BUFFY!" He left the Circus flying off into the night with vengeance in his heart

Buffy sat in the Living Room talking with Asher and Nathaniel, when she suddenly stiffened then excused herself. She quietly went to the front door, mentally allowing Jean-Claude into the protection spell on the house.

He walked in and as soon as he saw her grabbed her by the throat pulling her up to meet his eyes.” You have interfered where you do not belong little witch. What is between me and ma petite is none of your business."

"Put her down Jean-Claude," Asher growled.

"Do not interfere Ma Chardonneret, this is between me and Mon sorciere." He threw over his shoulder.

"Jean-Claude, are you through pissing on my walls?” He looked back at Buffy, who was no longer in his grip but across the room leaning against a wall. "Come on in JC, I think it's time you had a talking to afterwards maybe you should ask Asher a few questions." Jean-Claude looked at Asher, who shrugged his shoulders. He followed Buffy into the study.

"Sit down and shut up before I get cranky; believe me you don't want that! Now I'm guessing Anita came to see you and from the lovely hello, it didn't go so great. The question I have Jean-Claude are you mad because you were busted or you may lose Anita because of it. By the way, I'll know if your lying, so don't bother."

He looked at the tiny blonde in front of him as her eyes began to glow a brilliant royal blue. The words were suddenly pouring out of him. “I first marked Anita for survival and power since hiding my power for so long; I needed the show of strength. She has a way of getting under your skin though; I care for her. If it came to a question between her or me, I don't know what I would do. Our relationship hasn't been, how you say without rocks. Her power is so much of what makes up Anita that you can't separate the two. I don't even think she realizes that. I didn't think about the arduer; I don't know if it would pass to her if I marked her."

"What if I told you it would? That Richard would accept Anita because of it. You couldn't form a Triumvirate because the infrastructure would fall in on itself. Anita could probably handle a ménage if Richard were a different type of man. For her to be open to Belle Morte through the arduer as well; do you want her to have access to your lovely petite?"

Jean-Claude looked at Buffy sadly shaking his head; lost in his own memories of trying to control the arduer. He shuddered at the thought of seeing Anita trying to deal what took him numerous years to control. She could barely wrap her mind around caring for more than one man for to feed the arduer with when it reared its hungry head would crush her.

"I think you should talk with Asher for a clearer perspective. Did you know Julianna was a witch? Asher knew but loved the woman first and always. They worked together to close off each other's powers, unless they chose through their own freewill to grant a boon. They granted the boon only when necessary. Julianna sent her power into Asher, to make sure he survived," she said quietly. Blood tears slipped down Jean-Claude's face.

"Think carefully before you decide what you want because you just may get it. Believe me, I know; in fact, I'm living proof. Talk to Asher, search your heart and talk to Anita. I can help you if you'll let me; it's your choice. Most especially, it has to be Anita's choice."

He got up to leave the room but as he reached the door, Buffy called out,"Asher has agreed to let me heal his scars. I'd appreciate your help with the ceremony. It's tomorrow night, while the moon's still full. Are there any others of Belle's line here?"

"Damian," he answered.

"It's best to have four. I guess I can use Gregory and Nathaniel if they agree."

Jean-Claude bowed his head leaving the room. He had much to think about before the dawn.

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