A week had passed since the demise of the Council. Jean-Claude had answered endless phone calls from Masters of Cities from across the country. They each wanted to know the same thing, what had happened to the Council. Sire Lines vanished as countless vampires exploded into ash along with their human servants and the lycanthropes that were part of any Triumvirates. The Masters requested entrance into his city. Jean-Claude had no clue as to what to do with this unprecedented situation.
What has Buffy gotten me into this time? And, why isn't she here to help me deal with it?
He had gone by her house, but no one had answered the door. He had inquired everywhere to no avail. No one knew anything, regarding the elusive blonde or her mates. They were simply gone. Jean-Claude went back and tried to enter her house, and ended up blasted across the street for his troubles. Left with no other choice, he returned to the Circus to wait for them to contact him. As if Jean-Claude didn't have enough concerns, Anita hadn't contacted him either. He knew she was all right, although, there were whispers about a new Namir-Raj. Jean-Claude chose not to worry. His petite would come to him when she decided the time was right. She was not the type woman any man could force.
The air started to hum with power. A rush of warmth that raced over his body quickly followed it. His lips turned up into a beatific smile; Buffy had arrived. Jason opened the door and his smile nearly out shown his master's.
Buffy caressed the young beta's cheek as she walked by him. He looked as if he were about to run in circles like a happy puppy. A smile split his face as adoration filled his eyes for the tiny blonde. Asher and Damian followed her as well as a new vampire.
One, named Warrick that Jean-Claude remembered from his time with Belle Morte.
What's he doing with Buffy?
The knightly vampire bowed his head, while his hand went to his ever-present broadsword. He gently pushed Jason away from the door as he stoically took the guard position. She turned to give Warrick that proud mother smile reserved for small children. Jean-Claude watched Warrick stand straighter under Buffy's gaze. She turned back to him
"Hello, Jean-Claude," Buffy chirped. "How's it shaking?"
The dark-haired vampire raised an eyebrow, while his outward expression remained in its usual repose. She pouted at him then blasted him with a mega-watt smile. He tried to resist her, but felt his lips responding before he could stop them.
She sits there looking like some fairy child. It is difficult to imagine the enormous power housed in such a delicate body.
"I hear you need to set up a switchboard to handle your calls," Buffy said casually. "I want to talk to you about that, along with a few other things."
"Why? I could never allow every Master that has called to enter my city. C'est impossible!" he exclaimed. "Do not expect me to sit back and let others take what is mine. Not even for you." His midnight blue eyes darkened with his impassioned answer.
"Oh, I think you might change your mind," Her voice went low and sultry. It wasn't a tone many men would have an easy time dismissing. "Once you hear what I have to say"
"What could you possibly say to change my mind on this matter? Do you plan to take my choice from me? Are you going to replace the Council, and decide to govern us after all?" His blue eyes darkened with emotion, until they looked almost black.
"No, Jean-Claude, but I'm not going to allow anyone outside your cadre to remain enslaved either. Did you enjoy your time with the Council, Jean-Claude? I won't allow anyone else to live that way either."
"I have no slaves, no human servants, no revenants, what are you referring to?"
"The wolves, Jean-Claude," Buffy whispered softly. She enthralled him with her ever-changing eyes. They wavered between their normal emerald, and the royal blue that announced her powers.
"Sacrebleu, you mean to kill us," he sputtered then continued, not allowing her to explain. "We lay defenseless in our coffins as we die each night." Jean-Claude shook his dark curls at the mere thought of giving away his power base. "How would we feed? It is impossible. What is a Master without an animal to call?"
"Ah, but it's a brave new world, Jean-Claude," Asher smiled at his old lover.
"Mon Chardonette, you know this cannot occur. We rule through our power over the weres, and she asks us willingly to become sacrifices to her new world order. I cannot do this. I won't give up everything I have fought for, only to end up murdered in my coffin."
"Do you really think that I destroyed the Council to leave the remaining vampires defenseless?" Buffy sighed heavily at his histrionics. She thought the Master of the City knew her better than that.
"Then how could this work, I do not understand." Jean-Claude took in an unsteady breath to calm himself. He wasn't sure why the unnecessary act seemed to return his usual unshakable demeanor, but steepled his elegant fingers to finally listen to the entirety of Buffy's explanation.
"If you surrender your animal to call then you'll no longer lose your soul. Coffins," she said, wrinkling her nose at the word, "are no longer issues for you or your kiss, except for the youngest. They would still need them. Sleep requirements would depend on each vampire's age and strength similar to any normal human. Your safety and how you handle it, is your responsibility."
"C'est impossible, no one can bind our souls. Not even you, petite sorciére," Jean-Claude exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation at her words.
"After everything you've seen, you can still talk about what is and isn't possible?" Buffy raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response.
Jean-Claude's shoulders slumped as he heaved a heavy sigh. "How would we feed without power over the animals?"
She clapped her hands like a little girl then sent him a beautiful smile. "You're a businessman Jean-Claude, can't you figure out how to negotiate for what you want? Wolves aren't the only weres around, ya know. I've heard wererat is nummy." Her head tilted to the side as she looked at him speculatively. "Hey, don't people get high from your bite?" He nodded in acquiesce, his lips started to tilt upward as he saw where she was going. "And, aren't there others who get off on the pain?"
His eyes widened as the unexpected words fell from her pretty, pink lips. Buffy laughed at his expression.
"Grow up fang face."
He looked at her standing there with her hands on her hips. She was offering him a gift he had never imagined was attainable before now - before Buffy. He had never even dreamed of remaining awake during the day, and no longer held prisoner to his coffin.
"JC, what do you say, will it be daylight for $200? You know if the weres got with your kiss, and you formed a preternatural militia, you could protect from any outsiders wanting to cause problems. Just a suggestion, think I might talk to Rafie about it. He's such a sweetie. Maybe, he could give seminars on leadership. I know some people who could use a few lessons."
Her brow furrowed as her thoughts strayed to the other two-thirds of the Triumvirate. She found it rather disconcerting that it was far easier dealing with the Master vampire than the two semi-humans were.
"Any childe that I sire or have sired would have this gift, I just have to willingly give up my animal to call, oui?"
"Yep," Buffy said, loudly popping the 'p'. "You'd have to do it formally with Richard in attendance, since he's the resident Ulfric. You can be all humble and everything. The other weres will learn about it from their leaders, who will learn about it from me. Joy. I get to talk to the All-American Wolf and Psycho Barbie. Negotiations are up to you for feedings, the leopards should be okay with it if you're up to seeing Anita." Buffy waggled her eyebrows up and down at him.
"I accept your bargain," Jean-Claude announced formally.
He stood up from behind his desk, and walked around to take Buffy's small hand in his. He noticed Warrick's hand clench the broadsword as he raised it to his lips. His famous smile broadened to the Cheshire cat grin for which Buffy reached out and smacked him when he released her hand.
"Do I need to do anything else to formalize our agreement?"
"Well, after we have St. Louis squared away, I want you to invite the Masters of New York, Houston, LA and Miami. Those cities will give me a jumping-off point to work from to cover the other states. I can cover the Midwest in about a week after we finish here. Let's plan on sending out invitations two weeks from tomorrow for them to come here to meet with me."
Jean-Claude looked at her as she calmly planned to change the rest of the preternatural world as if she was ordering pizza. "What if they won't willingly give up their animal to call, little sorceress?"
"Well then it gets interesting, you see the offer is a one shot deal. They lose their power one-way or the other. It's called freewill, Jean-Claude. The Powers write the rules not me."
She shrugged her shoulders not offering an excuse or apology.
"You mean I would have lost both, along with all the vampires in my city?" His eyes widened in shock at the realization of what he had came so close to losing.
"Yep." Buffy blew a large bubble with gum he didn't even realize she was chewing. "It's a test Jean-Claude, to see who has the right to lead. If you choose the option that protects your people at a personal loss of power, you keep your leadership. Very sneaky those Powers." Her green eyes sparkled with barely contained laughter.
"I would have lost everything, my power, my city, my life. I thought you came here to protect us, and that we had become friends."
He cursed in French under his breath as he paced his office. His hands punctuated his words as he spoke or cursed as the case may be. Buffy snorted causing the vampire to stop pacing and glare at her.
"I protect innocents, Jean-Claude, all innocents, not just individuals, no matter what I feel for them. If your own power was more important than anything else, you aren't fit to lead," she spat, her eyes went hard and her words held the conviction of her feelings.
"Are you saying if one of your mates were to harm an innocent, you would pass judgment on them?" he snapped at her.
"When I was seventeen, I killed my first love to save my old world, Jean-Claude. Don't ever doubt what I'll do to protect this world." The air around them grew thick and heavy, the ground started to shake. "I think you have the ability to become a great leader, if you ever stopped playing head games. This isn't court, so cut it out already. I'm off to talk to the wonder twins and Rafie, ciao."
She waited as Warrick ensured the hallway was safe. He stepped outside, with his hand on his sword. Warrick slipped back into the room silent as a ghost, or vamp in this case. He nodded then extended his arm to escort her from the room.
"I'll be with you momentarily, cher."
Asher kissed her goodbye. Buffy waved over her shoulder as she slipped out the door, followed by Damian. He turned back to Jean-Claude to study him closely for several long moments.
"She's magnificent isn't she? I have never felt more loved in my life, Jean-Claude."
His lips turned up into a smile that told Jean-Claude he was thinking about some private moment. Asher shook his golden head, and then continued where he had left off n his conversation.
"We plan to stay in St. Louis. She likes it here." Asher paused as he leaned back against the wall to stare at his former lover. "Buffy thinks we should mend our friendship. She talks to me about forgiving those we love for the harm they inflict. She tells me it's important to our future happiness. I want to try for her and for me, if you want."
Asher turned to leave when his former lover didn't respond.
"Mon Chardonette, please, I would like that very much. Tell her, merci." Jean-Claude smiled, a true smile, as he watched Asher's golden form leave his office. He couldn't remember feeling this much hope in the longest time.
Buffy pulled up to Richard's house then asked her mates and Warrick to wait for her outside. She knocked and Jamil answered the door. He bowed his head then stepped aside to let her into the house. She saw Shang-Da, Sylvie, Robert and Stephen, either sitting or standing around the living room. The last person surprised her, since she thought he was dancing at Guilty Pleasures. He looked scared and unhappy, as if he were about to cry any minute. Buffy looked closer at Stephen's aura. His forced separation from Gregory had shattered it. She stared at Jamil, who refused to meet her eye. She searched the room for Richard, but didn't see him.
As if her thinking about him caused him to appear, Richard exited his bedroom. The proverbial chip he carried on his shoulder had grown into an entire forest. His had shorn his lush sable hair into a military style haircut. His eyes held a hard wild look, with amber seeping in around the edges. He stopped when he saw Buffy then advanced further into the room, leaking power with every step he took. Stephen whimpered and moved toward Buffy. Richard growled, lashing out with a wave of power aimed directly at the docile wolf.
"Oh, Dick, exactly what are you doing?" Buffy calmly asked. Her toe tapped while she waited for an answer.
"I'm taking your advice. I'm leading my pack, so butt out. The traitors were tortured then executed as an example to those who betray their pack. The pack will have one leader - me!" Richard turned to glare down at her.
"Uh, huh, I told you leading your pack meant torturing the guilty, and that you should hurt those you're supposed to protect? Am I hearing you correctly - DICK? And, I'm supposed to butt out, since you've decided to grow a pair and play the Big Bad Wolf?"
"Yes, damn you," he growled, as his eyes shifted to amber.
Richard clenched and unclenched his hands into fists. His legs were stiff, as if he had locked his knees to keep from going after Buffy. Perhaps, it was simply a matter of self-survival. His wolf knew a larger predator when it smelled it, and was trying to protect its human.
"You're worse than Marcus or Raina ever were. You pretend to care for people, but when it comes time for the hard choices, and to stand behind your big words. You're nothing but a bully and a coward. You aren't fit to lead."
Buffy's eyes turned royal blue as her power poured into the room. A soft wind blew her hair into a golden nimbus about her head. Her hands clenched in anger as she felt tortured wolves souls call out to her. The Guardian inside her roared for release to place judgment on the leader who had failed to protect those in his care. Buffy pushed it back down, knowing she had to remain in control.
"It isn't your decision. You're here to pass judgment over the vampires. The wolves have their own laws. You have aided the pack, but it doesn't mean you are in any way pack. Know this," he said, with a heavy growl coloring his words.
Richard leaned his upper body toward Buffy, giving the impression he intended to give action to his words.
"You're no longer welcome in my home or at the..."
"Rrnt, wrong again. I'm not supposed to interfere in your leadership, unless the situation is out of control. Well guess what DICK; you just tilted the pinball machine." Buffy closed her eyes. "Mother, help me choose wisely."
She looked at Richard, her eyes glowing brightly as her hand shot out. A fine amber mist floated from his body. It circled the room, before finally hovering over Jamil. It suddenly crashed into his chest. Buffy turned back to check on Richard. She found him crumpled on the floor. Buffy walked over to Jamil and bowed her head, acknowledging him as the new Ulfric.
"I need to speak with you about something important to the pack. Do you mind if I comfort Stephen first?"
Jamil regally bowed his head. She went over and knelt beside the blond wolf. Buffy gathered him into her arms, and sent soothing pulses to comfort his beast. She worked to heal his damaged aura. Stephen buried his face in her neck, sighing in relief. Buffy hugged him close then gently pushed him toward his new Ulfric.
Stephen crawled over to Jamil, who let his power slowly leak toward the other pack members. They moved closer to receive his acceptance and assurance. Richard slowly joined the others, which Jamil allowed. After a few minutes, he nodded to Shang-Da. The pack Hati removed the former Ulfric, leading him back to his bedroom to rest and recover. Shang-Da returned to take up his stance, protecting the Ulfric.
Buffy slowly inhaled, as her lungs inflated she felt equally sad and glad at this turn of events. Richard wasn't leader material, or even a lycanthrope for that matter. She couldn't do much about the latter; fate's fickle finger decided who it touched. She did what was necessary, and hated it.
"Jean-Claude has agreed to give up his power to call," she said, smiling at the gobsmacked look that raced across Jamil's face. He quickly hid it, but she loved the hint she had witnessed. "He'll negotiate for feeding privileges with any willing were leader. In exchange, the vampires' souls become bound to them, and they will have no need for their coffins. They retain their other powers and weaknesses. I suggested creating a possible joint group of leaders between both groups to handle threats to the city. It would pertain to whatever each group can't handle on their own, rather like an emergency militia. The members would assemble when called to provide aide to contain issues that can cause citywide problems."
Buffy took a deep breath before she continued. The next part was the formal invitation and she must follow the rules.
"There will be a formal meeting tomorrow night at the Circus for him to release the power. Is this okay with you?"
Buffy stared into Jamil's large brown eyes. She watched him weigh her words, because the pack's well-being lay in the balance.
"I still say you would make a good lupa."
He gave her a small lop-sided smile at their on-going joke. It became a full-blown one, when she simply raised an eyebrow at him.
"It is fine. We will call a special Lupanar to let the pack know what has happened."
Buffy turned to leave then stopped in front of the pack's Vargamor. "Robert, you can call the munin tomorrow. I have it on good authority it will come. Maybe, it will help Richard learn how to start healing." She turned back to the new Ulfric. "Jamil, you're an honorable man, but you should have stopped him from ever becoming Ulfric. Too many lives were at stake to chance it on someone who didn't accept who and what they were," Buffy stated sadly. "Can I take Stephen back to be with Gregory?"
Jamil nodded his head. "Yes, no one will separate them again."
The blonde werewolf happily followed Buffy as she climbed into the car. Since Damian was in the driver's seat, she crawled into Asher's arms and started to cry. Stephen pressed close to her side with a soft whimper in his voice.
"Lady Buffy, are you all right? Did someone harm you? I will rip out their heart for you." Warrick physically hurt at her obvious heartbreak.
"No Warrick, I'll be okay. It's just hard sometimes. I tried to get him to understand that if he couldn't lead then he needed to step down. He tortured then executed the traitors, because he said I told him to. I've killed many monsters in my life, but never tortured anyone. That's not a leader; it's a tyrant. He couldn't even feel what he was doing to Stephen. You could taste his sadness and despair in the air." Buffy's voice hitched with emotion over the events of the last half hour. "Richard isn't the Ulfric anymore."
"Mon Dieu, you killed him. Did he attack you, Mon Cher?" Asher exclaimed, searching her for injuries.
"No, I pulled the power from him. He isn't an alpha anymore. He's a high beta, nothing more. Richard couldn't handle the wolf and his morals, combined with the anger and power. I had no choice, if I could have cured him I would have, but it wasn't my call. He's better off away from this life, but he now he'll have to learn to live with the consequences of his actions." She sighed heavily, raking a hand through her hair. "The power chose Jamil; he should have been the Ulfric all along." Buffy snuggled into Asher's arms then closed her eyes. "How much further to the Wicked Witch of the North's house?"
She grumbled, causing Asher and Damian to laugh. It sent shivers down her spine forcing a sensual purr from her lips. Every man in the car shifted in their seats.
"Buffy quit being naughty," Damian scolded from the driver's seat.
"Oh please, don't make her stop," Stephen whimpered. He would have begged on all fours if there were enough room in the car.
They were still laughing when they pulled up to Anita's house. "Okay babes you're going to have to come in with me for this one. Wouldn't want to put a smack down on Queen Z, no matter how tempting."
Buffy reluctantly exited the car followed by her mates, Warrick and Stephen. Warrick knocked on the door, his hand on his broadsword, ready to protect Buffy. Zane answered it, with his ever-present fang-flashing smile. His pale blue hair matched his faded cut-off shorts, if the small pieces of clothe attached to the waistband were even considered shorts. They were split to the waist and barely covered his butt cheeks. They resembled flags more than shorts. After letting them in, he turned around to show the backside didn't have any pockets or material, just pure Zane.
Buffy giggled, smiling at Damian and Asher then wiggled her eyebrows. She looked around to see Cherry, Caleb, Nathaniel and Gregory. Stephen let out a happy yelp and rushed over to his twin. The two blondes hugged and licked each other. After reassuring each other that they were back together, they curled together on the floor and quickly fell into a restful sleep. Buffy noticed some new people lounging around the room.
Anita chose that moment to enter the room. "Oh great, as if my life wasn't shitty enough. What do you want, Buffy?"
"I came to let you know what's going on and invite you to a meeting at the Circus. It's tomorrow at eight." Buffy then explained about Jean-Claude, the vampires and the pack. "The Ulfric must formally accept his pack's release, and then the lycanthropes that want to negotiate can. He seemed open to it, along with creating a city leaders group."
"You have got to be kidding me. What do you do put a spell on Richard to get him agree to that?" Anita laughed at her own joke.
"I said the Ulfric, Anita. Richard's no longer Ulfric, Jamil is."
"You bitch, what did you do?"
She drew her gun and fired in one smooth move. Buffy simply waved her hand, turning the bullets into doves. A white dove landed on her shoulder then curled into her neck to coo softly in her ear. Everyone in the room went stock-still. Anita started drawing on her necromancy, remembering Buffy telling them about her previous deaths. An evil smile crossed her face as the whites of her eyes turned coal black. She tapped into her voodoo heritage, causing ancient drumbeats to fill the air.
"Damnit, don't you ever learn, Anita? You can't shoot people who piss you off. I warned you that if you didn't change you'd end up in a dark place. Look inside and see what looks backs," she shouted over the loudly beating drums.
Buffy hoped to get through to Anita, before she took this too far. The dark powers only intensified. Her shoulders sagged with disappointment.
"You leave me no choice; you aren't responsible enough to handle your powers," Buffy said sadly. "Until you learn some control, I bind you Anita so you can do no harm to yourself or to others."
Buffy looked at the dove on her shoulder as if they were communicating. It flew to Anita's shoulder. Minutes after its small feet touched the Executioner's body it started to change. The white feathers slowly darkened to black, and the delicate rounded head elongated into a sharpened beak. It started transforming into a crow.
Anita felt her powers slowly start to withdraw from her body. Her eyes went to the bird, and realized they were flowing into the dark bird. It was painful. The transformation felt as if someone was cutting deeply into her spirit.
When it completed, the crow cawed once and disappeared. Anita crumpled to her knees like a puppet that lost its strings. She searched deep inside her aura, funnily enough just as Buffy had taught her. Anita felt her heart start to pound in her chest. It beat like the drums of her necromancy just moments before. The sheer irony of it wasn't lost on her. Her necromancy was gone, leaving behind an aura filled with dark angry reds and blacks. What she saw terrified her, but it terrified her even more to be powerless. All that remained available was her inner beast, but it acted lethargic as if someone had it under heavy sedation.
"What did you do?" Anita whispered, while her hand rubbed her chest trying to sooth the deep ache.
"I bound your powers; you were ready to use their darker aspects to do harm against another. Your actions weren't based on providing protection, but in anger. You didn't even bother to find out if my actions were justified."
Buffy stopped to take a calming breath. She knew losing her temper wouldn't help the situation. She tried to even out her tone as she continued.
"You're like a vigilante, Anita, with no regard for anything but your own reaction to a situation. Richard tortured and executed the traitors. He punished Stephen because he wanted to be with Gregory, who's a part of your pard. He wasn't leader material, and never should have taken on the role. It takes more than power, it takes compassion, understanding, empathy, sacrifice and ruthlessness, but only when needed. The hard part is knowing when each is needed, and how to wield them."
Buffy watched the emotions that played over Anita's face, and hoped that she was reaching her.
"Did Jamil and Richard fight?" Anita couldn't bear to think that Richard was dead or injured.
"No, I pulled the power from Richard and it chose the rightful Ulfric. Too many lives were at stake, I would do it again if I had to."
She shrugged her shoulders, not seeing what else she could do given the circumstances. Everyone had to live with what the cards dealt them. She had learned that the hard way.
"I hope Richard will find some inner peace, and become somewhat happier with his life. The power he held was too much for him to handle. It couldn't balance out against his ideas, bitterness at his situation and personnel issues with you. He simply balled it all up and used it as a weapon."
Thinking she had given Anita enough to chew on for a while, she left her alone. Buffy stepped over to address the short man with brown curly hair and tiger green eyes, who had watched everything without uttering a single word.
"You must be the other pard's Nimir-Raj. Are you two thinking about merging? I guess you heard, I'm Buffy Summers, and these are my mates Asher and Damian." Her hand swept toward the loves of her life. "The cutie with the sword is Warrick." She winked at the knightly vampire, causing him to blush.
"My name is Micah Callahan. We are still negotiating the possibility."
He smiled then looked over at Anita. Buffy liked him and thought she saw some sparkage with Anita.
Could do her some good; he kinda reminds me of Oz.
"Listen we still need to go talk with Rafael, so we will see you later. Anita, I'm still willing to help you learn control if you want, but it's up to you."
She turned and left without waiting for a reply. Her men following silently after her, closing the door without making a sound.
Buffy arrived at Rafael's in a much better mood. She always looked forward to seeing the wererat king.
"Rafie, let's run away to Cancun, and sip Pina Coladas on the beach."
She kissed his cheek as he picked her up to swing her around.
"Your mates would come after us. I'm not sure we could hide in hell itself."
She laughed, staring down into his handsome face. "We have lots to talk about, my friend."
Buffy explained everything to Rafael. He agreed to negotiate with the vampires; not many knew that his clutch was the largest group of weres in the city.
"Make him work for it, Rafie. I think it will be good for everyone, if the grown-ups learned to play well together. I see you as the best person to lead the weres, with Jean-Claude leading the vamps. Hopefully, with you two in charge, you can come up with a workable plan for creating an alert system for when either of you needs help." She sent him a blazingly bright smile, full of confidence in his abilities. "You'll figure it out. St. Louis needs to become the benchmark for everyone else to be measured against."
"May all the saints watch over you, querida?" He kissed her forehead.
Jean-Claude, Rafael, Jamil, Anita, Buffy, Damian and Asher, either sat or stood in Jean-Claude's office. The respective bodyguards waited outside. No one mentioned Richard, which Buffy and Anita appreciated. It was one area where they were in total agreement. Jamil stood facing Jean-Claude while Buffy stood slightly back, but between them. She placed a hand on their bared hearts.
"Jean-Claude, do you release your right to call of your own free will?"
"Oui." He nodded his head, looking directly into Jamil's eyes then at Buffy.
"Jamil, as a representative of all wolves do you accept this gift in the manner it is given."
"For my pack, I accept."
Buffy's hands glowed amber like a weres eye. Jean-Claude felt a pull over his heart. It felt like someone had literally sucked the power from his body. Jamil felt it jump into his body. There were too many people moving underneath his skin. It became too much for him and he threw back his head and howled. The air became thick with the smell of fur, forest and power.
"I will leave you to discuss your business deals," Buffy said as she headed for the door.
She greeted each were that waited outside for their respective leader. Jean-Claude heard her greeting the vampires as well. Ones he knew she hadn't met through him.
"How does she do that? Come into a city and in two months know everyone by name?" Anita grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.
"She asked Anita, and listened when they talked to her. She visits my clutch frequently. Your pack as well, Jamil, as well as the pard. She knows their history, their pain and their joys. Buffy takes all that sorrow on her shoulders. That's who you don't trust, who you tried to kill," Rafael answered. Amber leaked into his eyes, showing his anger.
Jean-Claude looked at Anita in shock. "What did you do, ma petite?"
"I shot her, well at her. She turned them into doves. Buffy stripped Richard of his power, and because I tried to defend him she bound mine," Anita growled. She was still upset at the turn of events of yesterday.
"You lie, Anita. I can smell it on you," Jamil growled in a low whisper.
Anita looked at him in shock. She wasn't used to Jamil speaking out or defying her. She glared at him, trying to force him to back down. Her eyes had gone hard and dark. Jamil stared back at her as if she were insignificant - a nobody.
"Richard forced Buffy to do what she did. There was no other way. The pack was in danger, and she saved his life, you stupid selfish woman. He was facing challenge at the next Lupanar, a challenge to the death. You remember those don't you, Anita," Jamil challenged, referring to Richard's own rise as Ulfric and her inability to accept pack ways. "Richard was out of control. He almost killed Sylvie when she told him torture wasn't pack law for treason. Robert had to call the munin to heal her, because Richard refused her his throat!" Jamil's quiet voice rang in their ears.
Anita grew pale then stumbled backward. She would have fell if Jean-Claude hadn't grabbed her. Anita allowed him to help her to the couch. She was shaking with shock at the information
"I had no idea that it was that bad. Why didn't anyone tell me? I could have helped," she asked, with hurt evident in her voice.
"You didn't ask, Anita. You didn't try to find out what was happening. Most of all, it wasn't your business; you are no longer lupa. You didn't become anyone's friend, Anita. You just became their queen, and you liked it that way," Jamil announced.
He turned away from her with sad eyes. He once thought she would become the lupa and bring the strength Richard so desperately needed. She had only brought more pain and confusion. Jamil had no further time for the emotional rollercoaster that was Anita's life. The pack was all that was important to him. Jamil stepped away from her, and nodded toward the Master of the City. Jean-Claude joined him, though reluctant to leave Anita alone, business was business. He looked at Jean-Claude then Rafael.
"I will negotiate with you to feed your people. Several of my pack enjoy the bite and don't want to lose it. We can talk payment later. There are several already here you're familiar with, and I've brought five others. Since daylight no longer hinders you, why don't we continue this tomorrow afternoon?" Jean-Claude nodded in assent. "I have seen and heard enough, and would like to share this gift with my pack."
Jamil bowed his head, causing his braids to click together. He regally walked out as the king he was.
Rafael watched all this not having said a word. Jean-Claude still sat with Anita on the couch rubbing her back soothingly. He pushed away from the wall to stand in front of Anita.
"So, Chiquita, you caused much trouble, eh? What are you going to do about it? How are you going to survive without your powers? You have an inner beast, no? Can you infect others? Are you going to become a true Nimir-Ra, or hand off your pard? You only protect them when something needs shooting, like say Buffy, si?"
Rafael bowed his head in their direction as he swept from the room. His lips quirked upward into a mischievous smile at the expression on Anita's face at his parting words. "Jean-Claude, I will meet with you tomorrow as well."
"Damnit, how did I suddenly become the bad guy here? I haven't done anything different; I'm the same as always. Now people I've protected, who I thought were my friends have turned against me! All because of her, some blonde Barbie who came to play Mother Teresa with a wand, and I'm out," Anita screamed at the top of her lungs.
Jean-Claude watched her as she hurled her body from the couch to pace his office floor. He was always attracted to her fire, her anger and passion. Now, it had him concerned for her. It was as if nothing except anger consumed her, which she aimed at Buffy.
"Ma petite, I understand what you are feeling, but please be careful. Buffy, is powerful. If you continue this way, she may feel you're a threat to your pard. She took your powers but she didn't remove you as Nimir-Ra, nest pa. I know you care for them, and want to protect them. Take some time to learn how to do that, let people help you - Me, Rafael, even Buffy. She put out her hand to you; all you have to do is take it. It is, of course, your decision. You have the power here, not her. The pard is in your hands, you can help them heal and grow strong, or remain as they are."
Anita looked into his midnight blue eyes then moved to his side. She laid her head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know if I can do this, Jean-Claude. I'm not good at the mushy stuff and sharing my feelings."
He knew she wasn't just referring to her pard, but their relationship as well. Jean-Claude hugged her, before tipping her head back to give her a deep passionate kiss.
"Ma petite, you can show you care with a touch, a look, a simple offer to listen. You don't have to pour your heart out or make flowery declarations."
She is so complex, ma petite, a hurt little girl inside and a tough angry woman outside.
He realized long ago to always respect the outside, but never forget the inside whenever she allowed her to peak out. Jean-Claude decided to talk to Buffy about ways to help Anita. He vowed to protect her anyway that he could, he couldn't lose her, he loved her too much.
Anita kissed his cheek. "I've missed you, missed talking to you. No matter how angry you make me, you always made me laugh."
He pulled her back into his arms. "I am always here, come back to me, ma petite." Jean-Claude's voice went low, causing her to shiver delightfully.
"Stop that! I'll be at the meeting with Micah; he's the Nimir Raj of the other pard trying to merge with us. We should discuss the idea of city leaders. It's a good one. I think I'll go talk to Buffy afterward. I have some questions for her about how to go about all this."
She reluctantly withdrew from his embrace and left the office. If she had turned back, she would have seen the brilliant smile on his face. She hadn't witnessed this one before; he didn't show it to many. Jean-Claude's smile lit his face with pure happiness, and no small amount of hope.