Sing the Nightingale


BY: Kash

Disclaimer: Unfortunately none of them belong to me...but they are on my wish list...every single one of them...well maybe not Richard...but all the rest...oh and not Anita...I don't want to have to compete with her...but Jason, Edward, Asher, and Jean- Claude...yep, they are on my christmas list...I've been a really good girl this year too..do you think Santa will come thru? Of course if I get them, then next year, I'm going to be a very very naughty girl...was that too much information? Oh well like I said they don't belong to me...they belong to Laurell...but hey at least she's been kind enough to share them...and I promise to return them with out any more wear and tare then is absolutely necessary. Oh and I'm not making money off this...that would be way to good to be true...not only do I get to borrow the guys...but to make money at the same time...what kind of girl do you think I am...hey don't answer that.

Jean-Claude sat silently watching as Anita interrogated Jason.  She 
was certainly worked up this evening.  Of course with Asher missing 
all of them were rather worried.  He was careful to let none of his 
concern show.  It would not do to let those who served him know that 
this recent turn of events had upset him.  What was that American 
saying?  "Never let them see you cry."  Yes, that was the one, any 
vampire worth his salt knew better then to let those around him see 
what he truly felt, especially any vampire who had spent time with 
the council.  He pushed such thoughts out of his mind.  He had 
neither the time nor the inclination to get caught up in painful 
memories.  Instead he focused his concentration on Anita.  He knew 
that it made her uncomfortable at times?she often took his close 
regard as being of a sexual nature, frequently it was, but even when 
it was not, he still had the unnerving habit of making it feel as 
such to her.  Presently he was not undressing her with his eyes or 
imagining all the various things he'd enjoy doing to her in bed, 
though that was probably what she thought.  Her muttered, "Jean-
Claude would you please focus," was a pretty good indication of what 
she thought.  He clasped his fingers before him and flicked his eyes 
to Jason.  "He was not at the club and no one there had seen him 
since he left."  He repeated.  "What was the little music managers 
reaction to the news?"  He asked quietly.  The name Seri seemed 
strangely familiar to him, though he knew no one of Jason's 
description.  Asher must have mentioned her, he supposed.   J
Jason pondered the question for a moment.  Thinking back to the very 
brief interview he'd had with Seri.  "She seemed worried."  He said 
after a moment.  Anita looked at him.  He frowned at her.  "Really 
worried actually, about Asher I think"  He said slight confusion 
tinting his voice.  She had been worried he had smelled it as he'd 
left the room.  He wasn't sure why she'd been precisely, but when 
he'd been on the phone with Jean-Claude he'd heard a creak of wood, 
like she'd been gripping the arms of the chair very tightly.  She had 
been near panic at one point?very briefly, then had soothed herself?
but she had still been worried.  
Jean-Claude watched thoughts trail across Jason's face.  It was very 
interesting.  If she was in on whatever plot was afoot, then 
certainly she should have been worried?however the skill of the rest 
of the incident seemed at odds with the ease with which Jason had 
read her worry?it didn't make sense.  However, for her to be 
geunienly worried for Asher, that too was peculiar.  Not that he 
couldn't understand someone caring for his friend, that was all too 
easy to understand, however of late it was odd for any to give Asher 
more then a single glance?most would not take the time to get to know 
him, and he hid himself from most who would.  Perhaps he and the 
little music coordinator had spent long hours working together at the 
club?  Jean-Claude was puzzled by this, however there were more 
important things at hand.  
"She doesn't sound like she was involved, but we should have someone 
watch her anyway." Anita said breaking in on his thoughts.  Jean-
Claude nodded sitting forward.  "Who would you suggest ma petite?"  
He asked, most of his people he would have searching actively for 
Asher, he did not wish to waste man power on a single female they 
weren't sure was even involved.   Anita gave it a moment of thought, 
then turned to the other occupant of the room who had been remaining 
very silent for the past hour.  "Edward what do you think?"  She 
asked.   
Edward looked up at her from where he was slouched lazily in an 
armchair.  
He'd been listening quietly.  He wasn't quite sure why he was helping 
with this at all.  The more he played with Anita the friendly he got 
with the monsters.  It was almost unsettling.  He was in town 
following a lead.  Someone's pet had escaped and he'd been asked to 
find it, and restore it to its owner.  Not a job he would have 
normally taken, but there was another person after the same pet, and 
that person wasn't opposed to killing.  He'd been lucky to make it 
this far, what with every lead vanishing nights after meeting with 
his competitor.  "She works at the club five nights a week?have one 
of them there keep an eye on her?and we can have someone follow her 
home each morning."  He offered.  He wasn't sure about this Seri 
woman; she sounded wrong?well that situation sounded wrong, and her 
interest in Asher.  He wanted someone good following her.  One of the 
wolves. "Jason."  He said after a moment.  
	Anita watched Edward for a moment.  She wasn't sure why he 
was here.  He'd just shown up at her house this morning.  She knew he 
was on some assignment, but she wasn't sure why he was helping with 
this, she knew he didn't like the monsters, and helping them wasn't 
really his style.  She looked at Jason.  Edward had suggested he 
trail the young woman.  She wasn't sure she wanted Jason any where 
near her, at least not until she'd had a chance to meet her and 
evaluate the danger she posed.  Jason was too likely to be taken in 
by a pretty face.  She looked again to Edward.  "Why don't we go to 
the club tonight, and give her a once over ourselves first?before we 
decide anything."  Edward tilted his head to the side considering for 
a moment, then nodded.    Oh goody Anita thought, we're going to 
Danse Macabre?brainchild of Raina.  Definitely her idea of fun.  
 





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