Asher wore a cruel gloating smirk as he stood there on the stairwell landing grasping my upper arms. "You say it was *only* a kiss...I have seen how you look at Ramses, Tamara," his voice dropped to a seductive purr. His underlying anger gave it a sinister sound. I'd hurt him and he was going on the attack. "I remember what you said to me last night...your threat to help him sate his lust if I broke his control. Only a kiss indeed!" His laugh was like jagged glass. Kylie finally reached the landing just as I jerked one arm loose and slapped Asher. "I *said* it was only a *kiss*," I growled at him. "Nothing more!" Instantly, his eyes frosted over a solid ice blue. I doubted he even noticed Kylie standing just a few steps above us. "Oh and I suppose the magi regained his precious control and put a stop to it...that must have really frustrated you, cherie," he continued cruelly. "Ha! To be so close to the forbidden fruit only to have the branch pulled from your grasp at the last minute!" Again that broken glass laughter. I felt angry tears well up as I replied. "No. Ramses didn't stop or pull back...*I* stopped it." Asher was stunned. "What?" he said as his eyes reverted to normal. "You heard me. I'm the one who stopped even though I didn't want to," I told him angrily. "I pulled back...because, as much as it would serve you right for me to follow through on that threat, I couldn't bring myself to hurt you that way. That kind of cruelty simply isn't in my nature, Asher. And if you don't know that by now, then you don't know me at all." I couldn't hold the tears back any longer. They burned their way down my face. I realized suddenly that Kylie had just heard all of that. Now I felt like an idiot. "Oh shit!" I exclaimed, looking up at her, my eyes wide. "I am so sorry! I'd promised him that I wouldn't say anything about it to either of you. He didn't want you to worry about him, Ms. Everett. He *did* regain his control. He told me that my show of restraint helped him do that." I *willed* her to believe the truth of what I was saying. She was already pissed off at my master; I didn't want her pissed off at me, too. I turned to Asher, my expression going from apologetic to highly irritated. He was the one that made me drag all this out into the light. If it hurt him it was his own fault. "We weren't going to tell YOU because of your ridiculous jealousy," I grumped at him. "*Why* are you so jealous of him, Asher? I don't understand that." Before Asher could speak, Kylie's voice came cold and angry, "Because of me. Because of the Absorber in me that has once again chosen Ramses to protect her instead of Asher. Because deep down Asher has not forgiven himself for Julianna's death, which he sees as *his* failure...so he cannot accept forgiveness from others." "Because he sees Ramses' acceptance of forgiveness and his steadfast devotion which he cannot accept for himself even though it is a gift...freely given," she continued. "Because the fact of the matter is...Ramses *is* a better man than he is...and he's ashamed of it." She stood there with her arms crossed, now silent, her eyes cold and empty, staring holes through his facade. He'd shrunk back against the stones of the wall in horror while she'd spoken. I read the truth in his face of Kylie's words. He raised one hand towards her, entreating, his expression crushed. "Kylie...Julianna...Mon Dieu, what have I done?" his voice was broken, all vampiric tricks abandoned. "I only wanted you to love me. And now I have made you hate me." He turned to me, his face full of self-loathing. "Even you, ma rose d'acier...even you will begin to hate me. Kylie is right...I am too horrible to love." His hand dropped back to his side and he slumped down the wall to sit on the step. His hands dangled loosely between his knees. His hair fell forward in an old familiar defense. It was only then that I noticed he was still nude. Rather than arousing me, it made him look more pitiable, vulnerable. I couldn't stand to see him suffer like that. "Asher, I *don't* hate you," I tried to soothe him. "I'm upset with you, but I don't hate you. I wish to God you would stop hating *yourself*." Kylie gave me an irritated look as she descended the last few steps to the landing. Squatting, she knelt in front of Asher, glaring hard at him. "Good luck with that, Mrs. Lowery. He's been forgiven by Jules herself and still clings to his self-loathing like a security blanket...until last night he almost damaged several lives because of it...myself included," she said. Asher continued to hide behind his hair. Angrily, Kylie demanded of him, "LOOK AT ME! You need to get a grip on yourself. With Musette fixing to hit town any time, Tinkler in town wreaking havoc, and this Vladimir person," she spared me a glance before returning to her blond target, "coming into town...we already *have* one vampire running around half-crazed...we *don't* need another one. Do you understand? This self-absorption *won't* help JC!" Asher just huddled there like a whipped dog. Kylie stood up and turned to me. "Pull him together," she told me. "Ramses and I will be going on the hunt tonight for Tinkler. We need things *here* to be under control should any of our 'guests' arrive." She turned to head back up the stairs, then stopped and turned back to me. "Oh, and Mrs. Lowery...you will want to arm yourself. Knock on Anita's door and tell Micah I *said* you should have Anita's Firestar...just as a precaution." As an afterthought, she added, "You *do* know how to use a firearm?" I was careful to keep my face neutral, she had every right to be pissed at Asher, but I still didn't like it. "Yes," I answered her. "Although I've mostly only used a rifle or shotgun...one during hunters' safety courses and JROTC and the other out deer hunting with my husband. But I can use a handgun safely. Don't worry Ms. Everett...I'll do what I need to do." She nodded, "Good," then returned to the roof after sparing Asher's huddled form one last look. I couldn't tell from her pursed-lipped expression if she had been angry with him still or felt pity towards the broken creature he appeared to be. As I stood there wondering about that, listening to her ascent, Asher asked, "Vlad?" I looked down at him. "Derik called a little while ago to let me know that Vlad had been there looking for you," I said. "I thought you were going to get word to him to postpone his visit." He flinched at my tone. 'Dammit, Everett, did you have to be so rough on him?' I thought. Still, I could see her point that coddling him wouldn't do any good either. Things were getting too sticky too fast to spend that kind of time. Looked like I was going to have to go with the "tough love" routine as well, although I still wondered if it was tough love or just plain tough coming from the other woman where Asher was concerned. I let my irritation at the whole situation show in my voice. "Don't expect me to feel sorry for you right now Asher," I told him. "You're doing a dandy job of *that* on your own. Now what went wrong with rescheduling Vlad's visit?" He glared up at me, jogged from his little funk for a while at least. "I couldn't get anyone on the phone from Belle's court who knew anything about his presence or how to contact him," he pouted. The pout coupled with his nudity was making it difficult to concentrate on business, but I managed. "That sounds odd to me," I stated. "Could he be lying about his status as a Council representative?" "It is a possibility, but it could just mean he's running errands for a different Council member," Asher reasoned. "Belle occasionally makes gifts or loans of her 'toys' from time to time." He sounded as though he'd *been* one of those gifts at one time and hadn't particularly enjoyed the experience. Still, something wasn't right. "No, he'd said that Belle had taken an interest in the fact that you'd taken a new servant, when Derik and I encountered him in Georgia," I countered. "I admit, I didn't pursue the matter to the fullest, ma rose d'acier," Asher said. "I wanted to leave for here as quickly as possible. Wading through all the minor flunkies and hangers on of Belle Morte's court can be extremely tedious and time consuming. She is still irritated at me for not returning to her side and would delight in making me suffer through every last one of them before granting any request I might make." It seemed like a plausible explanation, but I still didn't feel quite comfortable with it. Something in me just didn't trust Vladimir. Probably the most healthy approach to dealing with a Council representative that there was...if that really *was* what he was. "Well, anyway," I sighed, "he could get here as early as tonight. Derik had more sense than to try and lie to him about where we were. Even most new vamps can smell a lie." Asher didn't look too happy about that, but knew better than to berate my husband in front of me. He knew I had a legitimate point. Lying to Vlad would have pissed the vampire off...which could lead to Derik being seriously injured or killed. "In that case, ma rose d'acier, we need to make preparations for his visit. Kylie is right, you should arm yourself," Asher decided. I was relieved that he was focusing on the immediate problem instead of continuing to angst. "You don't trust him either," I stated. "He is Council," Asher replied as if no further explanation was needed...and it wasn't. "Before *you* do anything else, you need to take a shower and get dressed," I smirked at him. In response, he stood and stepped close to me, smiling slyly. "You could get *un*dressed and shower with me, cherie," he purred seductively. "I've already had my shower, thanks anyway," I said archly. Asher pouted, "But who will scrub my back?" I laughed and shook my head, turning to head down the steps. "That's what the loofah wand is for," I told him. I sensed his intent only a split second before he scooped me into his arms and flew us down the stairwell. He succeeded in startling a small "yip" out of me. It made him chuckle. Dangerous thing, that chuckle. He landed us just outside of Anita's room. I asked him to wait in the hall, while I went in to retrieve the Firestar. I knew the pard members wouldn't be offended by his nakedness, but Kimmy *would*. I pulled Micah aside and explained the situation to him who in turn had Nathaniel retrieve the weapon and present it to me, along with the inner-pants holster for it. I hadn't even thought about how I was supposed to carry it. I *did* have presence of mind enough to check the magazine and make sure the safety was on. Nathaniel also handed me a spare clip for it. I thanked them, promising to do my best to make sure the gun would be returned safely and in good condition. Kimmy had gotten a little wild eyed when she saw him hand me the gun. I told her it was just a precaution. That we were expecting "company" tonight. She didn't ask any more about it. I was glad of that. Asher and I had just stepped through the door to our room when he stiffened, looking back over his shoulder. A wave of desire flowed out of him and over me, causing my breath to catch. I peered past him to see what had brought that on. Jean-Claude was gliding sinuously up the hall towards us. My gut went icy with fear, and Asher put an arm around me, giving his silent assurance that he would protect me. The Master of St. Louis was breathtaking to look at. Although tucked in, his royal blue silk shirt was unbuttoned completely and billowed open as he approached. Both his black jeans and his knee-high boots looked painted on. His waist length hair was pulled back with a blue velvet ribbon, a few tendrils escaping to curl softly around his slightly flushed face. He'd fed recently. He smiled as he gazed up and down Asher's nude form. "I thought I sensed you about, mon ami," he stated. "Thank you for your help last night." Asher inclined his head. "It was my pleasure, Jean-Claude," he replied. Was it just me or was there a slight note of sorrow in his voice? Another question spiked my curiosity, however. "Just exactly what are *either* of you doing up this early?" I asked. Jean- Claude got a wicked little smile on his face as his eyes played over my body just as they had Asher's. "Why cherie, I thought it would be well known to you that men are almost always 'up' when they wake," he teased. My blush at the innuendo elicited a laugh from him that caused my insides to quiver in excitement. Asher's arm tightened ever so slightly around me in a possessive gesture. Jean-Claude took a step towards us, raising a hand as if to touch me. The next thing I knew, I was standing away from Asher, with Anita's gun pointed straight between Jean-Claude's eyes. I didn't even remember drawing it. I didn't know who was the most surprised of the three of us. I really wasn't that familiar with handguns. I shouldn't have been *able* to pull off that move so smoothly. I'd just known that I hadn't wanted Jean-Claude to touch me...memories of the increased strength the ardeur was given by contact played through my head. Let's hear it for instinct and reflexes. Jean-Claude and I stood frozen like that for a few moments, before I felt Asher ease into my mind and gently "hold" me still. He was careful to keep from frightening me further as he paralyzed my hands temporarily and took the gun from them. 'You are safe, cherie,' he whispered in my mind, soothing the fear coursing through my body. 'I am here, I will protect you. He means you no harm. He is not even using the ardeur. Do not be afraid.' I was vaguely aware of him stroking my hair as I continued to stare at Jean-Claude. The Master took my hand while it was still paralyzed and gently raised it to his lips, his eyes never leaving mine. "I do not blame you for being afraid, ma fleur," he said, careful to avoid his usual voice tricks. He was exhibiting much more control than I'd expected from him, considering his behavior recently. I realized that he really wasn't using the ardeur against me, and visibly relaxed. Asher sensed that and released his hold on my mind. 'I apologize for that, ma rose d'acier,' he said in my head as he withdrew from me. 'It's all right, mon cher,' I told him. 'Thank you for stopping me from doing something we both would have regretted.' Jean-Claude still did not let go of my hand. Looking at Asher, he said, "Mon ami, while that was a glorious feeding last night, that I see we both benefited from, it seems that I still need to feed the ardeur more frequently now. I apologize for the request, but may I have the service of your servant and yourself in this?" Noting my panicked expression begin to return, he quickly added, "My control is much better today, Madame. You have my word that I will not harm you. But if I deny the ardeur for too long, I will be in the same shape as I was earlier." "Cherie, the choice is yours," Asher told me. "But keep in mind that it would be best for all concerned that Jean-Claude maintain as much self control as possible." He turned to the vampire in question. "Especially since Vladimir may arrive tonight, representing Belle." Jean-Claude shot him a look. "I thought Belle was sending Musette," he said. "To you, she is sending Musette," Asher replied. "But it seems she has taken an interest in my new servant and has sent Vladimir to investigate." Jean-Claude, still holding my hand, asked worriedly, "You don't suppose she suspects that the Absorber has resurfaced?" Asher's face was neutral. "It is a possibility that has crossed my mind, mon ami. I will *not* lose Tamara as I lost Julianna. But you need to feed to keep your control. We cannot let the Council's representative see any weakness in us." "No, you can't," I stated. "If I can trust you not to hurt me, I will help you in this, Jean-Claude, Master of St. Louis. Consider it my apology for nearly shooting you." He smiled slyly, once again kissing my hand. "You have my assurances, Madame, that I shall bring you nothing but pleasure," his voice was once again like velvet brushing inside of me. My heart raced as I felt the first faint brush of his ardeur. Asher turned, heading towards the bathroom. "I regret that I will not be able to join you," he said. "I have not fed yet and would be unable to perform." There truly was sorrow in his voice with that statement. "Asher," I called his attention to me and held out my wrist, offering my blood. He shook his head, "Non, ma rose d'acier. You have been bled too much in the past few days as it is. Your color is still off." Jean-Claude gave an almost imperceptible nod, acknowledging Asher's warning not to feed from me in that way. "Do not fear for her, mon ami," he assured my master. "I have already satisfied my need for blood today. It is the ardeur that is never quite satisfied. Will you not even remain to watch?" Asher smiled fondly at us, "Non, I have been ordered to shower and get dressed to better prepare for our visitor." Jean-Claude gave that devastating laugh of his as Asher disappeared into the bathroom, closing the door behind him, and leaving me alone with Jean-Claude.