It's Raining Men Part VI
BY: Kash
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone...don't care to actually...I'm just so not into the whole slavery thing...sides you all know who belongs to whom, and all that jazz.
I looked up at the woman glaring at me. I wasn't sure
why she was so hostile...but she obviously was. Her companion didn't
seem nearly as antagonistic. Looking
over at Chrys she shrugged. "It is for Kash..." she
said placing the ball firmly in my court. Wonderful,
now I had to make the decision. We'd just arrived in
St. Louis last night, very very late last night.
Chrys had had about half an hour to get ready for
'bed' before sunrise. Aren't flight delays the
greatest? Of course by flying Concord we'd been able
to avoid the "aren't you arms tired" jokes. Those
jokes get old so quickly.
I'd gotten the phone call
at around noon. I had been sleeping, but after being
told in no uncertain terms that Chrys and I would need
to put in an appearance at the Bachelorette party I
hadn't been able to go back to sleep. I'd debated
calling Kash and telling her that we would not be
attending, that her 'friends' were very rude and we
would be returning to Washington. I do not appreciate
being told what I "WILL" do...especially not by
someone who's so overtly hostile towards me for no
apparent reason.
I looked down at the outfit on the hanger and back up
into amused green eyes. She'd said to call her
Tamara...and she seemed friendly enough. The other
one...Gigs..didn't seem friendly at all and I was tempted to behave
badly...but I
restrained myself. Sharing a psyche with Fata can be
difficult at times. She...meaning Fata...felt we
should wipe the smug look of Ms. Giggles face and then
use her as a doormat. I was inclined to disagree; it
isn't polite to treat people like that no matter how
much they dislike you.
I sighed and looked back at Chrys. "I suppose." I
replied very reluctantly. Gigs didn't' look exactly
pleased but she left us. Tamara grinned. "You don't
have to put it on now...wait till we're ready to do
the presents...you guys can change in here." She said
leading us to a dressing room. It wasn't' very large,
but then Chrys and I have lived together for almost
three years now...we could manage. I nodded and hung
the 'costume' up.
I shook my head as I looked over at
Chrys. "Remember you are the one who insisted we leave
early...we could have just waited and missed all of this." Chrys
smiled sweetly
at me. "But then we would have missed all the fun."
I glared, "Fun, yeah riiight." I rolled my eyes
and left the little room. Time enough to worry about
that later...or not at all. I'd just deal with it, do
it and forget about it...or try to at least. "You
coming?" I called over my shoulder. I didn't get a
reply. Looking back I groaned.
Perfect, she'd
finally found Jason. As she hugged him and started
exchanging pleasantries, Chrys likes to talk...a lot.
I wandered off. She could find me when she was done.
That to would be easy enough. If I wanted to I could listen in
on their conversation...the same way she could with me. We
aren't a triumvirate and she isn't my master. We
just share an unwanted power...namely Fata. It had
its benefits...and its drawbacks. Sometimes it would
be nice to be alone with my own thoughts rather then
trying to figure out if they were my thoughts, Chrys'
thoughts, or Fata's thoughts. People wonder why
schizophrenics can be so violent...its the constant
bickering in their heads.
I wondered out to the front of the club. It'd been a
few years since I'd seen the place. It didn't look
the same but it was still beautiful. Right now the
only people inside were those who were either in the
show, setting up for the show or the other staff. It
wasn't quiet exactly, but give it an hour and the
place would be a mad house. I walked down the steps
and across the room to the bar. A familiar head
popped up and I smiled. "Richard." I said by way of
greeting.
He grinned at me. "Seri, I didn't realize you'd be
here." He said wiping out a glass. I shrugged.
"Chrys insisted we come for the wedding and now it
seems we have to BE in the bachelorette Party
entertainment. I see you didn't escape Gigs and
Tamara either." I said nodding to his outfit. He
looked like something straight from a Chippendale's
club. 'Wouldn't you just love to take a bite out of
that?' a voice whispered in my mind.
I wondered
who exactly Fata was talking to...me about Richard or
Chrys about Jason. A sudden image of startling blue
eyes, cool as ice and a rusty smile flashed in my
head. My eyes widened in shock and Richard asked what
was wrong. "Nothing." I mumbled glancing over my
shoulder in Chrys' direction. She wasn't talking to
Jason anymore she was talking to Edward. Fata wanted
to bite Edward? Can you say eww? came Chrys'
disgusted response. I had to stifle a laugh. Edward
wasn't that bad, but I'd sleep with a crocodile
before I crawled into bed with Edward. A croc would probably have
warmer blood then Death. Looking back up
at Richard I smiled. "Sorry what were you saying?"
He gave me a puzzled look then repeated himself. "It
was either tend bar or dance." I nodded. "Easy
choice." He grinned. "Oh yeah." I shook my head laughing, "Mind getting started a tad early?" I asked
after a moment.
He gave me a look "Sure you're old enough?" I rolled
my eyes. "Just orange juice thanks." He smiled and
set a glass down in front of me then went to get the
orange juice.
A hand was suddenly on my shoulder and I turned to look up in to
midnight blue eyes. "Jean-Claude, its been too long."
I said very softly. He inclined his head in a
gesture of assent then sat down on the stool next to
me. "How have you and the fair Chrysanthemum been?"
He asked. I felt a small grimace at the use of Chrys'
full name. She was obviously keeping an ear out. I
shrugged. "So far so good, we've managed to get Fata
under control...to some degree...and as you can
hear...I got my voice back." He smiled. "I am
pleased to hear it. It would have been a pity to lose
such a lovely tone." I rolled my eyes. "Maybe." was
all I said. I still don't sing, I hoped I never
needed to again.
Richard returned with the orange juice and nodded at
Jean-Claude. "How's everything backstage?" He asked
pouring my drink. Jean-Claude sighed heavily. "I fear
we shall have to keep a close eye on Mademoiselle
Esther. She is not pleased with her ensemble." I
listened with half an ear to their conversation. The
one Chrys was having was so much more interesting.
She'd left Edward and was now talking to one of the
other girls...Lyza. I looked over in their direction.
Jean-Claude must have seen me because he spoke almost
directly in my ear. "Lyza is Damien's new 'friend'
she's also the wedding planner." I nodded and looked
back at Richard. He had a funny look on his face.
Glancing at Jean-Claude I asked, "Did I miss
something?" He nodded but didn't continue. I looked
at Richard. "What?" He looked down at the bar.
Jean-Claude touched my arm. "It was nothing Cherie, I
hope you enjoy the evenings entertainment." He rose
gracefully and walked away after one last very pointed
look at Richard.
"What's going on?" I asked fixing Richard with a look
of my own. He looked back down at the bar. "Stuff has
changed since you were here." He said after a long
silence. I nodded. Of course things had changed...I
didn't expect St. Louis to be in a time warp. "You
might be surprised at some of the stuff." He
continued. I watched him puzzled...there was
obviously something important he wanted to tell
me, and Jean-Claude must have told him not to. Of
course Richard rarely listened to Jean-Claude.
"And??" I asked waiting expectantly. He looked up
suddenly and his eyes locked on something. I twisted
around and froze. Asher was walking towards us. I
suddenly wanted to transform and fly away...quickly.
I had told Chrys I'd try to talk to him, but I
couldn't. I was back to being the tongue-tied idiot.
for god sakes get a grip Chrys whispered. I
glanced over at her and glared pointedly. I know
what I'd like to get a grip on Fata chimed in.
One day I was going to find a way to muzzle her. I
rose taking my glass and nodded at Richard.
"Thanks
for the drink." I said and fled. Oh that was brave both of them whispered in my head. Just
shut up I whispered back. I transferred all my
attention back to pleading with every god I knew of
that he wouldn't follow me. When I was out of the
building I leaned against the wall and sighed in
relief. Thank God for small favors...or not.
"Seri, it is a pleasure to see you again." A soft
French voice whispered in my ear. I jumped at least
a foot in the air. "Asher." I squeaked, turning to
smile weakly up at him. "What are you doing out
here?" He asked waving one hand to indicate the back
of the club. I looked around then smiled back up at
him again. "Uhmm...I wanted some air?" I offered,
then went back to looking at my feet. His eyes
narrowed as he looked down at me. "I need to
speak..." He said but was interrupted...I silently
offered up a prayer of thanks as Edward appeared down
at the other end of the alley.
I moved towards him. "Edward." I said warmly...gratefully. One of his
eyebrows climbed up his forehead. "Seri." He said it
very casually. The last time we'd seen each other
he'd promised his services whenever I decided to go
after Padma. We weren't exactly allies but we
weren't enemies either. Asher didn't look all that
happy to see him. "I need to speak with Seri alone."
He said giving Edward a look. It didn't work. Edward
just shrugged and didn't leave.
Asher took a step forward. "Seri if you would please." Another voice
interrupted. "Asher...it is time for us to go." I
looked over his shoulders into another pair of
eyes, gray this time. I smiled wryly. "Luce, so you
finally convinced her to marry you. Hurt her and I'll make sure
you suffer." I said very sweetly. He looked down at
me, running his eyes up and down my length. "I do not
doubt it." Was all he said and then looked at Asher, "We
have to go now." It sound like it was important they
leave. I had a perverse desire to keep them there.
Just to foil whatever plans Luce had.
Asher nodded sighing. "I shall speak with you latter
mon doux petit oiseau." I nodded absently, still
glaring at Luce. Kash could do so much better. I
wondered what the hell Dare thought about all this.
He better show up or I was going to have to skin him
alive. Oh yes lets Fata entreated. I rolled my
eyes and started walking back to the club with a nasty
look painted on my face. Edward made a small noise
and I spun round on one heel. "What?!" I demanded
before realizing it was just him and not someone
else. He gave me one of those looks...you know the
kind I'm sure. I took a deep breath.
"Sorry." I
said and waited as he walked to me. "Nice to see ya
again." He said in Ted's lazy drawl. I shook my head
and laughed. He watched me quietly for a minute and I
explained. He'd never ask for an explanation, however
much he wanted one. "You go from Edward to Ted at an
alarmingly fast rate." I said simply. His statement
stayed neutral as we walked back inside together. I
nodded at him and walked back to where Chrys stood
talking to Nathaniel. Edward disappeared, much the same
way he'd appeared, without a word.
Chrys looked up as I approached. "Close call there."
She said. Nathaniel gave her a puzzled look, but I
just smiled telling her silently that I was well aware
of the fact that she was the one who had told him
where I'd gone. I'd get even later. She grinned
Sure you will. I just tilted my head to one side
and smiled then shrugged. Nathaniel was watching us
confused. I looked at him. "Sorry dear, I'll leave
you two to your conversation, I'm going to go change."
Chrys stared after me for a moment before continuing
her conversation with Nathaniel. Some people could
find someone to talk to in a monastery where all the
monks have taken a vow of silence. Chrys could even out
talk those people. It worked to my advantage though,
when she was around I didn't have to do much talking
at all.
I'd rather keep my mouth shut anyways. I
wondered back stage. We'd brought our clothes with
us. I changed quickly. It was a pants suit in a deep
rich purple. The top cut tight where it was supposed
to and flared at the sleeves, draping down my arms in
loose folds. Done entirely in silk it was wonderful
to wear, soft against my skin and it made my skin look
almost translucent. I had heels as well. Once I'd
learned to walk in them I'd began wearing them quite often...but
nothing over three inches. I might be able to
fly...but I'd rather not break my neck while walking
in a pair of heels.
I was fastening my amethyst bracelet in place and not
looking where I was going when I ran into
something...or rather someone. I looked up into dark
eyes and had to take a deep steadying breath.
"Sorry." I said about to take a step back when I
realized his hands were on my arms steadying me. He
was a vampire. Just my luck...its always vampires. I
smiled. He frowned down at me. "What is one so young
doing in a place like this?" He asked in a deep and
very nice voice. I was lost for a minute. "Oh...I'm
not as young as I look." I said and grinned. I may
look twelve but I'm not. I wasn't that young when I was cursed
either. I just look like a child that's all. He frowned
again. "No...you aren't." I tried smiling again. This
was a rather peculiar situation. He hadn't moved his
hands yet either. "No." I said simply. We stood
staring at each other for a rather long time. I didn't
want to be rude, and I didn't have a clue what he was
thinking.
"Ramses, I see you've met Seri." Jason said breaking
the silence sometime later. I looked over at Jason.
He was grinning very widely. I didn't have a clue why.
I was obviously missing something. Ramses released
me suddenly and turned to look at Jason. "I...yes." He
said still looking a tad confused. Jason took pity.
"She's a nightingale. Smells funny doesn't she." He
said amused. I glared at him. "I do not smell
funny." Ramses interrupted whatever Jason was going
to say. "She isn't a lycanthrope." It was a simple
straightforward remark and correct, but explaining
what I was always proved bothersome. "I was
cursed.... in around 500 B.C. as far as Chrys and I
have been able to tell."
Ramses looked again at me
and nodded. "No you aren't too young." I smiled. No
I certainly wasn't. I just smiled.
"I better go, it sounds like the show is beginning."
I said moving around him. Jason nodded. "Yeah I was
sent to find you actually, Chrys says get your ass in
gear." I looked at him and laughed. "I'll just bet
she did." I nodded to him and then to Ramses and
walked out to the front of the club. Chrys was busy
talking...again. She never shuts up. She even talks
in her sleep. I wondered if she was like that before
Fata...or if it was a side effect. Nope I've always
been this way she replied looking over her
shoulder at me and smiling.
I rolled my eyes and
walked to the head table. Kash had already arrived
and smiled widely at me when I approached. "How goes
it?" I asked sitting down in a chair across from her.
She rolled her eyes. "I've been informed I can't leave
my chair, and that I'm in for a treat. When Gigs said
treat she had a definite gleam in her eyes. It has me
worried." I laughed. "From what I have seen of
the preparations you should be worried." I replied as
Richard appeared at my shoulder and offered me a
drink.
I looked down at it. "What is it?" He
grinned. "Ohh just a little something special." I
shook my head at him. "What's in it?" He gave me a
long look. "Nothing you won't need before the end of
the night." I stared into his eyes for a long time
silently then nodded and took a sip of the drink and
gasped. "What is this kerosene?" He just grinned and
walked away. I held the drink up to the light
looking through it, it was a nice golden color like
brandy...but whatever it was it wasn't brandy.
I sat
it back down on the table. Chrys had disappeared.
<i>Where are you?</i> I asked. For a long empty
moment I thought she wasn't going to reply.
Busy...I'm very busy right now she responded in
a rather rushed tone. I frowned and was going to ask
another question when the shields slammed into place.
Whatever she was up to, she wasn't in danger...she was
into mischief...that I could sense. I shook my head
and turned to watch the show. Gigs and Tamara, the
tyrants who'd bullied me into participating, were
announced by Jean-Claude, and they came out singing a
song I'd never heard before. They did an excellent
job and sang with great enthusiasm. It almost made me
jealous. I'd never be able to do that...of course I
never would have wanted to so it was a moot point.
The women in the crowd soon got very wrapped up in the
show. I was enjoying it as well. When Damien danced,
Lyza seemed barely able to remain in her chair. I had
to smile a little at that. It was always nice to see
someone in love. When the cake appeared I cheered
along with the rest of the crowd as Jason made his
appearance. However when I saw how everyone at the
table was licking him, I almost panicked.
I was going to get up and
flee
when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked up at
Jean-Claude. "It is all in fun petit oiseau." He said
softly. I glared up at him. Licking cake off of Jason
was not my idea of fun. I couldn't get up
though...not without making a very big scene. Fata
was laughing silently in the back of my mind. When
Jason stopped in front of me and looked down wiggling
eyebrows I shot him a dirty look. He took a step
closer. There was no way I was going to get out of
this. Wonderful just wonderful. I considered for a
moment. What was the most innocent place I could lick
him I wondered. Then I had an idea. Leaning forward I
took his hand in mine, turning it over; glancing up at
him I gently licked his palm and then released him.
Jean-Claude's hand moved up my arm to rest on my
shoulder. "Well done." He said very softly. Jason
winked at me and moved on.
The girl sitting next to
me was Kylie Everett. I'd never met her, but obviously
Jason had. The heat they generated could have singed
my eyebrows. When he got to Anita and offered up his
hiney I about died laughing, and when she took him up
on the offer I almost fell out of my seat. That was
about the time I decided I should ease off on
Richard's little lighter fluid drinks. When Gigs got
up to go backstage Jean-Claude released my shoulder
and helped me rise. I was a tad unsteady on my feet.
Drinking for courage...who me? I made my way back to
the little dressing room and began putting on my
outfit. Typically I favor garments that actually
involve fabric of some kind...but it seemed that I was
going to be the proverbial knight in shinning armor.
Okay there was a tiny leather thong for the bottom and
a matching bra that went under all the chain mail.
Chrys appeared just in time to laugh at the horrified
statement on my face. "Where the devil have you
been?" I demanded.
A sudden image of the devil flashed. "You were
helping him...how could you." I asked horrified. She
rolled her eyes. "She loves him duhhh...come on we
both know it, hell everyone knows it." She said
turning away to grab her costume...fishnet and not
just the stockings. I looked at her stunned. "Has
Fata been messing with your mind?" She laughed but
didn't turn around. "What exactly where you helping
him with?" I demanded after a few minuets of watching
her wiggle and squirm in her outfit. Chrys can be a
major perfectionist, and she was having one hell of a
time getting her seams exactly to her liking. She
rolled her eyes at my tone and sat down on the one
chair in the room to pull on her boots. They came to
mid thigh and zipped up the inside. She looked up at
me after a minute. "It's a surprise for Kash, don't
worry about it." I knew I wasn't going to get any
more information from her. That's right she
replied mocking me. I glared, but what was I supposed
to do, strip the information from her mind? Fata
could have done it but it wasn't my style. Besides I
knew she wouldn't be helping Luce do anything that
would hurt Kash.
I turned and left the room. She could keep her
secrets. I'd just wait around back here until it was
time to present the `gift'. I was really mad and not
watching were I was going. I walked into another
someone...I have a tendency to run into things...they're
usually inanimate...but hey maybe vampires qualify.
"We've got to stop meeting like this." I said looking
up at Ramses. Once again he had his hands on my arms
keeping me from falling flat on my face, this time
though I wasn't wearing long sleeves and our skin made
definite contact. My heart did a little hop skip and
a jump...strange I didn't think hearts did that. He was
frowning again. I wondered if he always frowned or if
I just had that effect on him. "Seri," he said it
like he was testing the way it felt on his tongue.
"Ramses." I replied smiling benignly. I didn't know
what his deal was, but as a rule I don't trust
vamps. I've had way too much experience with them to
ever truly trust them. Something nagged at the back of my
mind.
Maybe I'd met him before, I've met lots of
vampires, living with the council for over a thousand
years will do that. Of course I was never formally
introduced. It didn't really matter, if I'd met him
while I was with the council that was just another reason not to
trust him. I wanted to leave...now. There was just one
problem, he still had hold of me and I couldn't think
of a polite way to get him to let go. I could have
pointed it out, but I didn't want to offend him.
Besides I rather liked the feel of his hands on my
skin. I looked up into his eyes...I know you aren't
supposed to met a vampires gaze, but I had some
immunity and besides why would he want to roll me?
He looked faintly appalled...I didn't know what to make
of it until I realized he was looking at my costume.
"What don't you like it?" I asked sarcastically. His
eyes flashed to mine aghast. I felt a little imp rise
in my heart...Chrys was listening again. "Don't I look
like Joan of Arc?" I asked before I could keep the
words in my mouth...I was going to kill her later. He
looked down his nose at me in disdain. "Frankly no."
I took firm control of my mouth back from my `friend'
and I use the term loosely. Hey, you know you love
me. I smiled at him.
"No, I guess not, she had
better sense then to be seen in public like this...I
look more like a little girl playing dress up in her
father's armor." I said with a tiny grin. He was
silent. I let my eyes fall away from his. Why were
we still standing here I wondered. I glanced back up,
he had his eyes closed and looked like he was
concentration on something. "Is something wrong?" I
asked very softly. His eyes remained closed for a
moment longer then he looked down at me and he looked
concerned. I frowned...well it was my turn after all.
"What?" I asked. He smiled...he really shouldn't do
that, it was as bad Jean-Claude's or Asher's. Enough to
turn even the most sensible girl's head.
"I am sorry to have detained you." He said finally
releasing me. I took an unsteady step back from him.
"I...it is fine." I said in a rather shaky voice. I stood
staring at him, not moving and totally confused. Why did
everyone keep giving me that look? You know the one I'm talking about
the one that says that everyone knew something that I
didn't...something I
wouldn't like? "I believe it is your turn." He said
nodding in the direction of the stage. I didn't
understand what he was talking about for a minute,
then I snapped to attention. "Oh!" I said and began
moving towards the stage, a hand on my shoulder
restrained me. "You will need this I think." He said
holding out the chastity belt. I almost died of
mortification. At least they weren't having me model
it. I took it and smiled raggedly. "Yes…thank you."
I said staring at him again, Get a move on
Chrys whispered frantically in my head and I jumped.
Goddess I hate it when she catches me unawares like
that.
I smiled one last time at him and hurried to the
stage. He was certainly an odd fellow...even if he was
too attractive by half. I pushed the encounter to the
back of my mind. Now it was time for me to go out
there and strut my stuff. Now that was a thought
worthy of laughter. I've never strutted in my life. I
squared my shoulders and stepped through the curtains
right on cue. I heard a shout from the darkened
audience. "Isn't that a little like locking the
stable AFTER the horse has already gotten out?" There
was a round of laughter following it. I blushed…but
maybe they couldn't tell through the chain mail.
Come on girl, its no biggie came Chrys'
encouraging words. Pathetic was Fata's comment.
I walked to the mannequin they'd conveniently set up
on the stage.
I felt like a prize display girl from
one of those game shows. Carefully I unlocked the
device and placed it on the dummy, relocking it.
Showing it off from different angles (since the model
was on wheels it was easy enough to do). As I was
unlocking it Gigs voice rang out over the crowd. "For
those nights when you just don't feel like faking a
headache". I closed my eyes in mortification.
Goddess give me strength had just become my new
mantra. I walked down off the stage and to the main
table. Kash looked almost as embarrassed as I felt.
I wondered what exactly I was supposed to say…'hope
you enjoy it' seemed inappropriate, so I just smiled
and walked away very quickly.
"You did very well." Ramses said as I rushed back
through the curtains and towards the dressing room. I
froze. "I…thank you." I said my eyes on my shoes. I
didn't hear him move but suddenly his hand was on my
chin tilting my face up to look at him. "There is no
need to be embarrassed." He said it so simply. I
smiled tightly. "Easy for you to say, you aren't half
naked." As soon as the words were out of my mouth my
eyes widened in horror. I couldn't believe I'd said
that. There was no need to call attention to my
nudity. It wasn't as if I wanted him to be aware of the
fact. "I have to change." I said in a strangled voice
and fled. When I was back in my nicely sedate
pantsuit I felt much better. Chrys burst in flushed,
excited and laughing. "That was so funny. Gigs
certainly has an interesting turn of phrase." I
looked at her blankly. She rolled her eyes. "You are
absolutely no fun…weren't you listening." I shook my
head and began rubbing my temples. I was developing a
headache. "Enlighten me." I said as she started
changing. "Oh no! You missed it, your loss." I gave
her a look.
She just grinned and jumped back up.
"Listen I gotta jet. I met this girl Cassie…actually
Kash introduced us. I'm going to hang with her for a
while, kay?" She asked wriggling into a pair of vinyl
pants. She looked like she'd been poured into them
when she finally got them on, and the top was one I
hadn't seen before. She was behaving oddly. Chrys
wasn't a party animal but tonight she looked like the
proverbial club hopper. I shook my head; I'd get the
details later. "I'll see you later then." I said
opening the door. She breezed past me. "Yeah, catch
ya later." I stared after her for a minute, then
walked back to the main floor of the club and sat back
down in my seat.
Kylie looked up at me as I resumed my seat. "Hey."
She said it very carefully. I was getting about sick
of everyone acting like they had to walk on eggshells
around me. "What is it?" I asked, maybe she'd give me
a straight answer, no one else had, of course I hadn't
thought to ask…oh my god Edward. My mouth about fell
to the floor. Edward was stripping. I glanced over
at Kash. Tamara was sitting on her lap and Gigs was
holding onto her shoulders and she was still able to
squirm. Her hands were clawing into the arms of the
seat.
Yeah she certainly was in love with Luce.
Hey just cause she wants to jump Edward's
bones… Chrys thoughts trailed off into a giggle.
I had a small glimpse of a laughing face, with blue
eyes and lots of blonde hair. The infamous Cassie I
guessed. Fata didn't keep quiet either though and
directed my attention back to Edward. Oh he's
certainly a fine specimen, do say we can have him
I gasped out loud. "NO!" Kylie looked at me
strangely. "Sorry" I said and tried to relax in my
chair.
Kylie looked at me for a long moment as I nursed my
drink and kept my eyes safely away from Edward's
dancing form. After this I wasn't sure I'd ever be
able to look at him the same again. Oh but I'll
look at him and see that splendid chest and those
lovely calves…yum Fata laughed huskily. I closed
my eyes trying hard not to think about that. I could
feel Chrys wrinkling her nose in disgust.
Kylie touched my hand gently. "I think there's
something you should know." I looked up at her.
"Yes?" I asked grateful for the distraction. "Its
about Asher." She said softly. My face froze and I
carefully removed all the statement from it. "Yes?"
She paused for a moment looking past me at Gigs and
Tamara. I frowned. Suddenly I had a very bad feeling.
"Yes?" I asked again. She took a breath. "You may
have noticed that Gigs doesn't exactly like you." I
nodded in reply.
"She and Asher…" My heart stopped
beating…but I smiled. "Oh?" I asked when she didn't
go on. "She's a were-tiger…" she started again. "It
turns out that she's his animal to call…and Tamara is
his human servant." I nodded almost ready to bolt,
just then the music changed. I hadn't been paying
attention to the show. Glancing back up at the stage I
saw him appear. He was dressed to the nines. I
remembered seeing him clothed thus many times
before but he still looked wonderful.
My heart dropped
and shattered into pieces as I watched him slowly
remove each piece of clothing, I couldn't even hear
the music, there was just him, all my attention was
focused. When in a small shimmer of power his scars
faded away, every muscle in my body clenched and
froze. I'd seen him like that before. Once upon a time
when he was young, before everything had happened,
he'd been an Adonis. Not that his status as a god had
ever changed for me.
It was my turn to put claw marks in the arms of my
chair. I barely remained seated, but in just a few
seconds time, when his women got up and draped
themselves all over him. <i>What happened?</i> Chrys
asked concerned, another down side to sharing Fata is
our emotions tend to bleed. Nothing I said
unclenching my hands and folding them in my lap.
Nothing had happened I hadn't just watched...I refused
to think about it. I turned my head to smile at
Kylie. "I understand." I said very softly. She
looked genuinely sorry and I was sure she was but
right now that didn't matter. All that mattered was<
that I needed to leave, immediately.
I couldn't leave though. If I left then everyone would
know I was upset. Screw it. I stood up and in doing that I
knocked over my chair. "Sorry." I said to whoever
was listening. Richard caught my arm. "Seri." He
said. I looked up into his eyes. He'd known and he
hadn't said anything. I blinked back tears. "NOT
NOW." I said through tightly clenched teeth and jerked
out of his grasp. I turned and walked very slowly
from the room, with my head held high and my shoulders straight.
Buzz stopped me at the door. "I'm sorry Ms. Seri. I
saw what happened." He said I nodded at him and walked
past and out the door. I hadn't gotten far when I
heard a voice beside me. "It is not wise to walk
these streets alone at night." I turned and looked up
into Ramses dark eyes.
He stood
at his ease watching my face. "I'll be fine." I said
finally and started walking again. He fell into step
beside me. "I'm not really looking for company." I
said harshly. I knew it was rude but at the moment I
wasn't up to polite niceties. He remained silent. I
glanced over at him. He was watching me. I stopped
walking. "Why are you here?" He gave me a long look
before replying. "I do not let ladies walk
unaccompanied at night." I stared at him for a long
time. "You're of Belle Morte's line aren't you?" I
asked suddenly. He inclined his head in
acknowledgement. I shook my head. What was it Anita
had once said? I believe it was "Where does she find
you guys…Studs-R-Us?" Chrys supplied.
I blushed. "I shall never understand why such women
fall for Asher. He is not deserving." He said very
softly. I blushed harder. "I don't know," was the
only thing I could think of to say to him. He smiled.
There really ought to be a law. Another smile
flashed in my head and I bit my lip. He was sweet and
handsome and I felt a strange fluttering sensation in my
stomach when he touched me, but he wasn't Asher. I'd been in
love
with Asher for centuries...so how much
of this was really attraction and how much of it was me
wanting to lash out at Asher? We hadn't even been
together, I had no call to be so upset. I smiled
again at him. "I'm going back to my hotel if you'd
like to walk with me. I wouldn't mind the company." I
said and paled. Where had that come from? I'd been
about to tell him that I was fine and wanted to be
alone. He nodded and we started walking again. I let
my thoughts wander and they had a very predictable
path, Asher. He'd been on my mind ever since I'd left
St. Louis. Now, though the future looked a lot less
bright then it had on the flight here when I'd been
having romantic visions of running into his welcoming
arms and…well so on and so forth. I sighed heavily.
"Perhaps we could go for coffee first and talk?"
Ramses asked suddenly breaking the silence. I glanced
at him. "I don't drink coffee and neither do you." I
pointed out flatly. He fell silent again. "Tea?" He
asked after a minute. I stopped and looked at him.
"Why do you care?"
"A lady should not cry alone." He said solemnly. I
knew he meant it. I shook my head. "I'm no lady, I
was born a peasant and I've never been anything but."
I shrugged, we hadn't really had ladies in my
time. There'd been the priestesses but I hadn't ever
wanted to be one of those. I'd wanted to run wild in
the woods. He interrupted my trip down memory lane.
"A lady is not born, she simply is." I looked into
his eyes, a sincere vampire. It was enough to make a
girl cry. I smiled at him. "Thank you." I didn't
know what to say beyond that. Looking down at the
ground I had to blink back tears, equal parts touched
by his comments and misery over the spectacle I had
seen so recently.
"It is not a sin to cry." He said gently reaching out
a hand to touch my shoulder. I looked up at him tears
in my eyes and smiled. "Maybe not, but I'm not going
to do that in front of a total stranger…please excuse
me." I said and transformed. Let him think whatever
he liked but I couldn't deal with this right now. I
flew away as the fabric that had been clothing me feel
in a pool at his feet.