| Wanted: Chapter 7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We woke early that evening and took our time getting dresses and eating. When we arrived at the Circus it was dark and the evening’s festivities were in full swing. We took the back way in so as to avoid the crowd. We parted company at the head of the stairs, the boys and Cherry went on into the Circus and I made my way downstairs; Jason had called ahead – Anita would be waiting for me in Jean-Claude’s suite. There was no other word to describe the lavish room. When I came to the door I knocked gently, still wishing I could run quickly in the opposite direction and never speak of this to anyone again. But I knew the only way I would ever be at peace over what I had done was to confess. “Come in,” I heard Jean-Claude call, his voice coming velvety smooth through the door. I only paused a moment before entering. “Move!” came a female voice from behind me. I jumped. I had been too worried about facing Anita to concentrate on my surrounding. As I inhaled I could smell the vampire at my back. “Myung-Jin!” Jean-Claude said in a stern voice that held plenty of warning. A small Asian girl stepped out from behind me, giving me an “I’m watching you” look before taking another few steps into the room and turning her attention to Jean-Claude. “Master, it is time to go – you will be late.” “Yes… yes, I know.” He finished pulling on his coat and left, taking the smaller vampire with him. I caught Anita watching them go, maliciously. It was not a happy day when jealousy reared its ugly head with Anita. “He would never,” I said softly. “I still don’t like her,” Anita replied turning her attentions back to the guns she was cleaning on the table in front of her. “I think she has ulterior motives.” I gave a small laugh and went to site in the couch across from her, sinking into its comfy depths. “You think everyone has ulterior motives.” “Yeah, but it keeps me alive.” “True.” “So, Jason said you had something you wanted to talk to me about,” she said, finishing up with her Browning and putting it into its holster that was as always, strapped around her shoulders. “Yeah…wh… what’s that small one there?” I asked pointing to a rather small gun sitting on the table. “It’s a Seacamp,” she said as she picked it up and started to clean it. “I use it when I have to go to one of Jean-Claude’s fancy parties, it’s the only thing I can fit in my formal occasion purse. But you didn’t come here to talk to me about guns.” “I… I…” “Spit it out.” “I killed Elizabeth.” “No you didn’t,” she answered quickly, her attention never wavering from her task. “Yes. I did.” “No… you didn’t.” “Yes… I did! I was there! I had her blood on my hands. I still have her claw marks on me… I can show you.” She raised her eyes to mine. “Rachel, listen to me. You didn’t… kill… Elizabeth.” “Why are you so certain?” I asked, pleading for understanding. “You weren’t there. You didn’t see…” Anita had quickly averted her eyes. “No…” I said absently, trying to fit it all together in my head. Anita was now unusually absorbed in the meticulous cleaning of the gun in her hands. “You were there? But how… why?” “Same as you – following Elizabeth to find out why the hell she was back in town and what she was up to. I now believe she staged the whole thing. She purposefully showed up somewhere she knew I would see her and then drew me out to the clearing. I don’t think she planned on you seeing her too and beating me there.” “Yes, but I ripped her throat out.” “I’ve seen shifter’s heal that damage – besides she was still going after you even without her throat. She got a good swipe at you before I had a clear shot – sorry.” “’S ok… I’ll heal,” I said quietly, sitting back and absorbing what Anita had said, sweet relief slowed through me. Then another thought dawned on me. “What now?” Anita asked seeing my sudden stiffness. “But does that still make me an accessory.” “No one’s going to be charges. You acted in self-defense. I acted to protect you. I prevented your murder.” I relaxed again. “But…” she continued, “This makes me concerned over the safety of all of you in that house.” She picked up another small gun from the right side of the table and handed it to me. I took it tentatively – I’d never been a big fan of guns. “It’s a Firestar.” She shrugged, “I don’t really use it anymore, and I can get another if I need to. I’m going to start taking you to the shooting range. You will learn how to use it. Then if the need arises… use it.” She went back to cleaning, adding quietly, “We don’t know if her new pard is the vengeful sort.” “Thanks Anita,” I said getting up and putting the small gun in my bag, “for everything.” I headed for the door. “Oh,” she called after me. I stopped and turned to her. “You will have to give a statement telling your side of the story, but I promise it’s all been taken care of. I’ll take you down myself.” “Ok,” I replied calmly. “Just call and tell me when.” She nodded and I left to go find everyone. We needed to celebrate. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8 Index |