Edward tried to snuggle against me while my thoughts raced. He didn’t know he wasn’t himself; I couldn’t very well kill him now. If he tried this shit while he was back to his cold assassin self, then I’d shoot him. The big question was how did Belle Morte get hold of him without myself or Jean-Claude knowing? Or did Jean-Claude know? I hadn’t talked to him since the day before. Trying hard to ignore the oh-so-warm body pressed into mine, I reached for the phone. Sadly, I knew the numbers for most of the Master vamp’s hideouts. I tried him at the Circus first. Willie McCoy answered.
“Good to hear from ya,” he said. “Word on the streets is that the Council’s representative is coming to town.”
“I hate to break it to you, Willie, but I think they’re here.”
I could hear him swallow. “Whadda ya mean?”
“Can I talk to Jean-Claude, please?”
It must have been the please. Willie put me on hold and the head bloodsucker himself came on the line. “Ma petite, what is wrong?”
His velvety voice sent shivers down my spine even now. I concentrated on not freaking out and started talking. “I think the Council’s flunky is already in town.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
I sighed. Might as well come out and tell him. “Edward’s here, Jean-Claude.” He was silent. “He’s…not himself.”
“Is Death feeling quite alright?” Even over the phone lines the sarcasm was clear.
“No. He’s cuddling with me, for crying out loud. I glimpsed someone else in his mind, Belle Morte to be exact.”
“Please explain, ma petite. How did you see into Edward’s mind?”
“We sort of had sex, and the ardeur allowed me to see into his heart, his mind. I saw her, Jean-Claude. She mind raped him.”
“You had sex with Edward.” He stated it like he was telling me the time. “You have been busy, Anita.”
“He’s not in control of himself! That’s what I’m trying to tell you. He came onto me and the ardeur took over from there. Goddamn it, Jean-Claude, don’t start with me. This is all your fault and Richard’s.”
“How is it Monsieur Zeeman’s fault?”
What the hell was his problem? Didn’t he understand that we had bigger problems then me having had sex with Edward? “Look, Edward’s mind has been taken over by a member of the Council. How else could they do it unless one of them was nearby? They can’t do that from a distance, can they?”
“No, not that I know of.” It was quiet as he seemed to think. “What purpose would the Council have in taking over Edward’s mind, ma petite?”
“To kill me. You should hear him talk. He sounds insane. He told me if he couldn’t have me, no one would, as in he’d kill me if I rejected his advances. Ask Cherry and Zane; they were there. They heard everything he said.”
“And what did he say to get you into bed with him?”
“Stop it, you bastard. If Belle Morte can take him over, what’s to stop her from taking over someone else we know? What if she gets my leopards or your vampires or someone else who could take me out?”
He sighed. “I will contact the Council and see if they have indeed sent their representative. We may be in greater danger than I feared if Musette is in St. Louis and has not yet come to call on me. Though it may be to our advantage that we discovered this…plot now instead of later. It would be best, ma petite, if you came to stay here at the Circus with me for the time being. You would be much safer here than at your home.”
“I agree. But who’s to say everyone there is okay? Can you tell if somebody is being mind-controlled?”
His voice was suddenly stern. “I am not some weak vampire that does not know the minds of those under his protection. You have my word that you will be safe here.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I, Anita, so am I.”
“Should I bring Edward with me to the Circus? I can’t just leave him alone like this.”
“I shall send one of my vampires to help you escort him. Please be careful, ma petite.”
“You too.”
We hung up. Glancing down at Edward, I was relieved to see him fast asleep. Carefully, so as not to disturb him, I got out of the bed and grabbed my robe. First order of business was to retrieve my weapons: the Browning and the tranquilizer gun. Getting dressed could wait.
Ten minutes later I was ready for whoever Jean-Claude was sending over. I paced the living room while I waited. Richard still hadn’t called back. I’d have to remember to try him again when I got to the Circus. There was a knock on the door. My escort had arrived. Just in case it wasn’t, I had the Browning out when I answered the door. “Who’s there?” I called.
“Asher.”
It was indeed him. I stepped back. “Come on in. Did Jean-Claude send just you?”
He tossed his golden hair back with a flick of his head. “Is your friend that out of control that I am not enough to restrain him?”
“Hopefully not, but I was going to shoot him with the tranquilizer again before we left.”
Asher looked confused. “You shot him with tranquilizer, ma cherie?”
“Actually, Zane did, but Edward woke up after awhile.” I shrugged, nodded toward the bedroom. “He’s sleeping, so let’s drug him and get the hell out of here.”
The vampire’s eyebrow raised but he followed me without another word. Edward was indeed still out for the count. He didn’t even move when I pressed the barrel of the gun to his side. I pulled the trigger and the dart released its contents with a sharp hiss. There was an involuntary jump, then Edward was still again. I looked to Asher. “Okay, he’s all yours.”
“Perhaps you would like to have him dressed before we move him,” he said tactfully. He was staring at where the sheet had slipped over Edward’s groin. I turned my head away, embarrassed. “I will do it, if you show me where his clothing is.” I blushed and kept my eyes on the floor. “He has no clothing? What has happened here, ma cherie?”
Avoiding glancing at the man on the bed, I met Asher’s eyes. “Just wrap him in the blanket and get him out of here, Asher.” With that, I walked out of the bedroom. I’d had all of Edward that I’d be able to handle for the rest of my life. I could hear the vampire struggle to comply with my wishes. At last Asher emerged carrying a bundle of assassin over one shoulder. He seemed slightly overwhelmed. I softened. “Asher, I’m sorry. A lot has happened to me in the last couple of days.”
He was gracious. “No need for explaination now. We must first get you to the Circus. Are you packed and ready to go?”
I held up the overnight bag I’d thrown together. It held the Firestar and most of my knives, including the blade that went in the spine sheath down my back. Holding the door open for Asher, I glanced up and down the street. It was empty and quiet. I locked up and followed the vampire to my Jeep. Either he’d gotten dropped off or…he did whatever master vamps did when they wanted to get around fast. I didn’t really care. We laid Edward in the backseat and were on our way.
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