Rules Are Good by Jennifer Flynn
This is my plot but LK Hamilton’s characters and scenery.
“What is this all about,” Anita asked angrily.
As usual she was being less than diplomatic but today she had more reason than usual. She was in damp, cold room that smelled of mildew as only a basement could. Or a dungeon. Anita glared ineffectually through the thick iron bars at the only thing standing between her and her grade A, turbo speed coffee machine. Jean Claude the best-dressed and easily most annoying vampire in St. Lois or the world for that matter.
“ Ma petit,” he said in his ‘I’m being ever so reasonable tone’; I was merely rescuing you from the cruel world in which you live. What other kind of world would keep a woman away from her most devoted and most exquisite suitor for nearly three weeks. Reprehensible.” He mocked a shudder.
“ One in which there is a god! Jean Claude, you can’t just have one of your minions grab me from the street because I reject your advances. It is called abduction and it is illegal,” Anita strove to keep her voice calm but failed miserably. She knew she should have let the lamia eat him.
Jean Claude rewarded this speech with one of his spine tingling laughs that let her know he was far more amused than he had the right to be.
“ But, ma petit, you are one of my minions, as is your friend Mssr. Zeeman. I thought you would appreciate the opportunity to spend time with us both.”
Jean Claude lazily snapped his fingers and two of the lesser vampires struggled to drag in the reluctant Richard Zeeman. Richard was still wearing the suit he had been teaching junior high science in only hours before. His tie was askance and his white shirt clung to him with the sweat from his battle.
“ Well,” said Jean Claude in a steel cold voice,” I can see why you two have so much in common. But rash anger and stubbornness seldom brings people together. I hope one of you will give them up as you may be spending quite some time together.”
As Jean Claude and his assistant vampires strode towards the door, Richard grabbed Anita and pushed her to her knees. He leaned close to her in the pretense of helping her up.
“ Cry Damnit!” he snarled,” Say you want to go home”
Anita blinked twice in shock before throwing herself into the plan. Richard didn’t become a teacher for nothing.
“Please,” she cried out in a voice so small that she surprised even herself,” I just want to go home.”
Jean Claude turned to stare in shock. He had made the executioner, herself, the bogeyman of all vampire kind, cry and beg to go home within an hour. He should use the dungeons more often they had a wonderful effect on creatures that lived in the light.
He simply smiled. “ But ma petite, this IS your home.”
Realization hit Anita in the stomach. It was too evil…too perfect!
“ Well then,” she shouted jumping to her feet,” You are no longer welcome nor is any vampire in your service.”
The circus filled with a loud swooshing sound as Jean Claude and his people were drawn towards the doors by a strange magnetism. His face filled with horror at what he had done. Up on the ground level floor, a stunned audience watched as vampires were sucked through the air and thrown out the door as if by some large magical vacuum.
Anita and Richard collapsed into each other’s arms aching with laughter. “ Oh Richard,” Anita laughed,” You are a genius.”
“ No,” he said,” I’m just a supernatural boy scout who knows how to play by the rules.”
“ Rules are good,” She agreed leaning in for a kiss.
Outside, Jean Claude stood staring furiously at HIS circus. None of his people dared to approach him. In nearly 300 years this was a first. He was sure this was a first, period. How did a human revoke a vampire’s invitation into HIS OWN HOUSE!
“ Oh,” my minions,” he said softly,” How you are going to pay for this.”
A wary Damien interrupted his dire threats.
“ Master,” he asked timidly,” Where are we going to sleep tonight?”
Suddenly, Jean Claude’s face began to shine with glee.
“ I know just the place,” he said, his voice tingling with pleasure,” my invitation is still good in some places in this city.”
He idly wondered whether Anita used cotton or silk sheets. Only one way to find out.