His skin was so warm where it touched my body; warm and smooth and simplyperfect. It was as if our bodies were meant to be together, always.
I rose up on tiptoe with my nakedness against the front of his clothes and shredded shirt. I rose up to help our lips meet, as Richard bent down. So tall, so far to reach, for the touch of his mouth, but oh so worth it.
The kiss grew from something chaste to a feeding at each others mouths. Richard picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, pressing my most intimate parts against the front of his jeans. The pain was instant, and too raw to ignore. It cleared my head better than any cold shower.
I broke the kiss and tried to climb down from his arms, but he held me against him. It hurts, I said.
He drew his face away enough to look puzzled, and then he let me down. He tried to make me slide down his body, but I stopped the movement in midmove, because the thought of rubbing myself down the front of something as rough as jeans made me cringe. No matter how nice the package inside the jeans might be.
He let me down onto the floor but kept his arms around me. I was back to putting my hands against his chest to try for some distance. I wasnt sure what had just happened, but it was wrong. It wasnt my thoughts.
Anita, look at me, he said.
I tried not to, but it was almost as if I couldnt stop myself. The moment I held his gaze, the thought returned. I wanted to touch him, and be touched. I wanted
Arms around my waist from behind, and I was jerked backward out of Richards arms. I was also off the ground, held against someone elses nude body. I knew it was Crispin before I saw that flash of white hair out of the corner of my eye.
Alex moved between us and Richard. Easy, Ulfric, but using magic is an unfair advantage.
Shang-Da and Jamil were on either side of Richard, but seemed unsure whether to help him against the tigers or grab him so it didnt get out of hand.
I dont know what you mean by magic, but if he doesnt put Anita down, Im going to use something a lot more solid on him than hocus-pocus.
For me, I felt better in Crispins arms, clearer-headed. I patted Crispins arm. Its okay, you can put me down.
He was trying to bespell you, the way you can do to others.
I know.
Richard said, I cant bespell anyone. Im not a vampire.
I patted Crispins arm again, and he lowered me to the ground, though he kept his arms around me, loose, but with a tension to them that let me know if I moved toward Richard again, hed stop me. On one hand, he had no right to do that; on the other, Id needed the help. What the hell was going on with Richard and me?
You bespelled me like a vampire, Richard. When you touched me, it was harder to think, and when I looked up into your eyes it was impossible. It was like the whole world was nothing except need for you.
Thats how its supposed to be when youre in love, he said.
I shook my head. Pretty to think so, Richard, but this wasnt being in love. This was obsession. The pain helped clear my head, just like it does when a vampire tries to roll me. And all vampire powers are magnified by touch. You know that.
But Im not a vampire, he said.
Me either, but I can roll people as if I am, sometimes.
Richard frowned at me, his handsome face closing down into those petulant lines. Why was it that pretty people did petulant better than the rest of us?
I felt it, too, Jason said. It was focused on Anita, but Ive been rolled too many times not to know it when I smell it.
You are all crazy, he said, but he looked less petulant, and more thoughtful. There was a good mind inside the pretty packaging. It was one of the things that had made me love him.
You dont carry my anger anymore, Richard, but youre still part of the triumvirate with Jean-Claude and me. Maybe when you lost the anger, you gained something else.
He opened his mouth, closed it, then said, Is that possible?
Lets call Jean-Claude and ask, Jason said.
Richard frowned at him. Why dont you shower while we call?
Jason fought to keep his face neutral. Want me out of the way?
No, but if you dont want me pissed again, I need you not to smell like you rolled in Anitas body. He looked past me to Crispin. You, too, Whitey.
My name is Crispin.
Whatever, but if you and Red here could go someplace else and clean up, that would help.
I dont know if the room we booked is even still ours, Crispin said.
I have a room that I booked for the week, Alex said. He looked at me, then at Jason beyond. It is one of the social events of the year, plus politics, and a hint of scandal. I came down here for a story, though that seems like ages ago. He looked thoughtful, shook his head, and then looked back at Crispin. Can he borrow the extra robe?
Jason started untying the sash without being asked twice. He handed the robe to Alex. Ill go shower. He just turned and went for the bathroom.
Alex handed the robe to Crispin. He didnt take it. He actually clasped me a little closer to him. If we are not here to help her escape his powers, then he will have her and chase us out.
Your word, Ulfric, that you wont touch her while were gone.
You have no right to ask that, Richard said.
No, but something is going on here, something different. You gain powers if you are a vampires animal to call, but you dont gain the powers that you and Anita are gaining. Thats not part of the deal. Yet I saw you bespell her. I felt her roll me like a cheap date. Roll me partway like a weretigress, and part like a vampire. Again, very weird.
He gazed at the floor as if the answer lay somewhere on the carpet. I need to give my paper something, or they are going to bitch about the hotel bill. They only footed it because the Summerlands are staying here. Their personal home is a museum now to the history of the family and the towns founding.
Theyre that big a deal? I said.
He smiled at me. You truly dont pay attention to the media, do you?
Not really. I moved away from Crispin, took the robe from Alex, and handed it to him.
You really want me to leave? Crispin sounded hurt. The tone of voice, something about his expression made me put him on the far side of twenty-five. Id thought he was older.
I need some space, Crispin.
How old are you? Richard asked.
Crispin looked at him, then back to me as if to ask, did he have to answer him? I nodded, and he answered, just like that. Obedient, almost disturbingly so.
Twenty-one.
You do like them young, Anita.
Nathaniel is the same age.
I think thats my point, Richard said. At least Im dating people closer to my own age.
I turned and gave him an unfriendly look. If were going to fight, you can leave, too.
A look passed over his face. He had to try twice before he spoke, and the first two times didnt sound anything like what he finally said. You arent safe alone.
Im beginning to not feel very safe with any of you in the room.
What does that mean?
It means that the vampire marks have gone all weird again, and I dont know why. It means Im tired. It means I hurt. It means that I need to find the charm. It has to be somewhere in the room. It means I need to get dressed. I spotted the Browning on the carpet where Id apparently dropped it when Richard had rolled me with his touch and gaze. I picked it up. I dropped my gun, Richard, and didnt remember doing it. I forgot everything but you. Love doesnt make me forget that Im armed, but vampire gaze can.
He tried to trick you, Crispin said.
Go, I said, go to Alexs room, clean up.
Can we come back here when were done? Crispin asked.
I dont know, call me first.
Im going back to work once I put in my spare brown contacts, Alex said.
You do that.
Why do you sound angry? Alex asked.
Everything makes her angry, Richard answered, before I could say anything.
I suddenly wanted
to be alone. I wanted them all gone. Fuck them all, or rather, not fuck them all. Jesus, but I needed to catch my breath, and I wasnt sure I could do that with a crowd around me.
You two, out. I actually gave Alex a little push toward the door. YouI pointed at Richardbehave, or you are so out of here.
You arent safe alone, he repeated.
Maybe not, or maybe its time I found out if Im safe alone. Weve been surrounding me with wereanimals for months and it hasnt helped. Maybe I need fewer of you around me.
May I borrow a pair of sunglasses, before I go? Alex asked.
Sunglasses wont make the robe look any better, babe, Jamil said.
Its to hide the eyes, Alex said.
You must like being in your tiger form, Richard said.
I was born with these eyes, just like Crispin was born with his. One of the signs that our blood was thinning out genetically is that fewer and fewer children are born with tiger eyes.
The eyes mark us as pure bloodline of our clans, Crispin said.
Your blue eyes look human enough, I said.
If you dont know what youre looking at, yeah. He had the robe on now, though he hadnt tied it in place, so his body was framed by the white cloth. It was whiter than his skin, but not whiter than his hair.
Out, Richard said, adding, please, with a glance at my face. It wasnt a happy look.
Its not your room, Richard.
No, its yours and Jasons. He didnt have that taste of rage that comments like that usually came with, but he still wasnt happy. I guess I couldnt blame him, and that, right there, was part of the problem. Part of me still agreed with Richard. You were supposed to grow up, find that special someone, marry them, and live happily ever after, till death do you part. Once, Id believed that down to my toes. Now, I knew it wasnt going to happen for me. I didnt miss the wedding. Those always seemed like an expensive pain in the ass, but the concept of one single person being the be-all, end-all for youthat I missed.
Do you really want us to go? Crispin asked, and there was that wistful note in his voice that most of us grow out of by the time we get to be twenty-one.
I smiled, because that tone of voice made you either smile or want to kick someones ass. Go with Alex. Clean up. Get some clothes. Call the room, and well see how Im feeling, okay?
His face crumbled a little around the edges. Again, it was a younger gesture. I had a bad idea. Are you absolutely sure youre twenty-one?
I would never lie to you, Anita. If you really are my queen, then I wont ever be able to lie to you.
Alex took Crispins arm and started them toward the door. We need to go.
Jamil held out a pair of sunglasses. Alex looked almost startled, then took them. Thank you.
They arent cheap, so I want them back in one piece.
Alex actually looked at the side of the glasses. Dolce and Gabbana, these must have set you back a few hundred. Ill treat them like the luxury item they are, thanks again.
Jamil said, We have some people in our pack who cant go back to full human form. Its a pain in the ass.
You dont need to chat, Jamil, Richard said.
Alex gave a little bow in his direction. Good night for now, Ulfric. I am truly sorry if I distressed you.
Anita, Crispin said, please dont send me away. Please let me stay with you, please.
I knew that tone of voice. Shit.
Youve rolled him completely, the way you did Requiem, Richard said. I looked into his face expecting to see anger, but there was only something close to sorrow. Resignation, maybe.
Not a topic for company, I said.
Alex stopped them just short of the door, with the taller man, Crispin, staring back at me like a child being dragged away from the fair too soon. God, please, not another one.
This may not be vampire powers. Her call was that of a powerful tigress, a queen. Young males who have never mated before are more susceptible to the call of a queen. They are addicted to her until she chooses among them. When she chooses one over the others, then its like the pheromones, hormones, whatever, go back to normal levels and the ones she didnt pick are free of her influence.
Ive never heard of this, I said.
The only tigers Ive met have been survivors of attacks, and it doesnt work for them like that, Richard said.
Jamil and Shang-Da agreed.
But they arent born tigers. In fact, most queens will kill a weretiger who deliberately brings over a full human against their will. Its considered a great gift to be invited to join a clan when you arent born to it.
Thanks, but no thanks, I said.
If you truly sent out a call this powerful by accident, Anita, it will happen again. Its not a conscious thing always. It happens when you come into your power. Sometimes at puberty, but most of the time somewhere in your twenties. You look about the right age for it.
Im older than I look, I said.
Not by much, he said.
Crispin tugged a little against Alexs arm. Not like he meant it, but more like he didnt realize he was doing it.
Im almost thirty, I said.
You do look younger. Id have pegged you for under twenty-five.
I shrugged. Good genetics.
If you say so, but he didnt sound like he believed it.
Frankly, with marks of at least two vampires on me, who was I to say that I wasnt aging a little slower than normal. Not to mention that wereanimals aged slower than human-normal, too. I guess he was allowed his skepticism.
Please, Anita, Crispin said, tugging a little harder against the other mans hand on his arm.
Id seen that look in enough faces to understand it. Alex could say it was tiger magic, but it looked like what Id accidentally done to a few of the vampires and wereanimals in St. Louis. It was Belle Mortes power to be able to roll someone with lust, love, hearts desire. I had the ability to own someone. Trouble was I wasnt much into ownership. If I wanted to own something that would give me undying loyalty, Id buy a dog.
I looked into those blue tiger eyes, and Richard was right, it was the look that Requiem had given me once. Wed freed him, because he was a master vampire, and had enough power, with help, to free himself. The help had been telling him that Id never touch him again unless he freed himself. Reverse psychology, but it worked. Sort of. Requiem still liked me a lot better than I wanted him to like me.
Go with Alex, Crispin. When youre both cleaned up, call first, but I wont just cast you out. Okay?
The look of relief in his face made me a little sick to my stomach. I hadnt done this on purpose. Shit.
Why arent you as affected as he is? Richard asked.
Alex answered, I told you, it hits the young men harder. Ones who havent been mated before. Im older than I look, too.
Id say thirty, maybe a little over, Richard said.
Youre off by a decade and some change.
Do all the weretigers wear this well? I asked.
Those of us of pure blood, yes. He put his sunglasses on, then reached for the doorknob with a firm grip on Crispins arm.
So you shouldnt have been forced to answer my call, I said.
He looked back at me, his eyes lost behind the black lenses. No, I shouldnt have. Only the head of a clan can call all the unmated males regardless of age or experience. If you were a real weretiger from just one clan, it would be seen as a direct challenge to the clan leaders authority, and shed have to kill you.
But because I called to all the clans, they dont know what to do with me, I said.
Id bet that, but then Ive spent the last two days with you, here. Ill try to call my family and see what my queen is planning to do. Just like you want privacy to talk with the wolves, I want it to talk to the tigers. So well clean up. Ill make some calls. Well call you, and well go from there. Hopefully, Ill drop Crispin off here, then go to work.
Why hopefully? I asked.
I may not be looking at you with big doe eyes, but trust me, girl, I do feel it. Youve rolled me, make no mistake about that, but I
am Li Da of the Red clan, son of Queen Cho Chun. If Id been female I would have been groomed to lead after her. But even being just a man, my bloodline means something. It gives me certain protections from the powerful bitches. My mother has conspired for years to get me close enough to one of the clan queens to be called to breed. Shell be thrilled that you managed to get through all my shields. Baby or no baby, shell invite you to join our clan, because once youve broken a male tiger to your call this roughly, I cant really say no. Not if you force it. His voice was so bitter that it almost hurt to hear it.
I dont know what I would have said to all that, but Shang-Da saved me from having to say anything. You dont look Chinese or Korean.
We never did. Its one of the reasons they were able to kill us off. We couldnt blend in. Those of us who escaped to other countries were forced to intermarry with the humans we found. There havent been pure Chinese bloodlines since the time of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
The emperor who unified China and burned all books that he didnt agree with, Shang-Da said.
Yeah, that one, Alex said.
Thats more than two thousand years ago.
Clan tigers talk about going home the way that Jews talk about the Holy Land. We are in exile, and as long as the communists rule we always will be. A few of us went back when the emperors were overthrown, but the communists saw us as western spies. They killed us along with their rebels.
My family has never spoken of this, Shang-Da said.
The emperor destroyed any writings about us.
The fox people still live in the homeland. Hidden, but they are there.
Are the dragons still there?
No, Shang-Da said, the last of them fled when the communists took over. Communists may not believe in God or magic, but they hired wizards to clear the land of rebels. Rebels were anything non-human.
I knew that dragons in China werent just animals like they were in most of the rest of the world. In China theyd been shapeshifters; people. I didnt say it out loud, though. If I kept my mouth shut they might just keep talking. Sometimes if people forget youre there, you learn more. Silence can be a greater asset than any question.
So we are all in exile.
As you say, there are still fox people there, but they hide in plain sight.
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