Midnight Shadows
Chapter Nine: Surprise Surprise
BY: Tammy

Disclaimer: Anita, Dolph, Jean-Claude, Jason, Asher, Zerbrowski, and any other recognizable characters belong to Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m borrowing them. This was written purely for entertainment and not monetary gain. Cara, Calin, Tanon, the Queen, and Dr. Zimmerman belong to me.

Author’s Note: This story is told from Anita’s and Cara’s view points. They alternate back and forth from chapter to chapter.

Anita's P.O.V.

Shock didn't even come close to describing how I felt. I remembered how I felt the first time Jean-Claude had marked me. Anger, fear, and resentment were the most prominent emotions then. I had understood why he had marked me. The first mark saved my life and the second his. But why would this master mark her, making her less vulnerable to him, rather than contaminate her and make her his slave? It didn't make sense.

"What's going on Jean-Claude?" I asked him.

"I don't know, ma petite. Let me think about it for a moment."

I had pulled him into the bedroom. We needed to talk and I didn't want to frighten Cara any more than necessary. What had started out as a simple case of find a vamp and kill him was quickly becoming a first class mystery. I hate mysteries. I'm the go in shooting kind, not the follow the clues to the end kind. Mysteries were Ronnie's forte.

"I can't think of a single reason any master vampire would mark a perfect stranger. Human servants are chosen with care, not off the street like a quick meal. Human? She's not even human at all," Jean-Claude said.

"Will that make a difference in how the marks affect her?"

"I honesty have no idea. I've never heard of one of the fey being marked."

"I told you, she's not fey. Hell, she's not even from Earth. She claims to be from a world called Aradorn. I tend to believe her after the way she acted on the drive over here. She's never seen things like elevators or cars and it's obvious."

"Then, ma petite, I really don't know. However, you can't kill the vampire that marked her. It might kill her too."

"Damn, you're right. We need to find him."

"I don't imagine it will be all that hard. He's not going to mark her and never be seen again. He'll turn up and probably soon."

"Can you start looking for him?" I asked.

"Oh yes. He's a master vampire who entered my territory without my leave. I most certainly want to talk to this mysterious vampire."

Just then my pager went off. It was Dolph. Twice in one day. I already had one crisis, I didn't need another.

"It's the police. I need to call them."

"By all means," Jean-Claude said and that velvet voice slid up my spine.

"Stop that," I said absently as I walked back toward the living room and the phone.

"Stop what?" he asked innocently. I ignored him.

Cara was still sitting on the couch where I'd left her. She looked shaken. I didn't blame her in the least. Unfortunately, she'd be more shaken by the time Jean-Claude and I explained the marks and what they meant. But first things first, call Dolph back.

Dolph's car phone rang twice before he picked it up. "Anita."

"What's up?"

"We've got another vampire victim."

"Busy day. Where are you?"

He told me. He was only about fifteen minutes away.

"Get over here as soon as you can. You can fill me in on what the Master had to say," he said.

Great, I could tell Dolph all about metaphysical vampire marks or I could lie to him. Choices.

"I'll be there shortly"

The only response I got was a click and silence. Dolph strikes again.

I turned to the rest of the room. "I have to go look at a vampire victim. Anything you want to tell me before I go, Jean- Claude?"

"The murderer is not one of mine," Jean-Claude said with confidence. I figured I probably could believe him.

With each word Cara looked more frightened. It was beginning to become her permanent expression. I couldn't say that I blamed her.

"What about me?" she asked.

I looked at Jean-Claude. "I can't take her to a crime scene. She's got no where to go and under the circumstances I don't think it would be a good idea for her to be wandering the streets of St. Louis."

"I agree, ma petite. She can wait for your return. She will be safe here."

"No funny stuff with her and watch Jason," I warned him.

"Never fear, she will be treated like an esteemed guest." Jean- Claude was beginning to lay it on a bit thick, but I needed to go so I didn't comment. Maybe I was getting more mature.

"Cara, you'll be safe here. I'll be back as soon as I can and we'll explain the marks," I said.

"No, I don't think I'm safe here," Cara said. A stubborn expression was taking over the frightened one.

"Jean-Claude has given his word that you will be safe. Like I said, he's a pain, but he keeps his word. I wouldn't leave you if I didn't think you would be," I said, trying to use a reassuring tone of voice. I was getting better with that tone from the time I'd spent with the pard.

She looked around the room and then back at me. She gave me a tight nod like she didn't believe me, but would tough it out. Good for her. I turned and headed up the steps to my Jeep. RPIT was waiting for my expertise.

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