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Chapter Text

He was sure that no teenager had ever had a graduation party like this before, and no, it didn’t go the way of the bachelor party of the century.

Who was graduating exactly? Peter Parnell-Forrester. Jean-Claude, being a natural at event coordination, had pulled out all the stops for this. He had even procured a famous music band for the event. Harry had no idea who Green Day happened to be, but a lot of students from Peter’s school seemed to like it and were having the time of their lives.

Jean-Claude couldn’t go to the ceremony, but Micah filmed it for him to watch later. For everyone in the family, Peter graduating was a big deal for them. Everyone had come out for it and Harry watched as Louie chased after a waddling Hermione. She was full to bursting and Asher and Draco were trailing right behind. She was due sometime at the end of July and the beginning of August.

It meant that September was getting closer, and admittedly Harry was getting nervous because Teddy was now eleven years old. Instead of a letter by owl, Ilvermorny sent a gift box by eagle. Inside was a black velvet student planner with Teddy’s name on it along with the Gordian knot that represented the houses of the school. A finely made bookmark with the same engravings, and then a small rolled tapestry list of school supplies and recommendations. All of it was complete with a map of all the hidden shopping districts around America. It had taken everything in Harry to not run away and fall to pieces at the idea of Teddy leaving them. He was happy and sad all in one, and did his best to grin and bear it.

For six months, Harry had been living in a blissful daze. The men in his life and the rings on his fingers were a reason for that. He’d gotten married six months ago. It might not be marriage in the traditional sense, but who wanted to do traditional when there was so much more outside of it?

No matter how much the non-magical government tried to argue their marriage, they had no choice but to accept it because of their treaty and contracts with the magical government. It might also help that magicals had placed themselves in certain high positions over the last few years. It seemed to have all started when Harry made his move over. All of the magicals saw this as an opportunity. Out of all fifty states in the United States, thirty-five of those states now had a governor who was a magical, and at least half of the senate and congress were also made up of magicals who slipped themselves into positions of power right alongside the muggles. For a long time Harry hadn’t bothered to glance at the normal side of the world. He’d ignored it. He had ignored MACUSA unless he needed them. He had ignored all politics except for the ones that were important for the preternatural world. So he’d been taken back when Draco and Luna let him know what was really going on. It seemed like this had been decades in the making.

Maybe that had been their plan all along? It was the kind of thing Voldemort would have done. In fact, he had done it, but with more nefarious reasons. Harry considered this a win because it put the preternatural community on a more equal footing. Lorcan was even debating running for governor of Louisiana. A lot of European masters and the Council were extremely nervous by this move. Jean-Claude and Harry would be offering their full support if he decided to take this route.

“Why are you alone?”

“You shouldn’t be alone.”

“You’re very much needed.”

Harry couldn’t help but smile big and wide as he turned to Wicked Truth only for his eyes to get bigger when he saw Truth standing beside his brother looking absolutely delicious in a three piece layered suit. It was Italian style because all of the vampires looked good in it. Micah wore Italian cuts exclusively because they were tailored the best to his swimmer’s body. American ones made them look like boxes and were sometimes unflattering. He had gold and deep, but not dark, blue accents to accompany. His long dark hair was pinned back appropriately with a clip that had a sapphire attached to it. Harry had gifted a sapphire to both of them. He’d gotten Damian a ruby. Both looked like something out of Lord of the Rings, both of them were half shaven, same beautiful blue eyes, but Wicked’s hair was a dark tussle of blond and Truth was darker.

It was only recently that the two men were elevated to master vampire level; they'd lost a good amount of their own power when they slew their fountainhead. Both men had made the decision to be Harry’s nightly pommes, and it was through these feedings that both men began to swell with their original powers.

“Wow,” said Harry, shifting to look at him.

“Do you approve? I’m not sure I approve.” He looked down at himself, no facial expression. It was like both of them had forgotten how to use expressions. It made them come off as blunt, cold, and literal. “I miss my leather.”

Harry loved them. “You look amazing, Truth. Not that you always haven’t,” said Harry, reaching up on his toes to kiss the vampire.

“Are you trying to make me jealous?” Wicked said, and that was a literal question. Not a tease.

“Nope!” Harry mimicked only for Wicked to tighten his grip, and instead of a chin kiss the vampire kissed him on the lips. “You’re both smashing, and I’m trying not to cry again.”

“Why are you crying?”

“Did someone do something?”

Harry laughed and shook his head. “No. It’s Teddy,” he confessed, trailing his eyes over to see Teddy playing a shooting game with Micah, Edward, Peter, and Nathaniel. Jean-Claude was speaking quietly with Requiem nearby. He glanced around wondering where Luna happened to be only to find her talking to Vivenne. “He’s leaving me for school in September.”

“And that hurts you?” asked Truth.

“Does he have to go?”

Harry laughed. “Yes, I’d be selfish if I made him stay. I’ll be fine, and he does get to come home most weekends.”

A lot of weres and vampires naturally gravitated toward Harry. It was like they couldn’t help themselves. It was a source of contention with some people and their mates. Harry’s interesting cocktail of crazy was a source of befuddlement for the preternatural world, and with Jean-Claude and Harry’s powers continually growing it meant that their ardeur was getting stronger. Everyone across the world was vying for some piece of them in some way, shape or form. There was no way that Micah and Edward could feed their lust routinely, and not be overwhelmed with exhaustion afterwards. Neither of them had the ardeur, but Edward had the power to shield and deflect it. He was somehow able to absorb the lust during feedings, take it for himself, and then later use it to metaphysically form a shield. So far nothing seemed new with Micah when it came to the ardeur, but then maybe it gave him a tolerance with people trying to use their powers of control on him. He’d always had a natural barrier being a strong alpha leopard and metaphysical King at that. But it’d come to the point where Micah couldn’t be drowned in it.

Truth wound his arms around Harry from behind and drew him closer. “If only you knew how to be selfish every once in a while.”

“It’s not his nature, brother,” said Wicked. “So we must be selfish for him.”

Harry wasn’t really the biggest music fan, but this band was good. They should be if Harry was right about seeing how many zeros Jean-Claude had made on the check. They were Peter’s favorite, and there was nothing Jean-Claude couldn’t buy if he tried.

He stroked both of the vampires on the cheek. He loved how scratchy their shadows were. Harry’s eyes trailed over each of his husbands again. He noted Micah was laughing, doubled over, and leaning against a smirking Edward.

Peter was shaking his head, and Teddy was jumping up and down as he pointed at a prize. It seemed he won. Harry was betting they let him win. Cute. Nathaniel was leaning against Peter as he took the fanged teddy bear that had a devil’s outfit on.

Teddy then went running to Jean-Claude and Requiem. Requiem smiled prettily as Jean-Claude cooed and bent down to caress Teddy’s cheeks and offer him a kiss. Harry watched the scenes play out in front of him as Green Day’s ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’ started playing. Fitting, Harry thought feeling a swell of emotion grab hold of his chest.

Micah and Edward broke off from Peter and Nathaniel who were moving closer to the stage. A couple of Peter’s friends joined them, no doubt delighted about the free concert.

Teddy was excitedly dancing around, his hair changing colors, often shifting to bright green. He was getting taller, and Harry was working to keep weight on the overactive child who had a wolf nestled inside. He ate all day, and as if they read his mind Damian appeared with a plate of fresh food for Teddy. Damian’s lover was at his side, and was trying her best not to scowl at the attention he bestowed on Teddy who hugged him around the neck and kissed his cheek.

Her name was Cardinal and she was one of Belle Morte’s line. She, like Requiem and the others, had come to Jean-Claude after the Master of London was assassinated. She had an overly model slim figure like a lot of the vampires. Her hair was a strange orange gold shade that trailed down her back. He supposed she’d be pleasing to anyone who was straight, but Harry wasn’t straight.

She also didn’t care for him much as when she first arrived she had tried to offer herself to Jean-Claude only to be outright ignored. As his attraction grew with his strengths, more and more people were vying for some part of Jean-Claude. She eventually gave up when she realized that he would never even look at her and had gone for Damian. However, because of Damian’s tie to Harry, there was a small ripple of contention. He didn’t think she was as bad as Meng Die, but then most of Belle Morte’s bloodline had a jealous bone a mile wide. Then who was Harry to throw stones?

A polyamorous relationship was a difficult one, boundaries were different, and a lot of communication was needed to make sure things were smooth. It was for the most part. Harry was comfortable in himself and his sex finally, and so were his men. All of them were happy together. Jean-Claude and Harry managed their ardeur with the support and love from Micah and Edward. Jean-Claude did not take anyone to his bed unless all or one of his husbands were with him. He fed a lot at his club, and Harry had his night and day pommes when Micah and Edward were unable.

But that did not stop the world around them from trying to push into their safe and happy bubble. Most of the masters in the world didn’t seem to understand, and continued to try and push the envelope.

Jean-Claude was the most powerful vampire in America, not to mention the only Sourdre de Sang in the States, and that meant that politics were becoming a much more regular thing at times. It was the only part about the wedding that Harry hated. Some of the masters, Harry felt, had been a bit inappropriate with their attempts at playing games and politics on their day.

It was especially trying because the only male master vampire wielding the full ardeur had refused all females vying for a spot in his bed, but there was no spot available. He’d made that clear, but it fell on deaf ears. In fact, Jean-Claude had refused a lot of males on the grounds that they weren’t family. Family first had become their motto. And by family, they meant those in their personal circle. Crispin and Domino were happily regulars with all of them having been denied for so long by Chang Bibiana, their former Chang. Christine had no problems sharing Crispin, and only asked for a picture or two every now and then. She understood some need for their own twisted form of monogamy, and not taking women had become that form. Also not taking strangers without one of them present. All weres had to ask Micah for permission first. It wasn’t needed in their personal circle. All of them were one big family. The Pard submissives, lone jaguar, and few lucky wolves included.

Instead of treating them as sources of food like the misunderstanding traditionalists, they were fun friends, family, and lovers! All family who were helping each other grow. They didn’t need new people to come in and stir the pot around and ruin things. Nicky had been a surprise addition. He fit in so well and he tried so hard. He romanced Harry and he would always try and romance them. Even Edward, who found it more often amusing than not. Nicky fell for Harry and Harry loved him. He knew his place in the group and was quite happy with it. He liked being in one place. No longer traveling with no place to call home. He was home. Finally.

Almost everyone they talked to that wasn't a real friend kept telling Jean-Claude that he needed to add more women. He needed to add more variety, and they were already offering before Jean-Claude could refuse or give a reason why he was refusing. Never mind the fact that Harry, Edward, and Micah were all standing there. When their words fell on deaf ears they started coming at Harry with propositions.

It all amounted to the fact that they were powerful and everyone wanted some of that power, so they were all crowding around them. Jean-Claude had finally made a concession that he would consider one or two future pommes to bring into a rotation, and maybe accept a few new members to their Kiss. But one, they had to be male; and two, they had to present themselves appropriately.

So, what did all the masters do? Ignored their criteria of course.

Harry didn’t want to confess to the sick feeling he had in his stomach at the DVDs and stacks of photographs that came to them. Vampire and wereanimal groups across the country had sent in applications for some of their people to join the Kiss and community; and hopefully become more than a normal member. They all wanted to be in Jean-Claude’s bed because the ardeur was power, and everyone wanted power. The DVDs had been everything from flat-out porn to strangely awkward dating tapes. It was like the old idea of an arranged marriage, though this was more for a mistress. Anything for a stronger tie. Anything.

His men were soon upon them, distracting him from his thoughts, and Teddy was spinning. “Look! Look! I beat Dad and Peter and Papa! It’s for you, Parrain!”

Harry laughed and took the teddy bear. “I’d rather have you as my bear,” said Harry, swooping around him with snuggles and kisses.

“Yes, but I’m going to be gone, and don’t think I didn’t notice you being sad.”

“Boys, have you been telling on me?” Harry looked at Wicked Truth who were watching on each side of him.

“We said nothing.”

“We have been here the whole time,” said Truth, with a rare twitch of his lip.

“You can’t fool me!” said Teddy, kissing Harry on the cheek.

“You’ve been mopey, mon Amour, that is not like you at all,” said Jean-Claude, brushing his palm across Harry’s cheek.

“I haven’t been mopey,” Harry scoffed as Micah laughed and wound his arms around him. A deep kiss caused their metaphysical beasts to rub sensually in acknowledgment sending shivers through both of them.

Edward just stared. “You want to try that again?”

Harry pouted at them. “No.”

Edward came closer, and he swooped around Harry and Micah. “You cannot hide, Little Raven. No matter how hard you try.” All of them combined and touching was always a rush. A deep bond that constantly seemed to tighten itself, making it hard to draw away from them. Everyone’s presence set his heart fluttering. Just being near them made him feel better about all the negativity going on around them. All the people trying to claw and claim something for themselves.

“I’m not hiding. Yes, I’m sad. But I’m happy too,” he pointed out for Teddy’s benefit. “At least you will be home on most weekends. Hogwarts would have been until Christmas.” He shuddered at the thought. He kissed each of his men, spending an extra long time with them all before looking down at the happy Teddy. “So you need not worry about me. Besides, I have too many people to make sure I don’t get sad.”

“Maybe you need some more,” Teddy teased, making Harry snicker.

“He’s cheeky,” said Micah. “Your fault.”

“Mine? I blame it on you, Leopard King!”

“How about all of us played a part? Come on, let’s go see if we can embarrass Peter one last time,” said Jean-Claude, smiling.

“Hmm, might be entertaining,” said Edward.

As they joined the flocks of leopards, wolves, rats, lions, three tigers, magicals, hyenas, and Peter’s fellow students, the tall eighteen year old turned, Nathaniel’s hand lodged in his. Once upon a time, Peter was a dreary and broody teen who didn’t know how to smile much, and if he did it had a force in it like he was trying too hard.

He’d been a budding sociopath and maybe some of those traits still stood out from time to time with how emotionless he could be. However, Harry liked to think that he wasn’t a full one because there was a spark in his eye as Harry curled around the teen who nuzzled naturally into him. A soft kiss was shared by Peter, Nathaniel, and Micah.

Peter was not a leopard, but he had a strain of leopard and wolf in him. It seemed that even without all the other effects, he had this need to be touched and have attention placed upon him. He was more into giving them out these days as well. Nathaniel had never looked so happy before. That had come as a surprise, but a good one. It might not seem logical or healthy for Peter to get roped into some games that were very adult, but it helped him gain a control that he’d never been able to have.

Nicky Murdoch joined them and Micah moved into Edward’s arms as big strong ones swooped around Harry, drawing him back. His lioness purred right up against him, pleased as punch to be having something that belonged to her.

“Am I late?” He asked, pressing a nose into Harry’s ear.

“Just in time.”

Logan and Jason were soon joining them. “Wow, I can’t believe you managed to get Green Day. Just how much did they cost?” asked Jason as he greeted Harry with a lick to his bottom lip. Logan ran a hand up Harry’s back in greeting of his Lupa and they exchanged a soft kiss that was more friendly than sexual.

“It was pennies,” said Jean-Claude, waving a hand. “Besides, not every day a boy graduates, oui?” He stroked Peter’s shoulders making the eighteen year old grin. “I don’t often get to enjoy things like this so it is a real treat to have watched everyone grow, and now Teddy will be leaving.”

“I’m going to come back!” Teddy promised with a jump as he swooped around Jean-Claude’s waist making everyone laugh. “You all act like I’m moving to Timbuktu. Dad, tell them they’re crazy.”

“Sorry, buddy, but if I hadn’t been overruled you’d be homeschooled,” said Edward. Teddy stuck out his tongue and Edward smirked as Micah reached for him and squeezed him.

“Oui, but it is the natural course, everyone ages,” Jean-Claude said, threading his fingers through Teddy’s hair that started changing colors.

“Everyone except us,” said Micah, grinning. “We’re ageless.”

“Especially, Little Raven,” Edward drawled.

“Oh, please. As if you don’t like the fact that you’ll reach forty, but you’ll never touch forty and all that comes with it,” Harry poked at him.

“I can beat the odds either way, Little Raven.” He leaned in and kissed his forehead.

“Least you're not stuck at seventeen,” Harry sulked. “It’s getting more and more frustrating. I’ll be twenty-nine, and no one’s going to believe me. If I was an actor this would be brilliant. Being a Federal Marshal? Not so brilliant.”

“How about being our mon Amour? It’s priceless.”

Yeah, maybe Harry was a little bit spoiled. How could he not be? He had the life that many men and women would dream of. He had lovers that all loved each other. He had family, and not all of it was about blood. He had a life that he wouldn’t trade for the world.

If only every day could be like this, then the world would be perfect. However, being powerful came with a high price to pay. At least he didn’t have to pay it alone.

It was nearing one when the party finally started winding down. Most of the guests were being escorted to their cars for home. Teddy was fast asleep in Nicky’s big arms. He looked so comfortable and content. Nicky didn’t seem to mind holding him as they saw to the last of their guests. Harry kept reaching over to touch or kiss him.

Jean-Claude had been called away by Asher sometime ago, which was unusual. He had requested that tonight be left alone from all politics, games, and business.

“Are we staying here tonight?” Harry asked the nearest vampire which turned out to be Requiem.

Luna came around and beamed as she looped her arm through Harry’s. She and Requiem had become one of those tooth rotting fluffy adorable couples that saw cavities lining the teeth. Both of them worked so well together, and the light in Requiem’s already bright turquoise colored eyes made them even more startling. Belle Morte would be so jealous, Harry thought fondly.

“Music was brilliant, Harry! It’s too bad Uncle was busy tonight with his own show. He’d have loved to attend.”

“You can thank Peter’s taste and Jean-Claude’s wallet,” Harry laughed as he kissed her cheek, getting a smile from Requiem. Requiem held Harry in very high regard, almost more so than Jean-Claude. He claimed that Harry had brought the light back into his still heart. Requiem was one of the few vampires who was purely heterosexual. He also had a habit of getting addicted to the ardeur. A combination which had been nearly lethal on an explosive level when Jean made an oopsie by sending Requiem to him one night. But, Requiem liked Harry. He thought Harry was the most honorable person he’d ever met in all his centuries. He called him Little Prince, and admitted that Harry would always be his one true exception because the love in his heart was overflowing. Harry thought he was being just a little overdramatic, but that was who Requiem was. He was an over dramatic poet who had a strong somber side. Then he met Luna through Harry and Lorcan. Requiem had been besotted at first meet, and really who wouldn’t be? Luna was great. He’d even asked Lorcan and Harry personally if it would be alright to court Luna.

“I am not sure, Little Prince. It seems that some of the children are being naughty,” said Requiem.

“Naughty? What about?” Harry asked, and that was when he realized that Edward and Micah had left his side, and were moving in the direction that Jean-Claude and Asher had been. He couldn’t see them now.

Some of the wolves and rats who worked at the Circus were moving in to do some cleanup, and Harry noticed a lot of big named people came up missing.

“Where’s Hermione?”

“Draco and Louie took her home a couple of hours ago,” said Luna. “She was exhausted. It seems some of the girls and boys aren’t happy being left out of the circle.”

“What? Who?”

“Meng Die,” said Requiem, slowly and carefully as if he were talking about a poisonous snake being under Harry’s foot. “London too.”

London was another London vampire, and Harry didn’t have too much to do with him. But he had been a possible contender for Harry’s pomme de sang once upon a time. He could gain power from being food for the ardeur. He could also be food every two hours without dying or suffering some form of exhaustion. But it came at the price of making him addicted. He was a somber and broody gentleman and not in the sweet way that Requiem had been.

However, at the time that he was presented, Harry was working through other things and so had taken to ignoring him. He hadn’t meant to. He didn’t really know London well at all. He just seemed to exist from time to time. Then Harry chose his own pommes, Wicked Truth. It’d been a shock when Harry informed people of this and surprisingly there’d been a lot of protests about it, and not from his men. It seemed that who Harry chose was a really big deal. It was like Jean-Claude choosing another pomme. It was an honor so high that no one believed Wicked Truth worthy as they hadn’t been in the flock long, on top of the stigma of them having turned on their own fountainhead.

Not their fault their fountainhead went insane, Harry thought. And he trusted the two with his life. Edward trusted them too with Harry’s safety and that was saying something.

“What’s wrong with London?” He didn’t bother with Meng Die.

“I can only speculate.”

“And that speculation?” Harry prodded.

“You,” said Requiem.

Harry frowned and looked at Luna then back at Requiem. “Why me? I don’t even talk to him!”

“Exactly, Little Prince.”

“Huh? I don’t know him, not well.”

“In vampire culture it’s not exactly about who knows who, Harry,” said Luna with a pet to his cheek. “Sometimes, it’s about strength and power.”

“Okay...?” Harry wasn’t following.

“Due to the nature of your powers, Little Prince, you draw the preternatural world to you in a passionate manner. At first it was only vampires, but now you are encompassing everyone. Jean-Claude has gained much since you became his human servant, and then he gained more when you all became a foursome. That’s never been heard of in our centuries of living. You are the first human to have the full power of the ardeur, and both of you are growing at a rate that not only terrifies this world’s ancients, but enthralls them. London is seeing it as a sleight that you have never once looked his way. That you have never once thought that maybe he would be worthy of you. He is older than Jean-Claude by a few centuries, and yet Jean-Claude is outstripping him when once upon a time he could have been London’s playtoy.”

“I wouldn’t have chosen anyone if I could get away with it, Requiem. If I could have, I’d have gone the rest of my life with no one but the three men I married. I chose Wicked Truth because I like them. I like them for who they are. I love them, they’re family.”

“I know you do, that is the thing about you, Little Prince. You choose what your heart desires and you never deviate. It is why I could love you and not feel pain or regret like I had when I was in Belle’s clutches. It is why you brought this creature beside you to me like a gift from the heavens. But, unfortunately not many understand this love in your heart. No one sees a difference between love and lust, and it is especially true in this culture.”

“So, London is upset because I didn’t choose him?”

“I think that is only a small part of the issue. You know how Meng Die can be. She may not have the ardeur, but she has the wit and powers of manipulation. She has a skill for learning things that is reminiscent of Jean-Claude in his early days. Except, Jean-Claude was affable and careful where she is not.”

“So she’s dragging London with her?”

“He’s doing so very willingly in hopes the tide changes. He sees this as you denying him his right to power, and a master vampire who believes he is being denied can make demands and concessions of the Master of the City.”

“Excuse me?” Harry choked in horror. “Like what?”

“Kitten? Are you okay? Micah asked me to come check on you.” Nicky still had Teddy in his arms, holding him like a baby. Never mind that his legs were dangling.

Harry took in a sharp shuddering breath and nodded. “I’m okay, Nicky. Thank you for offering your arms as Teddy’s bed.” He leaned over and kissed Teddy before kissing Nicky too.

“I don’t mind. You’re not that far from his weight.”

“Oi!” Harry scoffed. Nicky smirked as Luna and Requiem laughed. “Not nice. You can go lay him down. I think we’re all staying here at the Circus tonight.” He touched Teddy’s lightly breathing chest, and Nicky gave him one more nod before turning and heading in that direction. By now, all the guests were gone and they were standing outside the large blue tent as various weres moved to clean up. “So, what is Meng Die wanting exactly?”

“I do not know,” said Requiem solemnly. “One can only guess when it comes to a woman feeling scorned.”

Luna left Harry’s side and pushed into Requiem who kissed her on the forehead. “Harry will fix it. He fixes everything,” she said assuredly.

Harry wasn’t so sure. “I highly doubt anything I do would make her happy unless I dropped dead. She hates my guts.”

“You’ll still fix it. You’ll know what to do in time. You always do.”

Harry sometimes forgot about Luna’s blind faith in him. He hugged her tight and then kissed both of them on the cheek. “Looks like I’m going to go find out what’s going on for myself. Why am I left out of everything?”

“You have more than enough on your plate, Little Prince. You work hard all day every day into the night, and without stopping. Even I, who only comes by the house a couple times a week have noticed it. Your husbands are trying to keep some of the stress off your shoulders.”

Harry smiled, the word husbands being used out loud made his skin warm and his blood rushed. “Maybe you should come by more often, both of you. You’re more than welcome to even move in with us.”

Luna beamed. “Who knows? Maybe we’ll get one of those beautiful houses across the way?” She tilted her head. “What do you think?”

Requiem stared down at her. “If that is your will, I will be your will.”

“You better bring lots of toothpaste for your visits.” Harry deadpanned.

Requiem did the human blink and turned to Harry. A serious expression on his handsome face. “Are you running out?” Luna burst out laughing, and he looked at the woman and back at Harry who was snickering. “Did I miss one of those cheeky lines of yours?”

Harry didn’t bother to respond to the confused vampire, and decided to let Luna have that as he winked at her. He headed for the underground to see what kind of damage Meng Die was causing now.

Meng Die and London, huh? The one didn’t surprise him with her past, but the other?

Interesting.

The Circus of the Damned’s underground was absolutely massive with many catacombs and winding labyrinths. Some of them ended in dead-ends. It spanned further than the Circus itself. It’d been used in the past for slaves and all that horrible stuff so was quite expansive even before the magicals had taken expanding charms to the spaces. Perfect for security, but Jean-Claude rarely ever slept there anymore. In fact, Asher and Draco were at the Circus more often these days than even he was. Jean-Claude had spared no expense for them carving out their own personal rooms together.

Harry traveled down the long winding swirling staircase of stone, through some doors and into the open dungeon where most people went to and from. It was a common room of sorts with doors leading into various avenues. A set of double doors at the very back would lead into another labyrinth that was charmed to deflect anyone sneaking through to harm one of theirs. All the walls moved independently, randomly, and could even move entrances to stop someone from accessing an area they shouldn’t. Many vampires and new weres were annoyed at the constant random change. Some even complained to Jean-Claude who only smiled at them and chastised their laziness.

This week the gauzy curtains were a soft flowing blue and green that seemed to shimmer in the chandelier lighting. Lovely accents of pillows and decor made up the room to look like a jewelry box with some gold and silver trimmings. A combination of Rafael and Harry’s hard work and magic had seen the once gloomy dungeons brightened. A set of Victorian inspired white sofas ringed the center with an opulent dark wood coffee table that had bronze workings of snakes on the legs and borders around it. It was a Black family piece having been in storage, and had to be at least a few centuries old. A white faux fireplace and over top of that was the outstanding hand-painted portrait of Asher, Juliana, and Jean-Claude walking through a vast rolling green field.

But it wasn’t the decor that took Harry’s attention. It was the center of the room. A ring of black-shirted security guards along with Wicked Truth stood in a rather strategic manner as if they were waiting. A lot of vampires were also watching. He saw Ellie, Andy, Faust, Damian, Cardinal, Byron, and even Willie hiding in the background.

Jean-Claude was between Micah and Edward, Asher was on Edward’s side, and the two master vampires of the moment were opposite them.

Meng Die was like a China doll. She was slim and perfect all the way through. She had eyes that drew men to her like moths to a flame. Her long rich black hair was oftentimes ponytailed or knotted back. She looked like a stereotypical dominatrix. She had the skills of one too, and the only reason she was taller than Harry was because of the four inch spiked heels she wore.

Beside her was London. He was tall and athletic, dark curls ringed around his head with black eyes in a handsome broody face that was always sheet white even when he was full of blood. Draco described him as a modern Muggle Goth or a movie hit man. He was the sly watchful sort, rarely speaking and when he did it was oftentimes cruel.

Even if Harry hadn’t chosen Wicked Truth, he wouldn’t have chosen London if only for that last part. Harry didn’t like cruel people, Haven’s death was a testament to that.

But it wasn’t just them that caught his awareness, it was two young looking werehyenas that stood around Meng Die. Neither of them looked all that pleased to be there. It was like being trapped between a basilisk and an acromantula, either way someone wasn’t going to get out unscathed.

Asher had a look of rare fury on his handsome still slightly marred face. His golden locks had been pulled into a braid to the back of his head. Harry thought personally that Asher had never looked so handsome before, not even in the unblemished landscape over the fireplace did he look so - real - to him.

“-If this is your preference, then you are simply going to have to wait until a territory is opened to you. And if Narcissus wishes to be so foolish as to leave the safety of St. Louis for new borders, then by all means. Let’s see how that works,” said Jean-Claude.

Harry felt like he’d come in on a movie somewhere in the middle and had no idea what was going on. Rafael, who had been watching between Claudia and Bobby Lee, crossed over the moment Harry stepped into the room. Peter was leaning against the wall beside Nathaniel, but also nearer to Edward and watching the scene with cold calculating eyes. Something had happened.

“What’s going on?” Harry asked. But no one responded to his question. Rafael gently touched his elbow. “Rafael?”

“It seems that two masters are fighting for control of the werehyenas,” Rafael told him.

“You mean-” Harry looked from Meng Die to Asher. “I see.”

“I will not let this stand. I am Temoin and the hyenas are mine. We’ve had that agreement for years. You may be able to have them to call, but no way are you going to get them all in line, especially Narcissus. He won’t let a female rule over him.”

“You sure of that?” asked Meng Die with a pretty smile. “How many times has he asked you now for more? You have bound yourself in a life of monogamy,” she spat the word, “and his words have gone ignored. What could you expect?”

“We’ve granted his requests by adding more hyena guards where needed,” said Jean-Claude.

“Do you truly believe that you alone could get a hold of them all? Some may follow you seeing a tasty treat, but once they’ve had their fill they will run,” said Asher coldly.

“I do believe I have rights as a master vampire, and so does London. I do believe we’ve been disrespected all these years, and I’m now claiming that respect back,” said Meng Die, tilting her chin up.

“Do not get above your station, Meng Die,” Jean-Claude warned as the temperature in the room continued to drop.

“I may not be able to cross with you, Jean-Claude. But I am entitled by vampire law to rights that I deserve or are you going to shoot me between the eyes?”

“Decapitation would be more fun,” Edward said flatly.

“And then you would have war on your hands. You’d disgrace yourself because you could not win the game and so you take the easy way out.”

“If it works, who cares about your games?” Micah followed up. “Narcissus knows that if he chooses to leave the Coalition, our treaty with him will dissolve until he renegotiates. Not only that, but he will have to hunt for new space for how many werehyenas again?” He looked over at Asher.

“Hundreds.”

“Too many,” Rafael was close to Harry’s ear and had whispered it. “I don’t like it, they’ve never been good at community.” Harry used a thread of magic as he pressed closer to Rafael so the man could talk to him in peace without being overheard. Rafael grazed down Harry’s back as he nodded at the man. “Not ten years ago we were at war with them. Nikolaos thought it was a good game.” Harry wound his arm behind Rafael. Sometimes it was a pain being short.

“No one won that game I bet.”

“No. No matter how many were slaughtered for a child’s game,” said Rafael, turning fractionally. Harry curved into the man’s muscled body. He enjoyed the warmth and the way his energy ran across his skin. He’d always had a connection with Rafael and it had only gotten stronger over the last year. He’d been mingling a lot with the wererats. Bobby Lee and Rafael being the bigger ones at his side for the power rush of the ardeur. Bobby Lee and Lisandro often pretend to fight over who got to be his guard. Lisandro had been great during their bachelor party. Harry wouldn’t mind fucking him again, but the man had gotten in trouble with his wife. Harry was comfortable feeding on them, and all were great lovers. In return, their power became stronger.

“I’ll do my best not to let that happen,” he breathed as Bobby Lee took up Harry’s other side.

“So you are denying our rights?” asked Meng Die.

“Not precisely. I am asking what it is that you are wanting, Meng Die? What do you hope to get out of this sudden demand? Did I not decree that today be off-limits for business? If I accept and agree to these rights of yours then you will have no choice but to accept a punishment for not following my orders,” he warned, and Harry felt him wrap a layer of thin cold power around him.

He saw Meng Die tighten up and London’s eyes flicked, but neither moved. “You are holding me back, Jean-Claude, just as Belle Morte held you back,” she hissed. “You’re holding both of us back from what we are rightly owed. I have the power to challenge Asher here if I so choose for the right of second, and then we can see who the werehyenas prefer.”

“You could not get control of the wolves. So you attempt to try and snatch my Temoin’s animal to call without so much as asking his permission?”

“I’m stronger than him! I don’t have to ask.”

“Are you really?” Asher asked with a smile. When he smiled it was surprisingly cold and even a bit malicious, which was not like Asher. Asher was a sweet and gentle sort.

“You’re broken, no matter how you age,” spat Meng Die.

“Even if, by some miracle, I accepted this challenge between the two of you, that would mean I would have to trust you, and that is the kind of power you do not have that Asher has over you,” said Jean-Claude. “So be very careful, Meng Die. I do not wish to have to dispose of one of my creations. You are toeing a line.”

“If you do it will be mutiny,” said London. “We’ve already contacted Belle Morte.” That drew a lot of breaths and Harry’s hand tightened on the back of Rafael’s shirt.

“She agrees with us,” said Meng Die. “She agrees that we have our rights, and that we should seize them.”

“Ah, but you are not her childe, Meng Die. London may be, but you are mine. She is merely the distant grandmother of you. A tie that is tenuous at best as I am no longer hers but my own Sourdre de Sang. She has no say in what belongs to me,” said Jean-Claude. When he took a step forward, the fear finally flashed onto her face. “So, Meng Die, what is it that you truly want? You will never be my Temoin. I hold a place for you in my heart, but you are not trustworthy. You may have power, but you don’t know how to use it well. You are still a child, still unrefined. Your beauty can only carry you so far, and if you are not careful you may become a catamite in the clutches of masters far more unkind than me. If I am forced, I will remove you from that place. London, is this the route you truly wish to take?”

“As a master vampire and your fourth I demand to be formally greeted,” said Meng Die. “London is also within his rights. He would have rats to call if it were not for interferences.” her eyes shot a look in Harry’s direction.

“You have rats?” Rafael resisted smirking. “Sorry, never felt the call.”

London’s jaw clicked. “I wonder why with your cock so deep in the human slut over there.” He didn’t flinch when the barrel of a gun pressed to his chest, and Truth was suddenly there right next to London. He’d moved so fast that no one had noticed, his obsidian blade right at his throat.

“You want to go that route?” Edward asked.

“How did you get so fast?” Meng Die gasped.

“How indeed,” said Truth blankly.

“It’s him who made him fast. He feeds on them and they’ve become masters again, haven’t you?” London asked tightly.

“Not of importance to you.”

“We are no one to you as you are to us,” said Wicked solemnly.

Normally, Harry would interfere and throw a bit of magic around to scare others in compliance, but he had come to learn that if he did this too much then it could be construed as Jean-Claude being too weak. It was the only reason why Edward hadn’t simply ended their sorry existence already. Jean-Claude could not be seen as weak by anyone right now. Not with everyone’s eyes on them. Jean-Claude was the Master of the City, and husbands or not, he had to sometimes fight those battles on his own.

“How does this work?” asked Micah to Jean-Claude.

“She wishes for what you call a pissing match, mon Chaton,” he said coldly. “Whoever sees her as dominant can greet her, and whoever feels they are dominant or equal to her, she will throw up a challenge.”

“It will see her dead,” said Edward.

“Oui. It will. I suppose her survival instincts have become null and void. She wishes to try her power over others. The ritual is an offering of blood. The dominant or master, is within his rights to take what is offered. That is how it was originally done centuries ago. The master would pick one of the offerings and feed, and by offering to be submissive to him you give him right to choose to feed.”

“You cannot by vampire law turn down my rights,” Meng Die snapped. “Unless you wish to tell every master vampire that may or may not want to come to your city that you are holding their rights hostage.”

It would be seen as mutiny, Harry realized. It could hurt all of Jean-Claude’s relationships that have been built, and with the werehyenas on the verge of crossing over to Meng Die it could see an upheaval.

Then Harry had a bright idea. It was like a light-bulb flashed into his head. “Sure, but that’s going to be a short list considering the wererats are mine, the lions are mine, the leopards are mine, and the wolves are mine and Jean-Claude’s.”

“Don’t forget the tigers,” Bobby Lee added.

“Ah, yes, the tigers. They are also mine, and of course Damian is my vampire servant, and no servant of mine is going to be subservient to you and to me. I mean, that would just be laughable wouldn’t it?” He reached out a hand, and Damian who was in the corner watching came right to him. He ignored the hissing from Cardinal as a warm hand enveloped his own. Harry drew him in for a kiss if only to show a point. “So, who does that leave? Ah, yes the werehyenas and vampires.”

“You consider yourself above me? A servant?”

“Human Servant and member of the Tetrumvirate to the Master of the City of St. Louis who is your master and creator. Noble and old blood,” said Harry. “I do believe a certain Traveler that we shall not name reminded me where the old blood stands,” he said with a smile at the open joke. “It stands as a warning. Careful not to cross.” He moved from Rafael right then. “Because you never know what tricks lie in our blood. Unless you are too young to remember.” Apparently, there had been a mini-war eons ago and the vampires had lost. Since then, no word had been spread about them. All the vampires ran in shame to hide and the magical world had built up blocks and runes to slowly make the world forget they existed. Much like the muggle world, but now the barriers were breaking down. “So, in essence everything we have to call, in our sphere of four, are bound by the old blood. Do you want to try it, Meng Die? London?” he asked sweetly. “We can stick to the rules, the traditions, but you’d have to play by them too.”

“Oui, you are correct, mon Amour,” said Jean-Claude with a smile. “Do you wish for this, Meng Die? We have not denied rights, but instead formed a community of not only vampires, but every creature. You sticking to the old ways, like Europe, is only diminishing your powers. I embrace the modern, and never forget the darkness that we all were birthed from.” He sent shivers down every spine in the room, including Harry and them. “We are in America. We are not in Europe. If you wish to leave the city... by all means, let’s see what master will have you. Yen will not allow you back in his territory and has spoken negatively enough of you to other strong masters you may have issues finding someplace in America. If you wish for your own territory then you are going to have to wait your turn. Just like all of us have had to wait our turn.” Harry highly doubted that Meng Die could control an entire city. She was way too mad and powerful. “So I ask, Dares and Perses, do you wish to go down this road with Meng Die?”

“Come to me,” Asher hissed, and with his voice he layered it with vampiric powers causing both men to turn toward him.

“No!” Meng Die cried out and she poured out her own powers causing both men to shake their heads as if trying to clear their minds.

“Come to me now!” Asher held out his hand and Dares made it across. Asher snapped his fingers. “Knees.”

Perses kept struggling between both masters, his body began to sweat, and Meng Die pulled on the power like a rope.

“You break Narcissus’ hyenas he will never forgive you,” Asher sneered.

“These ones are disposable,” Meng Die spat and that had been the wrong thing to say.

“But I thought you loved me?” Perses gasped.

She snorted. “Lust, not love you dog! I fuck you and you obey me! Come to me now!” Her voice fluctuated with a high amount of power, but Perses got control of himself. He seemed to reach through the metaphysical hooks around him and he walked with heavy footsteps to Asher who curled around his waist and drew him into his side. Perses curled into the safety of Asher’s arms.

Meng Die let out a roar and made to attack Asher head on without care. Her anger rose until all reason was lost, but Jean-Claude was there in an instant and he snapped his fingers, sending her onto her knees in front of him.

“You do not treat others in such a manner,” Asher growled. “You are unworthy. Hopefully Narcissus will have learned his lesson.”

But she couldn’t speak, she was drawn into Jean-Claude’s eyes as he bent down to stare at her, nose to nose. All was quiet. A pin could drop and everyone would jump from the noise. Then Meng Die began to scream. She brought her hands to her head and she screamed out.

“You best remember what you once were. How I made you. You begged me to make you and I did. I sculpted you and I can break you. Do not forget it.” London drew back a few steps. His eyes flickering from one person to the other. “This is my city and these are my people. My family, and no one is going to come in here making demands. If there is one thing I have learned from my own human servant, it is this. It does not do to have the strongest, if the strongest are weak of mind and heart. I shall take the weakest, most affable and gentle so long as their mind and hearts are strong. You - who have been wound up by Meng Die, London, what has you acting out so?” He turned on the man and stared him straight in the eyes.

London’s coal black eyes flickered with pain. “You brought me here, Jean-Claude. You brought me with the promise that I would be the pomme to the only human to ever possess the ardeur. The only reason I left the court, and then you all ignore me. You shove me aside and pretend I do not exist.”

“I said could, mon ami, not that you would be. It is in the end his decision.”

“I don’t even know you,” Harry huffed.

“You did not know of Requiem or Byron, and yet you took them.”

“Against all of our wills and I almost died for it,” Harry reminded the vampire.

“Uh - no, Duckie, I was extremely willing to have your hands on me,” said Byron who had been standing beside Ellie and Andy to watch the fireworks. “And Requiem is so over the moon about ya!”

“It’s the principle of the matter. I’m not a vampire.”

“You’re a living vampire,” said London, turning his gaze on Harry. “If you would feed from me, the power would be exponential, and both of us would grow. With me, you would not need to feed from anyone else. You would have no worry about anyone being drained again. You can drop all the men as they would become unnecessary.”

Maybe at one time that could have been an option that he might have considered, but now that he was so far in, he loved his friends and family. It wasn’t about the food. It was about touch and companionship. Yes, they nourished him and he in return gave them a rise in their natural powers. But they were his family. He couldn’t drop them now if he wanted to. Harry cringed inwardly, and the only reason he didn’t show it outwardly was because Micah’s arm snaked around him to keep him from doing so. Edward kept his eyes trained on London, his gun loose at his side. He wanted both hands available, obviously.

“Instead, I have been ignored. I have been cast aside like I’m a newly made vampire despite being hundreds of years older than most in this room. It’s insulting, Jean-Claude,” He spat.

“It doesn’t matter what I am or what I’m not, the fact is: I don’t know you. I think this is the first time we’ve ever spoken to each other directly.”

“I don’t want to talk to you. I want to fuck you,” London growled. “I’d be the best fucking lay you’d ever have, and you’d never have to feed the ardeur on anyone else.”

It wasn’t that easy. Harry drew back into Micah. He didn’t know what to say to this.

“No,” said Micah sharply.

“You have no say, Leopard King,” said London.

“Husband, you mean,” Micah smirked. “And I do as a matter of fact. He is my Nimir-Ra,” he continued. “No means no. We made the mistake once with Haven. Let’s not go down that road again.”

“My husbands say no, they mean no,” said Harry. “I would rather have multiple lovers that know and care about me. Ones that I trust. Ones that would fight for me and I them. You call me a human slut and then you get angry because I won’t do you. What gives? Why should I even bother trying to like you?”

“Oui, mon Amour. London, I think it best you step out and unwind yourself from Meng Die; otherwise you may go back to Belle Morte and her court. You can be great food then.” If London had been human, he would have flinched. “Make your choice carefully.”

"Hold her," Edward called out while keeping eye contact with London. He waved his gun at Meng Die who was still on her knees, trapped in her head. Bobby Lee and Claudia moved forward and grabbed her arms. Without hesitation, Edward pulled a second gun and shot her twice. "Burn the remains," he said in the silence that followed.

“You killed her. Why?” London asked, looking at her dead body as the guards carried her out of the room.

“He is Death and she wasted her second chance at living with this attempted coup.” Jean-Claude said morosely. “She had warned previously.”

Meng Die and Harry never got along. Didn’t mean his heart didn’t break for the loss of his husband’s childe.