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Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I stood outside the club, Guilty Pleasures, watching as people run into line all eager to meet the Master of the City, Jean-Claude. Vampires had become rather public and Jean-Claude had become their portrait guy for their good PR campaign. I took a deep breath trying to calm herself by connecting to the closet body of water I could find which happened to be a lake about 20 miles east of me. (Did I mention I’m an elemental?)

The application in my hand was wrinkled from the tight grip I had on it. I was nervous, even though I was doing my best to keep it together. My face was blank even as I cringed internally. I took another deep breath looking around as I walked into the club in front of the line, since I was applying for a job the bouncer let me in. it caught me several looks from the girls who desperately wanted to enter the club. They were calling me several rude names. Oh well.

I walked up to the hostess and smiled the best I could manage. “I’m here to see Jean-Claude.” She nodded and went to the phones quickly saying a few words before returning to me. “Go through to the back second door on the right.” I smiled thanking her as I began to head to the back.

This job was something I needed, working at a human establishment had been hell for me. When I say hell, I truly mean it. It is very difficult to always hide what you are and control your emotions so you don’t reveal your true self.

On top of the chaos in my life job-wise, my father had just passed. He was by no means the greatest father, but he as the last family member I had in this universe. For the last few day since his death, all I could hear every day was his voice. The voice often came from memories of him beating a lesson in to me. (Yes, he was abusive.) The lessons were always the same: I was the last of my kind and needed to make powerful allies. My mother would be ashamed of me. For my father, it was especially true because I was not in Rya anymore and needed to politically ally myself. Dad also wanted the influence and power that would come from me being connected. For him, I needed to do my princess duty. The same old speech from a father who never wanted to give up the throne. He only passed because we were outside of Rya, my home. He didn’t handle this realm well and forgot he wasn’t a king here. He was shot smart-mouthing someone on the street. Kid was robbing him and trying to get higher rank in a gang.

Unfortunately, it seemed I finally had to surrender Dad’s advice because I couldn’t work with just humans, being the last water elemental in this millennium made it extremely difficult. I walked towards the second door on the right and took one last brief moment to gather myself putting on the mask I had trained myself to wear years ago. I knocked before attempting to open the door, old habits my grandmother stowed in me never dying. A voice that I couldn’t describe with any word but butter came through the door.

“Please come in.”

I could hear the age in the voice and knew that for once some of the rumors were true and Jean-Claude was an old one. Slowly, I opened the door to reveal a black office. I mean black, the black paint could be mistaken for a night sky, but it was the only thing that gave way to any other colors. My vision moved forward to see a refined gentleman sitting at his desk. His shoulder length black curly hair gave the impression that he was from Latino descent but his face quickly refuted that claim. I took another step into the office. I noticed the girl on the couch that I had not immediately focused on and then smiled brightly, actually a genuine smile seeped through the mask I usually kept in place as she recognized me as well.

“Mizelle!” She screamed leaping from the couch and throwing her arms around me. I was thankful she didn’t use my real name, besides most people referred to me by my middle name anyway since it was often the name I gave. “Hello to you to Anita.” I said hugging her back.
“Where have you been?” She said her facing growing slightly serious since last time we had been together I was on the run from the father that had just passed.
“I’ve been in the city.” I said smiling.

I noticed Jean-Claude rising from his desk and immediately tensed up my mask reshaping my face letting no emotion through. Anita noticed the gesture but said nothing. Jean-Claude flashed a smile that probably would have made regular women sink to their knees. He bowed softly and glanced at Anita.
“It appears you are a friend of my friend and vampire servant.” Anita looked at him with the stubbornness she had, and I smiled inside knowing she wasn’t exactly a servant.
“Yes, it would appear that way.” He extended his hand in the ways of Shakespearean times asking for mine own as he introduced himself. “I’m Jean-Claude Master of the City of St. Louis.”

I placed my own hand in his being respectful since I did not yet know his capabilities. “I’m Mizelle.”

He raised my hand to his lips and brushed the skin gently with his lips. “A unique name that is.”

I nodded as I removed my hand. “Yes, it is. Anyway, I came here looking for a job as a waitress or bartender.” I said extending my resume. I was trying my hardest not to be a dancer considering I didn’t dance that well, well I didn’t do dirty dancing. I did have training for other dances, and I couldn’t conceal weapons if half my clothes had to be off.
“The job is yours.” He said without even glancing at the resume. “Your father sent the resume about two weeks and told me to await you.”

I wanted to growl deep in my throat but I thought it best not to. I would love to speak to Daddy Dearest and find out why he did such a thing. It would explain the strange part of his will that had mentioned the club randomly. I had no clue why he would do such a thing. I was angry, highly but I was trying to hold it in. Anita looked at him in pure shock, sometimes she wasn’t the best at hiding her emotions.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

“Her father, Jean-Claude what the hell?” Anita questioned rising from her seat. I shook my head slightly. There was that temper that had made her one of my best friends. It was lethal, it was very effective in a fight sometimes.

Jean-Claude sighed. “Mon ami, please relax your anger is pouring through our marks.” He said gesturing out his arm to the couch behind her. To my utter surprise Anita actually sat down.

“I guess, he’s the anger management I kept asking you to take.” I said laughing though it never truly reached my eyes, something Anita often caught and pointed out.
Anita chuckled. “The hell he is, he just fought the anger with his peace like manner-hood through the marks that bind us together.” She stuck her tongue out at him and I couldn’t help but truly laugh.

The laughter caused Jean-Claude to refocus on me and suddenly he was staring me down. Yet, it wasn’t the stare down I was used wear usually a fight, that often I won, happened afterword. It was like he was trying to decipher me. I stared back unwilling to turn my head and show a weakness. Finally, he spoke still staring me down. “It would appear my powers of persuasion do not work on you. I was trying to get you to sit down. You’re acting like Rafael’s guards.”

A slight face of confusion came over me, and I could feel the lines in my forehead cringe up. Thankfully, Anita explained. “Rafael is the king of the were-rats. We have a good amount of them for bodyguards pretty good too.”

I smiled, even though once again thanks to Anita’s observations over the years I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. I had been compared to competent enough bodyguards, that was perfectly fine with me. “Well, then thanks for the compliment. So can I have the details about the job now?”

“Anita, I swear you make friends with the most exotic, stubborn people I’ve ever met in my life.” Jean-Claude said fixing the ruffles around his wrists. I hadn’t noticed his outfit ‘til know but he definitely fit the stereotypical style for vampires. The white shirt he was wearing was from the Victorian age, all ruffles around the wrists and left a good amount of his chest exposed, no harm in noticing that he was beautiful. I remembered now the leather lace boots that had climbed up his calves to meet the leather pants he wore. Yup, definitely fit the bill. He shook his head. “You can start tomorrow night. Your hours are 7pm-2am. This is a night club. You’ll automatically get Sundays off, and you will be the bartender I fear you interacting with customers at their table.”

I simply nodded accepting the information, bartending worked for me anyway. I could in a way be in my own area, and from the looks of what I saw coming in I definitely didn’t want to be working the crowd.

“You can pick up your uniform from Asher next door. He’ll probably make sure you how to make the drinks customers will most likely order.” Jean-Claude noted tapping his finger lightly on the desk as if he was mentally double checking whether he forgot something. He looked at Anita and smiled. “Tonight, you can stay and have a drink and a meal on me. I doubt Anita would let you leave without catching up.” Anita smiled at me and then she glanced at my arms and I mentally kicked her, as I saw the pain on her face. She really need to learn how to control her emotions. Jean-Claude quickly picked up on it and turned to me. “Do you have any scars that would be seen with a short sleeve shirt on?”

I so badly wanted to kick Anita. She forgot everything I taught her about three years back. I didn’t even nod or answer. Well, I did answer. I pulled up the sleeves of my long sleeve shirt and on my arms was almost matching scars that went from just above my elbow to stopping just short of my wrist. The one on my right arm was cleaner, a straight blow. The second was ragged and winded down my arm. Anita turned her head, which sent to me to the memory of how I got them.

This ridiculous battle had raged for ours. The elementals had been having a civil war and the dark elementals were attacking us. I was fighting for my life right beside my mother. I noticed someone charging me and ducked letting him fall to the ground as; I drove my sword into him and then turned around slashing the throat of one attempting to do a sneak attack. The blood splattered my face letting me know I had severed an artery. I searched for my mother and found someone about to drive their blade through her.
I ran faster than I ever thought possible my heart about to beat out of my chest. My own sword came in the path of the blade’s score. I dipped and kicked my leg out in a spin knocking the attacker down, the pound of him landing on his back ringing in my ears. I turned to my mother and noticed she had already been pierced in her side and blood was pouring out. I cried as I placed my free hand, my left, on the wound trying to keep pressure on the wood. “It’s going to be okay, Mom.” I said looking around. “WE NEED A HEALER!” I screamed to the water elementals near me and one ran off to get the healers from the other side of the battle field. “I love you, Elle.” My mom said touching my face gently. I had become so distracted I hadn’t noticed the attacker get back up until he slashed my arm, trying to restrict my movement so I couldn’t fight. Another pulled me away, and I knocked my head back feeling his nose break. I was free of his grip instantly and I ran back to my mother but I was too late. Her head was a few inches from her body. I cried until rain poured down, my powers getting affected by emotions.
*Around eleven that night*
The shackles around my wrist were cold from this dungeon but wet from my blood. My father had beaten me for hours blaming me for my mother’s death. He was a bastard and a horrible father, but I know he actually loved my mother. She was the glue between us. I was so broken inside I didn’t even have the strength to break free or fight him as I usually would. He came back into the dungeon with a jagged sword in his hand. He touched the sword, I could smell the poison on it, to the wound on my right arm. “You got this for attempting to save my mother.” He moved to my other arm and started to drag it down causing blood to flow as he pierced my skin deeper. “This is for failing her.”

I felt a cool hand trace my scars and I jumped as it brought me out of that memory. Jean-Claude was now in front of me looking at my scars tracing them slightly with his fingers. Anita gripped the armrest of the couch tightly but she still couldn’t look at me right now. She hated my father and the stories about how he treated me. Anita had met her once through a weird interrupted séance. “Who did this?” Jean-Claude asked softly. “No one that is still alive.” I said pulling my sleeves down and moving out of his grasp.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

Jean-Claude continued to stare at me. Anita finally turned back around and I felt like an exhibit at the zoo. “Well, good evening.” I said walking out taking a deep breath as I went next door to the room that Asher was supposed to be in.

I knocked again and smiled when a voice that was loveable but still not as buttery as Jean-Claude’s answered. “Come on in.” I walked in and was shocked. Asher was extremely tall. He had to be at least 6’5, now that I thought about it Jean-Claude had to be 6’3 or 6’4. Asher’s hair was golden, no not blonde I mean golden. His hair fell to his lower back and when he turned I saw scars that traveled down the side of his face. Asher quickly realized I had seen them and pulled his hood over his face.

“Please, don’t.” I whispered. I knew he was a vampire had sensed it the moment I came in, elemental and all. (I mentioned that I was last water elemental, I mean last of my age. A lot of kids were killed during the war, there are still some alive but there have been fertility issues. The kids that survived the war were often older than me; I was 14 at the time. The kids younger than me were killed or died to do lack of nutrition. My people were dying before my father removed us from Rya. Our people had blamed my father my father for the war, most apologized to me but knew I was not yet ready to rule.)

“Scars are very familiar to me.” Asher looked at me shocked, but he apparently understood that he wasn’t the only one in the room that had scars. Slowly, he let his hood fall back, and I saw the scars once more. They were from burns. Oh God I thought as I realized where they had come from: holy water.

I shook my head and smiled at him. “Anyway, I’m here to get my uniform. I’m the new bartender.”

“Oh, the one we’ve been expecting for a few weeks.” Asher said smiling inviting me as if I’d become a member of the club. “Well I’ll have to measure you to grab the right pairs for you.” He stretched his arm and guiding me to a mirror.

I glanced at myself and smiled slightly. I was skinny, not extremely so. The curves I had weren’t visible underneath the cargo pants and white shirt I wore. Well, they were a little bit. I was fair skinned, not tanned but I wasn’t exactly pale either. A result of a mixed heritage, my long black hair fell to my hips. It wasn’t thick, luckily doing it was a process as it was. I smiled as I noticed the blue highlights that had been in my hair since birth. They were bright at times, as the day sky or the bluest waters, and others they were as dark as the midnight sky. I was extremely big chested, no that had been my other side of the family. I was the perfect cup size for my overall size a C. My eyes were brownish blue and they stared back at me as Asher measured me.

He finished and quickly found two uniforms that he assured me would fit me wonderfully. He suggested washing them in gentle cycle, if I didn’t I would probably have to lay them out to dry. I thanked him as I walked out. I was ready to leave but I had been offered a free meal, and Anita would probably hunt me down. She was known as the Executioner to the vampires, I knew she had to know the one the vampires referred to as Death but I never pressed her for it. The vampires still called me the Reaper. We all had our little nicknames.

I walked back to the main area of the club and glanced around. I could feel the water in the bodies of everybody in here. 80% of the body is made up of water, the temperature of the water I was feeling let me know most of those in the room were not human. I sensed a few shifters, a couple of Weres though I couldn’t tell you what time of Weres they were, and last but not least vampires. See the water in vampires bodies, was very cold like Atlantic ocean cold, Weres were a lot hotter close to boiling, shifters were close to that but not boiling, and humans well they were just warm.

Anita came up behind me and smiled turning me around unfortunately she had brought the Master of the City with her. “I thought you had bailed on me for a second there.”
I laughed a little and smiled. “Come on now X, would your lil Reap ever really leave you.” I said using the nicknames that we had given each other based off the vampires’ nickname for us.

She laughed at that and led me to a table. Jean-Claude tight on our heels, I had thought I was free from his presence for the rest of the night when a large part of his fan club ran to him begging to be ravished whether sexually or from his bite. I shook my head in disappointment when he quickly fled their clutches. He came just in time to escort us into the VIP area.

I took a seat on the other side of the booth, leaving Anita in between us.

“What are you?” Jean-Claude whispered seductively.

“Trying to seduce an answer out of me with your voice is only going to piss me off.” I said giving my best smile.

Jean-Claude looked shocked but smiled nevertheless. Anita busted out laughing and hit me gently on my shoulder. “Still the same old Mizelle.”

I asked Anita to order some food for me, preferably something heavy. I was starving and had been living off ramen noodles and mac n cheese for a while. Hey, even an elemental needs decent food.

I strutted onto the dance floor and started dancing letting loose since I didn’t have to pay for anything tonight. I needed a stress release singing and dancing always worked. There was no way I was singing here. I started to move to the beat feeling the beat vibrate my body as the speakers were that loud. I had been dancing for a minute when I felt hands snake around my wrist. I whirled around blade extend ready to intimidate anyone when I recognized Jean-Claude.

“Appears my security didn’t check you for weapons.” Jean-Claude said moving my hand and the blade from his neck. I noticed him nod, apparently some guards had started to move towards me.

“I weaved past them.” I said smiling tucking the blade back into its hiding place.

“I just wanted to enjoy a dance with my new bartender.” He said bowing respectfully and extending his hand as if he was asking.

I rolled by my eyes and moved past him but quickly felt a hand wrap around my own and felt myself pulled into his arms. I was an elemental, vampire super strength was a little difficult for me. “Hands off.”

Jean-Claude smiled. “I haven’t been denied since Anita, it’s still a breath of fresh air.” He said leaning down to whisper it in my ear, and I felt my body betray me as a shiver went through me. Damn, that buttery voice.

“Well get used to it.” I said changing my arms to liquid water a little and weaved my way out of his arms returning to the both next to Anita. Our food had just arrived. She had ordered me a seafood alfredo, she knew me oh so well.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I smiled slightly as I slipped back into the booth. Anita looked at me, I knew automatically that I needed to get out of here. She smiled at me. “I ordered your favorite.” My favorite meal was seafood alfredo.

“I see. Thanks. How’d you get that here?” I said with a smile “I have special privileges with the chef.” She said turning to watch Jean-Claude across the room. He looked like he was doing business or checking on security.

“He’s beautiful isn’t he?” Anita inquired as I started to eat the food before me. “He’s not ugly, beautiful is stretching it.” I said without blinking, even though I was lying. Anita touched my leg and looked at me seriously. “Since, we’re friends I’ll say this now so you know.” She said smiling but I could see the killer I knew peeking out. “I like him a little, and I trying to get a chance with him.” I smiled and touched her shoulder. “X, he’s all yours.” I said and noticed Jean-Claude walk away from the path that led back to us.

I finished my food rather quickly noticing his return, and bid Anita goodnight as I went back to my apartment. I smiled walking in the door. It was small but it was home. A simple two bedroom, the other bedroom I had turned into an office with a futon. I really wanted to get a dog at some point and could easily fit a cage in that room. Hmmm, should it be a German Shepherd or Retriever? Maybe with my first check, it would definitely help with being alone. I fell back on my couch running my hand over my face.

Jean-Claude was arrogant and I prayed he didn’t try to show interest in me again. Anita was not a friend I wanted to betray.

Hearing a knock, at the door I rose and opened the door. I could have sworn I heard my jaw hit the floor. “Jean-Claude?!” It was almost three in the morning Anita and I had talked longer then I expected. What is he doing here?! Jean-Claude bowed gracefully. “Indeed.” I glanced at the white roses in his hand and laughed. “I’m not a flowers type of girl, but give them to Anita she loves them.” I said slamming the door in his face.

I heard his deep chuckle and fled to my bedroom drifting into sleep. Once again nightmares plagued my dreams and per usual they centered on my father. I bolted awake pulling my gun from underneath my pillow pointing it at the door. (I have several weapons but not all in the apartment, but there was always a gun under my pillow.) My skin glistened slightly from thin layer of sweat that covered my skin. I took deep breaths burying one of my hands in my hair pulling my knees to me with the other.

Finally, I rose from my bed and took a shower. The hot water covered my skin relaxing my muscles that had tensed up from the way I woke up. I noted the time as I stepped out of the shower and put on a pair of black capris and a red shirt for the day. It was almost six. I decided to head into work early and changed into the black pants and black shirt that had “Guilty Pleasures” written in an elegant style in crimson red. There were other designs on the back but I hadn’t bothered to look. I slid my gun into its holster at my thing and the knives down my wrist.

I also placed a cross under my shirt just in case, the things worked especially if I believed. My faith had grown more since entering this realm. I was pleased that the cross still worked regardless of my religion being different. I had gotten water crosses and they seemed to work well. (Christianity wasn’t in my realm, as we interacted directly with element. We closer to Native American type of religion.) I stepped outside my apartment and started to lock the door when I heard something crunch beneath my feet. I had stepped on the stems of the white roses Jean-Claude had brought. I rolled my eyes and locked my door, picked up the roses, and dumped them in a nearby trashcan.

I was going to my first day of work, and I was more worried about Jean-Claude than anything else.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I walked into Guilty Pleasures through the employee’s entrance. I had music blasting in my ears from my iPhone and I could feel my body swaying to the music as I moved down the hall towards the employee’s lounge so I could place my stuff in my locker. I felt a hand touch me and jumped while turning to pin whoever it was to the wall.

“My apologies my dear, I did not intend to startle you.” Asher said looking at me with a small smile on his face. “I’m sorry.” I said moving back from him.

“It’s perfectly fine I guess you just taught me not to sneak up on a woman.” Asher said laughing. He stuck out his arm leaving room for my arm to fit through. “Allow me to repay you and escort you to the bar.” His age was clearly showing at the moment. From what I could sense, he was close to Jean-Claude’s age possible even older. Despite that Asher felt weaker than Jean-Claude.

“I’m stopping at the employee’s lounge first.” I said looking at him a small smile across my face. Apparently, I was smiling fully and it reached my eyes.
Asher nodded and left his arm out. “Then I guess we have a stop before our final destination.” He said gesturing to his arm.
I laughed and looped my arm through his arm, “Very well let’s go.” Asher smiled and started walking me to the employee’s lounge.

We started talking about our scars and I was even able to make him crake a smile a few times. I wanted to kill those who harmed in such a way. Those stupid, ignorant church folks, as if humans were the only creation of God. To my genuine surprise, Asher was deeply troubled to learn that he couldn’t give my father the same abuse he had given me. I, myself, was pleasantly surprised when I made him laugh again, and in turn he made me laugh. We walked into the employee’s lounge as I took my arm out of his putting my things in the locker keeping my iPhone and headphones. I figured I could use them on break or when the club was slow. The club being slow sounded unlikely, but the bar maybe could be.

I walked back to Asher looping my arm back through his as he smiled at me. We started to walk out of the back area and into the main area. Yet, as soon as we got near the tables barely even a yard from the bar a booming voice made us both tense up.

“Asher, you are dismissed remove yourself. Now.” I looked around finding Jean-Claude moving up behind us. He had placed emphasis on the last word he said.
I held Asher’s arm preventing him from moving as a look of pure annoyance and independence came across my face. I had issues. I hated being commanded, blame my father. I didn’t even follow royal protocol that I felt were ridiculous and/or crazy. My mom’s response whenever I did it was that I was her favorite rebel.

Jean-Claude growled slightly almost. I could have sworn in that moment his eyes changed colors turning black. Asher looked at me a pleading facial expression on his face as if he didn’t want to me to anger Jean-Claude. I felt my powers growing within me that spark quickly ignited into a flame ready to burst out.

“Either let him go or I’ll make him release you.” Jean-Claude said moving closer to him. I could feel his power increasing in the room, it started to have a faint floral scent, but I couldn’t place what flower. His power rising only felt like a challenge to me.

“You won’t touch him!” I said just now realizing we had an audience a little, but I still could feel my powers threatening to come out. I probably should have been calmer with an audience in case Jean-Claude became an ally later. I couldn’t make him look weak to his subordinates, but I still could feel my powers responding. He was pissing me off.
Jean-Claude reached for Asher and I reacted at once. I pushed him back standing in front of Asher growling. It was a bit odd how much I was against this. I knew it was important why my power was responding like this, but right now I was simply trust it. Asher placed his hand on my shoulder. “It’s alright my dear. I will be in the pleasure of your company later this evening.” He said kissing my hand.

“Don’t ever do that again, Asher. Ever.” Jean-Claude said grasping Asher’s shoulder tight then releasing him watching him disappear. He relaxed once Asher was gone from you. “Did you enjoy the flowers?” He asked his smile returning.

“The rats probably did. I threw them in the trash.” I said smiling sarcastically walking away from him towards the bar. I heard a rush of wind as I looked to see him now in front of me. Vampires. I thought as I rolled my eyes moving around him.

He didn’t turn or move but he spoke and sounded like he was hurt or insulted. “So Asher gets smiles and gets to hold your arm in his, but I don’t even get common courtesy?” He asked.

“No, Asher gets friendship because he was respectful, kind, and didn’t try to assume that I would automatically want to deal with him at all.” I said moving to the bar as the first set of customers came in. Jean-Claude vanished.

I started to pour drinks filling orders as more customers walked in. The lights dimmed and the music started. I started to move with it doing tricks while I made drinks. The guys obviously loved it, and surprisingly females didn't cause any problems with me. The night progressed rather quickly it was about eleven when Asher came to the bar.
"Do you think I could get a Bloody Mary?" He said smiling. His hood was over his head so he wouldn't scare the customers. He seemed tense so I knew he snuck out here to see me. Vampires usually couldn’t handle food, but drinks were easier especially if they had blood that evening.

I laughed and smiled. "Anything for the bartender's friend." I said making his drink doing a few drinks just to get him to smile more. It was like since we had discussed scars and the hell we endured to get them we were more comfortable around each other. His mask was gone and I felt mine leaving as well. I added a dash of blood, it was bagged blood under the fridge for our vampire customers.

I placed the drink in front of him. "Here you go." Asher smiled and nodded downing the drink in one gulp. "Good to have the bartender as a friend then." He said handing me back the empty glass, winking to let me know he noticed the blood.

I turned and placed the cup in the sink. There was a small breeze that lifted my hair and I turned back around to see Jean-Claude next to Asher. "Mon ami, you are exquisitely great in battle and friendship yet I would you remover yourself now." I once again noticed that his eyes had turned black.

Asher looked at him and nodded. "Of course." He said moving as he glanced at me telling me with a look that we would have time to spend together again. Jean-Claude had taken Asher's seat in front of me. I sighed and looked at him.

"Was it really necessary to make him leave?" I asked stretching my arms holding different ends of the bar. I had someone other than Anita, and I liked it. Jean-Claude looked at me his face serious. "When you show him more smiles than me yes." I shook my head. "Fine I'll smile for you if you stop making the one friend I have other than Anita leave me." Jean-Claude smiled. "Deal, ma petite." He left and I saw a look of triumph on his face as he departed. I sighed and knew I might have just made a deal with the devil.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

Asher returned again around one. “So, I hear I’m allowed to be friends with you now.” He said taking an empty seat. There were plenty of them the club was starting to empty out and it seemed mostly people were starting to close up. The club closed at two-thirty I think. I knew I was done at two though. There was one act left but most women had gone after the vampire acts finished. I think this last guy was a warlock. I smiled turning to face him. “Yea, I think I made a deal with the devil to make that happen though.”

Asher sat up straight. “What deal?” I sighed. “I just have to smile for him too.” Asher looked down. “You know he wants you Mizelle.” I stopped moving and looked at him. “I know.” Asher shook his head. “At least I get to see you without getting my life threatened. I maybe third in command but he was still close to killing me.” I winked at him and smiled.

“Now, would I let that happen.” I laughed a little, and then caught on to his comment. “Wait, you are third in command?” I asked leaning on the bar, face in my hands.

He nodded proudly. “Jean-Claude is Master of the City. His second is Primo, even though he has been causing problems lately. I’m third in command.” I nodded digesting the information. “No offense, but how come you are third? I can sense your strength but it’s not what I would expect from a master.” Asher looked down covering his face on both sides with his hair. “I have no animal to call, master in age only.” I sighed moving his hair from the side without the scars, I wouldn’t expose his scars without permission, “I’m sure you are just a late bloomer.” I said with a wink.

Asher smirked letting me know I had said the right thing. I didn’t notice that Jean-Claude was watching me and Asher talk. He got angrier with my every laugh and smile but I didn’t even see him. His eyes had bled black long ago. “How does all of that work with Malcom being here with his church?” Asher shook his head. “That is how do you say, a can of worms?” I chuckled understanding what he meant.

Asher and I continued to talk: about the supernatural community, the clubs Jean-Claude owned, and even my life; he asked for a Bloody Mary before I cleaned up the whole bar. I smiled and quickly made his drink. “On the house.” I said smiling placing it in front of him. “Really good being friends with the bartender.” Asher said downing his drink. He sat it down. “Need a walk home?”

I smiled. It was crazy how fast we had become friends and how all it took was the showing of scars. “Yea, that’d be great.” I said cleaning out the glasses and setting them in the dish drain. My neighborhood was slightly rough and on the other side of town having someone to talk to on the long walk would be nice.

Asher smiled in delight. “Great, well mademoiselle.” He started bowing as he got up from the bar. “I shall meet you outside the employees’ lounge. I have a few closing details to attend to.” With that, I heard the rush of wind and knew he was gone in the blink of my eye.

I turned and went back to cleaning the bar making sure everything was in tip top shape. My boss might be annoying but I still wanted to do my job well. I felt a rush of wind and didn’t even turn around. “I thought you were meeting me at the employees’ lounge.” I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard Jean-Claude’s voice. “Unfortunately, ma petite I am not the one you have arranged to meet.”

I turned to face him and sighed. “What do you want Jean-Claude?” He looked at me and smiled wickedly. “Our deal ma petite you are supposed to smile for me as well.” I looked at him shaking my head my head. “The trick to that is that you actually have to make me smile.”

Jean-Claude looked shocked surprised that there was a loop hole in his plan. He sighed and looked at her. “Then maybe I should take lessons from Asher.”
I smiled at the thought of my new buddy. I realized that Jean-Claude’s eyes had quickly bled black, but seeing it up close I wasn’t sure if it was black anymore. Regardless, I guess I shouldn’t have smiled at the mention of his name.

“Clearly I need to take lessons.” He said standing at the end of the bar preventing me from leaving. He took a step toward me. “I would like to know how we can become friends.”
“It’s not something I can teach you or tell you, JC.” I said grabbing my iPhone and headphones. I smiled at the message on my screen.

See you in five minutes. – Ash

I should have known the vampire swiped my phone and put his number in it. I shook my head, a slight grin tugging at the corners of my mouth.

“JC?” Jean-Claude asked surprised at the nickname I had used for him. “Yes, it’s easier than saying Jean-Claude a bunch of times.” I said standing in front of him.

Immediately I wished I hadn’t. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest were now in my face. I composed myself, my mask coming back on. Jean-Claude looked at me and dropped his head. “Once again I’m farther away from you, that quick.”

I sighed and looked at him. “What do you mean?” I said trying to move past him. He stopped me touching my face gently. “I can tell you are wearing a mask I just can’t tell how deep it goes.” He said moving finally letting me pass.

I almost ran away towards Asher. Jean-Claude freaked me out, but maybe it was my attraction to him that truly had me terrified or the way even my element seemed unsure around him.

Asher was at the employee's lounge waiting on me when I walked in. "You are minutes late." He said smiling moving out of the darkness letting his hood fall back. I slightly wondered how many others he took his hood off for but I didn't ask.

"I'm sorry, your master had me detained." I said grabbing the stuff out of my locker. I got the quick expression of anger and worry over his face at the mention of Jean-Claude. I knew they loved each other but it seemed I was testing their friendship, which just made me feel horrible. I already had to worry about not causing a feud with Anita over Jean-Claude; I didn’t want to cause a feud between Jean-Claude and Asher either.

Asher extended his arm as I put my coat on. "Ready?" He asked the worry tinted in his voice. I smiled and nodded. "Yes." I said looping my arm through his. "Yes, lets go."

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

We walked out of the Guilty Pleasures. My arm in his; I had turned my head for moment and thought I saw Jean-Claude out the corner of the club watching us. I looked down and then smiled at Asher as we started to walk.

“So how was your first day at the club of the undead?” He said jokingly putting a weird emphasis on the club of the undead. I laughed in spite of myself and shook my head. “Wasn’t nearly as exciting as the press claims.” I said smiling.

Asher laughed. “Well, I shall have to make it more interesting next time.” I shook my head and smiled. “You should definitely do that.” I knew we were flirting. I felt bad inside a little because I knew that this was going to make things between Jean-Claude and I worse. It was amazing, but I felt at ease with Asher. Even the water inside me was calm, with Jean-Claude I felt all over the place.

I stopped for a second, and almost growled in my throat. I felt someone following us and I could tell it was a vampire by how cold the water in the body was. I don’t like being followed, blame it on living through a war plus good ole Dad. Asher looked at me noticing my face. He looked round and sunk his head down. I didn’t even try to figure out why he sank his head. I was assuming he might recognize who was following us. It was fair assumption seeing as he would have to know all the vampires in the area being 3rd and all. However, this vampire needed to know not to follow me.

I felt the vampire come closer. My eyes blazed a fire blue. My mother had told me before she passed that it was fire blue because water was my element but my personality was all fire. I let myself have a small moment to remember my mother, focusing on her wonderful lessons. My mother was an amazing water elemental, and most of us in the kingdom aspired to be half as good as her. Especially me. Water didn’t even have to be summoned by her, it would just casually scoot her seat closer or bring her flowers while we sat at the lake. She taught me how to control my powers, and I leaned on that right now.

Asher looked at me in surprise and curiosity. I called on the power inside me and took control of the body by controlling the water inside it. I pulled the vampire close slamming it against an alley wall. My powers were out with the rage of hurricane. I was fully prepared to defend myself and Asher. Even though Asher could likely kill me with one punch.
Asher touched my arm for a second and gripped slightly. “It’s Jean-Claude.” He said sighing.

I growled and closed my eyes and let my power role back in and stepped away from him. “What the hell, JC?!” I screamed. Asher gripped my arm and pulled me closer to him. He obviously enjoyed holding me back because I really wished he would just let me punch JC. Again, I don’t know his presence caused such a reaction but anything that made my element within me anxious, while making me annoyed and combative.

Jean-Claude moved away from the wall and fixed his clothes that had wrinkled from my slight attack on him. He smiled slightly. “Nice attack, how’d you make me come to you?” He said moving closer.

I growled more and Asher’s grip on me tightened. “You will never know!” I screamed at him. Asher felt my body tense up and gripped both of my arms tight switching our positions placing himself between Jean-Claude and me.

Jean-Claude glanced at Asher and smiled. “You don’t need to protect her from me. I’m not a threat to her.” Asher smiled and shook his head. “I think you have it in reverse. I’m protecting you from her.” He said smiling, his statement causing me to smile lessening the anger. Asher must have felt my body loosen up because his grip on my arms had slacked up.

“Once again, he gets a smile that I’m not able to receive.” He looked at Asher threateningly. Asher shook his head. “She isn’t Juliana.” Jean-Claude sighed at that. I almost asked who the girl they were talking about was but I decided against.

I pulled Asher closer to me. “Let’s go. I’m tired.” My power drained me a little and I often passed out if I used too much but being in the sea often replenished me. Asher nodded and bowed to his master as he moved closer to me as we returned to our path.

“I’ll take her home.” Jean-Claude said his voice booming. It was clearly a command to dismiss Asher. Jean-Claude was about to get a rude awakening.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

There was another growl building in the back of my throat. I was completely annoyed by how he was commanding not asking. He was acting as if we were committing some betrayal. It was ridiculous. Even further it reminded me of my father and let me see how even in death he was controlling and demanding. I still could not believe my father had made this a part of his will and sent my application in. Ugh! I so wanted to punch Jean-Claude, but I knew that Asher would stop me and protect his master, his friend.
“The hell you will.” I quickly responded. Asher looked at me shocked. I simply tried to contain the growl in my throat.

Jean-Claude looked at me attempting that devilish smile. I could tell by how he focused on me that this smiled had been perfected over the centuries. It gave me the desire to punch him again and I looked at Asher to regain my cool. Asher had easily become my friend, funny how trading battle scars did that to people, connected people.
Asher gripped my arm gently once more. He pulled me closer to him and whispered gently in my ear. “Breathe, I would hate to deal with the aftermath of finding a new Master of the City.” He said moving away.

I sighed taking a calming breath. I knew he was right. I had to calm down, but Jean-Claude just seemed to irk something in me. Every time I saw him I simply wanted to punch him. I wanted to fight. My powers felt restless, which only increased my desire to get away immediately.

Asher held me close and stared me down. His eyes were clearly saying that I needed to calm down, but I was finding it so damn difficult. I couldn’t understand what it was about him that was driving me up a wall. I almost jumped when I heard a voice in my ear. “How about we both walk her home, therefore she doesn’t kill you and I can still keep my word and walk her home?” Asher looked at me seeing if I would even argue. I took a calming breath and nodded.

Jean-Claude nodded and started to take my other arm. Asher had scooted back holding my right arm in his. I really didn’t want Jean-Claude to touch me, but I didn’t want him to hurt Asher later. I took a deep breath and started to sing a country song in my head. It actually calmed my nerves, good ole music can always count on her melodies.
Asher started a conversation again. He started to discuss this new obsession of rock in this age. I laughed about the topic but quickly joined in talking to him about rock music. I told him I had a few bands he might like but metal or hard rock was usually the annoying part of rock, at least for me.

“What is wrong with that type of rock?” Jean-Claude said softly interjecting. Asher smiled slightly trying not to show it. I just looked at him in surprise.
“Umm…usually it’s a lot of screams or a bunch of guitars jammed together not really the beauty of punk rock or pop rock, country rock, or any other. At least to me anyway” I said still in awe that he had spoken.

“What can I do to make you like me the way you like him, ma petite?” Jean-Claude asked in a voice that almost made me want to turn and hug him. It held such pain, yet it was so faint I was wondering if I was hearing the right thing.

“I don’t know what to tell you, maybe stop trying to force me to spend time with you.” I said as I continued to walk and stopped. “Well this is my place.”

Asher nodded his head and hugged me close giving me a smile. He scooted back and let Jean-Claude move in front of him. “I bid thee good night.”

I nodded to them both waving a bye to Asher and then half-rushed into my apartment. I was tired. I fell onto my bed with moments slipping into sleep.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

The sunlight had snuck into my room slowly woke me up. I was squinting my eyes trying not to avoid the brightness. Yawning, I turned and glanced at the clock. It was well past noon almost one in fact. I had slept most of the day which explained why my stomach was rumbling. Slowly, I sat up pulling some of my hair out of my face. There was a blinking light and I realized I had messages on my phone. I sighed and leaned over to grab my phone, trying to maintain my balance so I didn’t fall out of my bed, and looked at who all had messaged me. There were three from Anita, one from Ash, and two from JC. Vampires, he must have swiped my phone too.

It was a popular morning for me though. I didn’t even know how to feel about so many messages this early.

“Yesh, can’t even ask from my number anymore.” I said to my phone, as if it could actually hear me.

I ignored the messages from the two vampires looking at the messages from Anita. She was begging me to meet her from lunch. She eventually must have realized I was sleep because she started yelling for me to wake my behind up. Just my luck, she was calling now.

“Hi Nita.” I said groggily.

“You need to get up! We are going out and I want you to meet my friend, Richard.” She half-screamed into the phone. I figured she was driving, most likely to my place.
Ugh, I didn’t want to move but I doubted she would let me go back to sleep. “Umm…okay.” I said agreeing to whatever crazy plan she had. Anita was a slight romantic well she was more of a romantic than me. This was probably the blind date she was always telling me she’d set up. It was weird a little, she tried to hide it behind her killer mask but she honestly wanted the white-picket fence family dream.

As I had guessed she was at my apartment five minutes later. The only progress I had made was moving out of my bedroom and somehow found the energy to open the door. She looked at me as barged in.

“Come on, hurry and get ready I need you to like him so you can go on a double date with me and Jean-Claude tonight.” She said tossing a bag she had on the floor and crashing on my couch.

Her attraction for Jean-Claude must be deep because it seemed like there was a dress in the bag she had tossed to the floor, and the just the sound of his name had cause me to tense up. “Umm…excuse me what did you just say?”

“Double date, me and Jean-Claude. I’m aiming for tonight after the club closes.” She said smiling and looked excited for this horrible idea.
“Why do I have to go?” I said sighing walking into my bathroom and brushing my teeth.

“I need a wing girl duh.” She said with such confidence it made me ill, but it did give me an idea.

“I’ll meet your friend but I don’t need him, I’ll just ask Asher to come.” That reminded me of the text messages I had yet to read. Wiping my face, I went back to my room grabbing my phone.

“Asher?! No, his scars scare the living hell out of me, and if you ever repeat that…” She started. I quickly cut her off though. It was odd to her complain about scars. I believe there was a cross burned into her shoulder from a vampire servant.

“Yea, yea I know but still….umm you are the executioner how can you be scared of scars?” I asked scrolling through my phone to read my messages. I skipped over Jean-Claude’s and went straight to Asher’s.

Thank you for not tossing me to the side and killing my friend and master. Next time I hold you I hope it won’t be because I’m trying to stop you from fighting. ;) May the day be kind to you be there when darkness falls.

I smiled brightly and looked up at Anita. “Come on, Asher and Jean-Claude get along.” I said trying my hardest to get out of this blind date she set up. Anita just looked at me.
“Look we all have our scars, but…” Anita said the small fragile girl inside showing a little, but I knew how to get my tough Anita back.

“So the executioner can’t handle some simple burn scars, fine I’ll guess I just won’t go, maybe I’ll go next time when you grow a pair.” I said half-jokingly smiling as I walked back into my room.

Anita grabbed my shoulder and looked at me, the killer I had fought beside staring back at me. “Bring him, but you still meet Richard.” She said letting go of her tight grip sitting back down on my couch.

I smiled happy with the victory I had won. “Alright fine, there is jambalaya in the fridge if you want some.” Before I could finish my sentence she had gone off into the kitchen. I actually was a pretty good cook. I liked that I had something non-deadly that I was good at. My mom used to cook for me, and when Dad and I got to this world I would learn some cooking from everywhere we stayed. If I was allowed to go further out, I tried to take a class otherwise it was neighbors when he wasn’t home.

I took a quick shower and heard Anita cleaning her dishes as I came out. “Be ready in five.” I said walking back into my room brushing out my hair, throwing on a pair of jeans and a shirt that was form fitting. The shirt was black with a heart and knife through it. I loved this shirt.

“You get dressed faster than me.” Anita said jokingly as she walked towards my door. I grabbed my keys and my phone. As we walked out I locked my door and texted Asher back.

When darkness falls I will expect no less, my new found friend. Oh, do you mind going to this thing with me? Anita is dragging me to something her and Jean-Claude are going to. Thanks and sleep well.

I got into Anita’s car and took a deep breath. I was going to meet someone and knowing Nita the way I did they wouldn’t be human. Something told me, my life was about to get so complicated. It was nice to be with her again but moments like this made me missed others who were more important.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

Anita was driving towards the bistro we were meeting this random blind date at. The whole drive Anita was going on and on about this guy. His name was apparently Richard. She had definitely become slightly more emotional since last I saw her when she had been cold as a rock or maybe she was just fighting for some normalcy. I think Anita was like two to three years older than me.

Richard was apparently someone who should be alpha male of his pack. He only wasn’t because he didn’t want to kill the current crap leader to do it. He seemed foolish to me so far, just kill the guy and keep it stepping. You can’t claim to protect your people and not defend them when needed.

“We’re here!” Anita said proudly as she parked the car next to the bistro. “Come on.” She said smiling. I think she really just wanted me to like this guy and stay away from Jean-Claude. It was only last night or two nights ago that she was staking her claim. If only she knew how much I was going to do that anyway. I didn’t like my powers being uncomfortable around him.

I got out of the car and watched Anita walk up to a table outside the restaurant. There was a guy was tall, I was guessing about 6”4, broad shoulders. It was obvious he worked out. The t-shirt he was wearing looked like it was about to rip from his muscles. He had light brown hair that framed his face and matched his sun-kissed tan. I had to admit he was extremely good looking.

Taking a deep breath and preparing myself, I walked up to the table after closing the car door. The guy stood and nodded his head.

“I’m Richard.” He said extending his hand.

“Mizelle.” I said sitting down not shaking his hand. My powers, well touching people wasn’t always the best idea. You would be surprised how much water could tell you, and I really didn’t want to know the last place he was or ate. However, water did already rise on its own and based off temperature I confirmed he was a werewolf.
Richard looked surprised that I didn’t shake his hand and sat back down. “Well, Anita has told me a lot about you.”

“None of it is true.” I quickly replied looking at Anita, knowing she made me seem so much nicer than what I am. She tended to do that, and then people met me. They were often confused.

“Well, you are beautiful.” He said smiling.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” I replied ordering a hamburger and fries with just ketchup and mustard.

“Zelle, stop being rude.” Anita said as she ordered a chicken salad and not surprisingly Richard order a rare steak with fries. Surprise, Surprise. I was rolling my eyes on the inside.
“I’m not being rude. I’m being me.” I said pulling out my phone. I was shocked to see more messages from Jean-Claude. Then I remembered how old I had sensed he was. I should have known he would be up earlier. The older vampires could move around during the day as long as they avoided the light. I decided to be nice and read them this time.

You said I had to become a friend, and that therefore is my new mission. I hope I can earn your friendship.

I took a deep breath as I scrolled down to the next one.

Our deal, ma petite, extends to text messages as well. I will check my comrade’s phone.

I silently cursed underneath my breath. Damn arrogant vampire.

Richard must have heard me curse. He looked at me raising an eyebrow. “Everything okay, over there?”

“Of course.” I said smiling brightly even though it wasn’t really reaching my eyes.

It was now about three thirty. It had taken at least twenty minutes to get to this little bistro from my house. We had sat & ate which added another hour. I was actually looking forward to when I would be around Ash again. It was like I could be myself with him, show my scars and not worry about others.

Richard was sweet but I knew he wasn’t really trying. He was playing it safe at least he thought he was. When the meal had come to an end, Anita had constantly told me to stop being rude, we started walking back to the car. Well, I was until Richard called my name and Anita ran off. I think she was waiting for an excuse to leave us alone.

“I think you are more stubborn than Anita.” He said smiling a little.

I shook my head and smiled. “I actually learned from her.”

Richard laughed, deep in this throat. I shook my head once more. “Well, I would love to see you again.” He said giving me a hug and attempted to kiss my lips gently. I turned my head in time so that it was only on my cheek. Even on my cheek, it had to be the sweetest kiss I had ever received from a guy. It didn’t speak of emotions or held back passion, it was just sweet. Even my dear “brother” kissed my forehead with more feeling than this.

“Call me.” He said slipping me his number and letting me go.

I nodded but didn’t smile at all. I knew I was going to hear about it the whole time I was in the car as Anita drove us to the Circus of the Damned. It was where the vampires of the city well the important ones, most of them, lived anyway. I knew cause I felt the concentration of low body temperature there when I first entered the city. The whole car ride went exactly as I had expected.

“Aww, he kissed you. Lil Reap this is awesome. He can be your date for tonight after you get off work.” She said smiling. “We’ll leave our clothes here since this is where we are meeting Jean-Claude.”

I felt my hands clench up. I loved Anita but this Anita without her anger was going to take some getting used to it. “Anita, we agreed I’m taking Asher!” I half screamed the last part and cursed under my breath when I heard my phone go off. Jean-Claude’s name run across it. I looked up at it was dusk, sun was setting, we had just pulled into the Circus parking lot. If he had any decent vampiric hearing, which I assume he did, he had heard me.

It would appear that now I’m owed a date as well.

I growled and threw my phone down in my seat. “X, just take me to work.” I said shaking a little as it started to pour down raining. I was more than a little irritated.
Anita didn’t question me, and immediately pulled back out of the parking lot headed for Guilty Pleasures. “Reap, you’re making it hard to drive.” Anita said referring to the rain that was now pounding her windshield.
“Sorry.” I said as I took a deep breath calming myself. The rain slowly eased up until it was back to the cloudy day they predicted. I really needed to get to work.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I hadn’t replied to Jean-Claude message, and I was trying my hardest to avoid him. Yet, I had made a deal which made me feel bad for avoiding him. Usually, I would have left my phone on during work but I decided against it today. I knew that if I kept it on I was going to text Asher and Jean-Claude was going to see. Arrogant vampire. I silently thought as I continued to work.

The club was somewhat slow tonight which worried me more than anything. It was the calm before a storm that puts you on edge, raising the hairs on your arms. All night I had been watching intensely unintentionally scaring off a few customers. Trouble was coming, it was simply a matter of when.

I started to relax a little more the closer it got to two am when my shift ended. Well, I was getting happier until Nita walked in at about a quarter til one. She was chipper, happily walking to the back. Apparently, I was going to end up getting off early. This new vampire spot she had found was doing its last show at two considering the sun rose at six forty-five, fun thing to always check on especially when you know vampires. It was the last text message I saw before I threw my phone in my employee locker.

Anita was bubbly, eww it creeped me out to see her like this, as she walked in with a bag filled with an elegant gown. I took a deep breath feeling that rush of wind that sometimes made me want to run and never stop.

“So I believe I’m owed a date as well.” Jean-Claude said in that butter, arrogant tone. It was daring everything inside me to fight him. Of course, this was exactly what I was going to do. I was going to fight.

I didn’t even turn around as I stood my ground, figuratively and literally. “The hell I do. Asher is being nice and saving me from a blind date that Anita had tried to set me up on.”
“She did what?” He quickly asked. There was a slight twinge of anger to his voice.

“She did nothing of your concern the point of this is that I owe you nothing. Asher is being nice, take a hint from him.” I said sternly, smiling as I slowly slipped some of my magic out and let him push him away from me. I wasn’t going to fling him in this crowd, too much attention.

I could hear a string of words in another language as he moved away from me. I thank whatever was up there for this power because times like this made it a wonderful one to have.

Before, I could smile in victory Asher was before me. He didn’t come in a rush of wind he came in a gentle touch to my hand. “Let him go.” He said softly. “Please.”

I sighed looking at him as I tucked some of my hair behind my ear calling my power, well the small part I had set free, back to me. I looked at him raising my eyebrows. “Happy?”

“Extensively, as long as you aren’t trying to kill him and I’m still you’re escort for this early morning.” He said bowing slightly in an awkward way. I hated him in that moment because he looked stupid, and he knew it. I couldn’t help but laugh at him. “You’re supposed to let me stay mad.” I said smiling.

He shook his head. I felt the wind, their speed was amazing, this time as he turned me around to face him behind me. “No, the radiance of the northern star should not grow angry and cause millions to be lost.”

I really hated him when he did stuff like this. He was too nice, and I have to admit a little too smooth. I shook my head to play it off. “Yea, uh huh sure. I guess so.” I knew that was my worst attempt at playing something off.

He only chuckled at me and hugged me close. Of course, Mr. Arrogant didn’t like that too much and before I could hug him back he was growling in protest.

Asher sighed and dropped his hands before they could wrap around me. I was severely getting ticked off about this. I let my eyes flame and felt my fists clench tight. Asher saw my eyes looking at me in awe and then quickly started trying to calm me down. He kept me facing him and having another bartender cover my area. He sped me, in the way that only vampires can, to the Jean-Claude’s office. I heard that second gush of wind a mere second later.

“Calm down Zelle please.” Asher said kneeling next to me. He already had a nickname for me. It was slightly adorable. At his height, this was the one time I was going to be eye level with him when he was kneeling in front of me.

“Don’t touch her, my dear friend.” Jean-Claude said. My anger only increased and I felt the flames of my power roll over my hands.

They weren’t really flames like fire they were more of the water’s form when I was pissed, imagine a blue flame. I could drown a town right now, and that thought somewhat brought me some calmness but it quickly dissipated with one quick look at Jean-Claude.

He infuriated me to no end. I couldn’t believe that it could only take one look. I was trying to calm down I was trying my hardest. It wasn’t working though the more.. ugh! I tried to close my eyes and just try to focus on Asher’s hand on my own. I was legitimately trying my hardest to calm down, I could already hear the rain pounding on the windows despite the fact that the weather had called for a sunny day. It was ridiculous. I couldn’t even understand it. I had always had an iron tight control on my emotions so the fact that this was making me lose the control I had worked so hard to establish was only increasing my anger.

I knew sooner or later I was going to blackout but I was trying to stay consciousness because my powers wouldn’t stop just because I was asleep.

Then I felt someone’s lips on my own. I knew it was Asher without a second thought and I only kissed back feeling my powers calm down.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I could hear growls in the background. I pulled back a little staring for the first time into Asher’s hazel eyes. They were the greatest shade of hazel with a hint of green. He looked at me smiling as he touched my face gently. “Calm now.” I smiled nodding my head.

I wasn’t even sure how I felt about the kiss in all honesty but coming from Asher didn’t have the disdain I felt when Richard try to kiss me. It felt nice, but I knew there were other factors to consider. The main one was in the same room.

“The deal still stands ma petite.” Jean-Claude noted as he growled tossing Asher backwards. I felt my powers flare back up again. I knew this time Asher wouldn’t be able to save him or me. I had to control this flare up, but water was angry. I could feel it not happy with my own emotions, anxiety and fear making Water be protective of me. I needed something to knock me back into reality.

Jean-Claude had moved away. I could see that he was still trying to figure out what I am. Asher looked as if he already had a clue but neither approached me.

I could feel everybody in the club. Water was a living thing in everyone and was often how I could sense those around me. I felt the temperatures realizing how many humans were in the club. It was more than last time and I wasn’t going to kill innocent people. With that thought in my mind I took a large breath, focusing as I called my power to retreat into myself. The whiplash of how much power I had set free and called back knocked be back on the couch.
The last thing I remembered was falling back on the couch, closing my eyes.

*************In the Mean-Time****************

JC POV(since Mizelle calls me such)

I didn’t know what to do to help her. “Asher, how do I win her over? You seem to have done it so easily.” I said sighing as we positioned her comfortably on the couch.

The room was a mess of drowned items, giving the appearance that a hurricane had been through a part of the room. Yet the water flocked to her and most of the items were going to actually be okay. The furniture would still have to be replaced though, regardless. Whatever she was her power seemed ancient, she was a mystery I desperately wanted to solve.

Asher looked at me and simply shook his head rising to his feet after touching Mizelle’s forehead gently. He had grown attached to her rather quickly it was obvious to me at least. It was strange. Asher did not often interact with others. It seemed harder for him to deal with those who knew him before the church took him. The scars and his hair was used as shield to keep most people away.

Our relationship had been strenuous at best when we first reconnected. The anger and resentment Asher held from the past and my absence had festered for years. There was only growth in these last few months. Our maker had originally sent him to cause old wounds to be reopened.

“She isn’t Juliana, Jean-Claude.” He said looking into my eyes letting his hair fall to cover his scars. He seemed to only allow her to see them. I didn’t understand their immediate connection. I didn’t like it either it boiled my blood and made me wish for the days of war.

“I know she isn’t, Juliana was never that strong but I just don’t understand why I can’t even get a cordial treatment from her.” I said sighing as I picked up the phone asking the maid to come and clean but not touch Mizelle. I didn’t want her disturbed in anyway. How was she not Juliana though because he seemed to care for and she boiled my very blood.

“You’re arrogant to her.” He said simply as if that was the only thing I needed to know at all, and with that Asher left mumbling something towards the effect of covering her area at the bar.

Sighing, I moved over to her and touched her gently trying not to cause her to wake. “ Ma petite, give me a chance. I won’t ruin the opportunity.” I just hoped that I could. Yet, I knew her loyalty to Anita was going to be the first thing I had to break to even attempt for a real chance.

***************Hours Later*******************

When I woke up it was almost one in the afternoon. I was not where I remembered passing out, that was in Jean-Claude’s office. I was in some master bedroom. The sheets surrounding me felt incredible, much more comfortable then my own back at my place. I jumped up a little, realization dawning on me I was in the Circus of the Damned. It was a vampire owned establishment that was quite interesting, vampires had quite a different take on the idea of a circus. I was still on somewhat of a power ride. I could sense every vampire. When I first arrived here I had cased out the city, and I knew the Circus was occupied by a lot of vampires at night. Now I think it might be where they rest during the day.

The room I was in might have well been taken right from a palace. The bed itself was huge and made me seem so much larger than I actually was, it seemed I had been placed in the middle of the bed. Another hint that I was still with vampires was all the black. The sheets were black satin, the thread count for everything must have been off the charts, it was the softest I had ever slept in. Yet, the more I laid there the more I got worried. I desperately wanted to leave or I at least wanted my weapons. It was not a good idea for me to be surrounded by vampires.

Well, let me correct myself there were some weres here as well. They must be the bodyguards during the day. I was slowly freaking out when I actually looked round the room and saw there were two couches opposite of the door out of the room. The door next closest to me opened into a large black, of course, marble bathroom.

But the two on the couches, I almost shrieked when I recognized them. Asher and Jean-Claude.
One, why where they laying exposed like this. I know the room was decorated black but was it sun proof? Second, they were clearly guarding me. I wasn’t sure if that meant keeping in or keeping me safe.

I was never getting out of this room. Jean-Claude was old he would be awake soon and would prevent me from leaving. I sensed a were at the door, liking a guard probably had instructions not to let me out.
I sat up and a piece of paper caught my eye. There was a note on the table next to me, well two and I could tell the difference in wording and handwriting.

Ma petite, please do not depart before darkness falls and we can discuss important matters. -Jean-Claude
Go get some food. You’ll be starving when you wake up. Don’t leave before I wake. I just want to make sure you are alright. -Ash

I sooo wasn’t getting out of this room, no matter how much I now wanted out.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I went to the bathroom. A lady has needs after all. After returning from the bathroom I sat on the bed, that I could only assume was Jean-Claude’s considering how large it was and the black décor that decorated it. I glanced at my phone which thankfully I left in my pocket. (During my last break, I decided to grab it so I wouldn’t have to go in the back after the club closed.) It was still a few hours until sunset. I didn’t know when Jean-Claude would rise but I knew it would be earlier than Asher which slightly worried because it would be time alone with him. Heaven, help me.

I sighed and piled the pillows behind. I leaned back on the tower I had created and went through music on my phone quickly finding a song to play. I didn’t mind playing it out loud since the only other occupants of the room were in a “dead” sleep at the moment. I smiled slightly as the sound of Nickelback’s newest album filled the room.
The music was helping me remain calm and from focusing on the fact that I was basically trapped in this room. I looked at the time and only about twenty minutes had passed. “How am I going to survive another two hours and some change in here?” I asked myself as turned on the bed sighing loudly. I really needed something to do, and unfortunately being underground meant a low signal plus no wi-fi.

But I still have a signal. I thought as leaped up and quickly texted the one person in the world that was closer to me than Anita. The one person that knew everything about me and vice versa James Wilson. He was a werewolf that I knew since we were kids even though Dad moved us around a lot he always seemed to know where I was. The letters were constant. We had a rather long history and he knew pretty much everything about me.

I quickly sent hey and sat anxiously waiting on a reply from the friend I hadn’t talked to in at least a few weeks. I smiled as my phone vibrated, and I was happy that in my current position I had a signal.

Hey Alex! Miss you’re little aqua self. Where you at now? I smiled. He was one of the few who knew my first name. Only he called me by that name though.
Miss you too wolf. I’m in St.Louis.
St.Louis?! Wait, did you meet someone name Richard or Jean-Claude yet?
I’ve met both. Jean-Claude is seriously working my nerves.
Wow, so you’ve met my Ulfric and the vampire Master of the City.
You’re Ulfric? Wait, you’re in St.Louis?!
Yes ma’am. That means you better come see me before I come beat you.
Where are you now?
Circus of the Damned. I just pulled in.
Come save me! I’m trapped in a room with Jean-Claude and Asher. Well not really trapped.
Why the hell are you down there with them?
Apparently Jean-Claude likes me, and Asher well I don’t know what we are. He’s my friend.
Wow, how long have you been her that you are having every major super falling at your feet?
Lol, not funny and I’ve only been here a little over a week. I’m working at Guilty Pleasures. Dad is dead.
I heard. I’m sorry. How’s the scar?
It hasn’t gotten worse so we are good. It hasn’t reacted in awhile.
That’s good. Your father must have slashed you with tainted blade.
It’s whatever it isn’t harming me.
I’m coming down. What room are you in?
Jean-Claude’s I think.
Holy hell, now I really have to get through security.
Please come save me mi lupa. I pleaded using the nickname for him. It literally meant my wolf, and he was mine, not in the romantic sense but still he was mine nonetheless.
Fine, I’m coming.
Love you!
Yea, yea love you too.
:)
I’m at the door. Be ready, Jean-Claude will arise very soon.

I jumped off the bed and quickly gathered the few things they had brought of mine. I wanted the rest of my things but figured I could text Ash for them later. Ash, speaking of him, I walked over to his note and wrote quickly which meant my handwriting was sloppy.

I awoke early, and I’m well but I couldn’t stay here waiting for you to wake up. I was too bored and too cramped. The feeling of being trapped took over. Call when you greet the night. – Mizelle.

I smiled as I heard the door open. James. He was still liked I remembered him. He wasn’t that tall only about 5’10 or 5’11 from what I could tell. His curvy chocolate brown hair fell in waves to his neck. He had to toss his hair back. I saw those dark green eyes that always reminded me of the forest. It had been too long since I had seen him but apparently he had buffed up in the apart. His muscles were well defined yet it wasn’t overpowering like he was on steroids or something. He smiled that wonderful smile at me, the one that was always a private joke between us. The one that said what did you do this time?

I ran into his arms and hugged him quickly. He was the only person in this world that I showed emotion with. Everyone else I was rather distant with or only allowed my mask of emotions to be shown. James well he knew the real me. He was born a werewolf and I being the hybrid, the pack I had been with at that time surrounded me for being an elemental that they had not seen in centuries, well we were really close. His pureblood self always took up for those that were turned by force or a blood mix up. It made him the outcast among the elite and only the elders, who were few in number, cherished me. Misfits really do have to stick together. His mother passed giving birth to him, and he was blamed for losing the pack a breeding female.

He hugged me back and then let go. “Come on Alex, we have to get out of here before that one wakes.” He stated nodding at Jean-Claude and walking out the door.
“I’m coming.” I said moving out the door and pausing for only a moment to look at them both. I worried about the calls I would receive once the sun finally set on this day and the moon rose once more. There I go thinking in Shakespearean language again. I thought as I shook my head ducking out of the room as I followed James to his car in the parking lot.

“BMW nice, but can she move?” I asked referring to the speed and handle of the car.
James chuckled and looked at me mockingly. “Get in the damn car, and find out.” He said as he slid into the driver seat starting her up.
“Alright, show me what this baby can do.” I said laughing glad to let my mask fall for a few moments.
James smiled wickedly as he did a hard spin to turn the car towards the road, luckily no parked cars were close. He smiled as he hit the gas and the car took off. He hit every turn possible.

“Where are we headed?” He asked.
“My apartment.” I said quickly giving him the directions as I held on to the dashboard for dear life as he made another vicious turn.
“Home it is.” He said smiling merging onto the highway I had directed him too.

“Hold on tight.” He said. “We’ll reach our destination in about 15 minutes, its usually closer to a forty minute drive.” He added laughing as he dove in and out of traffic.
I laughed and held on tight. “James, you’re crazy!” I screamed as I gripped the door tightly.
“True, but I just broke you out of the Master of the City’s hideout.” He said seriously. “Speed is necessary.”
I didn’t say a word and simply gazed out my window. The sun was already making her slow path down and out of sight. When she finally fell from view I feared I would be dealing with two very pissed off vampires. Just my luck.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I was sitting on my couch as a werewolf raided my fridge destroying the last of my jambalaya. We had arrived in record time James showing off with his reflexes, almost making us crash several times on the highway. It was sunset now. I had turned my phone off as soon as we left fearing, well more like dreading, whatever message I would get from the two vampires I had left.

“So how did you meet my Ulfric and the Master of the City?” James asked as he sat down next to me shoving a large amount of food into his mouth. He would have hit me as he sat down if he wasn’t shoving food in his mouth. I couldn’t help but chuckle at him.

“I met him when…..w-wait, I thought that he wasn’t the Ulfirc?” I quickly corrected remembering that Anita had mentioned that to me earlier.

“He isn’t only because he won’t kill our current Ulfirc, most of the pack hates him for that of course. You still haven’t answered my question though.” He said looking at me raising his eyebrow.

“Well, that seems ridiculous to me, but yea Anita set us up on a blind date. Ugh.” I added laughing a little. “Jean-Claude is my arrogant boss.”

“You would come to town, meet the most powerful people, and have them all falling at your feet.” He said quickly finishing the last bite of his food.

“I did not do it on purpose. Apparently dearest daddy sent my resume to Mr. Arrogant before he died. They had been waiting for me for two weeks.” I responded rolling my eyes folding my arms across my chest as I fell back on the couch.

James looked at me as if I had spoken blasphemy. “What the hell? Are you serious? Why would he do that? There’s no point to it.”

“Well since the jerk is dead now, I don’t think we shall ever know why.” I said sighing a little. My father might not have been the best but he was the last living family member I had. The war had claimed the rest of us.

“That’s crazy. I’m surprised the vampires haven’t broken down the door yet.” He said jokingly.

Less than a second later there was a loud pounding at my door and I shook my head, “You just had to jinx it.”

I didn’t even move to open the door. I just sat there. James didn’t move to open it either. I figured he didn’t want to be the first person the vampires saw. That was probably a good idea too because I didn’t want anyone else to get attacked because I wanted them to bust me out of vampires lair.

We both looked like two deer caught in deer lights since neither of us was attempting to even move towards the door. Apparently, we were taking too long to make a decision because my door busted open.

Jean-Claude walked in as if he was calm but the fire I could clearly see in his eyes gave me slight chills. Asher walked in right behind him looking more disappointed than anything. Surprisingly, I felt myself grow more worried about that look than the very angry vampire that had walked into my apartment.

“James, remove yourself from the room before I do it for you.” Jean-Claude said walking further towards me. Asher leaned on the wall simply watched as if this time he wouldn’t try and stop Jean-Claude and I from fighting. I knew James wasn’t going to move though; it made me happy and slightly worried all at the same time.

“Master, please don’t make me do that.” He asked slightly. My face must have been hilarious to see. I was shocked he had just called Jean-Claude master, and Asher had chuckled softly across the room.

“Hold the hell up, master?” I asked looking at James. I really didn’t want Jean-Claude to answer me. I had a feeling he would set me off again, maybe this was the anger management I needed to gain better control of my powers.

James sighed and looked at me. “I’m his wolf to call.”

“So I guess his animal to call is a damn wolf then.” I said shaking my head growing slightly angry.

Asher smiled. “Yes, that would be his animal to call.”

I sighed looking at Jean-Claude, worst idea in history. His eyes were staring into mine. I knew that if looks could kill I would have passed on long ago. Something told me though that it was finally my time though considering he seemed to no longer care who stayed or left.

“How dare you leave, and then on top of that only leave a note for Asher?!” He screamed stepping closer to me. I took a deep breath analyzing my current position. There were no real escapes. I was sitting on a couch and this tall dude would definitely trap me in that area without a doubt.

“There was no need to leave two notes when you only were going to read whatever I left for him anyway.” I said softly looking across at Asher.

He didn’t seem too upset; he seemed slightly prideful in that current moment. I assume it was due to the fact that he had been left an explanation for my disappearance. Jean-Claude had received nothing.

Jean-Claude growled. “Fine, then this shall be solved easily.” He said turning to Asher. “You are forbidden to see her, to be near her, to text her, to call her, to have any communication with her whatsoever. You are to be as far from her as possible until I say otherwise.”

“WHAT THE HELL?!!!” I screamed jumping off the couch. James actually put his arm in front of me preventing me from getting closer to Jean-Claude. I hated him right now, more than ever. There went my only work friend. Anita would just talk about Jean-Claude and something told me that I would see less of James as well. Great, I was going to fix this. I refuse to have another dictate my life. REFUSE.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

James looked at me shaking his head. “No, don’t. I understand why you are getting so upset but no Al—“ He coughed realizing he had almost said my true name in front of them. “No Mizelle, be that debater that used to get me in trouble.”

The thought of him always losing our debates made me chuckle. I couldn’t help but smile, I attempted to fight it. He winked at me in victory, and all I could do was shake my head. I sometimes hated how I couldn’t be angry around him or even slightly sad, but in moments like this I was happy for it. He was annoying sometimes, but the way he knew me was greater than anyone in this city.

“How’d you do that?” Asher asked leaning off the wall. He seemed genuinely curious about how to calm me down.

James looked at him and shook his head. “I can’t say anything until she gives me the permission to do so. I can’t betray her like that.”

I smiled once more and nodded my head at him in understanding. In my head our history playing out in my head. There had been one summer when I was staying Texas specifically Kountze. Dad really liked the mountain forest for hiding us. While there were some bodies of water, they were isolated and often were water sources for other supernatural creatures. This one time, Dad may have also been nice in a way. He had discovered that I loved to run with werewolves. It was something about running with them, I was water itself so I could keep up. Man, was it fun and peaceful! We had stayed there for almost 16 months. It was longest we had stayed anywhere in a long time. Dad often left me with the pack. It was the one summer that man actually worked a real job and didn’t beat me every day.

James and I, well we had become thick as thieves. However, well let’s just say the rest of the pack didn’t really like having an elemental there. There was a secret about me they couldn’t figure out. Only James knew. The pack was elitist. They only cared about the pureblood pack. In some ways, they allowed those turned by being bitten into the pack, blaming the ones that bit them more than victim. However, that was the most progressive they were. James and I got hurt together, fought together, and shared pretty much everything. Before I had Anita I had him, even after Anita I had James.

“Love you too, mi lupa.” I said grabbing his hand; he was like my twin brother or my older brother. Whatever you wanted to say, he was that to me.

“Mi lupa? Ma petite, I do believe that he is my wolf.” He said moving closer to James. “A wolf I believe should leave.” He said forcefully staring him in his eyes; I could feel his power affecting James a little.

I took a deep breath opening my eyes, I knew that they were now were the same color as the bluest waters on this planet. I let my power flow through my hand, into James, and then watched as it pushed at Jean-Claude’s control on him.

“I can’t leave her here alone with you two, Master. It appears she isn’t going to make me leave either.” He said laughing as he completely resisted his master’s call with the help of my power.

Jean-Claude growled once again and turned to look at me. His eyes were glowing and I knew he would try whatever power his age had given him on me. I was ready for it though.
At one moment he leaped for me, I guess in attempt to just grab me and shake some of his reasoning into me, I let the calmer side of my power lose. James and I were no longer in front of him my power transforming us into water vapor placing us directly behind him.

Asher looked quite shocked with what he had just seen but he didn’t not move to grab me, I was grateful he hadn’t left yet either.

“Now, that is quite enough of you trying to control me and limiting my actions. This is how this is going to go. I’m going to stick to our deal but you have to earn the smiles, just as Asher earned his, and you will IMMEDIATELY undo the last statement to him about his interactions with me. “ I smiled lightly and sat down on the small two steps that went up to my bedroom.

“There’s that debater.” James said hitting my shoulders lightly.

“Does that not sound reasonable, Jean-Claude?” I said taking a deep breath. I was trying not to get angry but I so badly wanted to fight him. I had no idea why.
“Deal, I believe in this instance I have no leverage in which to change the agreement.” He said turning to Asher. “You are permitted to see her and interact with her, Mizelle, as you wish.”

“Thank you Master.” He said winking at me and smiling at Jean-Claude.

I had a slight feeling that Asher wasn’t going to listen to him if he told him that he couldn’t see me anymore. However, I wanted to avoid him getting into trouble.

Jean-Claude still looked furious and well I'm not an angel. "Now, if you would be so kind. Get the hell out of my apartment!" I said with the force of my power behind it.

"I will not commit to accomplishing such a task until you reveal what exactly you are." He said standing up in defiance.

Well, there went my niceness and my patience. "What I am is none of your damn concern." I said standing up letting blue flames once again roll over my fingertips.

"If you can't control these powers in my establishment it is." He said moving closer and getting more authoritative.

I started to stand up and move closer to him. Oh, I was ready to fight this arrogant prick of a vampire but of course, James gripped my shoulder and wouldn't let me move closer. Werewolf strength is still pretty hard to break if I'm trying not to hurt them. "Maybe if you learn to not be such a pain in the ass and piss me off, my powers will remain checked in your establishment."

"Maybe if you showed both of us the same type of attention. I wouldn't have had to make adjustments that you didn't like." He said growling. Asher moving across the room to keep him from getting too much closer to me.

"Well maybe if you weren't so use to women falling at your feet you would know how to act when someone comes along that could care less about you." I said the flames growing stronger. I can hear rain pounding on my building.

Jean-Claude growled deeply at that comment and I could see the power growing in his eyes, a glow surrounding them, and the flexing of his muscles beneath his shirt.

Chapter Text

Mizelle

James noticed the pounding of the rain and grabbed my hand a little trying to be supportive and tell me to calm down at the same time. Jean-Claude just seemed to be the trigger for my anger and I couldn’t seem to understand it. It usually took so much even though I was quick with slick comments, but he made me yell and scream.

“Could have sworn the weather called for a clear, warm night.” Asher commented looking at me and staring acutely at the blue flames that were rolling over my fingertips.
“This is exactly the reason you need to reveal what you are, these powers are unstable.” Jean-Claude commented trying to regain his composure.

I smiled and found my anger calm with the knowledge of what he didn’t know. “And that sir is where you are wrong.”

Jean-Claude looked at me slightly puzzled as he sat on my couch crossing his legs in a regal manner. “And just what do you mean milady?”

“I mean, good sir that the powers are not unstable. My anger around you is.” I said moving to my door. “And therefore I request that you leave my room you so violently barged into.”

I could hear James chuckling in the background and I knew he was trying his hardest not to bust out laughing. He probably would as soon as Jean-Claude left which I was definitely going to make sure of.

Speaking of which, Jean-Claude looked at me shocked that I had behaved in such a dignified old English manner. I looked back at him and smiled. “Sir, I shall repeat my request?” I asked opening the broken door.

“No, the request was understood however the execution of such a task is negotiable.”

“I regret to inform you that it isn’t because you trespassed into my humble abode and threatened my way of life in anger. Not to mention my broken door. So shall I have security remove you or will you bow out gracefully?”

Apparently, Asher had liked that. I could see his eyes light up in approval and he nodded his head at me slightly. The knowledge that he approved made me stand even taller. I was really going to have to figure out what was between me and Asher, and me and Jean-Claude. Yet, that was for another moment.

“Very well, since I did violently enter the home, I shall bow out gracefully. However, I request your presence at my establishment an hour early so that we may discuss these matters civilly.” Jean-Claude said as he rose from the couch fixing his sleeves before he strode across the room and stood before me waiting for a response.

I glanced at the clock and shook my head. He was good it was about 5:30 now and I technically started work at seven. Well played. Yet, I still responded anything to get him out of my house.

“Agreed. Good day sir.” I said gracefully as I ushered him out of my apartment. I had been forgetting one very important thing though. I never said Asher had to leave.
I turned and almost jumped when I saw him still standing there, I had expected Jean-Claude to make him leave but since his focus had been on me I guess it had slipped his mind.

Then again, Jean-Claude was very aware of details.

“You’re still here?” I asked my voice shaky a little.

“Would you like me to bid you a due as well?” He asked as he moved closer to me.

I had to look for a second to be able to get the room to think. “I-I would have to ask this small favor of you this once.”

He nodded and all I felt was the whoosh of air as he departed without so much as a goodbye.

“Well, this sure is a mess you have so strategically placed yourself in Alexandra.” James said as he started to fix my door.

It had been ages since I had heard my name and it made me pause for a moment. Mom. I took a deep breath and tried not to breathe in her scent or hear her voice in my head. My mother had always called me by first name, which explains why after her death I never wanted to hear it. Only my mother had called me Alexandra.

“Yea, guess I should have sprayed myself with Supe-Go-Away?” I said laughing slightly as I regained my composure and flopped down onto my couch which still smelled of James and Jean-Claude.

“Probably should have bathed in it since you got the powerful ones.” He added shaking his head at me.

This meeting was going to be interesting, and that was the part that worried me.

Chapter Text

Alex POV

James had left shortly after the vampires promising me that he would stop by the club. He smiled, reminding me that I wasn’t the only one who had to work. It had the desired effect causing me to laugh as he left my place. It was nearing 6 pm now. I was dreading going back to Guilty Pleasures at the current moment. The place seemed to only raise more questions for me. Why did my father send application for me? Why did Jean-Claude infuriate me so? Why did powers seem out of control around them? The questions could go on forever if I let them. I have to move.

With that thought in mind I got up taking the quickest shower in history and dressed for work. I grabbed my small little bag and slung it over my shoulder stuffing a jacket along with a snack inside it as I walked out of my apartment realizing the time. I was rushing so much I didn’t realize I hadn’t locked the door or grabbed my keys until I had gotten halfway down the steps. Shaking my head, I dashed back up the steps and grabbed my keys and my phone which had been going off right next to it. It was then I remembered my door was broken, “Thank you Jean-Claude my door won’t even lock.” I fussed.

“Hello.” I said answering the ringing phone as I walked back out of my apartment.

“You are late.” I heard that familiar buttery voice say into my ear. Speak of the devil.

“Well I do have to walk, and I didn’t have much time to get ready for work.”

“It isn’t just late work you are late for.” He said sighing into the phone, did vampires even sigh or was that a sign of how much I aggravate him? I hope it was the latter. “Are you headed here?”

“Yes, boss. I’m on my way.” I said sharply hanging up the one.

My anger seemed to already be boiling just from the exchange on the phone. I would love for this effect the vampire had on me to come to an end. It was odd to feel so out of tune with water. It was like water knew something I didn't and wasn't sharing. I quickly plugged my headphones into my ears blasting some music just to calm myself as I rushed to Guilty Pleasures. It had worked, and made the walk to my job a lot shorter than I had remembered thank the heavens for music.

The bouncer nodded his head at me as I passed him heading to the employee entrance. I think his name was Wayne. He was a were of some kind; I hadn’t made friends with the staff yet so I didn’t know what kind. It was definitely my plan to become friends with the security first. I tend to make friends with them easier.

I took another deep breath as I walked into the locker room, storing my things except my phone and headphones, and then made my way to my boss’s office. This was not going to be fun at all was my only thought as I opened the door and walked in.

Asher smiled at me a little as I walked in. He was seated on the couch I had passed out on and Jean-Claude was at the same place that I had first met him. Both looked regal in the mannerism but Asher did not hold the arrogance that seemed to encompass his ever annoying boss.

“Ma petite, so happy you could grace us with your presence.” Jean-Claude said condescendingly, liking for me being late.

“I would say it’s a pleasure, but I make it personal policy not to lie.” I said flopping down on the other couch in the room starring Jean-Claude down.

“Mizelle.” Asher said softly asking for me to back off without saying it at all.

I sighed looking back at Jean-Claude just in time to see him growl deeply in his throat.

“This is an issue.” He said to the both of us.

“It’s an issue for me to have a friend or is it just a hit to your ego that I don’t want to be yours.” I asked quickly.

Asher sighed shaking his head looking away. “Anita is coming.” He said smiling. “Thank heavens.”

No less than two seconds later Anita was walking in and everyone quickly straightened up.

“Reap, nice to see you. “ She said walking over to Jean-Claude and sitting in his lap.

I almost threw up my lunch she was literally trying to mark her territory. Ha. “Nice to see you too X.”

“So what’s this meeting about? You wouldn’t be in here unless you had to.” She said looking at me.
“Oh you know, your flame there likes to push my buttons and well you know how my power can get.” I said with an evil grin on my face.
Asher quickly stepped in trying to extinguish the growing flames. “I suggested these two sit down and discuss a compromise. I’d rather not have a fight break out during club hours.”
I looked at Asher and smiled as he winked at me. He was slick for that one.
“Oh sounds good, why do you make her so angry Jean-Claude?” She asked him.
“Yea, tell her JC.” I said smiling leaning forward. This answer should be good.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

Jean-Claude seemed to be annoyed that Asher and I had placed him in this predicament. “Anita, this a private conversation for another time, right now I need to finish business.” He said asking her to leave without necessarily saying it explicitly. Anita seemed angry showing the person I used to know who didn’t take anything from anyone.

“Anita, I’ll come get you as soon as we are done but these two need to work it out so your little Reap over her doesn’t kill my boss.” Asher said. He was actually kind of smooth when he wanted to be.

Anita smiled a little nodding in agreement as she got up saying nothing to Jean-Claude. Though she did smile at me as she left the room. I busted out laughing as soon as she did.

“Nice one Asher. You are actually kind of smooth when you want to be just a little!” I said still laughing hard. “Jean-Claude you have fun with that conversation later.”

Asher winked at me. “I told you I had some skills maybe I show you how smooth I can be another time.”

Jean-Claude growled deep in his throat. I guess that last comment pissed him off. Of course, him growling only caused my eyes to change color and flash dark blue with power.

“And back to the issue at hand, mon ami you need to control your emotions or you will only cause hers to flare.” Asher said simply even though he was looking at me.

I took a deep breath and nodded knowing that Asher was mainly telling me to calm down. Jean-Claude seemed only to grow angrier.

“This is not acceptable.” He said smashing his fist into his desk breaking it neatly down the middle.

“What is so wrong with us being friends? Please your majesty, let me know where the problem lies.” I said rising stepping closer to him daring him to speak the truth.
Asher grabbed my arm and tried to pull me back a little but I wasn’t budging this time. Jean-Claude had no right to determine who could and could not be friend. I was so busy pulling away from Asher that I didn’t pay attention to Jean-Claude. Big mistake.

My only warning was the sound of the wind before Jean-Claude’s lips were on my own crashing onto mine at first, but then becoming tender, passionate. My powers roared to life once more but they didn’t want to kill him. I think I was starting to understand, maybe, why everything this vampire did set me on edge.

Jean-Claude pulled away just as I had started to give in and kiss him back. “The problem, ma petite, isn’t that you are his friend. The issue is that I can’t seem to become your friend as well.” With those words, he was gone leaving Asher and I standing in his office completely, utterly confused.

“W-what just happened Ash?” I said shaking a little.

“An old vampire learned a new trick.” He said actually smiling at me a little and looking disappointed at the same time. “He learned to leap.”

“I-I gotta go to work.” I said rushing out of the office and going behind the bar quickly wishing I could pour myself a drink of my own.

A part of me didn’t seem to understand what was going on, how upside down my life was being turned. Yet the other part of me was wishing Jean-Claude’s lips were back on my own. The man infuriated me, but he also seemed to set me on my fire. I was only supposed to go in be my usual forceful self and demand to keep Asher as my friend. Instead the tables got flipped on me and now I was trying to figure out how it had happened so quickly.

Yet, in the middle of my emotional turmoil I stopped clenching my fists as person sat at the bar in front of me. It was a dark elemental, showing off his power, as he darkened the shadows around us blocking us from view of the customers. I didn’t hate the dark elementals but this one I loathed. Before the war he had been my best friend, and during the war he killed my mother.

“Hello Alexandra.” He spoke. “Now don’t get to feisty, I kind of have people on that lovely friend of yours Anita is her name right?”

I growled. “What do you want Kane?”

“You, now.” He said coldly.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I let my eyes flash with power. “It’ll be a cold day in hell before I go anywhere with you.”
“Still angry about that I see.” He said shaking his head at me. “Alexandra let it go.”
“BASTARD! You killed my mother. I’ll let it go when you’re dead.” I said growling. I wanted to text the guys, warn them. I knew I would have to follow, but texting would be too obvious. Next best thing, focus on what I can do. I tapped into my powers focusing on the two vampires I wanted. Even though they were dead-ish, vampires still had functioning bodies which meant there was perspiration on their skins. I knew Jean-Claude would feel it yet be confused; Asher would know I was calling. I focused as hard as could attempting to see if there was a larger source of water near them. There seemed to be none in the room, but luckily the bathroom was right next door. I knew how to clarify this for both vampires.

JC POV

I was slightly annoyed though only Asher could see it. We had just fixed our relationship after a century of hatred due to Juliana’s death. Asher’s hatred had settled along with my despair. The friend I had known since I was brought into this existence was returned, and yet things were getting problematic again because of her: Mizelle.
“We might have a problem.” Asher said stepping into my office pointing at his arm. It looked like there was sweat on his arm but it was just a thin layer of water. It was only on one part of his arm.
“Mizelle.” I said softly.
Asher nodded. “What is she? Do you know?”
“I have not yet figured out that mystery but the power she holds is ancient.” I said sensing the power when she first let it slip.
I stood when I heard the sound of rushing water. Asher turned as well looking at the ground. I moved from around my desk following his gaze; it seemed the water had come in from the bathroom next door. Before our eyes, the water transformed shaping itself into numbers.
911
Asher and I exchanged looks before rushing out of the office heading towards Mizelle.
“We’re coming.” I whispered as I ran faster than necessary to get to her but we didn’t find her at the bar. I looked around searching for her scent, salty ocean breeze with a hint of spice I couldn’t place, that drove me crazy. Asher moved outside and I followed suit knowing he had caught the scent before me.
Mizelle was outside surrounded by a group of men, one was too close for my liking. Mizelle’s fists were clenched, tight. The situation as unclear, but it seemed like a battle of mental powers. Once I heard her scream though, I dashed over knocking the one closest to her across the parking lot. I stood defensively in front of her as Asher helped her off the ground.

Mizelle POV

Jean-Claude knocked Kane back from me. My fists were still clenched as I battled the images he had sent into my mind. I didn’t need to see my mother’s death through his eyes. However, those images were what he forced into my mind. I failed to stop myself from screaming as I relived her death.
Kane laughed as he got up. “Nice Alexandra, you have vampires protecting you know. Darkness becomes you.” He said smirking.
I growled feeling my eyes turn to their deepest blue. I started to call on my power without restraint. He was pissing me off, and I wanted him dead more than anything.
“Aww, the blue fire eyes of Princess Alexandra.” He said bowing gracefully. “What an honor to seem this once more when was the last time? Right..when mommy dearest got to close to a blade.” He added.
Whatever control I had left was gone, and my power spilled over me the flames over water covering my skin. It wasn’t actually fire but mom used to say that water elementals power took shape based on the person’s personality. Mom swore I had such fire that explained why my power took that shape.
I took a deep breath letting the anger roll over. My flames of water grew until was the brightest blue, the most beautiful water you see in the Caribbean, it was my light in the darkness before me. I felt more water trying to flow to me but stopped it letting this stay from what I had within. With one last thought of my mom, I set the power free attacking Kane with everything my power gave with a warrior’s cry.
The water circled him until it slipped him, beating him into the ground, stopping only when it could go inside and start attacking from within.
I could hear his cries and thought of the last time this was used on him and stopped quickly. I hated him but, I couldn’t do that again. I called my power back to me closing my eyes as the water seeped back into my skin, back into me. “Leave now Kane.”
Kane looked at me and left understanding passing between us two. The last time it had been used on him the warrior stole his darkness. It took years to get his power back. I couldn’t do that as much as I hated him, once he was all I had.
I turned and looked at Asher who nodded offering his hand. I felt myself wanting to take his hand and break, but I couldn’t. I walked in between them two, back towards the club before entering I turned and spoke. “I’m going to speak with security apparently we need work on security.” I said shaking off the darkness that had stuck to my skin. The bar would still have the residue of Kane’s power, and I didn’t want to return to that now. Kane was after me again, and I didn’t know if the vampires would help him or not. Darkness was there friend after all.

Chapter Text

Mizelle POV

I walked into security quickly finding the were in charge. It was cool with me that the strongest of the guards seemed to be a female. I cautiously approached the amazon female, she was at least 6’5, and her muscles definitely made her look like she was an amazon queen. Yet, she was still feminine of course not know because she was on duty. It was still easy to see, nevertheless.

“Claudia?” I asked confirming she was the were I needed.

She turned to look at me nodding. “And you are?” She said not looking at me but I recognized the stance. I was being sized up.

“I’ll make this quick. Did you catch the security issue?” I said plainly.
The amazon was quickly in front of me. I took a deep breath not moving back. “That darkness was being controlled.”

“I know, and I know by whom.”

“I saw the parking lot. I installed a few extra cameras without Jean-Claude’s permission.”

“I won’t tell he is a little too laid back about security.”
She chuckled and I knew just like we had become friends. Women who fought became cool with each other quickly, or not at all. She didn’t seem like the jealous type of female.
“That’s an understatement but he gets to business when he was too.”

“So I see.”

“So what can you tell me?”

“Okay, I have to do this carefully without revealing myself. Jean-Claude is noisy. The intruder drew power from dark surroundings, it makes it easier to gain power.”

“Which makes the club a perfect set for him to draw power from.”

“Exactly, but any source of light diminishes the power he can draw from. It forces him to work with what he has got like most of our kind.”

“Our kind?”

“Can’t explain but, if you rig some of the lights to read a certain energy source.”

“Then if he tries to make the energy stronger we can brighten lights..”

“Or do theatrical fires so customers won’t know.”

“And the rest of us can be warned at the same time.”

“Exactly.”

Claudia smiled and we went over the plans for a minute. We even went over how to guard against others of my kind, those with different elements. I never returned to the bar that night. Claudia and I worked through most of the night. We talked personally in between fortifying security for more than just the club. I shared with her about Jean-Claude and Asher, and she filled me on her king, Rafael, along with other dynamics of the town.

Asher came in right about one that morning when the club was beginning to shut down. Jean-Claude was right on his heels.

“Ma petite, it seems that you have met Claudia already that’s good.” He said moving closer to me. “Claudia, you are now Princess Alexandra’s bodyguard.” He said speaking over me. I cursed to myself because Kane had let the cat out of the bag.

“You are damn little princess.” I heard Claudia mutter behind me. Her life had been hell far worse than mine.

“I’ll be damned if I’m guarded. I’ve taken care of myself this long I can make it on my own.” I said my eyes flashing again.
“This time he is right.” Asher said speaking up but looking down.
“Oh this time he is right just because you are worried. Screw that.” I said clenching my fists.
“You actually stand up to him.” I heard Claudia note behind me.
“Someone needs to.” I said coldly looking at Jean-Claude.
“Well, Mizelle wait I mean Alexandra. I shall make another proposition for you.” He said stepping back a little and sitting in chair crossing his legs.
“The last one didn’t work out for me so well, so why should I listen?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
“If you agree no bodyguard.” He stated quickly. “Clear the room except for Claudia. No ears.” He spoke mainly to Claudia.
The rest of the room scattered out. Claudia had mentioned some names to me but I couldn’t remember the rest of them but I knew they were all wererats.

“Fine, I’m listening.” I said leaning back on a desk far away from him.
“Reveal the truth now. “ He said without finesse that usually seemed to pour from his words.
I stilled and looked around the room. They all wanted the truth but could I trust them. “One condition: no one else knows unless I approve it. No using my real name in public, it could get me killed.”

Asher nodded and Claudia followed suit. Jean-Claude looked at me. “Accepted.”

I took a deep breath and started my history my life. “My name is Alexandra Mizelle Vontrose.” I felt water in the entire building react to my name it had been a long time since it had been spoken. “I’m the lost princess of the elemental water kingdom and the heir to the vacant throne.”

I fully sat on the desk. “My mom was killed in the last great war that destroyed most of the elementals. Darkness stayed in our realm of Rya along with most of the other fire, earth, air. Light went to spend time with the Fae and water well darkness had almost destroyed us all. Most of us came here in hiding.” I took another deep breath fighting the tears that threatened to fall. “I grew up during the war and only after leaving Rya when it ended was it discovered that my bloodline was the royal heirs that had been missing for a few centuries.”

“The one who we saw tonight used to be my best friend, he was from Darkness. He killed my mother my last day in Rya. My father got abusive after that.”
Asher stopped me. “Not the—“

I cut him off. “Yes, the scar on my right arm was done by father. My left was done trying to save my mother. The blade used my father was tainted with something that doesn’t agree with water elementals too well. It flares up every now and then.”

Jean-Claude clenched his fists. “When did you figure out you were the princess?”

“When I was with James and his pack, because somehow fire and water bloodlines got intertwined.”

“You are a hybrid of the elements.” Jean-Claude noted.

“Yes.”

Asher sighed. “I volunteer to bodyguard.” Claudia said quickly. “I know you can handle yourself but as I would now call you a friend I want the job.”
I nodded in understanding. “I accept. Thank you.”

“So I get grief for offering and she gets praise.” Jean-Claude said rising from his seat as Asher shook his head.

“You didn’t offer you prick, you demanded. I refuse to be under any control ever again.” I said standing up quickly.

Jean-Claude looked at me and then turned back to the two behind him. They left the room catching the hint, and a part of me really didn’t want to be left alone with him.
“I seem to constantly offend you.” He said slowly turning back to me.

“You demand that which isn’t yours to command.” I said softly.

“Yet mi’lady it is my way to command to protect.” He stated brushing his thumb over my cheek.

“You can’t kiss me again.”
He just backed away. “Understandable.” One word and I was left in the room by myself and I finally broke letting the tears fall.

Chapter Text

Alex POV (since my real name out there)

The tears had fallen for longer than I had expected. I guess I had finally let go of everything I had been holding in for so long. For the thousandth time, I wondered why my father had sent my application here. How did he even know I would end up here? Jean-Claude was his version of continuing his torture. Nothing made sense and everything with dad had only gotten worse from the day when mom was killed. At least I had a strong woman on my side now, Claudia. Yet, it still wasn’t easy.

Jean-Claude had finally got what he wanted though, the truth. My back was against the wall on that one; even Asher had taken his side. James would have had my back if he had been there. Unfortunately, that particular werewolf was still at work. Wasn’t I lucky?
I had just realized how long I had been in this room when Jean-Claude walked back into it. Immediately, all I wanted to do was run. I started to but probably not the best idea in the world against a vampire. Yet, running was what I knew. It was definitely what I reverted to around Jean-Claude. Unfortunately, I wasn’t as fast as vampire and he blocked my easily and quickly.

“Always running from me.”

“I don’t have much reason to stay.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about the scars?”

That was not something I had expected him to question me about. It caused me to just look at him for a moment in wonder. “It wasn’t necessary for me to tell you.” I finally managed to get out.

“Yet, you told Asher.”

“No, I did not. He knew of them only. James is the only one who knew before the rest of you.” And as soon as I said that last part I realized I probably should have kept that to myself.

“I shall have to discuss things with James.” Definitely, should have kept it to myself.

“You will not because you would have to kill him, because he won’t tell you anything about me without my permission.”

“Then I guess I need to work on getting your permission.”

“Have fun with that.” I said as my phone went off. I thanked the heavens above that it was James texting me. Oh Alex, I’m here but me no see you. Lol. Where are you? “I have to go.” I said moving out of the room without a second thought, practically sprinted towards James.
I found him easily, and didn’t slow down my sprint as I got closer to him. As always he caught me and spun me around. “So Alex, what have you done now?”
He used my name out loud which means Asher must have told him that they now knew the truth about me, or at least as much as I shared. Asher was coming out from the behind the bar, and that only proved my theory. “Kane showed up, and let the cat out of the bag.” I said to James in explanation.

And once again, I probably should have kept that to myself because my lovely werewolf best friend got pissed quickly. He growled deeply and all I felt was a surge of power around him. I should have remembered how much he hated Kane and loathed his very existence. All I could smell was the forest as his eyes began to glow. He still had in arms around me, now in a defensive manner, and I could feel his muscles rippling beneath his skin. He was going to shift.

“James!” I practically yelled letting my eyes fill with power was more trying to calm him and bring him back before he wreaked havoc on the club. Thank God, the club had already closed for the night!
“You talked about protecting her, how could you let that scum near her?!” James yelled seemingly at Asher and now Jean-Claude who had come into the room.
“You need to calm yourself, wolf.” Jean-Claude said with an edge of power in his voice.

“No! Alex you know what you need to do, this is the first time in three years. Shit, Alex, that is how you became Reaper and met Anita.”
“I know all of that James. Yet, they are scattered to winds and are like ghosts.”
“Alex you could find them and you know it.”
I sighed. “You know why that isn’t a great idea.”
“Then I think you should fill them in on the part of the story I know you left out.”

I could feel Jean-Claude, Asher, and Claudia stiffen around me and I looked at James’s eyes seeing the fury and more than that the worry within them. I couldn’t reveal that much, could I?

Chapter Text

Claudia shook her head. “Well played not telling us everything.” Surprisingly, she still stood by me though even while Jean-Claude and Asher looked at me like I was the devil incarnate. I had thought she was angry with me as well. I looked at her trying to figure out why she was standing with me. I was trying to determine what her intentions were, but right now I was failing. She must have caught my look of confusion because she smiled at me and spoke. “I wouldn’t tell them everything this early either.”
In spite of the situation that caused surprisingly both me and James to laugh. Claudia winked at me, guess calming us down was her goal. She looked to the vampires who were severely pissed at me at this current moment. I slowly turned to look at them taking a deep breath. It hurt me to look at Asher he look betrayed and hurt, but it truly scared me to even get a glimpse of Jean-Claude. He was one of those people that is very chill, not necessarily quite, but you know it takes a lot to anger them, and right now all of that was focused on me and a part of me was utterly and truly scared.
“So you lied to us both?!” Jean-Claude said through eminent growls. I would have sworn on any religious scriptures that he wanted to rip me to shreds.
“I didn’t lie, I left out details you hadn’t specifically asked for.”
Probably not one of my best ideas; this vampire’s eyes started to glow and James had to hold my hand tight. He looked like he was going to fall to his knees. Jean-Claude was showing his power. I think I underestimated how old this vampire really was.
“Jean-Claude stop! You’re hurting James!” I yelled in worry.
“Then tell me the truth All of it.” Jean-Claude roared. “Or that gets worse.” He said as his power became thick enough to choke on. James fell to his knees beside me nearly breaking my hand. I looked at the person I loved and trusted most in my life, above Anita, above Dad, above them all. I saw his pain and I could feel it in how hard he was gripping my hand. I couldn’t stop the tears that flowed from my eyes.
“Mon ami, stop this.” Asher spoke softly and he looked at me in worry. “This will not grant you success.”
I looked at my closest ally and felt my power sing within my veins. It knew him as well as me, and that was a proven fact. It loved him just as much as I did, and I was prepared to let my power free to save him from this. I squeezed his hand hard and let my eyes fill with my power. My pupils changed to a blue flame and my irises to the darkest blue of the sea.
Claudia saw my eyes and shook her head. “You pressed the wrong button.” She said to Jean-Claude her eyes fixed on me.
I grabbed James’ other hand and held it within my own and it caused him to look at me. The pain in his eyes tore at my very soul. He saw my tears and my eyes. My eyes was the clue he needed for what was about to go down.
“Forever Misfits.” He whispered and it made me cry more. “Forever Saving.” I replied. It was our slogan for old times when misfits had to save each other and stay us.
As I finished speaking those words my flames in the shining blue busted over my skin. Water from almost every area in the club started to rush towards me. The power I had unleashed was brightening up the club as if it was mid-day, lucky for the vampires it couldn’t burn them. Claudia moved closer to me, outside of the pool of water that had formed around my legs. My flames were rolling over my hands onto James’ skin and slowly he began to stand pulling me up with him.
When we were finally standing and my flames were rolling back onto my skin I spoke. “Are you okay?”
James smiled. “I’m fine.” He didn’t let my hand go though.
I turned in the little puddle that was still around me and now crawling up my legs to touch the rest of me. Water is alive to those who can see and understand that. I’m an elemental, a powerful one at that, the water loves me as much as I love it. It was because of my personal experience as well that a personal bond had been formed with water.
I looked at Jean-Claude and still holding James hand with Claudia at my side I finally spoke to him.
“I am PRINCESS ALEXANDRA MIZELLE VONTROSE.” I said authoritatively hearing the roar of water rushing towards me at the sound of the name it had longed to hear this proudly. It had started collecting at my feet spreading to a pool beneath James and Claudia as well as a pillar formed beneath us lifting us several feet off the ground.
“You can wrong me until heavens fall, but you will NEVER harm James again!” I yelled.
“Then tell the truth.” Jean-Claude said softly.
“Then ASK.” I returned as I started to feel the rush of power, water was beginning to ride it trying to call me to it.
James caught me tensing up, at that time I hadn’t even notice, and whispered to Claudia. “Get ready to catch her.”
I was starting to fight the water’s siren song. Eventually, I let the power go and for the second time passed out in this club.

Chapter Text

Jean-Claude POV

I watched as she passed out for the second time in my presence. Her power was extremely ancient, it surpassed my knowledge. James caught her easily as Claudia helped him balance himself as the water sunk somewhat slowly from beneath them. Once they were back on solid ground the water dispersed once more.
“Is she going to be okay?” Claude asked James looking at the woman lying limp in his arms.
“She will. She just needs rest.” James said as he readjusted her in his arms. That lovely blue strand that I wanted to run through my fingers was falling across her face the rest of her dark hair falling with it.
“She can rest in my bed.” I said quickly wanting to have her under my protection.
“You really think she’s gonna wanna wake up to you.” James said angry.
Claudia shook her head. “I’m her bodyguard. I don’t want her waking up and going off again, which would put her in danger.”
In that moment, I highly resented my decision to make Claudia the bodyguard for that enticing elemental. She was supposed to listen to me above all others, but as trained by Rafael the rats took their charge seriously. Especially their protection detail, despite being rats they were sometimes better than wolves.
I didn’t suppress my growl and Asher touched my arm gently trying to still me. I wasn’t sure who he was protecting, them or me.
“They are right.” Asher said softly nodding at James and Claudia. They left with her in his arms.
“Why did you let them leave?” I said angrily to Asher, turning to him and knocking him across the room.
He rose and shook his head. “Let them?! Mon ami, did you not see the fire in their eyes? Did you not see their loyalty? Did you not see their determination? She was leaving with them regardless of what you did or said. She, herself, defied your order for the truth and instead used her power to save James from you.” Asher walked off towards the back of the club. “She isn’t Juliana nor Anita.” He said before he disappeared from sight.
He had left me in my club, in an empty space with only my thoughts about recently transpired events. Mizelle, Alexandra, that woman! She entranced me, and I wanted her. Yet, she was so stubborn and far from forth coming with information. Surprisingly, her loyalty was unnerving in its strength. It was something not often found in today’s time. Alexandra seemed to be the perfect mix of ancient values and modern independence. Even her name was ancient having been used in this world for centuries. She carried it well and brought with it the advancements of time, she transformed the name to fit the workings of this day. These things only increased my attraction to her. I had thought Anita would be my constant breath of fresh air yet she wasn’t. She was harder to get then others immensely so, but she didn’t captivate me the way that fiery elemental did.
I hadn’t even realized that I had begun to pace in my own club. If any master of the city would see me now, they would surely pounce. For it was clear I was weakened, so much that I was pacing an uncommon habit for a vampire, especially one of my age. Asher had started to continue to mention to me that Alexandra was not Anita. I would quickly affirm that statement, she was stronger in every way. Yet, Asher also mentioned that Alexandra was not Juliana. It was clear in a way that this was also true but why did he continue to bring up her name. It perplexed me to no end, and I had a feeling I needed to figure this out to get this elemental princess and crown her as my queen.

Alexandra POV(since I have exposed myself might as well use my name)

I woke up in my bed and heard voices streaming from my kitchen along with the tempting smell of something delicious. The smell of food, more precisely it smelled like chicken that had been seasoned the way I so enjoy it. It was my motivation to start to get up, and I guess I must have been loud cause someone had heard me. James was now in my bedroom. He looked at me shaking his head with a smile on his face moving over to help me rise from the bed. Claudia, who I was learning was great at being a bodyguard, was right behind him standing in the doorway. She still gave me a small smile from the doorway. I’m sure she wasn’t going to the doorway was the best place to see everything in my room.
James hugged me tight and I knew then that he had been scared for himself, for me. “Thank you.” He said still hugging me tight. I had scared my dear friend, my “brother”, and the one person who I’ve counted on more than anything. The person I would fight for til the death. We were all each other had for a long time now.
I looked at Claudia over James’s shoulder. She nodded at me and smiled; an unspoken trust and loyalty now forming between us. James hadn’t bother to let me go yet. I knew if I had been just a tad bit stronger he would have picked me up and twirled me around like I was a little girl.
“I’m good James. You can let go I won’t disappear. Promise.” I said smiling getting the desired effect of James laughing and letting go.
James smiled at me one more time and finally spoke. “Alright, I’ll go get you some food. I know you can smell it already.” He said smiling.
“Thanks, it smells delicious.” I said watching him leave the room. Once he was gone I looked at Claudia and shook my head. “So how much deep shit am I in?”

Chapter Text

Alexandra POV

Claudia laughed coming further into the room, even as she kept a good view of the room my protection still on her mind. She just shook her head looking at me as if that was the dumbest question to ask her. “You have a garbage pile of shit that is going to put you six feet under, and you haven’t even been here a month. Guess I’m gonna have fun with this job.” She said smiling a little. A part of me laughed at her comment, yet it was sad how true it was. It was a simple truth that had occurred in such a short time that I was still recovering from the whiplash of it all.

“What is Jean-Claude’s issue? I’m not his to command. “I asked softly desperately wanting to know, my attitude coming through the question.
She sighed. “I haven’t been around long enough to understand the workings of a vampire of his age, especially that over bearing one.”
“I wish someone could explain him to me because honestly his attitude and his possessiveness makes me want to light the bitch on fire.”
Claudia laughed at me. “I only request that you allow me to enjoy this show as well.”
“There is one person who I can ask though…” I said softly.
“Alexandra, if Jean-Claude finds out your problems would only increase.”
“Is there a way to make sure he doesn’t find out?”
“Would it be worth it?” Claudia asked seeming to process my question.
“Asher is the only one who actually listens.” I proclaimed. “He’s the only friend I have here outside of James.”
“Since this concerns your safety I can ask, which one do you want? I need to know if I’m supposed to keep one away, who I need to call in extreme circumstances. I need to know.” She said taking a deep breath.

I sighed as she asked the one question I didn’t have an answer for. The one thing I had yet to determine. On the one hand there was Asher as wounded warriors we bonded over the scars of battle. It was a pleasant surprise how easy, how natural it was to look to that vampire. He was a good friend, and could be more possibly. Yet, there was also Jean-Claude. A vampire who tested me, surprised me, and even on rare occasion captivated me. He infuriated me and questioned me. It was amazing how much he had gotten under my skin. He was also the interest of Anita. I tried to stop my logical thought and look purely though the eyes of my heart, and even my heart seemed unsure.

“I have no clue Claudia.” I finally answered with a sigh.
“You need to figure it out.” She said strongly. “And quickly.”
I sighed because that was a large understatement. James came back in a few seconds later with a plate of food for me. I knew he had heard the conversation with Claudia. I had just finished but he didn’t mention it. Another reason I was grateful for his friendship.
He put the food on the bedside table and the smell of the food attacked my senses. It was divine. Apparently, I had taught James well. I could smell every last speck of seasoning. There was curry, black pepper, seasoning salt, and a dash of cayenne pepper. Have I mentioned I like spicy food? The smell had my mouth watering for a taste. James had even baked it and put melted butter on the chicken before he seasoned it! I smiled reaching over, my smile growing as my fork could slice the chicken, and ate a bite of it. It was tender and juicy. Good job James.
I was so proud of James. He had learned to cook wonderful food. There was a time when that boy couldn’t even cook the noodles for spaghetti. I smiled at him once more and spoke as I swallowed the bite in my mouth. “Good job mi lupa. I taught you well.” I laughed and he followed suit shaking his head. As the laugh came to an end, he sighed looking at me.

“You can’t risk yourself for me like that. His animal to call is a wolf. His pomme de sang is my buddy Jason, you’ll love him, but Alex that power…” He said to me shaking his head unable to look at me.
I knew what he meant being a water elemental isn’t all it’s cracked up to be especially when you’re a hybrid who can control fire as well. There are different levels within every element. There are healers, warriors, farmers, teachers, and ryians. Healers like there name often focused mainly on the healing aspect of the powers learning how to heal all types of ailments. Warriors were those that worked and specialized in the battle aspects of their element whether it was defensive or offensive. Farmers knew how to use their element to raise crops and fruits along with other foods, and ryians were those who either didn’t have much power or chose not specialize in anything often becoming teachers or simple merchants.
As the princess I had to specialize in all to become what is known as a fryia, or a master in the terms of this world. The thing about becoming a master is that either the element you can manipulate will love you or it will hate you. As I’ve said before the elements live to those that can see it.
If the element hates you they often resist your attempts to manipulate it, and if you reach a wave of power it will try to kill you or take your power. A wave of power being the state I was in before I passed out in Jean-Claude’s club for the second time since I’ve been here. If the element loves you however it wants you to ride the power out and become with the element forever. It was sort of like the nymphs from Disney’s Hercules and also from Greek civilization. (I watched a lot of Disney movies when we got here from Rya.) Only the strong could resist the siren call of their element and it scared me sometimes. I’ve been close to the edge of falling into my element more than once. It sort of made me not want to learn fire because that would be two siren call’s at once.

My eyes had been closed as my mind dove into this knowledge. Surprisingly, I had actually said all this out loud for the first time since I told James himself. I guess I had to close my eyes to speak it and I knew this was something Claudia needed to know because she was my bodyguard. Therefore my protection could be maintained. She also was a friend who deserved to understand. However, I didn’t realize until I opened my eyes that both Asher and Jean-Claude had been in the room and heard the entire thing.
Claudia looked at me apologetically. Yet, I knew she had probably fought Jean-Claude from getting in here. Of course I tried to act like their presence didn’t bother me.

“Well at least now I don’t have to repeat myself.” I said with a sigh sitting up.
James growled in the back of his throat at their presence, he’s overprotective of me, which probably wasn’t the best idea at this moment.
“Wolf, watch who you growl at.” Jean-Claude spoke as the room started to smell of lilacs. I figured this was the smell of his power because his eyes began to glow, and I had grown sick of this.
“Enough of this!” I yelled and shook my head. “Everyone out. Jean-Claude stay. Claudia the door, please.”
James and Asher looked at me in worry, but left nevertheless. Claudia nodded at me and made sure she was the last out of the room closing the door behind her. I looked at Jean-Claude getting out of bed standing, even thought it was a slight struggle.
“This ends now! You threaten James again and I’ll disappear.” I said calmly.
“You will do no such thing.” He retorted quickly, moving closer.
I shook my head again. “I can and I will, without a second thought because you will not torture him to get things from me. I’ll die first.”
Jean-Claude jaw started to twitch with that comment and his power began to fill the room, thickening the atmosphere as if I was in a pool of lilacs. I had grown tired of this and let my power flow my irises changing to light blue. My power seeming to wash the atmosphere.
“This ends now.” I stated once more.
He took a deep breath as backed away from me. “I’ll concede on that.”
“Also, I will uphold my word and keep our deal. Yet you can’t force it or try to rule it.”
“How will I know that I am getting the same opportunities then?”
“You can believe in my honor to keep my word.”
“Believe, not trust?”
“Trust is earned. You can ask James on that. We faced hell together.”
He moved towards me touching my hand slightly. “Interesting that a precious rose knows only pain.”
“Roses are weak, only known for beauty, at least compare me to an orchid.”
“Then the rarest used to heal.”
“Much better.” I said smiling.
He looked at me in amazement. “Is it really that simple?”
For a moment I just looked at him unsure of what he meant but then I caught on. “Yes, it really is.”
He nodded and turned. “I have a wrong to correct with a certain wolf.” He said as he opened the door, and I couldn’t help but smile. Apparently, an old dog could learn a new trick.

Chapter Text

Alexandra POV

I took a deep breath sitting back on my bed, shaking my head. I hadn’t even been paying attention until I felt the bed move under the weight of someone sitting next to me. Asher just touched my hand and smiled. “You did very well.” He said with another smile.
I shook my head at him. “Guess even someone as old as him can change their ways.”
“Often only when someone comes along that forces them to.” He said looking at me raising his eyebrows.
“Don’t look at me like that. I doubt I have the ability to change him.” I said snatching my hand away from him and hitting him slightly a smile plastered on my face.
“Then you are blind to the changes you have already caused.” He said a little sternly.
“Is that a bad thing?” I said looking him at like a hurt child.
He sighed and shook his head. “No, it just makes things more complex.” He said as he left the room quickly.
And of course as any person would, I threw my hands on my face falling back on my bed. “UGH!” I yelled not caring that everyone would be able to hear me even more clearly.
Claudia’s thoughts drifted into the forefront of mind once more and I was unable to block them. You need to figure it out and quickly. The need to figure out who I wanted romantically seemed to be growing by the second as situations became more and more complex.
I shook my head and got off my head. These thoughts could wait for another day. Right now, there were more pressing matters. Kane He needed to be dealt with and quickly. Yet, provoking him might risk every creature bound to the night in the city. I shook my head and closed my door, grabbed some clothes, and started to get dressed. James had put me in my night clothes when he laid me down in my bed.
I quickly grabbed a pair of jeans and sweater. I was anemic and often always cold, very weird. I stepped out of the room and whatever conversation had been going on came to an immediate halt. “Umm hi.” I said sarcastically walking into my kitchen and looking in the fridge.
“You left your food in the room.” James said laughing.
“Thanks mi lupa.” I said pointing at him and shaking my head at myself.
“I do believe we have stated before that James is my wolf.” Jean-Claude said looking at me.
“No, you can control him. He is my wolf though because he’ll do something for me without me forcing my power on him.” I said walking back into my room to grab my food. Man, I had to get back on my toes. I guess that fainting took more out of me than I thought.

Chapter Text

Alex POV

I dressed quickly and sighed as I started to consider my options. Kane was of darkness and therefore he was more capable of controlling the vampires than me. Werewolves were too warm for Kane’s kind to control, their extreme body temperatures making a light shimmer round them a little; often only seen by Fae or elementals. I could call in favors from the Light people but it would be pointless to step into land of the Fae.
The only option I truly had was Rya. The earth and air people were always ready to stop darkness. Fire sided with darkness most of the time, even they would side with me, but that would require my return to Rya. Forever. It would require me reclaiming the throne that had been vacant for far too long.
I sighed and walked into my living room, looking at all those there. Jean-Claude who wanted the chance for my heart, Asher who had already slipped his way in and didn’t want his spot taken from him, and finally James and Claudia who only wanted me safe.
James looked up at me and sighed at me. “Kane is gonna come back.”
I nodded my head slowly and even though my eyes filled with tears, I refused to let them fall. The first person Kane would use to get it to me would be the werewolf sitting across the room from me.
“I’ll take care of it.” I finally said strongly lifting my head knocking back the tears that had threatened to fall.
James looked at me and started to growl softly. He was the only one that could read me like an open book. There were few things I could hide from him. It was irritating at times, but now I wasn’t sure if it was good or bad.
“Promise, you won’t.” He said standing up as his muscles rippled underneath his shirt understanding exactly what I meant.

I looked down taking a deep breath. “You know I can’t. It might be the only way.” I couldn’t look him in the eye right now. I couldn’t make that promise to him.
“YOU CAN’T DO IT ALEX!” He roared moving closer to me his eyes shifting to the wolf; who I use to sleep next to on full moon nights. He was going to shift if he didn’t calm down.
Claudia chose that moment to speak up probably evaluating how close he was to shifting and then how close he was to me. “Wolf move back and calm down before you wreak havoc on this small apartment.” She said sternly.
James completely ignored her, tilting my chin up forcing me to look into his hurt and angry eyes. “You will not do this to me again. You are not going to do it.” He said through clenched teeth.
“You know if it comes down to your life I won’t have a choice.” I said softly. I wouldn’t let Kane hurt him because of me.
James actually howled in the middle of my living room taking a few steps back and shifted leaving that sticky substance I had yet to understand. His coat as always was dry and beautiful. He was pure black and green wolf eyes stared back at me. James, in his wolf form, growled at me once his wolf recognized me he scanned the room. He quickly started growling slowly moving towards the vampires and Claudia, who likely smelled of food.
He was going to attack Claudia if I didn’t do something, and the vampires would be after her. I would have to focus and shape shift, which let’s just say I hadn’t done in years.
Jean-Claude rose unleashing his power. “Enough.” One word and James seemed to calm a little. He was still growling a little but not really moving. Guess, it was good that James was Jean-Claude’s wolf to call, especially in that moment.
I thanked the heavens at that moment because I hadn’t let water turn me into its kind of wolf in years, and with good reason talk about a power wave.
“What upset him so?” Asher said moving towards me.
I shook my head. “You aren’t going to like it any more than he did. As a matter of fact you’ll hate it more.”
Claudia shook her head. “We only need one angry person right now, so wait til the wolf shifts back.”
“He won’t shift back for hours he isn’t an alpha.” Jean-Claude said sternly sitting back down on the couch looking at me.
“He’ll shift back in an hour or two.” I said softly as I sat on the floor leaning my head on the wall that was across the room from everyone almost putting me back in my bedroom. James, the wolf, only followed me and climbed into my lab. Imagine a big almost two hundred maybe two hundred and fifty pound wolf in your lap. He was lucky I loved him, and he was long enough to distribute his weight.

“How?” Jean-Claude quickly asked raising his eyebrow at me. “If he was that powerful he’d be alpha.”
I smiled and shook my head petting James, running my hands through his soft black fur. He nuzzled by stomach a little, and I didn’t worry that he thought I was food. It was just him. I just laughed continuing to play in his fur.
“Guess, you didn’t tell your master everything about your power, huh?” I asked sarcastically. James turned to look at Jean-Claude and snorted laying his head back down enjoying me playing in his fur.
Claudia laughed. “I guess there is more than one reason you call him your wolf.” She said actually sitting down on top of the counter in my kitchen, which still gave her a view of everything; it was amazing to see her actually sit down.
“There is more to our bond than meets the eye.” I said softly hugging my wolf a little. The wolf I was hugging turned his head and let his tongue do a quick lap on my face.
“Care to explain, please?” Jean-Claude asked after taking a deep breath. The whole room turning to look at him surprised that the word please was even in his vocabulary.
“It must really kill you to ask.” I said softly, still in a small state of shock.
“I find it necessary, and yes it does. I am not accustomed to it.”
“Just because of that, I’ll answer.”
Asher smiled at me and Claudia seemed to thanking something in heaven for this progress.
“Thank you.” Jean-Claude said softly.

“Welcome. Well he can change back soon cause of water, remember I told you it was a living thing. When I was with him in El Paso, let’s just say that water got temperamental. The only reason I didn’t have to worry about my father there was because everyone else beat me up, James too. Well water got sick of it and saw James trying to protect me. The other wolves were making him angry so he would change, then would chain him, and attack me since James couldn’t change back for hours so he was stuck in the chains.”
The wolf in my lap growled at the memories, it would take a lifetime to explain every memory to the vampires. Yet, it was a lifetime that had only strengthened the bond between me and the wolf. It was how he knew my address after we moved from El Paso, how he was always able to write me and know the general area of where I was.
“Well, water got pissed to say the least and bonded us. It’s the reason there wasn’t as much sticky stuff when he shifted as with regular wolves. It isn’t just werewolf power but the power of water itself in him. He can change back in two hours or less. Wolves left us alone after he first shifted back that fast.” I finished.

“So he is like your animal to call, well your wolf to call.” Asher asked highly curious about this bond.
I shook my head. “It’s similar but the Water is different, it’s a stronger bond than master and servant.”
“He’s bonded to your very essence.” Jean-Claude stated with a hint of anger, as if he was jealous.
“I guess that’s the best description.” I said softly.
“But what made him so angry that he changed.” Asher asked looking at me nervously.
I sighed as the wolf on my lap growled. “He knew what I meant, when I said I would handle Kane.”
“What did you mean?” Claudia said rising, Jean-Claude following.
“I meant, I would return to Rya. If I return and claim the throne I can call on my allies, the other elementals for help.”
“Then why the anger from the wolf.” Jean-Claude said moving closer.
“If I reclaim the throne after stepping into Rya, I wouldn’t be able to leave the realm every again.” I said looking down.
“WHAT?!” Jean-Claude roared as his power began to thicken the air in the room and make me choke.
I was in trouble again.

Chapter Text

Alex POV

I took a deep breath feeling the rumble of the growls from the wolf in my lap and the roar of the vampire before me. Jean-Claude grabbed me by arms and lifted me forcing me to look in his eyes. “You can’t not leave forever!” He said shaking me, and for a moment in his eyes I saw fear or sadness before he turned away moving from me.

Asher pulled me close to him. “You would really leave that easily.”

“You think it is easy?! Do you not know the hell that awaits a half-breed queen?” I yelled.

“Then why go at all.” Jean-Claude said turning to us.

“There is no way I could fight him here, and if it comes down to your lives or me taking a throne. I’m taking a throne.” I said sternly.

“You could fight him here.” Jean-Claude argued.

“There aren’t enough forces to face a darkness troop or army and I’m not that strong. “

“You could be.”

“Oh yea, how?”

“Become my human servant. Both our powers would be enhanced.”

“What?”

“I did not stutter or say something you didn’t understand.”

“Anita is clearly already your human servant, and she likes you. I couldn’t.”

“She only has two marks, the can be broken easily.”

“But she likes you! I won’t replace her. Can Asher do it?”

Jean-Claude growled. “Asher, is not strong enough. He is up in age yes but he is not a clear master vampire for he has no animal to call or special ability, well other than his bite.” Asher sighed.

I shook my head. “I won’t hurt her just to secure I can stay.”

“Fine, see if the wolves will fight for you.”

I sighed heading into my room asking the wolves for help meant calling Richard, who was the only another person who wanted a chance with me. I chance I surely wouldn’t give to him.

James, the wolf, followed me into the room and laid his head on my knees. “Yea, I know you want me to stay too.” I said softly as he jumped on the bed and started pushing my phone towards me. I shook my head at my wolf. “Alright, alright I’m calling.” I said throwing my hands up in surrender and grabbed the phone dialing Richard’s number.

“Hello.” He said his voice husky sounding, but comforting.

“Hey Richard, this is Mizelle.” I said softly.

“Well hey there, what’s up? I thought you had lost my number.” He replied.

“No I didn’t lose it, but I need to talk to you about pack protection.”

“I’m a school teacher; I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Cut the bull crap, James Wilson is my greatest friend. I know who and what you are.”

I swore I heard growling through the phone. “And I thought I was meeting someone free of my burdened life, just a regular human with no connections.”
“Well I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not human anyway so that was a moot point.”
“Where are you?!” He growled through the phone.

James whimpered next to me fleeing the room and I felt my power rise in response to Richard’s beast speaking through him triggered by his anger. Asher came in quickly touching me gently, trying to calm me.

“Calm yourself, because if you come in my home with this attitude you will have the fight of your life.”
All I could make out was growls in my ear, and finally the words started to become clear. “Are you challenging me?!”

“Take it however you want wolf. Call Anita if you wanna know where I am.” I said hanging up.
Asher shook his head. “Seems no one can keep their cool around you.”

“You do pretty well.” I said smiling touching his head.
He smiled at my touch. “My ego isn’t as strong.”

“I think it’s pretty balanced.” I said laughing, and then I heard the howl that cut through the night, only the pain of it hurting my heart deeply. Claudia ran in and just looked at me. I bolted out the door to James’ side wrapping my arms around the wolf burying my face in his black fur.

“I think Richard is using his power over the wolf to find us. He is the Freke of his pack.” Jean-Claude whispered to me.

“Screw that.” I said into the fur of my closest friend as tears fell from my face onto his fur. I hugged my wolf tighter my eyes pure flames no water in this moment. Water was a calm element, flowing with the changing of tides even though it could cause grave damage. This was pure fire, angry and fierce. My power roared through James the fires raining down the bond that linked him to Richard and felt the flames reach him. I slammed my power of fire into him as this message yelled in his head. Hurt him again and die a death never imagined. I didn’t know what that power was truly, I didn’t really ever learn my fire. I was just grateful for it in that moment though.

James still in wolf form, moved in my arms until I released him from my hold, and whimpered as once again he climbed into my lap shivering. It was almost as if he was froze and frightened. I was his refuge as he was always mine.

Richard will have the fight of his life if he harms James again. Fuck any other hold that any other supernatural had on him. He was mi lupa, and I dared someone to harm him.

Chapter Text

Alexandra POV

I had been pacing across my apartment since the phone call ended. It had been at least half an hour since Richard had tried to use pack powers to hurt James. I was still furious. Speaking of James, he was sitting in a chair watching me. He had returned to his human form. Asher and Jean-Claude shared the couch on the other side of me with Claudia standing in the doorway of my bedroom watching it all, just as a good bodyguard would.

Anita had called about fifteen minutes ago talking about her and Richard were headed to my place. Apparently he wouldn’t come without Anita; it made me wonder if he cared for her romantically. Yet, that was an inquiry for another day. I had been pacing pretty much since the phone call had ended, not in a clear straight line or pattern either. I was scattered just like my thoughts. I didn’t know what I was going to do other than defend James. Jean-Claude and Asher had tried to stop me and force me to take a seat when both James and Claudia begged them to leave me be. Apparently, they both understood I was calmer pacing.

The knocks on my door finally brought my pacing to an end. My pace halted along with my train of thought. No one moved towards the door, I doubt the vampires were even breathing. I looked at Claudia, who apparently was looking at me for direction, and I slowly nodded the only approval she needed before she opening the door. Richard prowled in his power causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand at attention. Anita walked in and I watched her face drop as her eyes landed on Jean-Claude sitting on my couch. I could care less about her feelings right now. Richard was an enemy at this moment.

The door closed and even though I seemed to register the sound I didn’t really give it attention. It was a death stare showdown between Richard and I right now. I wasn’t focused on anyone else. James could take care of himself. Asher would protect me above all. Jean-Claude wouldn’t interfere until he deemed it necessary. I was sure Claudia would stop Anita if it came down to it. Richard, he was the only danger in the room. The same one that hadn’t moved since he caught my stare. The strongest wolf of the pack, who refused to take his place as king because of the brutality it would require.

“Mizelle.” He said coldly.
“Richard.” I said in the same tone.
“You protect my wolf now.” He said quickly. I recognized the pack politics language.
“One, he is my wolf not yours. Two, I will protect him against anyone as he would for me.” I said sternly.
“James, do you accept her protection.” He asked moving closer.

Two things happened very quickly, I moved in front of him while James placed his hands on my shoulders as he stood behind me.
“I accept hers as she accepts mine.” James said in a way that sounded more like the debater side of me than him.
“Then prove your dominance.” Richard said backing up and growling.
James gripped my shoulders tightly. I knew this was going to get very interesting. “It’s fine James. Step back.” I said as moved forward to Richard.

Claudia moved James back a little as I smiled slightly letting an old form take hold of my mind. Water could be any creature because it lives in every creature. Wolf happened to be one of my favorite forms and I let that form began to take over my mind.
James breathed in deeply. “Home.”
James and I had pretty much started our own pack very long ago. We were all that were accepted. It was a bond in the ways of water and wolf. Stupid people wondered why we were so close, the fools. We were pack made by a different power that didn’t normally exist in this world.

I smiled and looked at Richard, knowing I, my eyes specifically, had moved to the place where I would fight and kill for those I love, that cold, emotionless, emptiness. “Bring it on, Richard.”
Richard growled and let loose his power parts of him shifting quickly. “You can’t smell like a pack. You aren’t wolf.”
“You have no idea what I can do.” I smiled and became the wolf with the blackest fur a simple bright blue streak running down my nose.
James smiled and looked at the entire room’s shocked faces. Jean-Claude was standing now; Asher was looking on in disbelief. Claudia just shook her head with a slight smirk on her face.

“You really know how to shock a room.” James said smiling burying his hands in my fur. He hadn’t seen this form in forever. I knew that he had probably missed our runs together especially on full moons. I was his pack in the purest form.
The mark on his forearm showed once more with the close contact, it was a simple wave in a circle of fire, it had happened when we became a pack. After that his old alpha had no power of him. I figured there would be a mark on my ankle of the pine green tree when I flowed back into my human form.
“She isn’t wolf!” Richard roared.
“No, she is more.” James said calmly looking at me. I rubbed my cheek against his.

Richard growled and jumped his hold body transforming that sticky fluid covering my room, and I quickly moved out of the way moving both James and myself. The wolf had taken over my mind. She saw the predator who wanted to rule us and a ripple ran over my body. No one ruled us. She recognized her pack in James and a comrade in Claudia, through the human emotions. Asher and Jean-Claude were more tricking potential mates in the wolf eyes so they were not to be harmed, so all focus returned to the predator.
We circled each other in my small living room. Richard’s large wolf form was clearly uncomfortable in my small room; his fur a reddish brown echoing the anger and steadiness of his personality. He leapt finally and unwilling to run anymore I leapt with him, claws and teeth attacked in midair. Richard’s claws were ripping at my side, and my teeth were ripping at his neck. We both backed away slowly and the dance began once more. We leapt again but this time my human mind filtered to influence the instincts of the wolf. When we leapt we, the wolf mindset and mine combined, flipped over him digging claws into his back and biting into his neck nearly tearing it out.
“ELLE!! STOP YOU WON.” James roared at me and I whimper as I slowly moved off Richard, limping over to James. Richard could have beaten me but I had more agility not being a pure wolf, some wolves would kick my ass though.

I sat near James whimpering more licking some of the wounds on my paws.
“Asher, get some hot water from the sink.” James said leaning down next to me as Richard changed forms again. As alpha he had the capabilities to do it but he was still tired from switching back and forth so quickly nevertheless.
“Lucky, she isn’t real wolf and I heal soon.” He said touching his neck.
I growled at him and felt my paws flinch as if I was stretching my claws for another attack.
James looked at me. “Calm yourself.”

Jean-Claude looked at me. “Shouldn’t she change back?” He asked James his eyes never leaving mine. The wolf inside accepted this and refused to turn eyes away.
“Easier for her to heal if still in this form, power more focused.” He said quickly as Asher came with the glass of hot water. James quickly took it from him and sighed as he moved towards me. The wolf, who was always inside me, didn’t understand I, unfortunately, did. James knelt near me and shook his head. “I hate this part.” I licked his face letting him know it was okay. He smiled half-heartedly and poured the hot water on the wounds that were deep. The claws that had sunk into my side; I howled in pain.
Richard even turned his head as if that would stop the howls. Asher was pacing as I had earlier, and Jean-Claude’s teeth were clenched as his eyes bled black. Claudia seemed to be watching them, the vampires seemed ready to attack James for causing me exquisite pain.

The howling finally stopped and I panted while slowly my body began to flow back into its normal form, water allowing to me to change shape with clothes on.
“Thanks, I know you hate that part.” I said through heavy breaths and grabbed James’s hand tight.
He just smiled at me. “Wasn’t as bad as last time, and it’s nice to see the marks back.” He said looking at my ankle. He pulled me up and once again placed his hands on my shoulders, always supporting me.

“Now, would you like to try and hurt or claim James again?” I said sternly to Richard. My eyes still full of power.
“No, I would rather make you my lupa.” He said softly. “I wouldn’t have to kill Marcus that way.”
I laughed. “You will have to kill him, he won’t stop any other way, and I’m sure someone else wants that job more, and I think you have a bias for them anyway.” I said hinting at Anita.
He looked at me shocked but nodded in understanding.
“Now, let’s discuss pack protection for myself so these vampires don’t go crazy cause I have to leave because Kane has come back.

Anita choose that moment to make her present known. “KANE?!”
Yea, forgot I hadn’t told her. Here we go, again.

Chapter Text

Alexandra POV

Anita moved in front of me yelling. “So everyone in this room minus Richard and myself knew Kane was back except for me!?!” I don’t think she noticed Claudia tensing up in front of me.
“Yes, I didn’t know how to tell you that my best friend, that almost killed me, also your ex best friend, and the former best friend of the fiancé who left you was back and threatening me again.” I responded softly.

Richard looked at her a little stunned. Kane had been a friend of hers, actually the best friend of the fiancé that left her because the family didn’t like that she was Mexican. After the marriage was cancelled Kane was there for her. She had a strong connection to him, but in a few nights he had controlled a vampire to attack her. The first scar on her left arm. I met her that night fighting off Kane as Anita killed the vampire. It sucked for her because they had been almost as close as James and me. (Emphasis on almost, their connection was strong for this world but couldn’t hold a candle to James and I.) We, Anita and I, kind of went on a vampire killing spree after and that is how we acquired our nicknames. We split after a year because of my father.

I turned moving away from her walking towards the guys. James just shook his head and pulled me into his arms for a quick hug. I let go, but he still held my hand. Only James would understand I needed contact in that moment but not too much.
Jean-Claude seemed to watch me as if he was studying me. Asher seemed to have a slight look of disappoint; he probably wished that I went to him. I smiled at him and offered my other hand. He moved over in a blink of my eyes his cold hand filling mine.
“Better?” I asked him.
“Definitely.” He added simply still looking across the room at Richard.

Claudia chose this minute to remind us all of her presence. “Wolf, pack protection needs to be discussed.”
“Of course, who is the threat?” He asked softly.
“An elemental, the prince of darkness.” I said sternly.
“Excuse me? How can the pack protect you? You just said the prince of darkness, an elemental. What is an elemental even?” He asked in a ramble.
“One, I am an elemental it means I control an element. Two, the pack would fall under earth or light in my world. You cannot be controlled by darkness and you see well in the dark anyway.” I said quickly and stole a glance at Jean-Claude. James squeezed my hand tighter and I knew that he had seen me still a glance at him.
“I will check with the Ulfric, but it should be feasible and I’ll make it happen regardless.” Richard said running his fingers through his hair, I guess the situation had already stressed him out.

“Thank you, but there is one more thing I have to ask of you.” I said taking a deep breath.
“What now? I already said I would go against a power I don’t even understand for you. What?!” Richard bellowed.
“Protect Anita, Kane will use her to get to me and vampires can be manipulated so she isn’t as safe with them as she would be with you.” I said softly.
Richard immediately started to smile, and I knew my assumptions had been correct. He had a thing for her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a thing for him too.
“Done. I’ll be her guard at night and during the day, I’ll have another wolf on her.” He said with a strong somewhat happy voice.
“Then I have nothing else to ask of you, and you can leave.” I said quickly I wanted him out cause I just wanted to fall on the couch. I was still sort of drained from morphing into a wolf. It had been at least three or four years since I have done it so it took as much energy as if it was my first time.

Richard nodded and extended a hand to Anita. He was clearly taking advantage of this protection detail that I had so humbly requested of him. Anita simply nodded and hugged me whispering that she would call me later moving back to Richard taking his hand. They left and Claudia closed the door behind him.
“I didn’t know you could turn into a wolf that means we can run on full moon and I’ll still be able to protect you.” Claudia said as she walked back into the room.
“Yes, we can but I doubt the rats would want a wolf running with them.” I said jokingly with a half-smile.
“Very good point.” She replied smiling and chuckling.
“Those nights shall be nights you stay at the Circus.” Jean-Claude said quickly moving in front of my face using the speed that so naturally came to vampires.
“Would you like to correct that approach, sir?” I said staring directly into his midnight-blue eyes that reminded be so much of the depths of the sea. It was hard to not just fall into them, wondering if I would find a secret cavern, a path of light, something that was untouched by others.
Jean-Claude took a deep breath and spoke softly. “Mademoiselle, will you please consider the option of staying at the Circus on nights of the full moon?”
I smiled softly. “Well since you put it so elegantly and politely, I will have to accept your most gracious offer.”
“It really is that simple?” He said staring at my smile and then back into my eyes.
“For now it is, its gets more difficult later.” I said with a wink.

Jean-Claude’s mouth dropped as if he had just seen a ghost. I couldn’t help the laughter that poured from my mouth at the sight and wish I had taken a picture of it, because that was surely a Kodak moment. James started to join me chuckling a little and tapped Jean-Claude. “Master, your mouth is still open.”
Asher just shook his head. “It seems that truly an old dog has been able to grasp a new trick.”

I couldn’t stop laughing and literally had tears rolling down my face as I fell back on my couch. I really left a very old vampire, still didn’t know his age yet, in a dumbfounded state with his jaw hitting the floor. It was slightly empowering and more so it was a miracle because the entire room eventually started to laugh as well, even Mr.Dumbfounded himself.
“Thank you for the laughter, ma petite. Laughter has not truly rung from my mouth in that way in many moons.” He said sitting next to me on the couch.
“You’re welcome.” I said smiling and then glanced at Asher noticing how he seemed to be looking hurt more and more.

Asher caught my glance and tried to smile in a way to appease the worry on my face but it only heightened it. James as always caught the look and walked over to Jean-Claude. “Master, have you fed tonight?”
Not wanting to hear the rest of that conversation I quickly grabbed Asher and let the calmer side of my power flow and moved us onto the roof.
“Asher, what’s wrong?”
“He is learning new tricks and surpassing me.”
“Asher….. don’t do this please.”
“He will soon win this race.”
“There shouldn’t be a race to get with me, I’m not this important.”
“Ah, but in fact things are quite the opposite.”
“Debatable.”
“Not at all, but as long as our friendship remains stronger, I will be okay.”
“Our friendship will always be stronger regardless of where relationships end up later.”
“Then I shall be one lucky vampire.”
“Thanks for telling me, and not just continuing to get sad.”
“I wanted a chance for more possibly, but I approached on a friendship level and found that I was happy there.”
“Really? You sure? I’ll kick JC out now.”
Asher laughed. “The fact that you would for me, let’s me know that I can be very happy where I know stand.”
“But what if I want to change where you stand?” I asked softly still unsure of what move I was going to make in this area of my life. Everything was odd and sudden right now.
“Then I shall be able and willing to fill that role for you as well.” He said pulling me into a tight hug.
I smiled and hugged him back just as tight.

Chapter Text

Alexandra POV

Asher and I returned to my living room again with the calmer side of my power that seemed to come easier and easier. I guess Water liked that I was continuing to use my power and larger amounts of it again. It seemed to even keep the siren call at bay, just a little.

I looked at Jean-Claude noticing that he had more color to his face now and there was a smudge of blood on the side of his mouth. Turning, to look at James I noticed he was lying next to Jean-Claude, his scar healing as he wiped off the blood that had not been taken into Jean-Claude’s system.
“You need to wipe your mouth JC.” I said softly sitting on the other side of my best friend tossing my legs over him.
Jena-Claude looked at James with envy in a way but he smiled at me as wiped the side of his mouth and licked his finger. “All better?”
“Yea.” I said shaking my head laying my head on James’ shoulder.

“Getting sleepy over the little aqua?” He asked looking at me.
“Haven’t morphed in a long time, so yea just a little.” I said not even turning to look at him.
Jean-Claude moved in front of me quickly and touched my face gently. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m just tired.” I said softly still leaning on James.

Jean-Claude looked around my apartment seeming to calculate something and I just watched him as James leaned his head on mine. “You need a bigger place.”
“Why?”
“Ma petite, where will Claudia or even James stay when they are here to protect you; you must have protection while you sleep as well.”
I just shrugged as I started to doze off. I hadn’t realized still I sat down how much power I had used. Water had kept me from realizing the effects as I needed it to protect myself and those I loved.
I felt James look at me as I started to doze off. He shook his head. “I’ll stay with her; she’ll share the bed with me.” He said shaking his head as he picked me up. I think he was the only one I let baby me like this, but I guess he was the only one who had the right to.
Jean-Claude growled. “No.”
“Master, she isn’t going to sleep if you or Asher stays one because you’ll die at daybreak and two because she doesn’t know you that well.” James quickly replied as I laid in his arms curled into his chest.
“Surely Claudia as her bodyguard is more equipped to stay here.”
“Really, you think Alex is going to sleep while Claudia stays in the room at attention, and doesn’t she need some time sleep too?”

“You are not going to share her bed!” Jean-Claude roared, which of course cause me to almost leap out of James’ arms and let my power coming alive my hands glowing in a way.
James touched my shoulder lightly. “Chill, its all okay. No danger; power down there lil aqua.”
I stood up straight as I took a deep breath. “What is the yelling about?”
“My master here doesn’t want me to share your bed.” James said coldly, emphasizing his sarcasm using the word master.
I just shook my head and sat back down on the couch. “Fine I’ll take the couch.”
James shook his head. “Really Alex?”
“No, you shall sleep in a bed. Alone!” Jean-Claude bellowed at me.
“Look, I just want sleep and I won’t sleep with someone standing over me watching me.” I said sighing and sitting up a little. “But you want me to have a guard. So perfect James cause I’ll actually sleep, but you want to be difficult because someone who I consider my brother wants to share my bed.” I stood up and moved in front of him. “So I wonder who is being more irrational here.”

Asher chuckled a little. Jean-Claude of course sneered at him in reply. He focused on me once more and I stared into his eyes, bad move. I swear he was rolling, using that psychic power vampires could have over humans, me but I knew no vampire could, or at least not one that I’ve met yet. I turned my head and glanced at the floor.
This was crazy it had been a long day, several in fact since I had gotten the job at Guilty Pleasures and it was time for me to get some well-deserved sleep.

“Look, we don’t have all night and frankly I’m tired and tired of having my apartment this crowded.” I sighed and looked at Claudia. “Do you have a regular day job?”
“No, I work at the club as security which is why it was easy to switch me to your bodyguard.” She responded.
“Okay, James what time do you have to be at work tomorrow?” I asked looking down as I tried to formulate a plan.
“Yea, 10-6 then I was gonna head to the club.” He said quickly.
“Alright well, Claudia can you be here at like 9am, I’ll give you my extra key. Therefore you and I can sleep, I’m still watched and I’m watched after I wake up.” I turned to Jean-Claude. “Acceptable?”
“I still don’t like you sleeping with the wolf.”
“Considering he’s the only one in here that I’m comfortable enough to sleep around, whether or not you like him is irrelevant.”
Jean-Claude ran his hand through his hair and nodded his consent. Claudia quickly leaving smiling at me, she and I would probably be really close soon. The vampires left almost immediately after with quick goodbyes.
“Come on Alex, let’s crash.” James said was the room was clear.
I ran and jumped on my bed and did exactly that. I don’t even know if James ever got in the bedroom before I was sound asleep.

Chapter Text

Alexandra POV

I woke up with the faint smell of werewolf lingering on my sheets and coffee brewing. I slowly opened my eyes against the bright light, which I knew was pouring into my room. With a stretch, and the pop of my back, I sat up in my bed and scratching my head. Glancing at the time I realized it was like eleven something, no wonder the smell of James was faint he had left over two hours ago. Which meant the coffee brewing in my kitchen had to be for Claudia. I couldn’t stand the stuff and only had it because of James. With another yawn, I forced myself to leave the comfort and simplicity of my bed.

I waved at Claudia, too early for me to start talking, and walked into the bathroom to take care of those morning necessities. After my teeth had been brushed, I walked out of the bathroom into my kitchen quickly grabbing some milk and pouring into my large mug.
“You don’t want any coffee?” Claudia asked showing me there was still half a pot left.
“No, thanks I don’t like the stuff. I only keep in stock in case I ever run into James.” I said laughing.
My milk-filled mug was quickly put into the microwave making it nice and warm before I added Nesquick chocolate powder, and with the smell of my hot chocolate my morning had started with a good thing.

Claudia smiled at me shaking her head.
“What?” I said smiling as I took a large gulp of my hot chocolate almost burning my tongue.
“You are a big kid, aren’t you?” She said looking at me a slight glow coming over her face. It was like when something makes you smile but you are trying to fight it or a little kid does something so precious you can’t help but smile.
“Only the biggest, but that is our secret. Well ours and James.” I replied chuckling a little. “He’s the only one who has a bigger Disney movie collection than me.”
“Do you have those rat detective movies?” She asked hopefully, but it was a bit shy. A side of her I have yet to see yet.

“Are you a big kid too?” I asked raising my eyebrow sipping more hot chocolate trying not to giggle.
“Shhh!!” She replied laughing.
“Oh, thank heaven Jean-Claude made you by bodyguard. I have a new best friend who I’m forced to spend time with.” I said laughing going to my collection of movies.
Claudia laughed, and it boomed filling my apartment with the sound, a warmth that seemed like hope itself. I had never heard her laugh that genuinely. “Good job, Jean-Claude.” She said in the mist of her laugh, which still had me shell shocked.

I chuckled walking into my living room to a bookshelf filled with movies from when I was little. Disney movies were introduced to me after mom died. It was nice seeing a princess, who often didn’t have a mother, still have a chance at a happy ending. I quickly skimmed looking for the movies that Claudia was referring to but I couldn’t find them. I would have sworn I had them; I would go buy them later especially for her, maybe on a night I had to stay with Jean-Claude.
“I don’t see the rat detective movies, but I have Ratatouille and the Tale of Despereaux. “ I said holding out the DVDs to her. She took them as she sat down on my couch skimming through the synopsis on the back of the cases.

“Can we do both?” She asked somewhat shyly again. I knew then that my earlier statement had not been a joke. I really had gained a new best friend, who was letting me in. I would owe Jean-Claude for this because it was going to give me another person I could talk to. Anita had been gone for a while I wasn’t too concerned with not being able to talk to her. Other than her, all I had was James though and sometimes you just need a girl best friend. It was going to be good. I wasn’t good with letting people in but I don’t know, Claudia was thrown on me and it just has seemed to work out so far.

“Sure, I’ll even order us some Chinese food from this great place across the street.” I said sliding in my favorite, Ratatouille, first and placing the second movie down on top of the DVD player as I grabbed my remote.
“Jean-Claude is gonna be so mad that he made me your bodyguard.” She said smiling as she curled into her spot on the couch. She was sitting farthest from the window, still facing the door and my bedroom door. I smirked as noticed, she wasn’t letting herself relax that much still taking her job seriously.
“That is an understatement.” I said laughing taking a large, filling gulp of my hot chocolate.
“You can’t go back to Rya though.” She said softly.
“If I do go back it won’t be by choice. I’ll be forced into it.” I said shaking my head softly setting my cup down on the table.
“It will crush everyone.” She said again looking at me this time.
I looked down trying not to cry. “I know. I will fight my hardest to stay. I promise.”

She smiled a little at that and the conversation seemed to end, well until she opened her mouth again. “Have you chosen JC or Asher yet?”
“I’m coasting it out for now, but I think I’ve decided. You’ll see by my actions.” I said softly starting the movie ending this complicated topic of conversation. It was still a bit odd for me. I had to just trust Water at this point, because things were happening faster than I ever would anticipated, ever. Water wasn’t giving me warning signs with these new faces. Water was being weird but it wasn’t out of danger, or it didn’t feel like it.

Claudia laughed catching the hint and just started to watch the movie. We both knew I didn’t have to be into work til almost 7 or 8 that night, it was barely one in the afternoon. I made a quick call to the Chinese restaurant getting shrimp and broccoli for myself, Claudia just wanted boneless spare ribs, a rat through and through.
I curled up in my chair as the movie started and was glad that Claudia did the same on the couch. Soon we were both into the movie laughing with Claudia making comments about being a rat every now and then saying, of course, that the movie had it wrong.

During the movie, we were of course snacking on what was close to our fingers. I made one trip into the kitchen for chips but none other than that. The food got delivered before we started the second movie. After the first finished, and we laughed because it was similar to one of the wererats that worked as a chef for a big restaurant; I didn’t even realize that and begged her practically to take me to the restaurant one day, which of course she promised.
As the second movie ended, I discovered how much more Claudia had liked the second one and decided that I was going to get her something like in the movie. I could be nice sometimes, I wasn’t always cold.

Unfortunately, when the second movie ended it was time for me to start getting ready for work. I kind of didn’t want to see JC, Asher yea, JC no. JC wasn’t the normal type of person. He infuriated me but I still felt this weird draw to him, which of course I continued to fight. I think I was silently hoping the draw would switch to Asher and make my life so much simpler. I still got ready for work though, and as I got dressed Claudia cleaned up the living room that we had turned into our own personal theater.
“You ready for another day of work?” Claudia asked as I walked back into the room in my black cargo pants and the black work shirt that had guilty pleasures written in elegant red.
“I think I am.” I said smiling and grabbed my keys stuffing them in my pocket along with my headphones and iPhone. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Alex POV

I walked into Guilty Pleasures through the employee entrance, Claudia of course on my heels. She had let me know that once we started working she was going to cover me from a distance, but she would still be around even if couldn’t see her. I threw my stuff into my locker keeping my phone as I usually did since Kane’s appearance. I had put Claudia’s number in on the way here so now everyone was in my phone, even though the vampires did it on their own accord.

I was behind the bar on time tonight and it seemed that some of the regulars had even noticed my absence the other night. I smiled slightly at the customers as I made their drinks; I had memorized some of the orders. I was getting cheers from the patrons I had met as I went to the bar.

It seemed to be a slow night, hours had gone by and it wasn’t a bunch of new faces. Maybe because it wasn’t the weekend. I honestly couldn’t even remember what day it was, with so much occurring so quickly the days had all but blurred together. I looked at my phone just as it vibrated Claudia’s name flashing across the screen. One of your kind headed to the bar, systems we set up going crazy.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I didn’t know if it was Kane or if it was one of his lackeys. Either way I had to be ready, I smiled at one of the other bartenders and told them I was going off on break. I quickly left the bar, moving away from the crowd. I texted Claudia back as walked outside. Heading out of the building, text boys.
I slipped outside and stood where Kane was only a day or two ago. I took another deep breath stilling myself connecting to every drop of water I could. I felt more than heard the person approach and was pleasantly surprised that it was an essence I recognized. I pulled back on my power with a smile.

“Thanks for not attacking.” My favorite Russian accent said as he came closer to me.
“I figured I give your ego a break.” I said still not turning around to face him.
I could hear his earthy chuckle and felt him move to stand in front of me. “Good to see you alive, Lexa.”
“Good to see you too Ras.” I said taking a deep breath. I texted Claudia quickly, False Alarm. Friendly. Meet in JC’s office.
“I’m guessing you had a small force ready to hurt me.” He said reading the text.
“Just a little, and your lil brother surely would have considering he hasn’t seen you in forever.” I added.
“James is here?! Yea, I guess I owe my closest friend an apology.”
“Probably, let’s go inside and talk. “
“After you.” He said bowing a little.

I shook my head and turned back into the club heading straight for JC’s office. Oh Jean-Claude was just going to love this guy.
I walked into Jean-Claude’s office, who was of course sitting behind his desk, Asher sitting on the left side of him on the couch. I motioned for Ras to sit on the couch on Jean-Claude’s right. I sat next to Asher, I trusted Ras, but to say it had been a long time was understatement. Anyway, we always had to tread careful around vampires. The slightest misstep would be cause to start a problem. Etiquette was big with the older ones.

“Jean-Claude, Master of the City, I introduce Taras Radich. I’ll let him tell you what he wants to.” I said in my regal tone moving slightly closer to Asher. I knew this was going to difficult, and I hope I didn’t have to fight Asher or Jean-Claude tonight.
Taras nodded at Jean-Claude. “Since Lexa, has deemed you worthy of trust I shall make this quick. I’ve been second in command of dark kingdom forces in this world for a good amount of time. I believe I was one of the first to have an encounter with your maker, Jean-Claude. Her ambition and manipulative power is extraordinary.”
Jean-Claude and Asher tensed up at the mention of Jean-Claude’s maker. I could only assume it was Asher’s maker as well. I held Asher’s hand and let my eyes change with my power letting a whisper of power breathe on Jean-Claude, a soft wave of reassurance. Breathe.

“I’m a vampire like yourself, and a master in my own right. Council has been after some of my forces for years. I’m a pryo-kinetic a talent I brought over once I was turned.” I know Taras hated some things he couldn’t connect to anymore since the transformation. He had gotten snatched by a vampire before the border was closed. I didn’t meet him until I came to this world. He was lucky that fire stayed with him.
“And you wonder why the council has sought you out.” Asher said more himself, even as he continued to grip my hand tight. I let him. They both were on edge since their maker was mentioned.
“Why have you come?” Jean-Claude asked obviously losing whatever patience he had.
“To warn and to teach.” Taras said quickly.
“Ras, what do you mean to warn?” I asked leaning forward a little.
“To teach what to whom?” Asher and Jean-Claude asked simultaneously.
“I’ll answer Lexa first.” He said smiling at me. Jean-Claude eyes bled black. “I’ve come to warn them, Kane is going to attempt to awaken the Mother of All Darkness.”
Asher let me go and looked at Ras in utter shock. “HE’S GOING TO WHAT?!”

Jean-Claude now had a death grip on his desk, and I could see the wood breaking in his hands. It wasn’t often vampires showed their physical strength.
“Now, I’ve come to teach the only one that can stop him how to control fire. I’ve come to teach you Alexandra.” He said staring straight at me.
“Huh?” I was nearly speechless. I couldn’t be the one to stop Kane. I didn’t even know how to defeat the Mother of All Darkness or who she even was how could I stop anything.
“There is a reason you’re a hybrid, Alex, and there is a reason your foe is darkness. It’s good to know you found your bonded mate.” He said looking at Jean-Claude.
“Excuse me?!” I almost yelled.
“I can already see the bond growing it has been established but it hasn’t reached its full potential yet.” Taras continued. I didn’t even question it. Taras had the ability to see bonds, but with Jean-Claude. Is that why Water had been acting weird? Taras ability had survived his transformation? I wounder if being around elementals helped his connection stay strong.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I said leaning back on the couch covering my face with my hands.
“I’ll explain more later. There will be foes you have to be triumphant over before you can take on the Sweet Mother.” He said rising. “I think I’ve left you with enough to discuss, I’ll be lurking around. You know how to reach me Lexa.” He said leaving the room. Claudia came out of the corner she had been standing in and looked at me. “Well, that was a large bomb that just collapsed into this room.”

Chapter Text

Jean-Claude ushered everyone out of the room and turned to look at me as he closed the door.

“Don’t say anything.” I said burying my face into my hands. Taras just told me that Jean-Claude, the most egoistical and arrogant vampire ever, was my bonded mate. I had wondered why he seemed to piss me off so much, and why my powers didn’t want to kill him when he kissed me. I should have caught own when my powers rolled across his skin, but it had been so long since I had heard the stories of my kind. It had been so long since I dived and relished in my culture. It had been so long since mom had told me the stories of bonded mates.

Jean-Claude moved closer to me sitting next to me. I said nothing my mind running trying to figure everything out. If I knew my people right, there was never just one opponent, no there were hundreds but one grand threat, typical things books are written about. It was the same way before the war. Threats were only small when it was border disputes in my kingdom, if powers had to grow substantially more had to occur… I was going to be dealing with this Kane trying to do things for a long while.

“Who is the Mother of All Darkness?” I asked not lifting my head out of my hands knowing he would hear me regardless. I couldn’t touch the other subject. Anita. How in the world was this going to be told to her? She told me to back off and I go and mate with her crush; Asher, I had caught the hurt look in his eyes and felt my stomach flip at the sight. Anita may not have my back like she used to, but she was still in my circle. I was betraying Asher and her. I wanted James right now, screw work. I lived on the streets for a while I’d survive. I just wanted my pack.

My road was definitely darkened now and by no less than the Mother of it. The way Jean-Claude reacted, I know she wasn’t referred to that for nothing.
“She is a danger.” Jean-Claude said sighing. “She’s the first of us, or at least that is the legend. Her direct children are unknown. She used to rule the Vampire Council, for centuries she has been sleeping. Unfortunately, that is all I know. She predates me.”
“Well this is just great.” I said sarcastically. My people had a weird sense of humor.
Jean-Claude made no sounds as he sat next to me, but his eyes were watching every movement I made. Eventually he spoke. “Describe what your people mean when they say bonded mate.” He more directed than asked.
“You would have to ask Taras, I have been cut off from my people for over half my life. I have forgotten things I deemed fairytales.” I said standing taking a deep breath. I couldn’t take this reminder of Mom. This wasn’t supposed to happen. D-Dad had said I would never have one because of my hybrid blood.
“Why would this description be a fairytale?” He asked, thankfully staying seated.
“It only existed in the dreams my mother had for me.” I said tossing my head back trying to forbid the tears I felt forming from falling down my face. I knew James would feel my distress soon, most likely he was probably feeling it now the pack tattoos were back so our link was too. I could recognize my own heart beating out of my chest, it was probably booming in Jean-Claude’s ears.
I didn’t even hear him move, but now he was so close to my face if he needed to breath we would be sharing the same breath. “Such things died for you with her passing?” He asked.

“Yes, and I’ve never expected them to return. Not even after my father passed, such dreams aren’t meant for half-breeds that no one accepts.” I said softly moving out of the room being so close to him wasn’t a good thing. This couldn’t be right. I knew I was beginning to question what Water was doing, I said I was going to trust Water but is this right?
Just on cue, I smelt pines as arms wrapped around me. I hated James sometimes but right now he was a heaven sent.
“You’ll figure it out; you’ve never been one to allow others to determine you’re fate. “ He said softly resting his chin on my head and holding me tighter.
I smiled into his chest slightly. Everyone else seemed to hover close to us.
“Don’t push it with her, just cause a bond has been spoken of, you’ve never seen her fight a bond.” James advised over my shoulder to Jean-Claude. I wasn’t saying anything and I definitely wasn’t letting go of James right now. I had to make this make sense to me which was easier said than actually accomplished. James was pack and safe haven right now though, so I wasn’t moving. Screw if it was girly.

Chapter Text

I still had yet to let James go, and lucky for me he seemed content to just hold me until I wanted to remove myself the safety of his arms. I opened my eyes and noticed his mark, our pack tattoo as we called it, and placed a chaste kiss to it. I felt James smile and surprisingly I felt his happiness. I think he felt my confusion and spoke softly as he rubbed my back gently. “Well looks like the bond is back in full swing.” The mark on my ankle was probably fully colored now. He didn’t bother to whisper knowing that everyone would hear it.
“What do you mean?” Asher asked softly.
“The same way he feels Anita.” He said replied referencing Jean-Claude. “Or the way you feel your maker, or your pomme de sang.”
Jean-Claude spoke from behind me and I tried to ignore his buttery voice once more. “You can feel her emotions and where she is?” He asked.
I nodded feeling that he wanted my approval before he answered, with it James began to speak again. “Yes, to all the above; if I remember we should be able to read each other’s thoughts soon and I’ll feel her more strongly than I would my own alpha.”
Claudia chose that moment to speak. “Well that would certainly come in handy for watching over her. You could alert me even if I wasn’t there or if I was there and couldn’t tell what others may be trying to do to her.”
“Exactly.” James said softly still holding me and not loosening his grip on me. I wasn’t joking when I said that before I had anyone, well minus mom, I had James. Thank heavens for him, even when he gets on my nerves.
“He truly is your wolf.” Asher said and I could barely make out the grin on his face.
I chuckled. “I’ve been trying to tell you guys that.”

James looked down at me questioning and I nodded slowly. He dropped his arms from around me but still stood close in case I wanted to retreat again. I looked at everyone hovering close to us and suddenly felt extremely short. Claudia was a whopping 6’6, and probably could have been a model in another life if she wasn’t so muscular. Strangely, that made me instantly like her on first meeting; she had this take no bs attitude. Asher was 6’5 with his sun-kissed hair, and Jean-Claude was about 6’3 maybe just a little shorter.

I tried not to notice that his height made him perfect with me because even with heels he would be taller than my 5’6 short self. The only close to my height was James at just a plain ole 6 feet. “Can I get a little breathing room? All your tall selves are making me claustrophobic.” I asked softly.
Everyone moved back a whole wonderful inch, wow. I shook my head and started to think. I turned to Claudia. Surprisingly, the first thing that came to mind was how I needed to get that movie for her but I had to put that aside for later.

“Is Taras still here?” I asked her.
Claudia pulled out her phone, which she must have linked the sensors to, and seemed to be getting my answer. “Not that I can see.”
I started to pace seemingly in straight line trying to think. Jean-Claude and Asher just seemed to watch me with such intensity as if this was so new and intriguing.
“Are there any werebears here James?” I asked hoping his nose could pick one out from here. I could hear the club still in full swing; it had to only be about nearing midnight. Vampire clubs didn’t close until closer to five or six am, depending on the time of year. I had only left the bar about 10/10:30ish.
“I can check.” James said walking towards the end of hall to catch more scents.
“Why werebears?” Asher asked moving closer.
“There his animal to call fitting since he’s been residing in the coldest parts of Russia primarily since coming to this world.” I said in a quick reply still thinking.
“Are we trying to get information ma petite?” Jean-Claude asked copying Asher as he moved closer.
“Yes, information is the key right now.” I said softly.

“There is a werebear here and he is already walking towards us, how not surprising.” James said waiting and then leading the werebear to us. He was about James height maybe an inch or two taller, his hair was chocolate brown and his skin a light brown that went well with the darkness of his hair. He was built I could see his muscles move with the shirt he had on.
“I’m Ivan. Ivan Galkin. “
“Interesting last name for a bear.” I said in reply.
“I didn’t pick it.” He said with a smile. “Radich, told me you would want to reach him.”
“Obviously.”
“Unforunately, he had to go deal with some politics, but he figured this would be sufficient until he could return.” He said pulling a book from a bag he had on his shoulder. “Apparently, it’s your history.”

I almost broke down seeing the old leather book with its Celtic designs that was the symbol meaning Ryians. I slowly took the book from his hands letting my fingers run over the symbols. “Thank you.” I said even as my hands shook. I had read this book with teachers and mom before..
He nodded. “My number and a number for Radich are on a sticky note in the back. I think I’ll be you seeing you around.” He said turning and leaving. “Oh, the pages you want most are on the sticky note too.” He called out from over his shoulder.

I took a deep breath and gathered myself before I spoke again. “We need to get into a room if I’m supposed to read this and everyone hear it.”
Claudia nodded and moved us all back into Jean-Claude’s office. He, of course, sat behind his desk. I sat on the couch still awe struck with what I was holding in my hand. James sat next to me. Asher on the other side of me, he seemed to what to be closer in this moment. Claudia stood near the door but took a seat after I stared her down; we were developing that sort of unspoken communication.

“What is this book?” Asher asked looking at. “It seems rather old.”

I spoke the name of the book in the language of Rya, surprised I could still call upon the words and the accent. I adjusted to English when I realized what I had done. “We called it the Union as kids, it’s the book telling of everything that has happened in Rya since its birth every historic figure, every battle, every kingdom, and every king and queen.”
“What language was that you were speaking?” Jean-Claude asked intrigued. He was actually trying to be good for the moment but that was probably in his favor at the moment.
“Yarese, I believe that is what we called it. It’s more like your Latin overall. As your world languages developed so did ours, and we took on the languages of humans.
Earth eventually started to adopt Old Norse as their language, they loved the Vikings and how they conquered new lands, and my people did too for how they took over the seas. Light took on Egyptian loving how they worshiped the sun, which was the source of lights power so it was appropriate. Earth took on Portuguese, mainly because they are always going to the Amazon. I think they used to know the indigenous languages. Fire took on the Persian language or Hindu, India was perfect for them because of the heat. Dark took on Russian since it was mainly dark there especially in Siberia. Water took on Italian after Ancient Greek was no longer common; to say my people loved the Mediterranean was an understatement. “

“Did everyone still learn Yarese?” James asked.
“Yea, as children that was our first language everything else was secondary. I could never get Old Norse down though. “
“Qu'en est-il français ma petite?” Jean-Claude asked very quickly, and Asher looked at me hopeful.
“ Je l'ai ramassé très bien.” I answered in a near perfect accent.
Asher and Jean-Claude both smiled in a way that nearly lit up their face. It was strange and I turned back to the book.
“How many did you learn Alex?” James asked.
“Pretty much everything, I just had issues with Egyptian, Hindu, and Old Norse, those are some hard languages to learn. “
“Wait, how did you learn all those languages so quickly?” He asked recognizing I was only twenty four.
“It’s hard to explain but during schooling time moves slower.” I said trying my best to explain.

James nodded, and I finally moved to open the book. As I lift the cover I had to close my eyes, I forgot that the book was said to hold the very essence that first created our realm. My eyes had quickly changed to a deep blue and my scent increased.
“Ocean water and cinnamon.” Asher said breathing in deeply.
“Why cinnamon?” Jean-Claude asked.
“Mom, said it went with the firey side of me. “
I was still touching the book when I said mom, and suddenly the book lifted over my lap an inch or two moving to face me as the pages flipped until it was on the chapter of my mother. A vivid picture of her was on the page.
“You look just like her.” James said as I tried to keep in my emotions. I couldn’t stare at the words or her photo. I couldn’t read about her life. I took a deep breath and I tried to focus.

I slowly moved to touch the book again. It let me move it’s pages and I grabbed the sticky out of the back. The book was still hovering. The sticky had contact information like Ivan had said and the pages numbers. I touched the book again and it flipped to the page numbers I had in my mind. I read the title of the chapter and then translated. “This chapter is about bonded mates.”
“Read it.” Jean-Claude growled.
I tensed up and did my best not to growl back. I just glared him daring him to command me again.
“Please.” Jean-Claude said softer.

I started to read and translate finally speaking. “Bonded pairs do not see species, time, or kingdom origins. Bonded pairs could have met a thousand times but bonds are not established until both are ready. Both souls, both hearts, must have what the other needs and have matured. Tread these waters, with caution for bonds may emerge without consent of the pair, but the love is not as easily given. But joy for the pair that loves and willingly joins. Mortalities will be intertwined, two souls becoming one. Only half of self when parted. Demise of one leading to the death of the other. Mercy be upon those who try to separate such a pair, for death shall not be quick. “
I flipped the page and took a second to read and translate again. “Blessed be to a bond denied, a bond fought bonds do not fade. Freely given and freely received enchanted quality. May your bond be as grand as Xandra and Julius.”

“Who is Xandra and Julius?” Claudia asked reminding me of her presence.
“Xandra was my great-great-great, and a lot more greats, grandmother.” I seemed to take my hundredth deep breath that day as I remembered things I had buried.
“My mom used to tell me this story; it’s a legend among our people, and not just water but all of Rya. “ I smiled as the book flipped to a picture of them. “It said that they were both set to marry another and it wasn’t like it was an arranged marriage they both loved their intendeds. He was in line to take up the crown of the Fire Kingdom, and she was in line to do the same for water. They somehow saw each other. I think it was at a royal gathering.” I said rubbing my head trying to remember.
“Anyway, they saw each other and the tie started linking them. For weeks after they seemed to randomly think of each other until Julius walked into the water kingdom demanding that she become his wife. She refused staying true to her intended. Julius killed him thinking she would turn to him then. Xandra didn’t.”
“I guess defiance is a family trait.” James said jokingly.

“She kicked him out the kingdom and buried her beloved. For years they didn’t speak and the kingdom was in an unspoken feud. One night someone tried to kill Julius, they poisoned him. Xandra went to fire kingdom and healed him without a single word. Julius started to send her gifts, every gift she sent back. Finally, he came with only a red rose and spoke from his heart. Xandra accepted the rose and he started to do it every week on the same day. Finally, they married and when invaders try to take over Rya, our entire world, I think it was the Fae, Xandra and Julius fended them off. They led the charge of all our people. It is said that they fought as one and merged into one single soul.”
“Nice fighting advantage.” Claudia said as entranced in the story as everyone else.

“Definitely, but it is also said that Xandra was the one who stand up to him. Julius of course was only soft for her and became the most loved king every to rule in Fire. “
“It is said that they both died hands intertwined with the other. They are most celebrated couple in my land and everyone tries to look like them in their weddings in hope that they will help them as a couple.”
“Not overly romantic.” Jean-Claude noted.
“No, its meant to teach that you only get to someone’s heart by showing your own.” I said softly.
“Well that information certainly helps. “ Asher said getting up and moving to the other couch away from, already starting to distance himself from me.
In that moment, it took everything in me not to cry.
That is until the book turned to him and spoke. With its words finished it closed and sat back in my lap.
“What did it say?” Asher asked as it had spoken in Yarese.
“Blessed be to the one whose soul is already two, to two a bond must be struck.” I said shell shocked.

Translations:
Qu'en est-il français ma petite? – What about french my little one?
Je l'ai ramassé très bien. – I picked it up very well.
Galkin- Russian surname usually referring to a bird