Any characters you recognize belong to Sherrilyn Kenyon or Laurell K. Hamilton. I’m just doing this for fun. This is rated PG-13 to be safe.

 

Thanks Maggie for a great beta job! *hugs* I want to say I am playing loose with the gods here. If any of you have ever seen the Hercules series, you'll see what I mean. It's all in the fun. Once again thanks to Maggie and a couple of my unnamed muses. *grins*

 

Insane in the Membrane (Nate’s Story Chapter 35)

 

It was like I had slept forever. Thoughtless. Dreamless. Nothingness. It was a very odd feeling, so was the feeling of a very cool finger tracing the Hunter tattoo just above my right hip. I looked over my shoulder into piercing blue eyes.

 

Asher spoke. “Bonjur, Mon chasseur obscurite.”

 

“Morning… Evening.  You like that tattoo, do you?” I asked.

 

“I find it interesting, especially its location.” He nodded.

 

“Yeah well I think that was meant to be a joke on her part.”

 

He looked a bit confused. “Mist has told me that all Hunters have this mark.”

 

“Yeah but not where mine is. I think Artemis did it on purpose.” I explained as his finger moved slowly up my back to my neck. “Stop that.”

 

“Stop what?”

 

Sighing I rolled onto my back. “Are you hungry? Do you need to feed?”

 

“I was waiting for you to awaken. I did not want to take advantage.”

 

“I appreciate that.”

 

He grinned. “It will be more pleasurable if you are awake for what I have in mind.”

 

“Yeah? And just what is it you have in mind?”

 

Two hours later I was sitting in the large tub in Asher's suite replaying in my mind just what had happened. It certainly had been different from the last time I had fed him.  Asher had gone off to Guilty Pleasures sated and I was just confused.  The water was hot and was slowly easing the kinks in my muscles. 

 

I kept hearing a ringing somewhere. Cell phone… I didn't want to move.  It stopped ringing but started again a few minutes later.  I laid my head back and closed my eyes. I was too relaxed. I needed to move. I needed to get out of the Circus before the mayor found me. Yep. Then why wasn't I moving?

 

My cell phone started ringing again.  Cursing I pulled the plug and got out of the tub, wrapping a towel around my waist. The phone was in my duster pocket.

 

I fished it out and answered. “Yeah?” It was Roan. I told him, “I'm fine, had to crash.”

 

“What happened?” He asked from the other end.

 

“It was too close to dawn.  Is there a problem?”

 

“No just worried.” He confessed.

 

“Thanks.” I told him ready to hang up.

 

“Hey meet me at the Lunatic.” He quickly added.

 

“Sure. Twenty minutes.” I agreed.

             

I hung up and dressed. Now the trick was getting out of the bowels of the beast, preferably in one piece.  I ended up back where I started. Some hunter I was. I called Roan and had him ask Kendra if she knew how to get out of the Circus. She'd never been there… Smart girl… But she knew someone who had and would send them to help.

 

I could hear Roan snickering in the background. He said that he and I were going have a long talk. I was beginning to get a headache. Not a good sign. 

 

I was sitting on the sofa when the door opened.  A tall brunette walked in. She was about five foot seven, nice body. She was wearing a pink turtleneck and jeans. There was a nametag, one of those little black ones with her name in gold lettering... Daphne.

 

“So you're Kendra's friend?” She asked. I stood offering my hand. She took it adding, “Stay close to me. I don't want you to become a snack. She'd never forgive me.”

 

“Trust me. I don't want that.”

 

She smiled at that. I followed her back through the maze I had got turned around in but she actually knew where she was going.  We ended up at a rear entrance.

 

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Hey thanks.  What is it you do here?”

 

“I'm in… human relations.” She smiled then disappeared back inside.

 

I called Roan to tell him I was on my way. That's when I remembered I had left the gift Asher had given me. Somehow I knew I'd be back and so did he. That should have bothered me but it didn't and that bugged me.

 

The cafe was a bit crowded, but Roan had saved me a seat at the bar. When Kendra walked over I gave her a kiss and thanked her. I ordered a sandwich and a beer, waiting for Roan to start his twenty questions.  He just shook his head.

 

“You look tired.” Kendra told me.

 

“Really? I slept great.”  She smiled at my response.

 

“So we got invites to the big New Year’s Eve bash at Dead Druids.” My roommate announced.

 

“Really? Irish have anything to do with it?”

 

He rolled his eyes. “I wish you two would get along.” I sighed as he added, “Anyway, says to bring a date.” 

 

I looked up at Kendra. “Wanna go?” She just smiled. “You don't?”

 

“I'd love to,” she explained, “but I have to work.”

 

Roan shook his head, “You work way too much. See if you can get the night off.”

 

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so I'm going with the two of you?”

 

He grinned. “But you'll end up with me.” I stared at him. “Oh she will.”

 

“I wouldn't bet on it wolf.” I cautioned him.

 

“We'll see.” He grinned a challenge.

 

Our friend just shook her head. “You two stop.  I'll see if I can get the time off.”

 

“Good.” I grinned.

 

“It will be.” The wolf added. I kicked him. “Hey!”

 

I just shrugged at his bellow.

 

The week leading up to New Year’s Eve was something short of insane. Irish and I kept sniping at each other. Roan had to keep separating us. I was beginning to stay out later and later just to keep from wanting to fight. I had lost all patience with everything.  I hung out with Myra and Callie a couple of nights at the station. I almost wished that the Daimons were back.

 

I avoided mass as well. Father Frank gave me the creeps. You know in that I know more about you than you know about yourself kind of way and what he knew I had no idea.

 

Everybody kept dropping hints but no one was forthcoming with details. Asher was always in my head. Nathaniel was calling to talk. Things were way too complicated. The abyss never looked so good. I needed a vacation.

 

A voice behind me whispered, ”Then take one.”

 

I jumped up from the park bench and turned to find Mai. It was good to see her. I walked around and gave her a hug. Smiling, she was in a red kimono. It was decorated with black flowers and her hair was in a braid down her back.

 

I grinned at her. “You're beautiful. You know that?”

 

“I bet you say so to all the Sentinels.” She winked.

 

I nodded. “All the time to Vane.” She giggled. “I've missed you.”

 

“Come with me.” She held out a hand.

 

“Where?”

 

“Trust me.”

 

There were those two words that always got me into trouble but I took her hand and everything went hazy. I mean like white out conditions on Mt. Everest. I didn't know if I was up, down, or sideways. At least I wasn't in a plane. 

 

When the world was right again I was standing in a Buddhist temple.  How did I know? Because Buddha was standing behind the altar. Not the real guy. Now that would be a trick.

 

Mai spoke quietly. “This is where I come, when I need solitude. Time is nonexistent here.  You may stay and know the peace that you seek.”

I shook my head. “You know that a Dark Hunter never finds peace… Even when his soul is returned. The nightmares are still there.”

“We can help you find that inner peace here.”

 

I sighed. “I'm not looking for inner peace, Mai. I like what I do. The dreams keep me balanced. The help me to know I can feel. Now send me back.”

 

“Not yet.” She shook her head.

 

“Now Mai. I don't want to be here.”

 

A male voice boomed. “You don't know where you want to be.”

 

I turned to find a tall blond dressed in a muscle tee and jeans. “Who the fu...”

 

I never finished that question as the guy sent a bolt of energy my way. I managed to dodge it barely… A freakin' God. What the hell?

 

Mai yelled. “Ares! That's enough!  I didn't bring him here for you to kill him!”

 

Ares. Holy shit I was in deep and Mai had betrayed me to the God of war.

 

He growled. “To think that Anteros spawned such a brat!”

 

“What the hell are you talking about?  And I am not a brat!” I told him.

 

He glared. “Brat and a pain in my ass! Just like your father.”

 

Okay that was it. I stood. He fired another bolt that caught me in the shoulder.  Damn that hurt but I stood my ground. “A little lower and to the left.”

 

He complied with another bolt that got my opposite shoulder. This time I hit the floor sliding into a pool of water.

 

Ares kept throwing bolts my way as he told Mai, “Besides I don't want to kill him. Just make him suffer.”

 

The sentinel told him. “It's not his fault that Anteros couldn't keep it in his pants.”

 

“I blame it on his mother.  He got all that passion crap from her.” The god mumbled.

 

“You people are insane. Oh wait I confused you with humans.”

 

“Nathan shut up.” Mai told me.

 

“Or what? He'll kill me? I'm ready!” I told her.

 

I managed to pull myself from the water just as the pissed off god made his way over to me. He grabbed a handful of my shirt and pulled me across the floor to the altar, lifting me and laying me on top of it.

 

“No don't!” Mai yelled.

 

“Let's see how much pain you can actually take Hunter.” Ares pulled a wicked looking gold dagger from his belt and held it to my throat. “Let's see what color you bleed.” I felt a small nick from the blade. “Damn red.”

 

“You expected green?” I couldn’t help asking.

 

“Maybe if I cut a little deeper.” The god mused.

 

“Ares!!” Acheron’s voice boomed in the temple.

 

“Stay away from me Atlantean! This is between me and the brat.” Ares told my boss.

 

“It's between you and Anteros. Let him up.” The big guy told the god holding me.

 

“Or what?” He asked. 

 

I could just picture Acheron's swirling eyes as he told him, “Or, I'll let Zeus know that Loki is bending time and bringing Daimons here.”

 

Mai appeared beside me but I flinched. “Don't touch me.”

 

“Let me help you.” She pleaded.

 

“Get the fuck away from me!” She backed off at my harsh order.

 

Ares turned his gaze back to me. “The Fates couldn't let you die. No, they had to conspire with my sister and make you one of her toy soldiers.”

 

“What did I do to piss you off?” I couldn’t help wondering.

 

“You were born.” He growled.

 

“Well that narrows it down.” I sarcastically added.

 

He shook his head. “Always the smart ass.”

 

Acheron told him, “He gets that from your side.”

 

“We'll take this up later.” Ares decreed then slammed his fist into my gut and disappeared. Did I mention how much I hate those guys?

 

Acheron sighed. “What were you thinking Mai? That Ares would welcome Nathan with open arms?”

 

“I thought it was time he knew the truth.” She sounded a bit defensive.

 

“Lucky for you Ares didn't kill him.” The big guy told her.

 

“Are you threatening me Acheron?” She asked.

 

“I don't make threats… As you well know.” He added.

 

I tried to move. Couldn't. Tried to talk. It was barely a whisper but the big guy heard me.  I asked him to send me back.

 

He looked concerned. “You need medical attention. I'll ask...”

 

“No. Just send me back.” I asked. “I'll get my own medical attention.”

 

“You're bleeding.” My boss told me.

 

“No shit?” I managed to croak out.

 

He shook his head. “No. You're bleeding a lot. It's not good to bleed on the altar.”

 

I put a hand to my throat and it came away really bloody. I didn't think the cut had been that deep. Acheron picked me up off the altar and the next thing I knew we were at the condo. Where Mai was I didn't know or care. I'd never trust her again.

 

D'Alerian sat down on the side of the bed. “Can't you stay out of trouble Hunter?”

 

“Not my fault this time.” I sighed.

 

“Sleep now. You need to heal.” He ordered me.

 

I didn't argue. He touched my face and I sank into a deep sleep.