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, my excellent beta. Love ya! Thanks Luna for the use of your character and helping me to get it right.

 

Better than Acupuncture (Nate’s Story Chapter 42)

 

It was after seven when Nathan pulled Jean Claude's Jag into the parking lot of the Circus. The lot was empty. Most of JC's businesses closed on Sunday as to not tweak the religious types.

 

Nathan sat there for a few minutes staring at the clowns. They gave him the creeps. He didn't notice the door to the building open until Buzz was already down the steps and beside the driver’s door. The vampire laughed out loud as the hunter nearly jumped out of his skin when he finally saw him standing there.

 

The two actually liked one another. Nathan trusted Buzz and thought he had a great sense of humor. Buzz trusted the hunter as well, although he thought that Nathan lacked common sense on occasion. Still, they always had excellent conversations.

 

The vampire asked the hunter. “Get your car back yet?”

 

He nodded. “Yep, I've come to turn in the rental.”

 

The young vampire looked confused. “Rental? The Master isn't charging you to use it.”

 

The hunter sighed. “Come on Buzz, you know he's going to want something in return.”

 

The vampire thought about this for a moment then slapped Nathan on the back laughing. “You're probably right. You staying the night? I don't see a bag.”

 

“Depends. Thanks for meeting me though.”

 

His friend grinned showing a bit of fang. “Not a problem, man. Asher is probably waiting. You want me to give Jean Claude the keys?”

 

“I'll do it. It's okay.”

 

Buzz nodded. The two men walked up the steps and into the building. The place was dark except for a bit of low lighting. Nathan's dark eyes adjusted quickly as it was one of the attributes of being a hunter. They walked down some steps and across the main floor to a door marked Employees Only. Buzz used a keycard to unlock it and they stepped through down more steps and started the walk through the maze of halls.

 

Nathan immediately felt Asher. It was always like a breath of cool air in his mind. They stopped in front of the manager’s door.

 

Buzz knocked before going inside. “Nathan's here boss. He brought your car back.”

 

Jean Claude looked up from a pile of paperwork. “Ah, please show him in. Have one of the staff return the car to the garage.”

 

“Yes sir.” He left, snagging the keys from Nathan as he did.

 

The hunter walked into the office and closed the door. Jean Claude didn't look up, so Nathan took a seat on one of the couches and waited. After a few moments, the Master set aside his work and looked at the hunter taking in his appearance. He was dressed casually in faded jeans, a grey tee and black hiking boots, completely the opposite of Jean Claude's tight black pants and white silk shirt.

 

The two men stared at one another for sometime before Nathan broke the silence. “I had the car washed and detailed.”

 

“That was not necessary. I have people to do that.”

 

“My call. I appreciated the use of it. If there is anything I can do for you sometime, let me know.” He stood to leave.

 

“Actually there is something.”

 

Nathan grinned. He had known there would be. “What would that be?” He turned as he said it.

 

“I have been a vampire for well over four hundred years, never allowed to see the light of day, to feel its warmth. Do you think your goddess will allow this? I know that our last meeting was not a friendly one but I would gladly place myself in her debt, if only to feel the sun on my face again.”

 

Nathan looked into the vampires dark blue eyes and saw a world of sadness there. He knew how it felt to lose the sun but he could not even fathom what four hundred years was like. He nodded. “I'm sure Mist wouldn't mind. I'll talk to her.”

 

“Bon, Merci.” The Master offered his hand and Nathan took it. “Now, Asher is anxious to see you and Ma Petite will be here soon.”

 

“Yeah, must not perturb Blake.” The Master frowned at his comment. “I'll let you know when Mist is ready.” With that Nathan left for Asher's suites and ran right into Marshall Blake, literally. He backed up against the door of Jean Claude's office waiting for her to draw down on him.

 

She glared at him. “What are you doing down here?”

 

“I brought the Master’s car back.”

 

She nodded curtly. “Good then I'll have someone escort you out of the building.”

 

“Asher needs to see me.”

 

She shook her head. “No he doesn't. He needs you out of his life. We all need you gone.”

 

Nathan started to argue but the door to the office opened and he fell through the door onto the floor.

 

Jean Claude stared down at Nathan and then up at Anita. “Ma Petite?”

 

Anita turned to him. “Since when do you allow him here without an escort?”

 

The vampire started to tell her. “He does not need an escort. He is a friend of...”

 

“Friend? Friend! Have you forgotten that we still don't know anything about him? What he's actually capable of? What he is?” She snapped at her lover.

 

The Master shook his head. “I do not believe him to be a threat, Ma Petite.”

 

Nathan stood slowly keeping his hands in plain sight. He looked at Jean Claude for dismissal. “Demande de permission, Seigneur?”

 

Jean Claude nodded. “Oui.” Nathan started for the door but Anita refused to move. “Please Ma Petite. Asher is waiting for his pomme.”

 

Growling she moved.

 

“Merci.” Nathan replied then exited the Master of the City's office once again.

 

The Executioner shook her head. “I can not believe that you of all people have let him twist you around his finger. Have you forgotten that he tried to kill Richard?”

 

The vampire sighed. “And he paid the price. Why can you not just let bygones be bygones?”

 

She hissed at him. “He is going to bring hell down on us Jean Claude. I can feel it.”

 

JC just looked at her. “You do not trust easily Ma Petite. It has taken you all these years to trust me.”

 

“I still don't in some things.”

 

The vampire sighed. “Nathaniel and your Nimir Raj trust Nathan.”

 

She stiffened. “Micah can trust whomever he chooses. Nathaniel on the other hand, I have forbidden to see

Mr. Elliott.”

 

“Nathaniel is an adult. How can you forbid him to see anyone,” he asked his servant.

 

“Because I am his Nimir Ra.”

 

“Oh Anita, I hope as Jason has put it, you have not stepped on your...”

 

Blake held up a hand. “Don't say it. Nathaniel is too trusting.”

 

He nodded. “And you are not. You want him to be more independent, but yet you want to choose his friends, his partners. You can not have it both ways but we can talk about this later. What brings you to my home?”

 

She frowned. “Can't I just come to visit? Do I have to have a motive?”

 

“Non, of course not.” He pulled her into his arms just as her pager beeped.

 

“Damn it!” She pulled the pager off her belt and checked the number. It was RPIT. “I need the phone.”

 

The Master sighed. “Can it not wait?”

 

“It's the police Jean Claude.” She pulled out of his arms and used the phone on his desk.

 

“Of course,” he sighed, draping himself over one of the couches to wait.

 

“Blake.” She listened to the voice on the other end of the line. “Are you sure it was a shifter? Alright Zebrowski, I'm on my way.” She hung up and turned to face the vampire. “I have to go.”

 

“But of course.”

 

She sighed. “I may not be back before you... before morning.”

 

The Master of the City shrugged. “I am used to it.”

 

She didn't answer him. What could she say? She left to do her job. A few moments later Jean Claude left his office to venture to Asher's suites. He met Luna on the way.

 

He smiled at the cat. “Ah, Mon Chat. It seems we are going to the same place.”

 

The young leopard nodded. “So it would seem. I thought you would be with Anita.”

 

He shrugged. “She was called away. Do you think Asher and Nathan would mind my presence?”

 

The cat grinned. “I doubt Asher would mind at all. The Hunter on the other hand probably doesn't know where he is at the moment.”

 

Luna was partially right. When Asher opened the door to allow them entry to his rooms, Nathan was lying on his back on Asher's bed staring at the ceiling. His eyes were dark and glassy. Jean Claude ran his tongue over his lips. The smell of blood was intoxicating. Nathan suddenly stood and walked slowly over to the master. Asher's power was making him heady, tearing down his inhibitions.

 

“Would you like a taste?” The hunter looked down at the vampire with eyes so dark and endless the Master felt he might fall into his gaze. “I'm sure Asher wouldn't mind.” He ran a finger down Jean Claude’s cheek.

 

Jean Claude grabbed the hunter's hand. He looked at his second, the man he had known for centuries. Asher gave a curt nod.

 

The Master turned his deep blue eyes back on the hunter. “You would offer me blood so willingly?”

 

Luna asked. “Asher, are you sure this is a good idea?”

 

The blonde haired vampire pulled her into his arms. “He is willing and I am also willing to share with my master.”

 

Jean Claude turned to his second. “I am not your master Asher. I am your friend. Your...”

 

“Lover,” the blonde asked then shook his head. “Not for some time but please, my pomme has offered you a gift and an excellent gift it is.” His lips played down Luna's neck. She shivered from the feel of it.

 

Jean Claude gripped Nathan by the shoulders and pushed the taller man back towards the bed, spilling onto it. He pushed Nathan's head to the side revealing the large vein on the neck just under the skin and as if asking permission, Jean Claude looked once again at Asher before turning his attention on Nathan and striking. When the master had had his fill, he pulled back, his lips smeared red. He was savoring the taste. It was certainly different. He turned to say something to Asher just as Nathan grabbed hold of him and pulled him down.

 

The hunter grinned. “Se Retourne pour etre juste. Non?”* He sank fangs into the master's neck drawing a sharp gasp from the vampire and the other two in the room.

 

There were suddenly hands on both men trying to part them. Nathan retracted his fangs and lay back in Luna's arms. Jean Claude pressed a hand to his neck. This was certainly more than he had bargained for. He was about to lash out at the young hunter when a wave of euphoric electricity hit him. He turned to Asher and nearly stumbled.

 

His second asked, “You are alright Mon ami?”

 

JC nodded. “It carries quite a... punch does it not?”

 

Asher smiled. “Oui. But given he is the son of the god of passion. It would.”

 

Luna and Jean Claude both stared at him. Nathan wasn't mentally sharp enough at the moment to pick up on the conversation.

 

Jean Claude was the first to ask. “Would you care to explain that?”

 

“A conversation I had with Nathaniel and his Nimir Raj. They have met him. He was with Mist at Nathan's. His name is Anteros. It is a long story.” The blonde explained.

 

“Why hasn't Nathan mentioned this,” the cat asked as she smacked the hunter's hand away from her neck.

 

Asher sighed. “Because Acheron erased it from his memory. He is not to know for some obscure reason.”

 

“And you believe this,” His master questioned.

 

The other vampire nodded. “Oui. Neither of the shifters would have reason to lie.”

 

Jean Claude mused. “This is very interesting indeed. This could be the reason you are so smitten with him.”

 

Asher shook his head. “My attraction to Nathan started long before I bit him.”

 

Jean Claude went still. His second noticed and asked, “What is it?”

 

The dark haired vampire sighed. “My shields must have dropped while I was feeding. Anita and Richard are not happy.”

 

“Great.” Luna muttered.

 

Nathan apparently had come around enough to hear the last as he added, “Rule number one: Must Not Perturb Blake. Rule number two: See rule number one.” He fell into a fit of laughter.

 

The cat scolded him. “Hush.”

 

He looked up at her, then pulled her down for a quick kiss then told her. “You're too cute.”

 

Luna frowned. “Thanks. Now be serious. They do not like you.”

 

“Oh that I'm aware of Princess.” The hunter told her then sat up on the edge of the bed. “I think I'll fill up that big tub.” He walked a bit unsteady to the bathroom door, opened it and went through.

 

The lovely cat turned to the Master. “You're going to catch hell.”

 

He shrugged. “We shall see.”

 

She sighed and kissed his cheek. “I'd better go make sure he doesn't drown himself.” She walked off toward the bathroom.

 

Asher sighed. “She is right you know. Anita and Richard do not like Nathan.”

 

The dark haired vampire smiled apologetically at his friend. “It is fear Mon Ami.”  

 

Asher nodded.

 

From the bathroom they heard Nathan calling. “Come on Princess. Join me.”

 

“No thank you.” Her voice rang out from the other room.

 

“Come on, you know you want to,” the hunter pleaded.

 

“I do not. I don't do casual bathing.” She scoffed.

 

“Aw come on. I'll behave.”

 

The cat sighed. “How many times have I heard that?” Jean Claude chuckled. Luna poked her head out the door. “I heard that Papa!”

 

It was Asher's turn to smile.

 

“Go Mon Ami. Enjoy your friends.” The Master laid a gentle kiss on Asher's cheeks. “I will finish the books and wait for the fallout.”

 

The blonde haired vampire looked from the open door back to his friend. “Call to me and I will be at your side.”

 

“Merci.”

 

They heard a loud splash. Both vampires rushed to the bathroom to find Luna fully clothed in the tub.

 

Nathan looked up at the two with a huge grin. “She took too long to decide.”

 

Both men stifled a laugh.

 

Luna knowing that Nathan in this condition wouldn't listen to reason stood sighing. “Would you at least take these, so that I can clean them later?” She asked the vampires handing off the Browning and the knives she kept on both forearms. She grabbed the edge of her tee shirt lifting it over her head so she could remove the long blade down her back.

 

Nathan sighed. “Mmmm nice...weapon there Princess, all curvy and such.”

 

The Master quirked a brow. “I will make sure that your weapons are cleaned and returned to you. Enjoy your evening.”

 

Asher smiled. “Bon Soir Jean Claude.”

 

Asher was trying to help Luna get the rest of her soaked clothing off when she slipped. She grabbed hold of him, bringing him with her into the tub.

 

He sat on his knees between Luna and Nathan with a devilish grin on his face. “If you wanted me to join you, all you had to do was ask.”

 

Luna slapped water into the vampire's face. “You goof. If I had done it deliberately, I would have found a much easier way to get you in here.” She added rubbing her sore backside.

 

The hunter grinned. “I can do that for you.”

 

“Rub this.” She shot him the bird, batting her eyes at him.

 

“Bite me,” the young man replied.

 

She shook her head. “Haven't you given up enough blood tonight?”

 

Nathan reached out and grabbed her hand. It pulled her off balance causing her to grab Asher again to steady herself. There was an arc in power that ran through the three of them. Nathan gasped. He hadn't ever felt that kind of power, not even from Acheron. It left his skin tingling and his head buzzing. There was something different that he saw in the eyes of his companions and it made him shiver. Nathan's breathing became slightly irregular as Asher moved effortlessly through the water toward him.

 

Asher's soaked clothing clung to his body, his eyes blue ice. “Tu sont le mien.”**

 

Nathan put out a hand to stop the vampire’s approach but as soon as he came in contact with Asher's body, everything slowed. The vampire's mouth found Nathan's and the sensation was too much. Nathan reached out to Luna, but that only heightened the feeling. Luna moved closer. Her eyes had bled into her beast. Asher's mouth had left Nathan's. Now the he was playing at the hunter's neck. Luna lowered her mouth to the large vein that was threatening to leap out of the man's skin. When her lips closed over the pulse point, another arc of energy hit them. It was all any of them could do to stay upright in the water. The air was pure static.

 

Luna breathlessly suggested that they retire to the bedroom. Asher agreed that the new found link should be explored. Nathan blinked and stood, swaying a bit. They each took one of his hands. He stepped out of the tub onto the marble floor, and allowed them to guide him into the bedroom. Nathan lay down on the bed and watched lazily as Luna helped Asher out of his wet clothing. They turned to him then the heat in their eyes enough to scorch him where he lay. In tandem they crawled up on the bed, their movements like a mirror image of each other as they touched him. His last coherent thought was that he would remember this night for a long time to come.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translations

 

*“Turn about is fair play.”

 

**”You are mine.”