Disclaimer: they’re mine muahahaha, no there lkh lucky girl.

Deaths sacrifice

BY: Midnight Rose

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It was one in the morning, and I was tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. I had done five zombie raisings and had had to cut myself five times. I know, using a chicken is much easier. But after last month, and the shit I went through, I could use some good karma.

Belle Morte's bitch was gone; Musette. Richard was out of the warning zone, no longer suicidal. And I, Jean-Claude and Asher were a Semi-happy three some. Semi because I was still freaked out by it. I had now way to many monsters in my bed, why couldn't they just stay under it? Wonder what Edward would think.

Edward? I don't know why I want to know what he would say, but I do. For some reason it hurt me that he didn't like my boyfriend, eh friends. Not that his choosing was any better.  He was my soul-mate, even if he was marrying the new age mother of the year, with kids. Kids? Yeah that's what I thought. Can you see Death baby sitting, playing with dolls. My head hurts thinking about it.
I was going to be a man of honor in the wedding. Yes, a man of honor. I was Edwards's best man, even if I was a girl. He said something about Donna having one too many maids of honor and that this way I got to wear pants and a shirt. Easier to conceal weapons.

As I pulled into my drive way, I kept looking for a reason to be scared. I felt like someone was watching, probably paranoia. But knowing my luck I was right. I just had to be so fucking perfect. As I got out of the car my Browning materialized in my hand. Extra fast senses and abnormal speed was a small prize for being bound to a master vampire and an alpha werewolf. Plus I can heal my wounds almost as fast as a shape shifter. It was a great ability, being the Executioner and all, but sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I was a normal girl. Then I think of Edward and how we both said we love are work, and I come up with Boring as the answer. No matter how hard I want it not to be true, he was right, I loved the hunt.

I saw a shadow move towards the right, but I didn't raise my gun. No point in letting the bad guys know that I was ready for them. Instead I just walked to the door of my house without doing a thing but hide my gun.
The pard was out with Mitch tonight, they wanted to do something fun together. Their idea of fun was not mine at all. Mitch assured me that I didn't need to tell Bert that I needed a day off, which the pard was only going to go and hunt. I agreed mostly because they didn't know that I was going to Santa Fe, to be in Edwards wedding. The fewer monsters that know the less will want to come. Jean-Claude knew, and arranged for me to go in unharmed, without anyone else, excerpt Damien, my vampire servant, and Nathan my pomme de sang, and Damien's meal.

He still thinks I need a pomme de sang, incase I needed to feed. I had mastered feeding from a distance, and when that happened, the ardeur disappeared. Not that I'm not happy, just suspicious.

"Anita" the wind whispered. I raised my gun and pointed in the direction of the noise. The voice didn't tighten things in my body, there for it wasn't a vampire in my life, and Damien would still be at work. All of the leopards were out, and tonight was a gathering at the luper for the wolves. That left humans and the rats. I didn't think it was the rats, which meant that I was in deep shit.
"Who the fuck are you!" was my only reply.

"I'm here for you, come" the shadows asked. I saw a glint of metal, and I shot. Hit him dead in the chest. He was dead, no worries. He was gone.
"Sorry, don't want any, come back…never" I laughed at my own joke. It was funny. I was so tired, and now I had to call Dolph because I killed someone, again. Yep, never boring here, always something to kill. No wonder Edward liked being around me so much. Why was Edward on my mind again? I think that the weddings getting to me.

The body was gone, and I was in the clear. It was a text book example for self defense, especially with the Uzi he was carrying. It had a mushroom clip and all. That's a lot of hardware.

I asked Ronnie to run his prints and dental records for me. Nothing. It was like he never existed. He just wasnt born, never went anywhere. It sounded like what she came up with after searching for Edward. Nothing. Something about it didn't strike me as a coincidence.

Simon asked if Van Cleaf would like me. Edward said yes, but I wouldn't like him.

Could it be him? Did Van Cleaf want me? Did he want me to turn out like Edward? Shit. As if Death wasn't a nickname enough for him his other was the undertaker. The highest body count for anyone Van Cleaf ever trained. For some reason I don't think the student surpassed the teacher in that lesson.
One way to find out. I called Donnas house praying that "Ted" was over. If he wasn't, I would find him. I was getting good at tracking him down. He taught me how to trace files on the internet last month when he was in town. I had been trying to fallow him ever since.

"Hi, may I ask whose calling" came a man's voice. It didn't sound homey or loving. It sounded empty. It wasn't Edward though, it was Peter.

"Hi Peter, I need to speak to Ted please" I said. My voice sounded tired and just grumpy. Oh well.

"Anita!" he sounded happy. "I'll get Ted for you." And he ran off. It took him only a few minutes to get Ed, Ted.

"Anita, what is it now" he sounded amused, and he had an extra think country accent.  I hated his accent, why couldn't he just keep his plain Edward voice. Something about that voice was reassuring.

"Some guy came said that he was here to get me, would you know why?" I asked. I sounded completely empty. I was tried and pissed, not a good sign.

"Shit." Was all he said. He knows something.

It's had to have been five minutes before I broke the silence "Edward?" I asked

"Yes" he replied

"You know who they is" I asked.

"Is he still alive" he asked. I was quite, "I'll take that as a no. you know who it is

don't you"

I nodded, forgetting that he couldn't see me. "Yes, it's Van. I don't want to say the rest." Words have power, I didn't want to repeat his name. Saying it would make him real, I didn't want that.

"Yes" he paused "I'm coming up there, hang tight, I'll tell you every thing when I arrive" and the phone went dead. Great.

I took a shower and was off to bed. I put the browning in its second home, and the Fire star under my pillow. Grabbed a penguin and waited for sleep to come. I was half awake when I heard the door open and Nathan come in. I whispered "come to bed, please" and felt it move before he spooned me. I love the fact that he could here me. Even though it was somewhat annoying. It made talking when your sleepy easer.

I woke up to the smell of coffee. That alone was enough to get me out of bed at ten in the morning. Yes maybe it wasn't the morning, but it was still early for me.  I had to go to the bridal shop at one, and I needed to find out when Edward was coming. Damn him. He always gets me into trouble. In Santa Fe I died because of having to repay his favor.

I poured my self a cup of coffee, lots of milk and sugar. Perfect. I was using my favorite mug, the ones with penguins. I looked around and realized that someone started coffee, but no one was there.

"Nathan!" I called. I wonder where my pomme de sang was? Yes I didn't not need him anymore, but he still needed me. I can feed with the ardeur but I didn't need to. It was like a power now that I could call upon. Like my magic.
Nathan was a mess, he needed a dominant, and I wasn't happy about it, but I would oblige. I could feed the ardeur and be more energetic then ever. I didn't do it regularly, I never needed to. But I keep Nathan near me, just in case. The last thing I needed was jumping a stranger, if there was no real lust near by.
"Yes?" I heard a voice from my bed room. Was he still there.

I walked to my bed room to see him Zane and Cherry spread out on the bed. Puppy pile style. I sighed and turned around going back into the kitchen for more coffee. Large arms encircled me and I turned around to see a pair of green eyes. Mitch. Great. Ever since I got the ardeur under control, we didn't really have sex often. Yes I know I was using him, but he was using me too. He liked my power, to keep them safe.

I turned around and kissed him on his cheek, and continued for the coffee.
It was 1.00 when I finally went to the air port to ask when "Ted" was arriving. His flight had been delayed three times, and I was getting pissed. Edward was the ultimate mystery man. He had blocks every where when I asked for the time he was coming, what he didn't know was that one of the pack members worked at the airport and got the info for me. Being lupa, and bolvok had its advantages.

His plane would be landing in five minutes, and counting. I dressed in all black, standard attire. And I waited.

I heard people coming off the plane, and decided to just sit down and wait. It didn't take him long to find me, in fact I think he knew that I would be waiting. He came from the direction of the food court, away from the gates.
"Anita, your getting good" Edwards voice came through the crowd. Damn him. He was here when I arrived, I should have known. Stupid, no careless.
"Not good enough" I commented.

"No, your not" his voice was stone cold. Edward was like that. He was a cold, killer. But so was I if the circumstances were right. I could pull the trigger first, ask questions latter. And I didn't mind. It was a scary thought, but so were the fact that I was friends with Death.

"Let's go, any more bags" I asked.

He smiled, his I'm-a-secret-loving-bastard smile, and nodded. Stupid me of course there was, I didn't have that many toys, see weapons

We loaded his two bags into the jeep, and were on our way. We didn't talk, and I didn't expect us to. I didn't care that much, but hey I wasn't a talker. I never was. I didn't mind silence, never had.

When we got home, I showed him to the quest room, the one the pard wasn't using. It was once the work out room, then that moved to the basement, along with the coffins, when the cats moved in, so now it was a spear room.
I made coffee because if I was going to have to talk about professional bad guys, I wanted coffee. Edward would make himself at home, always did. I didn't need to say it.

Nathan came in and looked at me for a long time "deaths in the spear room, do you know that" he asked,

I nodded, "yes, well umm, someone's after me, again."

"Let me guess, its Edwards fault"

"Yea, kind of." I said.

Nathan sighed and left, I was guessing to go to Guilty Pleasures. The sun would be setting in little wile, and Jean-Claude was awake.  I felt the pull of the marks earlier today. Just thinking about him opened my side of the marks a little, and I felt his joy of being with me and Asher, damn. I shot off my side quickly and silently, hoping that he wouldn't notice. Of course he did, and I knew even before it did that he was calling.

"Yes" I sounded empty, I wonder why?

"You sound mad Ma petite."

"Jean-Claude, I need time away from you two, I'm not leaving, it just well"

"Ok I think I understand, I will inform Asher. We love you" he said it in English, he wasn't happy.

"I love you two too. Forever." And I meant it.

"Bye"

"Bye" and I hung up. Well that was to the point. I didn't want to be in the little vampire three-some any more. I was not happy. And I didn't want to endanger them, God I loved them. Someone help me. I loved the monsters. Shit.

"Did you just dump fang-face?" Edward asked.
I looked at him teary eyed and I didn't know. Did I just let loose the love of my life? I hoped not, but a small part of me said yes, yes I did.

"I don't know" my voice was squeezed, I was not going to cry, I was not going to cry. Shit was going to cry. Edward didn't do comforting. Never did. The bad thing was I big ass vampire hunter, needed to be confronted. Damn it.

"Edward" tears were running down my face, and I couldn't help it. I loved Jean-Claude, Asher I loved too, but Jean-Claude was different, and he was always there for me. He was kind and, and. I don't know he was so kind, sweet, and gentle. And he was gone.

I stalked into my bedroom and sat on my bed crying. I was so sad, so, well just so not in the mood for all this shit.

Edward came in after a few minutes, and sat down next to me. I looked into his blue eyes and saw sadness, he was sad. I rested my head on his shoulder and he hugged me. My tears slowly stopped, and when I looked up, Edward was smiling. I smiled back, I knew that he wasn't being mean, he smiled to get me to. How did I know this, I just did.

Edward reached being him and pulled out a stuffed penguin that held a little toy gun. I laughed, it was hilarious, and I couldn't stop. He then pulled out a flame thrower, and my eyes went wide. I smiled like the cat that at the canary.
I hugged the penguin to me still smiling, and I hugged him. Only Edward could make me smile when I was so sad and unhappy. Only him.

He stilled for a second then returned my embrace. We were friends, good friends even. I may be the only friend that he has that knew the real him and didn't run screaming. Yeah I wanted to run a couple of times, but I never did.

"Anita, we need to talk" he said nudging me.

"Thank you, I, I, thank you. Yea, I guess we should go to the kitchen." I smiled and got up. I left the flame thrower on my bed, but I kept the penguin close to my chest. I looked in the back of the cabinet and got out the mug I bought him for a present. He had given me so many guns I lost count. When I saw the cup it screamed Edward. It said "SIZE ISN'T THE PROBLEM, ITS YOUR GUN" in red letters with black background. Yep, it was an Edward mug. I poured him black coffee, and my self my liquid energy pill. Sugar and milk, perfect.

I put it down in front of him, and waited, he smiled and looked up at me. "Happy, I don't know, happy we're not dead yet" I said. His smile turned into a laugh.

Not every one could get Death to laugh. But I somehow could.

"Ok listen I only want to say all of this once"

"Ok" I said.

"I was around 20 and ready for action. I had a law degree already, and I wanted to get into the action. I wanted to be someone. I joined the C.I.A and within that year became on of the best agents. I was the best that they had. But I was ruthless, I was too good to kill, or let go, so they sent me to look into a training program. The only problem was that I had a family, a little sister. The training program would take me in if I had ties. They tried to kill her. I quit the C.I.A after that. They couldn't protect her from them. They almost got to her. A week later she died of a heart attack because of the stress. I was now no ones problem, I had no loss ends, and no one would miss me. I joined Van Cleaf's program, and excelled they called me the Undertaker, I had the most kills in the place. I left when I was twenty five, five years ago. I was a field agent. I was to look for recruits for the training program. You were my first assignment. When I met you, you weren't up to it, I told them as much. I kept an eye on you, seeing if you ever would be. They didn't know that I did. But in Santa Fe, Simon saw you, and I'm guessing told them before he died. At that point I was fully out of the systems. I was only marked as someone they trained, nothing more. I didn't owe them anything after I found them twenty recruits. But now they want you. You would be the perfect weapon for them, but I won't let you be taken by them." He sighed "I don't think you would not survive, they are into murder, they will kill you if you don't comply with their wishes. I don't think that they would be so insistent. I didn't know that they would find you. You're the only thing I will not sacrifice."

"What about Donna?" I asked.

"She has cold feet, she wants to wait. She saw me shoot a guy that was on a hit for Ted, I don't think that she wants me anymore" he said it with a smile. At least it wasn't his fault. No wonder Peter was so happy.

"I would say I'm sorry, but I don't think you care"

He shrugged. The weird part was I was happy. He was getting out of the wedding.

Wow, Death was telling me about his past. It was like Christmas, and I got the present that I had wanted for years. Yippee.

"Edward, I'm guessing they know I live here, where are we going" I asked.

"To San Diego, the master of the city owes me a favor, you and your vampire servant and Nathan can come, that's all you need right?" he asked

I nodded, I was going to ask how he knew that, but I decided agents it. We were on our way to San Diego, great.

 

***********Deaths sacrifice.  part 2 of??

NOTE. I CAN'T SPELL. DEAL WITH IT. I UNDERSTAND IT IS ANOYING BELIEVE ME. BUT I AM DISLEXIC, AND JUST CANT. IT'S NOT MY FALT, SORRY.
YOU NO THE DRILL THERE NOT MINE SADLY THERE LKH, LUCKY GAL.

Edward showed an I.D for Lisa Stiles, and Ed Stiles. I guess he didn't trust to say a fake name for him. Smart man. We were a couple on a honey moon. It sounded weird, I know. It wasn't just the fact that this was Edward; it was the fact that it was me and Edward. That was wrong, but in a way all too right. What was I coming too?

I held on to Edwards arm for dear life on the flight. I hated flying. I just didn't like the idea that only a small piece of metal was separating me from the ground. Edward could probably fly this plane, and that was again a scary thought. Edward got through the metal detector with all his "toys" and checked his bags. It still frightened me; I could only hope that the terrorist weren't as good as Edward.

Me? I asked Joe, the member of the pack that worked at the air port, to let my through security. He didn't like it, but he did after I told him someone was after me, again. He decided that even Richard would agree. Looks like Richard was going to find out soon, along with Jean-Claude. Damn.

Damian was in the cargo area with Nathan. Nathan was there for when Damien woke up. He would need to feed. Edward paid extra for that.

We got off the plane, and the heat hit me. It was hot, not just hot, it was scorching. How could it be dark and that hot, I didn't know. I was suddenly regretting wearing all black, oh well. Damien woke up around an hour ago, and they were going to get the stuff wile we get the car. Edward said that I could pick what kind of car, I said a hummer. He looked at me like I was crazy, maybe I was. I just wanted a car that fit the atmosphere. That and something about that car screamed Edward, it was durable and dependable. Just like Death.

I had been in one to many airports; they all started to look alike. This one was no different. We made are way to the counter, and Edward just leaked good boy charm. It was sick and disturbing. They didn't have a hummer, but after a long talk with the nice lady, they suddenly did. It was sick. Sick and twisted.

"Edward" I asked. He looked at me for a long wile, I didn't know why, but I just thought that this was hilarious. It was. We were going into hiding, why? Because some guy was out to get us. Or me. Fun.

"Yes" he said, I never got to ask my question because Damien and Nathan showed up, and it was time to go. We drove in silence, big surprise.

When we arrived at the hotel Edward had booked the honeymoon suit for Lisa and Ed. I thought it was a very weird cover, but I didn't mind. Damien had a room underground, and Nathan had a room next to ours. Ours? That was bugging me. I and Edward were sharing a room. Just great.
I took a shower, and dressed in all black, again. It seamed that wearing red when you have a trained killers after you isn't a good idea. Its basically screaming I'm here shoot me. Not a good idea at all.

***

The night was hot, even for California. I was outside on the hotel porch, sitting across form one of the most feared men I knew. Why wasn't I scared? He just didn't ever affect me like that. Yes it wasn't a good thing; in fact some would say my instincts suck.  But that wasn't it. I just knew that he wouldn't hurt me, at least tonight. There are a few rules in the line of work I am in. One; never look a vampire in the eyes, and never let your shields down around them. Two; never arm wrestle a vampire or a were-creator. Three; shoot vampires and weres with silver bullets or use a silver knife. Four; never, never get close to a trained assassin. It was a death wish. I have broken probably all of those rules except for one; I always have pretty pure silver weapons.
Death was sitting across from me, completely closed down. That was normal for him though, he didn't show emotions. He never had around me. Sometimes they would slip through, but not usually. I was ok with it, it was actually, comforting.

He looked up at me, and his blue eyes were as empty as the winter sky, they were just eyes, but underneath that was tiredness. I don't think that he had been having a good per-marginal life. Yep not at all. He looked like he had one too many long nights, and not of anything fun.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"Yes" he said. He didn't sound ok.

"No, your not"

"Fine I'm not. Happy" he seamed mad, but not. It was like there was an Edward that wasn't a cold blooded killer. Like he was a softer him. And it scared the shit out of me. Where was the murder I knew, and who the fuck was this.

"Edward, what's wrong. Answer in truth that and I'll answer one question truthfully." I said. It sounded like a good deal.

"I don't want to sacrifice you" was his answer. Well that's what I get from him. He was a cryptic bastered.

"Ask a no particular question, get a cryptic answer." He smiled at that. At least it wasn't all lost.

"Did you break up with the vampires for good?" he asked.

I started to say no, then I thought about it and nodded. I did promise him the truth, "I think I did, I don't like it, but yeah." I said staring at the moon. I could feel Jean-Claude tugging on the marks, trying to find out what I was doing. I shut my side tight as I could with one thought left for him I love you, I am in love with you, I just cant stand to  be near you. I felt his confusion, but didn't care. He was put of my head before he could snoop anymore.

"Good, you need to stay away from monsters" he said.

"Edward, I am a monster. I feed on people, I have a vampire servant" I was a monster, Edward would hate me, maybe kill me. But I was one of the others. I might still be human, but even that was debatable. Edward was my only friend that I could admit it too. The pard wouldn't understand, and same with the rest of the were community. That pretty much was all my friends.

"Anita, no your not" he said. I looked at him like he said he could stop the sun from shinning. "You. Are. Human." he said it in a stern voice, like he would tell a child what to do.

"but-" I started.

"No, don't. You are human. Period." I smiled, and it was gentle, real, and loving. I smiled like he said that he loved me. I knew that he did, in his own way. But then again, I loved him too. It was a weird kind of love, but it was love either way. We would probably be together when one of us died. We would maybe even be the cause of that death, in one way or another, but still. It was love. No matter how much we didn't like that we were friends, and even in a small way, we loved each other.

"There now that were both out of a gloomy period, can we hit the bed." I asked.

We walked into the room, and Edward cleared his throat, loudly. I looked around and it hit me.

We had only one bed. Shit.

We couldn't just ask for another bed, we were supposed to be on a honey moon. Damn it. I looked at him and he shrugged going into the bath room. I heard the shower start, and I sat on the bed and changed into a long t-shirt, and a pair of panties. It was all I had for sleeping. Damn it.

Edward came out looking well, tasty. No the hunger wasn't back; it was pure desire on my part. Maybe with all me lovers gone, I wanted Edward that way because he was there. But then again, he never dressed like that. He was wearing black boxers, and his chest was wet with water from the shower. His muscles were toned, and completely sexy. His hair was wet and looked paler blonde. His eyes were all for me, though.

I was in a black t-shirt that said "if you dare try, you are going to end up dead." In red lettering. Under that was black under garments. The shirt I got was because of Jason. Yes I had sex with him, yes I used him. But I didn't want to. He wanted me, and I didn't understand. He wanted real love, I couldn't give him that. He understood.

The shirt was a little snug, but it was comfy.

"Edward?" I made his name a question.

He looked startled, like I just interrupted a really good dream. Oh no. I knew that look. It was that look that said that what you were thinking you couldn't say in mixed company. That what you envisioned was what only a lover could here. Not good.

"Yes" he answered.

"Ill take the couch" I said. I grabbed a pillow and one of the blankets from the bed. I settled down on the couch, and looked up. He looked so startled. Closed my eyes, and mentally cursed myself, I left my gun in my case. Shit. "Goodnight Edward. Don't let the monsters get you" I said.

"You to Anita. Night"

I heard him slipping into bed. I waited around ten mites until I was sure that he was asleep. I quietly got up and grabbed my browning from the suitcase, and I grabbed the penguin he got me. I loved smugward, but this one was special. Something about the fact that he gave it to me. I was glad I didn't go to bed with it, he might have said something. Well, at least now I would be expecting it in the morning.

I was in San Diego, and for once I didn't have to deal with the fucking vampire politics. Perfect. Sometimes Edward's job was annoying, today it was perfect. He got me a vacation. How much I needed one the world will never no. I started to drift into sleep and a thought escaped me. Bert. Shit. Shit. Shit. this was not good. Damn it. Wait, wait. I think that today was my day off. Yes, yes it was. Ok tomorrow I call in and quit, for real. I didn't know how long I was in for, so might as well. And the spook squad knew that after that I was going into hiding, so they wouldn't call me in. I just hope that we didn't get any real big, real bad monsters for the next week. Yeah, right.
I snuggled down with the penguin tight to my chest, and the browning safely under my pillow. Life was good, well, so far at least.

***
I woke up hearing a man laughing, great. I grabbed the browning and pointed at the phantom. It was pure instinct, no thinking what so ever. It took me a minute to realize where I was, and longer to realize that it was Edward I was aiming at. He was still laughing, even after I almost shot him.

"Anita" he said. He said it like you would say, good morning.

"Edward, what's so funny?" I asked. I looked down and realized that I still was holding the penguin to me. Great. That's what I get.

"Didn't you bring another one" he asked. His eyes were full of humor.

"Yes" I simply replied, giving him a wide smile.

His smile widened in return, "you wanted that one? You like it, that much?" he asked.

I snuggled into it a little more and nodded. If he was anyone else, I would have denied it, but not with him. Hey, you can't lie to your soul mate, its agents the rules.

Minutes must have passed, and we were just staring at each other. Not that I was complaining. Edward hadn't changed, and the view was, well great. I didn't lie when I said that I never had a romantic thought about him, but with the all of my lovers gone, and with standing there more then half naked, it had possibilities.

Ring.

Damn it.

The sound broke the silence, and I only had a few guesses as to who it could be.
"Yes" Edward said. "No, you can not" "I don't care how long you have known him" "did you here me" "no not him. I will do something for you" "no" "that's not a good deal"   "SHIT! NO!" he screamed the last one. "Fine" and he hung up.

"Edward?" I asked. I hated being on one side of a conversation. It was so annoying.

"Yes" he was playing dumb.

"You know what I'm gona ask you" I said

"Fine" he sighed. "Jean-Claude asked if you were here. The master of the city didn't tell him yes or no. they’re good friends. They go hundreds of years in the past.  He just hung up on Jean, and said he would find out. Our deal was that you could come in without the politics, with two of your people, and be unharmed. It said nothing about tell Jean. I didn't think to mention it." He sighed and sat down

"Gasp, Death made a mistake" I taunted.

"Yes, I did." He said. I didn't expect that. "We have to meet Casio tonight. You don't have to play human servant, just go and have dinner with him. I will be there to, along with your people. For that he won't tell Jean-Claude you're here."

"You said no twice, you yelled the last one, why?" I asked. Hey I catch on quick.

"Van, asked if you were here. He sent a message to all the masters in the U.S. they all will answer him, but the ones that are" he gave a harsh laugh. "Loyal to me, or you." He looked up at me, and there was a weight to his gaze. Not unfriendly, but pretty damn close " That means around ten masters will say no. and nine will say that they don't know, or don't care. Van is known as the grim reaper, there is a reason for that. They fear him as much as me. It is not good."
Great, fucking great. Just what I needed. What was Edward doing playing with the monsters I don't know. It wasn't good. Edward the optimum hit man, was making a deal with the monsters. The day wasn't looking up.

"What were you doing playing with monsters?" I asked.

He looked up at me and I could tell the question startled him. Great. He sighed and gave me a smile. That smile meant he wasn't going to tell me. I knew that, and so did he.

"Fine" I said. I got up and went to take a shower. The shower was one of those ones with too many different pressures.

After last night I made sure that I brought my clothes and my weapons with me into the bathroom. I didn't want to have to wake and get them in only my towel. It would make my feelings even weirder

  When I got out I wore a black tank top with a black long sleeve blouse. It was way to hot to conceal using a jacket. I had black jeans and my ever faithful Nikes. I had the spine knife along with the Browning, Fire star and my wrist knifes. And of course my silver cross. I put hair goop in my hair and I went back into the main room of the hotel.

As I walked in Edward raised his gaze to me, and he smiled. He pointed to the table, he had ordered breakfast, and was sitting by the window, completely silent reading the paper. He was dress in all black, big surprise. His hair was just a little out of place, but no ones perfect. He probably had his normal weapons. Beretta, Glock, a few knifes. And maybe some other toys.
I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down on the chair opposite of him. I drank it in silence, staring out at the oceans waves. When we got to the hotel I was too scared to even look around. But now in the light of day, it was beautiful. The waves were a blue, but not only, there was white where they broke, and there was greens. It was amazing, and lovely.

"Edward?" I asked.

"Yes" he said.

I swallowed hard, not wanting to ask. "I want to know, when you said that you kept a watch on me, when I was training, why?" 

You know how they say curiosity killed the cat? Well I now know why, it asked Edward a question that he didn't want to answer.

He looked at me for a long time. I had to fight the erg to wiggle form his gaze. Instead I leaned forward and took a long look at Death. If he wanted to play, we could play.  I closed my eyes and when I opened them I knew they were just like his, no one was home. Oh well, come back latter.
We sat there staring at each other. I could tell that he was analyzing me. It wasn't every day someone faced Death and didn't squirm. I felt pretty good myself. I was in a staring contest with a hit man, and I wasn't losing. Yes, I know I wasn't winning, but I hadn't lost yet.  I leaned in closer, and just stared. This was getting ridicules. How do you tell a professional assassin to nock it off without getting shot or killed. I'd be damned if I knew.

I didn't dare move, I didn't dare look away from his eyes. If I did I wouldn't just lose a stupid contest but maybe my life. " Death the penguin" I said.

Edward looked at me as if I grew a second head "what?" he asked.

"Death  the penguin" I said. 

"What?" he asked again. Was he that stupid? Didn't he get it. Ah, he will soon enough.

"The penguin you gave me is gona be called Death." I said mater of factly. Hey, he gave it to me, and I needed to name it. Death sounded appropriate. It held a gun for god sake, it was a perfect name.

He looked at me as if I said that I could fly, in fact I think that he would have been lees surprised if I did.

Edward didn't get surprised, he didn't laugh, he was a human, but didn't act like one. But some how, some way, I could make him laugh, surprise him. I don't know how, but I did. And I cherished that, that small smile I could get, that small laugh that I could acquire. I treasured that above a lot of things in my life. Above my powers, above my money, above my skill. Edward had saved my life so many times, and I his. I trust him with my life, but more importantly my death. I knew he felt the same.

As I sat there looking at a stone cold killer trying not to laugh, I felt something that I hadn't felt in a long time. I felt untainted desire. Desire, not from vampire powers, or the hunger. Desire from a man, looking amazing. More pure then lust, I would almost say love, almost.

"Anita. Are you ok?" he asked. I realized that I was lost in thought. That happened a lot when I was with Jean-Claude, but not with Edward.

"Yes" I said. I know I didn't sound ok, but I didn't want to elaborate. I knew he wasn't going to let it go, but I could stall for time.

"Now it's my turn to say no your not" he said it with a smile. His smile want irritating, it was loving. I wanted to tell him why I zoned out. But no, no I wouldn't. I wouldn't sacrifice our friend ship. It was ironic; we both didn't want to sacrifice something about the other one.

The damn door bell rang, and Edward had to answer it. The room service people came in and took everything but the coffee and the bagel I had set aside. When they began to leave I settled back down in my chair and sipped my coffee.

"Where is the recruit, Undertaker" Undertaker? Ah shit. Not good.

"I don't work for Van anymore. I am no use to you" I heard Edward say. I didn't want to turn around, but I wasn't stupid. He would have a gun on Edward, Edwards hands would be laced on his head. These people were professionals. But he was stupid and careless. He had no one watching his back, which meant he had a vest on.

I took out my browning carefully, and turned around in the chair. I aimed for the back of a man's head that was tall and long blonde hair. Edward saw me, and his eyes narrowed. He nodded and whispered "yes"

I shot, two shots in the head. And he was well and truly dead. Edward looked down then up at me and smiled. I smiled back; hey if you can't have humor about death then you have no right killing people. I forgot where I heard that, but it is so true.

NOTE: yes I live near Sand Diego, those the reason they went there. Most places mention, and beaches are real as well as there descriptions. Thought you might want to know…..Black widow is MINE!! i can up with er a long time ago.......just decided that the place she was trained in was Van-Cleefs place instead of destenys.....

"Now what?" I asked.

"What?" Edward asked. Earth to Edward! There was a dead body in the middle of the floor and it didn't faze Edward. Why wasn't I surprised? Don't answer that.

"Dead body" I said as I motioned to the red painted wall, and the headless body on the ground.
Edward looked surprised. Death was surprised; the day was improving at least. Edward laughed at his own mistake. "Oh, I call Casio and he gets his people to clean up the mess."

"I never thought I would say this but thank god for vampire politics." I meant it. I hated playing vampire servant. I hate the whole thing.  I didn't want to be a human servant, and I still didn't. God damn it, I hated it. But hey, I guess it saves time and explanations. Maybe it was a good thing. Naw. Hell no.

Edward smiled and started chuckling. His chuckle wasn't what you would think Death would laugh like. It was a soft snickering, but not in a mean way. Well, it could be cold and cruel but it wasn't, at least today.

"Was it Van?" I asked. It was more of a statement then a question, I just wanted to here him say it.

"Yes smart ass" he what can I say, it was who I was.

We sat down and waited.

True to his word within 10 min a large group of shape-shifters were at my hotel room. The surprising bit was that none of them were alpha anything. They started cleaning the mess, and I couldn't take it. I grabbed Edward arm and ran out of the room. I would never forget the site of the weres eating Alfred at the lunatic café, and I didn't need a repeat.

Edward grabbed a mini Uzi and a long leather coat; how he can wear one in this heat I don't know. We exited the room to find Nathan sitting on the floor with sweat streaming down his face. I grabbed his hand and ran down the stairs; thank god we were on the second floor.
***

I was sitting in the hummer with a nice salad in my lap. Yes we went through a drive through; I just wasn't in a social mood. And I have the nerve to call Edward a sociopath.
We drove up the coast for about 20 min and we parked in front of a camp site. I looked at Edward asking him with my eyes why the hell we were here.

"Look at the view, it's of Pipes, the beach" he said as he got out of the car. I ate my salad, and made my way out of the car.

Nathan looked at me and I shrugged. I walked over to the fence and I caught my breath. It was amazing. We were on a cliff that over looked the ocean. If you looked north or south all you could see was the shore line and waves. It was amazing. The ocean was a green blue, and was astonishing. There were surfers too. They were riding the waves and just looked so carefree.
I felt rather then saw Edward more up next to me, and said "it would be a long fall down"
I looked at him long and hard. He slowly turned his head towards me, and he had a huge grin on his face. Then I realized that he had made a joke. I looked at him and smiled. As I looked down the cliff, it was at least 100 ft up, I realized that I would never wan to fall down that, even with the vampire marks. I got the joke, and I started laughing, not loudly, but loud enough.

A loud laugh came from behind me and I realized that it was Nathan. Opps, I forgot about him. He was standing by a tree and teasing a bird. I laughed even harder and turned back to the assassin to my left. His eyes matched the clear blue sky, and held such aw in them it amazed me.

"Edward" I asked

"Yes"

"How do you know this place?"

He looked back at the ocean as he answered "the second base to the main agency is in the desert here" he answered.

"And the others are in Santa Fe, and near St. Louis?" I asked

He nodded. He turned his eyes to me, and I swear I saw emotion before it slid back into his mask. His whole body turned to me and he looked at me as if he saw me for the first time "Anita"

"Edward"

Then he moved closer and touched my hand. Testing me, and my reaction. I didn't move, didn't dare. What ever he saw on my face assured him and he took my hand in his. I looked up at his eyes, and I saw emotion flooding through them. We were so close that I think that a small wind would have had us pushing together. To used his other hand and tilted my head up. My breath caught my throat as I thought of what he was about to do. His lips brushed mine, and then he pulled back. I said that Richards's lips were soft, I was so wrong. Deaths lips made velvet feel like sand paper.

I stood on my toes and I kissed his cheek, then his lips. This time neither of us pulled away. We stood there and kissed. I never thought that I would end up in this situation with Death, but I didn't care. As his tongue teased my mouth, demanding to let him in, I lost all control. I opened for him and our tongues tangoed in perfect rhythm.

I heard a loud noise and I broke away. "Nathan" I said.

"Yes" he had a smug grin in place.

"Go sit in the car" he started to walk off "and keep the windows and doors closed!" I yelled. He strode away laughing. I turned to Edward, with thousands of questions in my mind. Who, what, where, when, how and why's flooded through my brain.

Edward looked at me, and I at him for a few second. I took that last little step to close the distance between us, and held him tight. His hands didn't touch me for seconds, then wrapped around me. He rested his head on mine, and I think I detected a slight trembling.  I didn't wan to move, I didn't wan to hear what was coming. But I knew that it would either way.

"We're going after him" I said.

"Yes" was his reply. Shit, we were going after the one who started it all.

"Why?" I asked. Why now. I didn't know and I wanted to.

"Does it matter?" he asked.

"I'll go either way, you know that. But I would like to know why I might be sacrificing my life and my soul mate’s"

"Your soul mate" he said. He inhaled a quick breath and continued "your soul mate. god I love the sound of that." He squeezed my hand and looked back to the ocean. "Because I want him to pay for messing with me, my soul mate, and for killing my sister." 

"Ok" I said, and I squeezed his hand back. I didn't like it, but I would do it. I was honor bound and life bound to do it.  Edward wanted to go after someone that even he was scared of, who was I to miss that. I went up on tip toes and brushed my lips on his. Testing his reaction, which was to kiss me back. Just as before our tongues danced. When we both pulled back, we were out of breath, and I heard a loud, "Wahoo."

"NATHAN!!" I yelled.

"What?" he asked. Oh, yes he looked so childlike. Hell no. Innocent was not a look that worked on him, Edward could look innocent, but was he? Fuck no.

"Don't make me come over there" I yelled, and I meant it.

"Yes Nimir-ra."  He said and he shut up. Amazing, I must remember that line.

"Time to go?" I asked. Turning back to the assassin to my left.

"Yes" Edward started to walk back to the car, and he dragged me behind him. My hand in his, we made are way back to the car and the laughing leopard boy. I was falling in love with the assassin/Death/man who fantasized about hunting me and I had a were-leopard in the car. Can my life get any weirder? Don't answer that, knowing my luck it probably could.

Lets see, I raise the dead, am a human servants (though the human part is questionable) bound to a alpha were-wolf, and master vampire, leader of the pard, have vampire servant, oh and an animal to call (leopards), I was part of a little vampire three some, and I had to feed off lust, oh don't forget that Death was my soul mate, not that I'm complaining about that part.  Yep, I don't think anything more bizarre could happen with my life. But just incase lets not find out.

But as I walked hand in hand to the car with a trained assassin, I realized that maybe, just maybe I could have a semi normal life. Maybe we could have each other. Maybe. Maybes bother me, I don't like not knowing why, or how. But I will never have a normal life, never have a white picket fence, dogs and 2.5 children, but maybe, just maybe I could still have love. Maybe. Damn maybes.

***
We drove in silence, wow, big surprise. The only difference was that this time, we held hands. Yes, I know who would have thought that I would end up in a warm moment holding hands with Death. I know I never did. But here I was, driving with him, and holding hand, and strangely enough feeling safe. Safe? I hadn't felt that in a long time. I thought it was a fallacy, too good to be true. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was wrong about a lot of things.

We arrived back at the hotel three hours before sunset. I had to dress up, which wasn't that hard considering that I didn't have to play human servant. I was able to wear what I wanted. Nope, no Barbie does bondage today folks. Sorry, come back later, eh, never. Instead I wore nice black dress pants and a dark red, scoop neck, tank top, with a leather coat. Yeah, it was aggressive, but I didn't care. I had the normal weapons, plus an extra knife in each boot, and an extra Browning, courtesy of Edward, in the small of my back. Oh, and can't forget the vials of holy water in my purse, and the pen knife, from Edward.  He gave the best toys.

I put in hair goop, and some make-up. Just basics, lipstick, eye liner, nothing outrageous, and I was ready to go.

I walked into the main room, and looked at Death. He was wearing standard attire for him at least. Black pants that were probably dress pants, black shirt and I long black leather jacket. It reminded me of when we went up against Oliver. Ah, good times, fighting, blood baths, oh and can't forget your vampire burnt to a crisp by a flame thrower.

Thinking of which. "Uzi or flame thrower?" I asked.

He looked up really amused, damn him. "Both" ah should have guessed. Why choose when you can have both.

"Where are the rest of this little party?" I asked.

"Getting the car. Time to go" he said as he walked up. What were now going to; he had an Uzi, and a flame thrower. I was beginning to feel under dressed, eh, accessorized.

"I have to grab my purse" I said as I went back into the bathroom. I grabbed my Uzi, and a larger leather jacket, and a purse. I looked in the mirror to make sure that I looked the same, and we were off.

Nathan was waiting down in the lobby for us. His long hair was in a braid and he had on dark blue leather pants and a black shirt with a leather jacket. I was pretty sure that it hid a gun. I taught him how to shoot and after all the times of being attacked him having a gun seemed like a good idea.

Damien got out of the car and bowed when I approached. He wore an outfit that would have made Jean-Claude proud. Lots of frilly on the shirt, and black pants with a white shirt. Ok it wasn't whit it was more of a really light green, but it was close enough. I shot him a dirty look and got into the car.

I kept glancing at Edward the entire drive. Did I really kiss him? Was I in love with him? Was he in love with me? Could Death love? Hell, could I love? I didn't know, and I hated it.
I think he caught me looking because when I looked back he had a smug grin in place. Damn him.

We drove to a small restaurant that seemed to look like something Jean-Claude would own. Maybe he and Casio were really that good of friends. Shit. And it was a FRENCH restaurant, great.  Just what I needed, more French ass-hole-mother-fucking- vampires, in my LIFE. Damn it. I looked over at Edward and he was smiling, son of a bitch.

"I hate French" I said, and I didn't mean French food.

Edward laughed. It was going to be a long night. "Really? I would have never guessed." 
I swear I was going to hit him. Not a good idea. Not a good one at all. So I settled for something different. I leaned in closer to him, and looked him in the eye. And I kissed his nose. "I would rather a nice cheese burger any day."

"I noticed" he said as he leaned in and kissed me back, but on the lips. Nathan was laughing while Damien looked really confused. Vampires. cant live with them cant live without them telling you what to do, or pissing you off, and you cant kill them. Well you could, Edward did, but I wanted to stay away from jail. Damn them, hell damn the world today. I was getting sick of thinking it.

"Time to go" Nathan said.

No need to say me and Edward shot him looks to kill, which made his laughs louder. If only I wasn't Nimir-ra. Oh the possibilities.

We got out of the car to a very angry vampire. He was my height, which was really funny because he was supposed to be intimidating. Broad shoulders, long brown hair, blue eyes, and very muscular. If you asked me, he was around fifty years old, appearing in his early twenties. I looked him in the eyes, not scared at all, and felt him trying to roll me. If I have said it once I have said it a thousand times, they can not pull me under. I don't get it. Even the fucking vampire council knew that. What a dumb shit.

"You cant do shit" I said in a singing voice. Yes I was baiting him; yes it wasn't a good idea. But I couldn't hurt Nathan, and I was pissed. So I took it out on him.

The vampire looked surprised, then said "you're the Executer"

I nodded.

"Oh, fallow, mi-lady" was all he said. The mi-lady was dripping with sarcasm as if he had to say it, not like it. Edward glanced at me and I shrugged. Nice to know we were both clueless.

The restaurant was closed, though we walk right through the door. Great. Another god damn French vampire who wants to know me who owns French places. Fucking great. Edward saw my look and laughed. I guess my disgust was plain on my face.

We walked in and sat down at a table that would have made Jean giddy. It was so him it sickened me. Edward sat to my left and Damien to my right. Nathan sat next to Damien, and his discomfort was clear.

The vampire left and in his place a woman, no a girl came through. She was taller then me, and had long black hair with bright red stripes, brown eyes and was a Goth. She wore a long black shirt with a corset and a long leather coat.  She reeked of power, and I knew she was a witch. She had black make-up on, though she had red eye-liner, with black eye shadow. When she walked, she flowed. It was like she wasn't there. But around her there was a sexual nature, like she was a striper, but I don't think she was.

"Black widow" Edward said. Oh no she knew Edward, what the hell.

"Death, undertaker, Edward, how many other.oh yeah, Ted" she said Ted as if it was the worse insult you could give. I think to her it was. She looked back to me and said "do I have to list all of your titles to be proper? Damn it. Hello Anita Bake, lupa/bolverk to the St. Louis pack, Nimir-ra to the pard, human servant to the master of your city, oh and what else. I know this Master necromancer, oh and Edwards soul mate." Now she said soul mate like it was an evil word.

"Widow" Edward said. He said it the same way he would say Olaf.

"What" she shot back.

Not a smart thing to do. Within a second he had a gun on her and I had one too. Though what I didn't see was that she had one in each hand for us both. She was good. Lets pray she was on our side.

"Oh, Anita, I am 16 I heard you wondering" she said. And she winked at me. What the hell!

I looked at her in disbelief; she was 16 and had a gun on Death, great.

She holstered her guns and Edward did the same, so, I also did. If Edward was ok with it, I could hold back my urge to shoot her.

"Edward tell her now" she said. Though she stayed standing.

"Anita this is the black widow. She was trained by Van, ran away last year, and came here to hide. She is a witch, and a very strong one. She is part vampire part mental were-lion, so she is a sang-vampire and a mental were-lion basically. You know what that means" he asked. I nodded; it meant that she feed off blood, for energy, like the ardeur. A mental were-lion meant she couldn't shape-shift, and that she had abnormal senses. She was part of light and dark, and was a rare creature.

"So she can use life and death as a power source." I asked

"Yes I can." She answered "I was brought up with van Cleef you see I was recruited. As I child I

liked blood. I enjoyed hunting animals with my family. I had a moral flexibility; basically I could kill without a moral problem. Plus I had a high I.Q. I was good in almost any situation. I knew how to lie, I know how to "fake" being in love, hate, any emotion. When I was 7 my parents were killed, I was sad, but it didn't mater. I killed the wolf that attacked us and escaped with my life. At the hospital a man said he was my dad, and he had the papers and every thing. They were fake. Then I met Edwards's first recruit, Brian. He was Indian, and had long black hair that was mid back length. He had a muscular body and his face was manly. All but the eyes, his unnerving brownish red eyes were soft but held a predator's gaze. You could see him in a pink dress, but if you saw his eyes, you would know that you were dead.  He was 5'9, four inches taller then me, but in my high heals I never had to look up at him, thank god" she sounded as if she was lost in thought. And I didn't want to interrupt.

"Widow" Edward said.

"Sorry" she mumbled "Brian's still there waiting for me to come back. I want to take that bastard out, but until then. I get to act as hostess; the master will be here soon" I think that bastard was Van.

"Master?" I asked

"Oh, no not mine, I got rid of his marks soon as I knew I had them, but for the V.C I get to play human servant"

"You got rid of them" I asked

"Yes, oh, do you want to get rid of them you'll sill have the healing abilities, and such" she said it like it was possible. Was it? I had to know.

"Yes" I said before thinking.

"Ok, Edward will take you to the ritual site" she stated.

"umm." I shot Edward a glance and he nodded. "What was Brian to you?"

"Anita, he was my soul-mate, is my soul-mate" she said

"Widow, we will get him back, I thought he would have left with you" Edward said.

"How old is he" I asked

"Now, probably 20" she said.

"Skill?" I asked

"The best, one of the best along with the black widow and myself" Edward said.
Our conversation was cut short by a tall man. He had long brown hair and blue eyes. He had a shirt that I swear I have seen in Jean, and the black leather pants just set it off. "Casio, hi" I said.

"Hey" widow said. She didn't even look at him. I think she hated him.

"Widow" he said it like Edward did, and she reacted the same way.

"What. The. Fuck. Do. I.  Need. A name-tag?" she asked. She said it spaced out as id she was talking to a child.

"Widow!" the power rolling off him was strong enough to make your stomach turn.  Though it didn't faze her, she just stared at him.

"Don't make me do this in front of guests" she said.

"Do what?" he asked. I looked at Edward and he was smiling. I think he knew the show.

"Fine do it the hard way" she said as she drew a pentagram in front of her. "Magickus come; I call wind water air and fire, protect, and defend, attack if provoked. I call on the" she whispered it and I think that she shielded the vampire from hearing it because she just sat there smiling.

"Is our little Mercy giving you a hard time?" Edward asked.

"What?" I shot back.

"Fine, Anita Blake, meet Black widow, real name, well for now Mercy. High priestess of the Blood-fire coven, alpha, second in command of the lion pack, and one of high council of the Sang vampire council." Edward said.

"Thanks Death, I cant believe you skipped formally when you're the one who taught me" Widow said.

"Hello, Anita, Edward, Damien, Nathan" the vampire said. "Sorry for my human ser-" his words were cut of a push of magic slicing through him. "WIDOW!" he yelled.

"Told ya not to do it the heard way" she said.

Edward laughed. "What, even I knew what she was doing" he said.

"What did she do?" I asked

"I placed a shield; if he sent power it would go back to him three folds."

"Like the rule in action" I said

"Yeah, when he said human servant he sent power my way to try and control me, needless to

say, he failed." I looked at her long and hard.

"It only works on week ones though. Asher, it might work on, but the master here is only 100 or so, and not very strong" she said. So, it wouldn't work on Jean. Darn.

"You’re not all powerful?" I asked

"Hell no. I can brake the marks because it is only a bond, like when I bonded my tools to me. Its easy, but you need to no what your doing. Other then that I know a little protection spells. And ritual magic of warship for my coven. That's about all"

"oh." I said.

 

 

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