Burnt Offerings - Laurell K. Hamilton [33]
“Is Padma anything without his animals?” Jean-Claude asked.
“Very true, though I might not say so in front of him.” He leaned on the back of the seats again, not touching me this time. “So you admit it is your servants who have given you the power to take a council member.”
“My human servant and my wolf are merely extensions of my power. Their hands are my hands; their deeds, my deeds. That is council law. So what does it matter where my power comes from?”
“Quoting council law, Jean-Claude. You have grown cautious since last we met.”
“Caution has served me well, Asher.”
“But have you had any fun?” It was a strange question coming from someone who was supposed to hate Jean-Claude.
“Some, and you, Asher, how fares it with you? Are you still serving the council, or did you come along on this mission to torment me?”
“Yes, to both questions.”
“Why have you not fled the council?”
“Many aspire to serve them,” Asher said.
“You didn’t.”
“Perhaps revenge has changed my aspirations.”
Jean-Claude laid his hand on Asher’s arm. “Ma petite is right. Hatred is a cold fire, and it gives no warmth.”
Asher jerked back, sliding as far back as the seat would let him. I glanced in my rearview mirror. He was huddled in the dark, hugging himself. “When I see you weep for your beloved, I will have all the warmth I need.”
“We’ll be at the Circus soon,” I said. “What’s the plan?”
“I am not sure there is a plan. We must assume they have all our people in thrall. So it will be only what the two of us can do alone.”
“Are we going to try and take the Circus back, or what?”
Asher laughed. “Is she serious?”
“Always,” Jean-Claude said.
“Fine. What are we supposed to do?”
“Survive if you can,” Asher said.
“Shut up,” I said. “This is what I need to know, Jean-Claude. Do we go in there kicking butt, or crawling?”
“Would you crawl to them, ma petite?”
“They have Willie, Jason, and who knows how many others. So, yeah, if it would keep them safe, I’d do a little crawling.”
“I do not think you would be very good at it,” Jean-Claude said.
“I’m not.”
“But no, no crawling tonight. We are not strong enough to retake the Circus, but we go in, as you say, kicking butt.”
“Dominant?” I made it a question.
“Oui.”
“How dominant?”
“Be aggressive, but not foolish. You may wound anyone you are capable of hurting, but do not kill. We do not want to give them an excuse.”
“They think you’ve started a revolution, Jean-Claude,” Asher said from the darkness. “Like all revolutionaries, dead you become a martyr. They don’t want you dead.”
Jean-Claude turned so he could see the other vampire. “Then what do they want, Asher? Tell me.”
“They have to make an example of you. Surely you see that.”
“If I had planned on forging a second council in America, yes, I would see their point. But I know my limitations. I cannot hold a council seat against all comers. It would be a death sentence. I want simply to be left alone.”
Asher sighed. “It is too late for that, Jean-Claude. The council is here, and they will not believe your protestations of innocence.”
“You believe him,” I said.
He was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “Yes, I believe him. The one thing Jean-Claude has always done well is survive. Challenging the council is not a good way to do that.” Asher slid forward against the seats, putting his face very near mine. “Remember, Anita, that all those years ago, he waited to save me. Waited until he knew he wouldn’t be caught. Waited until he could save me at the least risk to himself. Waited until Julianna was dead, because it was too great a risk to take.”
“That is not true,” Jean-Claude said.
Asher ignored him. “Be careful that he does not wait to save you.”
“I don’t wait around for anybody to save me,” I said.
Jean-Claude stared out the window at the passing cars. He was shaking his head gently, back and forth, back and forth. “I tire of you already, Asher.”
“You tire of me because I speak the truth.”
Jean-Claude turned and faced him. “No, I tire of