Full Moon Rising

Chapter 12

***

Anita stormed into Jean Claude's office and proceeded to pace in front of his desk. The vampire arched one fine dark eyebrow at the intrusion, silently asking her what was wrong. When she didn‘t answer him right away the vampire leaned back into his chair and waited patiently for his irate lover to get whatever was bothering her off her chest.

Soon his patience was rewarded.

"I don't trust him. He’s hiding something and he’s got Nathaniel acting all goofy."

Ah so this was about the boy. Jean Claude couldn't say that he was surprised. The boy disturbed him too. He had tried to rolled the man‘s mind, but he had only gotten a glimpse before something had forcefully shoved him out. There was power lurking behind those eyes and it was old, far older than the boy’s years would have suggested. He knew that the boy was a shifter, he had seen the man change, but like none he had ever seen. The vampire had never heard of a lycanthrope with enough control to resist the call of the moon. The stranger was turning out to be somewhat of a mystery, possibly a dangerous one.

His attention snapped back to Anita as her vocal complaints reached a fever pitched. Jean Claude smiled fondly at his lover. If she had her way, she would solve all their problems at gunpoint. But that would only complicate things. The boy knew the slayer and the last thing he needed was an enraged slayer on his hands. Even though Anita was familiar with the supernatural world, she did not know everything. She had no clue the amount of death and destruction a slayer would bring to his city. He had a better idea. What he needed was someone to draw out the man’s beast. Once they controlled the animal, the man was sure to follow.

* * *

After a few hours of quality time with Nathaniel, Jason barged into the bedroom without knocking and with an eager look on his face. The blonde werewolf frowned in disappointment when he saw that they were both sitting on the bed fully clothed. Jason murmured something under his breath about wasting a perfectly good bed. Xander chose to ignore the lustful look Jason gave him and tried really hard to forget the fact that the werewolf already saw him naked.

The walk to Jean Claude’s office was relatively uneventful, but this time Xander made sure Nathaniel was within touching distance at all times. The ex Scooby had no idea what he was walking into and he felt better with Nathaniel at his side. He’d lost track of the were-leopard once and the uneasy feeling that accompanied his absence wasn’t of the good. Xander didn’t quite understand why but he had given up trying to figure that out a while ago. He had stopped labeling the feelings he felt for Nathaniel as gay or unnatural because the more time he spent with the young man the more natural those feelings seemed.

He could only imagine what his friends would say if they saw him now with his arm wrapped possessively around some guy‘s waist. They would probably say that he wasn’t at all acting like their Xander-shaped friend and accuse him of being possessed again. The Xander they knew would never admit to liking a guy, at least not publicly, but of course, the Xander they knew had never changed into a huge Hyena either.

***

He was trying very hard to glare at the master vampire sitting in front of him without actually making eye contact, which proved to be a bit of a challenge. “I‘m not telling you anything,”

“Xander you’re not a prisoner. We’re only trying to help you,” said Jean Claude reassuringly.

The brunet‘s eye narrowed suspiciously. “So I can leave right now if I want.”

The vampire shook his head apologetically. “I don’t think that would be wise, not until we figure out what happened or at least that you are not a threat to the public.”

“Thought so,” he grumbled.

“But I think I might know of someone who could help.”

“Who?”

Xander whipped his head around when he felt long fingers run through the back of his hair. “Who, What are you?”

“Anything you want me to be honey.”

Xander gawked at the six-foot drag queen in high heels with dark mascara around his, or was it he, eyes.

The man, no woman, uh person placed one gloved finger underneath his chin and she studied his face, turning his head left then right. “Oooh Jean Claude you were right. He does have a beast and it is gorgeous. You would make a perfect addition to my den. What do you say; would you like to come home with me, sweetie?”

Xander shivered as the hyena recoiled from the man‘s touch. “What the Hell?”

“Narcissus is the leader of the were-hyenas in St. Louis and she may be able to help your with your beast.”

“But I thought hyenas were a matriarchal society.”

“Yes, but Narcissus is a hermaphrodite, making her both female and male.” Jean Claude smiled in amusement as the young man eyed the were-hyena nervously. The boy’s facial expressions were quite amusing.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Xander had never let the hyena spirit completely out and he was afraid of what she would do when it was finally free.

“Come on pretty. Come out for mama,” coaxed the were-hyena as she brushed her fingers against his arm.

Xander felt something brushed against his mind and he visibly shuddered from contact. “Stop it” he growled but the pressured increased and his eyes flickered green than back to brown.

The lights flickered and Nathaniel began to squirm nervously in his seat.

“Almost there.”

“I said stop!” Xander screamed as power rolled off his body like a tide. The air grew humid, a heavy must mixed with the scent of freshly turned earth, and decaying leaves filled the room.

Narcissus’s eyes widened in surprise, when suddenly a large hand clamped around her throat. The were-hyena struggled in the man’s grasp, scratching desperately at the hand as she gasped for air.

Xander tighten his grip in warning and Narcissus fell to her knees. When Xander spoke, his voice was underlined with another that vibrated with authority and power. “You try my patience child.”

“What are you?” demanded Jean Claude. The amusement had long disappeared from his face and was now replaced with the stoic face of the master.

The brunet kept his eyes on the were-hyena as he answered the vampire. “I’m the great mother. The first and the oldest of our kind, before the curse of humanity chained us to this body.”

Narcissus eyes filled with fear and Xander snorted with dark amusement. “Do you recognize me now, half breed? I know your beast does. She could sense me just as clearly as I can sense the others. She’s weak and so is her pack. You have gone far too long without a proper challenge, child.”

Narcissus fell limp to the floor as Xander let him go, and then he turned and grabbed Nathaniel by the collar. Xander looked intriguingly at Nathaniel then brought their faces together and sniffed delicately at the were-leopard’s neck.

Anita moved towards him with her gun drawn. “Let him go.”

“Stop Anita, don’t move,” warned Jean Claude.

“Are you crazy? He could kill him!”

“I don’t think that is his intention. Nathaniel is too submissive to be considered a threat. I think he merely wants to claim Nathaniel as his own.”

Anita felt her own metaphysical beast roused at those words. Nathaniel was Pard and as Nimir-ra he was hers to protect. “The hell he is.”

“Ma Petite, Narcissus has awakened his beast. If you interfere now, he will consider it as a direct challenge. He will not hesitate to kill you, and Nathaniel will be caught in the crossfire.”

The animator struggled with Jean Claude‘s words. Damn it he was right. Nathaniel could be killed in the inevitable shootout but she didn‘t even want to think about what would happen if she left him alone with that creature. “I can’t.”

As if sensing her reluctance Jean Claude placed his hand over her gun and gently lowered it to her side. “He will not hurt him.”

She made eye contact with Nathaniel’s half-lidded eyes and the were-leopard gave her a slight nod.

With that, Anita reluctantly allowed Jean Claude to lead her out of the room as Jason dragged Narcissus’ unconscious body behind.

***