Satin Bruises

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" Raleigh growled like the animal she had become. Aleksi smirked like a sociopath and held up and empty bottle of Jack Daniels.

"My, my Raleigh," he whispered. "You have become more tolerant of your alcohol. Well, I will make this very simple. If you do not back down from this whole 'protect the city and it's master' fiasco, I will be forced to make your life miserable."

"Like you already haven't?"

"Oh no my dear were-witch, I don't believe you understand. First, I will kill your precious Nimir-Raj. Then, if you still refuse, I'll take away your nephew."

"Don't you touch my son!" Reilly snapped, magic flaring.

"Or you will do what?"

"I will kill you," a new voice growled. Raleigh turned to see who it was, her mouth fell open in surprise. Reilly didn't need to see who it was, she knew. It was Jean-Claude. His eyes flashed a firey blue, his hands hung lifelessly at his sides. Jean-Claude pushed himself between the women and stood in front of the other vampire, the mirror image of him. Aleksi rose from the coffee table, eye to eye with the Frenchman. Raleigh and Reilly felt the power between the two pulsate through them.

"As if you have the power," Aleksi taunted. The girls didn't see the motion, only a blur and a snap. Aleksi's head jerked to the side when Jean-Claude smacked him.

"Once again you come into MY city! You threaten MY people! Aleksi Romanov, you smug bastard, you've gone too far! You threatened MY family!" Jean-Claude bellowed, his calm demeanor diminished completely.

"Those two were my family first," Aleksi hissed.

"They were your dogs first," Jean-Claude replied, letting his voice drop dramatically. "I have let you have your way for far too long."

Jean-Claude's hand snapped out and grabbed Aleksi's neck, squeezing until his trachea collapsed, blood spraying across the wall and spilling onto the coffee table. Reilly squeaked slightly, Raleigh remained stoic and slightly enamored with the dark red mist.

The girls watch as Jean-Claude flung Aleksi's limp form across the room. He hit the far wall with a sickening crack. Blood arched across the room in a heavy spray, and the Russian sat stunned for a moment as Jean-Claude bore down on him. Raleigh's head snapped around then, as she caught the scent of two unknown psychics.

"Reilly-!" She shouted as her sister was blasted off her feet. The older twin let out a strangled little noise as she bounced off of the stone. Raleigh changed as a huge werewolf entered the room behind them.

"Be careful!" Reilly shouted at her sister as she tackled the giant grey beast into the hallway. Behind her, Aleksi was fighting back with a vengeance. She heard Jean-Claude grunt as the Russian landed a heavy blow. The psychics before her grinned sickeningly in unison, a milky sheen like cataracts over their eyes. Reilly threw up a powerful shield spell, standing before Micah's unconscious form as they moved toward her, grey robes fluttering out behind them. Raleigh's wolf form pinned the grey wolf, sinking her teeth into it's muzzle.

The other twin psychics shoved their magic against Reilly's, forcing the shield back a few inches. Magic crackled along Reilly's skin, and sparks actually manifested from the friction. Across the room, Jean-Claude was slamming Aleksi's head onto the stones of the fireplace. Alerted by the chaos and struggle, more wolves and leopards poured into the room. Nathaniel dashed passed Raleigh, ducked behind Reilly and began dragging Micah away to safety. Once he was clear, Reilly unleashed a massive spell, The twins staggered back as blue fire ate across the floor to them. They threw cruses, each meeting Reilly's shield and being dispersed. With a yell, the shorter of the twins threw themselves forward, a spell forming on her lips. Unphased, Reilly shouted a rune that got lost in a massive clap of thunder, and the woman went up in a column of unnaturally colored flame. The second retreated hastily as Jason bounded to Raleigh's side, fangs bared and growling fiercely. Together, they brought the massive wolf down, their teeth tearing into it's soft belly and ripping out it's intestines.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the battle stopped when Jean-Claude stood, covered in blood and bruises. In one hand he held a dead heart, in the other was Aleksi's head. The Russian psychics froze, eyes returning to their normal color. Then they glazed over, petrified. Reilly dropped her shield and stared at the vampire, at all the bloody body parts tossed about the room. Raleigh and Jason still tore into the stranger were, until Jean-Claude began to speak, then they stood with their ears perked forward and every muscle tensed, ready to attack anyone once given permission.

"You," Jean-Claude hissed quietly, pointing at the remaining twin. "Get out of my city. If you dare return...you will suffer the same fate as your master and his familiar." The psychic nodded, disappearing as quickly as possible. There was a slight magical backwash, but the psychic was gone.

He then dismissed the waiting weres. Reilly watched her sister bolt away, then turned to Jean-Claude. The dark haired vampire stared at her, his eyes glazed over. Tentatively, she reached out to him and softly spoke his name.

"Jean-Claude?" she whispered. "Darling, are you okay?" Her eyes rested on the spreading dark stain in his abdomen. She gasped.

"I...tried so...hard, but I couldn't..." Jean-Claude breathed. Reilly grabbed his arms and tried to bring him back to her.

"Jean-Claude!" she said, his weight dragging them both to the ground.

Jean-Claude's eyes rolled to the back of his head and she screamed out for help. Of course, the first one to respond was Asher, who tore through the open door like a bat out of Hell. He lifted Jean-Claude effortlessly and helped Reilly to her feet without a word. Just as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared with Reilly in tow.

"How can we help him? He needs medical attention!" She said, gripping Asher's shoulder.

"He'd heal it, but he's exhausted" Asher explained simply. "His powers were most likely drained with that much energy in one room."

"But he was fine during the..."

"During the ceremony?!" Asher snapped as he kicked open the door to his own sleeping quarters and entered quickly to lay his love down in the bed. Reilly, shocked that he...the soft spoken Asher...had actually snapped at her as if this was her fault.

"That ceremony was used to do something constructive," Asher sighed, trying to keep his composure. "But it still drew from him. Then there was that...fiasco upstairs. Believe it or not, Jean-Claude is very attuned to magic, especially now that his tie with Anita has been severed. He needs something to fill the vacuum that was created with the removal of his servant."

"So," Reilly began calmly. "If he had a human servant, this wouldn't have happened?" Her voice cracked at the end. She was responsible for this?

Asher merely sighed and looked at her, the tiny auburn haired woman who had successfully stolen his and Jean-Claude's heart. She looked hurt, her eyes large and dark. She briefly reminded him of Juliana. He held his long arms out to her, beckoning her to him.

"Venir ici," he whispered as Reilly slid into his arms. "Please forgive me for snapping at you, mon chere. I really didn't mean it."

"I know darling," Reilly replied. "You just love him, I know."

Reilly left to call a doctor, and to find a pomme de sang. She pondered everything that had just happened, and went upstairs to reassure their people. She found one of the leopards, and sent him downstairs to Jean-Claude. Mounting the stairs, she took a deep breath.

As she entered the room, everything stilled, and Raleigh came to stand by her side, still the hulking she-wolf.

"As of now," Reilly said into the silence, "the city of St. Louis is under lock down." There was a murmur from the crowd.

"I'm not going to fucking listen to you," one of the vampires spoke up, stepping forward. Tiny and pale like a porcelain doll, Meng Die was such a classic Asian beauty that Reilly couldn't help but admire her for a moment. Then Reilly remembered everything Jean-Claude had said about the power grasping, ambitious young vampire. Reilly's patience snapped. Reilly's magic lashed out, whip-like, to strike the woman across the face. Skin sizzled on impact, and the force of it sent the vampire cursing to her knees. Reilly walked forward, and taking a fistful of baby-fine hair, spoke through gritted teeth.

"Do not make me embarrass you in front of all of these people, Meng Die. I am not in the mood to fuck with your antics right now, and trying my patience will end badly for you. Now, are you going to fucking listen?" Reilly gave a yank on the hair she was holding. The vampire growled low in her throat, murder written in every line of her face. She glared up at Reilly for a moment, before the green fire blazing in the witch's eyes started to smolder. The vampire froze, and very slowly, nodded.

"Jesus, Rie. Cursing?" Raleigh asked, back in human form, and buck naked. Reilly smiled at her sister.

"I'm glad you changed back, I need your help coordinating this with the pack and pard. Sylvie, would you join us, please?" Reilly said, politely extending a hand to the co-alpha of the pack. The petite brunette practically danced toward them, every movement a graceful display.

"Reilly," she said, nodding to the witch, though they hadn't been formally introduced yet. Reilly smiled.

"As far as the preternatural community is concerned, a mouse does not set foot into or out of this city without our knowing. I am officially declaring a state of open warfare in our territory. Any being other than vanilla human that enters without express permission or invitation will be captured and possibly killed on sight. Any movements outside of our designated territorial boundaries will be cleared with your were leader, or the Master of this city. I will personally be notifying the rats and hyenas. Does everyone understand?" Reilly asked, the silence ringing. Raleigh and Sylvie stood behind her, both looking grim. Requiem came forward, blue eyes gleaming in the harsh lights. Very deliberately, he walked toward Reilly. When he got within reaching distance, he knelt down, offering the bend of his neck to her.

"As you command, général ," he said, looking at her expressively. Reilly felt a weight lifted off her as every vampire took to their knee. Briefly, she brushed fingers along the big pulse in Requiem's neck. The wolves and leopards, human and changed alike surged forward in a submissive wave, brushing fur and fingers against the witches and Sylvie. With a sigh, Reilly reached a hand out to Requiem, bringing him to his feet.

"Thank you everyone, as you were," Reilly said, turning away to rejoin her lovers, and check on her son. Behind her, Raleigh and Sylvie bonded with their pack.

After poking her nose in on Conner, to find him sleeping peacefully. She returned to Asher and Jean-Claude to find him much improved. The master of the city was sitting up, Asher dressing for work across the room.

"Hey baby," Reilly whispered, coming over to his side. He smiled, and held out his hand to her. She settled in, and Asher stopped long enough to kiss them both, before leaving for his shift at the dance club. The door closed behind him, and Jean-Claude looked into Reilly's face, blue eyes searching.

"What is the trouble, my love?" Jean-Claude asked, fingers tracing the tiny worry lines between her eyes. Reilly hesitated for a moment before dropping her eyes.

"I thought you were very heroic in there," Reilly started, running her hands over his stomach, concerned. He smiled and took her hands in his.

"Are you going to tell me what is bothering you or not?" He asked gently.

"Asher mentioned....well I was thinking...if you had a human servant, you'd be feeling better...I did sever your ties with Anita, and she was a powerful force...." Reilly trailed off to Jean-Claude's chuckles. He cupped her face between his hands, resting his forehead against hers.

"Ma chere, my beautiful witch" he laughed, "Are you asking me to make you my human servant?" Reilly fidgeted.

"Not right this instant," she hedged, "but eventually, if you're to regain your former power, you will need to mark me." Jean-Claude kissed her gently.

"How different you are from Anita!" He marveled, rubbing her jaw with his mouth. "I had always intended to ask you, but after how resistant she was, it seemed prudent to wait." Reilly had an answer for him, but it was quickly forgotten as Jean-Claude's mouth moved slowly from her jaw, down her neck to brush slowly against her collarbone. It clicked for her then.

"You're still hungry, darling?" she asked, running fingers through his hair. He moaned, nuzzling the tops of her breast. Reilly's head fell back and Jean-Claude lowered her to the mattress. He worked his hands into her pants, and slid the fabric down, panties and all. She moaned as he slid himself between her legs, and rubbed against her, the leather of his pants slick between her thighs. He kissed her hotly, and lifted himself up on to one hand to undo his pants. He worked himself inside of her, head resting against her neck. He thrust inside of her as Reilly worked back against him, biting her lip to keep from screaming. She felt the press of his fangs against her neck, and his body tightened, forcing himself to stop.

"Please," Reilly begged, fingers tangling in his hair, bring his head down closer. He bit her, a sharp, tight pressure on her skin. It pushed her totally over the edge. Everything went white, and she writhed underneath him, digging fingers into his back as she came and came and came. He growled above her, and bucked wildly, pleasure washing through them both in waves. He lie down next to her, tongue rubbing pleasing little circles against her bruised neck. Reilly smiled, and delivering a kiss to her dazed lover, rose from the bed.

"You taste like sunshine," Jean-Claude murmured, sounding nearly drunk. Reilly slipped her clothing back on, and went to get cleaned up before work.

A week later, both Asher and Jean-Claude made Reilly their full human servant. The power backlash leveled the warehouse where they preformed the ritual.