Just Cause: Based on Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Series

[Trace]

If you wish to join, please state what character you would like and a brief synopsis in the OOC thread provided below. Please limit all OOC comments/posts to that thread as well please. My thanks!


http://www.literotica.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1124945#post1124945



The night was a bit cool and breezy. It was to be expected. It was October already and winter loomed in the not too far off distance. My Nikes crunched on the dry leaves underfoot, the tall grasses of the Mahoney’s poorly neglected family cemetery pulled at the legs of my jeans.

It was a new moon, so there was little light. A beam from a mini-flash I had attached to my zombie-raising bag illuminated the path back to my jeep. The blood from the chicken I had used for the ritual was drying from where it splattered on my cheek, itching a bit. I had some wet-wipes in the glove compartment that would take care of that. It wasn’t the best option, but it was good enough I could get home and take a warm shower.

I popped the back of the jeep and tossed the burgundy bag inside, the name Animators, INC. emblazoned on the side. It was the result of a bargain with Bert, my boss. He ran Animators, INC and thought that a little bit of advertisement would make for good business. He’d wanted to have the name stenciled on the side of my jeep at first. The fact that I balked at the idea is a bit of an understatement. My jeep remains ad free, yet I conceded on the bag, at least for now.

I slid behind the wheel and revved the motor to life. I snatched a wet-wipe from the glove compartment and wiped my face clean. I spotted Jessup Mahoney and his sister trudging their way to their car through my side window. Jessup raised his hand in farewell, his smile nearly beaming. His sister was pale with a bit of a greenish tinge. The idea to raise their grandfather to question the whereabouts of his will was definitely not her idea. Either that, or she had no idea what to expect. My bet he would be pulling over before they even hit the main road.

The raising hadn’t been difficult. The man was only three weeks in the grave. I had raised 100-year-old zombies in the past with not much more power than was required tonight. Bert knows I’m one of the best necromancers he has on staff. I just don’t think he realizes exactly how talented I am. Heck, I’m not really even certain about that myself. I definitely plan to keep Bert out of the know though. I’m not exactly sure what extremes he would go to for money and I’m not about to find out. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

A green Mazda parked along the side of the road in front of the Wolves Den caught my eye as I cruised down Beech. The Wolves Den was a lounge and bar, known especially to attract those of the lycanthrope persuasion. Surprising, no?

I wonder if that could that be Edward’s car? Nah, couldn’t be. Why would he be in town? Curiosity got the better of me and I pulled over. I got out of the jeep and readjusted my jacket. Actually it was a navy button up long-sleeved shirt, thrown over a navy polo. Not only did it mask the chicken blood really well, it also concealed the 9mm Browning Hi-Power lodged securely in my shoulder holster. Loaded with silver bullets of course. I never leave home without them. The long sleeves were handy as well to disguise the silver knives held by the wrist sheaths I had strapped to either arm. The Firestar was tucked into the back of my jeans.

I had enough firepower and weapons to take down most anything that came my way. No threats as of yet, but if Edward was around, it was prudent to use caution. And at the moment I’m feeling very, very prudish.

 

[Forrester]

Edward

Edward sat back in the booth and watched those around him. His stance was laid back and uncaring that is until you looked into his eyes. Those sharp orbs took in everything that went on around him from the drinks the bartender was pouring to the fact that two booths down a male lycanthrop was trying to get a bit more than friendly with the female beside him. Sitting there in the shadows in black jeans, t-shirt and jacket the only thing that remotly stuck out were his eyes and blonde hair and that was slicked back and darkened a bit just for the occasion. Nothing that wouldn't rinse out quickly though.

His gaze passed over each and every one of the customers not resting for any length of time on a particular one. He was not here for pleasure and anyone who knew him could tell you that. Then again you would be hard put to find anyone who really knew him including Donna. Especially not her. One inkling of what and who he really was and she would be gone before the dust settled. Violence was not her cup of tea which had to be the biggest understatement ever made.

His mind was not on Donna at this moment but on the door and a certain person or lycanthrop that he expected to walk through it. When Anita did instead his eyes were the only thing that gave away his surprise and mild annoyance. She was the last person he wanted to deal with right now. She was the last person he wanted to have meddling in his affairs in the first place but in this case his mark was a little on the personal side for her. You see he was an assassin. The best and never balked on a contract and he didn't need Anita getting in the way of him finishing this one and if she knew the mark was Richard she would be anything but pleased.

 

[Trace]

Anita

I pushed open the door pausing just over the threshold to let my eyes adjust to the dimly lit interior. A lone drone of jazz music filled the room, a trio of musicians were playing Louis Armstrong’s version of Jeepers Creepers. I smiled in spite of myself. The song was apt for the moment, no?

Goose bumps crept across my flesh as I felt the roll of the power caste from the lycanthropes that filled the room. The moon was still new, so there were a few weeks before any of them would be forced to change; yet with some the swelling power of their restrained beast was strong. I was all to well aware that a full moon wasn’t a necessary precursor for all; some could change on a whim. But as for most, they preferred to keep their duality a secret. Prejudice run rampant against those of the were persuasion, and even though it was illegal, some would most likely lose their jobs and status in this screwed up society for that reason alone.

I scanned the room for Edward, finally spotting him in the shadows, sitting alone in a booth in the back. It seems he had spotted me too. Kudos to Edward, I knew he would. His face was void of any expression, yet I saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. My smile widened.

“You don’t look happy to see me, Ted.” I slid onto the bench seat opposite him, not waiting for an invite. I waved the waitress away, still focused on Edwards face. “Am I interrupting something?” I said with slight grin, knowing full well I was.

 

[Forrester]

Edward

He knew it! She had spotted him and was coming over. Sometimes Edward thought that his job would be much easier without Anita's frequent meddling but then again easy was boring. Sitting back in the booth his body was a study of calm and uncaring. To almost anyone else in the bar he would be just someone coming in for a drink but Anita was not 'almost anyone'.

Giving her a steady look he said,"Would it matter even if you were? We have done this dance before, Anita. You see me in town. You get curious. I tell you it's none of your business and you would be better off not sticking your nose in it. You stick your nose in it anyway and it ends up being harder than it should be. Let me do my job and I will let you do yours." A smile came over his face which, to a casual observer, seemed warm and lazy. To an observant one there was a grimness to it. "You should be happy I can do my job so well. I give you plenty of potential clients."

 

[Guest]

Gabriel

After giving a mass. I went to my office and sat and thought about how my life was a lie. Am I a man of God or am I a demon, Can I be both. For centuries now I have fought over the question day after day since the accdent. I remeber it so well. It was rome during the dark ages. I was a preist and a good man. But that is what lead to my down fall.I was travling to see the Pope. When I seen I girl on the side of the road. I went to her side and she was bleeding bad. Something had bit her neck and it was puring blood.I took her to the church. Where I badaged her up and treid to help her. I went in one night to help her and she kissed me. I had taked a vowel and had never even kissed a woman. When she kissed me it brought out something in me that hungred for her. That night I broke my vowel to God. When I awoke she was gone and I was a vampire. Which was a painfully thing sonsidering I lived in a Church but I grew use to the crosses and the holy water. Now they are but a small pain. They have hardly no effect on me now. The are like ant bites. But before that It burned like hell. I have a cross burnt in to my chest where I had it on a chain. It remind me of my sin of the flesh with that girl and how I let down God. So I help people hoping to atton for my mistake. Now that Vampiers are legal I have been given classes on proper manners and how to live as a free person. But none of them know I am one of them. I have fulled them all and will contiue till I figure saint or sinner.

 

[Trace]

Anita

My brows rose to my hairline at Edward’s comments. He wasn’t usually so touchy. Something was definitely a bit off. “My my aren’t we the catty one tonight.”

He was obviously on the lookout for his mark; his eyes darted surreptitiously around the room as he spoke.

“Are you very attached to that seat or would you be willing to take a walk outside with me?” I knew that he knew as well as I that we were most likely being eavesdropped on. Not only were lycanthropes big scary beasts, they had heightened sense as well, regardless of their current state. If Edward was here, he was hunting one. He wasn’t one of the thrill-seekers that came to hang around and flirt with the danger of being a midnight snack. No, Edward was a frightening force in and of himself. And if he was here, in this particular place, there was a fuzzy boy or girl out there whose days were numbered. And if Richard was his target, ol’ Eddie and I were going to be having a bit of a dispute.

“There’s a church across the street, next to where I’m parked. It’s a lot more quite in there. We can talk easier.” My face was expressionless, but Edward would understand. I would not be leaving tonight without finding out why he was here. He could choose. I would be just as willing to stay and converse here and undoubtedly blow his cover, or he could take a nice little walk with me and sate my curiosity. We’d be able to tell if anyone followed up into the sanctuary, so the risk was minimal. I grinned at him, waiting his response.

 

[Forrester]

Edward

OOC Thanks for the patience. Sorry to be gone so long.

IC Edward glowered for a moment at Anita. He should have known she would not be that easy to dissuade. He knew the risk that he took staying here as well as the fact that Anita would not let this go until she had all of her answers.

Rising he escorted her out of the bar and across the street keeping an eye out for his mark just in case Richard should show up as they were leaving. If he did not even Anita would be able to stop Edward from completing his task.

Not running across anyone, they came to the church and entered. Sitting down in one of the pews Edward looked around. Churches were not one of his favorite places. He was not uncomfortable in them per se but he could just imagine the look on the priest's face if he were ever to go into confessional one day. Besides the only thing Edward had faith in was his weapons. They were solid and ready when he wanted them and he didn't have to pray that they would work. He made sure everything was in working order before he trusted them with his life.

"It's your dime," He said to Anita not giving her the satisfaction of starting first. If she wanted answers she was going to have to work for it.

 

[Trace]

Anita

I followed Edward into the church. Sanctuary might not be a bad idea right about now what with him acting so strange and close-lipped. Although, I seriously doubt Edward considers much of anything sacred anymore. That is if he ever did in the first place.

Excluding us, and as far as my sweeping gaze of the interior could make out, the church was empty. A pleasing aroma of warm wax filled the inner sanctum. Soft flickering candlelight illuminated the crucifix and various artworks on the walls; yet cast eerie shadows along the edges and corners of the room. A shiver of unease traveled down my spine. Whether it was from being in such close proximity of Edward, or the environment, I couldn’t really tell.

I sat in the pew to Edward, yet far enough away that I could watch his every move. My hand rested close to my holstered Browning. I really didn’t expect to have to draw it, but one could never be too cautious.

“No games, Edward. All I want to know is why you’re in town. I know full well you’re hunting, all I want to know is who.”

 

[Forrester]

Edward

Edward's gaze never left Anita's. He did not answer her for a moment and then said,"You know who I was there for. But it's not exactly what you think, Anita my dear. In tracking down your precious Richard I have come across some information that leads me to believe that I was sent on a wild goose chase on purpose by someone who thinks I am a fool. You know how much l like being taken as a fool."

He frowned and his face got dark. "Someone twisted the wording in a contract to make me do his dirty work." He caught her gaze once again and added,"I mean on a larger scale than just a simple contract. And things point to my employer's intentions of me not coming away from this any more alive than my target. Right now I am tracking Richard to get some information from him. If it turns out he is my true target I will handle that after I find out exactly what is going on."

 

[Jerahmeel]

I seen two people talking in my church. I walked over to see who they where and why they where here on a saturday."Excuse me may I help eithere of you?"