Chapter 2: Meetings
A year after moving to St. Louise found Xander actively avoiding the major players in its preternatural community. It seemed his friendship with Jason had caught the attention of Jean-Claude, the Master of the City. He had quit his job at Guilty Pleasures and cut contact with Jason, just to avoid him. He now worked for a construction company that didn't allow its workers to work passed nightfall. He lasted about a month before Jason caught up with him after work.
He had just finished work on furnishing for a recently constructed mansion and was on his way home when he felt a werewolf coming up behind him. He quickened his pace, eager to get home and away from his pursuer. He got maybe five blocks away from his home when he heard his name being called.
"Xander, wait up!" It was Jason, Xander groaned and turned the corner and started running. He made it to his door before he noticed Jason was still following him. He groaned again and started banging his head on the door. With a growl he motioned a confused Jason into his apartment. With a sigh he followed him in and closed the door with a definite snap.
He sighed when he looked up and saw the look on Jason's face, a mixer of hurt and anger, with just a dash of curiosity. After a minute or two of silence, Jason finally asked the question that was bothering him. "Why did you quit?"
Xander just sighed and sat down on the couch, his face in his hands as he let his shields down. He flinched at the shocked sound that escaped Jason.
"You're a pan-were…" Jason said, amazed and slightly fearful. Xander just nodded and put his shields back up. "How…"
Xander sighed and looked up, meeting the fearful gaze. "It happened awhile ago, maybe a year or two," he began, holding up a hand to stop the questions he could tell were coming. "I'm very good at shielding, that's why no one noticed." He explained as he stood and made his way to the kitchen. He made himself and Jason a cup of coffee and once more went to sit on the couch. He took a drink and went on explaining.
"I was walking home when I was jumped by three were's, they bit me at the same time and left me for dead." He said as he drained his glass. "That's pretty much all that matters." He finished, conveniently leaving out the parts about his friends. He looked up to see the look on Jason's face; it was a mixture of wonder and indecision. Xander sighed; he knew why he was so indecisive.
Jason opened his mouth to say something, only to have Xander once more interrupt him. "Let me guess, you have to inform the Master of the City." He sighed when he saw Jason nod sadly. "Fine, but I don't want those idiotic royals to know about me." He growled, he saw the confused look on Jason's face. "The wereleopard Queen, and Werewolf King," He clarified as he stood and started pacing.
Jason nodded, "I can try, but they are bound to Jean-Claude." Xander just growled and continued to pace. Jason sighed sadly and left to inform his master about the Pan-were that had been right under their noses.
Xander watched as he left, his thought on how to best get out of St. Louis. He knew his time was up, either he would have to leave or end up tangled in the ropes of were politics. He sat and started thinking, only to jump an hour and a half later when there was a knock at the door. He knew who it was.
With a final sigh he went and opened the door, and there stood the Master of the City. Jean-Claude was like sex on legs, his long raven black hair cascaded down his back, it contrasted vividly with the pure white, silk shirt. The black leather pants he wore looked like they had been painted on.
Xander sighed and, making sure not to look directly into his eyes, he invited him in, barely taking notice of Jason, who stood behind him.
