Disclaimer: Cover image for the story and all characters, powers, places, and overall setting of Anita Blake are the creation of Laurell Hamiliton. Other characters and powers such as Mizelle and elementals are of my own creation. Well, here is your next chapter. ^_^ Keep the reviews coming, and I'll try to keep the chapters coming on a more regular basis. Enjoy...

I took a deep breath as Anita drove towards the bistro we were meeting her friend Richard at. She was going on and on about him, and it was getting very annoying. She had definitely become slightly more emotional since last I saw her when she had been cold as a rock. She had stared down death and killed without blinking, now I wonder if she could even handle a horse getting killed in a movie. I mean I didn't like animals being hurt either, and I definitely had some additions to my favorite animal list since moving to this realm but come on. Richard was apparently someone who should be alpha male of his pack but didn't want to kill the leader to do it. He seemed foolish to me so far, just kill the guy and keep it stepping. Especially, if it would better protect your people. I was leader once in more ways than one, you don't put your people at risk. Only time I did was for my father, and my mother paid the price.

"We're here!" Anita said proudly as she parked the car next to the bistro. "Come on." She said smiling. I think she really just wanted me to like this guy and stay away from Jean-Claude. If only she knew how much I was going to do that anyway. Right now, I was only attaching myself to my one best friend, and to Asher. I didn't even want to be attached to Anita right now.

I got out of the car and saw Anita walk up to a table outside the restaurant. There was a tall guy, I was guessing about 6"4, broad shoulders. He was bronzed, no brown. It was obvious he worked out. The t-shirt he was wearing looked like it was about to rip from his muscles. He had light brown hair that framed his face and matched his sun-kissed tan. I had to admit he was extremely good looking. Why wasn't Anita all over him instead of Mr. Undead?

Taking a deep breath and preparing myself, I walked up to the table after closing the car door. The guy stood and nodded his head.

"I'm Richard." He said extending his hand.

"Mizelle." I said sitting down not shaking his hand. My powers, well touching people wasn't always the best idea. You would be surprised how much water could tell you, and I really didn't want to know the last place he was or ate. Sometimes, I could control whether or not water told me anything about a person, but in situations where I was already anxious water didn't take no for an answer.

Richard looked surprised that I didn't shake his hand and sat back down. "Well, Anita has told me a lot about you."

"None of it is true." I quickly replied looking at Anita, knowing she made me seem so much nicer than what I am. Probably, didn't even tell him I wasn't human.

"Well, you are beautiful." He said smiling.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I replied ordering a hamburger and fries with just ketchup and mustard.

"Zelle, stop being rude." Anita said as she ordered a chicken salad and not surprisingly Richard order a rare steak with fries. Surprise, Surprise. Wolves and their meat.

"I'm not being rude. I'm being me." I said pulling out my phone. I was shocked to see more messages from Jean-Claude. Then I remembered how old I had sensed Jean-Claude was, I'm assuming he just couldn't be in sunlight. I should have known he would be up earlier. How old was he? I decided to be nice and read the messages this time.

You said I had to become a friend, and that therefore is my new mission. I hope I can earn your friendship.

I took a deep breath as I scrolled down to the next one.

Our deal, ma petite, extends to text messages as well. I will check my comrade's phone.

I silently cursed underneath my breath. Damn arrogant vampire. Was her serious? I had to give him smiles technically, but I didn't mind friendship if it was worth it. How dare he check his comrade's phone?

Richard must have heard me curse. He looked at me raising an eyebrow. "Everything okay, over there?"

"Of course." I said smiling brightly even though it wasn't really reaching my eyes. My mask, as Anita would later inform me, was clearly on.

It was now about three thirty. It had taken at least twenty minutes to get to this little bistro from my house and we had sat & ate which added another hour. I was actually looking forward to when I would be around Ash again. Yes, I gave another vampire a nickname. I was probably the first to do it in centuries. It was like I could be myself with Ash, show my scars and not worry about others. It was peaceful, simple.

Richard was sweet but I knew he wasn't really trying. He was playing it safe at least he thought he was. I had noticed that his eyes focused on Anita far more than me, I wonder if they use to be a thing. When the meal had come to an end and Anita had constantly told me to stop being rude, we, Anita and I, started walking back to the car. Well I was until Richard called my name and Anita ran off. Traitor

"I think you are more stubborn than Anita." He said smiling a little.

I shook my head and smiled. "I actually learned from her."

Richard laughed, deep in this throat, and I shook my head once more. "Well, I would love to see you again." He said pulling me into his arms and attempted to kiss me. I dodged at the last second, so he would only kiss my cheek. It had to be the sweetest kiss ever, even just on my cheek. It didn't speak of emotions or held back passion, it was just sweet. I assumed he forced it, because it seemed to lack everything. "Call me." He said slipping me his number and letting me go.

I nodded but didn't smile at all. I knew I was going to hear about it the whole time I was in the car as she drove us to the Circus of the Damned. It was where the vampires of the city well the important ones, most of them, lived anyway. I knew cause I felt the concentration of low body temperature there when I first entered the city. I had scoped out the entire city one night when father had finally went to sleep. The whole car ride went exactly as I had thought.

"Aww, he kissed you. Lil Reap this is awesome. He can be your date for tonight after you get off work." She said smiling. "We'll leave our clothes here since this is where we are meeting Jean-Claude."

I felt my hands clench up, power roaring within me. I loved Anita but this Anita without her anger was going to take some getting used to it. "Anita, we agreed I'm taking Asher!" I half screamed the last part and cursed under my breath when I heard my phone go off and Jean-Claude's name run across it. I looked up at it was dusk, sun was setting, he had heard me for sure now.

It would appear that now I'm owed a date as well.

I growled and threw my phone down in my seat. "X, just take me to work." I said shaking a little as it started to pour down raining.

"Reap, you're making it hard to drive." Anita said referring to the rain that was now pounding her windshield.

"Sorry." I said as I took a deep breath calming myself. Anita, wisely, remained quiet after that. I really needed to get to work.