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. Please review, review, review. Reviews encourage me to keep writing, and gives inspiration for the story as well. Please forgive grammar errors, I have no beta.

Mizelle POV

The tears had fallen for longer than I had expected. I guess I had finally let go of everything I had been holding in for so long. For the thousandth time, I wondered why my father had sent my application here. How did he even know I would end up here? Maybe Jean-Claude was his version of continuing his torture. Nothing made sense and it had only got worse from that day when mom was killed. Mom's death changed everything. Dad became abusive, we were forced to leave our home, and I had to stay away from the sea or ocean because of assassins. Nothing was ever the same. While I loved James and a few secret others, a part of me would give up ever meeting them if it meant I could have my mother back. I chuckled at the thought, my mom would smack the back of my head for even thinking such a thing.

At least I had a strong woman on my side now, Claudia. I was glad she had offered to be a bodyguard, even though I didn't need one. It was better than Jean-Claude ordering her, and her not wanting to do the job. Yet, it still wasn't easy this situation I was in. I was worried about James, he was going to pissed once he found out about Kane. Jean-Claude had finally got what he wanted though, the truth, well some of what he wanted. I didn't tell him everything about my life or my powers. My back was against the wall though; even Asher had taken his side. James would have had my back if he had been there. Unfortunately, that particular werewolf was still at work. Wasn't I lucky?

I had just realized how long I had been in this room when Jean-Claude walked back into it. Immediately, all I wanted to do was run. I did not appreciate how Jean-Claude caused my powers to go into distress almost, and the way in which he attempted to command me. I started to run, which was probably not the best idea in the world against a vampire but running was what I knew, and it was definitely what I reverted to around Jean-Claude. Unfortunately, I wasn't as fast as vampire and he blocked my easily and quickly.

"Always running from me."

"I don't have much reason to stay."

"Why didn't you tell me about the scars?"

That was not something I had expected him to question me about. I expected him to speak of alliances, finding my people, or other Ryians. It caused me to just look at him for a moment in wonder. "It wasn't necessary for me to tell you." I finally managed to get out.

"Yet, you told Asher."

"No, I did not. He knew of them only, not how they were obtained. James is the only one who knew before the rest of you." As soon as I said that last part I realized I probably should have kept that to myself. Dammit!

"I shall have to discuss things with James." Definitely, should have kept it to myself.

"You will not because you would have to kill him, because he won't tell you anything about me without my permission."

"Then I guess I need to work on getting your permission."

"Have fun with that." I said as my phone went off. I thanked the heavens above that is was James texting me. Oh Alex, I'm here but me no see you. Lol. Where are you? "I have to go." I said moving out of the room without a second thought; practically sprinted towards James.

I found him easily, and didn't slow down my sprint as I got closer to him. As always he caught me spinning me around as if I was still a little girl. "So Alex, what have you done now?"

He used my name out loud which means Asher must have told him that they now knew the truth about me, or at least as much as I shared. Asher was coming out from the behind the bar which only proved my theory. "Kane showed up, and let the cat out of the bag." I said to James in explanation.

And once again, I probably should have kept that to myself because my lovely werewolf best friend got pissed quickly. He growled deeply. All I felt was a surge of power around him, as his muscles rippled underneath his skin. I could feel that because his hold on me had only tightened. I should have remembered how much he hated Kane. He loathed Kane's very existence. All I could smell was the forest as his eyes began to glow, I wasn't even sure if it was a close or his eyes switching to his wolf eyes. He was going to shift.

"James!" I practically yelled letting my eyes fill with power. I was more trying to calm him and bring him back before he wreaked havoc on the club. All the employees were still inside plus this club always had press outside. Thank God, the club had already closed for the night! It wasn't as many people as it could be, but still a werewolf shifting in a vampire club sounded like a very bad idea.

"You talked about protecting her, how could you let that scum near her?!" James yelled seemingly at Asher and now Jean-Claude who had come into the room.

"You need to calm yourself, wolf." Jean-Claude said with an edge of power in his voice.

"No! Alex you know what you need to do, this is the first time in three years. Shit, Alex, that is how you became Reaper plus met Anita."

"I know all of that James. Yet, they are scattered to winds and are like ghosts." I couldn't do what he was asking, but I knew why he was asking.

"Alex you could find them and you know it."

I sighed. "You know why that isn't a great idea."

"Then I think you should fill them in on the part of the story I know you left out." I couldn't expose others and those kind of Rya secrets.

I could feel Jean-Claude, Asher, and Claudia stiffen around me. I looked at James's eyes seeing the fury and more than that the worry within them. I couldn't reveal that much, could I? We didn't even know these people that well, right?