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, Rya, and the elementals, are of my own creation. Please review, review, review it gives such inspiration. I do not have a beta so please forgive any grammatical errors. This is my first fanfiction, so I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 55: Strategies

Alex POV

"Well, since you did just declare war I think it's time I run this show for a moment." Claudia said with a slight smirk. "We need to talk security."

I sighed and sat down at the table. "What are you suggesting?"

"I have talked with Truth and Wicked. We feel Wicked would be better to train the inner circle, pack, kiss, whatever you want to call it. This includes private sessions with Alexandra and myself as discussed previously. Truth will train the vampires. I would like Lissandro or another highly combat trained were to train the weres." She took a pause letting us all process that information before she continued. "Those who join the inner circle have to with with approval from myself, Alex, and Jean-Claude."

"Why approval from those three?" James asked sitting up on the counter.

"Jean-Claude is political, I'm security, and Alex is everything else. We consider everything." Claudia said shrugging.

"How are we splitting security leaders?" Truth asked standing next to his brother.

Claudia took a deep breath. "I'm in charge of security for those in this room, those guards report directly to me. The vampires report to Wicked, and weres report to Truth, since he's the more able to deal with their anger and not react like Wicked would."

Wicked snorted and I laughed. "You do suck at dealing with weres Wicked."

"I can't see him dealing with anyone other than us." James said with a smirk shaking his head.

"Moving on. If I am handling training we are doing this twice a week, one day physical combat and one day magic or power based combat." Wicked explained very matter-of-factly. "We will increase days as necessary, and decrease. After the power based combat training, I will work with Claudia and hurricane exclusively or on a different day."

We all nodded in agreement, not complaining. There was no arguing with Wicked at that point, not on this. He was already upset that I was in this situation.

"I'm fine with exclusive training on same day. I would prefer possibly before at first dark, and then go into power training with everyone else." Claudia said looking at Wicked.

"Very well. We can discuss day and times later." Wicked said with a deep nod. Yes! He respected Claudia. He only did that to warriors he respected.

Claudia nodded in return and then turned to me. "Zelle you wanted, my bad, sorry everyone had a nickname I needed to pick one." She said with a smirk.

"It's okay, it has been one of my nicknames, little rat." I said with a wink.

Claudia smiled. "Well you wanted guards on Taras. I believe earlier I suggested Fredo, and I stand by that, but we all need a guard."

"Why?" Asher said walking in, giving me a small smile.

"Easiest way for hurricane to be threatened is someone in this room." Taras said, I couldn't even call him Ras in my head in this moment he was too serious.

"The same applies to Jean-Claude." Claudia said strongly. "If someone makes a move on individuals you have provided your protection or are your pomme de sang etc, there is a political nightmare. Zelle would just be more aggressive than you and make it worse possibly."

"I'm not that aggressive!"

"You tore out the throat of the Freke of a werewolf pack because he threatened James." Claudia said sternly. "Shut-up."

I sat back and pouted. James chuckled and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Are we having vampire guards take over for the Weres after nightfall for those in this room?" Jean-Claude asked tapping his knee ever so slightly. He was thinking, I could feel him contemplating things though I could in no way tell you what he was thinking.

Claudia looked at the Twins and then back at Jean-Claude. " We hadn't agreed on which vampires would be suitable for bodyguard work. Most were best for the businesses. Is there something political we need to discuss?" She said, probably assuming that was reason for his question. "I'm willing to have vampires on you guys, but for Alex, James, and Taras I rather have both Weres and Vamps or just Weres."

Jean-Claude nodded in understanding to her first point. "As Taras said, more will come later." Claudia agreed. "As long as they are approved, we don't need another Anita."

Asher raised his eyebrow. "Why the distinction of having both were and vampires on them three?"

"Vampires would respect us, and the order of things." Truth said matter-of-factly. "They may not put in all to guarding a were, outside vampire, or whatever they think hurricane may be." Wicked continued. "The vampire might be easier to assign guards for." Truth said taking over. Wicked slipping into to finish thought. "They would be following orders of the Master of the City. It's the were and unknown with my hurricane that would cause problems."

"Exactly. Zelle has earned the respect of the roedere and news like that will travel fast. Most weres will respect her unless they see her as a threat, or they just have issues with a female being strong." Claudia said smiling when she spoke of the roedere respecting me. I think she liked being my favorite rat, but also loved that the roedere respected me on their own.

Jean-Claude nodded in understand. "We cannot however, keep out the vampires completely. They will understand protecting myself and businesses."

"No vampires will guard us willingly." The Twins said in unison.

I looked at them shocked. "Are you guys really that feared?"

"Even more so, since our rampage when we could not get to you." Wicked said with a darker tone. Truth looked down in shame, and pain seemed to fill Wicked's eyes.

I approached them both slowly and grabbed their hands simply standing in between them. In that moment, I believe that they needed nothing more than know I was safe and by their side. I doubt that I could ever make them stop regretting the fact that they couldn't get to me, but I could remind them that they were here to save me now.

"Would it be better to have the vampires evaluated by Jean-Claude with the Twins maybe hiding in the shadows?" I asked looking at JC and glancing at Claudia.

"That would be effective ma petite, Twins are quite capable of hiding their presence which will allow the vampires to speak more freely." He said tapping his knee a little faster. Why was I noticing this!?

"I want to be in there for those meetings." Claudia said sternly.

"Of course." Jean-Claude said nodding his head at her. "I believe I will announce the Twins arrival and their new positions and see what response we get."

"Most will believe you are preparing to challenge another's territory." Asher said arising from his seat.

"Which is what he wants I think." I said scrunching my forehead.

"Indeed it is, ma petite." Jean-Claude smirked. "Most of the vampires, will be far more shocked that they are willing to submit to my rule though."

"I'm not even going to ask, topic for another time." I said shaking my head and chuckling.

"How are we going to know which guards are for what?" Ras asked. He was taking notes which I assumed he would burn later.

Random side bar: It's amazing to me that Taras is head of Dark Forces. He is not a hybrid, at least as far as I know. He is really born into the dark kingdom. He does control fire, but he is still from the dark kingdom. The kingdom believed he was controlling either hellfire or was going to control the dark flame. The dark flame is a legend that I cannot remember, I didn't know everyone's history that well. Yet, everyone assumed somehow Taras had got this power that had been lost for several decades. The way Taras tells it, him being changed into a vampire halted whatever progress his power was making. You catch it sometimes though when he has a flame in his hand, while mine flame was a bright orange…his was this dark color. It made me feel cold. It was fire but no real warmth came from it. But moving on….

"Wristbands!" James yelled excitedly making me focus on him.

Claudia looked at him confused. "Explain."

"Most of Jean-Claude's businesses have wristbands or something to that effect for the customers. We could simply have that process for the guards." James explained.

"I call blue for the inner circle!" I said quickly with a smile!

"Of course you would." Asher said smirking at me.

"Where we would have other guards, and what colors would they be?" Jean-Claude asked obviously intrigued by the idea.

"Guards protecting the Circus since this is home base, and we could extend that to mean the homes of those who do not stay here." Claudia said pacing as she started to think through everything.

"Green!" James yelled. "Green is safe, like home base!" I laughed. "I approve."

"The home base made need to be moved in the future to accommodate all, and leave the Circus as the professional base setting." Truth said looking around.

"All Truth?" I asked trying to study his face.

"Yes, hurricane. If more are added then this place would not accommodate everyone. Guards not on duty, however, could stay here."

"With guards staying here it looks as if we all still live here and this place becomes a decoy!" Claudia said excitedly. Her voice had started to wave with every word. She looked like she did when we watched movies.

Jean-Claude sighed. "Is this an immediate need?" He asked glancing at Wicked.

"Not currently, Master, but if we grow it will be." He said looking at Truth who nodded in agreement.

"I want you two working with Alex, to at least choose a location in the meantime then work with Claudia to draw blueprints." Jean-Claude commanded. He touched his knee gently as he folded it over his leg. "Accommodations for vampires and weres alike need to be provided."

Wicked nodded, and I saw his shoulders raise as if the responsibility literally now sat upon them. "Time frame for work to be completed was blueprints are drawn, Master." Truth said. The Twins switched back in forth in speech so much, and so easily.

"Assuming we have weres doing the work, two weeks." Jean-Claude said looking at Asher, it was clear he had just told him to look into were building companies discretely.

"If move required at least three weeks notice required?" Wicked asked.

"Indeed." Jean-Claude replied.

Claudia sighed. "In the meantime, green wristbands will be for guards protecting home base. Blue will be for those guards assigned a personal detail to those in this room. Finally, I assume you want businesses guarded?"

Jean-Claude nodded. "Those businesses already have some assigned security so too much more might not be required just their new identification." Asher replied.

"Black!" I yelled. "All your businesses deal with art or darker desires, etc. Plus, they aren't bright and they all are only open mainly at night."

Claudia smiled. "So green for home base, blue for personal guards, and black for businesses. Is there anywhere else that has not been covered?" She asked mainly to the Twins.

"Everything seems covered. We can adapt as necessary." Truth spoke. Wicked nodding his assent this time. "Those are the most crucial, more so with home and personal details."

"In that case, Fredo has Taras along with his werebear, who needs to be closer." She said looking at Ras, who nodded catching the hint. "Dino has Wicked and Truth. Since you two are always together, will one be sufficient?" Claudia asked staring at them.

"They get two." I said sternly, and turned to them. Their strength was in being together but that might not always be the case. "This is not up for discussion. If you train others at same time you will be apart, and apart others will think you vulnerable." I turned to Claudia. "They get a guard a piece."

"Yes ma'am." She said, I saw the mirth in her eyes so I know she was joking but noticing how I switched to an almost regal tone.

"Dino will be for Wicked, and Bobby Lee for Truth. James will be guarded by Lucy and Asher covered by Igor. Jean-Claude covered by Godofredo, we call him God, plus what vampires we deem appropriate."

Jean-Claude looked at Claudia. "Alexandra?"

"She will be guarded by myself, and Raine. If I am every unable then Wicked or Truth will take over. She will always have two guards. No discussion. We can split between were and vampire as we determine more of our force. These current assignments are based off having just the rodere for security." Claudia said sternly looking at me as she spoke. She was clearly not budging on this, and I nodded my head softly.

"Once, we complete this list we can add the weres and adjust as necessary." Ras said looking at his notes. He was really keeping track of this whole meeting. "We can develop schedule too?"

"Will be paying the bodyguards or getting them jobs at the business for when they aren't on detail?" James asked. "It might be incentive for weres who don't have much."

I thought about it and took a deep breath. "Can we afford to?" I didn't know Jean-Claude's finances or anything like that.

Asher looked at Jean-Claude for a moment and then spoke to all of us. "I think some of the weres can be work as security, waitress, or cashiers at the businesses. Especially the Circus above us."

Claudia seemed unsure though. "That wouldn't be best for those who are doing personal details though. They need to be focused on their charge."

"We can determine as necessary depending on those added." Jean-Claude said ending the discussion. Ras jotting it all down.

"What will you do with all those notes?" I asked curious.

"Safe. Where I kept book and weapons. You know the one." He said softly.

"With all of our stuff? You moved it here?" I replied.

"Is it safe?" James asked concerned about our things within. There were many precious things to us in there. My mom's crown, Taras's bear claw necklace from his father, and James had things from the Elders of his pack, plus his mother's hairbrush.

"Moved once I was called by Light & Fae to warn you. It is safe brother." Ras said staring at James. I knew they were conveying a lot in that moment. I was noticing we all were able to read each other in same way or have conversations without words.

"The new were guards should live at Circus." Asher noted.

"We shall have the floor above cleared whose stay in this particular spot in unnecessary. The food areas for weres can simply be expanded." Jean-Claude stated.

Asher nodded. "I will make the homes purchased last year, but not currently in use available for those who still require a form of accommodation."

I sighed. "This is a lot for just me." With those words, my bonds were flooded. It was partially anger for suggesting it was too much for me, and compassion. Ras was pulling on any connection he had as tightly as he could and so was Jean-Claude. I simply was receiving very strong looks from the rest.

Of course, it was my Twin broke the silence, even as he flooded the bond the most. "If it allows you to remain here unharmed, I believe I speak for everyone when I say that we would do all this and more."

"We were not there once, you happiness and safety shall not suffer this time." The Twins spoke gripping my shoulders.

I smiled and nodded. "You can stop flooding the bonds now, it is getting a bit much." Everyone backed off a little, except Jean-Claude.

I would move Heaven and Earth, ma petite. I would confront nightmares I've dared not ventured into.

I stared at him shocked as tears filled my eyes. Maybe this mate thing won't be so bad.

Jean-Claude laughed deeply, it was a real laugh from a happy place, and I prayed I got to hear it more often.

"Moving on, can we talk about menu for Sunday. I really want steak, lil aqua." James said smirking. "For those who don't know Sundays dinner at 6pm for the inner circle and I'm assuming their guards is now a thing."

"Who said 6pm? We have vampires now, mi lupa." I said chuckling.

"Fine 7pm, but not a minute later. They are old vampires they can wake up in time." James said laughing. Eventually everyone joined in either laughing along or just smirking. Even Wicked had a smile on his face.