A little late with this chapter, so thanks for being patient! Now we'll see how Annie is dealing with Lance~~~~~~~

Chapter 10

James woke from a shortened sleep in his hotel freezer. Checking the clock he saw it was only a little after 3 pm. He knew he couldn't go back to sleep, he was too worried about Annie.

Figuring the time in LA, he picked up his phone to call Josef.

Josef was getting dressed for work when his cell rang. It was his private number that only a few people had, so he grabbed it to answer.

"Hello?"

"Josef, its James." His security guard sounded tense.

"Yes, James, what is it?"

"We're in Paris, as I told you, but Annie went to see Duvall last night and didn't come out."

Josef blanched. "Do you think she's in trouble?"

"I don't know. They packed up her stuff from the hotel and took it to Duvall's place. I'm guessing he wants her to stay there."

"Have you seen her?"

"No, but I'm going to stake out the place soon. It's late afternoon here and I'm not sure when the household gets up."

Josef swore to himself. He didn't want anything to happen to Annie. "Keep eyes on her as much as you can. If you think her cover is blown, get her out of there. If this doesn't work, I can go after Duvall another time."

"Understood." James said, releasing the tension he didn't know he had. "Annie's smart and she won't tip her hand unless she has to, but I'll be there just in case."

"Good," Josef replied. "You have Ewan's number. If you need to make a quick exit, call him. He's hooked up with the Paris council and they can help."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"All right," Josef said. "Call me and let me know what you find out. And keep Annie safe."

"I will," James said, and hung up. He headed for the shower, and then he would be waiting outside the Duvall residence to watch for Annie.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Annie awoke from a short but needed rest in the strange freezer. It was early evening and she got up slowly, stretching and decided to do her yoga workout before tackling anything else. She went into the sitting room and glanced around. She picked up her cell phone, and noted that the small hair she'd stuck to the back was gone. Grinning, she knew that Lance had either sent someone or tried himself to see who she had been calling. Before she'd even entered the mansion, she'd deleted all calls to and from James and any texts. Lance would have to do better than that, Annie thought, satisfied.

She ran through her workout, feeling much better, but she needed to feed soon. Looking through her clothes, she picked out a cocktail dress that she thought suitable for clubbing. It was still early, only 10 pm in France, but her internal clock was still on LA time.

She stuffed her wallet and cell into her purse, making sure she had sufficient money, but then had a thought. She quickly went to the desk and found some paper. She jotted down a message, and put it in her bra, not wanting it where anyone could see it.

Leaving the room, Annie went to find her host. She found Lance in his study, and he rose to greet her.

"Ah, ma cher, did you have a good rest?"

"Yes, thank you," she smiled at him.

"I came in a moment to see if you were all right, and you were still sleeping, so I didn't disturb you."

She put a hand to her hair, and said, "I suppose I'm still getting used to the time difference."

"No matter," Lance said.

"I am feeling hungry, so if you could arrange for a taxi, I'd like to go to one of the clubs for some food." Annie didn't like to refer to humans as just food, but she ascertained that Lance had no respect for the humans he fed on.

"Oui, that is fine." He pushed a button on his desk. "I have arranged for Louis to accompany you."

Annie frowned a moment. "That isn't necessary, I'm sure I can take care of myself."

"Of course you can," Lance said, his black eye gleaming. "You are my guest and we have important business. I don't want anything to happen to you. It is for both our protection."

She knew he was waiting for a reaction, so she tamped down her anger, and said, "I understand. I suppose things are different here in Europe."

Just then, a large vampire, dressed in a dark suit came into the room. Annie sized him up at once as an enforcer by his bulk and threatening demeanor.

"This is Louis, he will be your escort tonight."

The vampire didn't say anything, and Annie asked, "Does he speak English? I'm not very fluent in French."

"He can understand you, but doesn't speak much, do you, Louis?"

The vampire nodded, and offered Annie his arm. She looked at Lance and said, "I'm sure I won't be too long, then we can talk if you like."

"Of course, take your time and enjoy yourself." Lance chuckled. "I'm sure you will find our humans most cooperative."

She left with Louis, and they went to the front door and entered an elegant limousine.

"Where are we going?" Annie asked.

"To zee club, mam'zelle," the hulk replied.

Annie grimaced mentally, realizing the vampire couldn't or wouldn't communicate with her. It didn't matter. She just needed to find a human male who could understand her. She hoped wherever they were going had enough freshies that she could find one who spoke English.

The car pulled up in front of a nondescript building, with a small sign that proclaimed it was Le Club Bons Temps. Louis helped Annie out of the limo and they entered the darkened space. She was overwhelmed for a moment by the odors that assaulted her.

They made their way to an empty table, and Annie acclimated herself quickly. She had one chance to put her plan into motion. Louis looked around, obviously on guard, and Annie said, "I'm going to the bar. There seem to be some humans there."

He nodded shortly, but didn't take his eyes off her.

She sauntered off, aware that the enforcer was watching her. It was crowded, but she found a seat near a young human male, who was alone. She ordered a martini, and when it came, she turned to him. "Hello," she smiled.

He smiled back, and Annie could see the scars from bite marks on his neck. None of them were fresh, so she hoped he would be the one to help her.

"Do you speak English?: she asked.

"Yes, I do," he said with a slight accent. Annie sighed in relief. "You are American?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm from California."

"Hollywood?" The man said, hopefully.

Annie nodded. Even in Paris it seemed, everyone was impressed by the movies. "Yes," she responded, "I know some people there."

He smiled widely. He was a handsome young man, probably with hopes of fame.

"Let me buy you a drink and we can talk." Annie signaled the bartender, and he silently refilled their glasses.

"What's your name?"

"Charles Dubois, mademoiselle."

"Well, Charles, I'm glad to meet you."

"As am I," he said, turning on the charm.

Annie would have been amused, but she had to find a way to get him alone so she could persuade him to help her. She peered back at Louis, who was still watching her every move.

"Tell me about yourself, Charles." As he eagerly told her he was a model and had hopes of getting into the movies, they had another drink. During the conversation, she saw the guard was still watching her with intensity. She was sure Lance had instructed him not to let her out of his sight.

Annie decided to take the chance. She put her hand out to her human companion. "You know, Charles, I could do with more than a martini." Her eyes flashed silver then back. "Would you be willing to accommodate me?"

The man smiled knowingly. "Of course, cher."

Annie gazed around the club. There were alcoves where she'd seen couples hide in the darkness for a few minutes and figured that's where it was acceptable to feed.

"Shall we go over there?" Annie indicated her head toward the darkened area.

"It would be my pleasure." Charles slid off the barstool, and offered her his arm. She had to give it to these Frenchmen, they certainly had old-world manners. Without checking to see if Louis was still watching, she led the young human to unoccupied alcove. She moved in closer to him, and opened her handbag. She pulled out a bill, with her back to the room, and found the note she had penned earlier. She slipped both into the young man's pocket and moved closer to him, nuzzling his neck, close to his ear. "I've just put 500 Euros and a note into your pocket. You can read English?"

"Yes," he said, puzzled.

"After we're done, I want you to go out the back and call the number on the note and read what it says to the man who will answer."

"Oui, but why?"

She thought quickly. "It is a game I play with my lover."

"Oh, I see." Annie could see him thinking. "Are you in danger, mademoiselle Annee?"

Great, she thought. A gallant who wanted to save her.

"No, but it will add spice to my evening later," she fluttered her eyelashes at him. "Will you do it?"

Her eyes had changed, and her fangs were evident. He was mesmerized by her, and he said, "Yes, if that is what you wish."

"I do," she said, huskily, and bit into his neck. The blood was sweet, and she had to fight not to become immersed in the sensation. It had been so long she she'd fed fresh, she had to control herself. After a minute, she sensed his pulse slowing, and pulled away, licking his neck to close the wounds. She felt his rush of endorphins at her bite, and held him until he stood by himself.

"Bon, ma cher," Charles said, hazily.

"Are you okay?"

"O-K?" Charles asked, shaking his head, slowly.

Annie smiled. "Are you all right?"

"Oui, I am fine."

"Do you need something to drink?"

"I will get some water," Charles said. He touched his pocket. "Then I will go to make the call for you," he said.

Annie gave him an encouraging grin. "Merci, my friend. It is very important to me."

"Of course," he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek, taking the chance of being bold. "I hope you will find me again. I'm here several nights a week."

Annie gave him a genuine smile. He seemed to be one human uncomplicated by selfishness. She felt bad for a moment for using him, but she needed him to make the call to James.

"I hope to see you again, then. Please do not fail me."

"I will not, mademoiselle," he promised.

Annie turned and left him, making her way back to the table where Louis had continued to sit. She resumed her seat, and the man-mountain looked at her.

"Are you done?" he said briefly.

She smiled encouragingly at him. "Yes, that was what I needed."

Louis looked around and she sensed he was intrigued at the human women.

"If you would like to feed, go ahead."

Louis looked wistful, and Annie said, "Go ahead, I'll stay right here."

The enforcer hesitated, but then pushed himself up, and looked back at her. She gave him a sincere smile. "Have them bring me another martini, will you?"

"Oui." She saw him stop at the bar, and then hit on a shapely blond, guiding her toward the back alcoves. She hoped Charles would do what she asked. Annie sipped her martini, and waited for her guard to return.

Charles got a glass of water, as he always did after he'd fed a vampire. He was excited that he'd finally met someone who could possibly help him get further than the modeling jobs he'd had in Paris. He wanted to go to New York or Los Angeles to try to get into the movies and he knew that at twenty-six, he would soon be too old to start a film career. He made his way out the back of the building. He was familiar with the bar, and had frequently exited this way to avoid the crush in the club.

He reached into his pocket, and pulled out the cash and a scrap of paper. He was elated about the money Annie gave him, it would help with the rent for next month. He was slightly enamored with the petite vampire, but he had been a freshie for several years and knew that vampires rarely had romantic relationships with humans. He looked at the note, moving toward the streetlight at the end of the alley. He took out his mobile phone and dialed the number at the top of the note.

James had followed the limo that left the Duvall residence, and followed it to the club. He was still in the car, debating whether or not to go in when his phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number, but he answered anyway.

"Hello?"

"Is this Annee's amour?"

"Oui, who is this?"

"I have a note from Annee," the voice said.

James tensed. "Is she with you?"

"Non, monsieur. She asked me to call you and tell you what she wrote on a paper."

"What did she say?"

Charles, put the note closer to his face, to read the words in the alley's gloom. "All is well. He believes me and I will contact you when I have more news." Charles frowned at the paper.

"Is that all?" James asked.

"Then it says, 'waterfall'."

James relaxed in relief. Waterfall was one of the words they had agreed upon so they would know each other's messages were real. "Merci, mon ami."

Charles was pleased with James' praise. "Mademoiselle Annee said it was most important to call you."

"Yes. What is your name?"

"Charles Dubois, monsieur."

"Where did you meet Annie?" James asked, even though he was just down the street from the club where he'd seen Annie and another vampire enter.

Charles presumed Annie's lover was also a vampire, so he said, "We are Le Club Bon Temps. I provide services for the clientele."

"Very good, Charles. How is Annie? I haven't seen her for a couple of days."

"She is O-K," Charles said, proud that he remembered the American slang.

"Thank you for your help, mon ami."

"Bon, I will hope to see mademoiselle Annee again. What is your name, monsieur?"

"Call me Peter," James answered. Peter Hamilton was his new identification. "If you see Annie again, contact me at this number."

"Oui, d'accord."

Just then, James saw Annie and her vampire escort leaving the club. He followed discretely until they returned to the Duvall's compound. James settled in to watch for a while.

Inside, Lanced greeted Annie, "I hope you had a refreshing visit, my dear."

Annie smiled, and seated herself in a chair in the small parlor where Lance stood. "Yes, your humans are most cooperative."

"Bon." Lance's demeanor changed and he looked at her, his black eye glittering. "I've thought about your plan to get Kostan."

"Yes?"

"I agree that Kostan should die."

Annie smiled, but then Lance's next words froze her in place.

"But, I will not go to Vancouver as you suggest."

She frowned, "What do you mean?"

The tall vampire grinned wickedly. "I mean I will go to Los Angeles and kill him there. And you will help me."

Annie stared at him in shock. "Are you out of your mind?" she gasped. "I want Kostan dead, I don't mean to die myself. To go after him on his own ground is suicide." She hadn't expected Lance to change the plan, and she had to dissuade him.

"Ah, but you will be able to help, my dear. Once we are there, you can draw Kostan out where we can kill him."

"It's his territory," she said, trying to keep the alarm out of her voice. "He has protection, not like when he goes to Vancouver. It would be better to take him there, when he's unguarded."

"But we have you, ma cher, and you can lure him out."

Annie saw Lance was watching her closely. She had to stop him. "Why would Kostan listen to me?"

"Because you are a Cleaner, trusted by the vampire community. He does not know you harbor hatred for him, does he?" Lance asked, silkily.

"No," she said. "No one knew about my relationship with James. We kept it between ourselves." She thought about her lover with longing, wishing she could draw on his presence now.

Lance felt her emotion and was satisfied. "Then we will proceed with my plan."

Annie stood up abruptly. "It is foolhardy and will put us in danger," she said angrily.

"But you will do it, mademoiselle." Lance looked at her menacingly. "If you do not, I will make sure Kostan knows of your treachery."

She lifted her chin in acknowledgement of his threat. By his attitude, she knew he wouldn't be deterred from his plan. She thought quickly, knowing he wanted her answer immediately.

Annie sat down again, and pretended to consider what Lance said. "All right," she replied slowly, "but I'll have to figure how to get Kostan away from his guards so we can get to him." She hoped this would give her some maneuvering room.

"Bon, of course Annie," Lance said expansively, now that he knew he had won. "What do you have in mind?"

She looked up at the tall vampire, trying not to concentrate on his black eye. "Let me work on it. We will want Kostan to be out of his house, where he has security."

"You know his habits?"

Annie shrugged again. "I know his home and office are well-protected. He needs to have a reason to be away from his security."

"You will give me your ideas," Lance said, smiling. Even with his black eye, he was an attractive man, and could use charm when it suited him.

"Very well," Annie said. "If you don't mind, I'll go to my room. I need to think."

"Of course, ma cherie. I presume you will want to go out tomorrow night to feed?"

Annie stood and gave him what she hoped was a sincere smile. "Yes, the club was fun and there were many attractive men there."

"I will instruct Louis to be ready to take you tomorrow evening."

She turned to leave, but Lance put his hand on her arm, squeezing tightly. "I hope we understand one another, eh, Annie?"

She felt his power, and met it with her own. After all, she was older, but allowed him to be in control. "Yes," she said, lowering her eyes. "We will make your idea work and Kostan will be dead."

Lance released her, and she walked out of the room, her mind racing. She needed to get this information to James as soon as possible. She only hoped Charles would be at the club tomorrow night.

TBC

Looks like Lance has his own plans. Annie will try her best, but can she stop him and get the information to James? Thank you for reading and reviewing!