Thanks for all your great comments… they’ve not only been helpful but incredibly motivating…

@Beltmaker: Aloha… I know what you mean… I just love her books. I read her latest book (Incubus Dreams) and just couldn’t resist a crossover… especially because Anita is always so adamant in insisting she doesn’t swing both ways… Let’s see if Shane can change her mind haha… PS If you like L.K.’s Anita Blake series… try her Merry Gentry novels… also smashing!!!

@Katey471: Thanks!!! Glad you like the combo… and yeah the rolling is perfect for Shane… I wonder if we had vampiric blood if we could pick up people like that haha…

@Myluvmarina: Thanks babes!!! Keep on reading!

@Liz: Are you still lost? Need a trail of breadcrumbs? Try http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shire/8109/homepage.html or mail me or leave a comment… I hope even though you’re a bit lost you’re still liking it…

@Alecto: Wooohooo… the perfect fix for a vampire and L Word fan hehehe!!!

@Windrider: Love that you’re loving it…

@Berks: Those ain’t the only powers she’s got… Wait till you see what I’ve got in store for her ~cackles madly~

Some previouslies to get you up to speed:

Shane looked at her surroundings. Shed never been inside Guilty Pleasures before. She didnt go to stripclubs. Especially not ones where the main attractions werent human but monsters.

I am Jean Claude, Master of the City, the man spoke. His voice was like fur. Rich and soft and it made Shane want to wrap herself in it. He turned to the woman. I believe you are scaring her ma petite. The womans face relaxed a little and a small smile appeared on her lips. This is Anita Blake.

Anita shook her head. She was about to speak as a wave of the ardeur hit her again. She felt it rushing through her and it tore a scream from Shane when it jumped back to her and then it was gone.

Impossible I know. You are a human. The ardeur should not be able to rise in you. But somehow it has. Suddenly all eyes were on Shane. She saw her life crashing before her eyes.

Jean Claude shook his head. So many complications. For centuries things had been simple and straightforward. And now suddenly Belle Mortes powers were finding their way to different individuals. So far both of them human.

She just rolled me, Anita stammered regaining her senses and pushing back the blood lust. Jean Claude nodded. I believe she did. Shane was staring at the two of them some of the fear returned to her face.

How come the Master of the City couldnt roll her when some vampire in the alley could? I cannot say this with any certainty, but perhaps coming into contact with Anita has somehow unlocked some doors that until now have been closed.


BLOOD HEIR

Chapter 3 – Flayings

Shane shut her eyes tightly. This is all a dream when I open my eyes, Ill be in my own room Shane took in a deep breath. Then slowly she opened her left eye and cursed under her breath when she saw Nathaniel sitting next to her, his eyes focused on the road. Shane let out a big sigh and slumped in her seat her arms crossed over her chest. This was turning out to be the evening from *****. First she nearly gets bitten by a vampire. Then the Master of the City tells her shes some kind of freak. And somehow she ends up in a car with a wereleopard, a vampire and the Executioner on her way to a murder scene.

The call for Anita had come in minutes after Jean Claudes little experiment. The police had found a body in an apartment building not far from Guilty Pleasures and they needed Anita to take a look at it. As a federal marshal who bedded the creepy crawlies, she often got called to investigate homicides that seemed to involve the beasties. It had been Jean Claudes idea that Shane go with them. At the time what he had said, sounded so logical but right now for the life of her Shane couldnt figure out what the ***** she was doing going to a murder scene.

Shane looked around her as the streets became grimier and more deserted. The longer she hung out with the creepy crawlies, the farther she seemed to be getting from West Hollywood. If only she had Dorothys red slippers. Then she could just click her heels three times and go home. Only she didnt have red slippers. And even if she had, shed probably never wear them. Before her mental ramblings could go any further, the car pulled to a stop in front of what normally was a pretty dark neighborhood. Tonight though the place was flooded with lights. Mainly red and blue lights from police cars. There was yellow crime scene tape around a deserted looking building. Instead of vagrants and junkies strolling in and out, there were cops all over the place.

Anita, Nathaniel and Damien got out of the car. When Shane made no attempts to move, Nathaniel chivalrously opened her car door motioning her out. Instead of saying anything she just shook her head resolutely. No way was she going anywhere near a dead person who had probably died a horrible bloody death. Nathaniel looked at Anita questioningly who let out an annoyed sigh. She wasnt all that pleased to be here as it was. Having a total stranger tag along only made things worse.

If you want to stay in the car fine. Damien can stay with you. Shane looked at Anita who was looking dead serious. So either she could go into a building with a dead body in it and be surrounded by cops or she could stay in a dark car with a vampire. Before Damien could even reply, Shane had already jumped out of the car and was walking towards the yellow crime scene taped scene. Anita followed her as Damien and Nathaniel exchanged amused glances.

Your entourage just seems to be growing, doesnt it? one of the detectives said as he saw the foursome walking up to him. Shane gave him the once over. He was really tall, but not quite towering over her. His jacket didnt match his trousers, his shirt didnt match his jacket and his tie didnt match anything. Especially not with the large coffee stain on it.

You swinging both ways now? he grinned. Anita gave him a cold hard stare, but finally smiled. She could never stay mad at Zerbrowski for long. He was just too damn nice and also she was sad to admit, one of the few cops on the force who didnt think the worst of her. Instead of rising to his bait, however, she decided to get on with it.

What happened? Zerbrowskis face changed from a smiling friend to a serious cop.

We have three bodies in there. Something really bad got them. Anita just kept looking at him. Something really bad could cover a lot of things. Zerbrowski cleared his throat.

Theyve been flayed, he said a little uncomfortably.

Flayed? Shane blurted out before she could stop herself. Anita gave her a warning look. She turned her attention back to the cop who was looking at Shane sympathetically. He was still recovering from what hed seen.

Go on. He shrugged.

Theres nothing more to it. Just that. Theyve been flayed. Dont know about you, but Im pretty sure humans dont do that.

So something killed them and then it removed their skins, Anita said almost to herself.

Actually, Zerbrowski interjected carefully, they werent exactly killed first. At this Anitas eyebrows rose.

You mean The cop just nodded. Something had cornered them and then ripped off their skins while they were still alive. He was about to say something when one of the uniforms told him the chief was on the phone. When Zerbrowskis back was turned to them, Shane uncertainly turned to her unexpected companions.

Why exactly are we here? Isnt this like a cop thing?

Anita is a Federal Marshal. She knows a lot of things about the supernatural, so they call her in to make sure they dont miss any clues or anything, Nathaniel responded. Shane slowly nodded.

Ok thats why shes here. Why are we here? she said wishing she was back in her truck ***** up her life. At least then she knew what the ***** was going on. Nathaniel shrugged. This time Anita answered her question.

Theyre here because I want them to be here. Youre here because we havent figured out where to put you yet. Normally an answer like that would have definitely provoked a response from Shane, but tonight nothing was normal. Before she could even think of anything to Shane, the cop was back and started moving towards the house. Just before entering the house Zerbrowski turned around to face the gruesome foursome.

Ok Anita, I get why those two are here. But why is she going in with us?

Shes my assistant, Anita responded without even missing a beat.

Your assistant? Zerbrowski raised his eyebrows skeptically. And what exactly is it your assistant does? Anita was starting to lose her patience now. Partly because tonight had been weird enough. Even weirder than normal. But mainly because she was genuinely annoyed at having the shaggy haired stranger trailing along with them. She made a mental note to strangle Jean Claude when she saw him. Not that it would do her any good considering he didnt breathe.

Do you want me to look at this crime scene or not? she replied testily.

I can just wait out here, dude, Shane said quickly seeing a window of opportunity to get out of seeing flayed people. But they were already moving into the house. Shane shook her head. Wait till she told Alice about all this. Although she wasnt sure whether Alice would be shocked or disappointed she hadnt been there.

The moment Shane stepped into the house, she could sense it. Death. It was like it was surrounding her like a heavy fog almost choking the life out of her. She took a few shallow breaths and felt a little better. Zerbrowski led them to the staircase at the end of the hall. As many cops as there were outside, thats how few cops there were inside. Almost as if even for them it was too horrible to be this close to something so nasty. Inadvertently Shanes thoughts went back to red slippers.

Its up here. Zerbrowski paused at the bottom step almost as if he didnt want to go up either, but he led the way anyway. When they reached the top steps, there were only a few officers milling around and some crime scene techies wearing those funky white overalls. Shane noticed the smears of blood on the walls almost instantly. She took a deep breath to steady herself, but started coughing violently when the smell of decaying flesh hit her nostrils. Damien placed his hand on her shoulder.

Easy does it. Just breathe through your mouth and youll be fine. Shane just nodded not sure she wanted to open her mouth and let anything in. A completely irrational thought, but hey she was allowed to be a bit irrational at the moment. A sense of relief washed over her, when Anita ordered them to stay outside and she realized she wouldnt have to go in that room.

She was about to lean against the wall, when one of the techies let out a yell. Right no leaning against walls. Dont want to ruin the crime scene. Shane wondered if it would be safe to sit on the floor. Then she saw a discarded needle in the corner and decided standing was probably her safest bet. Suddenly she felt a soft breeze caress her face. She looked around her but couldnt see any windows near her. She looked back at her two companions, but they were hushed in conversation and hadnt noticed anything. A few seconds later she felt another breeze and a faint whisper. Her feet started moving towards the entrance of the room. Part of her mind tried to fight the pulling sensation, but whatever it was it was strong and it wanted her in that room.

Anita was looking at the final victim, when she felt someone behind her. She assumed it was Zerbrowski and turned to ask him about the position of the victim only to find Shane staring at the bloody mess in front of them.

I thought I told you to stay outside, she said clearly annoyed. But when Shane looked at her, her eyes were no longer her own. Anita stood up automatically drawn to the brunette in front of her. Suddenly a harsh voice filled both their heads.

Nothing like the sight and smell of fresh blood, right ladies? The voice cackled letting them feel a bit of the insanity that filled the person the voice belonged to.

Belle Morte, Anita whispered her mind and body filling with fear as she remembered the last time she had met Belle Morte like this. Even in noncorporeal form Belle Morte, the mother vampire of Jean Claudes bloodline, had had immense powers. She was glad she hadnt met her in the flesh yet, so to speak. But how could she be here. Anitas shielding was in place, yet Belle Morte had somehow managed to break through. Anita saw Shanes eyes change color as they turned to a crimson red. Somehow this stranger was channeling Belle Morte. Before she could even consider the ramifications, Belle Mortes voice and powers came crashing through her again banging away at her shields she was trying so hard to keep in place.

Yes Anita I see you have made an interesting addition to your little harem. Belle Mortes powers also surged through Shane who felt her body involuntarily jerk. Suddenly they both felt the powers being pulled back a little. The menacing voice had now changed into a confused one.

This cannot be Belle Morte said almost as if she were talking to herself, which she probably was. She let out a primal yell and then Shanes eyes were back to normal. Anita started to speak, but she realized Belle hadnt left without giving them a parting gift as she felt the ardeur crash into her for the second time that night. Shane felt it too, because instinctively she moved towards Anita. Her hand reached out and stroked her hair suddenly grabbing Anita by the neck and pulling her close. Their lips were almost touching now. The nearness of Shane was making Anita dizzy and she felt her breath caress her skin soft as silk. Just as she thought she was about to make a fool of herself in front of all these cops, the ardeur vanished just like it had before.

Shane looked up into Anitas eyes confused about where she was. She was about to make some smart-***** remark when her eyes suddenly focused on the bloody scene behind her. Before she could stop herself, she threw up on the Executioner.

Stop contaminating our crime scene, she heard one of the cops say before she blacked out.