Skin Trade(63)
“It’s okay, Jean-Claude, I’ll think of something. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what, Anita?” He never used my name; it was a very bad sign.
“I’m sorry that you’re afraid for me. I’m sorry that I’ve made you feel helpless. I’m sorry that I’m here, and you’re right, I can’t be a marshal and your human servant at the same time. I have to choose, and once the police are involved it means I have to choose the badge. Which may be exactly what Vittorio planned. I’m sorry that Edward may be right, and this is like the ultimate trap for me.”
“Ma petite, I did not mean to lose my temper, but it is not just Vittorio that you need fear.”
“I know that being around the weretigers is going to test my ability to control the beasts inside me.”
“I fear so.”
“Is there anything you haven’t told me about Max or his tigers?”
“Shall I be coy, and say that you know all?”
“The truth would be nice.”
“Recently, Max wanted you to visit his city and sleep with more of his tigers. They want, very much, to see if the new psychic powers that Crispin and the red tiger, Alex, gained from you feeding the ardeur was a onetime thing or can be shared with others of their clan.”
“I’m not sure those were my powers at all. The Queen of All Darkness, Marmee Noir, possessed me for a couple of days. With the help of my inner wolf, I kept from being consumed by her, but I still think any extra powers that the tigers gained came from her, not me.”
“That may be, but Max and his queen would like to test the theory.”
“I thought they were afraid I’d take over any tiger I fed on and that he was pissed how devoted Crispin is to me?”
“All that is true, but in the last few weeks, Maximillian has asked for a visit, or to send tigers to you for feeding.”
“And you were going to tell me all this when?”
“Ma petite, I am already sharing you with eight other men, or is it nine? You have enough food here in St. Louis; we do not need more in your bed. I do not really wish to add to your lovers.”
Just hearing him say it that way made me feel squeegy. “Do I apologize again?”
“No, for it is my ardeur that you carry. I cannot fault you for gaining my hunger.”
“Why do you think Max changed his mind about letting me have some more tigers?”
“I believe it is his wife, Bibiana. By the way, ma petite, knowing your sense of humor, I will caution you that only Max calls her Bibi. She is Bibiana, or Chang-Bibi.”
“You gave me this lecture before Max visited us last time. Chang, depending on pronunciation, is the name of a moon goddess. I won’t say it to her face, but it does make me dread meeting her a little to know that it’s not enough to be queen; her title has to mean goddess.”
“It is a traditional title, not one she chose, ma petite.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.”
“Okay, I’ll do my best not to use her husband’s nickname for her, if it’s like a serious faux pas.”
“It is. She is a very powerful weretiger, and she seeks more power. If she could have other tigers with the new ability that Crispin has, then it would be good for her clan.”
“He can call like static electricity, Jean-Claude; it’s like a little ouchy, but it’s not a weapon. It works best when he has metal to touch, so it’s really limited without metal around him.”
“Crispin is one of her weaker tigers. The tigers she offered to us recently were not so weak.”
“She’s hoping that if they’re more powerful shapeshifters, then their ability to do the lightning thing will be greater.”
“Oui.”
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“I do not understand, ma petite.”
“Do you want me to avoid feeding on her tigers while I’m here?”
“What will you feed on, if not the tigers?”
“I’ve got the swanmane, thanks to you, and I can feed on anger now.”
“If you can avoid feeding on any but Crispin, I think that would be wise.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Of that, ma petite, I have no doubt.”
“Thanks.”
“It is the truth. I may not always enjoy your choices, and they are certainly not mine, but you always try your hardest and do your best. I do understand that, ma petite.”
“I’m sorry you don’t like the choices, but thanks for noticing that I’m trying.”
“You are welcome.”
“But if I do have to feed on other tigers, is it okay with you? I mean, will it affect the balance of power among the tiger clans if the white clan suddenly has this uber-version of Crispin’s power?”