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Prelude to the Beast	By : snakecharms Category: Anita Blake > General Views: 5019 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Anita Blake series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 10

Tigers and Bears, Oh My

Haruko lead me toward the front door with Angus trailing behind. I trusted him enough not to leave my side again.

Kanaye said his goodbyes after we had calmed Angus. I was still reflecting on the touch of his hand when he had taken mine and kissed my fingertips. I could still feel those velvety lips. They had been the first thing I had seen when I came to while cradled in his lap earlier. But I just didn’t understand it. Kanaye seemed taken with me, at least that’s what I thought. For all I knew he could act that way with every woman he met. But why me? With Kanaye’s looks, charm, and silky touch he could seduce women who had supermodel status.

I looked down at my attire. It wasn’t exactly alluring or showing my greatest assets. My chest seemed a bit flatter than usual. Not that I ever really cared about my chest size or anything. My thinking is either take me as I am or the hell with you. At least that goes for everyone except for customers. If a good paying customer doesn’t like you at first glance then chances are they probably won’t ask for you again.

Haruko’s snickering was a reminder that I wasn’t alone. I quickly looked away from my chest, feeling pretty damn stupid. I wanted to say something smart and clever in return but couldn’t think of a comeback. So I continued walking in silence, admiring the art on the walls as we passed. The paintings were mostly of large beasts, some more fantasy than others. Still the craftsmanship was amazing. Of course what did I expect in a place like this?

“You don’t see many paintings like these now days.” He said, still walking and not turning to look at me.

I nodded, unsure if he could actually see it or not. Then he abruptly slowed down his pace.

He ran his hand through his long straight locks. “I didn’t have time to say this back there, but I want you to know that I’m sorry for what happened earlier.”

His apology took me by surprise. From the way he had acted in the bedroom I didn’t think he’d ever admit that he had some fault in the matter. But I couldn’t bring myself to fully forgive him. He’d scared me. And I hate being scared.

I shoved my hands into the back pockets of my blue jeans. “Let’s just try and forget. Won’t do us any good reminiscing over the details.”

I heard the hair sweep along his shoulders as he turned to look down at me. ”Quite the rational idea.”

“That’s me, Miss Rational.”

A manly chuckle seeped out from his parted lips. “You seem somewhat calm around me, Ms. Johnston. Do you hang around lycanthropes often?”

I wondered how I should answer. “Not so much anymore. But I used to.” I hoped and prayed the discussion would end there but it didn’t.

“Oh? Did you work with them?”

I had to think of something fast. “Hey, don’t those hurt?” I said pointing at his pierced nipple.

I watched that perfectly sculpted face become clouded with confusion but then look down at his chest. I’m sure if given more time I could’ve come up with something better than a discussion on nipple piercings but it was the only thing I could come up with in such a short amount of time. Haruko brought one of his cuff-linked hands up to gently roll across his nipple.

“They say that life is pain.”

“Who said?” I asked.

A smile pulled at his masculine lips once again. His eyes looked away from his chest and then over toward me. It felt comforting to finally be able to look someone square in the eye without running the risk of being sucked in. But Haruko’s eyes weren’t exactly harmless. I could almost feel a tiger stalking behind his brown eyes, prowling along its territory and trying to figure out if what stood before him was an ally or trespasser.

“Starving artists, like myself.”

We finally came to a winding set of stairs and went down two levels. Haruko’s buckles jingled, as we wasted no time marching downward. Now things were beginning to lfamifamiliar. I couldn’t help but run my hand along the banister as we descended. The cool, smooth wood caressed my fingertips. I dare not guess how much the banister alone was worth.

Angus trotted along beside me, almost as if climbing down the stairs wasame ame of some sort. Then it hit me forcing me to stop dead in my tracks.

“Did something happen between you and my dog while I was knocked out.”

He stopped and turned to look up at me. “No harm came to Angus while you were away.”

“Don’t give me the run around. I want a straight answer.” Angus nudged my hand.

“The two of us came to,” he paused as if he were reaching for the right words, “an understanding.”

“When you came along to show me the way out Angus should’ve been trying to rip your throat out. I don’t know why and the hell I didn’t think about this earlier.” I folded my arms across my chest. “What kind of understanding went on between you two for him to suddenly pull a 360?”

“A three what?”

I rolled my eyes. “To suddenly change.”

“We had a chat, and he now knows that I am the dominant one.”

I didn’t like how all of a sudden a man I just met had complete control over my dog. No other alpha Were had done what he did. Though then again Angus and me rarely strayed near to many. Even then I doubted the fact that any of them would make an attempt at declaring dominance and not try and simply kill him.

A roar tore through the night. I recoiled and went for the gun that wasn’t there. Shit. Before I knew it Angus was in front of me, ears pulled back, snarling. And then there was Haruko’s shield of a back, blocking just about everything from my view.

“Hey can we cool the testosterone for a second.” I said standing on my tiptoes, trying to see around the two.

A low grumble came from Haruko’s chest. It wasn’t a growl since tigers obviously can’t growl like wolves, but it was close enough. It reminded me a lawn mower just beginning to start, but that didn’t give it justice. The sound was almost exotic. It wasn’t exactly new to my ears but it was the first time I had heard it come from a lycanthrope in human form. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I lifted my hand.

“Angus,” that was all it took for him to pad over to my side. His ears were still pinned back but the snarling had stopped. I took a step forward, going down a step and bringing me to Haruko’s level. He had gone stiff, I wasn’t even sure if he was breathing.

“Haruko.” He didn’t answer. “Haruko.” I said a second time, grabbing hold of his bicep. We both gasped simultaneously. I felt his gaze shift down towards me. I met his eyes, which had bled to an icy blue. Gems in a sea of caramel skin, outlined in long silky ribbons of hair. Something passed between us. I wasn’t sure what it was but I could feel it. Electricity danced along my fingertips, trailing up my arm. And then it was gone.

I couldn’t help but watch his chest rise and fall with each breath. “Your touch,”

“Shit, I’m sorry.” I pulled away but with reflexes too fast even for my eyes he grabbed hold of my wrist before I could pull away.

“What they say about you is true.” Those icy gems stared not just at me, but through me. My pulse beat against his hand. If I had a gun I might have drawn it then. There was even a chance I may have even pulled the trigger. He was as beautiful as the tigers at the zoo. Their coats so soft and demeanor inviting, but close that bit of personal space that the steel bars enforced and they’d eat your face off.

There was that roar again. Haruko looked up and eased his grip enough for me to yank free. I decided to focus on the noise and then concentrate on (or just simply forget) what Haruko meant. “What is that?” To be on the safe side I took a few steps back away from him.

Turning back to me he noticed the distance I hut but between us but spoke nothing of it. “It’s the bear we had wanted you to tame.”

I heard another loud crash. “Where is it coming from?”

He turned back to stare in front of him and pointed to a dark hallway. “There.”

The loud roars came and went, differing in volume and intensity. Though I knew I should’ve been scared, I wasn’t. I rubbed the hairs on the back of my neck down. It wasn’t long until a human scream followed the bear’s roars.

Haruko reached for me. “You have to go now.”

I pulled back. “Who was that?”

The look on his face told me he was tired with the questions. “One of my tigers. Now you need to get out now.” This time he reached for me and got me around my upper arm.

“Wait!”

My words were lost in what could only be described as Haruko’s panic. He yanked me forward down the few flights of steps while my brain sloshed around within my skull.

I had two choices at that moment. I could A) leave like Haruko wanted me too, which would in turn mean that within the next 45 minutes I would be back home, smothered in blankets and warm sleep. Or I could B) stay and take my chances with a grizzly bear who more than likely just killed one of Haruko’s tigers.

As Haruko was practically dragging me across the floor, Angus in tow, I could feel the bear’s cries. To many they were ferocious roars of anger. But I could see through it all. They were cries, hurtful cries of pain and confusion. What kind of person would I be to leave when I was pretty sure that I was the only one who knew the real problem of the matter?

“Haruko let me go!” I yanked my arm back but didn’t get anywhere. I continued fighting with him barely giving me a glance back. “Can’t you hear it?” I continued. “Can’t you even feel it?” I wasn’t sure if it was stereotypical of me to assume that lycanthropes can automatically understand other wild animals, but it was worth a shot.

He stopped pulling me and turned around. “You’re tiger’s dieing, that’s a given, but I think I can help.”

“With all due respect I think my methods will have more of a chance in insuring the life of my tiger than yours will.” He reached for me, but I moved back again.

“How? By either killing or hurting him, right? And I’m sure Kanaye will be real pleased with you hurting his little pet.” The last part was just a dangerous shot in the dark but the look on his face told me I was correct for the most part.

“All right then, but if you die Kanaye won’t be pleased with me either.”

“Gee thanks for putting your confidence in me.” I looked around. “Where’s my purse?”

Haruko jogged out to the lobby and came back with it. I took it from him, pulled out the gun and handed it back. “Angus, stay here.”

He cocked his head to the side and whined.

“I’m trusting you enough that you’ll maure ure nothing happens to him.” I told Haruko as I checked the clip in my gun and then slid it down the small of my back into my pants.

He nodded. “You look as if you’ve done this before.”

I turned away from him and began my trek towards the dark hallway. “You don’t need to show me where he is I’m sure I’ll be able to find it.” I wanted to say ‘I’ll just follow the screams’
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Prelude to the Beast