Search for Safety

I am a weredragon. The only one of my kind left, as far as I know. Most of us were hunted into extinction by the knights of old, but I survived. I am still young, for a dragon. I was born Genevieve, a human, in 1004, in the land now called England. At age 8, I was playing by our house when a man stumbled down the path, badly wounded. His arms and chest were torn up, as if by some large beast. He was bleeding heavily, and collapsed onto the ground no more than ten feet away from me. In my haste to go to him, I tripped and fell, scraping my knee bloody. Reaching his side, I unwittingly knelt in his blood. The ramifications of that simple act I have lived with all my life. For the man, William, as I came to know, was a weredragon, and his blood mingled with my own, making me like him. I did not realize this until the next full moon, a week from then. Lucky for me, William was still with us, and doing much better. Amazingly so. He was nearly fully healed. We didn't understand it then, but I do now. Lycanthropes heal quickly. Anyway, early that evening, I was restless. I out of all my family saw William creep away into the dusk, and being a curious child, I followed. It probably saved my life and the lives of my family. For when the full moon burst upon me, I changed for the first time. And if William had not been there to see, to show me what to do, how to hunt, I surely would have gone on a rampage looking for food and killed many I would have regretted later. William, on his part, was horrified at what had happened, but resigned himself to teaching me in order to make up for turning me. I learned much from him. 1

However, I could not return to my family. Weredragons are not immortal, as are real dragons, but we do not age as humans do. Every one hundred years of human time equal one of dragon time. So now, in 2004, I have the appearance of a human of eighteen, but I am really one thousand years old. I lived with William for quite some time. It was really quite fortunate of me to have him as a mentor, for he was a master fighter, a knowledgeable and kindly man, and a great friend. 'Twas he who fought the knight George, called saint, and 'twas he who fell to the man in 1147. That was a bitter, bitter day for me, for I had to learn to live on my own, something I had never done before. But I managed, and quite well. Now I cannot imagine going back to dependency- I like my freedom too much.2

I arrived in St. Louis three weeks ago. I had been living in Pennsylvania for a while, but decided to change. If I want to keep my secrets, I must move often. I just don't age fast enough to appear natural. And though most lycanthropes are tolerated, if word ever got out that there was a dragon in their midst- No. I cannot take that risk. Not unless I find people like me who I can trust. Other lycanthropes. Vampires. Something. That is why I have come to St. Louis. I have heard about Anita Blake and her powers, her friends. She has friends among many of my kind. No. Not my kind- I am alone. Ones like me. I have been posing as a student at the local college, one majoring in the supernatural. I followed Anita to a bar two weeks ago, and when I "overheard" her name, I introduced myself, explaining that my name was Jennifer (no point in giving my real name, at least not yet) and I had heard about her work, her friends, and was interested in meeting some of them. I told her of my 'major'. She was wary at first, but I wore her down, being my most friendly, most genuinely interested. She agreed to take me to meet the wereleopards the other night. I was talking to Micah, the Nimir-Raj, or leader of the pard, asking him stuff about the pard and everything when a young one, Caleb, came in a bloody mess. Apparently, he had gotten in a fight with another leopard. From what I heard of the conversation, it was not the first time this had happened- the two just did not get along. I went to him, saying I knew first aid (I do- sort of. Healing powers come with the dragon magic) and he lost control of his shape, shifting nearly on top of me. I ended up covered in blood and shifting fluid, nothing I hadn't seen before. Anita, however, seemed very surprised and impressed that I kept my cool. I think she expected me to flip out. She said she felt bad about it, and since the leopards were busy with Caleb, she offered to take me back to the Circus of the Damned in order to let me clean up and meet the vampires. Of course I agreed. It was exactly what I was looking for- an opportunity to finally meet Jean-Claude, the Master of the City, and the -ah- friend? acquaintance? of my beloved Asher.3

You see, 300 years ago, I met Asher, the most gorgeous vampire ever to walk this earth. At that point, I appeared to be around 15, and lived with my 'family' in a small town in France. I met him one evening when he came to the town to feed. He found me, and 'lured' me into a small cottage nearby. But instead of feeding, we talked. And talked. And we were friends by the time he had to return. I promised him a willing victim if he came the next night, and he did. For two years we met and talked, bantered, laughed. He told me about Jean-Claude and Julianna, and his life with them, and I told him what I have never told another: that I am a weredragon. He knew I was were-something, because my control then was not quite as good as it is now, but had been unable to figure out what. Until I told him. I trusted him more than anyone else. I loved him more than anyone else. But he was with Julianna and Jean-Claude, and was happy, and there was nothing I would do to ruin that happiness. But then came the night. The horrible night when Julianna was burned as a witch and Asher captured and tortured with Holy Water. Jean-Claude got him out, but could not save Julianna- he was too late. I don't think Asher ever forgave him for that, or for the awful scars the Holy Water left down one side of his face and body. After that terrible night, Asher was a broken vampire. When I heard about it, I went to him, and took him away with me. Away from there, from the memories, from Jean-Claude. I nursed him, helped him heal as much as was possible, told him he was still beautiful to me despite his scars, cheered him out of his depression. We had three months together, three months of pain, of healing, both physical and emotional. But it was not enough. He still had much pain and grief when Belle Morte took him from me. I have not seen him since.4

And now I finally could meet Jean-Claude.5

I showered at the Circus and Anita loaned me some of her clothes, telling me that since I would be up late to meet the vampires, I might as well stay the night and she would have my cleaned clothes by morning. She wanted to know if my parents would mind. I told her not to worry about it. When I emerged from the bathroom toweling my hair dry, Anita was waiting. She took me to a large room and it was there that I finally met Jean-Claude, whom I had heard so much about. He was exactly as Asher had described to me, even all these years later. Tall, dark, and drop-dead georgeous just about sums him up. His hair was a midnight black, curling softly over his shoulders, and his eyes were an amazing shade of blue. It was a beautiful room, too. Swaths of cloth softened the cold stone walls, making the place more inviting. A picture hung over the fireplace, and I studied it from across the room. I stiffened when I realized who it was. Asher was there, in all his unscarred glory, a girl and Jean-Claude with him. I knew immediately that the girl must be Julianna. She was a pretty thing, with soft features and a gentle expression. But seeing Asher again, even in just a painting, was enough to tug at my heart. I still loved him, after all these years. He used to call me saphir, Sapphire in French, because as a dragon, I am a deep sapphire blue. My attention was drawn back to the present when I heard Jean-Claude asking me something.6

"I'm sorry. What was that?" I said politely.7

"I asked you if you would like to meet some of the others," he repeated.8

"Oh, yes, if that would be possible."9

And so I met Damien, of the beautiful red hair and emerald eyes, and Jason, the werewolf. I liked Jason immediately, he had a friendly nature and was quite nice, joking around with me. I think he was attracted to me. After chatting with him for a while, I realized Anita and Jean-Claude had gone off to take care of something, so I asked Jason, "Just how big is this place, anyway?"10

"Big," he replied in an offhand manner. "Want me to show you around a bit?" I eagerly agreed. If they had a room big enough for me to shift in, I would definitely try my hardest to earn their trust. A place indoors to shift to dragon form would be a great advantage- if things ever got too dangerous for me as a dragon, a safe place to change would be very welcome indeed. When we arrived at the room, I was most exuberant to see that not only was it big enough to hold my dragon body, but there would be plenty of room to spare. Contrary to popular belief, dragons are not the gigantic beasts of stories and tales. In my dragon form, I am just over six feet from the ground to the top of my head. Lengthwise, I am around nine feet, and I have a wingspan of twelve feet. Not huge, but big enough that regular rooms get quite cramped when I am in them.11

"It's perfect," I breathed.12

"Perfect? For what?" Jason had overheard, and I had to think quickly.13

"It's just what I've always imagined a vampire's lair would look like," I improvised. Returning to the original room, I realized it was past 2 am. "Would it be all right if I just slept on the sofa there?" I asked my guide/guard. 14

"Sure," he replied. So I stretched out and pretended to fall asleep, a tactic that comes easily to a dragon. We can go into this mode where we look and sound as if we are asleep, but really all the senses except for sight are enhanced and awake. Anita and Jean-Claude returned a little later.15

"Is she asleep?" I heard Jean-Claude ask. Anita checked.16

"Yes, fast asleep. I think I wore her out today," she replied with a small chuckle.17

"Good. Then we can talk in peace." I heard rustling as he sat down. "The new source of power I felt enter my territory is still here," he said. "I cannot tell much about it, only that it is female and- we assume-a lycanthrope of some kind. She is very good at hiding herself."18

"The question is, why is she here?" Anita asked. "Is she hostile?"19

Jean-Claude sighed. "That, ma petite, I do not know. I wish I did, for it would ease my mind to know either way." More rustling. "She is very powerful, very old. More so than I. But not a vampire, which is what confuses me. Lycanthropes usually live the lifespan of their animal, more if a human lifespan is longer. But what kind of animal lives that long?"20

Anita was silent. "That is not exactly the news I wanted to hear," she finally said. "That an extremely long-lived, very powerful lycanthrope has just moved into your city, and we don't know if she's hostile or not. We don't even know who she is, or where."21

"That is why I have sent out -----. To see if he can discover this information for me." Someone shifting around drowned out the name he said. "Ah, well, speculating will do us no good. Come, ma petite, we still have a few hours until dawn." 22

They left the room, heading for their bedroom, no doubt.23

I grinned to myself. So I had them stumped, did I? Well, I'd let them stew a little longer, get to know them better. If they could be trusted, if they could learn to trust me, then this place would work out better than I had ever hoped for.24

I wrote a letter to Jean-Claude, not from Jennifer, but Genevieve, the weredragon. I told him I was a very unique type of lycanthrope and was looking for a safe place to live. In return, I offered my protection and my considerable services to him. I said that if he would like to, he could meet me in Guilty Pleasures next Wednesday night. I would seek him out once he was there. I gave the letter to a vampire named Willie at the club, making sure my face and hair were covered, and walked away. 25

It's a week after that first night in the Circus. I gave the letter to Willie this morning, and shall be in the Circus tonight to see it delivered. They trust me now, ever since last Thursday. 26

I had been allowed to accompany Anita to the latest crime scene that RPIT was investigating. She had convinced Zerbrowski that I was studying in this field anyway, and to think of me as her assistant. It was a murder out in the woods behind a house. It was dusk when we arrived. The scene was pretty bloody, but as soon as we entered the clearing, I knew what the murderer was, and why it had happened. It was a vampire, one who had snapped from too much enforced coffin time. I could smell it. A dragon's sense of smell is strong, very strong. As is my sight. It's hearing where I'm not much better than humans. Anyway. I was betting that this guy had come from a neighboring city- the house was on the outskirts of St. Louis. And that his master had been one simaler to Nikolaos (yes, I had done my research) who enjoyed putting crosses on coffins to punish the disobedient. We were studying the body when I sensed that the vamp was back. Like I said, I smelled him. Then as if to prove me right, I glimpsed him through the trees.27

"Anita?" I said, dropping my knives out of their wrist sheathes into my hands.28

"What is it?" she asked, absorbed by the scene. "Damn, my first hunch was right. Vampire. Shit." she muttered to herself.29

"Yeah, that's what I think. And he's back."30

"What?" I had her full attention now, and she pulled her gun out of her shoulder holster.31

"I saw him through the trees," I told her. "It's a vamp, and no one I've met."32

"You've met all but one. Did he have blond hair?"33

"No, dark."34

She swore again, glancing at me. "I see you're armed. Good. Are those things silver?"35

"Of course," I said. I can carry silver knives, as long as the blade does not touch me. After living this long, silver has lost some of its effect on me, though it is still quite deadly if I’m not careful. Then I saw him coming. He was behind Anita, and she didn't see him, or hear him, he was that quiet. 36

"Down!" I shouted, and dove on him, tackling him to the ground.37

"Don't hurt him except in self defense!" she cried. "We don't know if he's-" she broke off when he went for my throat. He was under me, and I could have easily taken care of him, but I didn't want to give away my secret just yet. So I stabbed him purposely just below the heart. He must have really snapped, or been really blood-crazy, because he hardly took much notice of it. Instead he hissed and went for my arm. I let him give me a good bite for appearances sake, but it hurt like hell when I ripped my arm away. 38

"Jennifer, MOVE!" Anita shouted. I rolled off of the vamp and away, and she shot him in the heart a couple times, then used my knife to cut it out. I stood back, cradling my arm. I didn't have to fake anything- it hurt like a bitch. I 'turned off' my healing powers temporarily- I didn't want anyone to get suspicious when I healed super fast. The fight was all over in a matter of minutes, and the cops had just now reacted. Now they swarmed the area.39

"What the HELL was that all about?" Zerbrowski demanded as Anita sliced up the vamp.40

"We caught the killer," I said positively. He looked at me. My sleeve was ripped and soaked with blood. So much for this shirt, I thought. Anita stood up and joined me, took one look at my arm, and muttered an oath. She tore up the rest of the sleeve and started bandaging it. Zerbrowski turned to her.41

"Anita, is this true?" he demanded. She sighed. "Check him yourself, see if he matches the prints we got. I've got to deal with Jennifer, she's loosing a lot of blood."42

We left and my arm healed with only a few nudges from me. But that night certainly boosted the amount of trust they placed in me.43

And then tonight Jean-Claude received his letter. He read it in silence with Anita, Jason, myself, and Damien watching curiously. He out it down with a sigh. 44

"Well, we have a name. Our mysterious lycanthrope calls herself 'Genevieve', and wishes to meet with me next week."45

"What does she want?" Anita asked.46

"Shelter, apparently. She claims to be a 'unique' type of animal, one that could cause troubles by being seen around too much. In return she offers her protection and loyal service, provided, of course, that it is not forced service."47

"Meaning she doesn't want to be anyone's servant, per say, just to be of service," said Anita shrewdly.48

"So I have picked up." He thought for a minute. "The offer appears genuine on the surface. I will meet her, determine whether she is being truthful, and then decide."49

I smiled to myself. So far, the plan was working.50

The next evening, I was again under the Circus, chatting with Jason. He was telling me about the werewolf pack and how their system was set up. Anita and Jean-Claude were there too, but they were having their own conversation. 51

“So the Ulfric is the leader of the pack,” I said, shifting on the sofa. “And currently your Ulfric is this Richard Zeeman?” Jason nodded.52

“But don’t say his name too loud,” he cautioned. “He’s a bit of a sore spot where Anita is concerned.” I raised an eyebrow at this, but said nothing about it.53

“How many wolves are in your pack?” I began to ask him instead, but I was interrupted by someone at the door.54

“Genevieve?” he asked in a disbelieving voice. I froze, my breath coming quicker. All conversation in the room stopped. There was only one person who would call me that, who would know my real name. I turned slowly, half afraid of who I would see. But I was right. It was Asher. He looked just as stunned as I felt, at least the side of his face I could see. His hair shimmered like a golden curtain, cutting off my view of the other side, the scarred side.55

“Asher.” I stood up, one hand on the couch for support. “I- I thought you were dead.” He took a few tentative steps into the room. 56

“I thought you were,” he said. He came closer. “Saphir, is it really you?” 57

I was around the couch and in his arms before I had even thought about it. “Yes, yes, it’s me. It’s me,” I whispered into his chest. He stood immobile for a minute, then his arms went around me and his rigid posture softened. “Oh, I have missed you,” he murmured.58

“All right, can someone tell me how the hell you two know each other?” Anita demanded. “And why he called you Genevieve?”59

I pulled away from Asher and turned to face her. She was standing, hands on her hips, and frowning at us. Jean-Claude stood as well. “I would like to know the same thing,” he said. His face was closed, unreadable. I bit my lip. Looked like my secret was out. Asher looked at me. “Do you mean to say they do not know?” he asked. I shook my head, and he sighed. “You have a lot of explaining to do.” 60

I spent the next hour explaining to Jean-Claude, Anita, and Jason who and what I was, and how Asher and I knew each other. They listened without interrupting. When I finished, Anita frowned again. “You expect us to believe that you are this immensely powerful lycanthrope? And that you’re a dragon?” She shook her head. “I’m sorry Jennifer, but I just don’t buy that.” I let down my shields a bit, let some of my power flow out so she could feel it. Just enough for her to get a taste of my real power. Her eyes widened. “Shit.” 61

“Do I really have to shift for you so you know for sure, or will you settle for a partial shift?” I asked.62

“Can you do that?”63

As a reply, I showed her. Scales rippled over my body, covering my legs, my torso, my arms. My hair vanished, replaced by the gleaming dark blue scales. Claws grew out of my hands, fangs from my upper and lower jaws. My eyes turned violet. Anita’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. You really are a dragon.” I fought the urge to say ‘I told you so’. Jason circled around me, examining the changes. He tapped the scales.64

“How tough are those?” he asked.65

“Like body armor. A bullet would bounce off.” 66

“Cool. Must be damn useful sometimes.”67

“You bet,” I replied, but I wasn’t really concentrating on the conversation. Jean-Claude had yet to say anything, and it worried me. Would he accept me? Would he let me stay? I needed this refuge. I didn’t like living my life on the run because people accidentally discovered who I was. I didn’t want to loose my new friends because they were afraid of me. That had happened too many times in the past. It hurt. He finally spoke up, his voice soft and deadly.68

“What is it you want from me?” he asked, gliding closer.69

“I told you in the letter. A place to stay, a refuge. Friends. A real life, one where people don’t run screaming when they see me change.”70

He nodded, but still didn’t look completely convinced. “And in return--?”71

“Service. Protection. Intimidation. Whatever you want. I’m a dragon, Jean-Claude, surely that amounts to something in your community.”72

He didn’t answer, instead looking to Asher. “You apparently know her, Asher. What do you say?”73

He returned Jean-Claude’s look without flinching. “She’s as good as her word. If she says she’ll be loyal, she means it. She won’t go turncoat.”74

Jean-Claude let out a breath. “I can tell you aren’t lying, either of you.” He fell silent a minute, considering. “So be it. You may stay.”