Already a member?
Sign in
Welcome! Wikis are websites that everyone can build together. It's easy!
TH Plot Summary
Malcolm visits Anita at her office ostensibly to discuss a writ of execution that he believes has been issued against one of the members of his congregation. After a brief exchange of derisive barbs, Malcolm tells her that he has sensed a powerful presence, one strong enough to block his powers to learn more about them and that he fears that his followers are being set up to take the fall for deeds that they have not committed. He asks her to tell Jean-Claude about his visitors and when she asks him how big this is, he replies, “Big”.
The thoughts of Malcolm’s parting words heavy in her mind, Anita calls Jean-Claude only to find that he is on stage at Guilty Pleasures. She leaves a message for him to call her back ASAP. She sits back and allows herself to think about him and she can sense him on stage feeding the ardeur from the desire of an audience member. Jean-Claude senses her presence and after a short conversation tells her that he will call her shortly. Anita tries to occupy herself with other thoughts as she waits. After she tells Jean-Claude about the conversation that she had with the other vampire she becomes annoyed with him when he tells her that it is serious, but he cannot talk to her about it under penalty of death. He cajoles and convinces her to go on with her scheduled almost-anniversary date with Nathaniel that night.
By the time the conversation was finished, Anita was running too late to go home to change and arranged to meet Nathaniel for their date at the theater. Still unconvinced that this is what she should be doing Anita arrives at the theater and finds herself almost mesmerized by the sight of him. This disturbs her and puts her on edge, as she feels as if she is being manipulated. Being aware of this seems to make the compulsion less strong and the couple continues on their date.
After the movie completes, Anita heads off to the bathroom. Coming out of the stall she finds a small box on the counter with her name on it. Thinking that it was from Nathaniel, she opens it to find a plain, white, blank facemask. She joins him again and finds that the box was not from him and he did not see anyone enter the washroom with it. Remembering the earlier feelings, she calls Jean-Claude to discuss what has happened. He tells her that they have been contacted and have been told that they are under observation. Information that he was unable to share earlier can now be told to her. He asks her to bring Nathaniel and come to him. As they prepare to leave, a human couple that has recognized Nathaniel and Anita from her one time on stage at Guilty Pleasures approaches them. This makes Anita very uncomfortable and after a brief conversation, they leave.
At the car, Anita lets her embarrassment out as anger and snaps at Nathaniel. He tries to reason with her, and some information comes out about Jessica Arnet making another visit to Guilty Pleasures and trying to convince Nathaniel that he had to save himself and leave the abusive relationship. Some issues come out about how her attitude towards his profession hurts him. This makes Anita think. She changes the subject and tells Nathaniel the little bit that she had learned from Jean-Claude about the mask. But Nathaniel is not done; he has something that he has to say to her. Anita learns that he has reached a point that he feels that he must ask for his bondage needs to be met, and if she can’t do it then he will find a master elsewhere for that purpose. Anita tells him that she can’t face dealing with this tonight but she does agree to think about his request.
Requiem enters after knocking at the office door and was followed by Byron. Requiem was encased in his black cape, but Byron had just come from his performance and brought his tips with him. **incomplete
Jean-Claude joins them. He advises Requiem and Byron that they have been contacted by The Harlequin and have been given a white mask. Although there is trepidation at the news, there is relief as well as the White mask implies that they are not at risk, only to be observed. Dracula, Requiem and Byron’s London master, received first the Red mask and then the Black. They come to the conclusion after a near fight breaks out between Requiem and Byron that they are being subtly manipulated, played with, treated like they had been given a Red mask. This is against the rules. They discuss contacting the Harlequin and the council and not long after the words have been spoken Clay knocks at the door with a package; it is another mask. This one is also white but with musical notes across its face. An agreement to talk – two days hence at the Circus of the Damned. They had been listening to them. Suspicious, Anita asks Lisandro to check the room for listening devices. They find some, high quality, but not the most advanced available. All of the businesses and homes are to be swept.
It is now early Saturday morning and the vamps have all gone down. Anita tries to reach Edward and ends up in a conversation with Peter. Her worry and fear are apparent to him and he tries to get her to tell him what the problem is. She is reluctant. Peter is only sixteen and she feels that he should not be exposed to this type of violence. She refuses to lie to him but will not tell him and details, only that she wants to talk to ‘Ted’. Peter goes to get him.
End of chapter 9. TBC
Back to The Harlequin Book Section
Back to the opening page of the Wiki
Latest page update: made by triscut
, Jan 20 2008, 5:38 PM EST
(about this update
About This Update
fix spacing
- triscut
view changes
- complete history)
fix spacing
- triscut
view changes
- complete history)
Keyword tags:
Summary
Th
The Harlequin
More Info: links to this page