"Fine. What are we supposed to do?"
"Survive if you can," Asher said.
"Shut up," I said. "This is what I need to know, Jean-Claude. Do we go in there kicking butt, or crawling?"
"Would you crawl to them, ma petite?"
"They have Willie, Jason, and who knows how many others. So, yeah, if it would keep them safe, I'd do a little crawling."
"I do not think you would be very good at it," Jean-Claude said.
"I'm not."
"But no, no crawling tonight. We are not strong enough to retake the Circus, but we go in, as you say, kicking butt."
"Dominant?" I made it a question.
"Oui."
"How dominant?"
"Be aggressive, but not foolish. You may wound anyone you are capable of hurting, but do not kill. We do not want to give them an excuse."
"They think you've started a revolution, Jean-Claude," Asher said from the darkness. "Like all revolutionaries, dead you become a martyr. They don't want you dead."
Jean-Claude turned so he could see the other vampire. "Then what do they want, Asher? Tell me."
"They have to make an example of you. Surely you see that."
"If I had planned on forging a second council in America, yes, I would see their point. But I know my limitations. I cannot hold a council seat against all comers. It would be a death sentence. I want simply to be left alone."
Asher sighed. "It is too late for that, Jean-Claude. The council is here, and they will not believe your protestations of innocence."
"You believe him," I said.
He was quiet for a few seconds, then said, "Yes, I believe him. The one thing Jean-Claude has always done well is survive. Challenging the council is not a good way to do that." Asher slid forward against the seats, putting his face very near mine. "Remember, Anita, that all those years ago, he waited to save me. Waited until he knew he wouldn't be caught. Waited until he could save me at the least risk to himself. Waited until Julianna was dead, because it was too great a risk to take."
"That is not true," Jean-Claude said.
Asher ignored him. "Be careful that he does not wait to save you."
"I don't wait around for anybody to save me," I said.
Jean-Claude stared out the window at the passing cars. He was shaking his head gently, back and forth, back and forth. "I tire of you already, Asher."
"You tire of me because I speak the truth."
Jean-Claude turned and faced him. "No, I tire of you because you remind me of her, and that once, a very long time ago, I was almost happy."
The two vampires stared at each other. "But now you have a second chance," Asher said.
"You could have a second chance, too, Asher. If you would only let the past go."
"The past is all I have."
"And that is not my fault," Jean-Claude said. Asher slid back into the darkness, huddling against the seat. I thought Jean-Claude had won the argument for now. But just call it a feeling; I didn't think the fight was over.
11