ishisstrength | Clay & Justine | In the Dresden Files Canon

[He didn't want to be here. This wasn't what he was trained for, it wasn't what he'd been leashed for, and it certainly wasn't the environment he wanted to spend the next week in. And here they were, sending their food to greet him at the door. He'd dealt with enough vampires to know an addicted morsel when he saw one, and that's what greeted him in the entry way.

The house itself was a monument to the White Court's ego, and why wouldn't it be? Their king lived here, after all. A small smirk teased the corner of his mouth when a thought occurred to him. How pissed off would Lord Raith be if he found out his master had sent a lap dog to parley?]

We'll see about that, but I'm at your mercy. Lead on.

[A knowing smiles teases Justine's lips as she turns to lead him.]

So you are. This way.

[Her steps echo softly off the marble as she moves through the house. It's large but she knows her way and guides him easily to one of the small waiting rooms located to the left of the main entrance. She pushes open the door holding it out for Clay.]

Please, have a seat.

[He follows dutifully behind her, watching her hips sway as he did so. As far as welcomes went, this one was one of the better ones.]

So, are you supposed to be my concierge or something, while I graciously await my host?

[Justine softly closes the door behind him and waves a hand towards one of the couches in the room.]

That is the idea. Can I get you something to drink?

[They won't be able to say that she didn't play the good hostess.]

We might be waiting a while.

[He took a seat, not liking the feel of the sofa, but not complaining, either. At least the White vamps didn't smell.]

What's on the menu?

[And he immediately regrets his choice of phrasing, but he's sticking to it.]

[Justine raises an eyebrow at him before turning towards the bar placed against the back wall.]

Your choice or would you like me to choose for you?

[Looking her over again, Clay briefly entertained the question of whether or not she was a hostess or a party favor.]

Surprise me.

[Justine picks through the shimmering glass containers and picks up one with an amber liquid. She pours him a glass and turns to deliver it. Her hips sway as she steps across the room, her dark eyes leveling towards Clay as she holds out the liquor.]

I hope it's to your taste Mr. Young.

[Once he takes the glass she takes a seat next to him on the couch though she remains a careful distance away from him.]

[He takes the glass, sniffing the drink she provided and raising his eyebrows appreciatively.]

Not bad.

[He looks over to her, crystalline blue eyes looking between her and the space on the sofa.]

I don't bite, you know. I just work for the guy.

[Justine laughs softly and slides closer, her bare thighs brushing against Clay's.]

Here I thought I might make you uncomfortable.

[She looks down at the drink before looking back up at Clay.]

Not bad? Is that all?

[His lip teases into a smirk.]

What, did you pick it out so "not bad" insults your taste or something?

[He glances down, not hiding the fact that he took note of her closeness.]

It's hard to make me uncomfortable.

[Her lips part slightly, teasing him as they were an alluring invitation.]

I would never do such a thing.

[Justine presses herself a little closer, leaning towards him as she lowers her voice.]

That does mean you're comfortable.

[In his current line of work, Clay isn't given many opportunities to indulge himself. He's often pulled one way or another.]

So, were you sent here as entertainment? I wouldn't put it past this Court.

I'm here to be whatever you desire.

[The White Court specializes in indulgence. It's understandable that Clay hasn't had time for such a thing considering his alignment with the Black Court. This meeting might have gone very differently for Justine if they had sent a Black Court vampire, in this singular aspect she counts herself lucky.]

Why don't you tell me what that is?

[Her thigh presses against his while her fingers lightly rest on his arm. That dreamily dazy state is still evident in Justine's dark eyes though there are other thoughts lingering beneath the haze.]

[He could tell her that she was what he desired, and it wouldn't be a lie. Unfortunately, some deep part of Clay that hadn't been killed off by all the evil things he's been forced to do stops him from voicing that particular wish. She was a victim here, most likely no different from himself. She was forced by these vampires to do just what she's doing, and he can't even tell her he understands her predicament, because the walls had ears.

He smiles, lifting his glass.]

I wouldn't mind some ice.

Coming right up.

[Justine pulls away and turns in a single fluid motion. Her expression never deviates from it's easy smile. A part of her is thankful but, much like, Clay she can't show it.

She steps towards the bar and fills a glass with ice before returning and carefully places three cubes into his glass.]

I apologize for the wait. [Her dark eyes glance at the clock before she lowers herself back to Clay's side. She remains close, her thigh against his, but not as close as before.] It might be some time.

[She knows what Lara is waiting for and she secretly hopes that Clay disappoints.]

[Clay chuckles, shaking his head and taking a sip from his glass.]

I didn't even get to study.

[Because this was clearly a test, or a game. With the White Court, it was probably a little of both. Being the most human of the vampire courts also made them the most difficult to predict. Their thoughts weren't easy to read, either. Mostly, they just felt hungry.]

Justine, right?

[Justine can understand his comment though she'd think a servant of the Black Court would be more prepared. At the mention of her name she meets his gaze.]

That's right.

[She keeps her cool but she feels parts of her thoughts slipping away as if she's being pulled in many directions.]

[He finally remembered where he'd heard the name.]

Don't you belong to one of the members of House Raith, and not the King, either.

[He shrugs.]

Weird that they sent you.

It is as you said.

[She whispers softly implying that it this is simply another game while allowing her words to drift and twist into their own meanings. She isn't as skilled as some of the vampires in the White Court but she's learned over her time in Thomas's care.]

I belong to Thomas Raith.

[It's only strange that she might be taken from Thomas's side though not out of the realm of Lara's schemes.]

[He nods.]

Thomas, Lord Raith's son. Should I include this in my report back to my master? That Lord Raith didn't even bother to send the laughing stock of his court to greet me, but his food?

[Justine raises an eyebrow at him but otherwise doesn't react.]

We all play our parts Mr. Young [She replies in a sickening sweet voice.] Would you rather other entertainment?

[She wonders what sort of pet he is to the Black Court though she knows well enough not to ask or say anything about it. Unlike her, he's a solider and an artist in pain.]

Yeah. [He knew he shouldn't say anything else, that he was probably digging himself a hole here, but at the moment, he couldn't think of one reason to give a shit about it.]

But what happens when you want to end the game?

[Justine stares at him, regarding him with a serious expression. She lightly places a hand on his chest and leans forward, her hair falling in dark waves over either side of her face.]

You break the rules.

[The words were spoken softly against his cheek, softer then a whisper before she lightly placed a kiss against his skin. When she pulled away her dark eyes remained fixed with his. She's curious as to what he will do.]

Patience is important Mr. Young. I promise they will see you soon. [She answers a little louder for the walls to hear.]

[Clay smirks, watching her. He wants to take her, sex is a very nice and very welcome distraction, but more than that, he wants to insult his master. He's just a rebel like that. And, with all the atrocities he's committed at the creature's behest, he really just want to watch the withered old corpse squirm.]

I'm really good at breaking rules. Some men just want to watch the world burn, right?

[Clay has a charming smile and while Justine's affections belong to a singular person she can recognize how handsome her current company is. It's a shame that he's connected with the Black Court though she supposed that he'd probably think something similarly about her.

She's been placed here as a distraction, to have the messenger of the Black Court indulge in pleasure over pain and by his own volition.]

And what sort of man are you?

The opportunistic kind. [He rolled his shoulder in a shrug.] At least I like to think so. Maybe I'm just the egotistical kind instead.

[He chuckles at his own joke. He doesn't find much enjoyment these days. It was nice to tease someone.] Or deluded. What do you think?

[Justine's smile becomes a little bit more real as she watches him.]

There are plenty of opportunities here you aren't taking. [Her voice is light and teasing but it's obvious what she's talking about.] I don't think the other two are mutually exclusive. Perhaps you share traits of both?

[She lightly presses herself against her side, keeping her voice soft and light. As long as they are teasing, they are safe though it might prolong their time together. Justine knows that Lara will be waiting for the perfect moment to arrive.]

[Clay returns her smile with one of his own.]

I don't make a habit of taking advantage of women who don't have a choice in the matter, and I know how these people work.

This is my choice.

[Her choice is influenced by a single member of the White Court but it is still her choice. She doesn't regret or shy away from anything but then she doesn't expect Clay to understand.]

[He chuckles sardonically, giving her a gentle shake of his head.]

Maybe they let you think that, or maybe Thomas let's you think that. They're psychic predators, Justine. They eat and they use food. That's it.

I don't expect you to understand Mr. Young.

[She keeps her position against him and her voice low. She's in a very unique position and she needs Thomas as much as he needs her to feed. There is more to the man than simply the monster.]

But know that I am telling you the truth.

[Clay nods, not swaying from his opinion, though he's willing to give her a modicum of understanding.]

I know you think you are, and that's exactly where they want both of us.

[He didn't trust vampires, no matter what color they decided to use to describe themselves.]

[Justine studies him for a moment but doesn't pull away. It's easier to speak like this.]

It isn't as you think. Perhaps you're working for the wrong court.

That would be any of them.

[He smirks.]

Haven't you heard the fable about the lion and the mouse?

I have but who do you think is the lion.

[She backs up slightly, a light smile continuing to play across her lips. Her eyes still appear hazy but the longer they sit together the more they clear. Justine feels it and wishes that she might be able to return to Thomas's side soon.]

[Clay leaned back, noting the change in her appearance and the subtle tension across her shoulders. She was like a junkie starting to pine for her fix. It was pathetic, really.]

That's the Million dollar question, isn't it, but I think you know the answer.

[He doesn't know what emotions linger beneath the surface of her 'fix' and he probably won't know. As she had said, he doesn't understand and he can't.]

Perhaps, perhaps I want you to tell me.

Thomas is the lion. [He didn't see a reason to sugarcoat it.] And one day, he's going to get really hungry and eat his little mouse all up.

[The smile on Justine's lips turns to something softer. It's a more earnest expression and with the fading haze it looks more real.]

And when that day comes I'll gladly give myself to my lion. [She pulls away and stands.]

Like I said, I don't expect you to understand.

[She knows that their game is nearing it's end. She can feel it and Clay's words only seal it's finally.]

[He frowned, but not in sadness at her plight. He'd seen too much for such feelings. It was more at the state of things, the world in general.]

Yeah. He did a really good job. I bet he got a gold star.

Clay & Justine | In the Dresden Files Canon

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