Chapter 186: Werewolves
Funny how when I was under threat all of my magic synched together like, well, you know. I swelled with power, feeling my body vibrate with it, almost welcoming the chance to blow the crap out of something. The werewolves shuddered out of the shadows, approaching me on all fours, their massive, hairy bodies more wolf than human. Their eyes glowed like Galleytrot's, red and menacing, but their resemblance to him ended there. Massive hands tipped with claws punctured the firm ground with sickening sounds, a low hum of growling counterpoint to the song of my magic.
Only six of them. I could totally handle it.
I was about to attack first and ask questions of their bloody corpses later when one of them slunk forward, body shimmering and shaking. It was hard not to watch in sick fascination as the werewolf transformed, shrinking, softening, the fur retreating, to be replaced by smooth white skin and long red hair.
She'd retained her underwear during the change, somehow, so at least I didn't have to be embarrassed she was totally naked. I knew her at once, of course-the bodyguard who watched the brothers. She observed me for a moment, like a predator weighing her options, before she smiled.
"Good evening, Miss Hayle." Her voice had the same heavy accent as her boss Raoul. Her ice blue eyes watched me carefully as she spoke. "I've come to invite you to dinner."
That was a surprise. And probably a lie. I held my power ready just in case.
"Not hungry, thanks."
The weres behind her snarled and growled, pacing back and forth but she shrugged.
"I was sent to escort you," she said. "Mistress insisted."
"And if I decide I'm not joining you?" The weres were far too restless for my liking.
"I'm afraid I must obey my orders." She bowed her head to me. "I am Charlotte Girard," she said, "and you have it on my honor no harm will come to you."
I wanted to laugh. But she was serious. And from the yips and barks of anger from her companions, she'd just offered me something she shouldn't have.
Well then. How interesting.
"I have my own orders," I said. "I've been told not to attend."
Charlotte sighed softly. "Then we are at an impasse," she said. "Battle is inevitable."
"I guess so." The weres stopped pacing. Tensed. Not good. I could feel their desire to hurt me, their need to tear me apart. And frankly I was in on that need. My demon had her back up and was all set to do some damage.
"Perhaps not." Charlotte cocked her head to one side, gaze softening, lost in the distance, one finger raised. She held still for a long moment before letting her eyes meet mine again. "I believe your orders have changed."
I was about to argue when Mom's mind touched mine, even through my substantial shields.
Come to dinner, she sent.
I relaxed a little, seeing the weres do the same, some of them partially morphing back into human form as Charlotte stepped aside and gestured. "After you, Miss Hayle."
No way was I going with them.
"I'll meet you there." I turned my back on her, though every single fiber of me screamed that I needed to face her as I left, but I was beginning to understand these shifters. What they respected. And I was certain boldness was on the list.
Lucky guess or not, I made it home alone, not a were in sight. When I settled behind the wheel of my car, I finally let my tension out. I sat there and shook for a solid minute, panting through my collective panic, struggling for control. My Sidhe side soothed me while my demon complained she'd as yet had the chance to hurt anyone.
By the time I was able to drive, I figured I could face pretty much anything.
Or at least I told myself that.
The road to the hotel was winding, a narrow switchback up the side of a cliff. I found myself nervous on the drive, the thin guardrail at the edge seeming a pathetic barrier to the potential of plunging over the side. I focused on the road, jumping at the least little thing to pass through my headlights, screeching out loud when fox darted from the forest and zipped across the street.
Stupid fox.
My pre-drive calm was thoroughly rattled when I pulled into the parking lot, looking up at the dark and foreboding building. Who would ever think to construct such a hideous place, let alone turn it into a hotel? It loomed, four stories of classic Hollywood creepiness, the outside barely lit by two flickering bulbs over the entrance.
I stepped out, the scent of pine and rain heavy in the air, as six shapes bounded out of the trees and approached the place. No way was I going in with them as my escort. I waited until they all disappeared inside before climbing out of Minnie, locking her with a soft bee-boop from her alarm.
Just as I reached the door, it opened ahead of me. Charlotte stood, fully clothed now in dark red leather, holding it wide for me.
"My guarantee stands," she whispered to me as I walked past her. Her ice blue eyes remained blank as she closed the door.
Obviously she thought I'd have reason to need protection. Not exactly comforting.
Paneled wood ran the length of the hallway, stained nearly black, a giant carved staircase winding up into the darkness above. My feet made hardly a sound on the thick, elaborate carpet running the length of the entry. I glanced to the left as I passed a mirror, catching my pale, pinched reflection and immediately squared my shoulders.
Not a hint of weakness. Not a hint.
Charlotte walked behind me, the scent of her stronger now I was close to her. Rather than unpleasant, as I'd expected, she smelled like fresh earth and vanilla. I'd figured wet dog hair, but I was used to Galleytrot.
Only one door was open, the sound of activity coming from inside. I drew a breath and forced myself to relax before I entered.
A massive old table dominated the long, narrow dining room with similar carvings to the staircase. Chair backs towered over the diners, but I saw enough to know the gang was all here. Mom met my eyes and smiled, nodding to me as if she hadn't told me earlier today I was to stay away from this place.
"Welcome, welcome." A small man bustled toward me, a slightly dazed look on his face, but his smile well-plastered. "Please, take a seat. Dinner is served."
He had none of his own magic about him so he had to be the proprietor. Thralled, wrapped in power. It made me want to scream. Instead, I circled the table, head up, eyes fixed on Mom and took my seat next to her. Erica sat to my right, gently squeezing my knee under the table in welcome. I looked up and into Celeste's eyes before her gaze flickered from me. But there was no mistaking the disgust she felt and, honestly, the feeling was more than mutual.
"Sydlynn," Odette said from the head of the table, only two seats away, "how lovely you could join us."
The brothers snickered from farther down, across from Erica and Dad. I wondered at the odd seating arrangement, why Dad was so far from Mom, but it was Odette's little party and I figured there was an insult in it somewhere.
My biggest surprise was Gram. She sat between Mom and our hostess, faded blue eyes scrunched up as she attempted to force a napkin through the tines of a fork. Her tongue stuck out to the side, gripped firmly in her teeth while she grunted and finally pounded her hand on the table in frustration.
My heart clenched. Had she taken some kind of backslide? Reverted to her old crazy self?
"I apologize for the escort," Odette went on. "I wanted to make sure you were here on time, ma chere."
I could have shot her down. Wanted to. Left it alone. Mom was right. There was way more happening here than I could see. Connections, misdirections, it now made sense. Gram was playing a game, a role as much as I needed to.
Fine. I could do what was required. I could hold my temper and my ground. I could be as cold and calculating as the porcelain doll Ameline who watched me, one hand firmly gripping Quaid's.
I could. I would. And when it was over, I'd be right there with Mom when she destroyed them all.
***
