Chapter 199: Rescue
The football boys had left the bottom of the staircase at least so I had a straight shot to the front door. Or so I thought. I was only part way down, Alison moaning beside me, when a crowd began to gather at the foot of the steps. One look told me what I needed to know.
Werewolves. Raoul had broken his promise. Galleytrot was not going to be happy.
But they didn't make a move to hurt me, just formed a half circle of solid bodyguard and wouldn't let me pass. Burdened with Alison, I knew the only choice I had to break through was to use magic. And even though the werewolves were in no way covered under coven law, I knew any aggressive act from this point would be seen as an attack.
Great. Just great.
I gathered my magic, letting them see the sheath of blue fire threaded through with amber and green. To their credit they didn't waver.
"I answer to my Mistress," Raoul said softly. Almost sadly.
What was that about then?
No time to think about it. The brothers clomped down the stairs behind me. It was them, I could feel it, their disgusting smirks aimed at my back.
"Going so soon?" Kristophe giggled like a girl. "But there is so much left of the party."
"You're not allowing us to extend you any hospitality." Jean Marc. The image of him hovering over Alison would forever stay in my head.
"Time to go," I said, keeping my voice as level as possible. "I think Alison's had enough."
"Let the normal be and come have a drink with us." Kristophe circled me, arms crossed over his chest still wet with spilled whiskey.
Like that was ever going to happen. Ever.
"I said I have to go." I stared him down. "Now tell your dogs to step aside."
Kristophe shrugged, long blond hair swinging back from his face. "Not ours to order about," he said.
I looked past him at the line of men and women who were so much more and considered my situation. I had no doubt I could make it through them without a problem. But burdened with Alison? And in a way that didn't disturb the fragile peace? Not so sure I could keep all of my bases covered.
"Let her go." I didn't have to turn around to recognize the voice. Quaid. No one moved. In fact, Kristophe laughed, covering his wide lipped mouth with one long fingered hand.
Guess Quaid's orders had about as much weight as mine.
"You heard him," Ameline said. "Stand aside."
And with the parting of the werewolf line, it was very clear to me who would be wearing the pants in their particular little family.
I turned at last and met her eyes. She and Quaid stood just past the staircase, further down the hall, had obviously joined us from deeper inside the house. Her cold blue eyes were empty as usual. But she nodded to me once, while Quaid glowered.
She had her own little lap dog in him, it seemed.
I refused to thank her or even acknowledge Quaid existed. Instead, I turned and dragged my friend out of the house.
Charlotte met my eyes at the door, a warning in hers, but I didn't have time to ask her what she wanted. I had to get my friend home.
Some things are more important than others.
Galleytrot was waiting for me where I'd left him. He grunted his way to his feet, the glow in his eyes never wavering. I turned when I saw him staring, caught Raoul watching me.
"We're only enemies if you make us so," he said. "Withhold your judgments, Sydlynn Hayle, until this is through."
The door closed behind him while I rolled my eyes at the drama. Whatever. They had chosen sides and they weren't on mine.
End of story.
Alison grumbled and muttered under her breath as I eased her into the front seat and clicked her safety belt into place. I quickly climbed in the driver's seat, locking all the doors as Galleytrot settled, hot breath on my cheek, driving off as fast as I could without putting us in more danger.
I actually laughed out loud when I cleared the last switchback. I'd done it. We were safe, Alison was out and no battle royale.
"You're all right then, I take it?" Galleytrot swiped his big tongue over my cheek. I swiped at the wet mark with the back of my hand, too relieved to be annoyed.
"It was a little tense," I said. "But we're golden."
I spoke too soon, turned out. After all, I'd only been thinking about the Dumonts and the threat they posed. I hadn't for a minute thought of Alison.
She woke with a start, snorting and pulling against her seatbelt while she looked around with bleary eyes.
"Where..." She turned her head, met my eyes, blinked at Galleytrot. "What?"
"I'm taking you home," I said.
"You're what?" Was that anger in her slurring voice? She fought the seatbelt so hard I thought she'd break it. "Let me go!"
I considered using magic on her before giving myself a mental shake. I wasn't the brothers. No way would I influence her like that. Not now, not ever.
"You need to stay away from them, Al." We were almost to her house. I just needed to get her inside, some food into her. Coffee maybe. Have a heart to heart.
She was totally not interested. "No," she snarled, "I need to stay away from you." Alison glared at me like I'd committed some horrible act against her, not just rescued her from being raped. "You always ruin everything." She lashed out with one hand, sharp nails ready to attack. If it hadn't been for Galleytrot forcing his head between us, staring her down, she would have scratched me hard enough to draw blood.
"Get this stupid mutt off of me." She shoved against him.
He backed off while my temper flared. "You're welcome," I snapped.
"For what?" She pulled at her door handle, the lock still engaged as we wound up her driveway to her front door. I slammed on the brakes and spun to face her while she glared back at me. Her makeup was a ruin, hair everywhere, clothing disheveled and barely covering her. Alison's blue eyes could hardly focus, but they were full of rage.
"Party's over," I snapped. "Time to grow up, Al."
"What do you know?" She finally found the button for her seatbelt. It gave way with a retracting hiss. "Just leave me alone." She spun sideways in her seat, shoving at me with both feet, one bare, the other in a shining gold flat now caked in dirt from the parking lot of the hotel. "You're ruining my life, why do you have to ruin everything I want, I hate you!"
I knew she wasn't talking to me. I could feel it in her, knew exactly who those words were aimed at. All that venom for her mother, misdirected in her drunken haze.
My patience was gone. I should have been more kind, maybe, or understanding. Should have tried harder. But Alison was making her own choices and without the thrall. There wasn't a touch of the brothers on her. She'd gone to them of her own accord.
"You're a mean drunk," I said softly, "just like your mother."
Her face went pale, terribly white and she gasped out loud. I unlocked the doors, leaning toward her to undo her latch. The door swung wide behind her and she half fell out.
"Don't talk to me like that!" She yelled those words as she sprawled with her hands clutching the dash.
"Get out of my car," I said.
She managed, but ended up on her ass in the process. I didn't care. My heart was cold. Alison chose the Dumonts over me. And I'd risked everything, my family, my coven, to save her from herself.
I refused to check the rearview as I drove off, sure she probably was unable to get up again.
Galleytrot knew better than to say anything. It was a very quiet ride home.
***
