Youve been looking down on me since I got here, he said, his words a warm breath on me. Dont think I cant tell. Im a patient man, but Im tired of it, and if youre going to survive, you have to trust me. Youre the kind of person that show means more then tell, so were going to have it out, right here, right now. You and me.
Is he nuts? Wayde, this is not how to convince me youre good at your job, I said, trying to twist from him, but he had me firmly and my skin burned. Let go before I hurt you! I exclaimed, then gasped when he spun me around, sending me almost crashing into the new window.
I found my balance and settled into a ready pose with my hands in fists. He rocked to a halt between me and the door, and I thought about his work as a bouncer, thought about those muscles covered with tattoos. What the hell is wrong with you? I said, spitting mad. I said Id get the tattoo, and I will! If he touched me again, I was going to smack him a good one.
Wayde crossed his arms over his chest, looking like a rock between me and the door. This isnt about the tattoo. Ive been watching your back for three weeks, and you are oblivious to everything. Oblivious! he said, waving a thick arm. And you think Im not capable of my job?
Wayde crossed his arms over his chest, looking like a rock between me and the door. This isnt about the tattoo. Ive been watching your back for three weeks, and you are oblivious to everything. Oblivious! he said, waving a thick arm. And you think Im not capable of my job?
What in hell do you want? I said, just as mad. A citation of merit? I didnt ask you here, and if you cant do your job, you need to leave!
His chin lifted. Thats what I thought, he said. You really think Im shit. Fine. If I get you downstairs and in your car, you stop doubting me. If I cant, Ill pack up and be on the next vamp flight out.
I thought about that, steaming in anger and feeling his fingers on me, though he was across the room. Biss eyes were wide as he silently watched, his tail twitching in excitement. Okay, maybe I had been harboring a sliver of doubt that he was up to it, because I eagerly settled into a fighting stance, light and balanced on my feetand nodded. He wasnt getting me in that car.
Wayde looked up at Bis, who was watching with breathless anticipation. Finally, he said, and calmly came at me.
I swung a foot at him, teeth clenched when it hit his offered arm with nothing to show for it. He ducked my next swing with the speed of a wolf, then dodged another kick. My eyes widened, and I backed up until I found the wall, having forgotten how fast Weres were. Wayde! I shrieked, but he had grabbed me around the waist and flung me over his shoulder.
Put me down! I yelled, hitting his back. Damn it, I dont want to hurt you! I said, jamming my elbow into the soft muscle between his neck and shoulder to no effect.
Whatever, he said, having to raise his voice because the air was suddenly full of pixy kids and the draft from Biss wings. Jumoke, the Were said calmly as I wiggled and squirmed. Go tell your dad Im taking her in, and if he wants to go, hed better hurry.
Put me down! Wayde, I swear Im going to smack you! I said, though Id smacked him a couple of times already.
Bis, will you get the lights?
Sure! the gargoyle said, and it went dark. I could suddenly smell Wayde all the more, his scent lifting from his canvas coat like sweet water, smelling of damp woods and moss. Why did Weres have to smell so good?
Hey! I yelped when he jumped, settling me firmly on his shoulder before he started down the stairs, his boots making a harsh, hurting pace. Let me go! There were pixies in my hair, and Id about had it. There were probably three ways I could get out of this, but all of them would seriously hurt him. With the loss of my magic came the loss of finesse. It was all or nothing, and I was starting to get mad at myself. God help me, I was stupid. I was relying on Wayde when one splat ball would have ended it.
Ill let you go as soon as youre in the car, Wayde said. Your alpha asked me to bring you to him, so shut your yap, okay?
You son of a bitch! I yelled, furious that David was in on this.
Like thats a surprise? Wayde said, laughing as he found the bottom of the stairs and waited for the pixies to open the door for him. Ivy and Jenks were nowhere to be seen, and my face burned. They knew full well what was going on, were probably willing to let us work it out on our own. Face it, Rachel. Im better than you think I am. You owe me an apology.
Were not in the car yet! I exclaimed, not wanting to be carried out the door like this, but not wanting to hurt him, either. Put me down, you son of a bitch!
But he didnt, and I kicked and squirmed, unable to take a clean breath of air with his shoulder shoved into my gut. His grip on me was tight, unbreakablethe strength of a wolf pinning his prey. All right. He was good. But this wasnt encouraging me to trust his abilities. It was pissing me off. Im warning you, Wayde! I exclaimed as the door creaked open and a cool wash of damp air blew in.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he said, and he shifted my weight until my breath huffed out.
Put me down! I shouted, and Wayde jerked to a halt at the soft scuffing on the stairs.
Ah, this isnt what it looks like, Wayde said to someone, and I squirmed, twisting awkwardly, and saw Trent standing on the steps, his car running at the curb in the rainy night. Trents eyes were as wide as mine, and in a sudden burst of motion, he flung out his hand.
Obstupesco! he exclaimed, turning from businessman to assassin as he crouched on the stairs, his long coat furling, and I shrieked, covering my head with my arms and ducking back behind Wayde.
The spell hit Wayde square on, and I cried out again when he shudderedand then dropped like a stone.
The world spun. I felt Trent almost catch me, dragging me from Wayde in such a way that only my hip hit the cement stoop. Pain shot all the way to my skull.
Trent! Dont hurt him! I said, dazed, as I spit the hair out of my mouth, Trents arms under my armpits as he struggled to lift me. Wayde was out cold, and I found I didnt care as much as I thought I would. Hes my bodyguard!
Trents weight shifted wildly as I struggled to get my feet under me, the smell of wine and cinnamon becoming strong as he grappled for control, his dress shoes slipping on the wet cement. My God, I forgot how heavy you are, he said, practically shoving me up and away. I know hes your bodyguard. What is he doing carting you out of your church over his shoulder? Glancing down at Wayde, he tugged his long coat straight, grimacing. Oh, Im sorry. Did I interrupt some sort of dominance foreplay?
His tone was rude, and I leaned against the churchs open door and caught my breath. No, I said, frowning at the pixies giggling out of sight. What are you doing here?
Shifting from foot to foot, he tugged his coat straight, trying to find his usual aplomb, but after three days in a car with him, I could see right through to his creased brow and finger twitch. HAPA is harvesting witches with elevated levels of Rosewood enzymes, he said, appearing oblivious to Wayde. Excuse me for being concerned. I thought you should know before you try to apprehend them. Maybe if you returned my calls I wouldnt have to drive out here.
Guilt pricked at me, and I bit back my next tart reply. Whispers of pixies drifted at my back, and the damp night brushed my cheek. Two steps away, Trent stood awkwardly in the mist, rubbing his hand and waiting for my response. It was the one that Al had ripped the fingers from, and it probably hurt when he used it to spell with. He looked angry, and I thought back to seeing him earlier today at the park, upset, frustrated, and altogether appealing.
Seeing me silent, he nodded as if not surprised. Expression becoming dark, he spun on his heel. Panic slid through me, and I didnt know why. Im sorry. I should have taken your call. I dont know why I didnt, I blurted out. The I.S. already said as much, that theyre going to use me as a scapegoat if I cant find HAPA, so I think youll be okay.
He hesitated, his foot reaching to find the next step down. Slowly he turned back, the tension in his shoulders easing. The motion was slight, but I caught it in the dim light from the sign above the door. I thought thats why I was out there, he said guardedly, shifting his weight to his back foot as he found the top of the stoop again. Though they told me they wanted my opinion as to the possibility that you did it. I told them you didnt. I was hoping to get to you before they took you out there.
It wouldnt have made any difference, I whispered.
Trent took a steadying breath, glancing down at Wayde as he stepped closer. Thats not the only reason I came over. Rachel, have you given any thought to taking the bracelet off?
I backed up, feeling sick. The church loomed behind me, safe and secure, and yet fear coursed through me like a red ribbon. No.
His jaw tightened as he came closer. Whatever trouble youre in with the demons, I can help. I gave the bracelet to you so you could have a choice, but you arent choosing anything. Youre letting your fear make your decision for you.
Fear! I exclaimed, stiffening, and the last of the pixies vanished deeper into the church.
His head dropped for a moment. When it came up, in the streetlight I could see his anger clearly. I could tell I wasnt going to like whatever was going to come out of his mouth next. You arent being a demon, he said, actually stepping over Wayde. You arent being a witch. Youre hiding, and thats not why I gave you the bracelet.
Peeved because he was right, I jerked away from him, the silver glinting between us like a guilty secret. Im trying to be me, okay? But they wont let me. I had to take this stupid job just to get my license back.
Behind him, Waydes breathing quickened, and Trents expression became frustrated. Thats great, Rachel, but do you want to live the rest of your life doing crap jobs to win what is your god-given right?
Damn it, I hated it when he was right, but I hated admitting it to his face even more. I did have my pride. If I take this off, Im in the ever-after, I said as I shook the bracelet at him, sure now that Jenks and Ivy were listening. Im in the ever-after washing dishes and fending off demon advances for the rest of my life. I dont like it there, okay?