I made a fist and punched her in the ribs twice. My knee came up and I got her somewhere. There was silky hair in my mouth, and I reached up and pulled an ear. Her teeth gripped harder, cutting off my air. My sight started to go black. Panicking, I went for her eyes.
With no thought but survival, I dug my nails into her eyelids. That, she felt, and yelping, she jerked off me. I took a ragged breath, levering myself up on an elbow. My other hand went to my neck. It came away wet with blood.
This isnt fair! I shouted, mad as hell as I scrambled up. My knuckles were bleeding, my side hurt, and I was shaking from adrenaline and fear. I could see Mr. Finleys excitementsmell the rising musk. They were all getting off on the chance to see one of their own legally maul a person.
Nobody said it was supposed to be fair, the man said softly, then gestured to Karen.
But her impetus to attack hesitated at the ding of the elevator.
Despair crept over me. With three more alphas, she wasnt going to feel anything. Not even if I cut something off.
The doors slid open to show David leaning against the back of the lift. His face had a bruise that was likely going to turn his eye black, and his sport coat was torn and filthy. Slowly, he lifted his head, a murderous look in his brown eyes.
Leave! his boss said sharply.
I forgot my briefcase, he said, limping forward. He took in the situation in a glance, still breathing heavily from escaping the three Weres who had dragged him off. You challenge my alpha, Im damn well going to be here to make sure its a fair fight. Shambling to his briefcase, he picked it up, dusted it off, and turned to me. Rachel, you doing okay?
I felt a flush of gratitude. He wasnt coming to my rescue, he wanted to make sure they were playing fair. Im doing okay, I said, voice cracking. But that bitch isnt feeling any pain, and they took away my magic. I was going to lose this. I was going to lose this so bad. Sorry, David.
The surrounding Weres glanced uneasily at each other now that they had a witness, and Mr. Finleys complexion darkened. Finish it, he said roughly, and Karen came at me.
Her nails scraped on the plywood floor as they scrambled for purchase. Gasping, I fell to my back before she could push me down. Pulling my knees to my chest, I planted my feet against her as she landed on me and flung her over my head.
I heard a startled yip and thump and David shouting something. There were two fights going on.
I spun on my butt to face her. My eyes widened and I flung up an arm.
Karen smashed into me, pinning me to the floor. She covered me, and fear stabbed deep. I had to keep her from getting a grip on my throat again, and I cried out when she bit my arm.
Id had enough.
Making a fist, I smashed it into her head. She jerked her muzzle up, raking my arm and sending a pulse of pain through me. Immediately she was back, snarling and more savage. But a ribbon of hope rose in me and I gritted my teeth. She had felt that.
I could hear thumps and cries in the background. David was interfering, breaking their concentration. The round was falling apart. I couldnt best Karen, but sure as hell she was going to walk away remembering me.
The anger and excessive adrenaline wouldnt be denied. You stupid dog! I shouted, slamming my fist into her ear again to make her yelp. Youre a foul-breathed, dung flop of a city-bred poodle! How do you like this? Huh! I hit her again, unable to see from the tears blurring my vision. Want some more? How about this?
She latched onto my shoulder and picked me up, intending to shake me. A silky ear landed in my mouth, and after failing to spit it out, I bit down, hard.
Karen barked and was gone. Taking a clean breath, I rolled over onto all fours to see her.
Rachel! David cried, and my splat ball gun slid to within my grasp.
I picked the cherry-red gun up, and on my knees, aimed it at Karen. She sat back, her forelegs scrambling to halt her forward motion. Arms shaking, I spit out a tuft of white fur. Game over, bitch, I said, then plugged her.
The puff of air from my gun was almost lost in someones cry of frustration.
It hit her square in the nose, covering her face with a sleepy-time potion, the most aggressive thing a white witch would use. Karen went down as if strings were cut, sliding to land three feet from me.
I rose, shaking and so full of adrenaline I could hardly stand. Arms stiff, I aimed my gun at Mr. Finley. The sun had gone behind the surrounding hills across the river, and his face was shadowed. His posture was easy enough to read. I win, I said, then smacked David when he put a hand on my shoulder.
Easy, Rachel, David soothed.
Im fine! I shouted, pulling my aim back to his boss before the man could move. If you want to challenge my title, okay! But I do it as a witch, not with my strength washed out of me! This wasnt fair, and you know it!
Come on, Rachel. Lets go.
I was still aiming at his boss. I really, really wanted to plug him. But in what I thought was a huge show of class, I lowered the gun, snatching my bag from David as he handed it to me. Around me, I felt an easing of tension from the watching alphas.
Briefcase in hand, David escorted me to the elevator. I was still shaking, but I turned my back on them, knowing it would say more clearly than words that I wasnt afraid.
I was scared, though. If Karen had been trying to kill me, not just cow me into submission, it would have been over in the first thirty seconds.
David hit the down button, and together we turned. This was not a fair contest, he said, then wiped his mouth to make his hand come away red with blood. I had a right to be here.
Mr. Finley shook his head. Either the females alpha shall be present, or in the case of his absence, six alphas may serve as witness to prevent any He smiled. foul play.
There werent six alphas here at the time of the contest, David said. I expect to see this recorded as a win for Rachel. That woman is not my alpha.
I followed his gaze to Karen lying forgotten on the floor, and I wondered if someone was going to douse her in saltwater to break the charm or just dump her on her packs doorstep unconscious. I didnt care, and I wasnt going to ask.
Wrong or not, its the law, Mr. Finley said, the alphas moving to back him. And its there to allow a gentle correction when an alpha goes astray. He took a deep breath, clearly thinking. This will be recorded as a win for your alpha, he said as if he didnt care, provided you dont file a complaint. But David, she isnt a Were. If she cant best another with her physical skills, she doesnt deserve an alpha title and will be taken down.
I felt a stab of fear at the memory of Karen on top of me.
A person cant stand against a wolf, Mr. Finley said. She would have to Were to have even a chance, and witches cant Were.
The mans eyes went to mine, and though I didnt look away, the fear slid to my belly. The elevator dinged, and I backed up into it, not caring if they knew I was afraid. David joined me, and I gripped my bag and my gun as if Id fall apart without them.
Davids boss stepped forward, his presence threatening and his face utterly shadowed in the new night. You are an alpha, he said as if correcting a child. Stop playing with witches and start paying your dues.
The doors slid shut, and I slumped against the mirror. Paying his dues? What was that supposed to mean?
Slowly, the lift descended, my tension easing with every floor between us. It smelled like angry Were in there, and I glanced at David. One of the mirrors was cracked, and my reflection looked awful: braid falling apart and caked with plaster dust, a bite mark on my neck where Karens teeth had bruised and broken my skin, my knuckles scraped from being in her mouth. My back hurt, my foot was sore, and damn it, I was missing an earring. My favorite hoops, too.
I remembered the soft feel of Karens ear in my mouth and the sudden give as I bit down. It had been awful, hurting someone that intimately. But I was okay. I wasnt dead. Nothing had changed. Id never tried to use my ley line skills in a pitched fight like that, and now I knew to watch out for wristbands. Caught like a teenager shoplifting, God help me.
I licked my thumb and wiped a smear of plaster dust off my forehead. The wristband was ugly, but Id need Ivys bolt cutters to get it off. Removing my remaining earring, I dropped it in my bag. David was leaning into the corner and holding his ribs, but he didnt look like he was worried about running into the three Weres he had downed, so I put my gun away. Lone wolves were like alphas that didnt need the support of a pack to feel confident. Rather dangerous when one stopped to think about it.
David chuckled. Looking at him, I made a face, and he started to laugh, cutting it short as he winced in pain. His lightly wrinkled face still showing his amusement, he glanced at the numbers counting down, then pulled himself upright, trying to arrange his torn coat. How about that dinner? he asked, and I snorted.
Im getting the lobster, I said, then added, Weres never work together outside their packs. I must have really pissed them off. God! What is their problem?
Its not you, its me, he said, discomfited. They dont like that I started a pack with you. No, thats not true. They dont like that Im not contributing to the Were population.
The adrenaline was fading, making me hurt all over. I had a pain amulet in my bag, but I wasnt going to use it when David had nothing. And when in hell had Karen scored on my face? Tilting my head, I examined the red claw mark running close to my ear in the dim light, then turned to David when his last words penetrated. Excuse me? I asked, confused. What do you mean, not contributing to the Were population?
David dropped his gaze. I started a pack with you.
I tried to straighten, but it hurt. Yeah, I got the no-kids part there. Why do they care?
Because I dont have any, ah, informal relations with any other Were woman, either.
Because if he did, they would expect to be in his pack, eventually. And I prompted.
He shifted from foot to foot. The only way to get more Weres is by birth. Not like vampires who can turn humans if they work at it. With numbers come strength and power His voice trailed off, and I got it.
Oh, for crying out loud, I complained, holding my shoulder. This was political?
The elevator chimed and the doors opened.Fraid so, he said. They let subordinate Weres do what they will, but as a loner, what I do matters.
I trooped out before him, looking for trouble, but it was quiet in the abandoned lobby, apart from the three Weres slumped in the corner. David had sounded bitter, and when he opened the main door for me, I touched his arm in a show of support. Clearly surprised, he glanced at me. Uh, about dinner, he said, looking at his clothes. You want to reschedule?
My feet hit the pavement, the cadence of my boots telling me I was limping. It was quiet, but the stillness seemed to hold a new threat. Mr. Finley was right about one thing. This was going to happen again unless I asserted my claim in a way they would respect.
Breathing deeply of the chill air, I headed for Davids car. No way, man. You owe me dinner. How about some Skyline chili? I said, and he hesitated in confusion. Go through the drive-through. I have to do some research tonight.
Rachel, he protested as his car gave a cheerful chirp and unlocked. I think you deserve at least one night off. His eyes narrowed and he looked at me over the roof of his car. I am really sorry about this. Maybewe should get the pack contract annulled.
I looked up from opening my door. Dont you dare! I said loudly in case someone was listening from a top floor. Then my expression went sheepish. I cant afford the rider everyone else makes me take out on my health insurance.
David chuckled, but I could tell he wasnt satisfied. We slipped into his car, both of us moving slowly when we found new pains and tried to find a comfortable way to sit. Oh God, I hurt all over.
I mean it, Rachel, he said, his low voice filling the small car after our doors shut. Its not fair to ask you to put up with this crap.
Smiling, I looked across the car at him. Dont worry about it, David. I like being your alpha. All I have to do is find the right charm to Were with.
He sighed, his small frame moving in his exhalation, then he snorted.
What? I asked, buckling myself in as he started the car.
The right charm to Were? he said, putting the car into gear and pulling from the curb. Get it? You want to be my alpha, but have nothing to Were?
Putting a hand to my head, I leaned my elbow into the door for support. Thats not funny, I said, but he just laughed, even though it hurt him.
Two
Dappled patterns of afternoon light sifted over my gloved hands as I knelt on a green foam pad and strained to reach the back of the flower bed where grass had taken root despite the shade of the mature oak above it. From the street came the soft sound of cars. A blue jay called and was answered. Saturday in the Hollows was the pinnacle of casual.
Straightening, I stretched to crack my back, then slumped, wincing when my amulet lost contact with my skin and I felt a jolt of pain. I knew I shouldnt be working out there under the influence of a pain amulet, lest I hurt myself without realizing it, but after yesterday I needed some dirt time to reassure my subconscious that I was alive. And the garden needed attention. It was a mess without Jenks and his family keeping it up.