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.