Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Colletion_ Books 6-10 - Laurell K. Hamilton [747]
“Lupa’s often just another word for the Ulfric’s girlfriend,” I said.
He turned those golden eyes to me, more gold because of the heavy black eyebrows that framed them. “Nicky agreed to help you without asking me later, or even telling me about your visit.” He gave a low growl that refreshed the fading goosebumps on my skin. “I am Ulfric. I lead here.” He slapped Nicky and fresh blood trickled from his nose.
I badly wanted to put a stop to the abuse, just out of principle, but I didn’t want it badly enough to die for it, so I waited and watched Nicky Baco bleed. I didn’t like it, but I let it happen. My left hand was beginning to cramp. I needed to either start shooting people or put my guns up. Even holding my arms out for this long was putting a strain on my back and chest.
“Anita,” Edward said, and just the tone of my own name was enough. He was quietly telling me to hurry it up.
“Look, Ulfric, I didn’t mean to walk into some inner pack squabble. I’m just trying to do my job. Trying to keep more innocent people from being killed.”
“Humans are fun,” he said. “Sex and a meal and you never have to leave your car. But-you-do-not-make-them-your-queen!” His voice rose until with the last word he was screaming. Howls echoed him from the mob that was pressing close and closer.
“Anita,” Edward said, and this time there was more of a warning to his voice.
“I’m working on it, Edward.”
“Work faster,” he said.
“You’re a racist, Ulfric,” I said.
He stared at me. “What?”
“I’m human so I’m good enough to fuck, good enough to kill but not good enough to be your equal just because I’m human. You’re a racist chauvinistic big bad wolf.”
“You come into my lands, ask aid of my pack, give no tribute to me or my lupa, and now you’re calling me names.” I don’t know if he made some kind of psychic signal or his anger was enough, but the two giant wolves at his feet began to stalk forward on stiff legs.
My left hand was beginning to shake, visibly. Whatever was behind the bar thrashed, sounding large and bestial. My left hand was threatening to give out completely, and I needed both hands. “You die first, Ulfric,” I said.
“What?” and he sort of laughed when he said it.
“The first thing that jumps any of us, and I shoot you. No matter what else happens today, you’ll be dead. Your two pony wolves better stop right where they are.”
“Your hand is shaking so badly, I don’t think you’ve got it in you to kill anyone.”
It was my turn to laugh. “You think my hand is shaking because I feel remorse about the thought of shooting you. Boy, have you got the wrong girl. Look at my right hand, Ulfric. It’s not shaking. A walking corpse took a bite out of my left hand a couple of days ago, so I’m a little shaky with my left, but trust me. I hit what I aim at.” This is usually when I give my victim full eye contact and let them know I’m not bluffing, but I was divided between the Ulfric and his entourage, and the bar. “How many of your wolves are you willing to sacrifice for your wounded pride?”
“If we fight, Anita, you and your friends will die.”
“And you’ll die, and some of your best people, so wouldn’t it be nice to avoid the carnage and have you tell me what the hell you want from me. You know I’m telling the truth. I didn’t know that I was stepping on your toes. If Nicky is making some kind of power play behind your back, I didn’t know it. So, tell me what you want to make this . . . social gaffe okay between us. Tell me before my left hand starts spasming so badly that I start shooting things just because I have to.”
He was watching me very narrowly, and I saw intelligence behind all the bragging and pride. There might be somebody home to bargain with. If there wasn’t, then we were going to die. We were going to die, not because of the