The Killing Dance - Laurell K. Hamilton [75]
We laid Karen on the black couch. The woman who was helping dampened some paper towels without being asked and brought them back. I laid them against Karen’s forehead and neck. “Thanks.”
“Is she going to be all right?” the woman asked.
I didn’t answer, because that all depended on Damian. “What’s your name?”
The woman smiled almost shyly. “Anabelle, Anabelle Smith.”
I smiled up at her. “Anita Blake. This is Cassandra.” I realized I didn’t know her last name. Jean-Claude always called his wolves by only their first names, like a pet. “I’m sorry. I don’t know your last name.”
“Cassandra is fine.” She shook Anabelle’s hand. They smiled at each other.
“Should we report what happened to the police?” Anabelle asked. “I mean that vampire was going to force himself on her. That’s illegal, right?”
Karen stirred on the couch, moaning.
“Yeah, it’s illegal,” I said.
Anabelle raised an interesting point. I could report it to the cops. If a vampire acquired three complaints against him or her, you could get a death warrant issued, if you got the right judge. I would talk to Jean-Claude and Damian first, but if they didn’t give me the answers I wanted, maybe I should go to the cops. I shook my head.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“Nothing worth sharing,” I said.
The bathroom door opened. Raina walked in wearing a cream-colored dress as short as my own. The dark hose and stiletto high heels made her legs go on forever. She wore a fur jacket in a dusty red, probably fox. She was the only shapeshifter I’d met who wore real fur that wasn’t her own.
She’d pulled her auburn hair on top of her head in a soft bun with loose strands of hair curled artfully around her face and neck.
Karen chose that minute to regain consciousness. I wasn’t sure she was going to like her wake-up call. I knew I didn’t.
I stood. Cassandra moved in front of me and a little to one side, not blocking me, but closer to the danger than I was. I wasn’t used to anyone guarding me. It felt odd. I could take care of myself. That was the point, wasn’t it?
“What’s happening?” Anabelle asked.
Karen was looking around, eyes going wide again. “Where am I?”
“Anabelle, can you sit with Karen, please?” I smiled when I asked, but I didn’t take my eyes from Raina. The door had closed behind her, and there wasn’t enough room to maneuver, not really. If Cassandra could hold her for a even a few seconds, I could get the gun out, but somehow I didn’t think Raina had come to fight. I think she’d have worn different shoes.
Anabelle sat on the couch and literally held Karen’s hand. But she was watching the rest of us. Hell, it might be a better show than what was outside.
“What do you want, Raina?” I asked.
She gave a wide smile with her lipsticked mouth, baring small, even white teeth. “It’s the ladies’ room, isn’t it? I came to powder my nose. And to see how our frightened guest is doing.” She took two steps into the room, and Cassandra moved in front of her, blocking her way.
Raina stared down at her. “You forget yourself, wolf.” Her voice held a low edge of growl.
“I forget nothing,” Cassandra said.
“Then stand aside,” she said.
“What did you mean by our guest?” I asked.
She smiled at me. “I am Jean-Claude’s partner in this little enterprise. Didn’t he tell you?” From the look on her face, she knew the answer and was enjoying it.
“I guess it slipped his mind,” I said. “Why aren’t you part of the show then?”
“I’m a silent partner,” she said. She pushed past Cassandra, body brushing the smaller woman. She knelt by the couch. “How are you feeling, my dear?”
Karen stammered, “I just want to go home.”
“Of course you do.” She glanced up and smiled. “If one of you would help me get her