That was disappointing. I kind of felt I deserved some type of consolation prize after what I'd gone through.
“How’d you do it?” Makoto asked.
“Do what?”
“Guess which way he threw the ball.”
I shrugged. “Just lucky, I guess.”
Even as I said it, I knew that wasn’t entirely true. My body had known where to go. The knowledge just there and waiting, like I’d caught a split-second preview of what was about to happen.
I shook off the odd feeling as Kat stopped a few feet away. To Liam, she said, "The master is free to see you." Her gaze landed on me, repulsion squeezing her features. "What happened to you?"
Her question had merit. My shirt was drenched in blood and my skin still tacky from it. Judging by the lingering aches in my jaw and cheeks, there was probably a cornucopia of bruising on my face.
She lifted a hand and waved it before anyone could answer. "Never mind. I don't care."
Gradually, I became aware of the division in the room. There was a wall between Kat and the enforcers. They regarded her with blank faces that still managed to be vaguely hostile, as if Kat was an interloper and only allowed to breathe because of their restraint.
Even the two vampires from Kat's clan didn't gaze at her with any warmth. They sized her up the way someone might a foe, like they were looking for weaknesses and imagining how they'd end her if given the chance.
It was a marked difference from the camaraderie of earlier. The room practically iced over from the aloof haughtiness they were putting out.
Kat acted like she didn't notice. Either she had iron clad self-confidence that wasn't impugned by anything, or she was pretending.
Something told me it was the first—but maybe that was my dislike talking.
Kat stabbed a finger at me, her lip curling with disgust. "Clean her up beforehand. The master appreciates presentation. Admittedly, she doesn't have much to work with, but you'll have to make do."
That had my back stiffening. Until she'd spoken, I'd been planning to wash up and change. Because of that little comment, I'd sally forth exactly as I was.
Nathan's features hardened. "Bitch."
Anton and Makoto chuckled. Even Daniel thawed enough for a semblance of a smile to tug at his lips.
Connor's feet whispered over the floor until he loomed behind her, not speaking or making his presence felt in any way. Still, his threat was clear if the cold and menacing look on his face was anything to judge by.
Sam and her friend went still, a gradual tension running through them as their attention locked on Connor. They might not like Kat, but as part of the same clan, they were duty bound to protect her. That was how the clans worked.
Beside me, Liam was stiff, his eyes also locked on Connor.
This situation had the potential to escalate. Much as I'd like to see Kat get her come-uppance, I didn’t want to be the cause.
I caught Connor's eyes and shook my head once.
He didn't move.
Makoto edged to the side, his posture relaxed and casual as he got into a position that would allow him to act if necessary. Eric doing the same on the other side.
Finally, after a standoff that felt like it lasted weeks instead of seconds, Connor took a baby step back, his magic no longer spiked and lethal.
I released a silent breath.
Kat, not realizing how close we'd come to violence, flicked her hair over her shoulder. "She's weak and arrogant. I'm not going to coddle her the way you do." Her blood red lips curved as she sent them a sly look. "I thought the council's enforcers would be fierce. I didn't realize they would be so easily twisted to an infant's whims. I guess your ranks aren't what I was led to believe."
I closed my eyes and gave my head a shake. Kat couldn’t be this much of a fool. A verbal attack on me was one thing, insulting them was entirely different. They wouldn't be able to let this go. She had to know that.
Sure enough, Anton was the first to make his move. He drew one finger along her bare arm, seduction in his features. The magic she held against her reacted, lust flaring.
