Jenna nodded an agreement.
I caught Caroline’s arm, holding her back as Jenna threaded her way through the tables to the bar.
When she was out of ear shot, I sent Caroline a serious look. “What are you doing? You, of all people, know how dangerous it is to take this world lightly.”
I’d asked her a favor once that ended with her getting caught in the crossfire. Her association with me got her turned into a demon tainted werewolf. It had worked out in the end, and she was happy now, but it was a long road getting here.
I don’t think I could handle something similar happening to Jenna or anyone else in my family.
Caroline’s features softened. “I do, but she’s lonely and she misses her sister.”
I drew back, not knowing what to say to that.
Caroline punched me on the shoulder, breaking the heavy mood we’d fallen into. “Besides, I consider her a baby sister too. I’m not going to let anything happen to her.”
She sauntered away before I could tell her that life didn’t always obey our wishes.
“I like the human,” Natalia mused. “She’s uncomplicated. That’s rare in our world.”
Connor sipped my martini, making sure to hold himself apart from the conversation while still keeping an eye on things.
“Why do you think I’m so worried?” I told Natalia.
Jenna was a baby rabbit in a zoo of predators. In that situation, it was the rabbit who usually got eaten.
“You worry too much.” Natalia stretched out her legs under the table. “The bar is neutral ground. No one is going to mess with a normal.”
“It’s when she’s out there that’s the problem.” I tipped my chin toward the door and the world beyond.
Dahlia’s protection didn’t extend beyond those doors. Being seen with me put Jenna in danger. Someone could follow her and do all the things I was worried about before I ever knew.
Natalia peeled the wrapper off her beer bottle. “I don’t have humans close to me. Everyone in my family belongs to this world. But I do know family is important. They’re worth the risk.”
“And if someone hurts her?”
Natalia’s gaze was piercing. “You destroy them.” She lifted her beer in toast. “I’ll help.”
“Same for me,” Connor added. A faint smile lit his face when I looked at him. “I’m quite good at ripping hearts from chests.”
“I’m aware,” I said dryly.
In fact, I couldn’t forget.
“Just so you remember,” Connor said with a nod.
“Thanks, bro.” I grabbed my martini glass from him and tipped it in salute. “You’ll be the first one I call should I need any organs separated from a chest.”
Connor missed my sarcasm.
Natalia didn’t.
My eyes narrowed as I studied her with interest. Tonight’s gathering could work in my favor after all.
“What?” she asked with sudden wariness.
“I heard hunters were in the city,” I said, trying for casual and probably failing. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Maybe I couldn’t do anything about Dominick’s presence, but the hunters were a different story. The flock went everywhere and saw everything. Most never noticed them. Partly because of their magic but also because they never thought to check the skies.
