Jono’s grip became almost bruising for a second or two before loosening enough that Patrick could pull free. He took that step forward and put himself between the two groups, keeping his eyes on Carmen.
“I see that necrophilia thing is still working out for you,” Patrick said.
“I see your manners haven’t improved.”
“I save them for the living.”
Carmen’s smile grew wider, though Einar looked like he was contemplating murder.
Then again, the vampire always looked like he was contemplating murder.
Patrick barely paid him any attention. Einar was here for Carmen’s protection, but they all knew Patrick wouldn’t lay a finger on her. As the favored lover to one of the world’s most notorious vampires, any attack against Carmen was an attack against Lucien. Patrick didn’t know how old Carmen truly was, but her first recorded appearance hit the history books about five hundred years ago. Still nearly half a millennia younger than Lucien, but that didn’t make her any less dangerous.
Thinking about Ashanti’s favorite child, Patrick wondered what the hell Setsuna had offered to get Lucien to agree to watch his six. Not that Patrick trusted the vampireat fucking all.
No wonder Setsuna wouldn’t tell me who she was sending, he thought to himself.
Lucien was a public relations nightmare just waiting to happen, not to mention illegal on so many fronts it wasn’t even funny. Patrick’s fingers twitched with the need for a cigarette to calm his already frayed nerves.
“Did he come to the bar?” Patrick asked.
Carmen clucked her tongue at Patrick in a sharptsk. “He does not come to you. You go to him.”
Patrick thought about keeping his ass right where it was, but he didn’t have that option. Setsuna had given up who knew how many favors, cashed in an unknown number of debts, to bring Lucien and his Night Court to the United States on such short notice. Patrick couldn’t trust any help coming from the SOA right now. His only option had been reduced to a vampire who absolutely hated his guts and would rather Patrick be dead.
Except Lucien had made a promise to Ashanti, one that began and ended with Patrick. Lucien didn’t give a shit about honor, but he believed in obeying his mother. That was the only reason he hadn’t stabbed Patrick in the back since the end of the Thirty-Day War.
“You’ll need to give us a ride. My car died a violent death this morning,” Patrick said.
Carmen arched one perfectly plucked eyebrow. “Us? He is not in the mood to play with wolves.”
“I can’t leave Jono behind. Seer’s orders.”
Carmen’s intense gaze shifted from Patrick to Jono, before sliding away to settle on Marek, who had come out from behind the bar to stand in solidarity with Emma and Leon. Neither of them appreciated the attention directed Marek’s way, and they put themselves in front of him in a protective manner. The anger on their faces warred with the lust Carmen was drawing out of everyone, no matter their sexual orientation.
Carmen tilted her head to the side, her curly hair shifting around the horns on her head. “Far be it for me to ignore the will of a mouthpiece. Bring the wolf.”
“You sure about this?” Jono asked in a low voice.
Patrick shrugged. “I need the backup.”
“Not sure you need what’s on offer from her.”
“We’re going with you,” Marek announced.
“Oh, hell no,” Patrick said, turning to face Marek. “You are marching your ass back home and getting behind that barrier ward.”
Marek gave Patrick an unimpressed look. “Remember what I said about not being one of your little soldiers?”
Patrick would have argued the point, except Carmen’s amused laughter interrupted him. Her smile was now tempered into something mocking and cold, sharp teeth a gleaming line between the vibrant red of her lipstick.
“Let them come,” she said. “You are backed too far into a corner to ignore a weapon when you find one, Patrick.”
She had a point. That didn’t mean Patrick had to like it.
Carmen spun on her heel, the glamour wrapping itself around her body, hiding her true self once again. The horns disappeared, the otherworldly shape of her melting back into her human form. The red center of her eyes darkened to black. Despite his shields, Patrick doubted she’d reined in the sexual energy she exuded. It was the way of her kind, after all, no matter the form they took.
“Uh,” Tyler said from behind them. “Should I come with you?”
