Perhaps he does feel it. “Nice change of subject.”
He nods and waves me into a chair. “We are safe. In theory. Weres are only dangerous in their animal form. Still, they are a pack. Bloodlust can bring the animal to the surface. There have been documented cases of a pack in human form tearing apart a large animal for sport. Especially when drugs or alcohol are involved.”
I glare at him. “So you let them into your bar to drink and smoke pot? Doesn’t sound so smart to me.”
“I know the leader of this pack. She promised me there would be no trouble. They are on their way across the border. She asked to stay the night. I agreed. They are paying well for the privilege.”
This still does not sound like something Culebra would agree to. He shrugs, divining my thought.
I had no idea you would show up tonight. You fed only a week ago. The weres are moving on in the morning. The camp is otherwise empty. I saw no harm in granting the request. As for Max . . .
He pauses, eyes on me while he lets himself into my head. I don’t try to stop him. It’s easier than trying to explain what I’m feeling. Anger toward Gloria and her ridiculous situation, and now hurt and disappointment because of Max.
The problem with Gloria can be easily fixed. You may be able to settle it tonight when you see this business partner. I am sorry seeing Max upset you. I didn’t realize you had come in until it was too late.
Is that supposed to make me feel better? I come to this place as much for refuge from the irritations of the mortal world as for sustenance. Should I call ahead from now on to make a reservation?
Culebra lifts an eyebrow.
I know I’m overreacting. Max has as much right to come here as I do. Maybe more, since he and Culebra were friends long before I came into the picture. Still, the thought that I might run into him again on the arm of another vamp sends a stab of resentment through my gut.
Culebra’s expression softens from irritation to sympathetic acknowledgment, but he says nothing. What can he say? This is my problem.
I turn away abruptly. I can’t think of any reason to stay here. I can’t think of any clever parting remarks. Maybe I’ll go back to Glory’s and wait for O’Sullivan to show up. Then, after I take care of him, I’ll pick up one of those eager yuppies and bring him home with me. Fuck his brains out and send him on his way.
I feel Culebra’s disapproval. It hums through the air like radio waves, but he can’t help and he can’t stop me.
He doesn’t try.
Just as I don’t bother to say good-bye.
CHAPTER 7
I’M ALMOST AT THE DOOR WHEN ONE OF THE FEMALE weres steps in front of me. It’s not an accident. She looks at me and rumbles a growl, challenging, threatening. A growl rises in my own throat, and a rush of adrenaline burns through my veins. The vampire springs into defensive mode.
The bar is suddenly quiet.
“What do you want?” My voice is harsh, my muscles tense.
The woman stares at me. “Are you Anna Strong?”
She knows my name?
Startled, I take a step back to get a better look. Do I know her? She’s as tall as I am. Brown, close-cropped hair. Dark eyes in a face that would be pleasant if not for the hatred in her expression. She’s wearing a pair of skin-tight jeans and a worn leather jacket zipped to her neck. She makes an elaborate show of stripping off her jacket and letting it fall to the floor. She’s wearing a tank top that reveals a right arm decorated with an elaborate multicolored tattoo, something with an eagle and a waving flag. It also reveals well-muscled shoulders and rock-hard biceps that she flexes like a prize-fighter.
I’m damned sure now that I don’t know her, but I can’t help it, the posturing makes me smile. I feel like I’m back in junior high facing a school-yard bully. Swallowing back the urge to laugh, I ask, “Are you calling me out, sunshine?”
It’s not the reaction she’s expecting. A frown tightens the thin lips. “You think this is funny?”
Culebra is suddenly between us. “Stop it.”
Two words, but his tone cuts like a whip. He faces the were. “You are a guest here. Have you forgotten?” He turns toward the crowd at the bar. “Sandra, you gave your word there would be no trouble. Are you abusing my hospitality?”
The were takes a step back and turns toward the bar. I turn, too, though at first I can’t tell who he’s addressing. Then there’s movement as the crowd parts to let someone through. A woman. She separates from the rest. She doesn’t say anything; she looks. At me.
My pulse starts racing. I can’t move. I can’t look away. I don’t want to.
She is stunning. More than beautiful. Tall, lean, dressed in black form-fitting leather. Her dark hair is cut to frame her face, a showcase for eyes that flash blue green in the light of the bar and generously curved, slightly parted lips. Her smooth skin glows with pale undertones, as if even inside, she’s bathed in moonlight.
The effect is at once devastating and unnerving. Every eye in the room is riveted on that perfect face. I’ve never felt anything like it—a sexual vibe so strong it transcends gender and species. I can’t believe I didn’t notice her before.
Only Culebra seems immune. He puts a hand on my arm, tightening his grip to keep me at his side.
“Well?” he barks. “Do I need to ask you to leave, Sandra? Or will you honor your word?”
A smile touches the perfect mouth, lifts the corners of her eyes. “Tamara,” she says in a soft, throaty whisper. “Apologize to the lady.”
The muscle-bound creature in front of me wilts in disappointment, but she doesn’t argue. “Sorry,” she says in a tone that implies she clearly isn’t. She picks up her jacket and moves to stand by the woman at the bar.
Sandra places an arm across Tamara’s shoulders in a gesture as much possessive as defensive. Her eyes are not on Tamara or Culebra, however. They are focused on me.
I shift uneasily. Heat ripples my skin. I’m aroused, physically, embarrassingly, in a way I haven’t been in months.
By a woman. Is it a spell?
Culebra is tugging at my arm, forcing me to turn away from those hypnotic eyes. He’s pulling me toward the door. Dumbly, reluctantly, I allow myself to be led outside.
Only then is the link broken. I round on him. What the hell was that?
His smile is grim. She likes you.
Likes me? We were mind fucking—or didn’t you notice? What kind of magic does she work?
He shrugs. Werewolves emit a powerful sexual energy. It’s what attracts humans. It’s the way they propagate. Human reproduction is not available to them.
Propagate? Hello, I’m not human. Another insignificant detail? We both happen to be women.
She may not know that you are vampire. They do not have psychic abilities except with other pack members. As for sex, werewolves are like vampires in that respect.
It’s all he says. It’s enough. Werewolves must make other werewolves as vampires do, with an exchange of blood.
What in the hell were you thinking letting a pack of werewolves camp out in your bar?
“There wasn’t any trouble until you showed up. Come to think of it, most of the time there isn’t any trouble until you show up,” he says sharply. He jabs a thumb toward the door. “I think you’re missing an important point. Sandra doesn’t act like that around everyone. It’s as if she was waiting for you. For you. Her pack mate knew your name. Aren’t you the least bit curious why?”
Indignation at the charge that I am to blame for what happened inside suddenly morphs into a pool of uncertainty and rampant curiosity. I realize with a jolt that what Culebra said is true.