him with a frown. “Find a nice woman and marry her,” I said and stood as people began to rush about. Something was finally happening.
The dance floor cleared quickly. I glanced around the room, expecting to see Patrick and the wolves near their special table, but no, they were moving in from my left and closing in fast.
I walked to the middle of the floor. It was now completely empty, as all of the humans had vacated. The only patrons left were of the supernatural persuasion.
Patrick approached me looking apoplectic. “Grace, what a pleasant surprise.” He slowed his pace, Christian and Zak flanking him. “I knew you’d be back once you discovered we have your blood. Only…” he stopped a few feet from me, “I never once thought you would reveal your true self to us all.” He smiled and it looked a bit maniacal.
“You know what I’m capable of, Patrick. Why so happy to see me?” I placed my hands on my hips.
“Oh, I’ll get to that, but first, a question.” Patrick held up one finger and tilted his head, “Why? Why let it all out? Oh, wait a second, that’s right!” His sarcasm did little to mask his anger. “You’re not letting it all out, are you? And how do I know this? Well, maybe because I’m not trying to kill everyone in order to fuck you! Why is that?” He tilted his head and folded his arms across his chest. Fury at what I had done to him when we last met was beating at me in waves. His anger tasted like grass and moist earth. I inhaled and let my breath out slowly.
“You escaped us,” he continued.
His words confused me for a moment and I had to stop and think. So many things had happened since that last pathetic attempt to kidnap me, and pathetic it was, because I forgot all about it. I laughed, “Of course I escaped. Your attempt was a total joke, Patrick. I don’t know why you even you bothered.”
“We were confident that the ropes would hold. They were spelled, you know.” I knew and just frowned and shook my head. “The ropes,” he clarified as if I had trouble hearing him the first time. “They were spelled. But obviously, they were useless.”
“Obviously,” I cocked my hip and yawned. “What the hell do you want from me, Patrick?” I was getting angry a lot faster than I thought I would. Super!
“Well,” he shook his head, as if amused, “the Council was all for snatching you up again.” He loosened his tie and shrugged out of his sport coat. The movement suggested he was relaxing.
I tensed.
“But things changed the night you revealed to me that you no longer require the ring. I let them know, and they…” he laughed, “Well, they panicked to put it bluntly. Only Voltaire and I are still in it for keeps.” He handed his jacket to Zak and began rolling up his sleeves.
“I, of course, realized all sorts of new possibilities,” he smiled at me. “I just wasn’t sure if they could be put to use. You see, you have powers that none of us really understand. You have abilities that no one knows anything about.”
“What are you saying?” I moved back a step. Something was up. He was being too cocky. I looked around. The wolves were assembled. They had grouped together, leaning against the walls and pacing in front of the doors. They were watching, on guard.
I turned to look at Patrick again. “You’re right, you know,” I said. “I have more powers than you could ever fathom.”
“Oh, we know,” he said, still smiling. “But Voltaire can get around you. You can’t read him can you?” He watched my face. I tried to keep my expression blank. “Ah, you don’t deny or confirm. I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if he was just being his usual proud, overconfident self.” He leaned forward, folding his arms. “His power is the opposite of the Madea, he says. So he can cancel you out; he’s your kryptonite, so to speak.” He finished rolling his sleeves and then folded his strong arms across his chest again.
“That’s a useful speech, but you can’t prove any of it.” I smiled and shook my head, “What do you hope to gain, Patrick?”
“I want you, Grace,” he stated simply. “You are going to strengthen this pack with your blood.” He stepped closer to me. “Then, my dear girl, I’m going to make you fat with