The Last of the Red Hot Vampires - By Katie MacAlister Page 0,14
be all right.
Her words, however, made it clear she was far from in her right mind. "I'm going to take you back to the hospital," I said slowly, so she would understand. I looked over her shoulder to where the man stood. "And if you try to stop me, I will scream bloody murder and bring up everyone in the pub."
"I have saved your life," the man said, his brows pulling together in a frown.
Sarah smiled at him and nodded, a devoted look on her face. "He did. He saved us."
"There was nothing threatening us except you," I said firmly, trying to steer Sarah toward the door. "I will call the police from the pub downstairs. And if you try to kidnap us again - "
"Blast it, woman, I am not a kidnapper!" he exploded.
I took a few precautionary steps backward, glared at Sarah's head for a moment as she stood simmering at him, finally yanking her back to stand with me. "Look, you can yammer on about saving our lives all you want, but I know what I know."
"You know nothing," he said, scorn dripping from his voice. He stalked toward me, his black eyes fairly shooting sparks. I looked around quickly for a sturdier weapon than a book, but other than the bedside lamp, my room was horribly weapon-free. "I did save your life, and by the laws governing the Court of Divine Blood, I demand recompense in the form of exculpation."
Chapter 4
I felt behind me for the table lamp, grasping it firmly and shifting slightly to the side to hide the fact I was holding it. It wasn't much of a weapon, but it was better than a paperback.
The man stopped in front of me, so close I could smell his woodsy aftershave.
"I want you to leave this room now," I said in a calm, but firm, voice. Beside me, Sarah made a slight noise of unhappiness. "I don't know anything about a court, but I do know that you have violated several laws, and the police are even now searching for you. If you leave right now, I will not harm you, but I am fully prepared to defend my friend and myself from you if you insist on attacking."
An annoyed look flitted across his face. "Stop saying that! I have not attacked you!"
"You strangled me!" I answered, part of my mind pointing out that reason never worked with deranged madmen, but too irritated to listen. "I almost died! If that's not an attack, I'd like to know what is!"
"I told you - that was before I knew you were mortal," he snapped, irritation replacing the annoyance.
I waved the book around in a vaguely threatening manner. "I'd just like to know what you think I could be if not mortal!"
"You're a virtue," he answered quickly, reaching behind me and wrenching both lamp and book out of my hands, tossing them onto the bed. "Thus, you must be a member of the Court of Divine Blood, and as such, bound to uphold the laws therein. You wish for an accounting? I will give you one. The Hashmallim do not enter the mortal world unless it is to capture someone intended for destruction. Since I saved the lives of you and your friend by spiriting you away from under the nose of the Hashmallim, you are in my debt. I am calling in that debt, and the price shall be exculpation."
"I forgive you," Sarah said with breathy adoration, her eyes glowing as she gazed at him.
"The first thing I do after this guy is locked up is get you to a good head shrink," I told her.
"Woman!" the man roared, and grabbed me by the neck, hauling me up until my face was close to his. His eyes burned into mine, his breath skittering along my mouth.
"My name is Portia," I said without thinking. "I hate being referred to as if I was nothing but an object!"
"You push me too far, Portia!"
Sarah made faint mewing noises of distress as she pushed in close to us, her hands on his arms.
"You're assaulting me again." I waved my arms frantically for the lamp or book.
"Eee!" Sarah said, half demanding, half plaintive as she brushed her lips on his cheek.
The man turned his head slightly, and gave her another soul-piercing look. "You are not for me, sweet."
"Oh," she said, pulling away, an oddly content look on her face as she stood watching us.