"Since he could probably survive a direct hit with a mack truck, how am I supposed to hurt him?"
She shrugged.
"I didn't think anyone would challenge you. I'm sorry," Richard said.
"You expect people to be nice, Richard. It's one of your best qualities and greatest weaknesses," I said.
"Refuse the challenge, Anita."
"If I refuse, then what?"
"It's over. You won't be a member of the pack, but I can order them to protect you from Raina. It's almost as good."
"I told you, I don't want anyone being ordered to take a bullet for me. Besides, no way am I volunteering to go one on one with a lycanthrope. I'll keep my gun, thanks anyway."
The doorbell rang. It was probably Edward. Damn. I looked at the little group, and even though they were in human form, he'd know what they were. He was better at smelling monsters than I was, at least live ones. "If you guys can tone it down a bit, I'll get the door."
"Edward?" Richard made it a question.
"Probably," I said.
He stared around at the group. "Everybody up off the floor. He's another normal."
They got to their feet, slowly, almost reluctantly. They seemed almost intoxicated, as if the power in the room had done more for them than for me.
I went for the door. I was halfway to it when Richard yelled, "No!"
I dropped to the ground, rolling, and felt the air whistling over me where Neal had swung. If he'd been any good at fighting, he'd have nailed me. The missed swing put him off balance, and I foot-swept him to the floor, but he got to his feet again before I could stand, like there were springs in his spine. It was impressive as hell.
"Stop it, Neal," Sylvie said.
"She didn't refuse the challenge. It's my right."
I scuttled backwards, still on the ground, not sure what to do. The closed drapes of the picture window were at my back if I stood up. I wasn't sure standing up was my best bet. "Give me the rules, quick," I said.
"First blood," Sylvie said. "Human form only."
"If he shapeshifts, you can shoot him," Richard said.
"Agreed," Sylvie said, others murmured their agreement.
Peachy. Neal leaped for me, leaving the ground completely, hands outstretched. I came up on one knee, grabbed his jacket, and rolled on my back, letting his amazing momentum carry us both. I shoved both feet into his stomach and pushed with everything I had. He flew over me in a near perfect arc. He'd set himself up for a textbook tomoe-nage throw.
He smashed through the window, taking the curtain with him. I rolled to my feet and stared at the gaping window. Broken shards of glass sprinkled onto the carpet and the yard beyond. Neal struggled out of the curtain, blood running down his face where the glass had cut him.
Edward was on the ground in a combat stance, gun out. He pointed it at Neal, as he struggled free of the curtain.
"Don't shoot him," I said. "I think the fight's over."
Neal stood, kicking free of the clinging curtain. "I'll kill you."
I drew the Firestar and pointed it at him. "I don't think so."
Richard stepped up beside me. "She drew first blood, Neal. The fight is over, unless you want to fight me, too."
"And me," Sylvie said. She stepped up on the other side of Richard. The rest of the pack stepped up behind us. Stephen crouched at my feet.
"She is pack now," Sylvie said. "You fight one of us, and you fight all of us."