Rafael (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #28) - Laurell K. Hamilton Page 0,49
can’t help her, and energetic help to hold human shape after you go down to the pit,” Micah said.
“And no man’s reputation has ever been harmed by having two beautiful women on his arm,” Jean-Claude said.
“It depends on the man,” Rafael said, “but your point is made.” He looked at Claudia and Benito. “What do the two of you think?”
“I am relieved that Anita and Claudia would have an extra pair of blades with them,” Benito said.
“Pierette got an invitation from Fredo, too. She’s good with a blade and incredibly fast,” Claudia said.
“How is she empty hand?” Rafael asked.
“Still good,” Claudia said.
Rafael nodded. “All right, I agree.”
“Thank you for agreeing,” Nathaniel said.
“You have become far more determined than I remember you being, Nathaniel.”
“You remember the anger issues Richard had for so long that turned out to be Anita’s anger in him?”
“I remember, we were all relieved when she discovered how to take back her anger.”
“I think I’ve gained some of her resolve.”
“Anita is one of the most resolute people I know,” Rafael said.
“Yes, she is.”
The two men looked at each other for longer than seemed necessary, and then Rafael said, “I will have to watch you more closely from now on then, won’t I?”
“More like you should stop discounting me when you negotiate with us.”
“I do not discount you.”
Nathaniel gave a small smile. “It’s okay, most people do, or did.”
“Then my apologies, Nathaniel, I will do better in the future.”
“Thank you.”
“In the spirit of honor, if we feel that ma petite is in danger, then we will come to her aid, even if we must fight our way through all the wererats to do it.”
“I would expect nothing less, and if I die, then do whatever you have to do to get Anita out and safe.”
“Don’t worry, we will,” Micah said.
With my stomach aching from the game of metaphysical keep-away that Rafael had just forced Nathaniel to help me play, I wasn’t feeling as friendly as I had before, but . . . “I’d rather the plan is you don’t die and instead kill the son of a bitch.”
“That is my preferred plan, too,” Rafael said with a smile.
Benito said, “We must go if you are to prepare.”
His smile faded and he nodded. “Do I deserve a kiss, or are you too upset with me?”
“Are you reading my face or my emotions?” I asked.
“Your face, I think.”
I nodded. “Since I’m going to be friendly with you at the fight, sure, why not.”
“That’s not very enthusiastic,” he said, frowning.
“You just hurt me in a nonconsensual way because the power was a rush; sorry, but I expected better of you.”
“I am sorry, Anita.”
“You keep saying that today.”
“I am off my game, I admit that.” His face was suddenly the seriousness of earlier. I needed him better behaved toward me, not depressed, and then I realized that there was still part of him that believed Hector might be his son. Jesus.
It cut him slack, so I went to him. I gazed up into that solemn face and said the only thing I could think to say that might help. “I’m sorry about all the conflicts. I honestly believe that Hector’s mother is gaslighting you so that you will hesitate tonight.”
“Logically I know you are right, but I would like to look at him so strong and promising and think he might be mine.”
“And now you have to kill him,” I said.
“There is a faint chance that neither of us has to die tonight. I did offer, but it is doubtful that they will accept defeat that does not end in death, because that means if he wins, then I’m still king.”
“He’s probably not going to agree to that,” I said.
“No.”
“Then fight to win, because I’ll be there tonight and if you lose, he’ll try to take me.”
“Take you where?”
“Rafael, if the vampire could take over the wererats and kill me, Jean-Claude’s power base would be destroyed.”
“I did not think. You cannot come tonight.” He grabbed my upper arms and his fear for me was real.
“If she is there, then so am I,” Jean-Claude said.
“It’s a way to have his power there without the other vampire understanding that me being a necromancer makes me a much better conduit for vampiric powers than most human servants.”
He stared down at me, face almost pained, then hugged me close to him as he turned to look at Jean-Claude. “I told Anita she should seduce Hector if I die. I did not think that she might be the