Page 3 of Shattered Magic
“Bring it, bitch.”
His eyes flared in outrage, and she waited for the indicator. His teeth flashed, and he lunged, only to clang into her frying pan. He staggered back and fell on his ass.
“Margo, call the governor’s office. Let them know we have some strays who have been drinking from the unwilling. Consent has been denied and recorded.” She looked at the other two. “Any other takers?”
The other two shook their heads and looked at Margo as she called the hotline to the governor’s office.
One looked like he was going to make a move for the phone, and Hari said, “Don’t even try it. If I use the edge, I can cave your skull in. It isn’t a pleasant experience.”
They sat, and her two targets clutched their heads.
One of the others hissed, “You will be punished for this.”
“That depends on who shows up to collect you.”
She stood there in her black kitchen uniform. Her hair was up and in a hair net, her nails were cropped short, and her face was devoid of makeup. She didn’t look like any of the other ladies here. She barely looked like a lady at all.
Hari remained on guard and shifted to block any moves the vampires tried. Her reflexes were exceptional. They always had been.
The deputy governor walked in with Serel holding onto his arm.
Prolen looked at the four vampires and bowed to Margo. “My apologies to you and the good people of your establishment. We will compensate any injured staff. What happened to my men?”
Hari looked at him. “I did, Deputy Governor. How are you keeping?”
“Hari? You are still in town?” His eyes were wide, and Serel pulled at him.
“Honey, you said we could go for a late breakfast. Don’t talk to that poor slut.”
Prolen looked down at his mistress. “Why are you so insulting? She has defended her own against four of ours.”
Serel paled. “She owes me money.”
Hari smiled softly. “No, I don’t. The last payment was the previous paycheque. You are paid in full for the dress, the shoes, and your legal fees.”
Prolen frowned. “What dress? What shoes?”
Serel scowled. “The ones she wore to the choosing five years ago. She destroyed them.”
Hari shrugged. “They were destroyed, but she invited me and just happened to have a dress in my size. I was bait. Oh, how is the new consort? I have heard that the governor has announced he has found his partner.”
Prolen nodded. “Yes, he has announced it.”
“Too bad. Your mistress really thought she had a chance.”
Serel snorted. “I am Prolen’s consort.”
“No, you aren’t. You don’t even want to know how I know.” She chuckled. “You are a plain and replaceable mistress, just like half the dancers here.”
She saw a figure walking in, and when she saw the silhouette of the head, she sing-songed, “Somebody’s in trouble.”
Governor Zerul walked into the space, and several of the dancers gasped. “It seems that the new apprentices of my house require correction.”
One of the unscathed men jumped up and ran to the governor, kneeling at his feet. “Master, she attacked us with a weapon, unprovoked.”
Serel sidled toward him. “Master, Hari is unpredictable. You remember five years ago.”
Zerul was looking at Hari with a slight smile. “The service industry?”