Page 99 of Fire Dancer

Then I grunted and rolled, body-checked aside by Jananovich’s buddy. The swarthy vampire was obviously itching for a fight. The shorter Latino stepped forward too, stripping out of his jacket like a gentleman getting ready to duel.

Vampires. Such fucking snobs.

I whirled, lashed out with my claws and fangs, then skittered back and snarled.

Jananovich remained behind his buddies, more focused on Delaney than me.

“Now, now,” he said in an annoying, singsong tone. “I’m sure we can clear everything up.”

Delaney stared at me — but to her credit, didn’t run or scream at the sight of a wolf — then turned to Jananovich, clutching her stake. “Clear up killing Janet? Not happening, asshole.”

“Janet?” he cocked an eyebrow. “Her death was a tragedy, but it had nothing to do with me.”

Delaney snorted, and I growled, then jumped aside as one of the vampires lunged forward. The next minute passed in a blur of fists and fangs. Then we broke apart, panting.

Cool air kissed my cheek, telling me Pippa had the window open.

“Help! Over here!” she yelled into the night.

Jananovich tsked and turned to the burly guard who’d just arrived on the scene.

“Check on that, please.” Jananovich sent him off again — but not before I caught a whiff of the man’s scent.

Bear shifter. The one who’d driven Stacy.

My hunches had been right. But we needed help, and fast.

Kyle!I yelled at the top of my lungs. It came out as a guttural roar, closer to a lion than your average wolf.

But I was not your average wolf. Not when fighting for my true love’s life.

Jananovich’s friends stood shoulder to shoulder, preparing their next attack. The swarthy one seemed familiar, though I couldn’t place him.

Meanwhile, Jananovich continued speaking to Delaney. “Just put that down, and everything will be all right.”

In my peripheral vision, I saw her go stiff. Shit. Jananovich was enthralling her, and it was working. Worse, it seemed to be working on Pippa too. She froze by the window, staring into space.

Shit, shit, shit.

Jananovich chuckled. In the same instant, his buddies lunged for me.

Vampires were lightning-fast, with long, claw-like nails. One sliced across my shoulder in the tussle that ensued. Hissing in pain, I landed my own blow, sending the smaller vampire careening into the first. Then I stepped back, snarling at Jananovich.

The bastard chuckled, focused on Delaney and Pippa.

“That’s right. Put down the stake. Step back. Take a deep breath.”

And, crap. Delaney did as she was told, moving robotically. Pippa wore an equally vacant expression.

I screamed inside.No, Pippa! Don’t fall for it! Don’t listen!

Fear struck me, because what if this was it? The wolves of Twin Moon pack weren’t charging to our rescue — yet.Neither was the agency, which I hadn’t involved — except for sending Nash a last-minute message to notify them. Pippa and Delaney were my only allies on the inside, but Jananovich was neutralizing them both. The moment I fell — and sooner or later, I would — Jananovich and his guests would devour them in a gory feast.

I unleashed another loud growl, praying for help from Kyle or Nash. Without them, we were doomed.

Then my eyes caught a tiny movement. It was Pippa, slowly bending her fingers in a motion I’d seen before. The night of the bonfire, when she’d left even her father spellbound.

Maybe she wasn’t enthralled. Maybe she was working on her own trick. I didn’t dare look closer for fear of alerting the vampires, but I could sense her mind ticking away.