Danse Macabre   ::   Гамильтон Лорел

Auggie glided up to the two men, putting a hand on each of them. Their eyes tightened, not a flinch, but noticable. What had he done when he touched their backs, oh-so-lightly?

Auggie smiled, that happy, happy smile that filled his gray eyes with light. «My lions are like vampires, Anita; they can, if they choose, have only one name among us. Pierce and Haven do have first names, but I think they will keep them until they know if they're staying.»

«What, you think I can't run them through a computer and a record check because you don't give me their real names?»

«If their criminal record worries you, then let me allay your fears. They both have one.» He was still smiling when he said it.

It was all getting too weird. These were our friends, and I was already feeling like I'd been thrown into the deep end of the pool. Jean-Claude, where are you ? I thought.

I got a confused glimpse of fighting. He and Asher were struggling to hold Meng Die down. It reminded me of watching the men carrying Bunny out. If they want to hurt you, and you don't want to hurt them, you are at a disadvantage. They were inside the building that housed the carnival's freak show upstairs. Though most of the «freaks» were rare super-naturals. I saw people looking in at them from the outer areas. They had an audience.

I thought, Ask for help, get some guards in there and get her out of sight .

I felt more than heard him think that asking for help with the other vamps maybe sensing it would make him look weak. I thought back, Taking advantage of your resources is not weakness, its good management .

I felt him reach out to the wolves upstairs. I felt them moving toward him. Soon there'd be too many men for her to fight back. What they'd do with her once they subdued her, that was a different question. I had one more awful thought. I turned to Claudia. «Can you contact the wererat guards upstairs via mind?»

She pulled a small cell phone from one pocket. «How about phone?»

«Meng Die's animal to call is wolf; I'd like a few wererats to join everyone in the freak show.»

Claudia didn't ask, she just made the call. So nice not to be questioned.

«And what does Jean-Claude need that much help with?» Auggie said.

«She's a female of Belle's line. You want her?»

He laughed. «Not if she's this wild, no.»

«Auggie wouldn't need help to subdue one of his vamps,» Pierce said.

«Jean-Claude could subdue her, or even kill her, but she's chosen a place where there's an audience.