Page 119 of Bosse
Bosse clammed up, but that did not silence his disgruntled breathing.
His two friends, in human form and still dressed, strode through the massacre of four animals, stopping close enough to talk to Bosse. “Is she okay?”
“Yes, I am,” Alifair replied. “I’m Alifair.”
Bosse pointed at one of the two men. “That’s Adrian, and the other one is Vic.”
Vic had a backpack strapped on and his face arranged in a flat look as if he were discontent with something.
“What happens now?” Alifair asked.
Adrian took in the wrecked hall and asked, “Who was in charge of these guards?”
“Eriko.” Bosse pointed at a body slumped next to the kitchen doorway. “You got him with a drug shot.”
“We need to talk to him.” Adrian asked Vic, “You got clothes for Justin and Bosse, right?”
“Hell, I guess so.” Vic had a deep voice and slight twang like he was from somewhere south back in the States, maybe Georgia or Tennessee. He lowered his backpack and dug out warm-up pants and T-shirts he tossed to Bosse and Justin. He told Adrian, “That leaves one full set and the small vacuum-packed bags for any more wardrobe changes.”
“Got it. Let’s talk to Eriko,” Adrian said, leading the way with Vic behind him.
“You may want to wash the blood off first,” Alifair suggested before Bosse put on pants that appeared to be made for athletes.
“You’re right. I don’t want to go upstairs in case they need me down here.”
“There’s a big sink in the kitchen with buckets of clean water next to it on the floor.” She stood on wobbly legs but held onto the railing as she followed Bosse to the kitchen.
By the time he’d finished cleaning up and put on the clothes, which included a black T-shirt, Adrian and Vic had roused Eriko.
She stepped from the kitchen in time to hear Eriko say, “I’m telling you nothing.” Eriko turned to her. “Krol should have killed you before he left, you bitch.”
Bosse stepped out and slapped his head so hard it would have spun around if not for being against a wall. “Say one more word to her, and I’ll take your head off this time.”
Lifting a hand to wipe the blood from his mouth, Eriko glared at her but said nothing more.
Vic sounded tired and impatient when he told Krol’s right-hand man, “You’re gonna talk and soon. We don’t have time to waste on you.”
Squatted down in front of Eriko, Adrian informed him, “We’re in a hurry, and my friend here has never failed to get answers.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” Sweat rolled off Eriko’s chin, making him a liar that Alifair didn’t have to be a shifter to realize.
Vic shook his head and said, “I’ll give you a demonstration.” He walked over and shook a guard back to life. The guy was disoriented and mumbling, “Krol’s going to kill you.”
Vic looked back at Eriko. “Pay attention to his crotch.” Then he focused on the confused guard who suddenly jerked awake and screamed, grabbing himself. He rolled into a ball, crying and rocking.
Eriko’s jaw went slack.
Alifair’s did, too.
Vic walked back over and announced, “There are no second chances. I don’t have that kind of patience. When you’re asked a question, you answer immediately. This is your only warning. If you hesitate, I’ll give you a nudge to wake you up. Oh, and just in case you missed the show while you were napping, we’re all shifters. A lie gets you the same treatment as not answering fast enough.”
