Page 63 of Waifs And Strays
MacTire snarled and the musclebound goons made another move towards me. This time I was the one to move away. MacTire would happily turn this entire street into a bloodbath if it meant he would win, and there was still a chance that Umbra would slit Nick’s throat the second a werewolf crossed that threshold.
I knew from the alpha’s expression that he wasn’t willing to listen to reason, and he certainly wouldn’t listen to me. I moved further away, grabbed Thane’s elbow and half-dragged him to the edge of the crowd.
His eyes were still red but his fervour hadn’t diminished. ‘We can’t stand here and do nothing, Kit. They could bedraining the rest of Nick’s blood as we speak. We can’t keep delaying.’
‘I know,’ I said.
‘Wolfsbane won’t affect you.’ His desperate gaze roved my face.
I smiled. ‘I know that, too.’
He swallowed, aware of what he was suggesting. ‘They’ll probably kill you the moment you go in there.’
‘They’ll certainly try,’ I agreed.
‘We don’t know how many of them are in there, but we know they’re wealthy and well-prepared.’
‘I thought youwantedme to go in,’ I said calmly.
‘I do.’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t.’ He cursed. ‘I don’t know.’
‘It’s okay, Thane.’ Much like MacTire, I was prepared to risk a lot to save Nick – but I wouldn’t need to worry about anyone’s safety, not if I played my cards right.
Samantha marched towards us. ‘I hope you’re not thinking of doing anything stupid, Ms McCafferty.’
‘Moi?’ I splayed my fingers. ‘I’m just a cat lady. What on earth could I do?’ I looked at the imposing building. ‘I can assure you that I won’t do anything stupid. In fact…’ I stopped mid-sentence.
Samantha tapped her foot. ‘In fact what?’
‘In fact,’ a broad smile spread across my face, ‘there’s a lovely cat over there that I know. I’m going over to say hello.’ Before she could stop me, I turned, crossed the road, stepped over the unbroken line of wolfsbane and crouched down beside She Who Hisses.
‘Hey there,’ I said to the glaring black cat. ‘Fancy seeing you again.’
‘McCafferty!’ Alexander MacTire roared. ‘Get your arse back over here!’
I grinned and waved at him. ‘Just saying hello to the cat,’ Icalled, then leaned down and looked at She Who Hisses’ body. ‘It’s healing nicely,’ I observed. ‘Your fur will grow back in no time.’
Her yellow eyes stared at me balefully but she didn’t run away. She didn’t even hiss.
‘You saw what was happening, didn’t you? You thought you’d have a little nosy.’ Her tail flicked. ‘You’ll help me?’ I breathed. I hadn’t expected her to, but goodness knows I was grateful. ‘Thank you.’
Her ears twitched. ‘Yes,’ I said. ‘After this we’re even, though I didn’t need repayment.’
She Who Hisses blinked once then stood up, twisted around and padded down the side street that led to the western side of Umbra’s hideout.
I pulled myself upright and followed her without looking back.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
She Who Hisses didn’t want an audience any more than I did. Ignoring the shouts from the various werewolf factions behind us, I followed her as she sauntered down the side street away from the Umbra building. Finally she veered into a doorway and angled her head up at me. ‘Yes,’ I nodded. ‘This will do.’
She Who Hisses sniffed.
I licked my lips. ‘It will only hurt for a few seconds,’ I promised. I reached down and plucked a small clump of fur from her back, taking care to stray nowhere near her old wound. ‘Thank you,’ I whispered. ‘If you could stay close until I’m finished, I’d appreciate it.’
She tilted her head as if thinking about it then turned round, curled up in the corner and wrapped her tail about herself. Within seconds she was asleep.
