“We wish we could help you,” said the Elder Juliette, sounding sincerely regretful.
“No, we don’t,” Minnie snarled at her. “Since when are we concerned with the welfare of humans?”
Jerrold was grinning hugely and enjoying the show.
“Taylor. Back off and let me handle it. Now,” Cliff said furiously.
She ignored him. “You let her go! Let her go right now!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, and Jerrold’s men threw back their heads and laughed at her distress.
Phineas smirked. “We’re neutral parties in this. There’s nothing we can do.”
Chantelle took advantage of the distraction to pull a cattle prod out of her purse and shock the man who was holding her – just as Taylor had known she would. Chantelle had been mugged once, and she’d carried the cattle prod with her ever since.
The man let out a scream of pain and fell to his knees. The horrible smell of seared flesh filled the air.
Chantelle ran over to Cliff’s men, who quickly surrounded her and moved her towards Cliff and Taylor.
Jerrold ran towards Cliff’s men, but they formed a solid wall of snarling, growling aggression, and he was forced to take several steps back.
“Make them give her back to me right now!” Jerrold shouted at Phineas, his face red with rage. “She’s my prisoner, not theirs!”
“Oh, but they’re neutral,” Cliff taunted him. “They can’t interfere in this matter.”
Phineas looked as if he were about to have a stroke, he was so angry, but he’d just quoted the rule – he could hardly go against it now.
“You will not allow this,” Jerrold spat at him. “You will do as I say. Now.”
Phineas gave him a narrow-eyed look as if, for the first time, he didn’t like what he’d seen. Then the Elder turned his attention back to Cliff. “She must be held under guard until after the trials. Then we’ll determine what to do with her,” he said.
“Very well. She will be confined to my property,” Cliff said. “I will assign Truman to guard her full-time.”
“You’re allowing this?” Jerrold looked at Phineas in astonishment. “Then I demand to have one of my guards assigned to her as well. She’s a friend of Cliff’s mate, and therefore not to be trusted. I’m sending Rusty.”
Phineas nodded.
Cliff shrugged. “She’s under the protection of my pack. I expect your man to behave with respect at all times when he’s on my property.”
Jerrold sent one of his men into his house to fetch Rusty. Rusty, the big redheaded werewolf who’d been with Jerrold during the Celia confrontation, came hurrying out. Jerrold muttered some orders to him, and Rusty nodded, his expression grim.
“Werewolves,” Chantelle said to Taylor. Her face was as pale as a ghost’s.
“Brilliant job,” Mandy said approvingly to Taylor. “You had me fooled.”
“You’re living with werewolves, and you have a new best friend?” Chantelle complained.
“Chantelle. We’re not five. I can have more than one friend. And I’m very happy to see you, but I told you I was fine. Why did you come out here?”
“Because I’m your best friend,” Chantelle said, shooting Mandy a jealous look. Then, at Taylor’s reproving expression, she sighed and rubbed her temples. “Sorry. Sorry. I have a headache, I’m tired, and I just got hunted down and surrounded by a bunch of men who turned into wolves. I’m not at my best right now.”
“Anyway! Taylor, you were incredible,” Cliff said. “I should have realized what you were doing. That’s the last time I underestimate— What the hell?” He turned his attention to the guest house.
Leota came staggering out the front door. Taylor gasped in horror. Her lip was split and blood was streaming from her nose and dripping off her chin.
“I need a healer,” Leota moaned.
Anita started jogging towards her, with Grant by her side.
Jerrold spun around to glare at his mate. “What are you trying to pull? Get back in the house right now, you bitch.” His eyes glowed with rage.
