Kristina's mouth was partially open with a smile, and I could see her teeth glimmer dimly.
I would like to say now that I did not panic. I may have gotten… excited… but it wasn't panic.
I reached over, grabbed Kristina's hand that was on Jane, and elbowed the Hunter in the face. She pulled back, her face startled and her eyes sparkling with anger. But she had dropped her hold on Jane, which was all I had needed. I shoved Jane back into Augustine's arms, and then grunted when Kristina slammed into my back. She was hissing like an angry cat, and her sharp fingers were digging into my skin. I flipped her over my head, and she landed on the floor with a crash that shook the house. James lunged forward to grab her, but Josephine grabbed his arms and swung her leg up to kick him in the head. Millecent caught her foot, shoving it back down with a snarl. She then kicked Josephine in the chest, sending her staggering back a few steps.
I must say, it's pretty impressive to see all the things Millie can do in a floor length skirt.
Kristina vaulted back onto her feet, then turned and lunged at my throat. She grabbed a hold of me, snarling bitterly and shoving me down. She was straddling me, her fingers digging into my neck, trying to tear my head off. There was a sudden, hollow crash, and Kristina got a startled look on her face. She turned slightly, and I could see what she was looking at.
Jane was still behind Augustine, but she had thrown a vase, which had hit Kristina in the back of the head. She was breathing hard, her eyes terrified but her expression defiant.
Kristina's lips pulled back from her teeth, and she leapt off me, charging Jane. Augustine managed to grab a fistful of her dark brown hair, swinging her back at me.
"Thanks," I managed to say sarcastically before Kristina twirled to claw at my face. Josephine was pretty much annihilating James, despite the distraction that was Millie. And Kristina was seriously tiring me out.
A door opened, and there was a soft intake of breath. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jordan and Ashton, their faces mortified. Ashton muttered a curse, but Jordan darted forward--
And slapped me in the back of the head. Kristina and Josephine stopped, raising their eyebrows at her. I dropped Kristina and turned my betrayed faced to Jordan. Kristina grumbled as she hit the floor, but afterwards just flopped onto her back, her arms flung out and her eyes closed.
"What the hell?" I demanded, rubbing the back of my head. "Who's side are you on anyway?"
"My side!" Jordan said, grinning excitedly. Excited seemed to be her state of existence. Kristina's fists shot up in a 'hell yes' gesture.
"Asian pride!" she cried. Josephine rolled her eyes, but then darted over to give Jordan a hug.
"We missed you, Jordan," she said happily, her laugh like silver chimes. Jordan laughed with her.
"Long time, no see," she agreed, pulling away from Josephine and picking up Kristina, who beamed.
"Dai-chan!" she said happily, falling into Jordan's arms in a huge hug. "Glomp!"
"So she did learn that word," Jordan said, sending Josephine an accusing look. Josephine just shrugged.
"You can't expect me to make sure she doesn't read whatever Japanese comics she reads."
"Manga!" Kristina exploded. "And it has beautiful words, thank you very much!"
Millie and James were circling around the Hunters, ready to restart the fight, but stopped when Jordan shook her head.
"What happened, Krissy-chan?" she asked. "What made you need to kick Benni's ass?"
"She did not," I said hotly, darting over to Jane and wrapping my arm around her waist. She leaned heavily against me, her face tired. She was always tired, lately.
Kristina had a devastated look on her face. But now, I could see the almost overwhelming sanity in her red-black eyes. If Cassandra was here…
"Cassandra!" I said suddenly, swiveling my head to look at Augustine. He nodded.
"Cassandra and Heath," he agreed. "Maybe all the Argyles."
"Evangeline Blaque," Josephine added.
"Who's that?" James asked.
"If you don't know, you probably shouldn't find out."
"Why," Jordan shouted. We all jumped. "Were you fighting?"
"Kristina was going to bite Jane," I said, gesturing to the mortified vampire in Jordan's arms.
"I was not," she said. "I was going to sniff her. She smells wonderful."
Jordan sighed, but I just glared.
"Everybody needs to calm down," Ashton said, holding his hands up in a wait gesture. "Ben, obviously there was a misunderstanding. Let's just… get over it and explain the situation."
"Jordan hit me!" I exclaimed, gesturing at the two smug Asian girls. "Am I seriously getting no representation here?"
"Represent," Natalia said from the doorway. Augustine's face lit up, and she practically flew into his arms, her pretty face smug and possessive. She stroked from his temple to his chin, a cat-like smile on her face. He caught her fingers and kissed her fingertips, his eyes never leaving hers. I turned back to Kristina and Josephine, who were stoic and motionless. What can I say? The Creeds are scary people.
"What is going on?" Josephine asked. "This Darius man you spoke of, Jordan… why would he want Jane?"
Jordan glanced at Ashton and nodded. He turned on his heel and glided out the door.
"Nathan, bring Carmen down here, please," I heard him call. There was a light rush of wind. Ashton walked back in, with Nathan and Carmen right on his heels. Carmen glanced shyly up at the imposing strangers, then looked back down at her hand, which was clasped with Nathan's. Josephine glided forward and bent to peer in Carmen's face. Carmen, for all her nervous appearance, didn't even flinch. She looked right back at Josephine, their matching brown eyes equally curious. Josephine closed her eyes and inhaled through her nose. She held her breath there for a moment, then opened her eyes. She nodded, then reached out to take Carmen's hand. Jane was tense in my arms, and Nathan's jaw was locked. I caught his gaze, and shook my head slightly. He inclined his head, but his small body didn't loosen.
Meanwhile, Carmen and Josephine had been whispering to each other. Carmen's eyes were serious and afraid, while Josephine's eyes were calm and decided. Josephine kissed Carmen's cheek.
"It's lovely to meet you, Carmen," she said. She glanced back at Kristina.
Kristina nodded, and turned to tilt her head at me.
"Master Chasecroft," she said in her crooning voice. She bared all her glittering teeth in a smile. "We see there's a problem here. And we'll… make it disappear."