“Forgive me, kind sir. I’m a doddering old fool and did not see you there.”
“Witch,” the man spat, lifting a hammy fist as though to strike her.
She’d take the blow to keep her form, but she’d hunt him down and slaughter him later for it.
A growl threatened to emanate from her and she bowed her head to make sure she kept her slitted eyes hidden while she she awaited the strike.
“That you would dare,” Giles thundered.
She glanced up just in time to see him rear back and punch the man who was easily half a foot taller than him in the nose, causing it to open up with a spurt of blood.
Her heart fluttered at the violence of it, but not because she was scared.
“Demon spawn,” someone else yelled.
Remembering Kym’s words and knowing they were two against many, Lilith grabbed his arm. “Giles, no.”
He glared at her, the fury of the fight burning in his fiery, coal-rimmed gaze.
Immediately Kym was there, holding her dirk before her like a shield. Chest was just behind her.
“Now, now.” The blond-haired man Lilith had noticed earlier smiled at them both, lifting his hands. “I’m sure Little John would never have dared to hit your grandmother.” With the way he said it and how he glanced at her, Lilith suspected he knew exactly what she really was. “We meant no offense to either you, or you.” He turned and bowed in Kym’s direction. “We shall leave now.”
“Good,” she spat. “See that you do, and make sure that door don’t hit you in the ass—it’s got quite a kick.”
Chestnut crossed his tree trunk-like arms across his chest and snorted. The centaur was truly a magnificent specimen of man and beast. With his long, wavy brown hair and the bronze wrist cuffs, he looked a fierce warrior. Lilith could see the appeal, she supposed.
Kym narrowed her eyes before glancing back at Lilith. “We don’t tolerate the beating of women here, ‘specially not the elderly.”
Feeling slightly bad because she was probably more dangerous than Little John could ever be, Lilith gave her a weak smile. “Thank you.”
As the band of men headed out, their leader leaned in to whisper in Lilith’s ear. “For shame, little wolf, baiting us that way.” His full lips twitched. “Good thing you’re so damn sexy, but I can’t promise you that I’ll be able to stave off Little John’s temper should our paths ever cross again. Though next time I think I should prefer you to look as you really are.”
Then leaning back he gave her a cocky grin before sliding his finger along the line of her jaw, and for a split second his blue eyes gleamed like unholy blue flame.
Giles growled, slapping his hand away, looking like he wished to slay the hunter for daring to touch her in that manner.
Stomach twisted up in knots at his proprietary gesture, she placed her palm against her belly, trying to ease the riotous mass of razor-tipped butterflies running rampant within.
Chuckling, the blond jerked his head. “Let us go, brothers. Adieu, kind Kym, we shall grace your doors no more.”
And with that, they were gone.
“Come.” Giles grabbed hold of her wrist gently and led her out in the opposite direction of where the men headed off.
On their way out, a white mouse scampered off into the woods.
Giles snapped several dry twigs apart with angry, jerky movements. Tonight they’d be sleeping under the stars. Out in the open, it wasn’t ideal. But Lilith swore there were no towns close, and now that the pub wouldn’t rent out a room, they had no choice.
He wasn’t happy about it, not with her in heat as she was. The way the man in green had touched her, that caress…
Giles spat by his foot, snapping yet more twigs and tossing them into the fire pit he’d dug out. He was angry with her and the worst part was he wasn’t even sure why anymore.
His emotions confused him.
“What’s the matter?” she asked a moment later.
She’d still not switched forms, which was preferable to the other one. Her true one. One look at her and the man—Little John—who’d been ready to strike her would have had much different thoughts on his mind.
Clenching his jaw, Giles shook his head. “I do not enjoy being exposed. Not with you this way.”
“Unfortunately we’ve got no choice tonight, knight. I’ve got great hearing, so if something comes within our camp, I’ll—”
“Did you know that man back there?”
She frowned. “I know of him. Though I don’t know him personally. He means us no harm.”
“How do you know? His man meant to strike you—”
Grabbing his flailing hand, Lilith tugged on it gently. “That was the Prince of Thieves. Robin Hood and those men were his merry band.”
Thinning his lips, Giles glanced around the wooded area. The trees sheltered them well, and with the canopy of leaves he’d spread above it they should be able to contain the glow of flame enough from alerting others to their presence in the woods.