Semi-Human (Harper Hall Investigations Book 2) by Isabel Jordan Page B

Archer.”
    He seemed simultaneously surprised and intrigued by her indifference. “You’re a beautiful couple,” he said, almost sounding sincere. “I merely was hoping we could spend some time together.”
    His smile made her skin crawl. “Us spending time together?” She put just enough emphasis on the word time to let him know she knew what he really meant by that. “Not going to happen. At least not like what you have in mind.”
    This time his surprised expression bled into barely concealed anger. “Little one, you’ll do well to watch your tone with me. I’m not sure you understand who you’re dealing with.”
    She gave him a smile so sweet he’d go into a diabetic coma if he was human. “Oh, I know exactly who I’m dealing with. You’re the Vrykolakas who can’t seem to quit losing his businesses to the Lykoi.”
    Archer’s nostrils flared and any remaining trace of humanity he had left bled from his expression as he leaned forward, hissing at her, flashing his fangs.
    That’s when everything went a little…sideways.
    But fortunately, sideways was all just another part of Plan B.
    The two guards at Archer’s sides lunged forward, but didn’t make it within ten feet of her. Riddick pulled two silver knives from the loops he had sewn into the back of his jeans and flung them at the guards. Both men hit the ground simultaneously, clutching the hilts of the knives sticking out of their throats.
    The guards at the exits made their way to the table in a blur of vampire super speed. Riddick grabbed one of them by his throat and slammed him down on the table in front of a stunned Archer, and smashed the other guard’s knee with a well-placed side kick, dropping him like a bag of wet cement.
    The funny part of the whole scene? No one else in the VIP section was particularly concerned about what was going on around them. Looking incredibly put-upon, the other patrons simply gathered their drinks and casually made their way back to the dance floor on the main level. In what kind of place, Harper wondered, was it commonplace for people—or vampires, even—to end up with knives sticking out of their throats? How jaded did you have to be before that didn’t faze you?
    It was a crazy, crazy world they lived in, that much was certain.
    Her musings were interrupted when the last remaining guard started moving purposefully around the table, eyes full of blood and focused intently on Riddick.
    He’d regret being a sexist pig. She’d been training weekly with Riddick for over a year. And this asshole was about to learn that she was every bit as much a threat to his boss as Riddick was.
    When he rounded the table on Archer’s side, Harper dove under the table and swept his legs out from under him. He was surprised and completely lost his balance, landing with an oomph on his stomach. Nimbly, before he could get up, she rolled over and slid his sword from its scabbard. He made a grab for her, but she was already up and around the table, pressing the blade against Archer’s throat from behind him.
    The guard she’d knocked to the floor got up and moved toward her, eyes throwing off angry sparks. She pressed the blade into Archer’s neck, letting it lightly nick his skin. “That’s close enough, sparky. I don’t really want to cut your boss’s head off, but I will if you take another step.”
    He met Archer’s gaze for a moment, and whatever he saw in his boss’s eyes had him raising his hands and backing up a step.
    “That’s better,” she said. “Maybe we can have a real conversation now.”
    Archer laughed. “What could we possibly have to talk about after this display, little one?”
    “First of all, don’t call me little one . It’s creepy as all hell.” She shuddered. “Second of all, we have lots to talk about. Many mutual interests, as it turns out.”
    He tipped his head back—carefully, mindful of the blade at his throat—and smirked at her. She frowned at him. “No, I’m not