"So, mama," the leader said, sitting down on the edge of the couch, one knee propped up under his chin. "We're here with a businesslike proposition." He glanced at Kayla, still standing by the door. "My name is Razz. These two are my lieutenants."
"I can't exactly say it's a pleasure to meet you, Razz," Elizabet said as she sat down in the chair across from him. <T>
She's so calm, Kayla thought. She's got to be as scared as I am, but she's sure not showing it.
"The white chick should sit down, too," Razz said, <W1%-12>"<|><D%0>'Cause she's part of the business deal."
Somehow I don't think I like the sound of that. . . .
He gestured at her, and Kayla sat down gingerly at the far end of the couch, as far from the young men as she could manage.
"It's like this," Razz said. "Here we are, some enterprising men trying to improve the lot of the African-American in America and we hear about this white kid that can do some wild shit, serious juju magic. And I think to myself: Razz, that's someone that we need, someone that can help our cause. So I come here to talk to the sister who's watching over the white chick, figuring she'll do what's right by our people. That she'll give us the white chick, let her work with us and our people."
Kayla glanced nervously at Elizabet, who was being very quiet. She's not really thinking about it, is she? Kayla thought, suddenly very scared. She wouldn't just give me to these guys, would she?
Elizabet glanced at Kayla and then turned back to the young man. "No," she said.
He blinked, as though he wasn't certain that he'd heard her correctly. "What are you saying, sister?"
"I said no. What I'm saying, brother, is that you're not my brother. You're not a hero of the people."
Elizabet matched his glare with one of her own. "My people are making something of themselves. They're doctors, lawyers, preachers, politicians. They're doing something to help the African-American in this country. You, boy, are just a thug."
"Is that what you think, mama?" Razz stood up, shaking his fist at her. "You don't know jack shit about it, lady. Fuck this," he said. "Grab the kid. We're leaving."
"Razz!" It was a shout from outside, "You'd better get out here, man."
Razz strode to the door; he paused, glancing back at Kayla and Elizabet. "Don't let 'em pull any shit," he directed the two lieutenants, who nodded.
Kayla glanced nervously at the semi-automatic pistol that was now back in one of the young men's hands. She edged a little closer to the edge of the couch so she could see through the open doorway what was happening outside.
There were more cars in the driveway and in the street beyond. Kayla instantly recognized the two standing in the forefront of the small group of people: Shari and Nataniel.
Razz walked out to the group of elves, quietly talking with them for a few moments in a voice too quiet for Kayla to hear. He can't see them for what they are, Kayla thought. Nobody but Elizabet and I know what those people are.
Razz said something else, then turned and walked back toward the house. Without a word, he stormed into the house, grabbed Kayla by the arm, and dragged her outside. Kayla had a glimpse of Elizabet starting forward, only to have her way blocked by one of the young gunmen.
"This is what you want, Nate? This little white girl?" he demanded, shoving Kayla in front of the Unseelie.
Kayla felt like a mouse surrounded by several hungry snakes. The Unseelie were gazing at her with expressions that she didn't want to identify, and she saw the mix of hate-fear on the faces of Razz's men.
"That's the girl," Shari said quietly. "You will hand her over to us now, Razz."
"Like hell, mama!" Razz glared at her.
"You little fool," Nataniel said, in a voice like ice. "You don't know what you're dealing with, boy. I would rather see this girl dead, and all of your junior hoodlums with her, than let her remain in your possession." The look in Nataniel's eyes was terrifying, he looked so calm and almost bored with this. He wasn't bluffing, he was absolutely serious. He'd kill all of them with about as much emotion as someone swatting a fly.
Somebody get me out of this, Kayla whispered to herself. Please, somebody, anybody, get me out of this. . . . There isn't anyone who's going to help me now, she realized. Elizabet's back there, being held at gunpoint. There are no cops, no Elizabet, no Ramon, no Billy, nobody.
Just me.
"What are you going to do, Nate?" Razz asked. "You're surrounded by my bros, who'll shoot you before you can blink, man. You've been a good supplier, a good dude to deal with, but you're not going to walk away from here with jack shit, you understand that?