Dark Queen (Jane Yellowrock, #12)

by Faith Hunter

“We don’t poison. We shoot, stab, cut, slice and dice, eviscerate, disembowel, and decapitate. Sometimes shoot and blow up our enemies. We’ve been known to bury our dead in the swamp. But we don’t poison. Poison is wussy.”

“I’ve never had a gun pulled on me for a bad fashion choice before.”

You think we will become your kits tonight when we join Janie’s vampire clan. Therefore I love Beast. And Beast loves me.” Beast scented the air. Tasted his sincerity. Tasted the truth in his words. “Beast did not understand love. But Beast loves Eli.” She turned my head to the backseat and the three who sat there. I could see her golden eyes reflecting in theirs. “Beast loves Edmund. Beast loves Alex. Beast loves Gee, though Gee is wily like a fox and might have to die someday at Beast’s claws and teeth.” Gee’s eyes went wide and he laughed. “You can try, little kitten.”

“Live long and prosper.” Hearing the Vulcan blessing from Leo’s lips was giggleworthy, but I managed to smother the laugh. Leo drank and ate a few nuts. Eli and I followed his example. In companionable silence I finished my beer. Then Leo refilled the scotch glasses and pushed my second beer to me. Leo said, “However, I prefer QaStaHvIS yIn ‘ej chep.” I stopped with the beer held in the air, ice water dripping from my fingers. Eli said, “Klingon? You did not just say ‘Live long and prosper’ in Klingon.” “Oh, but I did. And I do hope that my Jane may live many decades more and prosper greatly.” He held up his free hand in the Vulcan V salute, gave an abbreviated nod, and sipped.

I’d been flying by the seat of my pants so long I was surprised my undies didn’t have wings.

“The U.S. military PTBs would give their accumulated right testicles for that formula. Eli told me so.”

“I don’t give a flaming pink flamingo if you’re busy.

I DON’T NEED ANGER MANAGEMENT. I JUST NEED PEOPLE TO STOP PISSING ME OFF.

Hate flying, Beast thought at me. Hate helo-copters. Hate bird wings. Will bite Leo for making Beast go on helo-copter. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just give me warning. I want to enjoy that.

Bra was dead. Jane should kill bras.

“Weird is fun. Keeps you on your toes.”

“Beast okay with me eating from your plate?” he asked. “Beast thinks of you as her kit. I’m surprised she didn’t take the fork and feed you.” Eli burst out laughing.

What was a Dark Queen even supposed to do in this situation? Jane will fly by cloth over haunches. Seat of my pants. Yes. Jane/Beast will know what to do when Jane must do it.