Barracuda [a Nightshade one-shot songfic]

A/N: I was reading the chapter in Nightshade where the Haldis pack is at the Burnout, and oddly enough, the song "Barracuda" came to mind. So this is what came out of it. The beginning and ending dialogue is taken from aforementioned chapter, so please don't sue me.

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Nightshade series, am not Andrea Cremer, or a member of the band Heart, whose awesome song I used for this fic. And if you want to sue me, you'll be disappointed: I have no money.

___________________________________________________________________________________

NEVILLE SHOVED HIS guitar at a startled Sabine, jumped off the stage and came to Mason's side. He glared at Dax. "Knock it off, man. What do you think you're doing?"

Dax ignored him.

I glanced around the bar, worrying we were about to get booted. But the rest of the patrons had returned to their drinks, unconcerned by a run-of-the-mill brawl.

Ren gripped Dax's shoulder. "Let him go, get outside, and wait for me. Now."

Dax released his hold on Mason's shirt, throwing one last angry glance at him before turning and walking out of the bar. Fey took a few steps after him.

"Where do you think you're going?" I blocked her path.

"Sorry, Cal." There was a flash of steel in her eyes. "I'm with him on this one."

"Watch yourself, Fey," I growled.

She didn't balk. "Do you have a problem with me?"

"I'll let you know when I've heard what happened."

"Fine." She stepped around me, running after Dax.

Neville started to follow them, his eyes livid.

Ren grabbed his arm. "Get back onstage and start playing again. Whatever just happened, it's over."

"But—"

"I'm fine, Nev." Mason put his hand on Neville's shoulder. "We'll sort this out. Go play."

With some reluctance Nev headed back to the stage, and a moment later, the music picked up again, though on a noticeably angrier riff. And it was one I recognized, oddly enough: a classic, very-ticked-off rocker by a band named Heart.

My sharp ears caught the sound of the door swinging open, and as I followed the sound, I saw that Dax and Fey had snuck back in. The broad-shouldered Bane wolf was watching Nev with something similar to fear in his eyes—which was crazy, considering this was Dax. Ah, so he recognizes this song, too.

Bryn, Ansel, Cosette, Shay, Mason, and Ren were all looking at the stage as well, a grin slowly spreading across Mason's face.

Anger flashed in Nev's eyes as he began the first verse of Heart's "Barracuda."

"So this ain't the end—I saw you again today

I had to turn my heart away

You smile like the Sun—kisses for everyone

And tales—it never fails!

You lying so low in the weeds

I bet you gonna ambush me

You'd have me down, down, down, down on my knees

Now wouldn't ya, Barracuda?

Oohhh"

"Three guesses who this is directed at," Ren murmured in my ear. I jumped: I hadn't heard him come up behind me. His hands snaked around my waist, pulling me to him, and I hated that I couldn't seem to control myself whenever he touched me. Or Shay. Why was I even thinking about that boy now, anyway?