Teeth

Chapter Twenty-Five

"We've been looking for you."

There was nothing reassuring about the gravel rough voice of the man before them. Spencer's eyes narrowed and he flexed his fingers, taking a cautious step backwards. The men surrounding the steps reminded him of the people dwelling in the building behind him. They had a feral quality. From the glint in their eyes to the sneers curling their lips, he could see their hunger just beneath the surface. He'd seen it so many times on the faces of those gripped by withdrawal that he pitied them for a moment. That was, until the man spoke. These were no junkies desperate for a fix.

Spencer didn't need to look over his shoulder to know that August was there. He could sense his anger, and perhaps the fear, at the sight of the six men. He couldn't remember a time when he'd seen August truly scared. The fact it was there now unnerved him.

"Congratulations, Kaleb," August's words were calm and silky, even with the current of venom that ran beneath them. "How long did it take you to sniff me out?"

The man on the far right flexed his thick fingers and the one next to him brought a crowbar around from behind him to hang by his side. He tapped the hooked end against the side of his shin in a steady heartbeat rhythm. The man named Kaleb on the other hand, grinned. His dark hair curled to his brow over dark tanned skin. He had bright intelligent eyes but the smile on his lips was vicious, almost canine.

"You drainers make it easy for us," he chuckled. "Confined to your black little rooms for so long."

Kaleb stepped forwards and, next to Spencer, August mirrored the other man. Kaleb was bigger than August, bigger than William, Spencer guessed. His thick neck led down to powerful shoulders and a broad barrelled chest. He'd seen August take down bigger men when needed but there was something about these men that put Spencer on edge. Perhaps it was the crowbar.

"Well, you found me, so what do you want?" August demanded.

Spencer glanced sideways and gritted his teeth at the sight of August. His own anger had boiled to nothing in the face of the six men. Instinct raged and it was telling him to protect the blond man next to him. Kaleb put one foot on the bottom step. He gave a leering grin as he looked August up and down.

"You made a big mistake," he said at last.

Spencer didn't know how August could remain so calm. Behind his back, August's hands were clasped into tight fists, but he projected cool politeness down the steps.

"In killing the old one," Kaleb barked, straightening up.

August cocked his head to the side as he surveyed the man beneath him. He stepped forwards and Spencer jumped to join him, but August's hand came to his elbow, pushing him back.

"What we do is no business of yours."

"You think so?"

August smirked.

"When was the last time I asked your thoughts on anything, Kaleb?"

Kaleb sneered and one of the men moved to join him. Unlike August, Kaleb did not push the man back. The others tightened ranks and Spencer took another step backwards at their advance.

"Those laws have been in place for a hundred years, drainer. If you think we'll take this change lying down..."

"No, not lying down," August interrupted with a chuckle. "But perhaps you'll sit and beg."

The man with the crowbar jumped forward, raising his weapon as he ascended the steps with a snort of annoyance.

Spencer shoved his way past August with a snarl.