Since I’ve been too flattened by flu to come up with amazing blog entries, here’s a fun snippet from Red Queen (March 2010, Samhain)

“We’re listening.” I felt the shift in their bodies, both of them alert, fun and games put aside for the moment.

“First, the offer. The werepanthers want to organize your bachelor party. I accepted conditionally, the conditions being mainly security. They agree to coordinate with us to make sure the arrangements satisfied all parties. David will be the liaison for our side.”

“No,” Zach said in a flat tone. He said it with a push of alpha energy.

I pushed back. It was almost painful to override the compulsion to obey, but I was queen and he could only force his will on me if I let him.

“Yes.” I turned to look into his eyes that had started to glow amber. “It would be a mistake to turn them down.”

“Why?” He didn’t like what I was saying, but one of the things I loved about Zach was that he’d listen, even if he thought I was wrong.

I ticked off my reasons. “First, because putting an end to active hostilities is not the same as having a true ally. And we are short on allies.” I didn’t have to remind either of them that there were more werepanthers than werewolves. “Second, we did them a big favor. Rhonda couldn’t get pregnant until Jack did his laying on of hands trick for her. The werepanthers are grateful. The expectant parents are particularly grateful. And all of them would rather gargle rocks than be in our debt, so they want to do something nice for us.”

A deep breath. “Saying no is likely to cause the current pro-Neuri mood to swing back. They held out an olive branch. If we leave them standing there with their hands out instead of accepting it, it’s a step in the wrong direction. And third, Rhonda agreed to my conditions, so we all have plenty of time to make sure this isn’t going to expose any of us to unacceptable risks.”

“So in your opinion, the potential benefits of saying yes outweigh the risks of saying no.” Zach’s face had turned into a bland mask that gave nothing away, but I could feel the strength of emotion in him. He really, really didn’t like this.

David was equally tense beside me. I was almost surprised I didn’t hear a low warning growl in his throat.

“Come on,” I said, exasperated. “We’re talking about a night of alcohol and frat boy style entertainment. I can’t believe I have to talk the two of you into going to your own bachelor party.”

A belated thought made me add, “And if a naked girl jumps out of a cake, don’t shoot her.”