you were. Probably because I tried to be civil to pencil-dick here and called before showing up.”
“I can explain…” She put a hand up in front of Samuel’s face. “Samuel, I’ve been listening for the last five minutes. When I’m off this operation I will come back and we will have a discussion like mature adults.” Samuel smiled up at her, “And by that, I mean I’m going to kick your ass from here to Newcastle and back, do you understand me?” Samuel’s smile turned to a grimace.
She turned to the two guys, “Scott, if you don’t mind I’d appreciate a sandwich from the glass case.” She looked at the four sided column that had chalk paint up all four sides, “See if they will do that Jose’s breakfast special. If they will, I’ll have that over the sandwich and a Jumbo coffee.” She turned to the other, “Darryl, would you make sure nothing comes from the front?” He nodded and moved a couple of tables over. Darryl grabbed a small stool from one of the café’s round tables and rested one foot on it, continuing to stand. The other couple were leaving at that time.
Richard and Samuel shared a look and Richard minutely shrugged his shoulders. They both turned to Gabrielle when she turned back around. “So guys, I’m here to find out about the rumors of potential Forsaken business. Do you want to fess up what you know or shall I beat you both until you squeal?” She gave them both a smile that in other times might have lit up the room.
Richard waved at her, “Gabrielle, you can’t take us both out and would you risk your human muscle?”
Gabrielle smiled when Scott laid a plate with a sandwich and her coffee on the table next to them instead of in front of her and Scott said, “Don’t want your food to go to waste, sometimes it’s tough to change old and senile minds.” As he eyed the two vampires. He then turned his body slightly to angle towards the kitchen, “The counter help is doing something to prep for later in the back, they said to give a shout if we need anything.”
Richard turned his head, “Who are you calling senile? You might look strong but…”
Gabrielle cut him off, “Don’t Richard.” He turned and looked at her, “The reason that I’m talking with you is because these two have killed enough Nosferatu to fill a pool with their blood and have plenty left over. They would just as soon break your backs over their legs as talk with you. Since the two of you are, somewhat, old friends of mine I’ve been tasked with trying to keep this as bloodless as possible.”
Richard hissed, “These two Gabrielle?” He sniffed, “I can smell their humanity on them from across the coffee shop.”
Gabrielle lowered her face to Richard’s level, “You fucking idiot. These are two of the Queen’s Own. They restrain because I’ve been put in the lead, but don’t assume I control them. They can and will put you into the grave a final time if you fail to help me.” She stood back up, “So, who’s going to talk about the false queen first?”
Samuel spat, “False? Tell that to Hichoi and his group. They have seen their last moonrise.”
Gabrielle nodded, “That was the information I received. That’s why she’s been tagged. Vamp on Vamp violence has been outlawed.”
“By Michael? He hasn’t been to this side of the world, ever. His edicts mean little to us here.”
“No.” Gabrielle said, “By Bethany Anne.”
“Who?” Richard asked.
Richard noticed the human man turn his head towards him. “She is talking about the Queen Bitch, you poor excuse for a sentient being. If you say one disparaging word about my Queen, I will pull your intestines out through your mouth and sit on your useless ass until the sun comes up.” Richard was about to make a disparaging remark when he noticed something that made him stop and stare.
The