"You shouldn't have to put up with that," he muttered as they called out suggestions behind us.
"Every girl has to put up with that. It doesn't matter what color her skin is."
Shoes clomped behind us, coming fast.
"Yo, half-breed. Tell you what. You show us where we can get some beer, and we'll give you a whole case for your sister. That's a good trade, isn't it, kemosabe? I know you guys like to trade, and she's such a pretty little--"
Ash spun and hit the redhead with an uppercut that sent him reeling. I grabbed his arm, but he shook me off. The other three thundered down the sidewalk as their leader recovered and swung at Ash. Ash ducked the blow and came back with a right hook that sent the guy spinning.
"Run," he snarled over his shoulder at me. "Get out of here."
That's what I'd threatened to do. That's what I should do. Even now, cars were slowing and a group of barhoppers were crossing the road to watch the entertainment.
If it had been one guy, I'd have run. Clearly Ash could take care of himself against one guy. Maybe even two. But the other three were moving in and I knew no one had planned on a fair fight.
As the redhead recovered, I leaped between him and Ash.
"That's enough," I said. "You aren't going to find beer at this hour unless you go to a bar. There are plenty around. Now go find one."
He shoved me out of the way. I lunged to grab him, but one of his friends caught me, yanked me off my feet, and threw me aside. I heard Ash snarl as I hit the ground. When I turned to scramble up, they were all piling on him. Rage filled me. I grabbed the back of the nearest one's jacket and heaved. He spun to backhand me, then stopped.
"What the hell?"
He knocked my hands off his jacket and stumbled from the heap, still staring. When he backed away, one of his friends glanced our way. He stared at me. Just stared. My hands flew to my face and I felt it shifting. I lowered my hands. Fur was sprouting on the backs.
SIXTEEN
"WHAT THE HELL?" THE guy said again, his voice rising.
The others had stopped hitting Ash. He caught a glimpse of me and let out a curse. He pushed his attackers off, ran over, grabbed my wrist, and started hauling me along the sidewalk. The guys just stood there, staring.
We nearly crashed into a couple stepping out of a restaurant. The man started to snap at us, then saw my face and yanked his wife aside.
"You need to stop," Ash hissed. "Reverse it."
"I'm trying." My voice was harsh, guttural as my vocal cords began to change. "But once it starts . . ."
He swore and looked around. I saw a parking garage across the road.
"There," I said, pointing, my fingers curving under.
I moved as fast as I could, but my hips were changing, too, legs bowing. Ash hauled me into the parking garage. I made it around the first corner, then staggered to a shadowy gap between two SUVs.
"Good," he said. "Get in there. I'll stand guard."
He pushed me. My legs gave way and I crashed down.
"Shit!" He swooped down to grab me. "I didn't mean to do that."
I waved for him to move away.
"Do you need anything? Can I do anything?"
Just get out of the way so I can get my clothing off before I pass out. That was too much for my vocal cords to manage, so I just shook my head and waved him back again.
Thankfully, I seemed to be getting more lead time before the passing-out part, and I managed to get mostly undressed before I hit the ground.
I recovered better, too, not lying there, dazed and wondering what hit me. I stood and stretched, letting out a snarling yawn. Ash spun from his spot guarding the gap. He stared at me.