Page 26 of Rafael (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter 28)

“I agree,” Rafael said.

It was my turn to walk toward the group. Nathaniel kept my hand loose in his and followed me, but he wouldn’t have asked the question I did. “So why is it Hector tonight and not Nestor?”

“Because he challenged me first.”

“Yeah, but why? Why him first?”

“Nestor is arrogant and truly homophobic. He hates and fears Jean-Claude just from seeing him in interviews and pictures online,” Micah said.

“Sounds like a case of the lady protesting too much,” I said.

“What do you mean?” Benito asked.

“That maybe he hates Jean-Claude, because he’s attracted to him.”

“Oh Jesus, do not say that where Nestor can hear you,” Benito said, and he actually went a little pale.

Claudia was grinning. “I think Anita’s right.”

Benito turned to her. “Nestor can’t fight Anita, but you, he could challenge you for his honor.Por favor, Claudia, do not tempt fate; the only thing Nestor hates more than pretty gay men is any woman who can fight.”

“Oh, definitely closet gay,” I said.

“Maybe even from himself,” Nathaniel said. I looked at him, expecting to see him teasing with the rest of us, but his face was all serious. I might have asked why, but Rafael spoke up.

Rafael smiled and shook his head. “As amusing as it would be to see you accuse Nestor of hating women because he secretly likes men, Anita,por favor, please, as Benito says, do not tempt fate.”

“Wait, are you saying that Nestor will be here tonight along with Hector?” I asked.

“No, but even if I defeat Hector tonight, Nestor will challenge me later.”

“Luca will wait for a few years, but I agree that Nestor won’t have the patience,” Micah said.

“I am worried that Hector has challenged me now because his own leader, Victor, has put him up to it.”

“What does Victor gain from Hector being king?” I asked.

“He would put Hector as king over the St. Louis clan, and then he would let the other clans fight among themselves until we were all small kingdoms again. Hector would be king, but he would do as Victor bid him.”

“Hector is his sacrificial lamb, he’s not a smart enough fighter to win tonight,” Micah said.

“Perhaps,” Rafael said.

Micah grabbed the other man’s shoulder and spun him to look at him. “The only thing that can defeat you tonight is you, Rafael. I do not know why you think Hector is such great leadership material, because I don’t see it.”

“You told me as much.”

“Luca will be the better leader someday.”

“But he is not the better fighter,” Rafael said.

“Luca is still learning how to fight, but nothing will make Hector a better thinker.”

“Hector is not stupid,” Rafael said, and he was more upset than I thought he should be over a stranger.

“I never said he was.”

“Why do you defend Hector so much?” I asked.

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