A Malevolent Manner (Patrick Pierce #1)

by William Scott

  *

  A knock at the door. Although he couldn’t move, his hearing and eyesight were not diminished. Pierce watched Elena look up from her notes with shock.

  “My lord, I’ve come to collect you for the Pack meeting,” announced the firm voice of MacDuff from behind him.

  Sensing no response, MacDuff looked from Sirinova to Pierce, and then to the glasses and bottle between them.

  “Sir, if you haven’t taken the paralytic vodka, raise your hand.” No arm raised, but Pierce let out a snort. “I see. Comrade Doctor, would you be kind enough to administer the antidote.”

  “There is none,” she responded calmly. “The effects will wear off over time. You may take him MacDuff, I’ve got all the information I need.”

  MacDuff nodded and walked over to Pierce, leaning down and then throwing his lifeless body over his hulking shoulders.

  “Here we go then lad,” he said brightly. “Let me know if I bounce you too much.” Pierce replied with a throaty growl. “Didn’t your mother tell you not to have strange drinks with strange women?”

  Their voyage through the Manor was uneventful, but more importantly to Pierce, unobserved. By the time they reached the foyer outside the Packs’ doors he was able to walk again, though still supported by MacDuff.

  “Wait a second,” said Pierce, stopping MacDuff from opening the door. “I’d like to get a little more composed before we go in.”

  MacDuff nodded and leaned against the door, tired from carrying his leader.

  “What happened back there?” asked Pierce while he stretched his limbs.

  “The Doctor is interested in the human body, obsessively so. She’s been known to experiment on the unsuspecting. Just little tests, nothing terribly dangerous.”

  “I feel like that could have been useful information when I arrived.”

  “Do you mean to tell me when she smiled so sweetly and batted her eyes you would have ignored her?” countered MacDuff sceptically. “No you would not. Nor any warm blooded man for that matter.”

  “So have you ever fallen for her tricks?” inquired Pierce feeling less naïve.

  “Of course not. I’m too experienced and cunning,” he replied with a wink.

  Pierce laughed and rolled his eyes. MacDuff opened the door after getting an approving nod from his leader.

  “How did you know I was even there?” asked Pierce as they walked into the now familiar lair of the Brown Pack. “I didn’t even know I was going to be there five minutes beforehand.”

  “I’m no witch my Lord, but I’m no fool. You’ll have to learn there are many eyes and ears around the Manor. I have some of the servants keeping an eye on you. One of them happened to be the maid you asked directions for in the corridor. Fearing she had sent you to the laboratory unprotected, she came to see me.”

  “And you rushed to my aid? I was there for a good ten minutes before I drank the drug and spent another ten minutes as stiff as a board. We just made the trip back in five minutes with me on your back!”

  “I was busy with a very important sandwich my Lord,” responded MacDuff lightly, realizing that his masters accusations were made in jest. “Had I rushed to your side and stopped you from drinking the drug, you would have eventually made your way back to her and ended up in the same position, but without anyone coming to your rescue.”

  “So another part of the learning process then? Another lesson?”

  “You see, I told the others you were bright.”

  “I bet they weren’t fooled,” laughed Pierce as Liam and Sean emerged from the lower training area, bags in hand.

  “Good afternoon my lord,” nodded Sean as the pair joined them.

  “I hear you were in the clutches of the black widow,” observed Liam. “Looks like you made a daring escape. I hope you haven’t set up a second date.”

  “Very funny,” replied Pierce. “I hope you all got a good chuckle. But I’d like to have a little bit more warning about issues that could pose a danger to me.”

  “Of course sir,” acknowledged MacDuff for the group.

  “So what’s in the bags? What’s the excursion for tonight?” inquired Pierce looking to the bags on the main table.

  “Actually pretty much the same as what we packed for the assault on the pub,” answered Liam. “Pistols, goggles, flashlights, and so forth.”

  “All modern equipment, so we’ll be going somewhere close to your time,” concluded Sean.

  “But we don’t know the specifics?”

  “No sir. We receive the general requirements in order to pack the gear and have it ready. The specifics will be announced in the Hunt Room, when the Hunt members participating are present.”

  “Speaking of which,” Macduff interjected looking at a clock on the wall, “you need to return to your rooms and change. I sent up the various clothing you will need to Melrose. He will get you ready and I’ll meet you in your rooms to escort you to the Hunt Room.”