by Helen Harper
We turned right at one point and a small staircase was in front of us. I gritted my teeth, clinging on to Alex and made my slowly up. At the top we came out into a lobby area. There were several mages hanging around there, silently watching our slow progress. None of the faces were friendly and for once I was glad to have some protection by my side. In my current state I probably couldn’t defend myself against a kitten. That thought immediately flooded my mind with a floating image of Corrigan but I quickly pushed it away.
We were almost at the front door that led outside when a voice called out from behind me. “Wait!”
Both Alex and I turned. I stiffened to see Martha, the mage who’d attacked me at Clava Books, jogging up to us. The other mages clustered round watched us carefully. I realised that her hair was now shorn short, a side effect no doubt of the fire.
Let’s go,” I muttered to Alex.
“No, wait,” Martha said. “I want to….” Her voice trailed off for a moment then she jerked her chin up and looked me in the eye. “I want to thank you for what you did.”
I must have looked confused because she quickly elaborated. “In Inverness. You could have left me there and let me burn, but you didn’t. You don’t have many friends here, but if you ever need anything…well, I’ve got your back.”
“Uh, okay,” I said, somewhat pleasantly surprised.
Martha wrinkled her forehead slightly. “Understand that this doesn’t mean that I like you. But I owe you and I won’t forget what you did.” She held out her hand. “I’m Martha, by the way.”
I carefully took my hand off of Alex’s arm, and shook hers, concentrating hard on not falling over. “I know. I’m Mack.”
She smiled crookedly. “I know.”
We both stared at each other for a moment, acknowledging what had passed between us, before Alex said softly, “We need to go.”
I blinked in acknowledgement, moving my hand back to his body for support. Then we turned and headed out of the door.
We were at the front of the building when we reached outside. I could just make out the row of terraced houses and the abandoned wreck where I had attempted my weak version of a stakeout. Alex walked me down the driveway then waved a hand at the large iron gates which slowly opened with a creak.
“You’re using magic to open these now?”
“Mmm, yes. It appears that using technology might have been a weakness in our security system. The trouble is that it takes energy to maintain the gates and the perimeter. The electrical system was more convenient.”
“But not exactly secure,” I commented, unable to keep the slight note of satisfaction out of my voice.
“Don’t get cocky, Mack Attack. You’ve been incredibly fortunate that you’re getting out of here alive. You didn’t even have to tell His Magnificence that you’re really a…”
I interrupted. “Don’t say it, Alex. I need as few people as possible to know. You know what Iabartu did.” I didn’t mention Solus’ own warnings, but I figured that my point would be clear.
“Yeah, dude, I know.” He turned to me for a moment. “Mack Attack, you’d better not have any more cunning plans in place. If you’re not back here in twenty four hours’ time, then things will not go well.”
I looked him in the eye. “I will be here. I don’t break my promises, Alex.”
“Okay, okay, just saying is all. Are you sure you’re going to be alright? You look a bit pale and you’ve been clutching onto me for dear life. I think I might have lost blood flow to my hand. In fact you look a bit like you did that time back in the woods near the keep. Y’know, when we found the wichtlein and you passed out?”
“I’m fine, really.” I didn’t need any reminders of Cornwall. And I was damned if I was going to appear weak, even to Alex. “I’ll be back here in a day.”
He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out some crumpled notes. “You’ll need some money.”
I might not have wanted to accept his charity but I wasn’t completely stupid. I took the money from him and stuck them in my back pocket. “Thanks,” I said, not quite meeting his eyes.
“Take it easy, Mack Attack,” Alex said softly.
I managed a slight smile and then walked slowly out of the gates. I’d barely cleared them when they began to creak their way shut again. I didn’t bother turning, however, instead I just stuck my hand out to hail a taxi. I needed to put some distance between myself and the College before I tried to get back in touch with Solus. Fortunately it wasn’t long before one drew up. I yanked open the door and clambered inside.
“Where to, love?”
I really tried not to let the driver’s pointless endearment irritate me and thought about where to go. I didn’t know London well but I’d probably need to be somewhere quiet so that Solus could find me without drawing much attention to himself. I vaguely remembered hearing that the Pack used Clapham Common during the full moon, when they had to shift and needed a large area where they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves. That would do. I told the driver and he nodded agreement, managing to avoid calling me his ‘love’ as he did so, and we drove off.
Chapter Twenty
The driver let me off next to the Clapham Common station. I paid him with the money that Alex had given me, noting that thankfully there was still some left to pick up some food and pay for a cheap B&B to rest my head before I had to head back to the College. There were several people, families and groups of friends, milling around the entrance to the park area, so I headed deeper inside to find somewhere quiet.
It was a beautiful day. Judging by the sun in the sky, it was already around midday. The cold brush of winter remained in the air, but it was a crisp and clear day. Perhaps the sun’s rays would have some magical healing properties that would allow me to regain some of my energy and strength, I thought hopefully.
Before too long, I found myself next to a nook of trees, shaded from prying eyes. In theory, I’d call Solus as I had done back in Inverness, and he’d materialise himself somewhere in my vicinity. I briefly wondered how he managed to avoid transporting himself into a tree or a building. It would definitely be handy being a Fae though.
I settled myself down against a small hollow and tried. It was different to using the Voice but it had worked last time. I spoke aloud. “Uh, Solus?”
Nothing happened so I tried again. “Solus?”
A few birds twittered but again nothing happened. I wasn’t so egomaniacal to assume that the Fae was at my beck and call, but I was on a clock. I hoped he wasn’t going to be long. I closed my eyes and tried to summon up some bloodfire to reduce the pain from my cheek and leg. Some weak flames flickered inside me and began to get to work, taking away the edge if nothing else. In the distance, there were some shouts and drifting laughter. I opened one lid to check that they weren’t heading in my direction and then scrambled to my feet in alarm. Oh shit. Stood scant feet away were five figures. It didn’t take a genius to work out from their clothes and their stances that they were shifters. I didn’t recognise any of them but it didn’t really matter. They clearly recognised me.
“Hey,” I said weakly. “Can I help you?”
“Mackenzie Smith?”
“No, that’s not me. My name’s Jane.” Like that would work. “You must have mistaken me for someone else.”
One of the shifters bared his teeth in what some cultures, but not many, might call a smile. I swallowed.
“Look, guys, I don’t know what you’re doing here, but I’m busy.”
“You don’t look very busy.”
As a group they moved towards me. My hands involuntarily dug under my jacket to my forearms but, of course, my daggers weren’t there. Fucking mages, I thought. Would it have killed them to let me leave with some protection? I concentrated on my hands, willing the green flames to ignite. I flicked out a stream at the nearest shifter, but it was sluggish and he dodged it easily. I felt a small glimmer of satisfaction at his surprise at my attack, even if it hadn’t worked. My bloodfire
was clutching itself round my heart now, not just a small flicker but instead a raging blaze. I let the flames flood my body and race through my pumping veins then smiled back at the group.
“The boss wants to see you.”
“I told you, I think you have me mistaken for someone else.” I watched them carefully, seeking out their weaknesses.
“No, I don’t think we do.”
Two of them separated from the group, flanking me. I knew I wasn’t at my best but there was little I could do about it now. Abandoning the green fire for now, I tensed my muscles and waited for them to make the first move. It didn’t take long.
The shifter on my right, who was wearing some ridiculous Matrix inspired full length leather coat, made a small gesture of acknowledgement to his partner and they both rushed me. That gesture was their undoing, however. I leapt up in the air and scissor kicked out, first left and then right, connecting with both of their heads. They snarled, and I heard the ripping of material.
My eyes widened slightly. The three in the middle were in the middle of a shift. Denim and cloth was scattering the ground as their bodies and muscles bulged out, and fur began to form over their skin. Fuck, they were taking a few chances, transforming out here in the open. It occurred to me that finding a quiet spot to wait for Solus hadn’t been such a good idea in the first place. I very much hoped that the Fae would show himself very soon.
The two shifters who I’d kicked were moving backwards. Ah, I thought, the lookouts. No doubt, since their initial rush had failed so abjectly, they’d stay human and make sure that no passersby happened by, whilst the others took advantage of their were strength to best me. The shifter in mid-transformation nearest me started to slather and drool, his skull creaking as it elongated into a grey muzzle. I took advantage of the moment to rush him, lashing out with a punch to his head. I knew that this would be their most vulnerable moment. I connected, feeling a shattering pain in my fist. For his part, however, he howled in agony, as his shift continued involuntarily. He was clearly a wolf. I grinned without humour. Even in my current state, I had no problem besting a wolf. Patches of fur were appearing on his hands. I grabbed both his wrists and twisted hard, snapping each one. He howled again. Yeah, whatever, he’d have healed himself by the time I was back with the mages.
I jumped back and focused my attention on the other two who were now fully transformed. One was a were-tiger and the other some kind of strange were-wolf/lion hybrid. Huh, that was a new one on me. Each took a step towards me. I tensed, waiting to see what they were going to do next.
The tiger raised its head, baleful yellow eyes staring at me. It sniffed the air cautiously. Panic flooded me. Oh, fuck, it would easily be able to scent the fact that I was human. I had to get out of here - and right now. I quickly turned on my heel, ready to dart through the trees and try to make my escape. I’d never be able to outrun two transformed shifters, but all I had to do was to get in sight of some humans and I’d be safe. They’d never dare to let themselves be seen by the public. Standing in front of me, however, leaning casually against a tree, was Corrigan. He was examining his fingernails, as if mildly bored. He started to open his mouth to speak, and then jerked his head up, eyes widening. He was smelling the same as the were-tiger.
The bloodfire inside me was starting to choke my system. Involuntary tears were springing to my eyes and I could feel myself losing control in a way I never had before. I tried to turn back towards the other shifters, but I stumbled and lost my footing. Fire was roaring in my ears. I worked on summoning the green flames to my hands again; this time it was less of slow sluggish stream of light and more of an explosion. From a distance away I heard Corrigan calling my name, but the heat was so over-powering and all-encompassing that it barely registered. The dry grass around my feet was on fire, keeping the shifters at bay. I wasn’t going anywhere though. Through the haze of green flames and smoke, I could see them circling me, waiting for a moment to douse the flames and grab me. My blood felt as if it was boiling. I let out an agonised scream and then, for the second time in less than twenty-four hours, the world went dark.
*
When I came to, everything was completely black. I began to panic, feeling claustrophobic and stifled, realising that there were was a blindfold over my eyes and my hands were tied securely behind my back. I concentrated on my fingers, attempting to ignite a small spark to loosen my restraints, but there was just an unpleasantly familiar numbing sensation. I tugged hard, trying to see if there was any give, but whatever had been used to secure my wrists wasn’t going to budge. I wanted to dig inside myself, to find my bloodfire and use it to my advantage, but a large part of me was too afraid. The all-encompassing fire that had lit inside of me had been so strong and had smothered me so completely that I had no idea what would happen if I tried to summon it again now.
Realising from the vibrations underneath me and the sounds outside that I was in some kind of moving vehicle, I pushed myself up against the side of whatever I was in so that I was at least in a sitting position. My ankles had been bound together too and I found a faint glimmer of humour in the situation. The thought that Corrigan was so intimidated by my suggested powers that he’d send five shifters, not including himself, to grab me, and that he’d then make sure that I was trussed up like a chicken and virtually unable to move an inch, was vaguely satisfying. Of course, I comforted myself, if I hadn’t been feeling already so weak after my round with the Ministry, then I could have made my escape.
Then I remembered that he and his cronies had scented me. The cat was well and truly out of the bag now. I wondered if it had always inevitable that he would find out that I wasn’t a shifter. Probably. That didn’t make me feel any better though, and I had to warn Cornwall. After apparently being able to initiate Voice contact with Corrigan himself, in theory I should be able to do the same with other shifters. Hey, if the Lord Alpha could do it, then why couldn’t I?
I clenched my teeth and concentrated, focusing on Julia first.
Julia? Julia? Can you hear me?
Deep silence hung in my head as an answer. That was okay, I thought, taking a deep breath. Perhaps the physical injuries that she’d sustained when Iabartu’s minions had attacked the keep had affected her mental powers too. I aimed for Johannes next.
J?
Nothing. I tried again, screaming with all my might this time.
Johannes!
The only thing that answered me was my own panic. Fuck. I’d have to get Anton instead. As alpha of the Cornish pack, his Voice would be stronger so it would stand to reason that he would be more likely to hear me. I tried to calm myself. All I needed to do was warn him that Corrigan knew that I was human, not that I really was human but it’s what he’d think, and that he’d have to prepare the pack for the Brethren. Maybe he could concoct some sort of story? He wouldn’t be able to lie to the Brethren though, they’d scent that out in heartbeat. The thought of the shifters’ watchdogs storming down to Cornwall and taking their vengeance out on my adopted family was almost too painful to even consider. Anton would have to listen to me and would have to do something. I curled my nails into the palms of my hands.
I was tentative at first, not wanting to anger or surprise Anton so much that he’d push my Voice straight out and erect mental barriers that would stop me form communicating with him.
Uh, Anton?
Okay, that was too quiet. I tried again, a bit louder this time.
Anton?
Fuck it.
ANTON!
The answering silence was devastating.
I could feel my heart thudding hard against my ribcage. There had to be something I could do. I thought of Tom and Betsy. Okay, that might work. I wasn’t Lord Alpha, there was nor reason why I’d be able to communicate over long distances. In fact, as far as I knew, Corrigan was the only Lord Alpha who’d ever been able to manage that feat. But Tom and Betsy were in London. And whatever vehicle I was in right at the moment was probably taking me closer
to them, rather than further away. I acknowledged to myself that Tom had given up my presence in London to Corrigan, but you wouldn’t be able to fake the shock that had registered on the Lord Alpha’s face when he worked out that I was human. Tom hadn’t completely deserted me. It might have been the geas but I would choose for now to believe otherwise. He was no doubt aware that Corrigan had been coming to capture me; perhaps he’d thought I’d be able to get away before that happened. There was no way that he’d have been able to contact me to warn me of course. But if I could contact him then he could telephone the Cornish pack and…I straightened my shoulders. I could do this.
I focused on Tom’s face, imagining it in my mind. In my head, he winked warmly at me. Then I threw out my Voice.
Corrigan caught me, Tom.
There was a big fat nothing.
Tom? Tom? Tom? TOM!
Why the fuck wasn’t it working? I tried Betsy but got exactly the same response. Nadda. Nyet. Zip. I was getting more and more worked up.
There was only one other person I could think of, and that hadn’t exactly worked for me back at the park.
“Solus? I really need you. Please?”
My voice echoed against the metal walls of the vehicle.
“Solus?”
Something thumped against the wall next to me and a muffled voice shouted out. It wasn’t Corrigan. “Shut up back there!”
Damnit. I was completely out of options. Perhaps the shifters had gotten hold of some kind of nullifying spell from the mages? The numbing around my hands would certainly suggest that. To be sure, I gingerly tried Corrigan.
Hello?
For a moment there was silence and I thought my suspicions had been confirmed about the spell. But then he answered, flatly.
You’re awake.
I cursed. Why could I use the Voice on him but not on the people I actually wanted to talk to?
We have a lot to discuss, kitten.
I didn’t bother answering. He sighed in my head and I felt the mild pressure of his Voice vanish. I realised that my fingers were still digging into my hands. I uncurled them slowly, stretching them out as I did so. Think, Mack, I thought. There had to be something I could do that would keep the Cornish pack safe. Corrigan just had to ask any of them directly whether they’d known I wasn’t a shifter and they’d be compelled to answer in the affirmative. Hell, he didn’t even have to use his Voice or travel to Cornwall to do so. He’d just have to walk to the next room and speak to Tom and Betsy. No, pretending that they didn’t know wasn’t an option.
