by Helen Harper
I grinned. ‘Fifteen.’
He blinked. ‘That’s fantastic.’
‘We’ll see. I’m not sure if it really counts as justice for Annan and Shah and he really needs to keep those damn faeries in check in future. But there’s been no further bloodshed and we negotiated a compromise.’ I clapped him on the back. ‘Things could be an awful lot worse.’
Feeling rather relieved and, if I was honest, very pleased with myself for not caving in the face of the Winter King’s intimidation, I headed back inside. Maybe things were starting to go our way. Then I stopped myself. I wasn’t particularly superstitious but I couldn’t help sometimes being affected. I was essentially a black cat, even if I was somewhat larger than the typical domestic variety. I should never pre-empt the future by being overly optimistic. Unfortunately, when I got back to my office and the incessantly ringing telephone, I discovered I was right.
‘This is Corrigan,’ I said into the mouthpiece.
‘My Lord, it’s Julia. From Cornwall,’ she added unnecessarily. ‘We’ve been trying to get in touch with you.’
A trickle of alarm ran down my spine. ‘What is it?’
‘There’s a portal. Alex Floride did something and made it appear. It’s on the beach close to where John’s body was found. But…’ Her voice trailed off and I could hear distant yells and panicked shouting. ‘It’s just opened,’ she said. ‘Something’s come out. And it’s not good at all.’
Chapter Sixteen
Tight, almost painful, frustration filled me. Keeping Julia on the phone, I bawled, ‘Albert!’ My voice carried out into the corridor. ‘Get the Arch-Mage to send someone here now! I need a damn portal to Cornwall. And I need it now!’
Rather than waiting to check that he’d heard and understood the order, I spoke to Julia. ‘How bad is it?’
She swallowed. ‘I think…it’s pretty bad, my Lord.’
I ground my teeth. Goddamn it. Were we never going to get a minute’s peace? I felt sick inside at the thought that even more shifters were now hurt – or worse. Mack’s face floated into my head and I pushed her out. It wasn’t just her I had to worry about. It was all of them.
‘Who’s there?’
‘Initially Thomson and Lucy were on guard duty.’ Julia’s voice was calm and it allowed me to take a moment to remember to breathe. ‘Mackenzie and the mage were also there on the beach when the portal opened. The others left the second we got word something was wrong and I’m on my way there now.’
‘No,’ I barked out, more sharply than I intended. I softened my voice. ‘You need to stay at the house. You have healing capabilities and we can’t risk everyone getting hurt. I need someone there who is safe and who I can trust. If the all-clear is sounded, then you may go.’
For a moment she didn’t answer. I wondered if she was going to refuse and I’d be forced to compel her. Eventually, however, she spoke in a quiet and respectful tone, ‘Yes, my Lord.’
‘Staines is at the beach?’
‘He should be by now.’
I took a deep breath. If they were all in the middle of a fight right now, I couldn’t contact them with my Voice. I couldn’t risk causing a misstep that might cause one of them to get hurt. My panic was, however, still rising. ‘Is it the woman? The one Floride scryed?’
‘I’m not sure, my Lord. I don’t think so.’
Albert’s head popped round the doorway and I beckoned him in. ‘The Arch-Mage said someone will be here in the next thirty minutes.’
I knew I wouldn’t have to put up with his prevarication and delaying tactics this time and that a mage would be here in that time, as promised. But thirty minutes suddenly felt like an eternity. For all I knew, this thing was already over.
‘Find the nearest Brethren shifter, Julia,’ I instructed. ‘Give them the phone and tell them to take it to Staines immediately.’
‘Yes, my Lord. I’ll hang up for now.’
‘Do it,’ I growled.
I heard the click then my eyes met Albert’s. His face was pale. ‘It never rains but it pours, does it, my Lord?’
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. That was certainly one way to put it. I calculated in my head how long it would take for Julia to locate one of the Brethren – assuming they weren’t all already at the beach getting slaughtered – and for them to get to the scene themselves. It was too damn long. Not to mention the fact that it was the middle of the day. I’d investigated the area and I knew it was rarely frequented by humans. But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t notice a bloody massacre if it happened at high noon and right on their doorstep. I’d have to tell the Arch-Mage to be ready in case we needed several memory spells put into action. Stuck here in my office and forced to rely on both the information and abilities of others was making me feel not only completely impotent but also filled with rage.
The phone rang again. My eyes widened fractionally and I scooped up the receiver, assuming Julia had already found a shifter to act as messenger.
‘What’s going on?’ I snapped out.
‘My Lord Corrigan.’
Hearing Staines’ voice, I exhaled loudly. No shifter, no matter how fast they ran, could have gotten to the beach from the keep already. It meant he was calling me under his own steam and that whatever had happened was already over. Staines, at least, was alive.
‘Talk to me.’
His tone was even and measured but I knew him too well not to recognise the stress behind it. ‘The mage says it was an ispolin. It came out of a portal on the beach that had appeared earlier. I’d assigned guards to it but obviously they weren’t enough.’
Ispolin. I’d heard of those creatures although I’d never had cause to come across one before. They were something similar to the Cyclops of the Greek stories – and very, very dangerous. ‘Where is this ispolin now?’
‘It…’ he paused, ‘it got away.’
I felt sick. ‘Away where?’
‘Back into the portal. We caused it some damage…’
‘Who’s we?’ I interrupted.
‘Mainly Mackenzie,’ he admitted. ‘But Anton, Lucy and myself too.’
I wasn’t surprised that the aggressive werehamster had been the one to hurt it the most. She’d have finally been made to put aside her self-enforced mourning and shift. Mack was strong, sure, but an ispolin would be stronger. Shifting would be the only way she’d have had a chance against it.
‘Injuries?’ I asked tightly.
‘Lucy is in bad shape,’ he said. ‘And Thomson is gone.’
I gritted my teeth. As much as I may have disliked him, I didn’t want him dead. Another corpse to add to the growing tally. Whoever was behind this had a lot to answer for. I was going to make them pay. For now, however, there were more important things to worry about.
‘The priority is safety,’ I told him. ‘We can worry about investigations later. Right now you need to ensure that thing isn’t about to jump out again.’
‘I can get the mage to bind the portal closed.’
‘Good idea. Do you think Julia can help Lucy’s injuries?’
He sucked in a breath. ‘They’re very severe.’
‘I’ll be there within the hour. I’ll bring a doctor with me.’ I raised my eyebrows at Albert who was still hovering in front of me, his hands twisting and a knot of worry on his forehead. He understood and immediately darted off. ‘Were any humans in the vicinity?’
‘Not that I can tell.’
‘We need to be sure. Send someone to the village to find out.’
‘Yes, my Lord.’
‘And Staines?’
‘Yes?’
‘We’re going to catch the bitch that’s behind this. You make sure everyone knows that.’
‘I will.’ He hung up.
I dropped my head into my hands and massaged my temples. I was aware of my heightened pulse so I forced it to calm. I had to be the strong leader both the Brethren and the Cornish pack required. There simply wasn’t any choice. It was vital they understo
od I was both visible and audible, and very much still in charge. Reassurance was the order of the day.
I prioritised, starting with Lucy. Now the battle was over I could use my Voice to contact them all without fear of knocking them off their game. Assuming, that was, that it would work over such long distances. But I had to know if I needed to draw away her pain too. I was aware it would weaken me considerably when I needed to be at the top of my game, so right now it was a last resort.
Lucy, I sent out tentatively. How are you?
There was a moment of painful silence. I wasn’t even sure I’d managed to reach her until she eventually responded, stiltedly. Never felt better, my Lord. I balled up my fists. She was obviously hurting a great deal. They’re taking me to the keep. I’ll be fine.
Without thinking about it, I reached out, drawing away the worst of the pain from her. In my mind I heard her gasp, then I doubled over as it sank through my own body. That would be enough until the doctor could reach her. Rest, I compelled, feeling her sink into unconsciousness before I moved on to the next one.
Anton.
I felt him start in surprise. Lord Corrigan.
How are you? Injuries?
No. I was lucky. His answer was grim but it afforded me some measure of relief. I was one of the first on the scene. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more. I’ve failed you.
I was fully aware that he was highlighting his own strength and power at arriving quickly to deal with the ispolin – and being overly sycophantic towards me. Unfortunately it was often a natural response when the Brethren Lord, no matter who he happened to be, came calling. I wasn’t about to chew him out for not being able to save the day. It was hardly as if I’d been there to help things along.
You did what you could. Describe the ispolin for me.
It was big. Bloody big. At least ten feet tall. It only had one eye but that was enough.
Could you sense what it was after? What it wanted?
I don’t know, my Lord. It headed down the beach at one point, thundering towards Trevathorn.
I sucked in a breath. Did it…?
No. Mack managed to turn it back.
A faint smile crossed my lips. I guess werehamsters move fast when they’ve shifted.
I only received silence as an answer. What is it? I prodded.
Nothing, my Lord.
I wasn’t about to give up that easily. And I had the feeling that, even without compulsion, Anton wanted to tell me. Spit it out.
She didn’t shift, my Lord.
I sat up, my spine ramrod straight. Say that again.
Mackenzie. She didn’t shift. She fought the ispolin as a human.
Unexpected anger ripped through me. It was one thing being stubborn when it came to me or the Brethren. It was quite another to be that stubborn when lives were at stake. I couldn’t believe she’d be so reckless. Werehamsters couldn’t have that much strength to call upon but I knew what Mack was capable of. And no matter who you were, you were stronger when you shifted into animal form.
Thank you. I cut the connection and slammed my fists down onto the desk. Despite her occasional enforced meekness, Mack was not afraid of violence. This was no gymnasium duel. The thought that maybe she’d not bothered to shift because it was only Brethren lives at stake made my blood boil. We were pack animals, all of us. And the pack was supposed to fucking come first. Not to mention how likely it would have been that she’d have been killed while in her more vulnerable human form too.
Staines, where exactly is Mack right now?
Lord Corrigan?
Who else? I asked drily.
Are you already in Cornwall?
No. I’ll have a portal set up soon though. There’s a mage on the way.
That’s…that’s a long distance to project your Voice.
I thought about it. I guess so.
You have more power than Brady.
Considering the bloodshed I’d already had to deal with since his demise, I wasn’t so sure. Where’s Mack? I repeated, unwilling to continue any further comparisons.
She’s the one I sent to Trevathorn to assess any potential fallout from the locals, he answered.
I nodded grimly. That was a good idea. As a Cornish inhabitant herself, she’d be better placed to find out whether anyone had been alerted to the ispolin’s attack on the beach. At least she was doing as she’d been told for once. I drummed my fingers on the desk and switched connections. I was still angry.
Why didn’t you shift?
Mack started. I’d obviously caught her completely unaware. Good. It might mean I’d get some real answers out of her. I didn’t give her any time to recover from her surprise.
Answer me.
Are you trying to suggest that it was my fault that this happened, my Lord? If I hadn’t been there it would have been even worse. It wasn’t me who decided that only two guards were going to be a good idea.
Despite – or perhaps because of – the spitting rage I could feel emanating from her, guilt suddenly sprung deep inside me. I’d stayed calm with the Winter King and the Ghillie Dhu. Why did Mack make me act out of character? Besides, what had I wanted? For Mack to die too? A surprisingly stabbing pain shot through my heart at the thought and I felt the weight of my authority on my shoulders. I wasn’t sure if I’d have assigned more guards. But I’d have made damned sure I was one of them. If I’d been there instead of dealing with Otherworld politics here in London, then maybe I’d have been able to stop the ispolin myself. It wasn’t my fault that I’d been absent. But it wasn’t Mack’s fault that the beast had shown up either.
That was a mistake. It won’t happen again.
So I guess none of us is completely infallible then. There was a surprising note of shame in her answer. Maybe both of us were recognising our mistakes.
I don’t suppose we are. I sighed. I wasn’t going to keep her in line by snapping at her. Regretting my implied accusations, I softened. I’ll be at the keep in a few hours, so let me know if you need any help with damage control in the village. I gave her a phone number to contact me on, reminding myself of my earlier thoughts. We were pack animals and had to work together.
As if echoing my sentiment, Mack’s worry was clear. How is Lucy?
I felt surprising relief that she cared enough about a member of the apparently hated Brethren to ask. I returned the favour by being truthful.
Not good. As soon as the words were finished, I realised I felt dangerously vulnerable. Pain welled up inside again so, before it become too obvious and Mack was alerted to my turmoil, I broke the link.
Albert re-appeared. ‘The mage is here already. He’s opening up the portal as we speak and Doc Fenewick is there waiting to go with you.’
I stood up, pushing back my chair. At least something was going right, even if it was only bloody transportation.
Chapter Seventeen
It was frustrating to arrive back in Cornwall when the dust was already settling. The atmosphere at the shabby keep was morose and depressing. Everywhere I looked, people’s shoulders were slumped and their expressions reflected the horrifying events of the day. There was a dark shadow cast over the entire place and I had no idea what to do about it.
Making Lucy my first port of call, I sat by her bedside for some time while she slept and the good doctor prepared a sterile room to operate on her appendix. Her face at least was relaxed, thanks to the herb concoction Julia had given her, which was acting as a mild sedative. I couldn’t help but feel tremendous guilt for leaving her and the others alone here. I wasn’t bigheaded enough to think that I could have destroyed the ispolin on my own, but I might have prevented Thomson’s death and Lucy’s pain.
‘Doctor Fenewick assures me that she’ll be back on her feet very quickly,’ Staines said from the doorway, interrupting my reverie. ‘Once her appendix is out, she’ll heal with ease.’
‘Thomson won’t.’
He sighed. ‘No. He won’t. But, Lord Corrigan, you cannot take these losses personall
y.’
I turned to face him, anguish ripping at my stomach. ‘How can I not, Staines? John, Annan, Shah, Thomson. When is it going to end?’
‘Pull yourself together,’ he snapped.
‘Excuse me?’
‘This is what it’s like, Corrigan. You know that. We live short, violent lives. It’s the price we pay for being the Otherworld’s protectors. Yes, a few shifters have died and, yes, it’s tragic. But you need to get over it. There is an entire building full of people here who need to feel like they can trust you and look to you for guidance.’
I was so taken aback that for a moment I didn’t speak. Emboldened, Staines continued. ‘Do you remember what happened last year? In Scotland? Twenty-three shifters killed by one crazed wyrm. Twenty-three! It was a bloody massacre and did you see Xander Brady moping around afterwards?’
I found my voice. ‘Xander Brady was a psychopath.’
‘Just so.’ His tone softened. ‘People have died. Now rally the troops and make sure no-one else does.’
I stared at him for a long moment then took a deep breath. ‘You forgot to call me Lord, you know.’
‘That’s because you weren’t acting very lordly. Sort yourself out. You can’t afford to weep by one bedside.’
I got to my feet, aware of just how much I towered over my old friend. Then I pushed past him.
Gather everyone in the hall downstairs as soon as you can.
Yes. Then Staines added pointedly, My Lord.
***
I marched to the front of the large room, folding my arms and watching them all file in. I was irritated to note that the Cornish shifters were still keeping themselves apart from the Brethren. There was far too much of an ‘us and them’ thing going on. Seemingly without discussing it, everyone formed lines. The result was akin to either an old-fashioned schoolyard or a group of soldiers. I pressed my lips together. I needed soldiers. Keeping my expression stone-faced, I swept my gaze over all of them. Then I realised someone was missing. Typical. I checked my watch, realising that dusk was already falling. Mack may have been sent on an errand to Trevathorn but she should have returned by now.
