by Helen Harper
I swallow hard. ‘What if a black witch and a white witch had children?’
‘Seriously?’ he scoffs derisively. ‘They hate each other. That would never happen.’
‘If…’
‘If it happened the resulting baby would be either black or white. It would depend on whose magic was stronger. Not all witches are created equal, you know.’ He laughs to himself. ‘The Janus is a myth.’
I freeze. ‘The what?’
‘The Janus. The two-sided god.’
I clench my jaw. Or the person who, according to Mother, was named by Samuel Lewis’s ghost as the one responsible for his death. Goddamnit. I hang up the phone and stare into space.
‘Penny for them?’
I look up, giving Beth a half smile. ‘Hey.’
‘And here was me thinking you couldn’t wait to get away from us.’
‘Eh?’
She pulls up a chair next to me. ‘Us Montserrat vampires. You keep coming back.’ She arches an eyebrow. ‘Are you regretting your decision to leave?’
I shake my head. ‘No,’ I say distantly. ‘I just came to get something.’
‘And run up our phone bill in the meantime.’
I think of how much money is secreted away in the Montserrat accounts and snort. ‘I think the Family can cover it.’
Beth grins at me. ‘Lord Montserrat is in his office. He’s in a bad mood though,’ she cautions. ‘Although that’s not surprising considering all that’s going on.’
I suddenly remember he was called away to deal with more conflict. ‘Was anyone hurt?’
‘Not seriously. Thank goodness. Things are pretty tense around here.’
‘I can imagine,’ I murmur. I stand up and stretch. Dawn’s getting nearer; I need to confront Frolic sooner rather than later. ‘What’s your opinion on witches, Beth?’
She blows out her cheeks. ‘I’ve never really thought about them much. Witches are just … there. Like flies. They’re kind of annoying but they don’t really do any harm.’
‘Did you know any? Before you turned. Did you have any friends who were witches? Or,’ I shift uncomfortably, ‘any clients?’
Beth laughs and puts a reassuring hand on my arm. ‘I’m not ashamed of what I used to be, Bo. And, yes, I had a few witchy clients. They were all white. Black witches wouldn’t touch me once I’d offered my services to a white witch first.’
‘What did you think of that?’
‘The split between black magic and white magic?’
I nod.
She shrugs. ‘It’s just the way things are. There’s a split between the five Families. A split between Agathos and Kakos daemons.’ Her face twists. ‘A split between humans and vampires.’
‘You think we’d all be able to get along,’ I say, as much to myself as to her.
‘I don’t know what hallucinogenic drugs you’ve been smoking lately, Bo Blackman, but that’s never going to happen.’
‘Why not?’
‘People – and by people I mean tribers as well as humans‒ will always fear what they don’t understand. Not only that, they’ll seek out differences wherever they can. Everyone wants to feel superior to someone else.’
‘Why do you think that is?’
‘It’s a bully-versus-victim mentality. No one wants to feel that they’re at the bottom of the social heap.’
I rub my neck awkwardly. ‘What if someone tried to change that?’
Beth smiles at me kindly. ‘You’re too damned optimistic for your own good.’
Perhaps she’s right. ‘Speaking of bullies and victims…’
‘Yeah?’
‘Matt…’
She looks exasperated. ‘Him again? What about him?’
‘There’s a lot of people around here who are not very nice to him.’
‘He’s an easy target.’
‘That doesn’t make it right,’ I say quietly. ‘Can you keep an eye on him?’
‘Any time I go near him, he makes some comment about my body.’ She wrinkles her nose. ‘I could put up with that kind of thing when I was a hooker but I’m not going to put up with it now.’
‘So educate him. Teach him to engage his inner mute button.’
‘I’m not sure I have that much patience.’
‘Please, Beth?’
She sighs. ‘Fine. I’ll see what I can do. I can’t work smegging miracles though.’
I smile. ‘Thank you.’
* * *
I leave Beth and wander down towards Michael’s office. The photo is burning a metaphorical hole in my literally burnt pocket so I’m not looking forward to seeing him again, but I need to get the feather so I can take it to Frolic. Her cheeks may be free from tattoos and I know she’s not a witch, but she’s tied up in all this somehow.
I knock quietly on his door. There’s no answer. I try knocking again, more loudly, then push it open and look inside. The office is empty. I scowl. Beth said he was in the mansion but I’m running out of time. I glance up and down the corridor; there’s no sign of him. Cursing and feeling incredibly uncomfortable, I step inside. The feather damn well better be here.
The desk is tidy. There’s a newspaper and a couple of books on it, as well as pot filled with writing implements, from cheap biros to what look like gold-plated fountain pens. I run my fingers across the books and folders on the bookshelves. There are lots of interesting titles but there’s no bright green feather. It might not even be in this room. For all I know, he threw it into the incinerator. I bite my lip.
I move behind his desk and sit in the chair, scanning the space. If I can’t find it, I’ll have no choice but to search for him and demand to know where it is. Without thinking, I lean forward and pull open one of the desk drawers. Lying there, in all its emerald brilliance, is my feather. I give myself a mental high-five and take hold of it just as the door opens. Michael scowls at me.
I wave the feather in his direction, doing everything I can to avoid thinking about dead humans and his dimpled smile. ‘I was looking for this.’
‘You were snooping through my stuff.’ His jaw is set and he seems angry.
‘Er, no. I just wanted my feather.’ I realise I’m in his chair, behind his desk. I stand up quickly and move away. ‘I wasn’t snooping,’ I say softly, ‘but I have to get this to Frolic, the woman who gave it to me, before dawn.’
His eyes narrow, the pinprick of red in his pupils deepening to a bright crimson. ‘The cure. You’re still after a fucking cure.’
‘No, well, yes. Sort of. Actually it’s…’
He snarls. ‘You’re so repulsed by being a vampire that you’ll do anything, try anything, to get back to being human. I suppose I disgust you too.’
‘No, you’re not listening to me,’ I begin.
He steps forward and grips my shoulders. For a brief moment I see his face in the photo again and I flinch. His mouth tightens and there’s a flash of anguish in his face. He drops his hands immediately.
‘You weren’t disgusted by me when we were in the park.’ His face leans dangerously close to mine. ‘Quite the opposite.’
I open my mouth but no words come out. I want to explain but there’s something about the murderous expression in his eyes that stops me. ‘M – Michael,’ I stammer, ‘it’s not what you think.’
The grandfather clock in the corner dings once. It’s already 5am. I’ve got less than an hour until the sun rises. ‘Can we talk about this later? I’ll explain everything. I promise I will. I just have to…’
‘Get out, Bo.’ He says it quietly but his fists are balled up.
‘Please,’ I whisper. ‘I need half an hour. If you can wait…’
‘I’m done waiting. I should have listened to my instincts and kept our relationship strictly professional. I’ve done everything possible for you. I’ve broken the Family laws to give you the freedom you crave and you still despise what I am.’ He looks into my eyes. ‘Don’t come back here, Bo. I’m spending enough time these days with humans who are terrified of m
e. I don’t need it from vampires too.’
I want to tell him that I’m not afraid of him but right now I’d be lying. He pushes past me, sits down and picks up the phone. He won’t even look at me. I can’t believe how quickly things between us have imploded. There has to be a way I can sort this out. Then I glance at the clock again. Sodding hell. I don’t have time for this.
‘I’ll come back before dawn,’ I tell him firmly. ‘If you can spare me five minutes, I’ll explain everything.’
I don’t wait for him to respond. As soon as I’m in the corridor, I start running. I have to deal with Frolic and then get back here as quickly as possible.
* * *
The signs that day is not far off are starting to creep into the park. The buzz of distant traffic is more distinct and the shadows of the trees are shortening as the sky makes its inexorable march towards the light. There are also far too many early joggers and dog walkers. I sprint past them, praying that they don’t get in my way when I finally find Frolic. The last thing I need right now is well-meaning – or otherwise – humans getting involved. I try to avoid thinking about Michael and focus on the task ahead. It’s the only way I’ll get through this.
I pick up speed until I’m almost flying down the path. I veer off in the direction where Frolic was last time, ignoring the stinging branches that whip my face. When I catch sight of her, humming quietly to herself next to a dark, towering tree, I slow down.
‘You’ve made up your mind,’ she says.
I stare at her like an idiot. ‘Eh?’
‘Will you retrieve the files for me or not? It’s a simple choice.’
I narrow my eyes. ‘You called the Montserrat mansion. You told them I had until dawn to get them for you.’
The placid expression on her face flickers. ‘I can assure you, I did not.’
I growl. ‘Bullshit!’
I step towards her then realise she is genuinely puzzled. I stop. Connor wouldn’t lie, but it was only a phone call. He probably didn’t answer it. I doubt very much that even a trusted vampette like him would be allowed to answer the Montserrat telephones. It doesn’t matter who answered the damn call, though. Anyone could have said they were called Frolic and left a message for me. Yet again I’ve been hoodwinked.
I think quickly. There’s no sign of the copper-cum-henchman. I’m betting he’s around here somewhere though. I roll the dice. ‘Whatever,’ I say dismissively. ‘I’ve got your files.’
Her eyes lighten. ‘Already? This is fantastic news. Have you looked through them? Was there any proof that Magix murdered my husband?’
‘There maybe something,’ I say quietly. ‘I didn’t read them. I didn’t think what they contained was any of my business.’
Frolic sighs. ‘I’ll have to hope then. Maybe if I can sue them…’
I hold up the feather. ‘I have your IOU. So you can tell me what you know about the cure.’
‘Yes, yes,’ she nods. ‘Honestly, you’re the first person in ages who’s not lost one of my feathers.’ She tuts. ‘I need them for my book-keeping. I can’t fulfil my promises without them.’
‘Indeed,’ I murmur. ‘People can be careless these days.’
‘That’s something Fingertip taught me,’ she continues. ‘Without proper accountability, those tax idiots at HMRC could easily come after us. Then we’d be in trouble.’
I refrain from pointing out that her business is pretty much dead and buried. I cross my fingers and reach inside my jacket. ‘I have the files here,’ I say.
Frolic’s face is wreathed in smiles. I start to smile back when I hear a sudden whirring sound from behind. I drop to my feet and roll, just in time to see her choke. A dribble of blood appears at the corner of her mouth and her hands move to her chest. There is a gleaming shuriken embedded smack-bang in the centre. I scramble up and run towards her but it’s already too late. Her eyes are wide and filled with pain. She collapses to her knees and pauses there for what seems like forever. Then she falls flat.
Slowly, I turn around. Her supposed henchman emerges from behind a tree. ‘That wasn’t supposed to happen,’ he says. ‘My boss will be pissed off.’
I avoid looking at Frolic’s body. ‘Who’s your boss? Does he work for Magix?’
His hooded eyes flick to me. ‘You are an annoying little bloodguzzler.’
I growl, then leap towards him. He’s just a human, I’ll be able to take him down easily. I’m already in mid-air, fists outstretched, when I realise my mistake. His eyes are rolled back into his head and he’s muttering an incantation. There’s a flash of silver in the split-second before I smash in his skull and then I fall down with a hard thump onto the grass below. My energy is sapped and it’s a struggle to move. I pull my head up and stare at my wrists. There’s a set of handcuffs encircling them with the Magix logo inscribed on the side.
He laughs. ‘That was just too fucking easy.’
I try to get up. I make it to my feet but I feel like I’m moving through jelly. The goon kicks my knees and I fall down again. He circles me. ‘O’Connell doesn’t want you dead. He seems to think you’ll be useful.’ He kicks me again and I moan. ‘Unfortunately for you, I don’t give a shit what he thinks. Besides, I hear you hurt my friend.’
‘The witch I burned? He shouldn’t have come after me.’
He shakes his head. ‘Black fucking witches. If he knew anything about magic then he would have had you.’ He smirks. ‘After all, I’ve got you and I didn’t even have to break a sweat. No, I mean my other friend. That wasn’t a smart move. His wife wants children and he won’t be able to perform now for quite some time.’
I spit in his face. It’s a feeble attempt but I still feel a trickle of self-satisfaction when it lands on his shoe.
He bends down towards me. I think he’s about to punch me in the face when I realise he’s picking up the feather. I must have dropped it when Frolic was hit. He twirls it thoughtfully, then crushes it in his large hands and discards it. ‘I won’t kill you though.’ He smiles. ‘I don’t have to.’
I frown, not sure what he’s getting at. He smirks and points upwards. Helplessly, I follow his finger. Over the tops of the trees, the sky is starting to change. It’s no longer night.
‘I reckon you’ve got about fifteen minutes.’ He laughs. ‘Enjoy, little bloodguzzler, enjoy.’
‘Why?’ I croak.
‘Haven’t you worked it out yet? We’re trying to change the world. You’re just collateral damage.’ He looks down at me. ‘See you in another life.’
I turn onto my back as he walks away. I’ve no time to do anything. Even if I could get back to my feet, I’d never make it back to the mansion with these handcuffs on. I watch the sky lighten and feel the first tingles of unnatural warmth cross my skin. I guess I won’t be a vampire for much longer after all.
There’s a sudden breeze and an odd rustle. I twist my head and watch as Frolic’s ghost wavers in the light. ‘Kakos daemon blood,’ she whispers.
I stare at her uncomprehendingly.
‘The cure. You need Kakos daemon blood.’ She raises her eyes up to the sky. Her spirit flickers in growing light and she smiles. Then she winks out of existence.
I push myself towards her body, shoving her shoulder to flip her onto her back. Her eyes are wide and unseeing. I dip my fingertip into the blood that’s leaking from her chest and use it to etch out a diagram on the dew-damp grass: a diamond shape with a squiggle inside. I have no idea whether it’ll do any good. I’m not even sure if I really want it to work. Right now, though, it’s all I can think about.
Then I close my eyes while my blood begins to boil.
Chapter Eighteen: Rivers of Blood
‘I must say, Ms Blackman,’ X murmurs, ‘you do have an uncanny ability to get yourself into trouble. Did your vampire Lord have better things to do with his time?’
I pull myself as far away from him as possible. My face feels strange. I prod at it gingerly with my fingers; the magical handcuffs have vanishe
d.
‘You’ve had to re-grow an entire new epidermis,’ X informs me. ‘Your vampiric attributes include fast regeneration. Still, you must have taken quite some time before you drank blood. Fledglings as young as you rarely recover so quickly.’ He smiles slightly. ‘The eyebrows, of course, will take far longer.’
I wince at his words then glance around, taking in my environment. I seem to have awakened in the 1980s, in a yuppie’s bachelor pad. The place is decked out in black leather and gleaming mirrors.
‘Where am I?’ I croak.
X gives me a slow smile. ‘In my lair, naturally. Where else would I bring such a delectable morsel?’
I squeak involuntarily. He laughs. ‘You called me, Ms Blackman. Or have you conveniently forgotten that fact already?’
‘Why?’
‘I have absolutely no idea. I can only imagine it had something to do with the fact that you were about to burn up and contribute to the increasing issue we have with greenhouse gases.’
‘No.’ I cough. ‘Why did you help me?’
He examines his fingernails. ‘I suppose I had nothing better to do at the time. I would also like you to return my notebook.’
I’m surprised he’s not taken it already.
‘To rummage through your belongings without permission would be incredibly bad mannered.’
I guiltily think of my own rummage through Michael’s office.
‘Ah, I see. So Lord Montserrat is unimpressed that you invaded his personal space. It’s for the best. If you really wish to return to humanity so desperately, an affair between the two of you will only end badly.’
I scowl. The daemon laughs. ‘Of course, that’s not the only thing that’s ending badly for you right now, is it? You thought your devilish murderer was the woman. Frolic.’ He shakes his head. ‘Her bottom line was profit. Passion is far more dangerous.’
I find my voice. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
X chuckles. ‘I’m not going to tell you. That would be too easy. I’m confident you can find out what you need to without my help.’ He stands up. ‘It’ll be dark in an hour. I will leave you in peace since my presence clearly makes you nervous. Before you go, however, check the fridge.’ He smiles. ‘I left you a couple of little gifts.’
