Dire Straits (Bo Blackman)

by Helen Harper

  As I step into the corridor, I jump in surprise. Clipboard Lady is standing there. She points to a basket on the floor; I’m sure it wasn’t there when I went into the shower room.

  ‘You can leave your old clothes in there,’ she tells me.

  I hug my clothes to my chest. I don’t want to give them up. Right now, they’re all I have to remind me of who I really am. Her eyes narrow, however, and I know I can’t appear too eager to hang on to my old life so I drop them in.

  ‘You’ve been fast.’

  I stare at her, not sure what she means. She explains, ‘Turning. You’ve recovered in record time. I think only Lord Montserrat himself managed to wake up more quickly.’

  It’s probably because I went through the turning process by being bitten rather than injected but I can’t help feeling a flicker of pride.

  ‘I’m not the only one,’ I tell her. ‘Someone called Matt is in there too.’

  She nods. ‘Yes. He’s been fast too.’

  I wait for her to pass further comment but she doesn’t say anything, instead just points down the hall. Rather than following her directions, I get to work.

  ‘I didn’t catch your name,’ I say.

  She appraises me coolly. ‘Ria.’

  I smile at her. ‘It’s good to meet you. I’m Bo.’

  ‘I know who you are.’ She doesn’t return my smile. ‘Why are you here?’

  I try to ignore the flash of panic and keep my amiable expression firmly in place. ‘Why does anyone become a vampire? Long life, ready-made family, lots of perks. It’s win-win.’

  She leans towards me. ‘Lord Montserrat put me in one of the teams that looked for you after the daemon was attacked. You looked like someone who was trying to avoid having anything to do with us.’

  ‘I thought you were trying to kill me.’

  ‘Who says we weren’t?’ Her voice is low; there’s definitely a veiled threat in it.

  ‘I was being framed for the daemon.’ I deliberately don’t say whether O’Shea is dead or alive; I have no way of knowing what information Michael Montserrat has disseminated to his followers. ‘Everyone I worked with was slaughtered.’

  ‘By a vampire. And yet you choose to become a vampire yourself.’

  I stare her down. ‘I realised that if I was going to survive, I needed to join you. Not fight you. Michael, I mean Lord Montserrat, assured me that the Montserrat Family had nothing to do with any of that. The boss I loved is dead. I’ve got no one else.’ I shrug. ‘I had no reason left not to join.’

  Her pupils narrow to slits. ‘Revenge is a good reason.’

  I have to tread very carefully. ‘Oh, I’m angry,’ I say, with conviction. ‘But revenge is a tricky thing. Without knowing for sure who is ultimately,’ I stress this last word, ‘responsible, revenge becomes meaningless. I hope that by joining the power of the Montserrat Family, I can prevent other innocents from being hurt.’

  I pray that my answer is ambiguous enough for the traitors to believe I’d be willing to join their side. Theoretically, if they believe I can be persuaded into thinking that Michael Montserrat and the Montserrat clan are responsible for destroying my life, then I might be approached. It’s a long shot but if the traitors are desperate enough it may just work. I’ll need to ensure that if I come face to face with Michael in a public setting, I show enough dislike of him to be believed. Considering what he told me about the side effects of my turning, I’m hoping that’s not going to be too difficult.

  Ria glares at me. ‘You think you can stop innocents from being hurt? What do you think the rest of us have been doing?’

  I’ve clearly hit a nerve. I’m not surprised. If she’s got no part in the new Family, then she’ll feel threatened by the idea that vampires are going around willy-nilly and killing whoever gets in their way. I don’t get a chance to respond, however, as the shower room door opens and we both turn round.

  Matt is the muscle-bound man who stepped up first to the table. He appears surprised and not particularly pleased to see me. ‘You recovered first?’

  I try not to grin at the incredulity in his voice. I need to ingratiate myself with everyone, not piss them off, so I shrug and look baffled. ‘Yeah, I don’t know how that happened. I feel like shit though. Maybe I should have slept for a bit longer.’

  He seems slightly mollified and flexes his muscles. It must be some kind of unconscious reaction. ‘I feel fine,’ he informs me.

  ‘I wish I was that lucky.’ Ria is looking at me suspiciously so I smile at her. ‘I’ve got nothing to hide. I just want to fit in and make a new life for myself.’

  She makes a noncommittal noise but I feel that I’ve pacified her – for now. I drop my head just a touch to appear subordinate to the pair of them and leave them to it. Keeping this front up is going to be bloody hard.

  ***

  A few hours later, there are four of us. Matt and I spend the first hour sitting on comfortable sofas, shooting the breeze. Well, to be more accurate, he talks and I listen. He is full of bravado and wastes no time in telling me that he is going to ‘shake things up in the vampire world’. He asserts that he’ll be able to hold off drinking blood until the final day of the lunar month. I wish I shared his optimism.

  We are joined by Nell, the woman who was so affronted by the idea that she might be summarily executed for stealing and, surprise, surprise, a now upright and walking Nicky. Her steps as she enters the room are shaky, but she gives us a tremulous smile and refuses to sit down. Half an hour later she is still standing, an expression of wonder on her face every time she glances down at her legs. I feel happy for her.

  The door opens again and Ria comes in. She’s carrying a tray of crystal goblets filled with what looks like blood. I swallow hard, my eyes tracking her every movement as she places the tray down in front of us.

  ‘You are all welcome to partake,’ she says, gesturing to the glasses.

  No one moves. A tiny, knowing smile curves at the edges of her mouth. ‘In that case, Lord Montserrat is ready for you.’

  ‘What about the others?’ Nell asks.

  ‘They’re not ready yet. I imagine they will join you tomorrow.’ She eyes us all. ‘Turning is harder for some than others. Remember, the process is not fully complete until you take your first drink.’

  We all know she’s not referring to water. She walks out, holding open the door, so we trail after her. Matt is in the lead, then Nell, Nicky and me. We go back down the corridor, past the bedrooms and out to a vast sweeping staircase that even Scarlett O’Hara would be proud of. There’s a huge ornate mirror at the top. Matt stops and glances at his reflection.

  ‘I can still see myself!’ he exclaims. He touches his hair then, satisfied that it’s looking good, opens his mouth and examines his teeth.

  Ria rolls her eyes and I grin at her. We share an amused glance before she remembers that she’s supposed to be suspicious of me. ‘We wouldn’t always look this good if we didn’t have reflections,’ she says, brusquely.

  I realise she’s not boasting, merely telling the truth. And she’s right. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vampire who’s not perfectly turned out. My thoughts turn involuntarily to Michael and his elegant suit. Then I force him out of my mind. I run my tongue over my teeth and turn back to Ria. ‘Our fangs…’

  ‘Will start growing after your first drink.’

  Matt continues to admire his reflection. ‘Mine are going to be huge.’

  Nell nudges me. ‘You know what they say – big fangs, small…’ Matt frowns at her in the mirror ‘…feet,’ she finishes.

  I smirk.

  We follow Ria down the staircase and into an atrium. I realise with a jolt that it’s night time. Stars twinkle at us from far above the glass roof.

  ‘It’s dark,’ Nicky whispers.

  Ria hears her. ‘Until you develop immunity to the sun, you will remain fully nocturnal. It’s safer that way.’

  ‘Why have this at all then?’ asks Nell. ‘Wouldn’t it be
tter to avoid sunlight altogether?’

  A familiar voice speaks. It’s Michael. ‘You’ll find that when you get used to the sun’s rays, you will crave them and seek them out whenever they are not too strong to hurt you. And we’re not taking any chances as you are all so new; these glass panes are specially treated to filter out any ultra-violet light.’

  We all gape at him. He’s a well-known figure and it’s clear that he’s immediately recognised. His gaze flicks briefly to me and my stomach squirms while Matt rushes forward and takes his hand, starting to pump it enthusiastically.

  ‘It’s an honour, sir. My Lord.’

  ‘You’re Matthew Baldwick. Your military experience will serve us well.’

  Matt beams proudly. I should have guessed from his bearing that he was ex-army.

  Michael turns to the rest of us. ‘Nell Singer.’

  She flushes. I watch her, interested. I wonder whether she’ll still be able to blush once she’s a fully-fledged vampire. Then I remember the red tinge on Michael’s skin after I drank from him. I guess she will.

  ‘Nicola Temerlaine.’ Compassion lights his eyes as he looks at her. I file it away for future reference.

  Nicky grins, her cheeks dimpling and making her look even younger than she probably is. He looks at me, although this time his face remains bland.

  ‘Bo Blackman.’

  I dip into a curtsey. ‘My Lord.’ Although my words are respectful, I inject them with the faintest hint of disdain. I hope he understands why. Something flashes across his eyes, but otherwise he doesn’t react.

  ‘From now on, you will no longer use those surnames. You are part of the Family Montserrat and will be addressed as such.’ He smiles. ‘Although you will lose your name, you will gain much, much more.’

  I try not to cringe. All I hope to gain is the status of Sanguine and the names of the traitors who’ve ruined my life.

  ‘We were told we were going to be trained, my Lord,’ Matt interjects eagerly. ‘When does that happen? What do we learn?’

  ‘That will begin tomorrow,’ Michael responds smoothly, ‘once your companions have also recovered. Your schedule is light for the first month until the transition period is complete. For now, I suggest you explore the house and the grounds.’

  ‘We can go outside?’ exclaims Nicky.

  He smiles. ‘Only the garden. But, yes, some fresh air will probably do you good. You may also enter any room, apart from those tied at the handle with a red ribbon.’

  I raise my eyebrows. It’s like the dorm of an American university.

  ‘We are a close-knit Family,’ he adds, ‘but personal privacy is still important.’ He looks at me as he says this. I try hard not to look away.

  Michael draws Ria to the side. A frisson of emotion runs through me as I watch his head bend towards hers and I realise that what I’m feeling is jealousy. Bugger it – my turning really has produced the side effects he promised.

  ‘Come on,’ I mutter to the others, ‘they’re obviously busy. Let’s explore.’

  Matt snorts. ‘I’m going off on my own. The last thing I need to listen to right now is a bunch of chicks talking.’ He walks off.

  I gaze after his retreating back. I’ll need to do some more ego-stroking to get him to trust me. No matter; there’ll be plenty of time to work on that later.

  ‘Ladies?’ I say, glancing at the other two.

  They both grin.

  ‘Let’s do it,’ Nell says, taking my arm in hers.

  Nicky darts round to my other side and does the same. ‘Yes,’ she says, her eyes shining. ‘Let’s.’

  ***

  Both Nell and Nicky’s excitement buzzes until I feel almost the same as them. Almost. We wander around the enormous house, gawping at the artwork, stained glass and intricately carved mahogany woodwork. We’re careful to avoid the rooms with red ribbons tied around the doors, though I wonder how long it will be before I’m sneaking into those closed-off areas on my real quest. Still, I can feel a bond forming between us; we may have been thrown together by chance, but there’s a strong sense of kinship as we explore together.

  We venture down one long hallway, the walls of which are covered in portraits. I recognise several of the Montserrat Family Heads from years past. It’s apparent that the gender imbalance which affects the human corporate world is alive and kicking in the vampire world too. Apart from the Bancroft Family the other Heads are male and it appears there’s never been a female Montserrat Head.

  When we reach the end of the corridor, we come to Michael’s portrait. The artist has done a fine job of capturing his enigmatic dark eyes and strong jawline. There’s just the faintest suggestion of the dimple in his cheek. I look at it, trying to ignore the light shiver that runs deliciously down my spine.

  Nell comes up to my side. ‘He’s good-looking, isn’t he?’

  I turn away, embarrassed to be caught admiring his likeness. ‘If you like that sort of thing.’

  ‘Damn, I do,’ Nell says. ‘I doubt he’d be interested in little old me, though.’

  I force myself to smile. ‘Never say never.’

  ‘Guys! Over here!’ Nicky calls out.

  I breathe a silent sigh of relief at her intervention. ‘What is it?’

  ‘The garden.’ Her chest is moving rapidly up and down. ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve walked anywhere outside.’

  Sympathy fills me. ‘What happened?’

  ‘I was very young so I’m not entirely sure. I remember some things. My mother screaming. My father…’ her voice trails off.

  ‘You were attacked?’

  ‘Yes.’ She straightens her shoulders and stares out at the dark trees and bushes. ‘That part of my life is over now. I have a new family now.’

  I squeeze her arm. ‘And new legs.’

  She grins at me. ‘Then I’d damn well better make use of them, hadn’t I?’ She opens the door and steps outside, with both Nell and me following close behind.

  I suck in the fresh night air. It feels good to be outside. It reminds me that I’m not dead. I’m not a vampire – not quite and not yet. I watch Nicky dancing forward and smile. Perhaps there’s hope for us all.

  We follow the twisting paths. I can’t help marvelling at the size of the garden; considering we’re in central London, this is quite some space. It’s very well kept; patently there’s a Montserrat gardener or two in the mix. The three of us stop and breathe in the heady smell from a rosebush in full bloom.

  ‘I love roses.’ Nicky sighs, sinking down cross-legged.

  Nell joins her, stroking one of the petals. ‘Beauty and danger all at the same time,’ she agrees. ‘You’ve got to admire nature.’

  ‘Yup. Every rose has its thorn.’

  Nell and I glance at each other and burst into song. Nicky looks baffled. ‘What did I say?’

  ‘It’s an old rock song,’ Nell laughs. ‘You’re probably too young to know it.’

  ‘I’ll have to find it and listen to it.’ Suddenly she looks worried. ‘Do you think vampires listen to music?’

  ‘They must, surely.’

  ‘I dunno. For some reason I imagine them all sitting around listening to piano concertos.’

  We giggle like a bunch of school girls.

  ‘I still can’t believe it’s true,’ Nell says. ‘That I’ve been recruited. I hoped I would be, but you hear such stories. I thought all the recruits would be like Matt.’

  ‘There must be a reason why you were selected,’ I say.

  ‘I’m an artist,’ she replies, although an inexplicable shadow crosses her eyes. ‘Not a scientist or a soldier or anything useful at all.’

  I feel an absurd sense of warmth towards the Montserrat Family for recognising art as meritorious. ‘Art feeds our souls,’ I tell her. ‘I guess even vampires appreciate that.’

  ‘What about you, Bo?’

  I have to tell the truth here. ‘I’m a private investigator.’ I pick at the grass. ‘I’ve only been doing it for a couple
of years and I’m not particularly good. Maybe with a bit of direction from the Montserrat investigators, I can get better.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re better than you think,’ Nicky says loyally. ‘Otherwise they wouldn’t have recruited you.’

  They recruited me because I have too much invested in this whole mess, I think, not because I’m particularly skilled at my job. Aloud I ask, ‘And you?’

  ‘I fix things. Clocks, music boxes, toys, that kind of thing. I’m not much good with modern things, but if it’s old-fashioned and has been around for a few decades then I’m a dab hand.’

  ‘I guess we’re all going to serve a purpose,’ I say slowly. I think about the vampires who were killed because they went to see O’Shea. Perhaps their purpose in serving the Montserrat Family would be a good place to start. I lean back, knotting my hands behind my head, and gaze up at the sliver of moon. I have limited time to do all this and I’m itching to get started.

  ‘I’m pretty exhausted,’ I tell the others. ‘I might head in and get some kip.’

  ‘You were the first of us to turn, Bo. You’ve been up for longer.’

  ‘Either that or I’m getting old,’ I joke, then stand up and dust off my jumpsuit. ‘I’ll see you two tomorrow.’

  They grin at me and wave. Feeling like I’ve achieved something, even if it’s only getting a couple of the other new recruits to trust me, I head back inside, hoping I don’t get lost along the way. Navigating the streets of London seems easier than finding my way around the vast maze of the Montserrat house.

  I get lucky and find the staircase we descended with Ria. I go up, thinking I’ll catch an hour’s sleep before looking for Michael to give me some useful intelligence on the Montserrat vampires. I pause, however, at the door to the small living room area where we’d congregated and push it open. The four crystal goblets still stand where Ria left them. One is empty.

  I pick it up. There’s not a single drop of blood left in it, not even at the very bottom. Matt’s self-control clearly isn’t as good as he thought it was. I place it carefully back down and pick up another one by the stem, raising it up to my nose. I’d have thought that after all the blood I’ve been subjected to recently, the smell would make me retch. But the vampire is taking root inside me because my stomach actually grumbles. I return the glass hastily to the tray and leave.