Infernal Enchantment (Firebrand Book 2)

by Helen Harper

  There was another sharp crack. I looked up and saw a sudden flinch of fear from Ted. He’d dropped the gun and was staring at something over his shoulder. He glanced at his car and I was sure I caught a glimpse of frustration. A second later there was yet another crack. This time, Ted took off.

  As he ran past me I reached for him and tried to block his way, but he shoved me aside. He darted towards the first house on the left, shoved his way through the garden gate and disappeared into the darkness beyond.

  My arms flailed. Come back. Come back, you bastard.

  I dragged myself after him but I couldn’t move fast enough. Bile hit the back of my throat as my stomach contents moved into my mouth. Then I couldn’t hold it any longer. Vomit hurled out of me and I crashed down to my hands and knees again.

  A shadow fell across the ground in front of me. Hands reached for my arms, helping me up. I blinked and stared. Wh – what?

  Gaz’s mouth moved. He was saying something but I couldn’t work out what. I shook my head, confused. He smiled, patted me on the shoulder, and directed me towards the back of the car that had just pulled up.

  ***

  ‘It was some sort of stun grenade.’

  I glanced at Devereau Webb. ‘Pardon?’

  ‘He used a stun grenade. It causes temporary blindness, deafness and disorientation.’

  I grunted. ‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ I still had a persistent ringing in my ears but I could hear better now, and I no longer felt so dizzy or sick. ‘Like why Gaz was there.’

  Webb smiled. ‘Call it an insurance policy. I’d already asked a few of my guys to keep an eye on the address. That man had invaded my turf and I wanted to be sure that he’d be put out of the way for good. I wasn’t going to forget about him until you made a move against him. When you did and it all went tits up, I told Gaz to intervene.’

  ‘Why? We were even. You don’t owe me anything.’

  He shrugged. ‘Maybe I’m a nice guy.’

  I snorted. ‘Yeah. And maybe you’re looking for more favours.’

  ‘It wasn’t about that.’ He gave me a long look. ‘You helped me out, even though we are natural enemies. I don’t forget that sort of thing.’

  ‘I bet rescuing the Lord of all vampires will look good on your CV, too.’

  ‘You wound me, DC Bellamy.’ Webb winked. ‘But you’re right. Achieving such a momentous feat isn’t a bad thing.’

  I looked at Lukas. He was flat out on the floor of Webb’s flat and hadn’t stirred, but his breathing was steady and his colour was healthy. Whatever shit Ted had injected into his bloodstream, I was certain it wasn’t fatal.

  Despite my severe disorientation, I’d clocked the expression on Ted’s face. He’d been delighted to have Lukas in his grasp, in the same way that he’d been disappointed when Moira had died. Ted wasn’t looking to kill a vamp, he wanted to kidnap one. For what purpose, I had no idea.

  ‘What now?’ Webb asked. ‘I can take you wherever you wish to go, or you can head to Soho once those other vamps arrive for Lord Horvath. They should be here soon.’

  I scratched my head. I didn’t think Lukas was in mortal danger but I wanted to be sure. I’d go back with him and wait until he regained consciousness. Then I’d make my next move.

  ‘I’ll go with the vamps,’ I said. ‘They’re heading that way anyway. I’ll come back and pick up Tallulah in the morning.’ I was desperate to continue the investigation and go after Ted while the trail was still hot but I knew I was tired, and therefore prone to making mistakes. Such as not pausing to think why there’d been such an obviously muddy handprint on the fence or considering why Ted had run towards a dead end where he would be trapped.

  Ted had outwitted me, plain and simple. I’d take my licks – I couldn’t do otherwise – but I wouldn’t let it happen again. That meant I needed to get some sleep before I did anything else. I might be immortal but I certainly wasn’t invincible.

  ‘I can leave a few of my guys to keep an eye on the house and the garage,’ Webb said.

  I shook my head. ‘A few of the local police are already on it.’ It didn’t matter; I doubted Ted would return to his house. Not now. ‘Thank you, though.’

  Webb inclined his head.

  ‘Who is it?’ I asked suddenly. ‘Who is it that you want to be turned in a wolf?’

  ‘I like you, DC Bellamy,’ he told me. ‘But I can’t answer that question.’

  I persisted. ‘Why not?’

  There was a knock on the door. ‘Vamps are here,’ someone called.

  Webb displayed his teeth in a grin. ‘Saved by the bell,’ he murmured. He looked down at Lukas. ‘Time to get this sleeping prince to his bed.’

  ***

  I had been expecting two, maybe three, vampires to show up; I hadn’t expected dozens of them. I stared at the assembled cars at the foot of Webb’s tower block and swallowed. Half the vamps in London must have shown up.

  A female vampire, with scarlet-red lips, patent-leather stilettos and a wasp waist that wouldn’t have looked out of place on Jessica Rabbit, marched up. She ignored me and focused on Lukas, who was lying prone on a makeshift stretcher. Her taloned fingernails gently stroked his cheek.

  I felt a shiver of anger. What was she doing? What if she scratched him?

  ‘Lord Horvath,’ she said huskily.

  My irritation grew. Didn’t she know he couldn’t hear her? Then I took a step back. Whoa. What was wrong with me?

  The vamp smiled at him. ‘You are safe now.’ She straightened up. ‘This is most concerning.’

  It took me a moment to realise she was addressing me. I shook off my irrational jealousy, aware that it was an emotion I had no right to. ‘Very. He was ahead of me and took the main force of the stun grenade.’

  She examined me coolly. I couldn’t help wondering if she was blaming me for what had happened. And I also wondered if she was right. ‘The man who did this managed to escape?’

  I nodded.

  She raised her head and looked at the crowd of vampires. ‘We will find the fucker who hurt our Lord. And when we do, we will—’

  I cleared my throat loudly, interrupting her in mid-flow. A trace of impatience crossed her face. ‘What is it?’

  ‘Your vampires need to stand down.’

  ‘What?’ she asked incredulously.

  I straightened my shoulders. When all was said and done I was still Detective Constable Emma Bellamy, and I’d faced down worse things than this vampire. Much worse. ‘First of all,’ I said, ‘the man who did this is human. That means he falls under human law, much as you might prefer it to be otherwise. If anything … untoward were to happen to him, regardless of his crimes, the fallout could have grave consequences.’

  The vamp gave an imperious sniff. ‘Are you suggesting that we are unable to control ourselves because we are vampires?’

  I didn’t flinch. ‘I’ve been in a similar situation to the one you’re in now, and I know how hard it was for me. That’s all. In the heat of the moment, terrible things can happen.’ I paused. ‘There’s also another reason to stay back. This man – the one who attacked Lord Horvath and who is responsible for the death of your friend, Moira – is deliberately targeting vampires. He wants you to go after him. He’s smart, in possession of worryingly effective weaponry, and he’s on some kind of mission. The best thing for you all is to stay put in Soho for the time being. I will track him down.’ My voice hardened. ‘And I will deal with him. This isn’t something that’s up for negotiation.’

  She watched me. I had no idea what was going through her head. ‘He speaks very highly of you, you know,’ she said eventually.

  I didn’t need to ask who she was referring to. I met her eyes. ‘I won’t let his attacker get away with what he’s done.’

  ‘I believe you.’ She held out her hand. ‘You can call me Scarlett.’ That figured. Her mouth twitched. ‘It’s not my real name. Your reputation precedes you, DC Bellamy.’

  I decided to take th
at as a compliment. I reached out and shook her hand. She wasn’t so bad.

  Scarlett raised her voice again and addressed the other vampires. ‘Change of plan. The police will take matters from here.’ There was a rumbling of discontent and more than one dark glower sent in my direction.

  ‘Thank you,’ I murmured. Scarlett inclined her head. ‘Could I get a lift from you?’ I asked. ‘I’d like to wait and see how Luk – how Lord Horvath is before I leave.’

  There was a faint groan and I whirled round. Scarlett also focused her attention on Lukas. ‘I’m fine,’ he muttered, raising his head and struggling up to a sitting position. His black eyes darted round. ‘Where the fuck is—’ His gaze fell on me and his shoulders dropped. ‘There you are.’

  ‘Here I am.’ I smiled. He was alright. I’d thought he would be, but it was a relief to have it confirmed.

  Lukas exhaled a rush of air. ‘Good.’ He nodded to himself. ‘Good.’

  ‘Are you okay?’ I asked. ‘How do you feel?’

  ‘Tired,’ he grunted. ‘Groggy. Sore. I’m fine, though.’

  The rest of the watching vampires pressed forward, anxious to reassure themselves that he was conscious and alert. Lukas rubbed his head and lifted his hand to wave to them.

  ‘You need to rest,’ Scarlett chided. ‘Enough talk for now.’ She glanced at me, more relaxed now that Lukas’s wellbeing was assured. ‘We’ll drop you at your door, DC Bellamy. Lord Horvath would not be pleased if it were otherwise.’

  Hearing her words, Lukas muttered something. I couldn’t make it out what it was, but Scarlett smiled at him.

  I swallowed. She was right. Lukas needed peace and quiet and his own kind around him. He didn’t need me. ‘Okay.’ I gazed at him. He stared back at me but his pupils were still unfocused. Conscious or not, whatever drug he’d been injected with was still in his system. ‘Could someone call me if his condition changes?’

  ‘I will make sure of it.’

  I breathed out and relaxed slightly. My eyes dropped, and I noted the pretty chain round Scarlett’s neck. Then I froze.

  ‘What is it?’ she enquired.

  A chill ran down me. ‘Nothing,’ I said. ‘That’s a pretty necklace you’re wearing.’

  Scarlett’s head dipped. ‘Three quid from a charity shop near Covent Garden,’ she confided.

  I managed a laugh. Just.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Galling as it had been to have to give in to my physical limitations and sleep, I felt so refreshed the next morning that I knew the rest had been worth it. It helped that there was a voice mail message from Scarlett, stating that Lukas appeared to be fine and was back to his normal self. I hadn’t expected otherwise, but I still felt remarkably relieved.

  Freed from both fatigue and worry, my mind was clear – and grim resolution seeped from my every pore. When I stalked into the Supe Squad office, even Liza seemed taken aback.

  ‘I wasn’t expecting you this early.’

  ‘There are important matters to take care of,’ I told her. Very important.

  ‘Are you … are you alright?’

  ‘I’m fine. I still have some ringing in my ears but it’s a lot better than it was. I expect it’ll go completely by this afternoon.’

  She blinked. ‘Is that what happens when you die?’ She leaned in, fascination getting the better of her. ‘Does anything else happen?’

  ‘What?’ I stared at her. Then I remembered that she’d taken yesterday off and she had no idea what had happened during the last twenty-four hours. I’d almost forgotten about my third resurrection but, as far as Liza was concerned, it was still hot news.

  ‘Oh. No, I wasn’t talking about that.’ I outlined what had happened the previous day. Fred joined us, his expression growing serious as I described the stun grenade and Ted’s getaway.

  ‘Fred and I need to get back to his house as soon as possible,’ I said. ‘Tallulah is still there, so you’ll need to drive, Fred.’

  He nodded. ‘I can do that.’

  ‘I’ve been in touch with the uniforms who are watching his street. There’s been no sign of him, so it looks like he’s gone to ground. He knows we’re after him so he’ll either try to disappear or he’ll ramp up operations. Whichever route he chooses, we need to track him down and stop him. This man is dangerous.’

  Liza looked disturbed. ‘What shall I do?’

  ‘Find out as much about him as you can. Every misdemeanour, every parking ticket, every scrap of available information needs to be sought out and collated.’

  ‘Done.’ She hesitated. ‘There’s something else, isn’t there?’

  Yeah. There was. I licked my lips. ‘Julian Clarke,’ I said.

  Fred’s face scrunched up. ‘His investigation will need to go on the back burner. The other exhumations aren’t scheduled until next week and nobody except the Clarkes thinks he’s a priority. I know what happened to his grave is unsavoury, but real lives are at risk with this other wanker.’

  ‘That’s not what I meant.’ They both gazed at me. ‘Ted was wearing a necklace,’ I said.

  Liza was confused. ‘So?’

  ‘It was a shark’s tooth pendant. I can’t be a hundred percent certain but I think it’s the same as the one I saw Julian Clarke wearing in an old photograph.’ I hadn’t even registered it until I’d seen the necklace hanging from Scarlett’s neck. Now it was all I could think about.

  ‘That has to be a coincidence,’ Fred said slowly. ‘Right?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ I raised my eyebrows at Liza. ‘Get on to Mrs Clarke. See if you can get a copy of the photo she showed me, and find out whether Julian was buried with the necklace or not. Ask her where he got it from.’

  ‘On it.’

  ‘And pull all the files we’ve got on Julian’s death. I need to see everything.’

  ‘Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions?’ Fred asked.

  ‘I hope so,’ I said grimly. ‘I really do.’

  ***

  My phone rang as we were pulling into Ted’s street. I glanced down at the caller ID then answered it immediately. ‘Lukas,’ I said. ‘You’re alright?’

  Fred glanced towards me but didn’t say anything.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Lukas growled. ‘But what about you? You were there as well. You were hit too.’

  ‘I was further from the grenade than you. You took the worst of it. I have some mild tinnitus but I’m good.’ More than good – especially now. I stared at Ted’s house, which looked innocuous in the morning sunlight. ‘Do you know what he injected you with?’

  ‘My blood has been tested,’ he said. I wondered if Scarlett had tasted it herself to check. ‘He used a sedative. Nothing more.’ His voice grew rougher. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Back at his house.’

  ‘Any sign of him?’

  ‘No.’

  He drew in a breath. ‘Stay there. I’ll come and join you.’

  ‘No. You need to keep away from this. It’s a vampire he wants, not a human.’

  ‘You’re not human.’

  ‘He doesn’t know that,’ I replied. ‘And, frankly, neither do we.’

  ‘Yes, we do.’

  I didn’t respond to that. ‘He’s not here and he’s not going to return. Stay where you are and rest up. If I find anything, I’ll let you know.’

  ‘I won’t let you put yourself in danger while I sit back!’ Lukas snapped.

  ‘I’m not in danger.’ I stayed calm. ‘This is my investigation, and I promise that I will find him.’ I paused. ‘Trust me.’

  ‘This has got nothing to do with trust.’

  ‘Don’t leave Soho, Lukas.’

  ‘Emma…’

  ‘I prefer it when you call me D’Artagnan,’ I said lightly. ‘Stay at home. I’ll call you in a few hours.’

  ‘Wait.’

  I ignored his clipped command and hung up.

  Fred’s expression was a comical mixture of horror and mirth. ‘Did you just tell the Lord of all vamp
ires what to do?’

  ‘I did,’ I said serenely. ‘It’s for his own good.’

  My phone rang again. I glanced at Lukas’s name on the screen and shut off the phone. ‘Come on, PC Hackert,’ I said. ‘Let’s catch ourselves a killer.’ I got out of the car and started marching to the front door. A moment later, Fred followed.

  At the doorstep, I pulled on a pair of gloves. One of the uniformed officers walked up and gave me a respectful nod. To my eyes, he looked terribly young with his short brown hair, dark, unblemished complexion and earnest expression. ‘Ma’am,’ he said, ‘a forensics team will be here shortly.’

  ‘Good to know,’ I said. ‘Have you spoken to the neighbours?’

  ‘We’ve canvassed this street and the one behind it where the garage is. He’s been described as a polite man who keeps himself to himself.’

  I was unsurprised. I didn’t know much about Ted, but everything indicated that he was a loner who was intelligent enough to keep up appearances and not draw any undue suspicion. ‘Do we have a full name yet?’

  ‘Edward Nappey. Next door reckons he’s been at this address for almost ten years.’ He consulted his notes. ‘He purchased a leasehold on the garage two years ago. The seller is living in Thailand, but we’ve contacted him in case anything turns up.’

  ‘Good work.’ I smiled. ‘I appreciate all your efforts. Supe Squad will take things from here. I’ll speak to your superior about making sure there are eyes on both properties for the next few days in case Nappey comes back. For now, you can stand down.’

  ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ He didn’t move.

  ‘Was there something else?’ I asked.

  He shuffled his feet. ‘I thought I’d take this opportunity to ask if there are any openings at Supe Squad.’ He shot Fred a guilty look. ‘If there are, I’d be interested in transferring.’

  I blinked; I certainly hadn’t expected that. ‘I don’t believe there are any vacancies at the moment. We’re a small team.’ Tiny, in fact. ‘But email your details and I’ll bear you in mind if anything turns up.’