by Helen Harper
She screws up her face. ‘What?’
‘Tell me the name of one member.’
‘You’re crazy.’ She pulls against Hope’s grip. ‘You’re both absolutely insane.’
Hope keeps her attention on me. ‘What are you thinking, Bo?’
Butterflies flap at the corners of my stomach. ‘That there’s only one person who can tell us exactly what’s going on here.’
And he’s the last person in the world I want to ask for help.
***
‘Are you sure about this?’ O’Shea asks, his orange pupils dilated. I’ve never seen him so scared. He’s not the only one quaking in his boots.
‘No,’ I answer honestly, staring at the imposing façade of X’s building. ‘Just keep an eye out for that damned female daemon. If any of us starts acting strangely or out of character then…’ My voice trails off.
‘Then what? We bop them on the head? I don’t think that’s much of a solution.’
I look at Millicent, who’s being held in his arms. ‘There’s no choice.’
‘There is if she’s just a fourteen-year-old girl. Admittedly, a weirdly dressed fourteen-year-old girl whose parents need to be called immediately but,’ he purses his lips, ‘teenagers are weird by definition.’
‘You’re the one who thought there was something strange about her,’ I point out.
‘True. I still think you should have told that witch to stick around, though. We could have used her as bait.’
‘Hope doesn’t need to prove herself any more than she already has,’ I say firmly. ‘And she says she had things to do. Keeping her as a hostage is getting stupid.’ Strange as it seems, it feels good that the cold war I’ve been fighting with the black witches all my life seems to be at an end.
A van pulls up next to us and my grandfather, Rogu3 and Maria get out. ‘Hello, my dear,’ my grandfather says. He walks up to Millicent and circles her. ‘How interesting.’ He takes her chin and stares into her eyes. ‘Hmm.’
‘I looked up that old guy for you,’ Rogu3 says. ‘Alice’s neighbour. He’s not in a home or anything like that. He’s dead. He was killed in a hit and run.’
‘When?’
‘Less than a week after he gave a statement to the police about seeing aliens abduct her.’
‘How convenient,’ I murmur. ‘Thanks for that.’
Rogu3 bobs his head in satisfaction. ‘I’m making progress with Hale, too. I can’t break all his passwords yet because he’s spending a lot of time out of the office right now. I’m getting close though. I’m inside his system.’
‘You and me both,’ I say. Rogu3 looks at me quizzically but I wave in dismissal. ‘Maria?’
She edges forward. I point at Millicent. ‘Do you know her?’ I ask. ‘Do you recognise her?’
Maria swallows and looks. She takes her time, examining Millicent carefully. ‘I think yes. Not like this. Before she is more…’ She looks upwards, searching for the right word.
‘Messy?’
Maria nods. I exhale. It seems like my suspicions are correct. I’d really hoped I was wrong.
‘What?’ Millicent gabbles. Her fear is growing more palpable. ‘I don’t know this girl! I don’t know who any of you people are but you have to let me go!’
I ignore her and focus on my grandfather. ‘Thanks for coming. I know it was a long way. You’d better take Maria and Rogu3 back now. Take O’Shea too.’
Rogu3’s mouth drops open. ‘What? We didn’t come all this way just to say hello and then be taken back home again. Fuck’s sake, Bo.’
‘Don’t swear. And you know it’s too dangerous.’ I look at Bruckheimer and Berryhill’s glossy building as if I’m expecting to see Madame Kakos daemon appear at any moment.
Maria licks her lips. ‘Not for me.’
‘Yes, for you. Thanks for coming. Please leave.’
She glances at my grandfather. He nods, his expression sombre. ‘Go on.’
My eyes narrow. ‘What?’
‘It’s for the best, my dear.’
Maria looks at me defiantly. ‘Is my idea.’
A chill descends down my spine. ‘You’d better not be suggesting what I think you are.’
She pulls up her sleeve and thrusts out her arm. ‘Take blood.’
‘Maria’s Romany heritage means that the Kakos daemons are unable to read her mind, manipulate her thoughts or generally use telepathic means to control her in any way, shape or form.’
I’d been starting to suspect as much. While it’s nice to be right, it doesn’t stop my uneasiness from growing.
My grandfather continues. ‘If you drink from her, you should be able to shield your own mind. Her platelets will last at least a couple of hours in your system.’
I grit my teeth. ‘She’s a child.’
‘She’s fully aware of what she’s doing, Bo.’
‘She’s my friend. And my responsibility.’ I fold my arms. ‘No way.’
‘Do it.’ Maria’s voice is quiet but insistent. ‘I want you do it.’
‘No,’ I say. ‘You don’t.’ I think of O’Shea’s revelation about how it made Connor feel when I drank from him and shudder. Hell, no. She deserves better. I spin round and try to walk away but Maria skirts round in front and blocks my path. She holds her arm out once more. ‘This for Alice.’
Millicent gags. ‘This is disgusting. You are all disgusting.’
‘Shut up, Millie.’ She flinches and looks away while I shake my head firmly. ‘It’s not happening.’
Rogu3 snorts. ‘Told you she wouldn’t do it.’
I meet my grandfather’s eyes. ‘It’s called morality,’ I tell him. ‘Remember?’
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns round and retrieves something from the van. When I see what’s in his hands, I glare at him.
‘You can throw me all the dirty looks you want, my dear, but this is for all our safety. We can’t have him planting thoughts in your mind.’ He holds up a blood bag. ‘Maria decanted this for us on the way here. It’s about as fresh as you’re likely to get.’
My glare intensifies. ‘So she’s already lost blood and you were suggesting she lose even more?’
He smiles disarmingly. ‘I knew you’d refuse.’ He waggles the blood in my face. ‘This is the compromise. It’s already out of Maria’s system. Not using it would be a stupid waste.’
I curse aloud. ‘Who needs Kakos daemons to manipulate my mind when you’re around?’ I take the bag from him then I point at Maria. ‘If you ever do this again, I will ground you for the rest of your life.’
A giggle escapes her as if the very idea is absurd. ‘Sure.’
‘I’m glad someone finds this funny,’ I huff.
‘Stop complaining, Bo,’ my grandfather orders. ‘And get a move on. We’re very visible out here.’ His warning is clear. We have no idea when X’s friend/boss/nemesis is going to show up again. I hiss in annoyance, tear the edge of the bag with my teeth then start to drink.
Maria’s blood tingles on my tongue. It’s not like anything I’ve tasted before. I can tell she’s O negative but it’s as if there’s something else there too, like Tabasco or a dash of paprika. I only intend to take a few small sips but once I start, and the warm salty liquid slides with such ease down my throat, it’s difficult to stop. When I finally pull the bag away from my mouth, I’m breathing heavily.
‘Do you feel any different?’ Rogu3 asks curiously.
Everyone is watching me; even Millicent appears to have set aside her fear and is staring. I start to shake my head then realise that I do feel different. Lightheaded and almost … dizzy. I blink a few times but the feeling doesn’t subside.
‘That’s bloody weird,’ I mutter.
There’s a shout from further down the street and we all freeze in alarm. I whip my head round, only relaxing when I see a bloke in a suit run to catch up with another man. They both look human; I hope they are anyway.
‘Get back to base,’ I say to everyone. ‘Now.’ I glance a
t the almost empty bag in my hands then toss it to Hope. ‘Don’t let that out of your sight.’
She frowns but nods. As soon as they’ve all piled back into the van and driven off, I take a deep breath. It’s time to face the real monster.
There’s no alarm when Millicent and I enter the building. There are no doormen or security cameras or welcome mats; in fact, there’s nothing apart from a rather grubby floor and a single lift. I suppose X is so powerful that he doesn’t need to protect himself. There’s a quiet whoosh and the LED numbers displayed above the lift door start to decrease. Someone is on their way down. I hold my ground. I’m not scared. I’m not scared. I’m not scared.
Millicent squeaks, ‘I don’t like this. Tell me what you want and I’ll do it. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.’
If I thought for one minute that I could trust her, I’d take her arm and run out of here. But I’m doing this for Alice and for Maria and for all those children who’ve ended up goodness knows where. I don’t know whether drinking Maria’s blood is going to work or not, but this might be my only chance to attack X and get away with it. Once I’ve finished questioning him, of course.
The doors open. X glides out, wearing his natural daemon face and a black, funereal suit. He adjusts his cuffs and smiles while Millicent cowers. ‘Hello, Bo.’
I watch his tattoos writhe and twist across his skin. ‘Does that itch?’ I ask with detached curiosity.
He continues to smile. My fists curl without me realising and he starts to laugh. ‘I might not be able to read your thoughts,’ he says while I hold my breath and hope he’s telling the truth, ‘but you still give yourself away.’ He steps closer. ‘How badly do you want me dead?’
‘Let’s just say I’m imagining your bloody entrails decorating this floor.’ I look around. ‘It would be an improvement.’
‘I saved Michael for you.’
‘You manipulated me. You worked with your buddies to commit genocide.’
‘The Families deserved it.’
My gaze doesn’t flicker. ‘No, they didn’t.’
Millicent struggles against my hold. ‘What the goddamn hell is going here? Let me go! I demand you let me go!’
X raises an eyebrow. ‘The lady demands.’
‘Bully for her.’
‘Always the tough façade, little Bo.’ X reaches out and caresses my face. I will myself not to flinch but it takes almost everything I have. ‘I’ve missed you. I had hoped we could stay friends.’
I stare. ‘You’re insane.’
He sighs. ‘I tried to protect you. I shielded you as best I could. You’re still alive.’
‘Am I supposed to be grateful, you wanker?’ I snarl.
He winces. ‘There’s no need for such language.’
I bare my fangs and lunge forward, dragging Millicent with me. X sidesteps. ‘I’m not all bad, Bo,’ he says softly, his mellifluous voice trying to seduce me into relaxing.
I concentrate. I’m going to kick you where it hurts, I think, broadcasting my thoughts as best as I can. Then I do just that. My foot connects with his hard body. He turns just in time to avoid getting caught in the groin but he still expels a satisfying oomph.
‘That was unnecessary,’ he grimaces.
He might be bluffing, there’s no way of telling for sure. Still, I think that Maria’s blood might be working. ‘Where’s your boss?’ I ask. ‘The woman.’
His grimace deepens. ‘I am sorry that she attacked you.’
‘Is she the one who messed with my mind?’
X inclines his head. ‘Yes.’
‘Have you ever done that?’
‘No.’ He doesn’t qualify his response but for some reason I believe him. There’s something about his tone of voice. Or maybe I’m just an idiot.
‘I don’t know what the hell is going on here,’ Millicent shrieks. ‘But you need to…’
‘Let you go,’ I finish for her. ‘So you keep saying.’ I thrust her forward into X’s face. ‘Tell me what she is.’
A smile plays around his lips. ‘You’re asking me for a favour. What do I get in return?’
I ignore every atom in my body that tells me to smash his stupid, handsome face in. ‘You get me not killing you.’
He eyes me with interest. ‘You think you could?’
‘If you can’t read my mind, you don’t know what move I’m about to pull,’ I growl, my desire for violence throbbing through every word. ‘For once the playing field is level.’
X shakes his head sadly. ‘I’ll still beat you.’
Millicent gapes. ‘She’s a freaking bloodguzzler! You can’t beat her. She’s got preternatural strength. Plus, she’s obviously a maniac.’
I swing towards the teenager. ‘What do you see when you look at him? What is he?’
She tries again to pull away from me. ‘What is wrong with you?’
I watch her flailing movements then I smile. He wasn’t lying before then. ‘Maria’s blood. It really is working. You’re glamoured up and that’s all Millicent can see. I, on the other hand, can’t see your glamour because of Maria’s magic. The magic that’s now in me.’ My smile broadens.
X doesn’t disagree. ‘It’s only temporary, Bo. I wouldn’t get too excited. Not unless you’re going to drag Maria around and keep drinking from her every couple of hours.’
‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,’ I tell him. I still can’t keep the smile off my face. I point to Millicent once more. ‘For old times’ sake. What is she?’
‘You already know.’
‘Spell it out for me.’
X regards me silently for a moment. ‘Very well, I will. But only because it’s the right thing to do. And because no matter what you think of me, I do like you, Bo.’
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to sod off but I remind myself that this is more important than my need for revenge.
Millicent, for her part, is starting to realise that things aren’t going in her favour. ‘What’s happening here? I’m going to sue the shit out of both of you! When my lawyers get involved, you’ll be sorry you ever laid eyes on me!’
X glances at me. ‘Methinks the lady doth protest too much.’
For once I agree. ‘Come on, X,’ I say. ‘Enlighten me. Who is this?’
‘Her name is not Millicent Beatty. It’s Mildred.’
Mildred? I shoot her a look. ‘Poor you.’
She swallows and stares at him. ‘No, I’m not! I don’t know any Mildred! I’m Millicent!’
X doesn’t pay her any attention. ‘She’s seventy-seven years old. This is not her original body; that lies somewhere else. This body was stolen from its original occupier. I can’t tell you who it was because no vestiges of that person remain. She paid a considerable amount of money, both for the body and the procedure.’
I forget to breathe. I’d started to suspect this much but I hadn’t been sure. It’s not mind-wiping or brainwashing or anything like that; it’s bodysnatching. That’s why all those children disappeared, because a bunch of wrinkly rich people wanted to live longer. Disgust courses through me.
‘How could you do this?’ I whisper.
Millicent/Mildred stares at me and I think she’s going to continue to protest her innocence. Instead, she sags against my grip. ‘Like you could ask that,’ she sneers. ‘You’re a vampire. You live four lifetimes. We humans only get one. I don’t have to drink blood to survive. Other people don’t get hurt because I live a bit longer. Not like in your case.’
And she thinks I’m a maniac? ‘What about the child whose body you took? What about her?’
She looks away. ‘She’ll get her body back one day.’
I doubt that will ever happen but I fix on her statement. ‘So it’s reversible? Whatever you did?’
She presses her lips together, making it clear that she’s not going to say anything else. I’m tempted to thump her ‒ but it’s not her body I’d be thumping. Instead, I glance questioningly at X.
‘It
’s not a procedure I’m familiar with but there’s no reason why it wouldn’t be reversible. All you would need to do is to find her original body. That’ll be where this body’s soul is being housed.’
‘Soul?’
He shrugs elegantly. ‘For want of a better word. And before you ask, no, Mildred here doesn’t know where it is.’
‘Who does?’
‘I don’t know.’
I take a threatening step towards him. ‘X…’
He holds up his hands. ‘I don’t know because she doesn’t know. Her contacts were removed when her swap was completed.’ He smiles without humour. ‘She was blindfolded every time she visited their premises. Apparently the outfit who do this work on a need-to-know basis.’
‘How did she hear about them in the first place?’
‘Friend of a friend. That trail is cold.’ He regards me calmly. ‘Not all of the transitions were successful.’
I feel sick. Transitions? I shake my head. ‘It all makes sense. Kids like Maria, who no one would ever miss, were snatched or sold or trafficked or whatever, and then their bodies were used for people like … her. Alice Goldman doesn’t fit though. She had a family. Her disappearance was big news.’
‘I can’t help you with that.’
I snort. ‘Fat lot of good you are.’
‘I think I’ve helped you out rather a lot.’
My lip curls. ‘Yeah. Whatever.’
‘Your gratitude is truly heart-warming.’
My face twists. ‘You’re still alive, aren’t you?’ I consider my options. With Mildred in tow, I’m not sure I can do anything about X. I can’t keep hold of her and kill him at the same time. Save the innocent or kill the guilty? It’s no choice. Shame, though. Still, I can always come back.
I move up until my face is in his. ‘I know your weak spot now,’ I say. ‘Don’t think that your help today has changed anything between us. I’m still going to destroy you.’
X’s expression is surprisingly rueful. ‘I think you’ll have to get in line.’ He grabs my arm. ‘Don’t underestimate the others, Bo. They desperately want to be rid of all the vampires and they don’t like losing.’
‘You’re hiding here, aren’t you? Hiding from them. Your buddies,’ I sneer.
His response is simple. ‘Protecting you cost me.’
