by Helen Harper
Timmons looked startled. ‘She swallowed it? Goodness. She is rather reckless but that takes the biscuit. No wonder things have turned out as they have.’
Monroe loomed over him, bristling with barely contained rage. ‘It didn’t stop my pack being slaughtered. It didn’t stop the city ending up like a warzone.’
‘But her actions will have been what contained the magic within Manchester. She really did save the world. Go, Madrona.’ Timmons still appeared stunned by the revelation.
‘It still doesn’t explain why you didn’t vanish with the rest of the faeries,’ I said.
He gave an awkward shrug. ‘I wanted to stay here. I desperately wanted to stay here. Maybe my own inherent magic made it happen. I can’t begin to explain it. There’s not a guide book for dealing with events like this.’
I licked my lips. ‘Are things going back to normal? Will Manchester be like it used to be?’
Timmons shook his head. ‘There’s too much magic still here and no one left who has the capability to disperse it. When the sphere was triggered, Madrona prevented the world from being destroyed but I’m guessing she couldn’t act quickly enough to save Manchester itself. All this,’ he said, stretching his arm out to indicate the city outside, ‘all this is here to stay.’
It was what I’d been expecting, but I wasn’t entirely sure how it made me feel.
Monroe stiffened suddenly. I also tensed, preparing for him to attack the hapless faery again. Instead, Monroe’s head swivelled and he jumped to his feet. ‘Someone is approaching,’ he said in a low voice. ‘A lot of someones.’
‘My doors are open to all,’ Timmons said. ‘I’ve made that clear. You two are still welcome to stay as well. Even after all your unnecessary threats. In fact—’
‘Shut up.’
Several shapes appeared in front of the hotel’s main doors. They hovered there for a second then flung them open. Framed perfectly, with the sun behind him, stood the heart-sinkingly familiar figure of Max. There was a large crowd of both teenage and adult minions at his back. ‘Well, well, well,’ he boomed. ‘So this is the place to be.’
I sprang to my feet. What was Max doing here? He always seemed to turn up at the worst possible time. I’d assumed he was still busy ransacking as many supermarkets as possible; I couldn’t begin to imagine what he’d want in a Travotel.
His gaze swept over our little group. When his eyes landed on me, his smile widened. ‘We have unfinished business, Charley. How handy that you keep turning up in the same places that I do.’
‘I might say the same,’ I managed.
‘Tell me,’ he murmured, ‘what exactly was it that you did at the supermarket? I’m … intrigued as to how all this stuff,’ he waved a hand around, ‘has affected you personally.’
I shrugged. ‘I guess you were bowled over by my presence.’
Max snorted.
‘Charlotte,’ Monroe growled. ‘Who is this?’
Max looked at him, his lip curling scornfully though I didn’t miss the flash in his eyes that suggested the werewolf’s dominant manner scared him. ‘Maximillian Stone,’ he drawled. ‘At your service.’
Monroe matched Max’s oozing derision sneer for sneer. ‘Oh. I’ve heard of you. Somehow I thought you’d be taller.’
Max sniffed. ‘I’ve not heard of you. Why don’t you introduce us, Charley?’
‘Leave her out of this,’ Monroe snapped.
I wasn’t sure what irritated me more: Max’s attempts at intimidation or Monroe’s need to try and protect me.
Before I could say anything, Timmons coughed pointedly. ‘Would anyone like some tea? I have an old gas stove in the back. I can brew us all a cuppa in a jiffy. Unless you’re here to check in?’
Everyone ignored him, causing Timmons’ cheeks to blush with a spreading rose hue.
‘Charley?’ Max prodded. ‘You two are obviously in some sort of close relationship. If you’ve found the love of your life amongst the rubble of Manchester, I’d like to know about it.’ He gestured at us. ‘You’re both so desperately in love that you’re even wearing matching outfits.’ He smirked. ‘I’m more of a City man, myself,’ he purred, referencing Manchester’s other famous football team.
I raised my chin and stepped forward. ‘This is Monroe. He’s…’ I hesitated. I didn’t want to give Max more information than was absolutely necessary. Revealing that Monroe was a werewolf would come under that headline. ‘He’s very powerful. And strong.’
Monroe stiffened. Max looked interested. ‘Really?’
‘Would you like a demonstration?’ Monroe enquired, ice dripping from every word. Even in his human form, the predator within him was suddenly visible.
Max glanced back at his henchmen, all of whom were staring at Monroe with wide eyes. I noted that they were keeping their distance. I wasn’t sure whether that was because of what I’d done to them in the supermarket or they were following Max’s lead. Either way, I was grateful for it. It meant there was still some wiggle room to extricate ourselves from this situation without a stupid fight.
I lifted my hands and waved my fingers. Several of Max’s henchmen pulled back. This was suddenly almost fun.
Max folded his arms and pointedly ignored me, but I knew from the faint tug of muscle above his eyebrow that he’d registered my unspoken threat. ‘You do have a certain je ne sais quoi,’ he murmured to Monroe. ‘I could use you. Why don’t you come join us? I’ll give you all the blue-haired women your heart desires.’
Monroe’s body quivered. He stared Max down, his blue eyes fixed on him. For a long moment nothing seemed to happen then Max looked away. ‘I’ll take that as a no then.’ He glanced at me. ‘Another time, Charley.’ He turned on his heel and followed the rest of his group out of the hotel door.
I exhaled. That could have been far, far worse. All the same, despite the peaceful ending, I still felt uneasy. Somehow I didn’t think Max was going to stroll away quite as easily as that.
Monroe snorted mildly. ‘He’s a bully,’ he said ‘but he doesn’t have any real power. We don’t have to worry about him.’
My uneasiness grew. ‘He’s not going to run away and hide under the nearest rock. Max doesn’t work like that. He’s calculating and clever and he doesn’t let others get the upper hand.’
‘Except,’ Monroe said dismissively, ‘I just did. That man is nothing. There are other things that are far scarier and more powerful than he is.’ He grinned without a trace of humour. ‘Like me.’
Timmons twisted his hands together. ‘Why did he come here?’
Good question. ‘He’s bad news,’ I said. ‘And you can guarantee that he was here for a reason. You probably don’t want to find out what that reason is. I strongly recommend that you leave this place. You can come with us. There are plenty of empty houses in my street – you and your guests can take your pick.’ I nodded. ‘Safety in numbers.’
‘He is not coming with us.’ Monroe glared at me. ‘He’s a faery. We can’t trust him.’
‘Of course he can come. He can do whatever he wants.’
‘His kind are responsible for all the shit that has happened here.’
‘Which,’ I argued, ‘probably makes him the most useful person to have around for all the shit that’s still going to happen. Besides, we can’t turn people away. We’re all in this together.’
‘No, we’re not. Don’t be so fucking ridiculous. We have to look after ourselves. We can’t worry about the rest of the world at the same time.’
A door at the far end of the lobby opened. ‘Has there been some kind of trouble?’ asked a nervous voice. ‘We saw that group of people approach and then leave again. They looked … scary.’
‘Everything is fine,’ Timmons said. He looked and sounded as if everything was very far from fine.
I looked at the group of people. There were at least twenty of them and most were pale faced and bedraggled.
Not all of them though. ‘Valerie?’ I asked.
The older
woman adjusted her fur stole and smiled at me. ‘Charley! What a pleasure. How are you, dear?’
Anyone would think we’d bumped into each other at a garden party. I managed to avoid rolling my eyes. ‘Fine,’ I said. ‘You?’
‘Well, Arthur cleaned me out the other night so I’ve been better. And all the craziness out there is most worrying. Generally, however, I’m doing very well.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Annoying as the woman could be, it was rather nice to see a familiar face.
She flicked an interested look at Monroe. ‘Nice to see such a handsome specimen of a man with you. Tell me,’ she asked, ‘do you demand that he dresses the same as you? You do both look rather cute.’
Monroe folded his arms. ‘Unbelievable.’
Valerie smiled. ‘I was teaching these other fine people the rudiments of bridge,’ she said. ‘Would you like to join us for a game? You’re both very welcome.’
‘Now isn’t really a good time,’ I replied.
Valerie’s eyes gleamed. ‘The stakes are high. There’s a thousand-pound minimum buy in.’
Money wasn’t going to do any of us any good, not now. Not here. ‘No,’ I said flatly.
‘If you don’t have the money, you can stake him,’ she said, pointing at Monroe. ‘He’s got to be worth at least a grand.’
Suddenly, her offer was rather tempting. I tried not to smile and focused on what was important. ‘Thank you but no.’ I looked at Timmons. ‘You should come with us. You should all come with us.’
Timmons straightened his shoulders and met my gaze. ‘Madrona taught me to stand up for myself. These good people are free to go wherever they please but this is my hotel and I am not leaving it. No matter who comes calling.’ He took a nervous sidestep away from Monroe as he spoke, but I had to admire the man for not yielding completely.
‘I’m not going to force you,’ I told him, while Monroe huffed in irritation. ‘But all of you should know that staying here is dangerous. We should be together. My area has lots of space and plenty of comfortable houses. Anyone who wishes to come with us can come with us. I live on Curledge Street.’
‘For fuck’s sake,’ Monroe muttered.
‘We can protect you,’ I said.
‘No,’ Monroe said. ‘We can’t.’
I drew in a deep breath and tilted my head back, looking at the glass chandelier that hung over our heads. Then I raised my hand and concentrated on the tingle in my fingers. A moment later, the entire contraption came crashing down to the ground, sending glass flying in all directions. Oops. I’d only meant to jiggle it a bit.
Valerie shook off the shards that had landed in her hair and gazed at me while the others squealed and leapt backwards. ‘That wasn’t altogether reassuring.’
I gritted my teeth. ‘I was proving a point,’ I said. ‘I’ve got magic. Magic that can keep you all safe.’
Timmons stared at the mess on his once-gleaming lobby floor. ‘Was that really necessary?’
Monroe took my elbow and steered me towards the door. ‘We are leaving,’ he said.
‘The offer’s still there!’ I yelled over my shoulder. ‘You’re all welcome to join us!’
‘Charlotte,’ Monroe murmured, ‘no one is going to want to join us. You destroyed that hotel.’
‘All I did was damage a light fitting,’ I told him starchily. ‘We’ll check on you in a day or two,’ I called back before the door closed behind us. ‘You can still change your minds.’
Monroe sighed and ran a hand through his hair. ‘Heaven help them.’
Chapter Seventeen
Monroe remained pissed off for the whole journey back to my house. His anger was there in every line of his body. He stopped off at the first clothing store along the way and picked up something new to wear – tight jeans and a white T-shirt that moulded themselves to his body irritatingly well and did nothing to mask the stiff tension in his muscles and spine.
It was only when we finally drove into my neighbourhood that he chose to speak. ‘I understand,’ he said, with apparent difficulty, ‘that you want to help people. It’s a commendable intention. But these aren’t normal times, Charley. When the city is finally closed off for good tonight, those left behind are going to doubt their decision to stay. They’re going to panic and they’re going to fight. By encouraging others to join you, you’re putting everyone else in danger. It’s far safer to look after yourself. Lawlessness is going to rule and survival will be the name of the game.’
I pursed my lips. ‘I’m pretty certain that, by its very definition, lawlessness can’t rule,’ I told him. ‘Lawlessness means there are no rules. You’re not making any sense. Besides, you’re wrong. This is when everyone will pull together. Everyone who’s stayed behind has the shared experience of refusing to evacuate. We’re already a community, whether you like it or not.’
‘You’re inviting trouble by inviting others into your home. You can’t look after everyone. You have to look after yourself,’ he repeated.
I sighed. ‘Aren’t wolves supposed to be pack animals?’
Monroe was silent for a moment. ‘Yes,’ he said finally. ‘And look how that turned out.’
I winced. But as much as the man was still grieving, and as much pain as he was in, I couldn’t let his emotions dictate my future. I’d try to help him like I’d try to help anyone else, but there were limits.
The conversation stalled at the sight of Lizzy, Julie, Jodie – and various others – in the street outside our house. I breathed out, relieved that they were all in one piece. It didn’t look as if anyone had vampire bite marks.
‘Who the fuck are all those people?’ Monroe sniped.
‘I don’t know. But gee, look, they’re all helping move supplies into the houses.’ I blinked, wide-eyed and innocent. ‘They look like nice, helpful new neighbours. They don’t look dangerous to me.’
Monroe hissed through his teeth. ‘Yet,’ he said. ‘They don’t look dangerous yet.’
‘Pessimism is destructive.’
‘Optimism is weak,’ he shot back. He pulled up alongside them and turned off the engine. There was such raw pain in his words that I wondered if he felt that optimism had been his downfall. Optimism and arrogance.
‘You don’t have to stick around,’ I told him quietly. ‘There’s still plenty of time to leave Manchester.’ Strangely, I didn’t want him to go. He was annoying and far too taken with himself, but I quite liked having him around. But I wouldn’t stand in his way if leaving was the best thing for him to do.
‘I will leave when I choose.’ His mouth drew into a tight line, indicating that the conversation was over. We climbed out of the car.
Lizzy was already laughing at us. ‘A Smart car? Is that the best transport you could come up with?’
‘We had some trouble along the way.’ I smiled. ‘I’m glad to see that you guys are alright though.’ I nodded at Julie, who was signing an autograph for two young men who appeared giddy with excitement at being in her presence. ‘Any trouble?’
Lizzy shook her head. ‘She’s been good as gold. We grabbed the last of the blood supplies from the hospital, so she’s all filled up for now. Though if she’s going to stay with us, we’re going to need a better long-term solution.’
I grimaced. Yeah, we were. If only to keep Monroe quiet, we’d need a proper way to contain the vampire actress. And feed her.
Cath popped her head out of the door. ‘Hey!’ she said cheerily. ‘Good to see you’re back. Nothing happened here. I could easily have gone with you.’
‘Well,’ I said, ‘I almost got eaten by a swampy monster that’s now living in the canal, Monroe almost killed the last faery in Manchester and we bumped into Max. So perhaps it was wise that you stayed put.’
She blanched. ‘Oh.’
Monroe glared. ‘I didn’t almost kill the last faery in Manchester. I wanted to.’ He sniffed. ‘But I didn’t.’
Lizzy looked at me. ‘Are you alright?’
I nodded. ‘Fine.
But I don’t think that Julie is the only person we have to worry about. We’re going to need to deal with Max properly or sooner or later he’s going to deal with us.’ My tone was ominous. It was meant to be. I sighed. ‘Anyway, where did all these people come from?’
She grinned. ‘We picked them up along the way. Most of them are on their own, so it seemed like a good plan to let them join us.’ She sent me a sudden, anxious look. ‘That’s okay, right?’
I grinned back. ‘That’s wonderful.’
Monroe rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t blame me when you’re all slaughtered in your sleep.’ Giving Julie a wide berth, he stomped off to help carry in the last of the supplies. There was a lot of work still be done, in every sense of the word.
***
There is a lot to be said for possessing an analytical mind, capable of sizing up a gambling table in one sweep. Before too long, I had everyone organised. With Cath’s help, Lizzy made a list of all the nearby houses, investigating their suitability and parcelling them out to our new arrivals. Each household received a care package to tide them over for the next few weeks, and tasks were doled out to ensure that we were less likely to run into trouble later down the line.
Now that we had more souls, the concerns I had about securing enough rations seemed less of an issue. I sent out everyone who was able to procure various items. By tacit agreement within our original group, the secret supply stashes we’d created were kept quiet, to be used at a later date if there were emergencies. In less than a couple of hours, it felt like everything was moving like a well-oiled machine. Of course, none of that made Monroe happy.
There were several minor injuries to attend to. Every time Julie glanced at one of the wounded survivors, I felt a nervous tug in the pit of my stomach. The blood that she’d taken from the hospital seemed to have satiated her – for now at least. Her benign expression didn’t quell my fears, but it was pleasing to see that the actress was capable of pulling her weight. With the sun sinking down over the horizon, she felt more confident strolling around the street and helping out. She spent considerable time kitting out a makeshift clinic where Cath could dress the worst of the wounds. While it probably wasn’t a coincidence that the vampire decided to volunteer at the one place where she’d come across more blood, her eagerness to help was satisfying.