by Lucy Inglis
‘Are you okay?’ Do they even understand language?
The mothwing began to sob. Lily hunkered down on her heels and reached out, patting her shoulder carefully. She saw that one wing was broken and painfully torn.
‘Look, I have to go. But maybe you could come with me?’
The mothwing buried her face in her filthy knees and carried on crying. Lily unshouldered her bag and opened it out, putting it on the ground. When the mothwing ignored it, Lily shortened the strap and then pushed her into the bag. After a few shoves, the mothwing understood and curled into the canvas. Lily stood, slinging the bag across her chest and carefully holding the little body against her, avoiding the damaged wing concealed beneath the flap of the material. She looked like any other teenage mother on the street, she realised. Apart from the mothwing’s dirty hair.
She hurried away. Five minutes later she arrived at the bookshop and let herself in. Lucas was sitting behind the counter, reading. He looked up.
‘Miss Hilyard?’
‘It’s just Lily,’ she smiled.
‘Lily,’ he said. ‘How may I help? You’ve just missed Regan. I believe he was on his way back to the Rookery. To meet . . . you.’
She came and perched on the edge of a hard wooden chair near his desk, putting her bag between them. ‘Yes, I know. I’m on my way there now. But look what I found. I thought you might be able to help.’
His eyebrows rose fractionally as the mothwing emerged from the bag. He clicked his tongue. ‘You poor thing.’
Elijah emerged from the corridor that led to a group of shelves marked Grand Tour, Italy.
The mothwing looked disorientated. Lucas’s thin hands took her shoulders, examining the torn wing. ‘I wonder how this happened. They do fight sometimes.’ He said something to the creature. Miserably, she looked up and chattered back.
‘What’s she saying?’ Lily asked.
‘That men came. With nets and wheels.’ Lucas shook his head. ‘They’re very simple creatures. But at least now we know that it is men taking them. It must be the Agency. The mothwings are disappearing so quickly now.’
Elijah frowned. ‘But what use are mothwings? They can’t even fly.’
‘This will heal,’ Lucas said absently, thinking.
‘Good,’ said Lily.
‘As will your face, I assume,’ Elijah said.
‘I’m hoping so,’ Lily told him. ‘Or my father may never let me leave the flat again.’
‘That would be a shame. You have the most remarkable face.’
She looked at him, surprised. ‘Thank you.’
‘Most welcome. We imagined you would be beautiful. The ones they end up with always are. We hadn’t expected you to be quite so fragile, but . . .’
‘Will you people please stop telling me I’m too small and breakable?’ Lily exclaimed. ‘It’s getting really old.’
Lucas watched her for a moment. ‘Regan told me about Hori. His death is a sad loss to the community, but I am glad, at least, that we know the Guardians’ prophecy is real.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘Hori.’ Lucas frowned. ‘That’s what he— oh, he hasn’t told you.’
Lily set her chin. ‘Told me what?’
‘There had been predictions, of course,’ he went on, ‘little more than rumours. The chance that you would end up, quite literally, on his doorstep, seemed remote. But such is the way of things in our world. What is meant to be, is.’
Lily frowned, suspicious. ‘What do you mean, meant to be?’
‘The two of you. You and him. The prophecy.’ Elijah’s voice was quiet.
Lily held up one hand. ‘Whoa, okay, just stop. Prophecies are starting to pile up here. That he would save my life, yes. Got that one. That we are about to start a war – that I like less, but got it.’ She looked at them, wary. ‘You’re telling me there’s more?’
‘He’s told you about your blood?’
Lily nodded. ‘Yes. His blood and mine are compatible, which is weird, as my blood isn’t compatible with anyone else’s at all.’
‘What else did he tell you?’ Lucas spun the globe gently, his eyes on her.
‘I . . . er . . .’ She looked at him for help.
He sat forward, steepling his fingers. ‘He’s a halfbreed, Miss Hilyard.’
‘Yes.’
‘Half Eldritche and half – what, do you think, exactly?’
‘Human?’ Lily perked up. ‘He’s half human?’
‘Yes. He’s viewed as a bastard by most of our community. The halfbreed.’
Lily raised an eyebrow. ‘Something’s telling me you didn’t get the memo about bigotry being very uncool.’
Elijah ignored her. ‘His kind are the only Eldritche who take human wives. Women with your blood type.’
‘Go easy! We’ve only just met. No one is getting marri—’
‘No, you are not. Because he will give his life to save you, in blood and fire, so that you can restore the City’s balance and end the Chaos War. The final two parts of the same prophecy. They’re not different – they’re all parts of the same one.
Lily pushed to her feet, slamming her fist down on the table. ‘NO!’ The talisman jumped on the leather. Lucas pointed to it.
‘The fact that he gave you that proves that he knew,’ he said, his voice tinged with sadness. ‘He can give it only once.’
‘We’re just teenagers.’ It was all Lily could think to say.
Elijah patted the little mothwing’s head. ‘And we were dead at twenty, Miss Hilyard. We must all play the cards we are dealt. Regan has accepted it. His tattoo – the fire consuming him – do you know how long it took?’
‘Three weeks.’
‘Three weeks of having his fate printed on to his skin.’
‘Please. Stop. You’re making out as if this is it! Have we no choice in any of this?’
‘There’s always a choice,’ he said, making it sound as if there were really no choice at all.
‘I have to go.’ She shook her head.
Lucas got to his feet as well. As Lily reached the door, he spoke again, almost hesitantly. ‘Neither of us had the chance to have children of our own . . . never had the chance to try, even. Many of our kind think that he cannot be hurt. Over the years we have come to know only too well how hurt he can be.’ He tried to smile. ‘Be kind, Lily Hilyard, in what time there is left.’
Lily began to run.
She pounded to Bow Lane, head down, slamming through a group of office workers gathered outside the old wooden pub in the heart of the street, shouting apologies, running on and hooking left into the alley. Bursting through the gate, she ran up the switchback stairs, grabbing the worn wooden railings. On the second floor, a door stood open.
Lily stopped, heart thumping, and pushed at the frost-rimed wood. It creaked back on its hinges. Inside, a large flat spread out, echoing with cold. There was a bright kitchen off to the right. Lily could see a row of mugs hanging from hooks. One missing. Closer, a round table with three chairs, and space for one more. There were photographs on a sideboard. To the left, a beaten-up old sofa, covered in faded but once brightly knitted blankets of woollen squares, sat in front of an old grey television. Regan was sitting on the sofa, staring at the screen as if there were something playing on it. He was wearing clean clothes but was totally immobile, as if he too was frozen.
Lily took a step forward. He started, but didn’t look back. Instead, he leant forward over his knees for a second. When he stood up and turned, his eyes were bright.
Lily hurtled into the room, leaping over the sofa arm on to the seat and throwing herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms tight around his neck. He hoisted her up, so that she was slightly above him.
‘No.’ She pressed her hot face against his, breathless, feeling wetness against her cheek. She kissed him, hard, kissed his mouth, his sharp-stubbled jaw, his face, the edge of his beautiful, winged brow. His hand came up to her hair, the other t
ight around her waist. When she couldn’t breathe she broke away.
‘I won’t let you do this. I won’t.’
For a long moment, he looked up at her. ‘What is meant to be, is.’
She shook her head. ‘No. You don’t believe that.’
‘Lily, of all the girls who could have ended up bleeding to death in my courtyard, it’s you.’ He let her down slowly. ‘And the gathering dark, it’s stronger than I’ve ever seen. Ever felt. It’s coming. I can’t control it any more. The river is rising; it’s the start. This is the Chaos War. It’s here. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. I can feel it.’
She buried her head against his chest, sliding her arms around his waist inside his coat. He held on to her for a long time, his cheek pressed against her hair.
‘Don’t cry,’ he said at last.
‘What makes you think I’m crying?’ she sniffed into his tight top.
He laughed.
‘This is where you lived,’ she said. It wasn’t a question.
‘Yes.’ There was a long silence. ‘So. You know. Lucas and Elijah?’
‘Yes. There was a mothwing. She was hurt. I took her there and they told me. But you’ve got a choice. There is always a choice. That’s what Lucas said.’
He tipped up her chin. ‘I already made it.’
She bit her lip. ‘When?’
‘When I chose to save your life rather than let you bleed out in the courtyard.’
She grimaced. ‘So much for romance, huh?’
He smiled. ‘I think that’s pretty romantic.’
She bit her lip. ‘You never wanted anyone else?’
He took a deep breath. ‘After they told me about the prophecy, a few years ago, I looked at human girls. Sometimes I really looked—’
Lily punched him in the chest. He pretended to flinch, laughing. ‘Hey, I am half human.’ Straightening up, he put his arms back around her. ‘But I never saw them. And then there was you.’ He said it like a simple fact. ‘And now you’re all I see.’
She put her forehead against his chest, unable to look at him. ‘And the talisman. It’s a one-time-only deal?’
He rubbed his face and linked his hands behind his neck, blowing out. ‘You can take it off. If you want to. I don’t expect you to . . . it’s fine if you don’t . . . I mean, my job is to keep you safe.’
Her phone chimed loudly in her pocket. Lily tugged it out. Her breath caught.
If you want to see your mother again
go to St Alban’s Tower, Cripplegate.
NOW.
Lily turned the screen to Regan. ‘From an unknown number.’
He read it. ‘Sounds like a trap to me,’ he said.
Lily took his hand. ‘Please? I’m willing to take the risk.’
He sighed. ‘This prophecy thing. It doesn’t mean I’m going to give in to you all the time, you know.’
‘All the time before we die, you mean?’ Lily corrected, stuffing her phone away.
They left the Rookery. Felix was leaning on his cart outside the coffee shop, sipping from a white cup. Despite the day being a dull pewter he was still wearing his sports sunglasses.
‘Look if it ’ent jubee and de big mon.’
‘Not today, Felix,’ Regan said.
‘Oh, not today, says he. Den Felix naw give you he news.’ Felix sucked his teeth and folded his arms.
‘Tell us, please,’ Lily said when no one spoke. Felix looked increasingly obstinate.
‘Huh,’ Felix huffed. ‘Is a good ting you have jubee now, for she got all de charm.’ He made them wait a little longer. ‘Two more dragons did wake in de night.’
Regan swore with feeling.
‘Yes.’ Felix nodded. ‘Dem some big trouble now. Dey lookin’ mighty hungered.’
‘Where are they?’
‘I see dem on de roof of some office in Portsoken. Near de Tower. Dey keepin’ warm on de heatin’ unit. Lookin’ still a likkle sleepy. But who kno’ how long dey stay dere? Perhaps only till dey is feelin’ some besser.’
‘You need to tell the Clerks. They should know. People will be going to them for information.’
‘Already taken care o’ dat,’ Felix said haughtily.
‘You should go, you know. Leave the City. The next few days—’
One of Felix’s black brows appeared over the plastic edge of his sunglasses. ‘I no leavin’. Dis not yous fight alone. Dis my city. My streets. You tink you above my help?’
Regan turned to him, frowning. ‘It’s not that. I just—’
‘Tell it to da man.’ Felix held up his hand, palm out. ‘I’s out of here.’ He walked away, his usually rolling gait stiff and awkward.
‘You think he should leave?’ Lily asked, when he’d gone.
‘Yes.’
‘And go where?’
‘Anywhere.’
‘But . . . he wants to stay and help.’
‘How can he help me?’
‘I don’t know, but—’
He turned on her, angry. ‘How can any of them help me? Lucas and Elijah can’t move from the bookshop. Felix is human and too easily hurt. I don’t want him involved. Lilith . . . well, she hasn’t stayed alive and as successful as she is by getting involved with things like this. She’ll just move on, to another city. And Gupta’s got enough on his plate right now. If he’s even survived Amanvir’s visit.’
‘But they’re your friends.’
‘I told you, I don’t have friends. Who needs a friend with a death sentence hanging over them?’
She frowned at him. ‘That doesn’t stop people caring.’
He pushed his hands deep into his pockets. ‘They shouldn’t. It’ll just make it harder on them.’
Lily blinked back the tears that burnt behind her eyelids. Stuffing her hands in her pockets, she walked a pace behind him, head down. In another few minutes they turned into Wood Street. Before them stood the lone spire of St Alban. To the right was Wood Street Police Station, the City of London Police Headquarters, its brutally modern pale stone facade bearing two, old-fashioned lanterns.
Regan walked to the church tower and tried the door. It opened easily and swung on oiled hinges. They looked at each other, and went in.
The ground floor was dim and looked like little more than a lumber room. Rolls of packing material and old cardboard filled the space. They looked around. In the corner was a stone stairway, leading to the floors above. But beneath the stairway was a metal door panel, out of place in the old church tower. To the right, a red button glowed dully. They looked at each other, then Regan shrugged and pressed the button.
They stepped inside and the door slid shut, swooping them downwards. Seconds later, it opened. Beyond the door was a vast, empty space, lit by low-level lighting. They walked out into it. Doors led off in all directions, but to the right was a corridor, lit at ground level.
Regan held out his hand behind him, causing Lily to stop. He walked on, silhouetted against the light. Then he halted, seemingly stuck to the spot.
Lily frowned. ‘What is it?’
‘Is she there?’ asked a quiet voice. The hope in it was unmistakable.
Lily came forward, into a stunningly modern, though dark room, part office and part clinic. In the centre was a table, with a metal-and-leather chair next to it. On the chair sat a small, frail woman in an immaculate grey skirt and jacket. A woman who was undoubtedly Lily’s mother.
Lily looked over her shoulder at Regan for reassurance. He put a hand on her back, nudging her forward.
‘Lily?’ Caitlin said softly.
Lily fell to her knees at her mother’s feet and took her cold, pale hands, staring up at her. There were so many questions forming in her mind she struggled to speak. Instead, her eyes took in every detail of her mother’s face greedily. Hooked around Caitlin’s ears, beneath her fading golden hair, were the tubes of a cannula supplying her with oxygen.
‘Mum?’ she managed, at last. ‘What have they done to you?’
Closing her e
yes and shaking her head, Caitlin Hilyard took a breath. ‘They’ve kept me alive. After the blood transfusion, I was dying, slowly. It’s called a haemolytic reaction. The other blood was killing my red blood cells and stopping me making more. I don’t get enough oxygen.’
‘Dad never said . . .’
‘Your father never knew. The Agency. They came to me, in the hospital, and they told me I could stay alive if I went with them, I could continue my work. Find out how to stop it ever happening to you.’
Lily frowned. ‘So you left us?’
Caitlin’s eyes closed for a second.
‘She can’t have had a choice, Lily,’ Regan said from behind them. ‘She was dying, leaving you anyway. And besides, that must be why they set up the blood banking.’ The realisation was clear in his voice, his eyes on Caitlin. ‘It wasn’t because Lily might need the blood, it was because you needed it. She’s been keeping you alive.’
Lily looked up at her mother unsteadily. Her eyes shone. ‘Is . . . that true?’
Caitlin nodded. ‘Lily, I’m so sorry. It was the only way. They keep your blood too, in case.’
‘But they do test it, don’t they?’ Regan said.
Her mother swallowed. ‘Yes.’
‘And what have they found?’ Lily’s grip on her mother’s fingers loosened a little, although Caitlin’s hold remained tight.
‘Your blood . . . it’s the vehicle by which the properties of the Eldritche can be harnessed.’ Her mother’s voice was low and becoming more breathless.
Lily sat back on her heels, tugging her hands free. She looked over her shoulder at Regan, then turned back to her mother, forcing the confirmation. ‘You mean they can use it to mix Eldritche and humans.’
‘Yes.’ The words were gasping now.
Pushing to her feet, Lily walked a few steps away. ‘So we were right. That’s why they’re taking the other girls. You’re trying to combine all Mona’s reflexes, Rachel’s ability to – what, breathe in water? – and what about Vicky Shadbolt?’
‘Human control subject.’ Her mother put her hand to her chest. ‘Expendable.’
‘Expendable?’
‘I don’t have much time,’ Caitlin said, her voice becoming fainter. ‘My alibi, it won’t give us much. I’ve sent the driver for extra medication. I’ve come to inspect the new facility here—’