Ceri walked the two paces to where Lily was standing. She raised her hand, lifting Lily’s chin gently with her index finger and looked into her eyes. ‘That’s never going to happen, hun,’ she said softly.
‘You can’t know…’
‘Lil,’ Ceri interrupted, ‘the very fact you put this together so I could do it if I needed to tells me I won’t need to. You’re stronger than you think you are. And you’re my friend.’ Suddenly she was being hugged fiercely. She laughed softly and hugged Lily back until she had to ask to be released so that she could breathe.
Soho, October 31st
‘Happy birthday,’ Lily said, planting a small kiss on Ceri’s cheek.
Ceri smiled. ‘Is it midnight?’
‘Just past,’ Lily confirmed, ‘you’re officially twenty-four.’
‘If you want to be pedantic,’ Ceri said, ‘that’s not until five o’clock tonight.’
‘You want me to take the kiss back?’
Ceri giggled. ‘No,’ she said, ‘I want you to give me more of them at five o’clock.’
‘We’ll have guests by then,’ Lily reminded her. ‘Everyone’s to be there for the party at four-thirty, just before sunset.’
Ceri nodded. ‘I know, make sure everyone’s in before Samhain starts.’ She looked out at the floor of the Jade Dragon where it was Halloween Party Night. Technically, Halloween began at sunset that evening, but the club was not open then and many of the patrons would be avoiding leaving the house by that time. Lily had persuaded Ceri that “it would be fun to start her birthday” among the rich, the famous, and the exotically dangerous, and their hangers-on. Ceri did have to admit that the place looked great with skull lanterns on the table, and illusory chains and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. Carter’s magic had had a rare, frivolous, outing.
The staff were “in the spirit” as well. Most of the waitresses were body-painted up as skeletons; carefully painted white bones on a black base-coat. Lily, as befitted the Dragon’s best waitress, was different. Painted red from head to foot, she had a pair of small, fake horns fixed to her forehead and a pointed tail attached to a belt around her hips. The half-succubus’ aura was turned up just a little more than usual and, combined with the “costume,” it was giving Ceri a hard time. Lily had suggested that Ceri get painted as well; Carter had been amused and quite willing and the make-up girl they had employed to dress the staff had begun coming up with ideas. Ceri had said “no,” though she was sort of regretting it now that her inhibitions had been dulled by wine.
Carter, dressed in a huge wizard’s robe, emerged from the back rooms and swept up to Ceri and Lily. ‘Happy birthday, Ceri,’ he said. He looked around and spotted Alec behind the bar, wrapped in a huge, black cloak with a cowl. ‘Mr Death, glass of wine for the birthday girl.’
Alec brought the wine over. ‘Happy birthday, kid,’ he said. ‘Y’know, boss, I’m not sure I consider this outfit dignified.’
Lily leaned over slightly to whisper in Ceri’s ear. ‘They do this every year.’
‘Well,’ Carter said, grinning, ‘we could have gone with the other option.’
‘What was the other option?’ Alec said, falling for it.
‘Oh, Jessie thought you’d look fantastic done up the same as the girls,’ Carter replied. ‘Little pair of black Speedoes…’
‘I’d pay to see that,’ Lily said.
‘Yum,’ Ceri added, grinning.
‘See?’ Carter said. ‘That’d have gone down a storm.’
Exactly what Alec said in reply was inaudible, which was probably a good thing. Ceri and Lily giggled. ‘No respect for your elders,’ Alec grumbled.
‘I’ve seen you naked, Alec,’ Lily said. ‘I’ve got nothing but… respect for you.’
‘You are coming to the party tonight, aren’t you?’ Ceri asked, partially to save Alec’s blushes. ‘Both of you?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it,’ Carter replied.
‘I’ll be there,’ Alec said, nodding his head in the voluminous cowl. ‘And I sent a message to Dane like you asked. No idea if he’ll make it. The nomad packs move around a lot.’
Ceri sipped her wine. ‘It was a thought,’ she said. ‘To thank them for playing bodyguard.’
‘Oh, he’ll be there if he gets the message in time,’ Alec said. ‘You did say we could all stay overnight.’
Ceri nodded. ‘I did,’ she said. ‘It’s the first time I’ll be taking cover. I mean, when my parents were alive they would stay in on All Hallows’, but I could go out if I wanted.’ She grinned. ‘I’d go out with the other kids to get sweets and then we’d go home and have my party.’
‘The wards and enchantments will be up properly,’ Lily said. ‘Well, for the first time since I’ve been there. It’ll be awesome.’ She turned slightly. ‘Oh, table four,’ she said, and strutted off, tail swinging.
‘It will be fascinating,’ Carter said. ‘I’ve never seen that house fully active.’
‘It won’t be too bad,’ Alec said. ‘Last quarter was tonight.’
Carter nodded. ‘Still,’ he said, ‘All Hallows’ is no time for anyone supernatural to be out in the open.’
Kennington
It was just before sunset and those assembled for Ceri’s birthday party were safely within the doors of High Towers.
Carter was there, talking to Cheryl. He was in a tuxedo with a black shoulder-cape, complete with blood-red satin lining. Cheryl was pulling off a tight, blue satin evening dress rather well.
Nearer the door were Dane and his pack; all those who had guarded Ceri, plus another two couples. They had not dressed specially for the occasion, but biker leathers worked well for a wolf pack anytime and anywhere.
Alec, dressed in a tight, black T-shirt and leather jeans, sort of oscillated between Dane and the little huddle of dancers from the Collar Club and waitresses from the Jade Dragon. Lily had invited the girls, because Ceri said she could, though the only one Ceri really knew was Jasmine.
Even over the sound of conversation, everyone heard the delicate sound of wind chimes and turned to look as the shimmering ball of blue light swept down the stairs, buzzing over their heads, a shower of golden dust sprinkling down as Twill passed. Several of the girls gasped and giggled gleefully. Twill swirled back to the staircase and even some of the men gasped as she came to a stop above Ceri and Lily, standing on the small landing.
Lily was dressed in a very short, strapless, PVC dress with a red, netting skirt. It showed a lot of cleavage and left little to the imagination. It was very Lily though, while Ceri’s outfit was so very not Ceri.
The Mistress of the House was wearing a floor length, halter-necked negligee, giving her something of a “Morticia” look. Mesh from the bust down, there was only a little back thong hiding her modesty, but a nimbus of light seemed to surround her as she smiled down at the assembled friends, and friends of friends.
‘Welcome,’ Ceri said. ‘Welcome all to my home. Come in good faith, baring no malice. Leave at your will without hindrance.’ She paused briefly before adding, ‘And for widder’s sake have a good time, it’s a party!’
Laughter filled the room as Ceri and Lily walked down the stairs to greet their guests. Music began to play, not yet at a level where conversation was impossible, and sheets lifted as if by magic to reveal tables with various bottles and glasses on them. Twill flitted around informing people that there was food in the kitchen while Lily kept herself busy introducing the people Ceri did not already know.
She had more or less finished when Twill flitted up to them. ‘There’s someone coming up the path,’ the fairy said. ‘A witch, and she’s hurrying.’
Ceri frowned and headed quickly for the door. She opened the outer door just as Detective Middleshaw was about to knock. The woman looked a little flustered; there was almost no light left in the sky and, sure enough, the wards along the fence-line were shimmering. High up to the north, the sky was showing streaks of bright pink as the Northern Lights flared brightly. ‘I’m so
rry I’m late,’ Middleshaw said, glancing back at the fence.
‘I wasn’t sure you’d come at all,’ Ceri said, smiling. ‘Come in before the light goes entirely.’ She stepped back, allowing the detective to enter. ‘Your partner couldn’t make it?’
‘John’s… He sends his apologies, but it’s his wife’s first All Hallows’ in London and he needed to be with her.’
Ceri glanced at her. ‘She’s a supernatural?’
Middleshaw’s eyes narrowed slightly, then softened. She lowered her voice. ‘She’s a vampire. Not by choice.’
Ceri winced. ‘That… explains a lot,’ she said. ‘Go on in, I’ll be along in a second. Oh, the biker types might be a little suspicious of you. Sorry about that, but they’re good people.’
The detective grinned and nodded, turning to walk inside while Ceri took one more look out at the gathering night. A surge of light bolted across the barrier as something invisible and intangible skated across it. Samhain, Halloween, All Hallows’ Eve; it had always been the time when the world was closer to the supernatural than other times of the year. It was the beginning of the dark half of the year and some still marked it as the time when one year ended and the new one began. For Ceri, having her birthday on this day, that had always been true.
Out on the streets, normal children and their parents would be setting out to gather sweets. It was a tradition which had grown in popularity since the Shattering. Even the humans could sense the rise in power which marked the beginning of the Old Calendar year and the laughter of children helped to keep the spirits away.
For supernaturals, this night was a time to hide behind magic wards if you could, thick walls if you could not. The dark forces at work on Samhain night seemed to be attracted to other things with “unnatural” natures. With the gathering inside, Ceri was expecting quite a light show tonight.
She pushed the door closed, sealing out the darkness, and concentrated for a second. There was a soft glow from the lock and she nodded. No one else would be coming in now, not without demolishing the porch. Turning, she strode into the party.
~~~
By midnight, the party had divided somewhat. The hall was the largest open space in the house, and so it was where people were dancing. The sight of werewolves in biker leathers dancing with werefoxes in next to nothing would likely have made many a norm freak out. It had certainly been enough to persuade the older party goers to retire to the lounge where they could talk and drink in more comfort. Ceri, who was not really used to dancing in four-inch heeled sandals, had gone with them, and Lily had turned up eventually, curling herself onto the footstool beside Ceri’s chair.
‘Cheryl,’ Carter said, settled back in the other wing-backed chair with a large glass of Cognac in his hand, ‘what do you plan to do now?’
The chaise longe had been carried through from the study and that was where Cheryl was sitting, leaning against Alec who looked quite comfortable with the arrangement. ‘Well,’ the thaumatologist said, ‘we still have a huge amount of data to analyse. Even though our last experiment was rather abruptly terminated there’s probably a year’s worth of work to be done on it.’ She sipped from her glass of wine. ‘I’m actually wondering whether we may be able to build a… thaumic reactor using the technology. For power generation.’
‘I’ve got some ideas about using the data to formalise some of the Infinite Field Theory equations the Americans have come up with,’ Ceri said.
‘I thought that was largely the stuff fantasy writers got involved in,’ Carter said, smiling slightly.
‘Currently, yeah,’ Ceri replied. ‘I’m hoping some of our data may be extrapolated to make it a bit more real.’
‘Extrapolated?’ Lily said. ‘If you can use “extrapolated” in a sentence you haven’t had enough to drink.’
Ceri giggled. ‘Probably not.’ Light flared through the stained glass window at the end of the room and she glanced around at it. ‘Might as well get drunk,’ she added, ‘I don’t think I’ll be sleeping before dawn.’
‘The pack’ll be glad they’re inside,’ Alec commented.
‘North Hills, right?’ Middleshaw said from her seat near the fireplace. ‘I’ve heard good things about them.’
‘The nomad packs have a poor reputation, Detective,’ Carter said, ‘but it’s often undeserved. I’m glad to hear that the Greycoats don’t listen to rumour.’
Middleshaw grimaced. ‘Please, I’m off duty, it’s Kate. If I believed everything I heard I’d be wondering whether you had been replaced with a doppelganger.’
Carter chuckled. ‘Please don’t let on that I went to a party and didn’t have a girl in my lap. It would ruin my reputation. You’re a witch, Kate?’
She took a swig of beer from the bottle she was holding and nodded. ‘Third generation on my mother’s side and my father was one too. He was in the Greycoats before me, and his father was a Superintendent in the regular force. To be honest, I’m better at witchcraft than I am at police work, which is why I’m still just a sergeant.’
‘I think, however,’ Twill said from her place on the back of Ceri’s chair, ‘that you will make an excellent team with your new partner.’
‘He’s sad,’ Lily said. ‘I hope he finds what he wants.’
Middleshaw glanced at her and then at Ceri, frowning slightly. ‘Succubi,’ Ceri said. ‘You can’t keep your desires from one, even a half one.’
‘I’m a little surprised you came tonight,’ Carter said. ‘Not unpleasantly at all, but surprised. Are policewomen allowed to go to wild parties wearing short skirts?’ There was a teasing smile on his lips and Middleshaw’s cheeks coloured a little.
‘Now you’re living up to your reputation,’ she said, her lips twitching. ‘I’m off duty. There’s nothing illegal going on here, no one here is a criminal that I’m aware of, and my hemlines are a matter of personal discretion when off the clock.’
The playboy bowed his head. ‘Your hemline is most appreciated, I assure you.’
Middleshaw’s cheeks coloured more deeply. Ceri decided that it was not so much what Carter said, or even how he said it, it was that he just gave off the air of a man who appreciated women for what they were. He was good looking and rich, a fairly lethal combination in itself, and his reputation suggested he really was looking for women to take to bed at all times. He did not need to flirt much for a girl to get the impression she was in for a good night.
‘So, what did you get for your birthday, Ceri?’ the detective asked to give herself breathing room.
‘Oh!’ Ceri said, blushing. ‘I haven’t even opened them all. Twill, would you oblige?’
Twill floated up from the chair and off to one of the alcoves at the side of the room, returning with a train of packages of various shapes and sizes following her. The brightly wrapped presents settled down on the rug in front of Ceri’s chair, and the fairy dropped onto the arm opposite Lily to watch the unwrapping.
‘I didn’t ask for anything,’ Ceri said as she picked up the nearest box. ‘Some of the invitations were very last minute so I specifically said that presents were not required.’ The package was small, but had been wrapped incredibly precisely. ‘This is Twill’s,’ Ceri said. ‘She can get folds and creases tighter than anyone I’ve ever met.’ There was the sound of wind chimes as Ceri began to open the package.
Inside the box was a black, velvet choker with a bird skull attached to it by a gold fitting. ‘It’s charmed,’ Twill said. ‘Put it on and you’ll always know which way home is.’ Grinning, Ceri fixed the choker around her throat and gave the tiny, brown woman a kiss on the top of her head.
As she turned to pick up the next package, Dane stalked into the room. He circled around the back of Carter’s chair and settled onto the floor beside Middleshaw’s chair. He nodded up at the policewoman. ‘I’m Dane,’ he said, dropping his jacket behind him.
‘Kate,’ she replied.
Ceri had unwrapped a package from Cheryl containing a matched set of earrings an
d necklace; ivory stars inside circles of silver with carefully inscribed runes marked on each ring. She hung the earrings in her ears, but the necklace remained in the box since she was already wearing Twill’s choker.
‘Oh, yeah,’ Dane said, ‘presents.’ He reached behind himself for his jacket, rummaging in a pocket before pulling something out and tossing it toward Ceri. ‘Didn’t get a chance to wrap it or anything,’ he said. Ceri caught the small object, turning it over in her hand. It was a small figurine of a wolf carved in jet, its head raised in a silent howl. ‘Tabby makes them,’ he said. ‘She said you should have it. Shows you’re a friend of the pack.’
‘Thank you,’ Ceri said, ‘it’s beautiful.’ She placed it on the arm of the chair beside Twill where it almost looked life-size beside the tiny fairy.
There was a carefully wrapped box from Alec to open next. Ceri noticed his cheeks colouring a little as she picked it up and checked the label. ‘I hadn’t a clue what to get you,’ the wolf-man said, ‘but, uh… well…’ She opened the box and pulled out a black teddy with mesh inserts across the chest. ‘I checked your size with Lil,’ he said, his cheeks reddening more, ‘and I, uh, noticed you seemed to like them…’
Ceri giggled. ‘It’s lovely, Alec, thank you. I promise I’ll wear it to the Dragon next time I’m there.’ She smirked. ‘Though you won’t be able to look at my boobs as easily in this.’ While Alec blustered and tried to calm his glowing cheeks, Ceri reached for the last package, which was not exactly a package.
Five foot long and wrapped in deep purple silk, Ceri picked the object up and looked at it with a confused expression. ‘Well, it’s not from Lily,’ she said. ‘She gave me her presents earlier.’ Lily giggled.
‘Somehow I feel we don’t want to know,’ Middleshaw said.
‘Want to know,’ Dane chuckled, ‘maybe, but I suspect it’s not for polite company.’
‘Hey!’ Lily said. ‘The dress she’s wearing was one of them.’
‘If that’s the most decent,’ Cheryl commented, ‘I think Dane is correct.’ Lily pouted.
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