Ceri frowned slightly. Something felt a little off, but she was not sure what and Lily was looking very eager. Still, something made her feel like she should assert herself. Pulling herself up straight she said, ‘Very well, pet. Get upstairs and wait. I’ll be up with Michael shortly.’
Lily’s eyes widened slightly and she shivered. ‘Yes, Mistress,’ she said, and turned to dash up the stairs.
‘Walk!’ Ceri snapped and Lily almost jumped, slowing to a steady, sexy walk. Ceri waited for her to make the second landing before turning to Michael. ‘You’re staying in wolf form,’ she said, ‘and I think Lily’s demon needs a little reminder of who’s boss, so things are going to be a little… kinky tonight.’ The wolf-man raised an eyebrow and grumbled something. ‘Okay,’ Ceri said, ‘a little more kinky than usual. You just do whatever I tell you. Don’t be afraid to play rough. You okay with that?’
Michael growled, pulling his lips back from his teeth, and flexing his muscles. Ceri smiled. This was going to be interesting, and fun.
Soho
Wren was in the club again together with the attractive blonde. Carter had seated him away from Ceri and Lily’s tables, which Ceri was distinctly glad of. She had no desire to wait on a pacted wizard.
‘Why do they do it?’ she said as she was standing by the bar, waiting for one of her tables to need something.
‘Do what?’ Lily asked.
Ceri had barely been aware she had said anything out loud. ‘Oh… form pacts with demons.’
‘Power,’ Carter said from behind her. ‘Mostly it’s power. The spells needed to summon demons are relatively well known and easy to perform, more powerful magic is harder, and it’s tiring. A demon will offer to teach the spells, and give help in the casting… for such a small price.’
Ceri looked around at him. ‘And then the more you use it, the more it gets hard to cast without the demon’s help, right?’
He nodded. There was pain behind his eyes. ‘Breaking free once you’ve made a pact is hard,’ he said. ‘Like stopping drinking or smoking. Frankly, most of the wizards who do it don’t even want to give it up.’ Rumour had it that Carter had made his first million through a demonic pact and, right then, Ceri could believe it. He sounded like a man speaking from experience. Such pacts were illegal, however, and it would hardly be polite to ask if he had had one.
‘Can you see it like I can?’ she asked instead, nodding toward Wren.
‘No, not exactly, but a sufficiently powerful mage can sense it, even without your rather precise Sight.’ His gaze swept over the table where Wren was chatting easily with his companion. ‘He set my alarm bells off the first time I saw him.’
‘He’s not like Barnes was though,’ Lily said.
‘Not even as bad as the wizards who were working with Remus,’ Ceri supplied.
‘Wren did Political Science at Cambridge,’ Carter said. ‘Did a few secondary courses in wizardry as well. From what I’ve heard, he rarely casts a spell. The Treasury isn’t fond of heavily practicing mages. I don’t think he even has a PPC.’
‘Seems like a poor choice on the demon’s part,’ Lily commented, ‘unless it was looking to the political power.’
‘The demon lords are more aware of temporal power as an asset,’ Carter said, ‘but I don’t think it was Wren’s demon who pushed him up the ranks.’ He saw Ceri’s frown. ‘Cambridge has always had a rather extensive Old Boys’ Network,’ he said. ‘Not that it’s done me much good. They don’t like me much.’
‘I thought everyone liked you,’ Ceri said, grinning, ‘especially if they happen to be female.’
Carter smirked. ‘Ah well, there you have it. I undoubtedly stole too many other men’s girlfriends.’
Ceri could tell it was a lie. His crooked smile did not reach his eyes. She wondered what Carter had done to alienate himself from the Cambridge fraternity, but there was no way she was going to ask. Besides, table fourteen was calling. She strutted off through the room, ignoring the fact that she could feel Wren’s eyes on her.
~~~
Kate Middleshaw was sitting on a bar stool when Ceri strode back from a drinks run. Alec was already placing a tumbler of whiskey in front of the detective. She looked tired, but she smiled at Ceri as the sometime-waitress approached.
‘Nice dress,’ Kate said, ‘where’s the rest of it?’ It was the first time Kate had seen Ceri in her Dragon uniform; comments were inevitable.
‘We get them in instalments,’ Ceri replied, grinning. ‘You look like hell.’
‘Thank you, that’s slightly better than I feel. We got word you were looking for us and I needed a drink.’
‘Tough day?’ Ceri asked, putting her tray down on the counter and then leaning against the wood beside Kate. Sitting in the dresses the waitresses wore was possible, but not advisable.
‘Murder,’ Kate replied. ‘Well, probable homicide. We’re waiting on forensics, but it looks like a supernatural kill.’ She sipped her drink. ‘What were you after?’
‘Oh,’ Ceri said, her interest was piqued regarding the death, but she could not interfere in an investigation. ‘Well, I was wondering whether you knew of any police operation to keep an eye on the packs, Battersea in particular. We’ve noticed some people, quite professional looking people, keeping an eye on the park and the rest of our territory.’
Kate grinned. ‘Our territory? You’ve gone native. No, I’m not aware of any operation out of Greycoat Street, and something like that would come from us. We’ve had no trouble at all from the packs since December. Even the Marshwallers and Dog Boys have settled some. We even had a Marshwall squad roll up at the local precinct with some drug dealers last week. Said it was their civic duty to bring in people like that.’ Kate sipped her drink and blinked meaningfully at Ceri. ‘Seriously, Millwall soccer hooligans in fur being good citizens? The desk sergeant almost fell off his chair from what I heard.’
‘I got the impression that removing Remus’ influence from Luperca might have a good effect on the werewolves in general,’ Ceri said. She shrugged. ‘I haven’t noticed much change in the Battersea people, but they always were a pretty civic-minded pack.’
‘For homeless people,’ Kate said, smirking slightly.
‘There’s that. So, if it isn’t you guys watching us, any thoughts on who it could be?’
‘Special Branch,’ Kate suggested. ‘They could have initiated their own investigation, but I kind of doubt it. I could make a few enquiries…’
‘I don’t want to get you into any trouble,’ Ceri said.
Kate shrugged. ‘I have a friend over there. She used to be a Greycoat, necromancer. Got transferred to counter-intelligence, but we keep in touch. If there’s something going on she’ll know about it.’ She chuckled. ‘Most it’ll cost me is a couple of drinks. Might even bring her here.’ She downed her whiskey and slid off her stool. ‘I’d better get home and catch some sleep before we set off again in the morning.’
Ceri nodded. ‘Drink’s on me,’ she said, pulling a wad of notes out of the little hidden pocket in her cleavage. ‘You have a good evening. Hope you catch whoever it is.’
Kate was looking a little perplexed as Ceri found a five pound note among her tip money and handed it across to Alec. ‘That’s from tips?’ she asked.
‘Yeah,’ Ceri said, tucking the rest of the money back in place.
‘I’m so in the wrong job.’
Ceri smirked. ‘You should see what Lily takes home.’ Rolling her eyes, the cop headed out of the club leaving Ceri to consider what she had said. If it was not the Greycoats, and probably was not Special Branch, then who was watching the pack?
Her musings were brought to an end as Wren walked past her, his arm wrapped around the waist of his girlfriend. Ceri caught a glimpse of the girl’s eyes as the couple passed and stepped aside hurriedly. Matthew Barnes had had dead eyes; the kind of eyes you saw on a stone killer. This woman’s eyes were empty, devoid of anything much. They were alive, observing the world, flicki
ng over Ceri with a hint of disdain, but there was nothing behind them, no humanity, no soul. That was taking the archetypal model look a little too far.
Ceri frowned, watching the girl’s retreating back with her Sight. There were no dark marks in the energy of her body, nothing was twined around her spine the way it was with Wren. This close Ceri could easily tell that the charm the woman wore was a trivial illusion designed to mask any little imperfections. Otherwise she was all natural, all normal, aside from not having a soul. Somehow, this living, breathing woman was walking around without one of the main metaphysical components of her body.
Northern Line Tube, April 24th
Ceri broke the kiss she was sharing with Lily, gasping for breath. They were alone in the carriage and Lily’s hands were under Ceri’s coat, sliding over any bare skin they could reach. The half-succubus grinned brightly and settled for kissing her lover’s throat.
‘What’s got into you… oh… recently?’ Ceri managed breathlessly.
‘Recently?’ Lily replied. ‘Michael, really hard. God that was awesome. The way you ordered him to…’
Ceri pushed the memory of their activities the night before aside. ‘You’re being more… demonstrative than… do not put your hand…’ She trailed off, her eyes rolling back.
‘Well,’ Lily said, ‘the weather’s really brightening up. I get horny when it’s sunny.’
‘Pit-pituitary g-gland…’ Ceri stammered. ‘Light s-sensitive.’
Lily giggled softly. ‘Always the scientist. Always thinking.’
‘Can’t… think…’ Ceri moaned. She gasped as Lily pulled her hand from under her coat. The half-demon lifted her middle and index fingers to her mouth and, slowly, sucked them clean. Ceri felt like she might melt.
‘Our stop,’ Lily whispered as the train began to slow. Ceri had some trouble standing up and Lily giggled as she wrapped an arm around her friend’s waist to help her. They were so engrossed in each other as they got off the train that Ceri barely noticed the man in the dark suit getting off the car behind theirs. As it was, she paid him no attention as Lily half-carried her out of the station and toward the park.
In the shadows of the trees, Lily pushed Ceri up against one of the thick trunks. Their lips met and Ceri responded with as much fervour as Lily. She was just as hungry as her lover now, ready for whatever exquisite experience was coming when they finally made it to the bedroom and enjoying the extended foreplay which would get them there. Lily pushed her coat open and the cool, late night air felt good on her hot skin. Lily’s hands felt better.
‘S-someone could c-come,’ Ceri stammered. As Lily bent to bring her lips to Ceri’s neck, Ceri saw that someone was coming. A man, more a shadow in the dark night. ‘Someone is c-coming,’ she whispered.
‘You, in a minute,’ Lily whispered back, dropping to her knees.
‘No,’ Ceri said, more urgently, ‘there’s a man…’ She looked up, but the figure had vanished and, frowning, she summoned up a night vision spell. She could see him, standing in the shadows, watching. Lily lifted the front panel of her skirt. ‘No, Lil, not here. He’s watching…’
‘Let him,’ Lily replied. She leaned forward and Ceri felt the first touch of her tongue.
The figure seemed different, indistinct; a tall man, dark against the darkness with a mane of hair framing his face. ‘Not here, Lil,’ Ceri said, ‘there’s something… oh God…’ Lily was not feeding, just playing; her tongue sending tingles of sensation through Ceri’s lower body. Ceri tried to concentrate on the man in the shadows. ‘Lily,’ she moaned, ‘please stop.’
‘You don’t really want me to.’ Lily’s voice was hungry; her demon-side was speaking.
‘No, pet. Not here… oh Jesus… He’s watching and…’ Lily’s tongue pushed into her and Ceri trailed off into a groan. There was something so wrong about the man and what was happening… Summoning every ounce of willpower she had, Ceri drew in her power and spoke. ‘Dungeon, now!’
Lily reared back as though she had been struck. Her pupils were glowing a fierce red. Ceri could feel her resolve weakening even as the command spell took full hold of Lily and, clambering to her feet, the half-succubus turned and bolted toward the house.
Ceri looked back toward the spot where the watcher had been standing, but there was no longer anyone there.
Kennington
Ceri unlocked the shackles from around Lily’s wrists with a silver key, and then caught the half-succubus as she almost fell from the St Andrew’s Cross. There was a blanket waiting on the altar which faced the cross and Ceri wrapped it around Lily’s shoulders before lowering her to the stone. Black eyes looked up into her blue ones; the expression was adoring.
‘Happy?’ Ceri asked softly.
A flicker of doubt passed over Lily’s gorgeous features. ‘You didn’t…’
‘You can feed in the morn… well, later today. If you’re good.’
Lily smiled weakly. She could keep going for ages if she was having “normal” sex as she drained energy from her partner. Ceri had not allowed her to feed, had just kept her stimulated for a couple of hours, and she was exhausted. ‘I’ll be… very good,’ she breathed. ‘Why… did you stop me… outside?’
‘There was someone watching us?’
‘So?’
Ceri frowned. ‘There have been people watching the pack and there was something about the way he was watching. And how you were acting. You didn’t notice?’
‘I just thought…’ Lily’s brow creased in a frown. ‘I was… a little out of control. I’m glad you stopped me.’
‘You’ve been a little out of control a lot recently, yes. It’s my job to keep you under control. But we won’t worry about that now.’
‘What are we going to worry about?’
‘Sleep,’ Ceri said. ‘I think we could both use some.’ She started to rise, lifting Lily with her, but the half-succubus stopped her, reaching out a hand to touch her face.
‘You know… that’s the first time anyone has ever done… that to me,’ Lily said.
Ceri smiled. ‘What? Abused your body with half a dozen sex toys?’
Lily shook her head. ‘Not taken anything in return.’ She smiled and let herself be lifted to her feet. ‘You’re the only person I’ve ever been with who… treats me like a human.’
‘That’s because you’re the most human person I know, Lil,’ Ceri replied as they started off toward the stairs out of the dungeon.
‘I’m not though,’ Lily replied, ‘I’m half demon. I love you for forgetting that.’
~~~
Ceri put down the phone and turned to Lily who was lying stretched out on the chaise longe. ‘That was Kate,’ she said. ‘These guys are definitely not Special Branch.’
‘Well let me have a word with the next one,’ Lily replied. ‘I’ll get him to talk.’
Ceri grinned. ‘I may consider that.’
‘You think they were following you because of your connection to the pack?’ Lily asked. Ceri could tell she found that doubtful, which was fine by her because she thought it was doubtful as well.
‘Michael and I came back on foot last time,’ she said. ‘No way could those guys have trailed us. The pack had them located and we didn’t even know what we were looking for. They didn’t track us back here. We would have spotted them.’
‘So, these guys are probably not watching the pack,’ Lily said flatly.
‘Or they were watching them because I’m a member. Or they’re watching both.’ Ceri paused, considering. ‘Maybe the other packs. We’ll check up with Catherine.’
‘I don’t think I like the idea of mysterious men following you around, Ceri.’
‘And that, my dear Lily, is why we’re going to find out who they are and what they want,’ Ceri said, grinning.
‘I don’t see us as Holmes and Watson,’ Lily said.
‘Morse and Lewis?’ Ceri suggested. ‘Regan and Carter?’
‘Can’t you come up with and female detectives?’<
br />
‘You can be Miss Marple if you like.’
Lily threw the pillow from the lounger. It missed.
Bakerloo Line Tube
‘I had another odd dream last night,’ Lily said as the train pulled away from Oxford Circus.
‘Another nightmare?’ Ceri asked.
‘No, just odd, considering.’
‘Okay, I’ll bite. Why was it odd?’
‘Well, I dreamed I was in the Dubh Linn and I picked up this man. Never seen him before, but it was a really vivid image. We went back to his place and fucked.’ She gave a little shrug. ‘Mind you, I woke up before it got really exciting.’
‘Not exactly sure why that’s odd. I mean, how often do you dream about sex?’
‘Oh, just about every night,’ Lily replied happily, ‘but I dream about it with you, or you and Michael, or you and the North Hills pack, or…’
‘I get the picture, Lil,’ Ceri said. ‘Well, we did go to the Dubh Linn and maybe it brought up some old memories, and dreams are usually built out of memory, maybe distorted memory.’
‘I remember everyone I’ve ever been to bed with,’ Lily said, ‘and I’ve never laid eyes, or anything else, on this guy.’
‘You remember everyone you’ve ever slept with?’
‘Uh-huh, every last one,’ Lily replied. ‘Why?’
Ceri stood as the train slowed to pull into Regent’s Park station. ‘I’m just amazed you can fit all of them in there.’
‘Hey!’ Lily bounced to her feet and followed the giggling Ceri off the train.
Catherine and her pack were in their usual spot at the southern corner of the zoo. One thing had not changed after the death of Catherine’s mate, they still held a picnic in the park on a Sunday. There were differences, however. Where they had sat around in groups for four to six before, now they were in groups of six to ten, and the groups were closer to each other. The winter had done much to pull the Royals together as a pack; the winter and a proper Alpha.
That Alpha smiled warmly as the two women walked into her clearing, and raised a tall glass to them. ‘Champagne?’ she asked as they drew closer.
Ceri grinned. ‘Are we celebrating something?’
Thaumatology 03 - Legacy Page 7