‘I was surprised to see you in the thick of it, Alexandra,’ Ceri said.
‘They needed me to hold the angels off while those nasty guns of theirs did their job,’ the Alpha replied. ‘Anita, of course, insisted on accompanying me.’
Ceri sighed and laid back against her chair. Her wounds were healed. There were not even scars after her magic had done its work. She felt… good, though she was dreading what sleep might bring. ‘I owe all of you,’ she said, ‘big time.’
‘Don’t be an arse, girl,’ Alec said with characteristic abruptness.
‘You have saved every single one of us,’ Carter said, ‘personally or collectively.’
‘Exactly,’ Alec agreed. ‘At the very least we’re even, but frankly we’d have done it anyway.’
‘You’ve always been there when we needed you,’ Cheryl said.
‘You’re one of my pack, dear,’ Alexandra said, smiling.
‘And we love you,’ Lily added softly.
Westminster, December 21st
‘So,’ Chief Inspector Barry began, ‘Falk is dead.’ Ceri had insisted she was quite well enough to go into Greycoat Street for the debriefing. Michael had insisted that if she was going to do that, then he was going to be with her. So they were all sat around one of the conference room tables. ‘Forensics pulled eight bullets out of him,’ Barry went on, ‘and he caught some of the backwash from the angels’ fire that Alexandra blocked for us. Sachs over at the Home Office was not best pleased. MI5 and Special Branch have started conducting investigations into the whole business.’
‘What about Gadriel?’ Ceri asked.
‘The Tactical boys say he took several hits from the special rifles.’ The detective shrugged slightly, effectively animating Ceri’s doubts. ‘We have no idea what that actually did to him. What we do know is that the angels who came off that boat retreated immediately after the raid, and our diviners are saying that the other angels have now effectively gone. They’re sensing a couple around the country, and they suspect that’s normal. Before all this started they weren’t looking for angels hanging around buildings.’
‘The ones on Saint Mark’s are gone,’ Lily said.
‘And Alexandra says the ones around Battersea Park have taken off too,’ Michael added.
Barry turned and looked at the young werewolf, a thoughtful expression on his face as he sucked on a tooth. ‘You’re back in my conference room and being useful, young man.’
‘Sorry, sir,’ Michael replied.
‘You will be. I spoke to your Alpha while she was assisting us with Ceridwyn’s recovery. We’ll arrange for you to do the induction course early in the new year. I told these two the same, if I can’t keep you out of my cases, I’ll have to employ you.’
Ceri and Lily giggled as Michael’s jaw worked up and down several times. ‘The pack press-ganged me into the Guard,’ Ceri said. ‘I think it’s only fair you get dragged into the police.’
Barry grunted a half-laugh. ‘We don’t drag, young lady,’ he said. ‘We cordially invite, with menaces.’
Battersea
No one actually said anything, but the entire pack managed to make contact with Ceri at some point during the night. It was going to be New Moon on Saturday night, which was also Christmas Eve. The wolves were quiet as the funk they felt with the dark moon settled in. In truth, Ceri felt the same though for a different reason. Tonight was the Winter Solstice.
As if to remind her of the winter before, a cold wind blew over the river as Ceri and Michael stood on the bank, twisting around and between them, no matter how closely they hugged each other. It was still warmer than the previous year, and back then she had barely known the young man, currently a wolf-man, whose arms she was wrapped in. A year ago, in fact, she had just met him and had run off to Stonehenge to try to save the world.
She should be getting used to being tortured before Christmas. It was not just the last two years, when she had actually had people applying real, honest torture. She could remember the lead up to the first Christmas after her parents’ death and if she were really honest that had made the last two years seem like a picnic in the park on a warm summer afternoon. Hell, having a lighted cigarette applied to the underside of her breast had been less painful than waking up every morning for two weeks knowing it was almost Christmas and she was alone. She shuddered.
Cold? Michael growled. Run more? Go fire?
Ceri shook her head, rubbed her muzzle against his, and pulled his arms tighter around her waist. They would go to the fire on the island soon enough, but she wanted more time with relatively few people wishing her well. There seemed to have been a lot of that about. Too much. She was not that fragile. This time the shudder was a shiver. Okay, so she was cold.
Fire, Ceri growled. Yes, cold!
With a rumble which amounted to laughter, he took off into the park toward the bandstand, and then a left turn to bring them around the boathouse. He was about to dive into the lake when she caught his arm and shook her head. Stuff that, it was cold. There was a shimmer from her hands and then she darted off across the surface of the water. Michael blinked his amber eyes and then followed her, running across the water surface with a surprised bark.
Anita, in human form and wrapped in a blanket, met them at the edge of the clearing. ‘I’m glad you’re here,’ she said to Ceri. ‘Alexandra’s acting… oddly. She’s just been sat there for the last twenty minutes. Not saying a thing, not moving. She’s not responding to anything we say…’
Ceri reached up to her throat and shifted form. Anita was handing her a blanket before she spoke. ‘Thanks,’ she said, wrapping the wool around her shoulders. ‘I’ll take a look.’ She stepped forward into the clearing and cast her Sight on the Alpha sat beside the fire. She gasped; Alexandra was practically blinding. ‘I think I know what’s wrong,’ she said. ‘It’s okay. I’ll talk to her.’
Walking in the blanket was a little difficult, especially while trying to keep the cold air out, but she scurried over, settling down on the grass in front of Alexandra and looking up into eyes which shone with life. ‘You’re worrying her pack, Luperca,’ Ceri said, keeping her voice low. ‘You could have at least let them know she was all right.’
Alexandra’s lips moved, but the voice was different. Luperca was less used to using vocal chords to speak. ‘I was enjoying being among a pack again. It has been a year. Has it been a good year, Ceridwyn?’
‘It’s had its ups and downs. It’s been good for the packs. You’ve been good for them.’
‘Thank you.’ The smile was a little lopsided.
‘You know I was kidnapped recently?’ There was a nod in reply. ‘They couldn’t take my collar off…’
‘There was not too much I could do, but I was able to ensure they did not take it, and provide strength to Alexandra when she needed it. Gods, as you like to refer to us, have limitations just as you do.’
Ceri nodded. ‘Well, my thanks for that. I’d… like you to meet some people, if that’s okay?’
‘Not too many. I can’t stay much longer.’
Nodding again, Ceri waved at Anita and Michael, signalling them to come over. She looked up at them as they arrived looking confused at what was happening. ‘Keep your voices down,’ Ceri said. ‘Anita, Michael, I’d like you to meet Luperca. Luperca, Anita is Alexandra’s Captain, and Michael is my mate.’
The goddess in the Alpha’s body chuckled softly. ‘I know them, but it is a pleasure to meet you both face to face.’
The two wolves looked entirely dumbfounded. Anita finally managed to get out, ‘It’s, uh, our pleasure, Goddess.’
‘Pssht!’ Luperca said. ‘You are warriors. Fine ones. You do not see this young human, even if she carries ancient blood, bowing down before me. Neither should you.’
Michael, still in wolf form, settled down beside Ceri, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Mate special, he growled out.
‘You are all special, my child. Never let anyone, human, wolf, or other, te
ll you anything else. I was once like you, a “simple” werewolf. There is no limit to what you can become.’ She paused and her eyes drifted closed. ‘I will be with you…’
Alexandra’s eyes flickered open and she looked at the people gathered around her, perplexed. ‘I didn’t nod off, did I?’ she asked. ‘I know I’m getting old, but…’
Ceri chuckled. ‘Luperca dropped in for a chat.’
‘Ah.’ Alexandra began checking her clothes. ‘I hope she didn’t do anything too strange.’
‘She was very discreet,’ Ceri said, ‘and she didn’t make you change so there’ll be no rips.’
The Alpha let out a relieved sigh. ‘Good. I like this dress.’
From the looks Ceri got from Anita and Michael, they did not think her giggling fit an appropriate response to someone who had just embodied a goddess.
Soho, December 23rd
In some respects it was an easy night at the Jade Dragon. They were all in big, fluffy snow boots with low heels. However, the rest of the outfit consisted of furry cuffs, satin rabbit ears, and a puffball tail on the back of their thongs. Everything else was paint forming a ski-suit.
Illusory snowflakes drifted down from the ceiling for the “snow bunnies” to walk through as they delivered drinks. There were a fair number of celebrities in to deliver them to because this was the Dragon’s public Christmas party and it tended to attract the rich and famous even more than usual. The one group of customers missing were the werewolves; outside the moon was dark and the wolves were sticking to their homes and territories.
The undead count was actually lower than usual. Christmas was a rather human festival and, while there were plenty of vampires who continued to celebrate it, they left the public displays of frivolity to the living. Ceri, for one, was not unhappy about that.
Cheryl was up at the bar, perched on a stool in a halter-necked sheath dress which shaded from a slightly translucent, icy blue at the neck to an opaque, snow-white at the ankle. Carter was employing all of his skill as a club owner and expert host to keep his hands off her. Alec was enjoying the view and wearing a huge grin. Lily was not helping matters in the least since the half-bunny, half-demon was flirting happily with Cheryl and was certainly not keeping her hands to herself.
‘Would you mind keeping your pet under control?’ Carter said as Ceri arrived at the bar.
Ceri smirked. Cheryl’s throat was flushed and her nipples were tenting the thin fabric of her gown. She turned and raised an eyebrow at Carter. ‘You seriously think I’m dressed for being all authoritative and dommy?’
The playboy looked at her for a second and then leaned over to whisper in her ear. ‘I realised when we were using her to trace you why it was so easy to do so.’ Ceri felt her heart sinking into her stomach. Carter was the last person she wanted to know Lily was bound to her. She was sure he would disapprove. Enthusiastically disapprove. Except that he could have said something before now and he had not… ‘Lily explained the circumstances,’ he said softly, ‘and your reluctance. I don’t believe I would have had the courage, considering what you risk if you’re found out.’
‘Then you understand why I won’t use that to order her about,’ Ceri whispered back.
‘Yes,’ Carter said, ‘but she’s driving me insane and I’m not above blackmail.’
Ceri giggled, getting a chuckle in response from Carter. ‘Lily, I think you’ve wound her up enough now,’ Ceri said.
Lily pouted. Cheryl said, ‘I don’t mind, really.’
‘Okay,’ Ceri replied, ‘I think she’s wound Carter up enough now.’
Cheryl pouted this time.
December 24th
The wind of the night before had gone and the early morning of Christmas Eve was actually not that cold. Ceri and Lily walked down Dean Street wrapped in their coats. Ceri was smiling; her feet were far warmer in the thick boots than the heels she normally wore to work.
‘This must be the first time we’ve been alone together since we got you back,’ Lily said.
Ceri chuckled. ‘Yeah, I guess it is.’
There was a second or two of silence, punctuated only by their soft footfalls on the paving stones. ‘There were a few moments, after he took you, that I thought you were gone. Dead.’ Lily’s voice was bleak. ‘I couldn’t feel you, but the chain wouldn’t come off so I knew you were alive.’
‘Falk said they couldn’t remove the chain,’ Ceri said. ‘I think they could’ve cut it off if they’d tried, but Gadriel had told him it wouldn’t help me so they left it.’
‘Huh, if they’d cut it off we’d have thought you were dead.’
‘Yeah. I think he was hoping the libido increase would work for him.’
‘Hmm. I felt some of the pain when they tortured you, but neither Alexandra nor Carter could pick anything up. Then there was something else, really intense pleasure, and that’s when they got the signal.’
Ceri nodded. ‘You remember that old priest saying Gadriel was the angel who seduced Eve? He was. He wanted me. I figured he couldn’t maintain the blocking spell if he was… Well, it worked.’
‘It didn’t quite feel like sex.’
‘It wasn’t. He… possessed me. He took over my mind and body. He wanted my soul, I think. He wanted me to give up everything.’
‘But you didn’t.’
‘No, not quite. I held onto something, just one thing, and that kept him from taking me entirely. I don’t think I could have held him off a second time. I’m glad it worked and he lost his concentration.’
‘Yeah,’ Lily said. ‘So am I.’
They walked on a little further until the Chinese arch at the bottom of the road was visible and the lights began to brighten again.
‘What was it?’ Lily asked.
‘Hmm?’
‘The thing you held onto?’
‘Oh, it’s not obvious? It was you. I had faith in you. I knew you would find me if I could give you a chance.’
‘Me?’ Lily said, her voice a tiny squeak.
‘Of course, love,’ Ceri said, smiling at her pet demon. ‘People kept telling me I had to have faith. Father Król said it. He said I didn’t need faith in God, just faith. I chose to have faith in you.’
‘Oh,’ Lily said. ‘I… I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone have faith in me before.’
Ceri laughed. ‘Don’t be silly. I’ve had faith in you for years. I might not have realised it, not like that anyway, but I have. So suck it up.’
Kennington, December 25th
Christmas morning started late. The Jade Dragon’s Christmas party had kept them out until around three am, and even Michael’s moonstruck spirits had been unable to stay maudlin in the face of the staff of the Dragon and the Collar Club, and their various partners, enjoying themselves.
People were being a little delicate with Ceri, which she was annoyed about. She was perfectly fit, physically, and the mental scars would heal a lot faster if she could get back to normal. That was her opinion anyway, and she was getting a little grumpy about people treating her with kid gloves when she noticed Lily talking to Naira. Five minutes later Ceri was being dragged out to the middle of the floor, sat in a chair, and both Naira and Jasmine were competing to give her a lap dance. After that things had got significantly better.
And they had tumbled home and fallen into lovemaking which was less frantic than usual, but it felt like that was just how it was, rather than anyone being gentle with the recently kidnapped girl. So that was okay, and sleep had finally claimed them and they had dozed until Twill flew in around ten am.
Ceri had looked up at the small, brown woman hovering over her, reached up with one hand, caught Twill, and pulled her down to the bed. Turning between Lily and Michael, Ceri had lain flat, sat Twill on her chest, and held her there until the fairy had given up with a giggle and laid her head down.
After another hour or so of fitful snoozing, they had slowly woken, but stayed in bed. Twill lying on Ceri’s chest, Michael on one side and Lily o
n the other, they had chatted about nothing much. Lily had described Ceri’s lap dance the night before in embarrassing detail. Ceri had talked about Luperca turning up to visit the pack. And then they had finally got out of bed when Lily had suggested making Twill bigger again with fairly obvious intent. Twill had rebuffed the overture with, ‘Not now, dear, I have a turkey cooking,’ which did not mean they could not do it later, but it did mean it was time to rise.
There had been less time than the previous year for shopping. Somehow it did not matter. Among the practical gifts, like a new copy of The Practitioner’s Handbook for Ceri, were the awesome ones and the incredibly important ones. Michael did not have much money, but he had saved little bits through the year to buy Ceri and Lily silver chains with carved, wolf’s head pendants on them. He had not left Twill out either since she had got a short silver chain which she could use as a belt. Twill had got Ceri a signet ring marked with her personal rune; practical and sentimental in one present. And there had been giggles as Lily had unwrapped a little succubus doll, complete with horns and a pointy tail.
It was after the turkey had been reduced to a skeleton and the consumption of a little too much wine, that the four of them sat down in front of the TV to watch whatever was on. That was when Ceri spotted the little package on the cabinet beside the screen. Giggling, she bounced up and opened it. ‘I forgot about this. I know it’s not exactly Christmassy…’
Twill, perched on Michael’s shoulder, shrugged. ‘I have no doubt we were going to end up with home grown porn at some point this evening.’
Ceri put the disk in the player and settled down on the couch between Michael and Lily. She gave it until the second scene before they were playing along, but aside from a little groping and stroking, and a lot of cuddling, they managed to watch all the way through to the final scene.
‘That’s you!’ Michael squeaked, looking around Ceri at Lily. ‘That’s the dungeon downstairs!’
The half-succubus giggled. ‘Tawni needed a final scene. We filmed it in the dungeon with fixed cameras and no script. Three female slaves entertaining their Mistress.’
Thaumatology 06 - Hammer of Witches Page 21