by Helen Harper
Once I’ve finished the first glass, I check my phone. Foxworthy has sent a text. He’s uncovered about as much about Melissa Greek as Dr Bryant did. He does mention, however, that there are reports of new graffiti featuring trees springing up around the city – and they always seem to be close to religious buildings. That’s interesting enough to give me pause.
Another thought strikes me and I flick to my photos, scanning through the images of disappeared protestors that I took from D’Argneau’s office. Her name is right there in black and white on the third page. Well, well, well. The plot thickens.
With both O’Shea and Maria adapting to my way of life and staying in the bedrooms until they’re sure night has fallen, the apartment is silent. I pour myself another glass of blood and wander to the window. Once again, I lift up the edge of the curtain and experiment with my little finger. The sunlight doesn’t seem to be doing as much damage as it used to. Either that, or I’m getting more used to the pain.
My thoughts flit around like troubled butterflies and, much as I try to pretend otherwise, a great many of them feature Michael.
When I realise I’ve been holding my hand and half my arm towards the sky and there’s not a tingle of a burn across my skin, I know that dusk is finally here. I put down my glass carefully and check my appearance in the mirror. There are dark shadows under my eyes and I look tired. And old. Considering I’m a newbie vampire, there should be no reason for me to have started aging yet. I suppose the emotional trauma is getting to me more than I thought. I brush back my dark hair and dab on some foundation to hide the worst. Then I beckon Kimchi to my side and the pair of us leave.
I travel via the Underground, this time taking no pains to hide my existence. Several people come up to me, requesting help. Most of them have trivial problems: their neighbour is worshipping the devil (yeah, right), or an Agathos daemon family has moved in next door and they’re definitely up to no good. A few are more insistent – and more tragic. Two people tell me that their loved ones have gone missing. I brush them all off as politely as I can; I can’t bear to see the bleak desperation in their eyes.
My efforts are useless. As soon as I exit the train, I see Jonesy standing on the platform, his eyes darting anxiously. When he catches sight of me, his shoulders sag in relief.
‘Ms Blackman!’ he says, rushing forward in case I decide to spin round and sprint in the opposite direction. ‘I’ve been trying to get in touch with you! Have you found anything?’ He’s breathless, even though he’s been doing little more than standing around.
I reach out and place a calming hand on his arm. ‘Relax,’ I tell him. ‘Have you been waiting around here just for me to show up?’
‘It came down the line that you were on the train,’ he explains. ‘I hoped that you might get off here. It’s the nearest stop to the Montserrat place.’
I raise my eyebrows. I had no idea that the network of railway staff was so tight-knit – or so attentive. I’m not sure I like it. ‘I’m still looking into things,’ I say. ‘There’s no evidence that Lisa was kidnapped. It seems far more likely that she left of her own accord.’
His mouth droops. ‘But she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye. She’s not that kind of person.’
‘When we first met,’ I say carefully, ‘you wanted an autograph for both you and her.’
‘Yes.’ He bobs his head several times. ‘Yes. We are both big fans.’
My gaze bores into him. ‘That’s not actually true, is it?’
‘It is! You saved those people at the Agathos Court! You were so heroic!’ He waves his arms around alarmingly as if to punctuate his earnestness.
‘You might think that,’ I say, ‘but your daughter didn’t.’
He falls silent, his eyes widening in what might be construed as alarm. ‘She loved the vampire stories when she was a child. She always wanted to join the Bancroft Family because their leader was a woman.’ Not any more, I think. Something else I could be considered responsible for. ‘Of course,’ Jonesy adds hastily, ‘we’d never have let her be recruited. Not that vampires aren’t amazing but there aren’t very many of you and if she joined, she’d have to give up her family and…’
I save him from digging himself into an even deeper hole. ‘I’m not interested in what she was like when she was five years old, Mr Johnson. I need to know what she was like when she disappeared.’
‘She didn’t hate you!’ he bursts out. ‘She didn’t! She just thought that maybe the Families had a bit too much power. You left your Family. Obviously, you’re different.’
Belatedly, I realise where his panic is coming from. I squeeze his arm gently. ‘It doesn’t bother me if she hates bloodguzzlers and wants to kill me. I’m not going to stop looking for her.’
He licks his lips nervously. A woman in ridiculously high stilettos appears by my side, thrusting a piece of paper in my direction. ‘You’re the Red Angel,’ she bleats. ‘Give me your autograph.’
I frown at her. ‘Get lost.’
She pulls down the collar of her blouse. ‘I’ll let you feed from me.’
I gaze at her as if she’s nuts. ‘I already told you,’ I say. ‘Leave me alone. Can’t you see I’m in the middle of something here?’
‘I taste good.’
I push her away in irritation. It’s little more than a gentle nudge but she goes flying backwards, knocking into another commuter who’s carrying a cup of coffee. Inevitably, the hot liquid spills everywhere. Cue ensuing curses and yelps. Annoyed, I take Jonesy’s arm and steer him into a quieter corner.
‘You should have told me before how Lisa felt.’
He shakes his head. ‘It doesn’t make any difference.’
‘Actually,’ I say sternly, ‘it does. I think she might have gotten mixed up with some anti-vampire protestors.’
‘She wouldn’t…’ He stops when he sees the expression on my face. ‘Okay,’ he concedes. ‘She might have done that. But she still would have spoken to us about it.’
‘Did you know she was almost arrested for vandalism and inciting a riot against a group of vampettes?’
His cheeks redden. ‘No.’
‘She was probably mixed up in a lot of things you didn’t know about,’ I say. ‘Don’t feel bad about it. I bet you didn’t tell your parents everything.’
‘I thought…’ he stammers, ‘I thought we had a better relationship than that.’
‘You did have a good relationship,’ I soothe, wondering why the hell I’m wasting my time making him feel better instead of finding his damn daughter. ‘Everyone keeps secrets. Do you know anything about the necklace she wore? A gold chain with a tree on it?’
‘A friend gave it to her.’
‘Do you know who?’
He looks defeated. ‘No.’
I pat his shoulder. ‘When I have something concrete, I will come and find you.’ I gaze at him meaningfully. ‘Notice I said when, not if. You just need to be patient.’
He clasps his hands and beams at me, hope emanating from every pore. ‘Thank you, Ms Blackman. Thank you so much.’
I try to smile. ‘No problem. I have to go.’
‘You’re looking for her right now?’ His mouths opens wide in delight. ‘You’re going to get Lord Montserrat to help?’ Er, not exactly. Jonesy isn’t finished though. ‘They say that he’ll do anything for you.’
I blink, nonplussed, and step back. ‘He has a lot on his plate right now.’
‘Yes, yes.’ Jonesy is so convinced that I’m going to find his daughter that he’s making himself believe anything. He smiles at me in such a fatherly way that I take a step back.
‘I have to go,’ I repeat. Then, before he can say anything else, I twist away. It would have been a more effective exit if Kimchi had immediately come with me. As it is, I have to yank sharply on the lead to get him to follow.
When he does catch up, he licks my hand and lets out a faint whine. I cast him a look. ‘Yeah, yeah,’ I mutter. ‘I’m go
ing to find his daughter. Don’t worry. There’s just something else I have to do first.’
It’s insanity but I’ve made up my mind.
***
If I thought the Montserrat mansion was busy last time I was here, it’s nothing compared to what it’s like now. All manner of vampires rush past, each one clearly with an agenda. I spy several vampettes looking wan and tired. There are also far too many fresh faces, each with a look of wonder in their eyes. I guess the recruitment drive is already in full swing and curse to myself, even though nothing I could have done would have prevented it.
Despite the bustle, many stop and stare at me. It’s even more annoying here than it is in the real world. I ignore all the wide eyes and stride forward. I’m on a mission.
A familiar voice cries out. ‘Bo!’ I glance over and see Nell rushing towards me. A lifetime ago, she was one of my fellow Montserrat recruits. ‘It’s been so long! How the bloody hell are you?’
‘Great. Where’s Michael?’
‘Hey!’ Matt beams, joining us. ‘You brought Kimchi to say hello.’ The dog leaps up, lathering Matt’s face with spittle. Matt takes it in good spirit. ‘This isn’t the best time though. We’re kind of busy.’ He leans forward, dropping his voice to a whisper. ‘All the rural vampires have been called in. We’re preparing for war.’
I’m shocked. Already? The new recruits will still be in nappies, even if they’ve all woken up. The turning process isn’t an easy one; I can attest to that. I shake my head. As curious as I am about what’s going on, it’s not the reason I’m here.
‘Where’s Michael?’ I repeat.
There’s a sudden lull in the crowd and I see several heads crane upwards. I follow their eyes, spotting the man himself at the top of the grand staircase. He’s in deep conversation with Ursus and completely oblivious to my presence. I clear my throat. It’s now or never.
Passing Kimchi’s lead to Matt, I jog up the stairs. I clear my throat. ‘Lord Montserrat?’
He turns. The flicker of surprised warmth in his expression fills me with hope. Maybe this will go better than I hoped. ‘Bo. What are you doing here?’ His eyes scan me up and down. ‘Are you okay? You’ve not been hurt again?’
I shake my head. ‘No, I’m fine. I need to talk to you though.’
‘My Lord…’ Ursus begins, with a sympathetic look at me. ‘We have to go.’
Michael sighs. ‘I’m sorry. Unless this is urgent, I have to go.’ He looks ruefully at the hive of activity below us. ‘There’s a lot I have to deal with.’
‘So I hear. This won’t take long.’
Ursus is insistent. ‘Lord Montserrat, there’s no time.’
Michael eyes me with regret. ‘Can you come back later?’
I bite my lip. A vampire calls up from the bottom of the stairs, gesturing at a piece of paper. Michael curses under his breath and starts down.
Damn it, I’m not sure if I’ll have time to come back later. Jonesy’s plaintive expression is weighing heavily on my mind and if I don’t do this now, I might lose my bottle. I take a deep breath.
‘Lord Montserrat!’ My voice rings out, loud above the buzz of conversation and running feet. Everyone stops to look at me. Shit. Michael also halts in his tracks. ‘There’s something you need to know.’
He slowly turns round. I see Beth appear in a doorway. She crosses her arms and stares at me; there’s a hint of a smile on her face, as if she’s fully aware of what I’m about to say. I cough and return my attention to the man himself.
‘I’m in love with you,’ I call out. ‘I don’t want to be, but I am.’
There’s a dramatic gasp from the watching crowd, as if we’re on the set of a dodgy soap opera. Given what I’m doing, we might as well be.
I pull my shoulders back. This is probably going to be really cheesy. ‘I’m not a good person. Maybe I was once but not any longer. I don’t regret the things that I’ve done or the things that I’m likely to keep on doing. This world is full of shit and I have to deal with it somehow. But,’ I swallow, ‘when I’m with you, I feel like there’s hope. I feel like I can be better. I know you have high expectations of me and I want to meet them. I want to be the good person that you deserve. Because if I can’t be with you then I’m not sure I want to be anywhere. You make…’ I pause. I’m going to say it. I’m really going to say it. ‘You make my heart sing,’ I say simply. ‘You make me want to be alive. When I’m around you, I can’t think of anything else other than you.’ I laugh sharply. ‘Hell, even when I’m not around you it’s difficult to focus on anything else. You consume me, heart, body and soul. There’s probably a song in there somewhere. I could write a ballad. Some thumping power song with lots of high notes and a heavy piano chorus. The sort that I always thought was bullshit until I met you. Michael, I…’
‘Shut up.’
I blink. ‘What?’
‘I said shut up. You’re babbling, Bo Blackman.’ He strides towards me. His face is set but there’s a gentle warmth in his eyes that gives me hope. ‘I know the feeling.’ A smile tugs at his perfect, chiselled lips. ‘I love you right back. I love your stubbornness and your hard-headedness and your determination to stay as free as you can. You know what, though?’ He continues without giving me a chance to answer. ‘You’re not free. I’ll never let you be free. You’re mine.’ His smile grows. ‘Just because it’s taken you longer to realise that than it took me doesn’t change a damned thing. I’ll just remind you about it when we’re both old and hobbling around with our zimmer frames.’
He stops in front of me and cups my face. The other vampires around us blur into the background. I can still feel the darkness deep inside my heart but knowing I might be able to share that darkness with someone else gives me hope for the future. Lights dance across his eyes and he opens his mouth to speak.
‘Lord Montserrat!’ A panicked voice interrupts. ‘You need to see this!’
His face twists into a fleeting snarl. ‘Not now.’
‘It’s Lord Medici! He’s outside. He’s going to do something.’
I freeze. For a moment, Michael does the same. We share a look of mutual understanding. ‘Let’s go,’ he growls.
I nod. Then the pair of us, followed by many others, run down the stairs and leave. This might be our chance to end Medici once and for all.
Chapter Fifteen: The Audience
We make it to Medici’s stronghold in record time. We’re also not the only ones. I spot clusters of bloodguzzlers from the other three Families ‒ Bancroft, Gully and Stuart. That’s not to mention the crowds of journalists, tribers and humans, all gawking at the Medici front door. A wave of satisfaction runs through me when some nearby witches spot me and hastily move away. Yeah, that’s right. Don’t get too close or you never know what’ll happen.
Medici is standing out front, looking every inch the imperious vampire overlord. He’s wearing a long sweeping cloak in bright scarlet Medici-Family red just in case anyone was under any illusions as to who he is. Beside him are three figures, hoods covering their bowed heads. A large ring of Medici vamps encircle them, no doubt as protection against the growing crowd. No one’s made a move yet because no one knows what he’s about to do.
‘We can’t wait,’ I mutter to Michael. ‘He’s up to something. He’s been waiting for all of us to appear. We have to pre-empt him if we’re going to stay in control.’
‘I agree,’ he answers tightly. He bunches one hand into a fist and starts to raise it up in a call to action – but it’s too late.
Medici steps forward and raises his chin. He flings his arms out, stretching them in an unpleasant facsimile of Christ on the cross. But Medici is no martyr; he’s chosen others to play that role.
‘I am surprised,’ he intones, ‘that we have such an audience. I was not expecting a crowd.’
I sniff. Yeah, right. That’s why he’s had his place bathed in bright lights for the last two nights and waited until every damn vampire Family showed up. Whatever he’s planning,
I’m betting it’s not going to be good.
‘I know that some of you are concerned that we are recruiting more people into the humble folds of our Family. I know you think that it’s a reason to be wary of us. But we are not the enemy. These people came to us, not the other way around. They were on the periphery of society, poor humans destined to be always on the outside looking in. Yes, we have expanded our ranks but we’ve expanded them to give a home to people who otherwise would have no hope. People who were draining this city’s resources, from its healthcare to social work to housing, and giving nothing back. We are giving them the opportunity they need for rehabilitation. We are providing a second chance.’
‘He’s trying to come off as some kind of benevolent charity worker,’ Michael hisses.
‘It won’t work.’
‘Look around you.’ His voice is grim. ‘It already is working.’
I sweep my gaze round the busy street. All the Families are stony-faced, arms folded and postures tense. The witches and the press look interested. The humans hanging to one side are positively agog.
Medici continues. ‘My fellow Families will try to tell you that I’m doing wrong, that I’m breaking with tradition.’ He flicks his eyes from one group to another, eyeballing each Family Lord challengingly. ‘But we have to move with the times. I am no monster, I only have the country’s best interests at heart. The humans I brought into the Medici Family are being held to a very high standard. I will not brook anyone who dares to break human laws, whether we are subject to them or not. Rest assured, any wrongdoers will be punished.’
He drops his arms and moves over to the first hooded figure. With a flourish, he yanks off the hood. Everyone leans forward, curious to know who exactly he has there. I catch myself doing the same then, irritated that Medici has me eating out of the palm of his hand, I pull myself back. Just what is he planning?