I coughed. ‘Yes.’ I turned to her. ‘What about the men Valerie did recently sha— erm, have affairs with? Do you have a list of them? They might have engaged Philip’s services.’ I raised my shoulders in a vague shrug. ‘Outsourcing murder. It could happen.’
‘As far as I can tell,’ Anna said, with an approving smile at my suggestion, ‘there are three potential candidates. There aren’t names for any of these three but Valerie did write down quite a few other details about them. If you two are focusing on the werewolf and anything else you can dig up about Philip, then I’d like to see whether I can identify Valerie’s men. Whatever else is going on here, it started with her.’
The last thing I was going to do was disagree with Anna’s proposal. She was the only one here who had any real experience in investigating crime, even if she was used to doing it with the aid of an entire police force, not to mention a database of criminals, DNA and fingerprints. ‘It sounds like a good plan,’ I said.
Monroe stood up. ‘Definitely. And you’re right about Philip. Once Charlotte and I have finished with Maggie, we should go and talk to the other vampires about him. They should have more reason to answer our questions honestly than before.’ He glanced at me. ‘Much as I hate to admit it, you’re right about the way things are in the north. The vampires can’t afford to be tainted with the suggestion of a murderer hiding in their midst. And, regardless of the motive, neither can the werewolves.’
‘There’s no place for murder in either the south or the north,’ Anna said.
‘Or anywhere in Manchester,’ I added. They both nodded at me in grim agreement. ‘Group hug?’ I asked hopefully.
Anna actually looked slightly afraid. ‘Let’s settle for a firm handshake.’
I grinned and shook her hand, then Monroe did the same. It was oddly formal but it also felt right. Weird. Next thing, I’d probably be carrying around a clipboard and wearing a suit. What a thought.
Once Anna had departed, Monroe walked over to me. His expression was strange, intent but also doubtful. His hands reached up and he cupped my face. ‘I don’t want a hug,’ he said softly. ‘And it would be inappropriate right now, given everything that’s going on. But what I do want more than anything is to kiss you. Properly. When you came downstairs, with your daft blue hair tousled and the look in your eyes so vulnerable…’ He growled softly. ‘I’m normally better at this sort of stuff. I simply wanted to let you know what I was really thinking and state my intent before a better offer comes along.’
I swallowed. Of everything I’d been expecting him to say, this wasn’t it. My surprise must have registered because he stepped back and dropped his hands. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered. ‘I shouldn’t have said that.’
Whoa. ‘No!’ I interjected hastily. ‘I mean, yes!’ I wasn’t making any sense. I cursed to myself then closed the distance between us and reached up for his face in the same manner that he’d reached up to mine. ‘We’ve been doing this dance for a while, Monroe.’ I licked my lips nervously.
His gaze darted downwards and it occurred to me that this might appear to be a calculated move on my part. Whatever you might think of me, I’m not the seductress type, much as a secret part of myself might want to be.
I yanked my tongue back and tried to explain before the moment was lost. My words tripped over themselves. ‘Even when I didn’t see you for weeks, you were what I thought about. A better offer isn’t going to come along. You’re the best there is. I want the kiss too. And more afterwards.’
His eyes darkened. ‘I’m still fucked up, Charlotte. I’m a mess. You’d do better to stay away from me.’
I laughed lightly. ‘Probably. But I’m not sure I can. And whatever mess you are, whatever front you put on for everyone else, you still show the real you to me. I see the real you and I know you see the real me.’ I pushed myself onto my tiptoes and dropped my voice to a whisper. ‘And, in case you’ve not noticed, I’m pretty fucked up too.’
‘You just need more help from your friends.’ He tapped the side of his head. ‘I need help up here.’
‘Your entire pack was killed, Monroe.’
He snarled quietly. ‘And it was my fault.’
‘No.’ I glared at him. ‘It wasn’t. It was a tragedy and awful, and you still need to allow yourself to grieve properly, but it wasn’t your fault.’
‘You weren’t there, Charlotte.’
‘I didn’t have to be,’ I answered simply. ‘I know you. I see you. We’re as vulnerable as each other. You hide it better.’
‘I’m not vulnerable.’
‘You are.’
‘I’m not…’ Monroe cursed. ‘Fuck it.’ He took hold of my shoulders and pushed me gently against the wall. At the same time, I pulled his face down towards me. His lips descended on mine, hot and insistent. Heat flooded through me. It wasn’t only my body that was responding; the magic inside me reacted too, tingling up and down and making me shiver, despite the searing heat of Monroe’s body pressed against mine.
‘Charlotte,’ he groaned.
‘I know,’ I whispered. ‘I know.’
His breath was coming fast and heavy. His mouth found mine while his hands moved away from my face and down my body. I couldn’t think straight. Nothing else existed apart from Monroe. Nothing else mattered. It was just me and him and…
There was the sound of a very loud cough. Barely registering it, my eyes flicked open then I jerked when I saw Cath, leaning against the doorframe and fanning herself. ‘I have one word for you both,’ she said. She raised her voice and crowed to the ceiling, ‘Hawwwwt!’
Monroe slowly pulled away from me. ‘Doesn’t anyone ever knock around here?’
I sighed. ‘Tell me about it.’
‘Honestly,’ Cath said, ‘I’ve been shipping you two for like ever. It’s about time you got it on.’
Monroe looked at me blankly. ‘Shipping?’
I shook my head. ‘Is there something you need, Cath?’
She grinned. ‘I can wait.’
I folded my arms across my chest then realised that half my shirt buttons were undone. Cheeks flushing, I fumbled to fasten them. ‘We’re done.’ I sneaked at look at Monroe.
‘For now,’ he murmured.
I blushed harder. ‘What is it, Cath?’
‘Anna told me you were heading north. I want to come along. The vampire’s body is there, right? I want to take a look.’
I swear she grew more bloodthirsty by the day. ‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’
‘I want to learn!’ she protested. ‘I examined Valerie’s body and I learned tonnes from that! I want to examine the vampire’s too. It’s all in the interests of medicine. It’s all very well stitching up the odd wound or handing out painkillers, but things aren’t always going to be so simple. I’m the only person with any kind of medical experience and I barely know a thing. I’m not being voyeuristic. I’m trying to better myself. I thought you’d appreciate that.’
‘You’re not the only person. We have two doctors in the north,’ Monroe said.
I started. ‘You do?’
‘Just because we’re werewolves doesn’t mean we can’t hold down a job,’ he said mildly. ‘Although there’s also a vampire who’s a cardiac nurse. I have no idea how that works.’
Cath jumped up and down. ‘O. M. G. I have to be there. Let me come with you!’
I frowned at Monroe. ‘How did I not know you had real doctors?’ We could have used them. Several times.
He looked apologetic. ‘I guess I thought you knew. It appears I’m only just starting to learn how important communication is.’
And then some. ‘What else do you have that we don’t?’ I enquired, still annoyed.
‘You’ll have to spend more time with me and find out.’ His eyes glinted.
‘Are you guys about to start snogging again?’ Cath asked. ‘Should I step outside?’
‘No.’ I sniffed. ‘We’re going to the north. We still have a murder to solve.’
&
nbsp; ‘So can I…?’
‘You can come.’ I gave Monroe a long look. Three months and only now I was learning there were real doctors? ‘Have you been holding out on me?’ I asked.
‘Not deliberately.’ He caught my hand and squeezed it. ‘I really am sorry, Charlotte.’
‘I bet they don’t have engineers,’ Cath said. She looked at Monroe. ‘Do you?’
He shook his head. ‘No.’
‘Ours are collecting generators from around the city,’ she chirped. ‘Before too long, we’ll have enough electricity for the whole community. If the magic doesn’t interrupt it, that is.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that right? We could do with some of that ourselves. You didn’t mention electricity before, Charlotte.’
‘We don’t have any yet. It’s a work in progress.’ I looked away. But, yeah, okay, I supposed we both had to work on our communication. And spend more time together in the process. I could live with that.
Chapter Sixteen
In the end, I was secretly glad of Cath’s presence as we journeyed to the north of the city. It meant that there wasn’t the opportunity for more awkward conversations with Monroe. Or distractions. My love life had to come second to Valerie’s murder; it wasn’t fair to her memory to spend my time being distracted by hearts and flowers. Or by how good Monroe smelled when he was pressed up against me. People died and life went on as it should. But there was still a time and a place, and this wasn’t it.
We dropped Cath off at the building earmarked as both a hospital and a morgue. I made a bet with myself as to the likelihood that her approach to blood and gore would make even the werewolf docs appear squeamish in comparison. Then Monroe and I strode towards the community’s centre, the imposing building in front of the square that served as the main hub, where Maggie was being kept.
It wasn’t just werewolves who were out on the northern streets now. With dusk falling, more and more vampires were visible. Their presence made it patently clear that they didn’t want to be locked away in their little enclave; they wanted to be out and about and involved in the world. They’d settled with the wolves rather than separating themselves away because they wanted to be part of things. I wondered how long that would last if the current climate of suspicion continued.
The vampires’ nervousness was amplified by the fact that they steered away from Monroe and me. There were a lot of side glances and under-the-breath comments. From what I could tell, none of them was complimentary.
Despite the attention, our progress was unimpeded until we reached the square. Monroe took my hand as we crossed and, warmed by the small but affectionate gesture, I stopped paying attention to the people around us. Until the shouting began.
‘Oi!’
The shout rang out across the cobbled street. There was no doubt that it was directed at us, especially when a hooded figure started to march our way. ‘Oi!’ he yelled again. ‘I want to talk to you!’
A couple of days ago, Monroe would probably have ignored the bellowing vampire completely and continued blithely on his way. Now he came to a halt and waited, with me by his side. I was pretty sure what words would be said – but then the vampire flipped open his hood and exposed his head. I recognised him immediately.
‘I gave you that list in good faith,’ Theo said, speaking to me, his voice shaking with fury. ‘I was trying to help you.’
I dropped Monroe’s hand and faced Theo. ‘You did help,’ I told him, keeping calm. ‘The list was useful, even if it didn’t contain Philip’s name. It led us to him, after all. Without your help we’d never have found him so quickly.’
Two high spots of colour appeared on Theo’s cheeks. ‘You didn’t find him quickly enough, did you? It’s one thing to dispense justice, it’s quite another to rip someone apart. In the old world we had to hide to stay safe, and it doesn’t appear that anything has changed. When that human tried to take over and hurt people, you banished him. When a vampire is accused of something, you kill them. I’ve seen his body. That was not an easy death. He was tortured.’ He hawked up a ball of spit and shot it at the ground in front of my feet.
Monroe growled but I shook my head at him. Theo had the right to be angry; all the vampires did. ‘It wasn’t us who did that to him,’ I began.
‘No, but it was a fucking werewolf, wasn’t it?’ He jerked his chin at Monroe. ‘You’re obviously working with them. I thought you were independent but he’s leading you around on a leash.’
Monroe drew himself up. ‘Enough.’
‘Is it though?’ Theo was quivering. ‘Because as far as I can tell, it won’t be enough until you’ve got rid of every single last one of us. We know you never wanted us here in the first place and now you’ve hit on the perfect way to get rid of us all. Falsely accuse us of murder and you bastards can get away with whatever you want!’
Monroe’s muscles bunched up. Any moment now Theo was liable to end up with a punch to his face and, if that happened, all hell would break loose. All around us, werewolves and vampires had frozen, watching the action and waiting to see if they had to get involved. Some clearly wanted to, but others appeared more reluctant. Either way, I knew in the depths of my soul that this was the moment that could make or break Monroe’s fragile society.
‘Why,’ I asked carefully, angling myself so part of my body was between the vampire and the wolf, ‘do you think he was falsely accused?’
Theo was struggling to contain himself. I shifted an inch or two to my right, forcing him to look at me. Be calm, I projected towards him. This still might be alright.
He took several short breaths before speaking. ‘I could have mentioned him to you when you came looking but I didn’t because Philip was the most unlikely suspect I could have thought of. Yes, he was a loner but he was a gentle soul. He would never have taken more blood than he needed. He barely drank enough to survive. He came to Manchester with us because he wanted the chance to be free like the rest of us. For Philip, freedom meant peace, it meant quiet. It did not mean killing little old ladies!’
I thought about the WB Yeats’ poems and the portrait we’d come across in Philip’s house. Yes, murder took all sorts but I had to agree with Theo that, even without ever meeting the man, Philip seemed an unlikely killer. Enjoying Irish poetry and guzzling blood were two activities that didn’t quite seem to gel. Then again, Yeats had written a poem about the end of the world.
‘“Things fall apart,”’ I quoted softly, ‘“the centre cannot hold.”’
Monroe and Theo gave me strange looks. I expelled the breath in my lungs. Poetry would only defuse a situation so far.
‘I understand you’re upset,’ Monroe said to Theo.
‘Do you?’ he spat. ‘Do you really?’
‘Yes.’ Monroe nodded at me. ‘Charlotte and I are going to talk to the werewolf responsible for Philip’s death. She has not yet transformed back so she can speak, but I am hoping that Charlotte will assist in that. As soon as she’s in her human form, we can question her. You can come with us and help. It will be useful to have you along as a representative.’
I gaped at Monroe. He had been a very capable authority figure, who inspired confidence and awe; I would do well not to forget that. He didn’t just flip between being arrogance personified and a grief-stricken mess. He was also an experienced leader, and good leaders didn’t yell out orders. They soothed ruffled feathers and kept the peace.
‘I tried that already,’ Theo said, his eyes narrowing. ‘Julian wouldn’t let me talk to her.’
Monroe’s gaze was steady. ‘It’s not up to Julian. Come with us,’ he insisted.
Theo pulled back his shoulders and glared. ‘Fine,’ he spat. ‘But I’m warning you, if you try and manipulate her answers or pull the wool over my eyes…’
‘There will be no wool,’ I said. ‘Promise.’
Theo gave a minute nod and the atmosphere around us altered. The tension from the other vampires and werewolves who were watching us seemed to dissipate, and the p
ressure building in my chest eased. In the space of a minute, we’d gone from potential war to a temporary truce. I breathed out. Now all we needed was for Maggie to cooperate. Unfortunately, that could be easier said than done.
***
Maggie, the werewolf in question, was still very furry. She was chained up in a small room and there was a glint of madness reflected in her yellow eyes. Her lips pulled back over her teeth as we entered, but I thought that most of the fight had gone out of her. She wanted this to be over as much as we did.
Monroe folded his arms and loomed over her, alpha wolf virtually seeping out of his tanned pores. He stared Maggie down and she whimpered and lowered her belly to the floor. She didn’t, however, transform back to human in any way.
‘Change,’ he ordered. Her fur bristled but that was all it did. Monroe hissed in frustration and gestured at me.
I swallowed and stepped up. It was all very well having lots of magic at my fingertips but it didn’t mean I knew what to do with it. There wasn’t a manual for this sort of shit.
I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans and gave Maggie a small smile. ‘I’m going to try a bit of magic,’ I said. She whined and drew back, her eyes widening in fear. ‘It’s to try and help you shift. I won’t hurt you.’ I hoped.
Magic buzzed beneath my skin, eager to be put to use. Feeling more terrified than Maggie probably was, I lifted my right hand and pointed at her. A single plume of magic spouted forth, hitting her on her muzzle. It hissed as it made contact but nothing else happened.
‘Is there a magic word?’ Theo asked.
How the hell did I know? I gritted my teeth and tried again, using slightly more magic this time. I willed Maggie to change with every fibre of my being. Again, not a single thing happened.
Monroe cursed. ‘Something is there,’ he said. ‘Something is preventing her from making the change.’
‘Let me try,’ Theo interjected.
Both of us stiffened but Theo’s expression didn’t change. ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ he asked.
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