I stand on my tiptoes until our noses are almost touching. ‘Bite me.’ And then, with Mildred squirming by my side, I pull my arm away and stride out.
Chapter Eighteen: Deal With the Devil
Because I don’t have the faintest idea what else to do with her, Mildred is safely locked away in one of the bedrooms while the rest of us cluster round the television. No one has found any trace of a girl who looks like Alice Goldman in Westminster. I send a message to Foxworthy explaining what I’ve discovered. He has resources that I don’t but I have no idea whether he’ll be able to round up other stolen children. There’s no doubt that there are more than Mildred, Alice and Benjy. With Mildred unable to help us find the people who organised her ‘transition’, I can feel my chances of succeeding in finding any of the children slipping away. The gnawing chasm of futility and helplessness inside me grows and grows.
On television, Harry D’Argneau’s familiar face beams out at us from the steps of Parliament.
‘I still hate that guy,’ Michael mutters by my side. I turn and give him a small smile, curving an arm round his waist. He remains far too pale for my liking but he can stand up unassisted. Score one for additives and greasy food.
D’Argneau licks his lips; it’s clear he’s loving every minute of the spotlight. ‘The current initiative against the remaining British vampires has been declared unlawful. Every vampire in the land deserves the right to be treated as a legal citizen. By that, not only are they bound by the same laws which bind everyone else and keep law and order on the streets, but they are also to be accorded the same freedom which everyone else enjoys. What happened to the five Families is an extraordinary tragedy but it is one from which we must move on. There will be a lot of questions in the days, weeks and months to come and a lot of issues which must be resolved. The vampires, however, are not our enemies. They are us.’
‘Nice speech,’ I murmur.
My grandfather smiles. ‘I may have thrown a few suggestions his way.’
I raise my eyebrows. He probably wrote the whole thing. D’Argneau continues talking. While the others watch, I draw Michael away. ‘How do you feel about all this?’ I ask softly.
He trails his fingers gently down my face. ‘I don’t know. It’s hard to see your life’s work obliterated. Harder still to know that most of the people you knew are now nothing more than dust and ashes. I know the Families had their faults but I was part of it for a long time, Bo.’ He sighs. ‘Not just part of it, I was in charge of it. You think you have doubts about what you’re doing? I failed everyone.’
There’s a loud whoop as a network pundit comes on television and starts to talk about the benefits of vampirism. Michael and I move sit in the corner, away from all the noise.
‘You were Head of one sodding Family. You weren’t God. And your way wasn’t the wrong way. This way isn’t the right way.’ I struggle to find the right words and wish I was more eloquent, especially about something so important. ‘They’re just different paths. Not good ones or bad ones just … different.’
He smiles sadly. ‘You’re doing a better job than you know, Bo.’
‘I’m not doing a job. I’m not in charge and I don’t want to be. I’m not you, I don’t enjoy leadership. If I could be on my own all the time, then I would be.’ I realise how that sounds and trip over my words in a bid to explain myself. ‘I don’t mean without you or family or things like that.’
‘I know what you mean.’
We look at each other. We may have already had a conversation like this but I feel it bears repeating. I wouldn’t let Michael dismiss me when he was at death’s door but he deserves the option now he’s getting better.
‘If you want to walk away,’ I say, forcing down the stabbing pain that attacks my heart, ‘then you can. At any time. I love you and I’m not going anywhere. But I understand if you want to.’
He doesn’t even hesitate. ‘The truth is, I don’t want to be anywhere but with you.’ He studies my face. ‘If that means being wholly selfish and making you stay with me when I’m wrinkly and doubled over and eating nothing but baby food, then that’s the way it’s going to be. Because I’m not going to let you go.’
I hold my breath. ‘That won’t bother you?’
He shrugs. ‘Maybe we’ll find a way so I can turn back.’
I bite my lip. I know in my heart of hearts that’s not going to happen, just like I know that if I got down on my hands and knees and begged X to make me human, he wouldn’t.
‘You still want to be a vampire?’ I ask.
‘You still want to be human?’
I let out a short laugh. ‘That’s a complicated question.’
‘Yeah,’ he says. ‘It is. I guess when it comes down to it, most people don’t get the happy endings they want.’
I glance at O’Shea. He catches my eye and gives me a quick smile and I note the envy in his eyes. He’d give his eye teeth and then some to have Connor back with him, regardless of what that relationship might entail in the future. I should be happy with what I’ve got. My grandfather can castigate me all he wants for my relationship with Michael; he’s not the one who’s in it.
Beth lets out a loud shriek. ‘Bo! Get your skinny arse over here!’
‘What?’
‘Look!’ She’s jumping up and down and pointing at the screen. A spokesperson for one of the French Families is outside the Eiffel Tower, speaking earnestly to a journalist. I frown, not sure why she’s so excited. Then I see who’s hovering in the background.
‘Matt,’ I breathe. My old Montserrat buddy. ‘He made it out.’
‘And,’ she crows, ‘he can’t speak a word of French.’ She laughs uproariously. ‘He must be having the time of his life!’ Even Kimchi barks, as if recognising his old friend.
The camera shifts. Matt’s not alone, both Arzo and Peter are by his side. Some of my tension dissipates and I relax into a genuine smile. It’s hard to feel entirely happy when so many of us are dead and so much is going to shit, but suddenly it feels as if there’s a glimmer of hope. Until the camera shifts again, switching back to London, and Vince Hale’s face appears.
‘Mr Hale,’ the journalist intones, ‘you’ve been one of the most ardent advocates against the vampires. How do you feel about the court’s new ruling?’
The politician’s expression remains studiously serious. ‘What happened to the five Families is an extraordinary tragedy and, believe me, I take no pleasure in it. I have spoken personally to Scotland Yard and they do not believe the threat is over. We have indeed captured many of the members of this group calling itself Tov V’ra. However, it is possible that some remain.’
‘Yeah,’ Rogu3 snorts. ‘Like Vince Hale himself.’
I hush him. Hale is up to something and I want to hear what.
‘Neither can we deny that the vampires are a threat to our civilized society. I appreciate the court’s ruling and I am fully sympathetic to the vampires’ cause but these are creatures who prey on innocent victims. They drink blood to stay alive, for goodness’ sake. It’s all well and good to integrate them into society and let them live amongst us but,’ his face now turns sad, ‘what about the danger to our children? Let us not forget what happened to young Thomas Glass when a bloodguzzler attacked him in his own yard. I believe that the vampires want to be good. I believe that they mean it when they say they will abide by our laws. But their baser instincts mean that they simply cannot control themselves enough for that to happen.’
‘So, Mr Hale, what exactly are you proposing?’ asks the journalist, feeding him what is no doubt a pre-prepared question.
‘Exactly what I’ve been planning all along: we transport all vampires to a facility out of the capital. It will be comfortable. We will provide them with all the blood they require. They don’t recruit anyone new and no one else is made to suffer because of their existence. They will die out naturally instead of living their lives in fear ‒ and Britain will be safer for it.’
Beth folds
her arms and glares. ‘He’s putting himself across as the calm voice of reason as if he’s telling a child to eat their smegging vegetables. It’s for your own good,’ she mimics. ‘Tosser.’
I look at my grandfather and he smiles back with grim resolve. ‘The black witches will put out a statement in support of the vampires. They have no desire to be rounded up and placed in some internment camp either.’
I draw in a ragged breath. ‘It won’t be enough. As long as people believe that Hale is a sensible human who stands for law, order and safety, sooner or later people will rally to his cause. We don’t have a strong enough plan for ourselves now that the Families no longer exist. We can’t counteract what he’s saying.’
‘We could come up with a plan.’
‘Yeah, but it would be rushed and he’ll find holes in it. We have to take our time deciding what we’re going to do next and how we’re going to live. He wants us to trip over ourselves and make a mistake, then he’ll pounce on it, court ruling or no court ruling.’
‘So what do we do?’
Everyone looks at me, even Michael. My mouth is dry and my palms are clammy. What I really want to do is to end Hale once for all and leave him bleeding out in some dark alley but that would only play into his hands. It’s what he’s probably hoping for.
I lick my lips. ‘Rogu3, have you got anywhere with his computer? Is there anything we can use to discredit him?’
‘I’m sorry, Bo.’ He drops his head and looks ashamed. ‘So far his files are clean.’
‘What about the barrister?’ Chester asks. ‘Can’t he do something else? Tell everyone that Hale’s proposal is still illegal?’
‘He can shout about the law all he wants,’ I answer. ‘Once public opinion is against us, there won’t be much comeback.’
Michael clears his throat. ‘I can do an interview. Present a human face that people will believe because I was one of you.’
‘In theory that would be good but Hale will jump on it as a reason why we should all be returned to a human state.’
His response is quiet. ‘Isn’t that what you want?’
On some level, yes but this isn’t about me. I look at the remaining vampires. I’m not imagining the fear in their eyes; they don’t want to be human any more than Michael does. I need to put aside my personal feelings and think about what’s best for everyone. What’s going to give us a future? The only answer I can come up with is getting rid of Vince Hale. I pinch the bridge of my nose and try desperately to think.
‘Okay,’ I say slowly, ‘we’ve got the Kakos daemons, Vince Hale and a seventy-seven-year-old woman who’s stolen a teenager’s body. Somehow we need to deal with them all.’
O’Shea grins weakly. ‘Well, when you put it like that, it’s a piece of piss. Only the most powerful beings on the planet, a Member of Parliament and a body snatcher.’ He shrugs. ‘What could be easier?’
I scratch my nose. ‘What can we control?’
‘None of the above,’ my grandfather says. ‘But if Hale is going after public opinion then that’s what we focus on. The faster the black witches come out in support, the better things will be.’
I nod. ‘The witches are just one group, though.’ I straighten my shoulders. ‘There are other people who will benefit from our continued existence and who might be in a position to help us.’ I tighten my jaw. ‘I’m going into town.’
***
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not good at asking for help. I wasn’t lying when I told Michael that I prefer to work alone. Owning up to the fact that I’m not all-powerful and can’t do everything solo is one of the hardest things I’ve done. It’s one thing getting help from Foxworthy or D’Argneau, or having Hope and her witches approach me; coming here to initiate a meeting and beg for assistance is entirely different.
Compared to a few days ago, it’s obvious that people are slowly starting to return to their normal routine. The streets are busier with both foot traffic and cars. You can’t keep a good city down. There are still a lot of bloody people heading towards Magix, however. There’s nothing like a good protection spell to make you believe that you’re safe from all the nasty things out there. That desire is what I’m counting on.
I hold my head up high and cross the road, then stroll through the giant glass doors that lead to Magix’s shop floor. A young woman, laden with shopping bags and on her way out, immediately notices me and lets out a small shriek. If she’s shopping at Magix, I’m pretty certain that she’s not a fan.
‘Guzzler! Bo … Bo … Bo Blackman!’
Heads begin to turn and people drop to the floor as if I’m about to pull out an Uzi and fire indiscriminately. I walk past the woman to the centre of the shop. I spread my arms out wide and yell, ‘I want to talk to the manager!’
Two burly security guards march towards me, tasers in front of them. ‘Get down on the ground,’ the nearest one shouts.
I do as I’m told. I’m not here to appear threatening, I have far grander plans in mind. As much as I hate those damned anti-vampire handcuffs, I press my wrists together and wait patiently for the guards to secure me. It’s only when energy starts to sap out of me as the cuffs click into place that they haul me back up to my feet.
‘What do you want?’ the second guard snarls in my face.
‘I want you to see a dentist to sort out that halitosis,’ I retort without thinking. He reaches back and slams his fist into the side of my head. I reel. ‘Pretty birdies,’ I mutter, shaking my head to clear the pain. ‘I apologise. I didn’t mean to be rude. As I already said, I want to see the woman in charge. Take me to the manager.’
There are a few whimpers from the cowering shoppers. ‘You’re not going anywhere near her,’ the guard spits.
‘It’s fine,’ rings out a clear, imperious voice. We all turn. Standing less than a few metres away is a well-dressed woman in a tailored suit.
‘Ma’am…’
She flicks a hand dismissively at the guards. ‘Bring her up.’ She turns on her heel, leaving them no choice but to drag me along as we follow.
The top-floor offices of Magix have changed since the last time I was here. A woman’s touch, I suppose. There are soft furnishings and bright colours. It looks more like a comfortable living room than the headquarters of one of the wealthiest shopping conglomerates in the world. The woman sees me looking around. ‘Do you like it?’ she enquires.
I shrug; I don’t really give a hoot what the Magix offices look like. Then I remember I’m trying to get on her good side. ‘It’s wonderful,’ I say. ‘So bright and airy. The way the pink accents the olive green is inspired.’
A muscle tightens in her jaw and I realise I’ve injected a tad too much enthusiasm into my voice. ‘Sorry. I’m on edge and I don’t mean to sound insincere.’
Her eyes widen a fraction. ‘Is that an apology from the great, infallible Bo Blackman?’ She places a hand over her heart. ‘I’m shocked.’
‘I’m not infallible,’ I say stiffly. ‘Especially not with these cuffs on.’
She smiles. ‘Yes, my predecessor did get some things right.’
Considering I put her predecessor in jail, where he managed to get himself killed, I decide that this isn’t the direction I’d like the conversation to going. ‘What’s your name?’ I ask instead.
‘You may call me Isabella.’
I wonder if she’s like Madonna and has no surname. This time, however, I manage to be more circumspect. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’
Isabella smiles again and sits down, elegantly crossing her ankles. She gestures to the seat opposite and I plonk my arse down awkwardly. But I am still wearing the stupid handcuffs so it’s not entirely my fault.
‘Why have you come here?’ she enquires.
I lean back and try to look nonchalant, countering her question with one of my own. ‘How’s your profit margin these days?’
‘We’re not in any danger of going under,’ Isabella replies. ‘But thank you for your concern.’
She already looks bored.
‘I used to work for an insurance company,’ I say.
‘Bruckheimer and Berryhill.’ She’s done her homework.
‘Yeah. I paid them a visit this week. Mr Berryhill was concerned that they would lose a lot of their clients now that there aren’t so many vampires to worry about.’
Her eyes dance. ‘So you helped him out by drinking a pint of his blood and snapping a photo. Don’t tell me you’re here to offer me the same service because, if that’s the case, I shall respectfully decline.’
‘I’m told the experience is rather orgasmic,’ I say before adding hastily, ‘but no. That’s not exactly why I’m here.’
Her eyebrows rise. ‘Not exactly?’
‘Look, I know your company has put a lot of money into anti-vampire stuff. These handcuffs, the tasers, all that other shit. If there aren’t any vampires, then all that will go to waste. You need tribers like us.’
Her mouth twitches. ‘So you’re here to ask us to come out in public in support of you.’ She pauses. ‘And against Mr Hale.’
It’s good to know she’s been keeping up with current events. ‘I am.’
‘It is true,’ Isabella states carefully, ‘that we will lose some custom. But you saw what things are like downstairs. We are not worried. We can recoup our lost profits elsewhere. I understand your position, Ms Blackman, but going against a powerful member of the government would not be in our best interests.’
‘Hale won’t be around for long,’ I growl.
She looks only mildly interested. ‘You can’t kill him. You know that if you do, his message will become all the stronger.’
I grit my teeth. ‘I am aware of that.’
‘Well, then.’
I repeat my point. ‘More vampires mean more profit for you.’
‘We will manage.’ She stands up. ‘If that’s all…’
‘What about Kakos daemons?’ I burst out.