The sick feeling roiled back in my stomach. I wanted to tell her she couldn’t do that, but of course she could.
She threw down the newspaper.
The headline read
LOVE AT FIRST BITE?
Underneath it was a picture of the Earl and me. Both of us were smiling.
She carried on, ‘Your employment contract with
Spellcrackers.com
has been terminated with immediate effect.’ She swung back to Finn. ‘I also have to inform you, Mr Panos, that should you decide to employ Ms Taylor after you have taken over the franchise, the franchise will revert and all monies paid will be retained in lieu of damages.’
I stared at her, stunned.
Finn jumped down from the counter. ‘They can’t do that, Helen - you can’t let them—’
‘Copies of those were sent to every council member.’ She pointed at the envelope.
‘So what? Doesn’t Gen get a hearing, a chance to defend herself?’ He pointed the envelope at her. ‘Can’t they see it’s a set-up?’
Inspector Crane half-raised her hand, then let it drop. ‘There’s nothing I can do about it, Finn,’ she said quietly. ‘Not now.’ She turned, pulled open the door and left.
I listened to the sound of her shoes clicking down the stairs, getting fainter and fainter.
Finn stood for a moment, staring after her as if he couldn’t believe what she’d said. He wasn’t the only one. I’d always known it was a possibility, but to have it actually happen—
Finn turned to me, his face determined. ‘Gen, I’ll talk to her. She’s got a lot of influence. We’ll get it sorted.’ He glanced at Hugh as he left to follow her. ‘Don’t let Gen do anything stupid.’
Chapter Thirty-Four
I
hugged my arms around myself and gave Hugh a shaky smile. ‘Looks like I’m out of a job then.’
And out of my home
, I added silently, looking around with regret. No way could I afford the rent without the witch subsidy working at Spellcrackers gave me.
Hugh picked up his notepad, tapped his pen on the front. ‘The two bodies were not human?’ His voice was raised in question.
‘What—? No, they were revenants. I thought you’d picked up on that.’
‘They are a type of vampire.’ He made a note in his pad. ‘Someone wants you out of the way.’
I laughed, a short sharp burst that I cut off before I couldn’t stop. ‘You could say that.’
Hugh’s forehead creased into concerned cracks. ‘The revenants attacked you?’
‘I’m okay, Hugh, really.’ I gave his shoulder a reassuring pat then held my arms out. ‘See, all in one piece.’
‘Well, you don’t look quite as skinny as you usually do.’ He got slowly to his feet, knocking his head against my amber pendant.
I smiled at his diplomatic compliment.
‘What I meant, Genny’ - he brushed a hand carefully over his black hair and shifted away from the tinkling crystals - ‘they wanted you to be out of the way physically. The bodies were left where they could be found quickly and easily. The dog-walker, the one who found the blood, said that wasn’t his usual route.’
‘Mind-locked,’ I said.
He nodded as if I’d confirmed something. ‘Inspector Crane wanted to take you in for questioning, and that would have meant you off the street for at least forty-eight hours. Now, thanks to Finn’s intervention ...’ He paused. ‘This vampire - the one who mind-locked the dog walker - is he the one who killed the revenants?’
I hesitated, realising I’d just confirmed to Hugh I’d been hanging around with a vampire. Still, after the Earl’s front page news—
‘Yes, it’s the same one,’ I said, ‘but why try and frame me up like that? He couldn’t have known what was going to happen, unless—I know he didn’t want me involved with this, so maybe this is his way of keeping me out of it.’ I frowned as something else odd hit me. ‘But then he also sent me an invitation to the Blue Heart.’
Hugh nodded thoughtfully. ‘You were under the witches’ protection, so sending you an invitation was the correct way to contact you. It’s standard practice between the witches and the vampires; that way they meet under the old rules of hospitality.’
Of course! The hospitality thing. That was why Malik had healed me. He’d seen it as his
responsibility
to make sure I got home safe and unharmed, although it still didn’t explain why he’d invited me in the first place.
‘As this vampire killed the revenants, then there is no need to investigate their deaths.’ Hugh continued with his note. ‘I’ll order the blood tests, and once they’re confirmed the bodies will be burnt and the case closed.’
I nodded, understanding why. When they’d reclaimed their legal rights, the vamps agreed to abide by human laws, but only when it came to humans. They still kept their own judicial traditions, including destroying any vamps that turned feral or were considered a danger, without resorting to human law, and without fear of reprisal - and the two revenants qualified as dangerous in anyone’s book, never mind mine.
I shuddered. It was the same justice Malik was planning to follow in destroying me, or rather, the
feral
Rosa me, my Alter Vamp.
‘S’cuse me?’ called a child’s nervous voice, and a hand edged through the half-open door, dropped a white paper carrier bag on the floor and disappeared.
I blinked for a moment, baffled, then realised the bag was Finn’s lunch order from the Rosy Lee. Briefly I wondered why Katie hadn’t delivered it, but shrugged the thought off - it was Sunday, and what with the tourists and the Witches’ Market, the café was probably busy. I’d check on her later.
‘You want anything to eat, Hugh?’ He shook his head and I put the bag on the kitchen counter moving the inspector’s brown envelope as I did. I tipped it up and slid out the contents: four ten by eight photos. The two of the Earl bending over my hand weren’t the problem. Like the one in the newspaper, it was obvious we were in a public place. They could be fobbed off as a chance meeting, something the witches probably wouldn’t object to. But the one of me kissing Rio, and the other where I was sitting astride her on the floor ... well, even I had to admit the Witches’ Council were probably right to think the two of us weren’t discussing the weather.
I handed Hugh the pictures, trying not to wince. ‘You can say I told you so if you want.’
He took them from me. ‘Yes, I have seen them. There is also a video on the internet of you with this vampire.’ He held up Rio’s picture. ‘That is what seems to have antagonised the Witches’ Council the most, from what I can gather.’
My day was just getting better and better.
Hugh slid the photos back onto the counter. ‘Apparently, some of the younger witches think that segregation from the vampires is the wrong way to go, particularly in the current climate. The council feel that if they don’t make a stand with you, it will set a bad precedent.’
Damn. Finn with his shining-knight complex might think he could get Inspector Crane to help me, but he had more chance of carrying soup in a sieve.
‘Finn knows.’ I looked up at Hugh. ‘He knows about the 3V. He wants to try and help me.’
‘Ah, Genny.’ Hugh gave a hesitant rumble as a guilty expression crossed his face. ‘There’s something I should explain.’
I frowned, puzzled. ‘What about?’
‘I know I’ve always told you to keep your distance from the fae because of your
problem
.’ Dust puffed from his head ridge. ‘I know I said that if they were to find out they would ostracise you, but that’s not entirely true. Those with good hearts - like Finn - would want to help you. I think it’s time I told you this, and also to apologise for misleading you all this time.’
‘But Hugh—’
‘Let me finish. When I first met you, I realised you were alone and vulnerable and desperate to put your trust in someone. I also realised that if you started to mix with the fae—’ He sighed, and continued, ‘Well, there are some who would use you for their own gain, much like the vampires. I didn’t want that to happen, so I convinced you that it was better to stay away from others of your own kind as much as possible. I’m sorry.’
‘I was young, Hugh, not totally stupid,’ I said, frowning. ‘Why would you think I would trust someone, even another fae? I mean, it took a couple of years before I started to trust you.’
‘That night I found you,’ Hugh’s fingers tightened around his troll-pen, ‘the night when the human attacked you - well, he’d obviously picked up those church leaflets and used them to lull your suspicions. And if a human could trick you like that, then you’d be an easy mark for a fae,’
‘The human didn’t
trick
me, Hugh,’ I snorted. ‘He tried to, but I could tell he was some vamp’s blood-pet, his skin was hotter than a dwarf’s furnace. But when I told him to get lost, he said he’d kill the woman working in the café unless I played nice and went with him. I’d planned to Glamour him once we were outside.’
‘But he poisoned you with iron, Genny,’ Hugh rumbled loudly.
‘Yeah.’ I pulled a disgusted face. ‘I admit letting him do that wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had. I sort of expected the effects to wear off a bit quicker than they did.’
‘But why did you go along with me all this time if you knew I was misleading you?’
‘Well, you weren’t really, were you?’ I said slowly. ‘You were just being kind. The fae
would
shun me if they knew about my tainted blood.’
‘Genny, I just explained: not all of them would.’ His frown cracked even deeper.
Oh shit—Hugh didn’t know!
He didn’t know who - or rather,
what
- my father was. The dragon at the sanctuary had told him about the
salaich sìol
in my blood, but she hadn’t told him about my father ... And no way could I deal with telling Hugh that little revelation just now.
‘Right,’ I snatched up the photos, mentally back-peddling, ‘but then if some of the fae did shun me, never mind anything else, think about all the problems I’d get with the witches, and the vamps.’ Hoping to distract him, I tapped the pictures and added quickly, ‘Like this mess I’m in now.’
‘This is what I have always been afraid of, Genny.’ More red mica glinted anxiously in Hugh’s hair. ‘That something like this would happen. It’s left you very vulnerable.’
‘I’m trying to get out of it, Hugh,’ I sighed, taking a cake box out of the food bag. ‘There’s just one more thing I need to do first before it’s finished.’
Why on earth had Finn ordered cakes? Neither of us ate them. I prised up the lid and stared. It wasn’t a food container, but two heart-shaped blue leather jewellery boxes. My stomach knotted: they had to be from the Earl. Tucked down beside the boxes was a note.
I unfolded the thick cream paper and read:
My dear Genevieve,
I believe the item within the smaller box belongs to you. I acquired it, on your behalf, some three years ago, when you felt the need to offer it up as security. I understand the item has sentimental value, and so I am returning it now, as a gesture of my esteem. I am writing to extend you my protection at this uncertain time and have hopes that you will look favourably upon my offer. I also wish to assure you that my intentions are honourable and enduring. With this in mind, the larger box contains a gift that I trust you will appreciate.
The Earl
My heart pounding, I grabbed the smaller box and jerked back the lid. Tildy’s black opal collar rested on the padded cushion within. My hands were shaking as I picked it up and ran my fingers over the five-stranded necklace. I held it to my nose, but the precious scent of Tildy’s gardenias no longer clung to the jewels, only the sad smell of blood, old and stale and almost bitter. I clutched the opals, blinking back tears. I didn’t have time to get upset.
The Ancient One had said she’d keep them safe, that was the agreement. She’d decided I wasn’t going to be around long enough for her to get all her money, and had actually refused to take
my word
that I’d pay for the spell, every month, on the dot - which I had. And all this time I’d never known the Ancient Bitch had sold the opals to the Earl—
shit
. Did that mean the Earl knew about my Alter Vamp disguise? Had she told him that’s what the opals were security for, or had she just grabbed the opportunity to cash in? The Ancient Bitch was going to have some explaining to do. If I survived that long.
I opened the larger box, then swallowed hard. The Fabergé Egg nestled amongst the blue velvet. It wasn’t my father’s; his didn’t have sapphires on it ... But the egg meant that the Earl knew who my father was - who
I
was - and he wasn’t planning on selling me back to my prince, so long as I accepted his offer of protection. The note was pure blackmail, however
nicely
it was couched. Only—If he’d known about me all this time, why had he waited until now before making his move?
‘Genny?’ Hugh’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I’d almost forgotten he was there. ‘Isn’t that your necklace? The one I looked after for you when you were younger?’
‘Yes, it is.’ I took a deep breath. ‘And I want you to look after it again, please Hugh.’ I turned around, yanked open the fridge and took out the plastic container. It wasn’t big enough to hold the blue velvet box, so I wrapped the opals carefully in some kitchen roll and tucked them next to the soap, then snapped the plastic lid closed. ‘Keep it with all my other stuff.’ I held the box out to him. ‘Oh, and you’d better keep that too.’ I indicated the egg. ‘I’ll need to return it.’
‘Of course I’ll look after your things,’ he said, a small dust cloud puffing from his head ridge. He held up the Earl’s letter. ‘But—’
‘Look, I’ve got to go, Hugh. There’s someone I need to visit.’
‘Genny.’ His deep rumble made me stop. ‘I don’t know what you ran away from all those years ago, or what you need to do to finish this, but I do know it’s something to do with the vampires. And you’ve come too far to give in to them now.’