City of Magic: The Complete Series by Helen Harper (book club recommendations TXT) 📕

I grinned.

‘I’m Anna Jones,’ she said, striding forward with her hand outstretched. ‘I’m investigating the killings from the southern side and I have a few questions for Maggie.’

‘You’re not supposed to be here,’ Felicity snapped. ‘Do you think I’m stupid just because I’m a wolf? The order went out hours ago and it’s not been rescinded. Whoever you are and why ever you’re here, you’re in the wrong place.’ She pointed at me. ‘She is most definitely not supposed to be here.’

‘I’m a police officer,’ Anna began.

‘Not here you’re not.’ Felicity crossed her arms. ‘Not now. But if you want to talk to Maggie, go ahead. But don’t hurt her. She’s been through enough as it is.’

My mouth dropped open and Felicity gave a short, unfriendly laugh. ‘Do you know why humans aren’t allowed here any more?’ she asked. ‘It’s because there’s a chance that the rest of us supernatural beings won’t be able to control ourselves. That we’ll let the magic get the better of us and we’ll attack or even kill you without provocation.’

‘It’s just a theory,’ I managed, still unsure what was really going on inside Felicity’s head.

‘And a stupid one at that,’ she snorted. ‘Magic won’t overpower me. It won’t change who I am. Nothing will force me into shifting and attacking you. If I do that, it’s because I choose to do it. I don’t like vampires. I think they’re vicious, nasty creatures who don’t belong here, but that doesn’t mean I’ll hurt any of them. I’m not a monster and I can control my own urges. Besides,’ she added, ‘you’re the enchantress. If you want to protect yourself, I’m sure you’re more than capable.’

I frowned. ‘I thought wolves always followed orders and maintained the hierarchy, no matter what.’

‘Maybe more than one thing around here is changing,’ she said with a crooked smile. She turned on her heel and started walking away. ‘I’ve not seen you. I don’t know where you are.’

Well, well, well. I watched her go before exchanging a baffled glance with Anna then opening the door into Maggie’s cell. I could only pray that we were going to get some answers.

Maggie was still chained up but she appeared considerably healthier than before. There was a glow to her cheeks and her thick dark hair looked shiny, giving the impression that she’d taken a long shower with some expensive conditioner. When she clocked Anna and me, she seemed surprised but not overly dismayed. That was a good start.

‘Hey,’ I said softly. ‘Remember me?’

‘I’m not likely to forget.’ She glanced behind me, no doubt expecting Monroe or Julian to stride in after us. When it was clear we were alone, I could tell her interest – and her trepidation – was piqued. ‘What can I do for you?’

Softly, softly, Charley. ‘Have you been treated well?’

She shrugged, making her chains rattle. ‘I can’t complain.’

‘Are the restraints necessary?’ Anna enquired.

‘Don’t ask me,’ Maggie said. ‘I only work here.’ She curved her mouth into a smile as if she were merely telling a light-hearted, albeit not very funny, joke. When we didn’t chuckle, her smile disappeared and she sighed. ‘I can’t be trusted. I can’t even trust myself.’

I stepped close to her then sat down cross-legged and within her reach. Not only did it bring me down to her level, it also indicated a level of trust on my part. I didn’t think Maggie would attack me and I was willing to prove it.

‘I’m DI Jones,’ Anna said. I turned my head to look at her and she shrugged. ‘I’ve given myself a promotion. I think I’m entitled.’

I wasn’t about to argue. ‘Why stop at Detective Inspector? Why not go for Commissioner?’

‘Too much paperwork,’ she said, without a trace of irony. ‘Now, Maggie, we would like to ask you a few questions, if you’re willing.’

Maggie’s eyes shifted between the two of us. ‘Sure. I’ve gone over it several times, though. I’m not sure there’s anything new I can tell you.’

‘It’s not the incident itself that we’re interested in,’ Anna said. ‘It’s what was happening before.’ She paused. ‘With you and your state of mind.’

For the first time Maggie looked faintly nervous. ‘Oh yes?’

Anna pressed ahead. ‘How have you been finding the aftermath of the apocalypse?’

Maggie shifted uneasily. ‘It’s great,’ she said unconvincingly. ‘I have a lot more strength than I used to. My wolf responds to the magic in the air. She likes it.’

I found it interesting that she separated herself from her werewolf form. I’d not heard Monroe do that.

‘Mmm-hmm.’ Anna nodded. ‘So everything’s hunky-dory? Couldn’t be better?’

Maggie’s tongue darted out to wet her lips. ‘Yes.’

Anna didn’t say anything. Neither did I. The silence stretched out until I could almost see the prickles of discomfort across Maggie’s skin.

‘Well,’ she said eventually, ‘it’s not perfect. I mean, nothing ever is, right?’

I leaned back and rested my weight on my hands.

Maggie swallowed. ‘I’d never been to Manchester before the apocalypse. I’d never spent much time in a city. Our pack is from the countryside. We lived near a forest and hills and…’ She looked away. ‘Not buildings and roads. I know the city here is virtually empty but it’s still different.’ Her hand went to her throat. ‘Sometimes it can be quite constricting.’

‘Did you talk to anyone about how you were feeling? I understand that wolf packs can be quite close knit.’

‘They are. Of course they are. My pack is my family – they mean everything to me.’ Her voice was so fervent that I couldn’t help wondering who she was trying to convince. She seemed to realise that herself because her body sank slightly. ‘But it’s not always good to show weakness. We have to be strong. There are a lot of nasty creatures out there. If we don’t put on a strong front, they could take advantage.’

I suspected she was talking about the vampires within the barricades of Monroe’s north rather than the magical beasties who lived outside its limits.

‘So,’ I probed,