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

of Monroe and the others. I’ll go to the door and see exactly what Fabian Barrett’s plans are. I won’t take him to where we live until I know he’s not going to cause problems.’

‘Or to the Travotel.’ Anna’s voice was quiet but insistent. ‘Don’t take him there. In fact, don’t even tell him about us. Not until we know what his intentions are.’

That was a sensible plan; it was a good idea to play our cards close to our chest until we knew more. ‘I won’t.’ I ran a hand through my hair. ‘This could be the best thing that’s happened since the apocalypse.’ Or the worst.

‘What’s your gambler’s gut telling you?’

I could only be honest. ‘It doesn’t have a clue.’ I stuffed the message into my pocket and grabbed the backpack. Lucy let out a small squeak from inside. ‘There’s no guide book or instruction manual for what’s about to happen.’ I swung the bag onto my shoulders and ran to the bike.

‘Hey!’ Nimue shouted. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Sorry!’ I yelled. ‘This is an emergency. I’ll come back another day!’

‘But you only just got here.’ I was already cycling away. So was Anna. It didn’t stop Nimue. ‘I almost died a minute ago! Come back!’

‘Bye, Nimue!’ I pedalled faster, weaving out of the trees and onto the pockmarked road. If I were lucky and the route was clear, I’d make it just in time.

Chapter Nine

When the walls around Manchester were initially erected and we created our own sneaky back door to use if we desperately needed to, one of the smaller packs of werewolves was posted to guard it. At that point we didn’t know if the Army would try to use the door themselves to come inside and see what was going on, or if the government would allow the door to remain. After all, they had evacuated the entire city and boomed out dire warnings that the newly established borders around Manchester would be closed for good.

I imagined, however, that people on the outside would demand that we still be allowed an escape route. Politicians will cave in to just about anything – other than reducing their own pay packets – if it makes them appear that they’re obeying the will of the people.

As far as I knew, no other country in the world had a magical city like Manchester. The eyes of the world were on the British government. I rather liked the idea of blue-hatted UN officials hanging around on the other side of the wall and sipping tea in case anyone decided they wanted to come out. It was all speculation, of course; I had no way of really knowing what was happening outside the city. But guesswork went a long way. I’d built my secondary career as a professional gambler on it.

After a month or two, the werewolves on our side were bored silly because no one was leaving and no one was entering; not a thing happened near the new wall and guarding the door was a fruitless, time-consuming task. We had more important things to worry about than a damned door. The guard post was abandoned and, as far as I was aware, few people inside Manchester gave the door another thought.

As a result, when I finally careened round to the door after cycling like my life depended on it, there wasn’t another living soul in sight. Not only that but the nearby trees, which had enjoyed magical growth spurts, seemed to have taken over the entire area. I cursed as I saw the gnarled tree roots and low-lying branches that now blocked the door. No-one was coming in or out – at least until the way was cleared.

‘Hang onto your hat, Lucy,’ I muttered.

The little shadow beast stirred behind me. I lifted off my backpack and placed it, and Lucy, some distance away for safety. I couldn’t hear anything from the other side of the wall. It had to be nearly six o’clock by now; if Fabian Barrett genuinely was coming in, I’d have to do something about those trees otherwise he wouldn’t be able to wedge open the door and wave in a hand.

I licked my lips and concentrated. In theory, I didn’t need much magic to obliterate the trees and clear a path; a few short sharp bursts would be enough. I was still breathing hard from my bike ride, however, and my body was trembling all over. I don’t know if that was from excitement or fear, or just because I needed a snack, but it was enough to put me off my game. When my fingertips prickled and I loosed the magic inside me, rather than a controlled trickle I sent out a wavering explosion.

The ground rocked. Lucy emitted a terrified squeak and wiggled out of the backpack before bounding to the bushes behind us for cover.

It didn’t help that it hadn’t rained for three weeks and the wood and surrounding undergrowth were bone dry. Within moments, the entire area was ablaze with green fire.

‘Shit.’ I glared at the scene as if I could alter what was happening merely through dirty looks. ‘Shit, shit, shit.’ If I let things continue, it wouldn’t be long before the nondescript door itself would be aflame.

Jade-green tinged smoke was spiralling upwards into the sky. If Fabian Barrett – and anyone else – was standing on the other side of the wall, surely they’d decide to abandon their entry plans. Instead of improving the situation, I’d made it a hundred times worse. Go me.

The magical fire burned with such an intensity that it felt like my eyelashes were being singed off. Leaves crackled as the fire reached them. Tongues of flame leapt in all directions, licking towards me, towards the wall, towards anything in their path.

I breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth, counting the seconds and forcing myself to stay calm. I could only bring the situation back under control if I were under control