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

somewhat intractable when it comes to situations like this. They don’t like the unknown. And everything about what’s happened here is the unknown.’

And then some, I thought. I pointed left, directing him and his entourage down the next street. Two of his men, the irritating Boyce included, insisted on darting ahead to check that the way was clear. Not that it was particularly easy to dart, given the suits they were wearing. I shrugged and let them continue. Despite the recent beastie incursions, this area was always clear of monsters but if checking it out first made them feel better about themselves, it was no skin off my nose.

‘What happened to them? To those people who were evacuated?’

Fab grimaced. ‘Everyone was quarantined. The press called it Tent City, because that’s what it was. Thousands upon thousands of tents, all surrounded by military guards and all smack-bang in the middle of the English countryside. It wasn’t easy for those people.’

‘You’re speaking in the past tense. Tent City no longer exists?’

He paused before answering. ‘Some of it still does. The people are no longer there but there are still lots of tents. You know, just in case.’

‘Just in case the rest of us survivors decide to leave?’

‘Yes.’

Boyce shouted back, beckoning us, and we started walking again.

‘None of the evacuees seemed to be suffering from any ill-effects,’ Fab told me. ‘So everyone was released after three months. But you guys have been in here for far longer. It’s been estimated that it will take years for the infections to leave your bodies.’

‘Hence the quarantine is now three years long?’ I asked. ‘Assuming anyone actually leaves Manchester?’

‘Yes.’

‘You’re taking a big risk coming here.’

He didn’t smile. ‘It’s worth it. We can’t abandon an entire city. We need to examine what’s happened and make sure it doesn’t happen anywhere else. We need to help you. If we can’t look after our own, what does that mean for the rest of the country?’

It was a very similar argument to the one I’d often given Monroe. I acknowledged Fab’s words with a nod. ‘So what about you?’ I asked. ‘You obviously persuaded the government to let you in and you’re wearing your suit things to guard against…’ I could barely bring myself to say the word ‘…infection. Will you be quarantined when you leave?’

‘The suit provides adequate protection. It’s been rigorously tested – though nothing is foolproof.’ He paused. ‘I hope that detail will persuade you that I am determined to make things better here for all of Manchester’s citizens, whoever and whatever they are. The benefits far outweigh the risks.’

It sounded as if Fabian Barrett’s heart was in the right place. I felt myself begin to relax. This could turn out to be a very good day after all.

‘We’re close now,’ I said. ‘You should wait here with your guys and I’ll go up and tell the others you’re coming so they don’t get a nasty shock.’ I gave him a quick grin. ‘We have our own internal walls too. I won’t be more than five minutes.’

I could tell from his expression that he wanted to argue so I put my hand on his arm and squeezed gently. Even with his suit on, I felt his body tense at my touch. He was nervous, whether he wanted to admit it or not. Oddly, it made me like him more.

‘It’s safer this way,’ I said.

Fab nodded. ‘Alright.’ He motioned towards his bodyguards while I skipped forward, jogging rather than shuffling now that I didn’t have to keep pace with them. I gave Boyce and the others a cheery wave as I passed them. They responded with identikit frowns.

Thanks to both Monroe and Anna, I knew that everyone inside the enclave, and especially our own guards at the main barricade, would be informed about our approach. I needed these precious minutes to grab a breather, though, and to tell them what I’d learned so far without Fabian Barrett listening in.

When the barricade came into sight, there were far more people than normal. Some looked excited, some hopeful but most were simply wary.

I raised a hand and ran up. Monroe, bare-chested but wearing jogging bottoms, hopped round the barricade and greeted me. Julian came after him.

‘They’re not far behind me. They’ll probably wait for two minutes and then follow without waiting for me to go back and fetch them,’ I said.

Cath’s head popped up. ‘Is it him?’ she asked. ‘Is it really Fabian Barrett?’

‘It really is,’ I said.

A ripple of awe went through the crowd. Monroe’s expression didn’t alter. ‘What have you told him so far?’

‘I mentioned the magic,’ I said. ‘Some of it, anyway. He knows I have some power because I showed him. He doesn’t know that everyone now has their own magic too. Regardless, he seems to believe that we’re all infected in some way. He also knows there are vampires and werewolves – but he was already aware of them. I’ve not mentioned our dwindling supplies, although I did tell them their technology wouldn’t work. Barrett says he’s here because he wants to make his mark on the world.’

Julian rolled his eyes. ‘He wants to be our saviour.’

‘Yeah. He’s got something of a hero complex.’ I glanced at Monroe. ‘But then so do I.’

‘What’s with the stupid white suits?’

I grinned. ‘They’re protecting themselves from our dangerous atmosphere.’

Monroe didn’t appear impressed. ‘Will that work?’

I shrugged. ‘Who knows?’ I paused. ‘There are five bodyguards,’ I said more quietly. ‘The lead one is called Boyce and he’s not exactly friendly. They’re all carrying guns inside their backpacks. I don’t know what else they have with them, or whether it’s for protection or for attack.’

Monroe didn’t look happy. ‘Noted,’ he growled. ‘We heard the gunfire from miles away. Did they try and hurt you?’ His blue eyes had turned a stormy colour and I didn’t need to know him inside out to tell that he was barely holding his fury in check at the idea that any of them had