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

‘Nimue,’ I explained. ‘It’s all her fault.’ The reek of mermaid was preferable to hell-hound excrement. ‘We’ll have to take a shower together later so that we’re both smelling of roses.’

Monroe reached for my waist and pulled me closer. ‘Count on it,’ he breathed.

I leaned into him, enjoying the moment, then I tilted my head to the left, watching Julian as he spoke with Boyce. Fab wasn’t taking part in the conversation; he was watching me instead.

Monroe followed my gaze and I felt his body stiffen. I smiled lightly at Fab and gave Monroe another kiss. ‘For now, I’m going to get Lucy some milk and grab a drink for myself,’ I said.

‘Okay.’ He didn’t let me go.

‘I really am alright, Monroe. I was never in any danger.’

He held me tighter for a brief moment before releasing me. ‘Don’t do it again. Don’t go out there again on your own. I know you’re as powerful as any of us, if not more. But…’

I cupped his face. ‘I won’t go out alone,’ I said. ‘I promise.’ I gave him a meaningful look. ‘And go easy on the billionaire. We need him.’

Monroe’s mouth crooked up. ‘Not as much as I need you.’

My heart skipped a beat. Time to get a move on, I decided, before I threw Monroe to the ground and had my wicked way with him right there in front of everyone. I licked my lips. How very tempting.

Chapter Twelve

There were only two people present in the Blood and Bones when I entered: Carter, the ever-present vampire barman, and Julie. The latter, naturally, was sipping on a gin and tonic. The cocktail parasol she’d nabbed from the Travotel was in her glass and you’d have been forgiven for thinking it was her first drink of the day. However, she looked more tired than she had this morning. I wondered when she’d last slept. At least it was late enough that she no longer had to be covered from head to foot with an umbrella on her head. She was wearing a pretty dress but unfortunately she seemed uncomfortable in it and plucked at the fabric as if it were making her itchy.

‘Just how much have you had to drink today?’ I asked, as I hopped onto a barstool next to her.

‘Oh darling, please.’ Julie rolled her eyes. ‘You sound like my old agent. Besides, I’m a vampire. I don’t get affected by alcohol in the same way that you do.’

Considering that she was slurring her words, I reckoned she was very much affected. ‘I’m not going to bite my tongue and pretend I don’t care about you,’ I told her. ‘You’re drinking too much. You didn’t sleep today because you were out with us. Yes, you’re a vampire and the magic makes you more powerful than you were before but you’re overdoing things. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.’

‘That’s exactly what I’ve been telling her,’ Carter said. ‘Not that she’ll listen.’

Julie stifled a yawn. ‘I had some fabulously young blood the other day. I’m still on a high from that. I’ll get some sleep tomorrow.’ She patted my arm. ‘Don’t you worry about me.’

But I did worry. I worried a lot.

‘What would you like to drink, Charley?’ Carter asked.

‘Milk, please.’

He stared at me.

‘For Lucy.’ I took the backpack off my shoulders and gently lifted her out, placing her on the bar. For the first time today, she looked fully awake. I smiled.

With the excitement of Fabian Barrett’s arrival, I reckoned that Lucy’s presence would go unnoticed for a few days beyond my Friday deadline. I’d enjoyed feeling the warmth of her body snug against my back today. I wasn’t in any particular hurry to get rid of her.

Carter stretched out one hand and poked her gently. ‘She’s very soft,’ he said. ‘And pretty cute.’

Lucy burbled happily at him then toddled along the bar until she was next to Julie. She dropped onto the vampire’s lap and immediately started purring.

‘We don’t have any milk though,’ Carter said.

‘I’m sure Bailey’s will do, darling.’

‘We’ve run out.’

Even Julie seemed surprised at that. ‘There’s no more Bailey’s? What? Anywhere?’

He pursed his lips. ‘I’m sure a few people have their own stashes but I don’t have any left here.’ At my look, he gestured helplessly outside. ‘I can’t help it if there are a lot of werewolves out there with strange tastes.’ He leaned in. ‘Wait until they find out we’re out of crème de menthe too.’

I shuddered. Yuck. ‘I’ll wait till I get home and I’ll sort Lucy out then. Got any home-brewed beer for me?’

He smiled. ‘Coming right up.’ He grabbed a clean glass and began to pour.

‘So I guess,’ Julie said, still patting Lucy, ‘that it’s so quiet in here because everyone is out there gawking at Fabian Barrett.’

‘I guess so.’

She took a sip of her drink, narrowly avoiding being poked in the eye by the parasol. ‘I heard you were the one who met him at the door.’ She gave me a sideways glance. ‘What are your first impressions?’

‘He likes the sound of his own voice,’ I admitted, ‘and he clearly enjoys being in charge and giving orders. He seemed honest about his intentions. It’s difficult to get a read on him when he’s hiding behind a hazmat suit but I think he’s an alright guy. I’m not about to make him my new best friend just yet, but I don’t have any reason to dislike him.’

Carter put my beer down in front of me. ‘When was the last time you disliked anyone, Charley?’

‘Last week,’ I shot back. ‘I went into the Blood and Bones for a drink and the barman there rubbed me up the wrong way.’

Carter laughed then reached out and used the base of his palm to rub my arm. ‘Like that?’ he asked.

‘Careful,’ Julie said. ‘If Monroe catches you touching his Charlotte, you’ll be one dead vampire.’

‘As if,’ Carter snorted. He did,