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

whole, as if it were an oyster with a squeeze of lemon. Exactly the same thing had almost happened to me with Lucy’s mother.

I held my breath and watched as the gigantic creature swung its paw down again, this time snatching up several rats. One escaped, wriggling free by jumping onto the shadow beast’s shoulder where it was immediately absorbed by the creature’s strange fur. The shadow beast gulped down the other rats before absently scratching its shoulder and picking out the hapless rat from where it had fallen. Its reprieve had been temporary; a second later it joined its friends in the beast’s belly.

Throughout all this, Lucy had done nothing more than watch. She was too far away for me to tell whether she was afraid, overjoyed or simply hungry. When the shadow beast reached down for a third time, however, she made her own move. Darting forward like a kitten on speed, she also grabbed one of the rats, using her little jaws to snag its tail and haul it back. The rat desperately tried to free itself. Lucy snapped once, twice, and then she swallowed it.

‘That rat was the same size that she is,’ Monroe said in a low, wondering voice. ‘No wonder those shadow beasts grow so damned big.’

Much as I despised the rats, I was rather glad when Lucy chose not to eat any more. Instead, she sat on her haunches and watched the other shadow beast continue its meal.

‘It knew exactly what it was doing,’ I said. ‘That beast enticed the rats out before it began to eat them. I don’t know why we’ve been so worried about them if their natural prey is rodents.’

‘We’re not the only ones who’ve been attacked by a shadow beast,’ Monroe reminded me. ‘Maybe they’re only eating the rats because they find it too hard to catch us. Or maybe lack of food is driving them to desperate measures. A single observed behaviour doesn’t make something the norm.’

‘True. But maybe we should re-consider our attitude towards them. And to all the other beasties.’

‘Even the giant rats?’

I flicked him a look. ‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Perhaps not them.’

He slung an arm round my shoulder. ‘We should go.’

I didn’t move.

Monroe heaved a sigh. ‘I know you’ve become attached to Lucy but she’s back with her own kind now. It’s for the best.’

‘Yeah.’ I was still reluctant to leave.

‘Charlotte…’

‘Just give me another moment.’ I kept my eyes on Lucy. She seemed as relaxed as I’d ever seen her. I’d already destroyed her life by killing her mother. I knew that Monroe was right and leaving her here was the right thing to do. I raised a hand and waved. ‘Bye, Lucy,’ I whispered.

‘Manchester’s not that big,’ Monroe said. ‘I’m sure you’ll see her again.’

I was surprised by how bittersweet our parting was. I’d only known her a couple of days. I sniffed, aware that I was doing a terrible job of acting nonchalant. ‘I’m sure I will.’ I turned away. ‘Let’s go.’

From further down the street, Lucy squeaked. I glanced round and saw her jumping up and down. She skittered towards us, then back, and then towards us again. The shadow beast raised its head, its eyes flaring in alarm as it finally registered our presence. Shit. Here we go again. The last thing I wanted to do was to hurt another one of them.

‘It’s terrified of us,’ Monroe said. ‘And terror can do dangerous things. Let’s get out of here before it attacks.’

The shadow beast bellowed, swung round with surprising speed and began barrelling away in the opposite direction. The remaining rats scattered, disappearing underground. Lucy, Monroe and I all stared after the departing beast.

‘Flight rather than fight, then,’ I said. Anxiety flitted through me. ‘It really was terrified.’

Lucy squeaked again, albeit more plaintively this time. ‘I guess she’s staying with us for now,’ I said. ‘She’s not afraid.’ I bit my lip. Although perhaps she should have been.

Chapter Fourteen

I found Fab standing at the edge of our largest potato field with Lizzy by his side. He was beaming. Two of his hazmat-suited-and-booted bodyguards hung to the side. They swung in my direction when I drew close. Neither seemed particularly pleased to see me so I went overboard by jumping up and down and waving at them in mock excitement. They looked away.

‘They’re a reliable crop, you know,’ Lizzy was saying. ‘We’ll do well out of these potatoes.’

‘And this used to be a football pitch?’

She nodded. ‘We dug it up and fertilised the soil. It’s a lot healthier than it used to be.’ She leaned closer and nudged him. ‘Our football fans have to make do with playing in the streets these days.’

‘There are a lot of people who like football?’

She laughed. ‘This might be a post-apocalyptic city but it’s still Manchester. Each of the werewolf packs fields a team. The vampires have two teams as well. The humans are at the top of the league at the moment, though.’

I couldn’t see Fab’s face but by the tone of his voice he was surprised. ‘I’d have thought that the vampires and werewolves would have the advantage.’

‘The human teams have better tactics. Besides, we all have magic running through our veins now. We’re stronger and more powerful than we used to be.’

‘Aren’t you…’ He stopped in mid-sentence and turned away. ‘Never mind.’

Lizzy frowned at him. ‘Aren’t I what?’

‘It’s not important.’

She nudged him again. ‘Go on. You can ask whatever you want.’

‘I don’t want to cause offence.’

I remained where I was, watching their exchange with interest. I was starting to think that Fab was protesting rather too much. It was an old, well-worn tactic designed to make it seem that he was reluctant to say too much, when in fact the opposite was true. He was dying to ask his question but if Lizzy had to drag it out of him, it would make it appear all the more honest, genuine and thought-provoking.

I reminded myself that Fabian Barrett had built up his