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

business from scratch. He was a lot more cut-throat and competitive than he made himself out to be. But of course, he wouldn’t have been so successful otherwise.

‘It’s just,’ he demurred, ‘that I wonder if the magic has any ill-effects you’ve not yet noticed. It might strengthen you in some ways and leave you weaker in others.’

Lizzy looked astonished.

I cleared my throat. ‘You mean like a new kind of disease or something?’

Both of them glanced round towards me. Fab had the grace to look guilty but he still nodded. ‘Not even a new disease. What about cancer? The magic in the air clearly affects your bodies at a cellular level. That could make everyone more susceptible to different sorts of cancer.’

‘No one’s been really sick in the last year,’ I told him. ‘Apart from the odd cold here and there.’

His expression was grave. ‘I’m pleased to hear that. Cath showed me round your little hospital earlier. With only two doctors on hand, it would be catastrophic if there was an outbreak of something serious. And all those drugs you have stockpiled have a shelf life.’ He offered a tiny smile. ‘I’m hoping I’ll be able to help with that.’

I was hoping that too, probably more than he could know. ‘We’re fortunate that you’re here.’

‘And then some,’ Lizzy agreed. ‘I know the magic is scary and I understand why you’re trying to protect yourselves from it. I was scared at first, too. Terrified even. But once you learn to control it, it’s an amazing thing.’

Fab turned back to her. ‘Can you show me?’

She dropped into a mock curtsey. ‘Watch this.’ She snapped her fingers and twirled, both of which were entirely unnecessary but added to the overall effect. Then her figure seemed to blur. I barely had time to breathe out before she was on all fours, her tanned skin covered in thick golden fur and her head transformed with a long muzzle, coiled horns and alien features.

Fab’s two guards threw themselves forward, shoving him back so they could use their bodies as a barrier between him and Lizzy. Despite what was no doubt military-level fitness, their suits made their movements sluggish and clumsy. If she’d really wanted to hurt the tech billionaire she could have done so easily. No doubt they realised that as well. Instead she padded towards me and nudged my shoulder with her nose.

I grinned. ‘Nice demonstration, Liz.’

Fab stepped out from behind the two guards. ‘That’s … amazing,’ he said. He shook his head in wonder. ‘Simply amazing. How many other people are like that?’ He looked at me. ‘Can you do that too?’

‘Oh no. Lizzy is unique. At least as far as Manchester is concerned.’ I did my best to reassure him. ‘And she won’t hurt you.’

She swung her giant head towards him, her tongue lolling out like a happy Labrador.

‘It’s in her DNA,’ I explained. ‘She’s what’s known as a bunyip and always has been. Her animal side would have lain dormant if she hadn’t come here. The magic brought it out of her.’

Lizzy shifted, her fur melting back into her tanned skin. She stood in front of all of us, tall, naked and proud. ‘It was difficult to control at first,’ she said, ‘and bloody scary.’ She smiled. ‘I’ve got the hang of it now though.’

Fab frowned from behind his visor. ‘It doesn’t hurt when you … change?’ he asked.

‘No, not really. It’s a bit uncomfortable but not painful.’

‘Would it be too much to ask to take some samples from you? A few strands of hair. Some skin scrapings. Saliva.’

‘Not a problem.’

The nearest guard turned away to a bag on the ground. He opened it and drew out a small medical kit. I watched. It was good that they were learning about us; it would make them less afraid. But, given that they already had the swabs and collection bags ready, I suspected that this was what Fab had been angling for all along.

‘So,’ I said, once they were done, ‘you’ve seen the hospital. You’ve seen the fields and allotments.’

‘I have. I also saw your main supply warehouse.’ He gave me a look. ‘The shelves are fuller than I expected, given the number of people you have here and the length of the confinement you’ve had to endure.’ It was clear from his tone that he was choosing his words carefully. He must have recognised that we could still be doing better for food than we were.

‘We’ve been rationing,’ I said.

‘It would be my honour to do something about that and bring in more supplies.’

I inclined my head. That was what we wanted, more than almost anything else. ‘That would be an enormous help,’ I said quietly.

‘I want to help.’

It was difficult to ascertain his true expression from behind the visor but there was something about his earnestness that didn’t ring true. I told myself that Monroe’s wariness was rubbing off on me in an unpleasant manner and decided to change the subject. ‘I assume that Julian gave you a tour of all the main enclave sights earlier too,’ I said. ‘Is there anything else you’re interested in?’

‘How about something outside the enclave?’ Fab suggested. ‘The hotel perhaps?’

I paused. ‘It’s quite a long way off,’ I said finally. ‘It won’t be easy to get to, not with your suits on. Why don’t I show you the museum instead?’

‘You have your own museum?’

‘Of course.’ I pointed. ‘It’s not far.’

‘Then by all means lead the way.’

I gestured to Lizzy and she gave me a brief nod of understanding. ‘I’m off to find some clothes,’ she declared. ‘I’ll leave you guys to it.’

Fab smiled at her. ‘Thank you for your time and the demonstration. You’ve been wonderful, Elizabeth.’

She wandered away. I hooked my arm through Fab’s, leading him in the opposite direction. We strolled round the potato field, turning right at the bottom. The two goons followed.

‘This place is quite something,’ Fab said. ‘You seem to have thought of everything.’

I realised what was putting me on edge.