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

Barrett was trailed by his five guards, each of whom was pulling a small trailer. He led them directly to the square, beaming the entire way and waving at everyone he passed. I wasn’t sure he noticed that most people stared back at him with grim faces. Word had spread quickly about our discoveries. Even so, Barrett was too convinced of his own heroism at bringing in fresh supplies to pay attention to the mood of those he was supposedly saving.

When he passed me, he reached out and clasped my bare hands in his gloved ones. He was acting as if I should be grateful to be allowed to touch so much as a single article of his clothing. I had to give it to the man, he was certainly detail orientated.

Once he reached the centre of the square, he clambered in an ungainly fashion on top of one of the trailers and faced us.

‘I have returned!’ he bellowed, in case any of us were unsure as to what was going on. His cheeks were rather red, although I wasn’t sure whether that was from the effort of climbing or because it was difficult to make himself heard from behind the visor of his hazmat suit. ‘On the other side of the wall I met with many of your loved ones. Some have been waiting beyond Manchester for many months now, desperate for some sign that you were alive. There was a lot of joy and a great many tears when people heard the truth.’

He paused, giving everyone time to absorb his words properly. It seemed to me that even Felicity was dashing away a tear.

Julie pushed her way through the crowd, appearing next to my shoulder. Her face was studiously bland but she couldn’t hide the gleam of dislike in her eyes. ‘Smart,’ she muttered. ‘He could have opened with details of the supplies he’s brought in, or what the government is doing on our behalf. Instead, he’s using other people to get to us. You might be able to steel yourself against oily flattery, but can you steel yourself against the pain of someone you love? He’s softening us up.’

I gave her a sideways glance and she shrugged. ‘I’ve done a lot of theatre work in my time. Particularly Shakespeare.’ She unscrewed her hip flask and drank deeply. ‘I learnt from the best.’ Her mouth flattened. ‘I reckon Fab would give a glib Shakespearean villain a run for his money.’ She nudged me. ‘Watch your back.’

I didn’t need her to tell me that. I pointed at my backpack. ‘Why do you think I’m still carrying around a shadow beast?’

Julie smiled faintly. ‘Do you think a shadow beast would have stopped Brutus from stabbing Caesar?’

‘Brutus was Caesar’s trusted friend. I wouldn’t trust Fabian Barrett’s shoe size.’

I watched as he hugged a human woman who’d leapt up to join him on the trailer and who was sobbing something about her elderly parents. I winced as she wrapped her arms more tightly around him. Unfortunately, even without our sudden lack of supplies and everyone’s deep mistrust of the man, there were things that Barrett could offer that none of the rest of us could. It didn’t help that in his billowing white hazmat suit he dwarfed the woman; he looked as if he were far larger than her, that he was her protector.

‘If any of you wish to write letters to your loved ones,’ Barrett said, raising his head, ‘I will be more than happy to take them across the wall and place them directly into the hands of your children, your parents and your friends. I am here to help you.’

I glanced round at the people watching him. There was desperate hope written on a lot of faces. We might all want to remain in Manchester – but that didn’t mean we didn’t want to know about those we loved on the outside.

My gaze snagged on Boyce, who was watching me carefully. He acknowledged me with a tight nod then reached to help the woman down. Hmm.

‘I have also heard about the devastating fire,’ Barrett continued, ‘and the terrible loss of all your food supplies and rations. You do not have to fear, however. I have brought food in with me and next time I shall bring in more. As long as I am around, you will not go hungry. I will make sure you have everything you need.’

‘Our gallant saviour,’ I muttered under my breath. Then I raised my voice. ‘It is strange, don’t you think, that the fire occurred during your absence?’

My words carried over the heads of the others. Part of me expected Barrett to pretend he hadn’t heard but he wasn’t that stupid. He knew to confront his detractors head on.

‘Charlotte,’ he said, turning in my direction. ‘I’m not sure what you mean. Had I been here, I couldn’t have prevented that fire any more than you could.’ He shook his head sadly. ‘What a terrible accident. I’m just glad that no one was hurt. Of course, you will appreciate that more than anyone. Your own brother died in a fire, did he not? Little Joshua. What was he? Six years old? Seven? You were supposed to be looking after him and yet he died. It must have been so terrifying for him – it would be terrifying for any child to die like that, alone and unable to breathe. What a tragedy. If only you could have done something to help him.’

Almost instantly Monroe was at my back, his hand reaching for mine. ‘Charlotte,’ he growled, ‘stay calm.’

‘I’m perfectly calm,’ I said, pretending that I wasn’t struggling to bring my breathing back under control. I could feel my magic pressing at my fingertips, threatening to burst out in Barrett’s direction. ‘It’s Charley to you,’ I called to Barrett, ‘as you well know.’

‘Charley,’ he smiled genially at