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

Monroe stood up in his full naked glory. I followed suit and got up to my feet. The sight of his body from a seated angle was a bit too much, even for me. At least this way I could look into his eyes instead of upwards at … well, you know.

‘You couldn’t begin to understand,’ he said, venom dripping from every word. ‘They were more than my family, they were a part of me. I got them all killed. We didn’t have a fucking chance against those faeries. If I ever see a single one of their kind again, I will rip out their still-beating heart.’

So help me God, I believed him. ‘I might be mistaken but I was under the impression that they’ve all gone.’

‘Yeah,’ Monroe sneered. ‘Slunk back to their own demesne in a flash of blue magic that’s screwed us all. If they know what’s good for them, they’ll stay there.’ He leaned down towards me until our noses were almost touching. ‘Now leave me the fuck alone. I don’t want company.’

It wasn’t that I didn’t feel bad for him, I truly did. Monroe’s furious anguish was impossible to ignore. But these were exceptional circumstances. After midnight tonight, he could shut the door and refuse to talk to anyone for the next year but right now I needed him.

I swallowed and tilted my chin. ‘I understand something about grief,’ I said. ‘And what it’s like to bear responsibility for the death of another person. But you came to me, Monroe, and—’

‘If you want me to leave, all you have to do is say so,’ he snapped, without letting me finish. He pushed past me, fully prepared to stomp out of the house stark bollock naked.

I reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him. He spun round, his eyes turning almost indigo in colour. ‘Do not touch me.’

‘You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need to. I’m not throwing you out, but I need you to help me today. There’s a lot going on in the city and if we’re all going to survive this, we need to step up and work together. We don’t have much time.’

‘I said,’ he repeated, ‘do not touch me.’

This time I did the sensible thing and removed my hand from his arm. I bit back the snarky response that was on my lips. ‘At midnight tonight,’ I told him, ‘the whole of Manchester is going to be locked down. No one will be allowed in or out. If you want to leave the city, you have to do so before then.’

Monroe scoffed. ‘As if anyone could prevent me from leaving if I wished to do so.’

I suspected that the tank that had trundled down the street earlier could probably stop even a werewolf in his tracks but I wisely kept my mouth shut. It was actually something of a relief to see a touch of Monroe’s former arrogance returning to the fore.

‘Regardless,’ I said aloud, ‘that is what is happening. Apparently supplies will be dropped for those of us who choose to stay. And there’s still stuff in the supermarkets. Some people are trying to get hold of all the food, no doubt to set up their own black market when everyone is desperate. We can’t let that happen. I’m going to rouse the troops, such as they are, and we’re going to spend the next few hours getting everything that we possibly can so that we can store it ourselves. If you want,’ I added, praying that he didn’t, ‘I can get you dropped off at the city limits so you can head back home.’

I didn’t miss the flicker of desolation that crossed Monroe’s face. ‘With my pack gone, I have no home to go to. Home is where your family is and I have no family.’ He pulled back his shoulders. ‘I will help you get hold of the supplies you need. No one should have a monopoly over food.’

‘Indeed,’ I murmured. Perhaps the man possessed reason, logic and even kindness after all.

‘However,’ he continued, ‘I would like it to be known that I did not come to you because of any respect or admiration I might hold for you. The only reason I came here is because you are the only person remaining in this city whose address I know. Other than that bitch of a vampire who almost destroyed us all. If I ever see her again, I’m going to—’

I interrupted, as if by stopping him saying the words I could stave off a potential fight to the death between him and Julie. ‘Brilliant! I really appreciate the help, Monroe.’

I gave his large, naked body a critical glance, although the last thing his toned physique deserved was criticism. ‘I don’t have any clothes that would fit you but one of my neighbours probably does. Give me five minutes and I’m sure I can break into one of their houses and find something appropriate.’

I moved forward to pat him on the arm again. He glared so I hastily dropped my hand. ‘I won’t be long,’ I promised.

The man who lived across the street possessed an extensive wardrobe from which to choose. He’d also handily left his front door unlocked, so it was an easy matter to stroll inside and grab what Monroe needed. Although Monroe had my deepest sympathy, and I fully understood what grief could do a person’s psyche, his arrogance and general lord-it-over-everyone attitude stopped me taking any well-tailored suits or designer shirts to give him. Besides, he needed sunshine and smiles.

That was why, when he thumped downstairs to join us, he was wearing a billowing Hawaiian shirt in garish colours that clashed quite wonderfully with a pair of checked golfing trousers.

‘Right,’ I said, clapping my hands. ‘We have a lot to do and very little time to do it in. We