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

The hotel manager looked away. ‘Okay,’ he conceded, ‘caused mostly by us. But we also solved the problem.’

Monroe folded his arms. ‘Let me guess. You banded together with the werewolves, sent the worst of the magic down an old wishing well, fought off the evil bad faery who was threatening to destroy the world, and then most of you pissed off back home.’

‘Uh…’ Timmons blinked. ‘How do you know all that? And if you know, why are asking me?’

‘Because I’m one of those werewolves,’ Monroe snapped. ‘The only werewolf left standing after we fought your battle for you.’

Timmons looked as if he wished the earth would open up and swallow him. Given recent events, it wouldn’t have been altogether surprising – though it would have been rather inconvenient. At least, I acknowledged, Timmons wasn’t lying or avoiding the hard truth. ‘I’m sorry. That’s not what any of us wanted. Truly,’ he said.

He seemed sincere. I tilted my head and watched him. ‘How many faeries are left in Manchester?’ I asked.

He swallowed. ‘I think I’m the only one. There was a magical sphere. As far as I can tell, its power was triggered. It was supposed to send all the faeries back to Mag Mell, our own demesne, but it was also supposed to end this one for good. I don’t know why that didn’t happen but I can assure you I’m very glad it didn’t. And the other faeries will be too.’

‘The end of the world didn’t happen,’ Monroe growled, ‘because that insane faery Madrona swallowed the sphere.’

Timmons looked startled. ‘She swallowed it? Goodness. She is rather reckless but that takes the biscuit. No wonder things have turned out as they have.’

Monroe loomed over him, bristling with barely contained rage. ‘It didn’t stop my pack being slaughtered. It didn’t stop the city ending up like a warzone.’

‘But her actions will have been what contained the magic within Manchester. She really did save the world. Go, Madrona.’ Timmons still appeared stunned by the revelation.

‘It still doesn’t explain why you didn’t vanish with the rest of the faeries,’ I said.

He gave an awkward shrug. ‘I wanted to stay here. I desperately wanted to stay here. Maybe my own inherent magic made it happen. I can’t begin to explain it. There’s not a guide book for dealing with events like this.’

I licked my lips. ‘Are things going back to normal? Will Manchester be like it used to be?’

Timmons shook his head. ‘There’s too much magic still here and no one left who has the capability to disperse it. When the sphere was triggered, Madrona prevented the world from being destroyed but I’m guessing she couldn’t act quickly enough to save Manchester itself. All this,’ he said, stretching his arm out to indicate the city outside, ‘all this is here to stay.’

It was what I’d been expecting, but I wasn’t entirely sure how it made me feel.

Monroe stiffened suddenly. I also tensed, preparing for him to attack the hapless faery again. Instead, Monroe’s head swivelled and he jumped to his feet. ‘Someone is approaching,’ he said in a low voice. ‘A lot of someones.’

‘My doors are open to all,’ Timmons said. ‘I’ve made that clear. You two are still welcome to stay as well. Even after all your unnecessary threats. In fact—’

‘Shut up.’

Several shapes appeared in front of the hotel’s main doors. They hovered there for a second then flung them open. Framed perfectly, with the sun behind him, stood the heart-sinkingly familiar figure of Max. There was a large crowd of both teenage and adult minions at his back. ‘Well, well, well,’ he boomed. ‘So this is the place to be.’

I sprang to my feet. What was Max doing here? He always seemed to turn up at the worst possible time. I’d assumed he was still busy ransacking as many supermarkets as possible; I couldn’t begin to imagine what he’d want in a Travotel.

His gaze swept over our little group. When his eyes landed on me, his smile widened. ‘We have unfinished business, Charley. How handy that you keep turning up in the same places that I do.’

‘I might say the same,’ I managed.

‘Tell me,’ he murmured, ‘what exactly was it that you did at the supermarket? I’m … intrigued as to how all this stuff,’ he waved a hand around, ‘has affected you personally.’

I shrugged. ‘I guess you were bowled over by my presence.’

Max snorted.

‘Charlotte,’ Monroe growled. ‘Who is this?’

Max looked at him, his lip curling scornfully though I didn’t miss the flash in his eyes that suggested the werewolf’s dominant manner scared him. ‘Maximillian Stone,’ he drawled. ‘At your service.’

Monroe matched Max’s oozing derision sneer for sneer. ‘Oh. I’ve heard of you. Somehow I thought you’d be taller.’

Max sniffed. ‘I’ve not heard of you. Why don’t you introduce us, Charley?’

‘Leave her out of this,’ Monroe snapped.

I wasn’t sure what irritated me more: Max’s attempts at intimidation or Monroe’s need to try and protect me.

Before I could say anything, Timmons coughed pointedly. ‘Would anyone like some tea? I have an old gas stove in the back. I can brew us all a cuppa in a jiffy. Unless you’re here to check in?’

Everyone ignored him, causing Timmons’ cheeks to blush with a spreading rose hue.

‘Charley?’ Max prodded. ‘You two are obviously in some sort of close relationship. If you’ve found the love of your life amongst the rubble of Manchester, I’d like to know about it.’ He gestured at us. ‘You’re both so desperately in love that you’re even wearing matching outfits.’ He smirked. ‘I’m more of a City man, myself,’ he purred, referencing Manchester’s other famous football team.

I raised my chin and stepped forward. ‘This is Monroe. He’s…’ I hesitated. I didn’t want to give Max more information than was absolutely necessary. Revealing that Monroe was a werewolf would come under that headline. ‘He’s very powerful. And strong.’

Monroe stiffened. Max looked interested. ‘Really?’

‘Would you like a demonstration?’ Monroe enquired, ice dripping from every word. Even in his human form,