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

up the fees. I was achieving the grades to get a place but, unless I got the money too, I’d have ended up nowhere. I had to do something.’

‘You don’t have to explain yourself,’ I told her. ‘You did what you had to.’

Her chin tilted up defiantly. ‘I did. And, yes,’ she added with a hint of venom, although whether it was directed at me, at Jodie or at herself I couldn’t tell, ‘I knew he was a shit from the start. I was desperate, though, and for the most part he treated me well.’ She pointed at the bruise that was still visible on her cheekbone. ‘Until I suggested that he should let the other kids evacuate if they wanted to.’

Anna watched her carefully. ‘Snaring kids like you has always been his modus operandi. They’re easier to control, easier to brainwash and easier to blame when the shit hits the fan.’

Cath glared. ‘I’m not a kid. I’m just not quite old enough to vote yet. I’m not a criminal either.’ The slight tremble in her voice indicated that she was lying about that last part. Not that it mattered to me. And she was still a kid, no matter how much she protested.

‘Let’s stick to what’s important, shall we?’ I murmured. I took the pen back and frowned at the map. ‘Here,’ I said. ‘Isn’t this where the Lord Mayors used to reside when they were in office?’

Anna gazed over my shoulder. ‘You’re right, it is.’

I smiled. ‘It’s very close to the park. Given that Max is now calling himself Lord Max, it would suit his ego to stay in the Mayor’s building.’ I raised my eyebrows at Cath. ‘Don’t you think?’

‘It fits.’

Julie scratched her head. ‘I hate to be the fly in the ointment, but it’s not been used as an actual residence for decades. And even when it was first built, it wasn’t all that glamorous. From what you’ve told me of this Max, it won’t be grand enough for him. It’s hardly a mansion, it’s really just a large flat.’

‘So this isn’t going to be where he settles but I still think it’s where he’s staying tonight. There’s nowhere else nearby that fits. He won’t want to travel far.’ I tapped my mouth thoughtfully. ‘Judging from the number of people you said he’s got with him now, a lot of the nearby buildings will be occupied. It’s not going to be easy to slip in and out unnoticed but I think he’ll take me there. When I go to make the exchange, that’s when you go to the Mayor’s lodgings. Find somewhere safe nearby to hide.’

Anna nodded, although Jodie seemed less keen. ‘Don’t I get a taser to shoot?’

Anna unclipped her baton and passed it over. ‘You can have this.’

‘A stick?’

Anna grinned. ‘I call her Slayer.’ When she realised we were all staring at her as if she were crazy, her smile faded and she coughed. ‘ As a joke.’

‘Mmmm.’

Julie took another large swig of gin. ‘I won’t be able to do my part until it’s night time.’

Jodie snorted. ‘Of course you won’t.’

The vampire was unperturbed by her disdain. ‘The sun hurts, darling. It’s a nasty side effect of all these increased powers. If you want me at my strongest, you’ll have to wait until darkness.’

‘That’s not a problem,’ I said hastily before Jodie started to argue.

‘I’m not staying here,’ Cath declared. ‘You can’t make me. I know more about Max than any of you.’ A flash of something indefinable crossed her expression. ‘I’ll reach inside and grab his intestines and pull them out and…’

‘Let’s avoid the intestine-pulling talk, shall we?’ I smiled at her. ‘You know Max’s team, the older ones at least. Your job is to speak to as many of them as possible. Lie, cajole, threaten, bribe, do whatever you need to. Get them to see the truth about him. We need more people on our side. It won’t be easy, and you might not get many of them on board but…’

‘I’ll do it.’

‘If you get hurt—’ I began.

‘I won’t get hurt.’

‘If you get hurt,’ I repeated, ‘or if there’s any real danger, get away to safety any way that you can. There are only so many rescue missions we can mount in one night.’

Cath’s answer was quiet. ‘I know which kid soldiers are likely to remain loyal no matter what and which ones are only with Max out of convenience or fear. I’ll target the right people. Don’t worry about me.’

I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t have to. ‘In that case,’ I said, ‘we’re ready to do this. He might think we’re the jokers in the pack, but being underestimated is good for us. We’re going to get Lizzy back and we’re going to win.’

‘So,’ drawled Monroe from the door, ‘it’s as well you have my wild card to throw into the mix as well.’

For a passing moment, I pretended that I wasn’t relieved to see him. Then I gave up on that and barrelled towards him. It wasn’t really a conscious move but I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. ‘Thank you,’ I said into his shoulder. ‘Thank you for coming back and helping.’

For a moment, Monroe stood there with his arms by his sides. After a few seconds, he hugged me back. ‘Why would you think I wouldn’t?’ he asked.

I sniffed. ‘The other werewolves. They’re your buddies.’

‘That doesn’t matter.’

I released him and stepped back. I wasn’t the only one who was pleased to see him – the others were beaming too. Apart from Cath. She had a frown on her face. ‘Does this mean,’ she enquired, ‘we can’t call it the Manpocalypse any more?’

Chapter Twenty-One

Monroe’s eyes had darkened to a stormy blue. They’d been that way ever since I’d properly explained what was going on. He paced up and down the kitchen with his arms folded and it was very easy to see the coiled wolf within him, even without so much as a whisker emerging from