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

so, I’d heard enough about what was going on to have a good idea about the situation. I had an odd idea that it would look like a scene out of Blade Runner. It didn’t: it just looked like Manchester.

The streets in the newly developed enclave were surprisingly clean. As I entered the first boundary, receiving a grave nod from the two guys who were positioned at the entrance and who obviously knew who I was, I spotted several others sweeping away bits of debris. The windows were sparkling and there was little sign of any damage. For some reason I couldn’t identify, I felt a sour tug at the realisation that Monroe’s community was managing the challenges of the apocalypse better than mine was.

Much like in the south, there was a row of neat little shops that had been commandeered by enterprising folk. Most of them offered similar items – household goods and the like. One or two had artfully-penned signs indicating that they sold weapons, from crossbows to guns. This was more like the sort of vigilantism I’d expected – until I noted the other sign stating that ‘all purchases were to be logged and identification produced’. It appeared they weren’t taking any chances that anyone would go off gung-ho or battle royale style.

I crossed a quiet square, noting what appeared to be the headquarters at its eastern side – a grand old building with large stone columns and weathered carved gargoyles on its front. I couldn’t remember what it was used for originally but now there was a group of what were presumably werewolves gathered outside. A man stood at the head of them, passing out sheets of paper.

‘You need to check on the Canal Monster, Derek. Make sure it’s staying to its territory and check on its current attitude.’ There was a pause as another sheet was passed out. ‘Rick and Jo, the ration shops need stocking up with these goods. Check the outlying supermarkets first for any items. The updated map is attached to your orders. Make sure you mark where you’ve been and what the state of play is in terms of supplies.’

The words ‘well-oiled machine’ sprang to my mind. Yes, I did something similar in the south but I had fewer eager volunteers and more complaints to put up with.

Monroe had once told me that serious punishments were never needed for werewolves because they always followed pack orders. At the time I’d scoffed at the idea that they always fell into line and did as they were told, but now I was starting to think that he was right. I made a mental note to talk to him about sending a group of my less community-spirited individuals over here for a fact-finding mission. They could certainly learn a few things about pulling together as a team.

Tempting as it was to hang around and see what else was going on, I didn’t have time. I picked up my pace, aware that eyes were following my progress across the square. I thought I could get past without being stopped but, right before I turned into the first street on the left, a voice hailed me. ‘Enchantress!’

I grimaced and turned, unwilling to waste more time than was necessary. Julian strode over to me. He was smiling, but I had the distinct impression he’d have preferred me not to be there.

‘I go by Charley,’ I said drily.

‘I wasn’t sure of the correct protocol,’ he said. ‘I apologise that I wasn’t here to greet you earlier. I was unaware that you were visiting us. The border guards got the news to me quickly enough, but next time you should let us know in advance and we can make proper preparations.’

He was making it sound as if I were a visiting dignitary – who also needed my passport checked at the same time. ‘This is only a brief visit,’ I told him. ‘I’m … looking for someone.’

An intelligent light gleamed in his eyes. ‘Monroe is back that way.’ He pointed behind him.

I shook my head. ‘It’s not Monroe I’m looking for.’ I heaved in a breath and wondered how much I should say, then I remembered that neither Julian nor anyone else here was actually my enemy. We were all in this together, whether we lived separately or not. ‘There’s been a murder,’ I told him. ‘At the Travotel. All signs indicate it was a vampire.’

Julian stiffened. He turned his head and snapped his fingers. ‘I need a patrol here now!’

At once six figures trotted over. None of them were holding weapons but each one had an air of danger; to a person, they were primed and ready for any kind of trouble.

‘You will escort the enchantress to the vampires. Rouse them all.’ Julian glanced at me. ‘Do you have some idea who you are looking for, or is this a fishing expedition?’ There was no judgment in his tone: Julian certainly didn’t betray his thoughts or his emotions. As someone who prided herself on reading expressions and tells, I could only be impressed. He’d make an excellent poker player.

‘Scratch marks. Superficial wounds.’ I shrugged. ‘That kind of thing.’ I was starting to feel that, instead of this being a hunt for a needle in a haystack, I’d find Valerie’s killer before lunch with ease. I met Julian’s eyes. ‘Thank you.’

He didn’t smile. ‘Security and safety are our priority. We will find the vampire responsible and bring him to justice.’

I wondered briefly what it would be like to live your life with such unerring certainty that things would go the way you wanted them to. I also wondered why Julian wasn’t the one in charge around here. Then again, there was still no sign of Monroe. Maybe Julian was the boss and Monroe had neglected to mention it.

The nearest woman to me nodded her head. ‘This way, ma’am. We will show you where the vampires bed down and help you catch the culprit.’

I licked my lips. ‘Uh, sure.’ I