“No, no, honestly, I’m alright. I think I just need to rest.”
“Mack, are you sure?”
I nodded firmly. “Thanks for the food and the coffee though.”
The concern didn’t leave her eyes, but she patted me on my shoulder. “I’ll come back in an hour and check on you.”
I sat down on the edge of Corrigan’s massive bed and watched her go. As soon as she had closed the door behind her, I reached over and gulped down a mouthful of some hot coffee, then rushed over to the window and yanked open the heavy brocade curtains. She’d no doubt tell Corrigan if he inquired that I wasn’t feeling well, so he’d hopefully lay off contacting me through his Voice to give me enough time to make my escape. Judging by the bright light outside it was already afternoon, and I had places to be. I knew from my previous unwilling visit here that this room was high up and that there wasn’t a fire escape. That didn’t mean that I was trapped, however. My head was clear, proving that the effects of the TemperSoothe had gone from my system, and that I’d not lost so much blood that I was in any danger. Adrenalised bloodfire flared up in my belly and ran through my veins until I could feel my fingertips tingling with the heat of it. It would keep me sharp enough.
“Focus the fire,” I whispered to myself, and undid the latch on the window, and leaned out.
I was a long way up. Months ago, when Solus had blithely transported me here for kicks, Corrigan had said that he was on the fifteenth floor. Looking out, that appeared to be about right. It was okay though, heights didn’t really bother me. I glanced around the window, realising that I was fortunate that the Brethren’s keep was an old building with plenty of ornate stone carvings built in, then swung out. My bare toes found purchase in a smooth weather-beaten groove, and my fingers pinched painfully onto the edge of the window frame. I felt vulnerable in the stupid pink nightie, and the vaguely intelligent part of me recognised that this was potentially a very stupid thing to be doing. After all, just scant hours previously I’d been full of bravado that I could kick Aubrey’s arse, and look where that had gotten me. One slip and Mackenzie Smith, the fearful and terrifying Draco Wyr, would be a smear of strawberry jam on the pavement.
But I was also strong. I had no more freaking herbal shit swimming around inside of me. And if I could just reach out and grab the drain pipe that was affixed to the side of the fort then I could simply shimmy all the way down to the ground. It was clearly an old design and I knew that it would be made of stern stuff. Certainly stern enough to carry my weight anyway. I held my breath and let go with one hand then stretched over. My fingertips just scraped it. There was nothing for it but to jump. I closed my eyes and leapt, my hands fixing around its cool metal curves just in time. I exhaled and then began to inch my way down.
It was painful, and a couple of times I had to carefully release one hand and grip on tightly with the other so I could stretch out my fingers to rid myself of cramp, but I made good progress and after less than ten minutes I was already halfway down. At one point I passed by a genuine stone gargoyle that looked so remarkably like Slim that a loud guffaw escaped me. It had heavy eyebrows, and pointed ears placed on either side of its prominently chubby cheekbones. I gave the statue a quick smile, then a slight breeze picked up and the pink monstrosity began to whip around my thighs. At least I was still wearing underwear.
I continued my descent, easing myself down the drainpipe bit by bit. I wondered how difficult it would be climb up it and storm the Brethren’s defences. Not that I’d want to, of course, but you’d think that it would be something that the shifters would have considered. Next time I spoke to Corrigan, if he wasn’t too pissed off with me to listen, I’d point out the weakness to him. That would be fun.
I was starting to shiver by the time I finally made it to the bottom and planted my feet firmly back onto the ground with a sigh of relief. Now all I had to do was see if I could get a taxi to take me home. I had some money stuffed into a drawer back in my flat that would cover the fare. It was regrettable that I had to leave behind my backpack – and my one remaining dagger from Balud that I had yet to even bloody pay for. Having to spend hours arguing my way out of the keep had just seemed too tiresome though. I could retrieve my things later. I turned round to face the road.
“Spiderman would be proud,” drawled Solus. “I’m not sure your costume matches up to his, however.” He was standing on the edge of the pavement, eyeing me curiously.
A flicker of irritated bloodfire rose deep within my veins. “Have you just stood there and watched me spend twenty minutes clambering down?”
“I wasn’t just standing.” He waved a brown bag in my face. “I was eating lunch at the same time. And enjoying the view.” He winked at me with a salacious leer.
“Picnicking on the side of the road doesn’t seem to be your style, Solus.” I glanced anxiously up and down the pavement, nervous that some shifters would appear. I was also trying not to be too irked that the bloody Fae in front of me hadn’t decided to help me get down. I concentrated on pushing the ember of heat back down again.
“It’s not.” He flicked his hair back and sniffed rather imperiously. “However when I was told that my good friend had been attacked by vampires, I had no time to do much more than rush here to make sure you were alright.” He patted his flat stomach. “But I have to eat.”
“Why aren’t you inside with the others?”
A sheen of angry dark purple flashed across his eyes, although it was gone so quickly I almost thought I’d imagined it. “The shifters and the mages didn’t see fit to invite us to the party. I expect the only reason the witches are there is because your muscle-bound Lord couldn’t find you without their help. I’d have found you quicker than they could have.”
I watched him curiously. “Is your nose out of joint because they didn’t come to you?”
“If you had but whispered my name then I’d have been there by your side, dragonlette. I am hurt that you didn’t think of me.”
“I guess I didn’t have time to bargain for what you’d want in return. And my fucking name is Mack.” I didn’t have time for this. Unfortunately there was still no sign of any taxis. I moved away, trying to put some distance between myself and the keep.
Solus strolled along beside me, hand covering his heart in mock pain. “I am wounded that you would think I would do such a thing.”
“Are you kidding me? Every time I’ve asked you for help you’ve needed something in return. That’s fine, Solus, I’m happy with that arrangement. But don’t be pissed off because just once I went to someone else. Anyway, I thought you could track me through my blood and knew when it was being spilled.”
“Only if it hits the ground, dragonlette. Your new vampire friends clearly weren’t messy enough eaters to let that happen.”
I grunted. Whatever. A black cab was trundling along the road so I raised my hand out to flag it down, but there was already someone inside. Bugger it.
“So who were they?” Solus continued.
I sighed. “Who were what?”
“The vampires. Which ones attacked you? The Summer Queen is unhappy at their actions and has promised vengeance.”
“I don’t need the Summer Queen to stand up for me. I am perfectly capable of doing so on my own.” I crossed the road at the traffic lights so I could turn left onto a busier street where there might be more passing traffic. A car honked at me. Unfortunately it was just some idiot pointing out that I’d walked outside without bothering to get dressed. Fuck off. I was getting annoyed now.
“Mack.”
Something in Solus’ voice made me stop and look at him.
“We are friends in as much as I am ever friends with anyone. And those undead wankers tried to mess with you. My friend. So I am going to mess with them. Tell me which ones it was who did this.”
Jeez. I blinked at the Fae in surprise.
“What?” he said. “Do you think that just because I’m a Fae I can’t feel a bit of loyalty towards someone?”
“No,” I said, although that was pretty close to the mark. “I just didn’t expect you to take it so personally. And it’s okay. I will deal with him later.”
“Him? You mean there was only one?” The disbelief in Solus’ voice was vaguely ego-boosting and vaguely embarrassing all at the same time.
“I meant them,” I muttered, unwilling right now to tell him that there had just been one sole vamp who had truly kicked my arse. It was becoming ridiculous that I was getting more embarrassed at myself than angry at Aubrey.
“Look, Solus,” I said, “you understand the concept of promises, right?”
The Fae nodded at me.
“Well, then I’ve made a couple of promises that need to be fulfilled pretty fucking quickly. I need to get to Shrewsbury and I need to help out a certain troll shopkeeper at the same time. I don’t need my friends getting all worked up about the vampires on my behalf because I can sort them out myself later. So I have to get home, get some clothes and get a move on. If you can help me with that, then I would really appreciate it. If you can’t then get out of my fucking way.”
“I can help you with that,” he said quietly.
“Great.”
“Shall I transport you home and then to Shrewbury?”
“No, just home will be fine. I’ll catch the train.”
A faint look of disgust crossed Solus’ face.
“I need the travel time to do a bit of research,” I said by way of explanation. I also didn’t want to spend any more time throwing up thanks to supernatural travel than was absolutely necessary.
“I see. I assume that due to the manner in which you exited the Brethren’s walls their furry Lord doesn’t know what you’re doing?”
“That would be correct,” I said primly.
Another car drove past, horn blaring as its occupants caught sight of me. Some guy leaned out and wolf whistled. Solus didn’t look at them, but he jerked his wrist and there was a loud bang as the rear tyre burst and the car skidded off to the side, slamming into the side of a nearby building. I smirked.
