The Sweet Scent of Blood

‘Ah, Genny.’ Hugh gave a hesitant rumble as a guilty expression crossed his face. ‘There’s something I should explain.’

I frowned, puzzled. ‘What about?’

‘I know I’ve always told you to keep your distance from the fae because of your problem.’ Dust puffed from his head ridge. ‘I know I said that if they were to find out they would ostracise you, but that’s not entirely true. Those with good hearts—like Finn—would want to help you. I think it’s time I told you this, and also to apologise for misleading you all this time.’

‘But Hugh—’

‘Let me finish. When I first met you, I realised you were alone and vulnerable and desperate to put your trust in someone. I also realised that if you started to mix with the fae—’ He sighed, and continued, ‘Well, there are some who would use you for their own gain, much like the vampires. I didn’t want that to happen, so I convinced you that it was better to stay away from others of your own kind as much as possible. I’m sorry.’

‘I was young, Hugh, not totally stupid,’ I said, frowning. ‘Why would you think I would trust someone, even another fae? I mean, it took a couple of years before I started to trust you.’

‘That night I found you,’ Hugh’s fingers tightened around his troll-pen, ‘the night when the human attacked you—well, he’d obviously picked up those church leaflets and used them to lull your suspicions. And if a human could trick you like that, then you’d be an easy mark for a fae,’

‘The human didn’t trick me, Hugh,’ I snorted. ‘He tried to, but I could tell he was some vamp’s blood-pet, his skin was hotter than a dwarf’s furnace. But when I told him to get lost, he said he’d kill the woman working in the café unless I played nice and went with him. I’d planned to Glamour him once we were outside.’

‘But he poisoned you with iron, Genny,’ Hugh rumbled loudly.

‘Yeah.’ I pulled a disgusted face. ‘I admit letting him do that wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had. I sort of expected the effects to wear off a bit quicker than they did.’

‘But why did you go along with me all this time if you knew I was misleading you?’

‘Well, you weren’t really, were you?’ I said slowly. ‘You were just being kind. The fae would shun me if they knew about my tainted blood.’

‘Genny, I just explained: not all of them would.’ His frown cracked even deeper.

Oh shit—Hugh didn’t know! He didn’t know who—or rather, what—my father was. The dragon at the sanctuary had told him about the salaich sìol in my blood, but she hadn’t told him about my father ... And no way could I deal with telling Hugh that little revelation just now.

‘Right,’ I snatched up the photos, mentally back-peddling, ‘but then if some of the fae did shun me, never mind anything else, think about all the problems I’d get with the witches, and the vamps.’ Hoping to distract him, I tapped the pictures and added quickly, ‘Like this mess I’m in now.’

‘This is what I have always been afraid of, Genny.’ More red mica glinted anxiously in Hugh’s hair. ‘That something like this would happen. It’s left you very vulnerable.’

‘I’m trying to get out of it, Hugh,’ I sighed, taking a cake box out of the food bag. ‘There’s just one more thing I need to do first before it’s finished.’

Why on earth had Finn ordered cakes? Neither of us ate them. I prised up the lid and stared. It wasn’t a food container, but two heart-shaped blue leather jewellery boxes. My stomach knotted: they had to be from the Earl. Tucked down beside the boxes was a note.

I unfolded the thick cream paper and read:

My dear Genevieve,

I believe the item within the smaller box belongs to you. I acquired it, on your behalf, some three years ago, when you felt the need to offer it up as security. I understand the item has sentimental value, and so I am returning it now, as a gesture of my esteem. I am writing to extend you my protection at this uncertain time and have hopes that you will look favourably upon my offer. I also wish to assure you that my intentions are honourable and enduring. With this in mind, the larger box contains a gift that I trust you will appreciate.

The Earl

My heart pounding, I grabbed the smaller box and jerked back the lid. Tildy’s black opal collar rested on the padded cushion within. My hands were shaking as I picked it up and ran my fingers over the five-stranded necklace. I held it to my nose, but the precious scent of Tildy’s gardenias no longer clung to the jewels, only the sad smell of blood, old and stale and almost bitter. I clutched the opals, blinking back tears. I didn’t have time to get upset.

The Ancient One had said she’d keep them safe, that was the agreement. She’d decided I wasn’t going to be around long enough for her to get all her money, and had actually refused to take my word that I’d pay for the spell, every month, on the dot—which I had. And all this time I’d never known the Ancient Bitch had sold the opals to the Earl—shit. Did that mean the Earl knew about my Alter Vamp disguise? Had she told him that’s what the opals were security for, or had she just grabbed the opportunity to cash in? The Ancient Bitch was going to have some explaining to do. If I survived that long.

I opened the larger box, then swallowed hard. The Fabergé Egg nestled amongst the blue velvet. It wasn’t my father’s; his didn’t have sapphires on it ... But the egg meant that the Earl knew who my father was— who I was—and he wasn’t planning on selling me back to my prince, so long as I accepted his offer of protection. The note was pure blackmail, however nicely it was couched. Only—If he’d known about me all this time, why had he waited until now before making his move?

‘Genny?’ Hugh’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I’d almost forgotten he was there. ‘Isn’t that your necklace? The one I looked after for you when you were younger?’

‘Yes, it is.’ I took a deep breath. ‘And I want you to look after it again, please Hugh.’ I turned around, yanked open the fridge and took out the plastic container. It wasn’t big enough to hold the blue velvet box, so I wrapped the opals carefully in some kitchen roll and tucked them next to the soap, then snapped the plastic lid closed. ‘Keep it with all my other stuff.’ I held the box out to him. ‘Oh, and you’d better keep that too.’ I indicated the egg. ‘I’ll need to return it.’

‘Of course I’ll look after your things,’ he said, a small dust cloud puffing from his head ridge. He held up the Earl’s letter. ‘But—’

‘Look, I’ve got to go, Hugh. There’s someone I need to visit.’

‘Genny.’ His deep rumble made me stop. ‘I don’t know what you ran away from all those years ago, or what you need to do to finish this, but I do know it’s something to do with the vampires. And you’ve come too far to give in to them now.’

I gave him a rueful look. ‘Don’t worry, Hugh, I’m not going to give in.’ At least I hoped not. ‘I’ll be back before sunset. Tell Detective Inspector Crane I’ll take her up on the offer of a cell, because I think I’m going to need it.’

Then tomorrow I could sort out what I was going to do with my life.

Chapter Thirty-Five

The Bloody Shamrock was closed. In the daylight the door was pitted and scared, as if it had withstood an onslaught of Beater goblins. The neon cloverleaf was unlit, and it looked like no one was home, but when I concentrated, the faint trace of vampire snagged the edge of my radar. I hammered my fist on the door and gave it a kick for good measure. I turned and scanned along the street—Shaftesbury Avenue with its busy crowds was only twenty-odd feet away—but here was deserted. There wasn’t much call for day visitors, not when your main attractions were effectively dead. Or at least I hoped they still were.

I gave the door another hard thump.

There was the sound of bolts being drawn and the door opened slowly, revealing a thin slice of darkness. I shoved my shoulder against it and pushed my way into the building.

Mick stumbled away from me, a sullen look on his face. ‘What’d you do that for, Genny? I was gonna let you