‘Shut up,’ she said loudly and distinctly.
The Cursed Portrait cackled.
Mallory reached into her pocket and pulled out the Zippo lighter she’d picked up before leaving her flat. She flicked it open, thumbed it and gazed at the small flame. ‘“Though she be but little”,’ she whispered, ‘“she is fierce.”’
The painting didn’t say a word. Mallory raised her hand – and the burning flame –in its direction. ‘What did you just say? I didn’t quite catch it.’
From the confines of the frame, the painted figure blanched and started to cower. ‘I didn’t say anything.’
‘You definitely did. Go on.’ She smiled. ‘What was it?’
‘Sorry,’ the Cursed Portrait mumbled. ‘I said sorry.’
‘That’s what I thought you said. Thank you. Apology accepted.’ The lighter clicked as she closed it.
‘Lord Longchamps will see you now,’ Eric declared.
Mallory rose smoothly to her feet. ‘Great. No need for you to escort me.’ She patted him on the shoulder. ‘I know the way.’
A wide smile was plastered across Chester Longchamps’ face when she walked into his drawing room. He extended his arms as if to embrace her but she was careful to maintain a distance between them.
‘Mallory Nash! You came through! I had no doubt that you would succeed. You are truly fabulous! You are magnificent! I will sing your praises to anyone who wishes to hear them because, squib or not, you are truly magical!’
She didn’t say a word, just swung the backpack off her shoulder and let it fall to the ground with a thud.
Longchamps winced dramatically. ‘Don’t break the damned thing! We need it!’ He darted forward, picked up the bag and ripped open the zip. In a second his expression altered dramatically. ‘What is this shit?’ He turned the bag upside down and a large bottle of water, a wrapped sandwich, an apple and a large envelope fell onto the floor.
‘I keep getting told off for not eating properly,’ Mallory said cheerfully, ‘I thought it would be wise to bring some snacks so if I get peckish I can nibble on some food and satisfy my hunger.’
Longchamps was growing paler; much more of this and he’d be whiter than the envelope lying at his feet. ‘Where is my jug?’ He stepped towards her. ‘Where is my fucking bellarmine jug?’
‘I haven’t found one yet,’ she said pleasantly. ‘Have you?’
The vampire roared, ‘No! That’s your job! Youhaveto find one!’ He opened his mouth and displayed his sharp fangs. ‘If you do not come up with the goods and fulfil the terms of our contract…’
Mallory cleared her throat. ‘About that. You did read the contract before you placed your blood on the dotted line, didn’t you?’
Longchamps faltered and stared at her.
She sighed. ‘I told you to read it before signing – any sensible person would have read it. But my assistant, Boris, seems to think that you didn’t and your attitude reinforces his suspicions.’ She curled her toes together and held her breath.
‘Of course I fucking read it!’
‘Then what’s the problem?’ She bent down and picked up the envelope. ‘You have your own copy but this one is mine – I brought it along just in case.’ She drew out the single sheet of paper. It was short for a reason: the less complicated and lengthy a blood contract, the less chance there was for confusion and confrontations like this one.
‘Clause three,’ she said.
Longchamps snatched the paper out of her hands and his eyes widened as he scanned it:Mallory Nash will make every attempt to locate the necessary equipment required to transport and use the Clouded Map so that it is not damaged. She will not be held liable if such equipment cannot be found. In such an eventuality, this contract will be rendered null and void.
His face twisted into an ugly snarl. ‘It doesn’t say that in my version.’
‘They are exact copies. I’m happy to wait while you check.’
He glared at her then marched stiffly to the door, yanked it open and shouted for the thrall.
‘I would also like to draw your attention to clause six at the bottom of the page,’ Mallory went on. ‘It’s a boiler-plate section that I include in every contract.’
Longchamps’ hands tightened as he looked at the sheet of paper again then he read out loud, ‘“Threats of violence from either party are not acceptable and are subject to penalties. Any violence incurred is subject to the mirrored enchantments bound up in this paper.”’
