This is much better. You take care of yourself, and I appreciate that.
What the fuck was happening? Why couldn’t he move? Breathe? Speak! And who the fuck was in his head?
Ah. How rude of me. Jude Jingo, at your service.
In the depths of his own mind, Troy froze. He’d heard that name, had to be living under a rock not to have done so. Jude Jingo – the deadliest criminal the Other realm had seen in a decade or more.
You’re too kind,the urbane voice said.Now let’s pay Kate a visit, shall we? And if you don’t play along and tell me everything I need to know to pretend to be you convincingly, I promise she’ll be the first one to die.
Fear punched through him, not for himself, but for Kate. For what Jingo could do – would do – to her.
The merman’s body straightened at its parasite’s command.
‘I’m in,’ Jingo called out, even though Troy hadn’t commanded his voice to speak.
Another man melted out of the darkness. ‘Easier than I’d feared,’ he commented.
‘Threaten a man’s woman, Reed, and he’ll indulge in his most basic instincts. Protect. Ugg.’ Jingo thumped his chest mockingly. ‘Any witnesses?’
‘Just one. A vampyr.’
‘Do you know her?’
‘No, but it’ll be easy enough to identify her. Shall I get Witterhall on her?’
Troy’s head shook. ‘I don’t trust the prick, not with this. I need to fly under the radar a while longer yet, until I’ve got close to the mer king. Kill her,’ Jingo ordered. ‘Discreetly.’
Reed placed a hand over his heart. ‘I’m the soul of discretion.’
‘Good man. Cameras?’
‘Two door cameras,’ Reed confirmed. ‘I already arranged for both to be out of commission.’
‘Excellent. How do I look?’
Reed ran his eyes over his boss. ‘The hair is a little wild and, as expected, a little blood has splattered on you.’ He got out a packet of baby wipes from his backpack and cleanedthe blood from Troy’s hands and face. ‘A little on your shirt too.’
Reed set his backpack on the ground and pulled out a fresh white shirt. Jingo raked his fingers through his newly acquired long hair, then deftly removed the light blue top he was wearing. He buttoned up the crisp white shirt, which contrasted nicely against his dark blue hair.
‘Your knuckles are a little red, sir. Allow me?’
Reed was a wizard with many talents, and his healing skills were one of the main reasons Jingo had first identified him as an excellent second, even as a young lad. Reed’s ability to heal even the most terrible wound meant torture could go on and on until Reed had to recharge. Reed had proven himself invaluable many times. And this was no exception.
He took Troy’s hand in his and healed it. Not a single mark remained on his pale skin, no hint he’d struck Ash Aspen once, let alone until he’d resembled a pancake.
‘All done, sir. Enjoy your acting.’
Jingo grinned. He did so enjoy this bit. He dropped the dead flowers next to Aspen’s body, waited until Reed had gone from view, then knocked on the front door.
Kate answered with a wide smile, and trapped within the confines of his own mind Troy felt sick. She was pleased to see him, and he was terrified for her.
Gorgeous curls framed her face, and she wore glasses with gems across the frame, bold and dazzling. Her lips were painted perfectly red, and although she was dressed casually in jeans and a top, Troy suspected she had indeedhopedfor a date, and fear swamped him again for what Jingo might do to her withhisbody.
‘Kate,’ Jingo began, tone serious. ‘Something dreadful has happened. We need to call the Connection. I’ve found a body.’
Chapter One
Senseless death always enraged me, but none quite so much as this one.
