I was totally confused by both the change in subject and their question. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Vampires have been around for more than a thousand years – longer – but somebody had to be the first one.’
What was Trilby telling me?
True to form, they didn’t appear keen to elaborate. ‘Just a thought,’ they said carelessly. ‘Now, I have something for you. I hoped you’d take it along with the catnip but you ignored it.’ They reached under the table and took out a small box. ‘Here.’
I gazed at it as if it were a bomb. Hell, maybe it was. ‘What is it?’
‘A preservation spell.’
Interesting. Did Trilby think I needed a preservation spell? Icouldn’t imagine when I’d use one. ‘No thanks. I don’t think I need anything like that.’
They regarded me benignly. ‘I’m giving it to you, but it’s not for you.’
My eyes travelled involuntarily to She Without An Ear.
‘And It’s not for her, either. This particular spell only preserves inanimate objects.’ Trilby pressed the box into my hands. ‘Please, Kit, humour me. I give you my word. I am trying to help you, not hinder or harm you.’
There was an accompanying fizz of magic. I stared. Trilby had never given me their vow before; this was a new development.
I sighed. There weren’t many people whom I trusted; if I were honest, the short list contained only one name. I ought to add Trilby to that list. No matter what Penelope had intimated, they had never done me wrong – quite the opposite, in fact. There could be no ambiguity: either I trusted Trilby or I didn’t. I made a decision and took the box.
Their eyes gleamed. ‘Good. You have made the right choice.’
I hoped so. I put the box into my backpack. ‘Thank you, Trilby.’
They touched the tip of their hat in return then their gaze slid past me and they smiled. ‘Oh, look. Don’t you know that vampire?’
I frowned and looked over my shoulder. Alan was darting hurriedly through the market. Hmm. I bit my bottom lip, nodded a farewell to Trilby and ran after him. ‘Alan!’
He heard my shout, turned and his blank expression immediately transformed into a beaming smile. He genuinely seemed pleased to see me as he waited for me to catch up. ‘Kit! You’re here early.’
I decided not to tell him that I’d been in the Understreamfor hours. ‘I’m on a clock,’ I said. ‘Six days now to find those worms.’
‘Are you making any progress?’
I’d learned a lot over the past hours but none of it was concrete and little of it related to what had happened to Nicola, Solly, Fields and Tiger. ‘Alas, no. I’ve spoken to Anthony and I’ve been re-tracing the worms’ usual routes to search for clues. Not much to report so far, but I remain optimistic.’
Alan’s red eyes flickered but he nodded understandingly. ‘It’s not an easy task. I fear you got the short end of the stick as far as the investigations go.’
‘Does that mean you’re having more success with the graffiti artists?’
‘Oh yes.’ He nodded vigorously. ‘I have identified two of the three, and I think I’ll find the third tonight after the sun goes down. I also have an appointment with a landowner at the Glebe who might be prepared to offer the exterior wall of his warehouse as a blank canvas for future artistic endeavours.’
I was impressed: Alan had worked far more quickly than I’d expected. ‘Which warehouse?’
He scratched his head. ‘Uh…’ He looked over my shoulder, jerked and stepped back. ‘Is that a cat?’
I grinned. ‘Meet She Without An Ear.’
‘Goodness. I can’t remember the last time I saw a cat in the Understream.’ He bent down and stretched out a hand towards the tabby. She hissed and snapped her teeth. Sensibly, Alan pulled away and stood up.
‘I wouldn’t take offence,’ I told him. ‘She’s like that with everyone. Even me.’ I smiled fondly. ‘You’ve not seen another cat around here, then? A male? A silver Maine Coon?’
Alan’s brows snapped together. ‘Maine Coon?’ He had no idea what that meant.
‘They’re large cats,’ I explained. ‘Pedigree moggies with long fur that resembles a lion’s mane.’
