“Yeah. I mean, I’d use a mug and a teabag, but I guess so.”
“You take your tea, and sit, drink it slowly, and let the world around you disappear for a few minutes. Aye?”
“Oh, right. So it’s the vampire equivalent of a ‘nice cuppa tea and a sit down?’ Gotcha.” His expression turned mischievous. “Surprised you can remember that far back.”
Baxter chuckled. “He can’t, but I can. Some things transcend time. Just because we’re old, doesn’t mean the urge to slip away for a few moments to think has left us. Besides, tea’s still on the menu, as long as nobody adds milk to it.” She pulled a comical face meant to represent puking. “And don’t be cheeky to your father. That’s my job.”
Dalziel managed a half grin. “So it is. Right.” He sat upright and palmed the table top. “We need Eleanor to arrange for me to talk to Volik, the Faerie king. If Malin is traceable, he’s the best place to start. I didn’t want to do this officially, but we don’t have a choice now. Charley is exhibiting strong magical power and he needs a mentor.”
Charley blinked. “I am? What the hell did I do? I didn’t mean to. I was just cross.”
“That’s worse,” I said glumly. “If you don’t know you’re doing it, you can’t possibly hope to control it.”
“Lucien is correct. Although if you haven’t routinely been conjuring ice crystals and freezing your enemies, hopefully we can assume you would only exhibit these characteristics under what you’d consider a threat to your…mate.” Ooh, that cost Dalziel a lot to say that word. I got a warm jolt in my chest at hearing it acknowledged out loud though.
Charley’s expression was priceless. “I’m yourmate?”he breathed. “That sounds kind of wolfy.” He sucked his bottom lip into his mouth. “Have I just said something offensive? Luc?”
“Only every other time you open your gob, if you’re anything like me.” Baxter cracked a wide grin, directing it at Dalziel. “No idea how you put up with me, sweetie.”
He grimaced. “With difficulty, since unfortunately, you’re incredibly useful. My technical know-how is adequate. Yours is...”
“Breathtakingly awesome, I know. Sexy too. You forgot that part,” she pouted, and flipping her long plait over one shoulder, she mimed flashing her boobs at him.
Charley hooted. “Oh my god, you twoarean item,” he crowed delightedly. “Just don’t expect me to call you Mummy any time soon. You’re a bit babelicious to be a stepmother.”
Dalziel choked on air, and held up his index fingers in a cross to signify a definite ‘no’. Baxter barely managed to deny Charley’s statement through her giggles. I lost it. Totally lost it. Tears leaked from my eyes, and I had to hold my aching sides as the tension of the past twenty-four hours gave way to solid mirth. In the end, I abandoned any attempt at dignity, and lay my head on the table while I waited for the spasms to pass.
When we could face each other without cracking up, Dalziel summoned Eleanor, and asked her to request an urgent meeting with Volik. Baxter pronounced herself satisfied with the work she’d done to doctor the video in the cellar. She showed parts of it to all of us, running it side by side with actual security footage from Ritzy’s. Apart from the fact I recognised myself and Charley in the cellar version, I couldn’t tell the difference in quality. I said so.
Baxter shot me a satisfied smile. “That’s the whole point. I don’t expect Ledge to doubt the authenticity of the footage, because I’m too damn good for him to spot anything, but it needs to be beyond any doubt that it’s the real deal. Your safety is resting on this.” Her smile this time was less vibrant. “Actually, we need to have a talk about what happens next. I don’t think you’re going to like it much, either of you.”
“You want to separate us, don’t you?” I was ahead of her. “Because that way, I’m just some guy whose dick he sucked. Even if we’ve fucked a few times, you don’t want us to appear to be in a proper relationship.”
“What the fuck!?” Charley’s indignation was palpable. I took his hand in mine and held it tightly.
“Listen to Baxter.”
“Lucien is correct,” Dalziel said to Charley. “It’s for your safety, but mostly for his. If you don’t have anything beyond a—” He paused, “—a fuck buddy acquaintance, there’s no possible leverage the motorcycle club can use. I don’tthinkthey’ll try anything once they have definitive proof of your alibi, but it can’t hurt to be cautious.”
“You mean they’d try and hurt Luc to get at me?” Dalziel and Baxter nodded. “Well they can’t have him! I’ll…I’ll…”
“Fuck’s sake, don’t shoot any more icicles from your fingertips, or whatever you did.” I stood and wrapped my arms around him from behind. “It won’t be for long. Besides,” I nibbled his ear, which was thankfullynotpointy, “I’m sure your parents will be pleased to see you.”
“My adoptive parents,” he corrected me sulkily, but his body relaxed under my grip, and he eyed Baxter with less venom.
She continued as if Charley hadn’t just threatened to go nuclear on her arse. “So, I’ll leave for London as soon as dark falls this afternoon. How about you two follow tomorrow morning at first light? I know it’s not ideal, but it looks less suspicious if you seem human, and they do love daylight. I’ll get the footage spliced into Ritzy’s system, then I’ll be in touch to tell you how and when to approach Ledge.”
“Small problem there,” I interjected. When she raised her eyebrows, I continued, “Charley’s really crap with technology. Email and phone aren’t reliable ways to contact him. They’re always on the fritz.”
“I didn’t come down in the last shower.” She rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh. “I’ll be calling him, on his parents’ landline, to follow up on the efficacy of the new vitamin and protein ‘boost juices’ we’ve been trialling with young people up and down the country. The stuff that comes in thick metallic pouches, each individually numbered, and with a spreadsheet to be filled in every time you drink one. We already sent a letter confirming your participation in the trial. Your mum just hasn’t noticed it yet as it’s fallen under your bed at home, and she’s all about respecting personal boundaries. It’s backdated, and looks as if it’s done ten rounds with the Suffolk postal service. It’s all set up.” She smirked at our no doubt matching gobsmacked expressions. “I’m bloody good at what I do, guys. Charley, you’ll take a cool bag of the new drinks with you to stick in the fridge like normal. I planned ahead and brought some with me. I’ve got the template for the forms here. I’ll get those run off, and show you how to fill them out, okay? Because they’re numbered, your folks won’t dare touch them, and you’ll get your blood. Everything’s tickety-boo.”
There was a moment of silence in the room. I could hear the grandfather clock in the corridor ticking, and a muffled curse, probably Pavel in the kitchen. Then Charley cleared his throat.
“That’s seriously impressive. I should probably freak out that someone I don’t know has broken into my parents’ house, and planted stuff in my bedroom, but I don’t have the energy right now. I’ll go home, and wait for you to call. Thank you, Baxter. I know you’re friends with Dalziel, but that’s a lot of effort to go to for someone you don’t even know. I’m very grateful.” He sounded small, and exhausted all of a sudden.
“Huh.” Baxter shut the laptop with a click. “Sunshine, you’re family now. I know we’ve all joked about what Del and I do or don’t do in bed, but that’s irrelevant. He’s my family. There isnothingI wouldn’t do for him. Ya hear me? You’re his kid. Like it or not, you’re family too. ’Fraid you’re stuck with me.” Her gaze landed on me. “You too, wolf man, seeing as you’re stuck like glue to this one.”
Dalziel looked at Baxter approvingly, then at me and Charley. “Eloquent as ever, my friend,” he said, his sarcasm tempered by a smile. “Charley, Lucien, if you need anything for the journey, please ensure you let Eleanor or Pavel know.” He got to his feet, and stretched, muscles bunching under the fine fabric of his shirt. “I fancy a run. Anyone care to join me?”
