Page 75 of The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid

When I put the key in the lock, I felt a pang of disappointment to see Fluffy rather than Reggie. I wondered how many of his twenty-four hours he’d managed. ‘Hey, buddies,’ I greeted him and Shadow. ‘We got Thomas back!’

Fluffy got off the sofa and wagged around Connor and I with such obvious joy that it made me smile. Happiness came to him so easily in this form that it was no wonder he preferred it. We’d have to help him find joy in his human form. Maybe I could make a list. If Matilda was anything to go by, vast quantities of doughnuts should be on it, but maybe I could add in other things people loved, like a good book, music and maybe a spot of soothing gardening. I would do anything to help Reggie find his two feet.

Connor and I fed everyone – including ourselves – then left the cat and dog watching TV together and retreated to my bedroom.

I sat on the bed and faced him. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Thomas’s rescue. I thought you’d be busy wrapping up things at the Robertson’s house.’

He shrugged. ‘That’s what lackeys are for.’

I snorted. ‘Don’t let John hear you call him that.’

He smiled a little and then it faded. ‘It wasn’t just Thomas’s rescue you kept from me. You didn’t tell me you were going beyond the barrier.’

‘I know, but you had Reams and his team breathing down your neck.’ I frowned. ‘Which reminds me, if they weren’t here for the girls what on earth were they here for?’

Connor looked sombre. ‘I’ve been thinking about that. I asked some of the vamps who’d talked with them and every single onesaid Reams’ men brought up the beast and the barrier at least once in conversation.’

‘The girls were a cover story,’ I breathed. ‘They came here to gather intel.’

‘And they got it,’ he said grimly. ‘They got first-hand accounts from the girls – and then they left.’

I bit my lip. ‘They work for your father. What do you think it means?’

His jaw was tight. ‘I think it means he’s planning to visit. His security team came ahead to assess the potential threats.’

I felt a bit faint at the thought. ‘That’s not good.’

‘No, it’s not.’

‘What are we going to do?’

‘I’m not giving him Portlock, not now, not ever.’ He took a deep breath and braced himself. ‘I think … I think I might have to kill him.’

I stared at my mate for a long moment. He was braced for recriminations, for me to recoil and tell him he was a monster but instead, I gave him what I’d longed for my whole life: full, unconditional support.

‘Youdidlook good with the crown,’ I said, and slowly Connor smiled. It was like the sun rising – but behind that smile was steel.

His father hadn’t just sent spies. He’d sent a message. A threat.

We needed to send one back. I wondered if we could courier a decapitated head?