Dark Tomorrow (Bo Blackman Book 6) (20 page)

Rogu3 snorts. ‘Told you she wouldn’t do it.’

I meet my grandfather’s eyes. ‘It’s called morality,’ I tell him. ‘Remember?’

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns round and retrieves something from the van. When I see what’s in his hands, I glare at him.

‘You can throw me all the dirty looks you want, my dear, but this is for all our safety. We can’t have him planting thoughts in your mind.’ He holds up a blood bag. ‘Maria decanted this for us on the way here. It’s about as fresh as you’re likely to get.’

My glare intensifies. ‘So she’s already lost blood and you were suggesting she lose even more?’

He smiles disarmingly. ‘I knew you’d refuse.’ He waggles the blood in my face. ‘This is the compromise. It’s already out of Maria’s system. Not using it would be a stupid waste.’

I curse aloud. ‘Who needs Kakos daemons to manipulate my mind when you’re around?’ I take the bag from him then I point at Maria. ‘If you ever do this again, I will ground you for the rest of your life.’

A giggle escapes her as if the very idea is absurd. ‘Sure.’

‘I’m glad someone finds this funny,’ I huff.

‘Stop complaining, Bo,’ my grandfather orders. ‘And get a move on. We’re very visible out here.’ His warning is clear. We have no idea when X’s friend/boss/nemesis is going to show up again. I hiss in annoyance, tear the edge of the bag with my teeth then start to drink.

Maria’s blood tingles on my tongue. It’s not like anything I’ve tasted before. I can tell she’s O negative but it’s as if there’s something else there too, like Tabasco or a dash of paprika. I only intend to take a few small sips but once I start, and the warm salty liquid slides with such ease down my throat, it’s difficult to stop. When I finally pull the bag away from my mouth, I’m breathing heavily.

‘Do you feel any different?’ Rogu3 asks curiously.

Everyone is watching me; even Millicent appears to have set aside her fear and is staring. I start to shake my head then realise that I do feel different. Lightheaded and almost … dizzy. I blink a few times but the feeling doesn’t subside.

‘That’s bloody weird,’ I mutter.

There’s a shout from further down the street and we all freeze in alarm. I whip my head round, only relaxing when I see a bloke in a suit run to catch up with another man. They both look human; I hope they are anyway.

‘Get back to base,’ I say to everyone. ‘Now.’ I glance at the almost empty bag in my hands then toss it to Hope. ‘Don’t let that out of your sight.’

She frowns but nods. As soon as they’ve all piled back into the van and driven off, I take a deep breath. It’s time to face the real monster.

There’s no alarm when Millicent and I enter the building. There are no doormen or security cameras or welcome mats; in fact, there’s nothing apart from a rather grubby floor and a single lift. I suppose X is so powerful that he doesn’t need to protect himself. There’s a quiet whoosh and the LED numbers displayed above the lift door start to decrease. Someone is on their way down. I hold my ground. I’m not scared. I’m not scared. I’m not scared.

Millicent squeaks, ‘I don’t like this. Tell me what you want and I’ll do it. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.’

If I thought for one minute that I could trust her, I’d take her arm and run out of here. But I’m doing this for Alice and for Maria and for all those children who’ve ended up goodness knows where. I don’t know whether drinking Maria’s blood is going to work or not, but this might be my only chance to attack X and get away with it. Once I’ve finished questioning him, of course.

The doors open. X glides out, wearing his natural daemon face and a black, funereal suit. He adjusts his cuffs and smiles while Millicent cowers. ‘Hello, Bo.’

I watch his tattoos writhe and twist across his skin. ‘Does that itch?’ I ask with detached curiosity.

He continues to smile. My fists curl without me realising and he starts to laugh. ‘I might not be able to read your thoughts,’ he says while I hold my breath and hope he’s telling the truth, ‘but you still give yourself away.’ He steps closer. ‘How badly do you want me dead?’

‘Let’s just say I’m imagining your bloody entrails decorating this floor.’ I look around. ‘It would be an improvement.’

‘I saved Michael for you.’

‘You manipulated me. You worked with your buddies to commit genocide.’

‘The Families deserved it.’

My gaze doesn’t flicker. ‘No, they didn’t.’

Millicent struggles against my hold. ‘What the goddamn hell is going here? Let me go! I demand you let me go!’

X raises an eyebrow. ‘The lady demands.’

‘Bully for her.’

‘Always the tough façade, little Bo.’ X reaches out and caresses my face. I will myself not to flinch but it takes almost everything I have. ‘I’ve missed you. I had hoped we could stay friends.’

I stare. ‘You’re insane.’

He sighs. ‘I tried to protect you. I shielded you as best I could. You’re still alive.’

‘Am I supposed to be grateful, you wanker?’ I snarl.

He winces. ‘There’s no need for such language.’

I bare my fangs and lunge forward, dragging Millicent with me. X sidesteps. ‘I’m not all bad, Bo,’ he says softly, his mellifluous voice trying to seduce me into relaxing.

I concentrate. I’m going to kick you where it hurts, I think, broadcasting my thoughts as best as I can. Then I do just that. My foot connects with his hard body. He turns just in time to avoid getting caught in the groin but he still expels a satisfying oomph.

‘That was unnecessary,’ he grimaces.

He might be bluffing, there’s no way of telling for sure. Still, I think that Maria’s blood might be working. ‘Where’s your boss?’ I ask. ‘The woman.’

His grimace deepens. ‘I am sorry that she attacked you.’

‘Is she the one who messed with my mind?’

X inclines his head. ‘Yes.’

‘Have you ever done that?’

‘No.’ He doesn’t qualify his response but for some reason I believe him. There’s something about his tone of voice. Or maybe I’m just an idiot.

‘I don’t know what the hell is going on here,’ Millicent shrieks. ‘But you need to…’

‘Let you go,’ I finish for her. ‘So you keep saying.’ I thrust her forward into X’s face. ‘Tell me what she is.’

A smile plays around his lips. ‘You’re asking me for a favour. What do I get in return?’

I ignore every atom in my body that tells me to smash his stupid, handsome face in. ‘You get me not killing you.’

He eyes me with interest. ‘You think you could?’

‘If you can’t read my mind, you don’t know what move I’m about to pull,’ I growl, my desire for violence throbbing through every word. ‘For once the playing field is level.’

X shakes his head sadly. ‘I’ll still beat you.’

Millicent gapes. ‘She’s a freaking bloodguzzler! You can’t beat her. She’s got preternatural strength. Plus, she’s obviously a maniac.’

I swing towards the teenager. ‘What do you see when you look at him? What is he?’

She tries again to pull away from me. ‘What is wrong with you?’

I watch her flailing movements then I smile. He wasn’t lying before then. ‘Maria’s blood. It really is working. You’re glamoured up and that’s all Millicent can see. I, on the other hand, can’t see your glamour because of Maria’s magic. The magic that’s now in me.’ My smile broadens.

X doesn’t disagree. ‘It’s only temporary, Bo. I wouldn’t get too excited. Not unless you’re going to drag Maria around and keep drinking from her every couple of hours.’

‘Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that,’ I tell him. I still can’t keep the smile off my face. I point to Millicent once more. ‘For old times’ sake. What is she?’

‘You already know.’

‘Spell it out for me.’

X regards me silently for a moment. ‘Very well, I will. But only because it’s the right thing to do. And because no matter what you think of me, I do like you, Bo.’

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to sod off but I remind myself that this is more important than my need for revenge.

Millicent, for her part, is starting to realise that things aren’t going in her favour. ‘What’s happening here? I’m going to sue the shit out of both of you! When my lawyers get involved, you’ll be sorry you ever laid eyes on me!’

X glances at me. ‘Methinks the lady doth protest too much.’

For once I agree. ‘Come on, X,’ I say. ‘Enlighten me. Who is this?’

‘Her name is not Millicent Beatty. It’s Mildred.’

Mildred? I shoot her a look. ‘Poor you.’

She swallows and stares at him. ‘No, I’m not! I don’t know any Mildred! I’m Millicent!’

X doesn’t pay her any attention. ‘She’s seventy-seven years old. This is not her original body; that lies somewhere else. This body was stolen from its original occupier. I can’t tell you who it was because no vestiges of that person remain. She paid a considerable amount of money, both for the body and the procedure.’

I forget to breathe. I’d started to suspect this much but I hadn’t been sure. It’s not mind-wiping or brainwashing or anything like that; it’s bodysnatching. That’s why all those children disappeared, because a bunch of wrinkly rich people wanted to live longer. Disgust courses through me.

‘How could you do this?’ I whisper.

Millicent/Mildred stares at me and I think she’s going to continue to protest her innocence. Instead, she sags against my grip. ‘Like you could ask that,’ she sneers. ‘You’re a vampire. You live four lifetimes. We humans only get one. I don’t have to drink blood to survive. Other people don’t get hurt because I live a bit longer. Not like in your case.’

And she thinks I’m a maniac? ‘What about the child whose body you took? What about her?’

She looks away. ‘She’ll get her body back one day.’

I doubt that will ever happen but I fix on her statement. ‘So it’s reversible? Whatever you did?’

She presses her lips together, making it clear that she’s not going to say anything else. I’m tempted to thump her ‒ but it’s not
her
body I’d be thumping. Instead, I glance questioningly at X.

‘It’s not a procedure I’m familiar with but there’s no reason why it wouldn’t be reversible. All you would need to do is to find her original body. That’ll be where this body’s soul is being housed.’

‘Soul?’

He shrugs elegantly. ‘For want of a better word. And before you ask, no, Mildred here doesn’t know where it is.’

‘Who does?’

‘I don’t know.’

I take a threatening step towards him. ‘X…’

He holds up his hands. ‘I don’t know because she doesn’t know. Her contacts were removed when her swap was completed.’ He smiles without humour. ‘She was blindfolded every time she visited their premises. Apparently the outfit who do this work on a need-to-know basis.’

‘How did she hear about them in the first place?’

‘Friend of a friend. That trail is cold.’ He regards me calmly. ‘Not all of the transitions were successful.’

I feel sick. Transitions? I shake my head. ‘It all makes sense. Kids like Maria, who no one would ever miss, were snatched or sold or trafficked or whatever, and then their bodies were used for people like …
her
. Alice Goldman doesn’t fit though. She had a family. Her disappearance was big news.’

‘I can’t help you with that.’

I snort. ‘Fat lot of good you are.’

‘I think I’ve helped you out rather a lot.’

My lip curls. ‘Yeah. Whatever.’

‘Your gratitude is truly heart-warming.’

My face twists. ‘You’re still alive, aren’t you?’ I consider my options. With Mildred in tow, I’m not sure I can do anything about X. I can’t keep hold of her and kill him at the same time. Save the innocent or kill the guilty? It’s no choice. Shame, though. Still, I can always come back.

I move up until my face is in his. ‘I know your weak spot now,’ I say. ‘Don’t think that your help today has changed anything between us. I’m still going to destroy you.’

X’s expression is surprisingly rueful. ‘I think you’ll have to get in line.’ He grabs my arm. ‘Don’t underestimate the others, Bo. They desperately want to be rid of all the vampires and they don’t like losing.’

‘You’re hiding here, aren’t you? Hiding from them. Your
buddies
,’ I sneer.

His response is simple. ‘Protecting you cost me.’

Am I supposed to feel sorry for him? Before I can snarl another response, his grip tightens. ‘Leave London, Bo. Take Michael and your family and your friends and get out of here. You won’t win.’

I stand on my tiptoes until our noses are almost touching. ‘Bite me.’ And then, with Mildred squirming by my side, I pull my arm away and stride out.

Because I don’t have the faintest idea what else to do with her, Mildred is safely locked away in one of the bedrooms while the rest of us cluster round the television. No one has found any trace of a girl who looks like Alice Goldman in Westminster. I send a message to Foxworthy explaining what I’ve discovered. He has resources that I don’t but I have no idea whether he’ll be able to round up other stolen children. There’s no doubt that there are more than Mildred, Alice and Benjy. With Mildred unable to help us find the people who organised her ‘transition’, I can feel my chances of succeeding in finding any of the children slipping away. The gnawing chasm of futility and helplessness inside me grows and grows.

On television, Harry D’Argneau’s familiar face beams out at us from the steps of Parliament.

‘I still hate that guy,’ Michael mutters by my side. I turn and give him a small smile, curving an arm round his waist. He remains far too pale for my liking but he can stand up unassisted. Score one for additives and greasy food.

D’Argneau licks his lips; it’s clear he’s loving every minute of the spotlight. ‘The current initiative against the remaining British vampires has been declared unlawful. Every vampire in the land deserves the right to be treated as a legal citizen. By that, not only are they bound by the same laws which bind everyone else and keep law and order on the streets, but they are also to be accorded the same freedom which everyone else enjoys. What happened to the five Families is an extraordinary tragedy but it is one from which we must move on. There will be a lot of questions in the days, weeks and months to come and a lot of issues which must be resolved. The vampires, however, are not our enemies. They are us.’

‘Nice speech,’ I murmur.

My grandfather smiles. ‘I may have thrown a few suggestions his way.’

I raise my eyebrows. He probably wrote the whole thing. D’Argneau continues talking. While the others watch, I draw Michael away. ‘How do you feel about all this?’ I ask softly.

He trails his fingers gently down my face. ‘I don’t know. It’s hard to see your life’s work obliterated. Harder still to know that most of the people you knew are now nothing more than dust and ashes. I know the Families had their faults but I was part of it for a long time, Bo.’ He sighs. ‘Not just part of it, I was in charge of it. You think
you
have doubts about what you’re doing? I failed everyone.’

There’s a loud whoop as a network pundit comes on television and starts to talk about the benefits of vampirism. Michael and I move sit in the corner, away from all the noise.

‘You were Head of one sodding Family. You weren’t God. And your way wasn’t the wrong way.
This
way isn’t the right way.’ I struggle to find the right words and wish I was more eloquent, especially about something so important. ‘They’re just different paths. Not good ones or bad ones just … different.’

He smiles sadly. ‘You’re doing a better job than you know, Bo.’

‘I’m not doing a job. I’m not in charge and I don’t want to be. I’m not you, I don’t enjoy leadership. If I could be on my own all the time, then I would be.’ I realise how that sounds and trip over my words in a bid to explain myself. ‘I don’t mean without you or family or things like that.’

‘I know what you mean.’

We look at each other. We may have already had a conversation like this but I feel it bears repeating. I wouldn’t let Michael dismiss me when he was at death’s door but he deserves the option now he’s getting better.

‘If you want to walk away,’ I say, forcing down the stabbing pain that attacks my heart, ‘then you can. At any time. I love you and I’m not going anywhere. But I understand if you want to.’

He doesn’t even hesitate. ‘The truth is, I don’t want to be anywhere but with you.’ He studies my face. ‘If that means being wholly selfish and making you stay with me when I’m wrinkly and doubled over and eating nothing but baby food, then that’s the way it’s going to be. Because I’m not going to let you go.’

I hold my breath. ‘That won’t bother you?’

He shrugs. ‘Maybe we’ll find a way so I can turn back.’

I bite my lip. I know in my heart of hearts that’s not going to happen, just like I know that if I got down on my hands and knees and begged X to make me human, he wouldn’t.

‘You still want to be a vampire?’ I ask.

‘You still want to be human?’

I let out a short laugh. ‘That’s a complicated question.’

‘Yeah,’ he says. ‘It is. I guess when it comes down to it, most people don’t get the happy endings they want.’

I glance at O’Shea. He catches my eye and gives me a quick smile and I note the envy in his eyes. He’d give his eye teeth and then some to have Connor back with him, regardless of what that relationship might entail in the future. I should be happy with what I’ve got. My grandfather can castigate me all he wants for my relationship with Michael; he’s not the one who’s in it.

Beth lets out a loud shriek. ‘Bo! Get your skinny arse over here!’

‘What?’

‘Look!’ She’s jumping up and down and pointing at the screen. A spokesperson for one of the French Families is outside the Eiffel Tower, speaking earnestly to a journalist. I frown, not sure why she’s so excited. Then I see who’s hovering in the background.

‘Matt,’ I breathe. My old Montserrat buddy. ‘He made it out.’

‘And,’ she crows, ‘he can’t speak a word of French.’ She laughs uproariously. ‘He must be having the time of his life!’ Even Kimchi barks, as if recognising his old friend.

The camera shifts. Matt’s not alone, both Arzo and Peter are by his side. Some of my tension dissipates and I relax into a genuine smile. It’s hard to feel entirely happy when so many of us are dead and so much is going to shit, but suddenly it feels as if there’s a glimmer of hope. Until the camera shifts again, switching back to London, and Vince Hale’s face appears.

‘Mr Hale,’ the journalist intones, ‘you’ve been one of the most ardent advocates against the vampires. How do you feel about the court’s new ruling?’

The politician’s expression remains studiously serious. ‘What happened to the five Families is an extraordinary tragedy and, believe me, I take no pleasure in it. I have spoken personally to Scotland Yard and they do not believe the threat is over. We have indeed captured many of the members of this group calling itself Tov V’ra. However, it is possible that some remain.’

‘Yeah,’ Rogu3 snorts. ‘Like Vince Hale himself.’

I hush him. Hale is up to something and I want to hear what.

‘Neither can we deny that the vampires are a threat to our civilized society. I appreciate the court’s ruling and I am fully sympathetic to the vampires’ cause but these are creatures who prey on innocent victims. They drink blood to stay alive, for goodness’ sake. It’s all well and good to integrate them into society and let them live amongst us but,’ his face now turns sad, ‘what about the danger to our children? Let us not forget what happened to young Thomas Glass when a bloodguzzler attacked him in his own yard. I believe that the vampires want to be good. I believe that they mean it when they say they will abide by our laws. But their baser instincts mean that they simply cannot control themselves enough for that to happen.’

‘So, Mr Hale, what exactly are you proposing?’ asks the journalist, feeding him what is no doubt a pre-prepared question.

‘Exactly what I’ve been planning all along: we transport all vampires to a facility out of the capital. It will be comfortable. We will provide them with all the blood they require. They don’t recruit anyone new and no one else is made to suffer because of their existence. They will die out naturally instead of living their lives in fear ‒ and Britain will be safer for it.’

Beth folds her arms and glares. ‘He’s putting himself across as the calm voice of reason as if he’s telling a child to eat their smegging vegetables. It’s for your own good,’ she mimics. ‘Tosser.’

I look at my grandfather and he smiles back with grim resolve. ‘The black witches will put out a statement in support of the vampires. They have no desire to be rounded up and placed in some internment camp either.’

I draw in a ragged breath. ‘It won’t be enough. As long as people believe that Hale is a sensible human who stands for law, order and safety, sooner or later people will rally to his cause. We don’t have a strong enough plan for ourselves now that the Families no longer exist. We can’t counteract what he’s saying.’

‘We could come up with a plan.’

‘Yeah, but it would be rushed and he’ll find holes in it. We have to take our time deciding what we’re going to do next and how we’re going to live. He wants us to trip over ourselves and make a mistake, then he’ll pounce on it, court ruling or no court ruling.’

‘So what do we do?’

Everyone looks at me, even Michael. My mouth is dry and my palms are clammy. What I really want to do is to end Hale once for all and leave him bleeding out in some dark alley but that would only play into his hands. It’s what he’s probably hoping for.

I lick my lips. ‘Rogu3, have you got anywhere with his computer? Is there anything we can use to discredit him?’

‘I’m sorry, Bo.’ He drops his head and looks ashamed. ‘So far his files are clean.’

‘What about the barrister?’ Chester asks. ‘Can’t he do something else? Tell everyone that Hale’s proposal is still illegal?’

‘He can shout about the law all he wants,’ I answer. ‘Once public opinion is against us, there won’t be much comeback.’

Michael clears his throat. ‘I can do an interview. Present a human face that people will believe because I was one of you.’

‘In theory that would be good but Hale will jump on it as a reason why we should all be returned to a human state.’

His response is quiet. ‘Isn’t that what you want?’

On some level, yes but this isn’t about me. I look at the remaining vampires. I’m not imagining the fear in their eyes; they don’t want to be human any more than Michael does. I need to put aside my personal feelings and think about what’s best for everyone. What’s going to give us a future? The only answer I can come up with is getting rid of Vince Hale. I pinch the bridge of my nose and try desperately to think.

‘Okay,’ I say slowly, ‘we’ve got the Kakos daemons, Vince Hale and a seventy-seven-year-old woman who’s stolen a teenager’s body. Somehow we need to deal with them all.’

O’Shea grins weakly. ‘Well, when you put it like that, it’s a piece of piss. Only the most powerful beings on the planet, a Member of Parliament and a body snatcher.’ He shrugs. ‘What could be easier?’

I scratch my nose. ‘What can we control?’

‘None of the above,’ my grandfather says. ‘But if Hale is going after public opinion then that’s what we focus on. The faster the black witches come out in support, the better things will be.’

I nod. ‘The witches are just one group, though.’ I straighten my shoulders. ‘There are other people who will benefit from our continued existence and who might be in a position to help us.’ I tighten my jaw. ‘I’m going into town.’

***

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not good at asking for help. I wasn’t lying when I told Michael that I prefer to work alone. Owning up to the fact that I’m not all-powerful and can’t do everything solo is one of the hardest things I’ve done. It’s one thing getting help from Foxworthy or D’Argneau, or having Hope and her witches approach me; coming here to initiate a meeting and beg for assistance is entirely different.

Compared to a few days ago, it’s obvious that people are slowly starting to return to their normal routine. The streets are busier with both foot traffic and cars. You can’t keep a good city down. There are still a lot of bloody people heading towards Magix, however. There’s nothing like a good protection spell to make you believe that you’re safe from all the nasty things out there. That desire is what I’m counting on.

I hold my head up high and cross the road, then stroll through the giant glass doors that lead to Magix’s shop floor. A young woman, laden with shopping bags and on her way out, immediately notices me and lets out a small shriek. If she’s shopping at Magix, I’m pretty certain that she’s not a fan.

‘Guzzler! Bo … Bo … Bo Blackman!’

Heads begin to turn and people drop to the floor as if I’m about to pull out an Uzi and fire indiscriminately. I walk past the woman to the centre of the shop. I spread my arms out wide and yell, ‘I want to talk to the manager!’

Two burly security guards march towards me, tasers in front of them. ‘Get down on the ground,’ the nearest one shouts.

I do as I’m told. I’m not here to appear threatening, I have far grander plans in mind. As much as I hate those damned anti-vampire handcuffs, I press my wrists together and wait patiently for the guards to secure me. It’s only when energy starts to sap out of me as the cuffs click into place that they haul me back up to my feet.

‘What do you want?’ the second guard snarls in my face.

‘I want you to see a dentist to sort out that halitosis,’ I retort without thinking. He reaches back and slams his fist into the side of my head. I reel. ‘Pretty birdies,’ I mutter, shaking my head to clear the pain. ‘I apologise. I didn’t mean to be rude. As I already said, I want to see the woman in charge. Take me to the manager.’