Page 59 of Skulk of Foxes
‘You mean fall at your feet in worship?’ she enquired.
He shrugged. ‘It’s a start.’
I rolled my eyes and stepped out to join the police. I closed the door behind me but I could still hear Monroe and Charley arguing. ‘Sexual tension,’ I said. ‘They’ll work it out if we give them time. And maybe a matching pair of ball gags.’
Jones looked faintly alarmed but Mulroney appeared interested. Then he seemed to realise that his thoughts were visible on his face and his expression closed off. ‘This area is the next one to be evacuated. The army will be moving residents out within the hour. I suggest you join the evacuation. You seem to be creating more problems. If I see you again, I’ll have to arrest you.’
I folded my arms. ‘I understand that I am indeed an arresting vision but I think that’s taking things a bit far.’
Mulroney rolled his eyes. ‘We don’t have time for this,’ he said under his breath.
I glanced at Jones. She still appeared to be shaking off the vision of Monroe and his dimple. ‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘For going to the bogles’ estate and helping them.’
She shook herself. ‘Bogles?’
Uh-oh. That was the second time I’d mentioned them to her. I really ought to be more careful. ‘The people near Boggart Hole. I’m sure your intervention was well received.’
Mulroney glowered. ‘I thought that was an anonymous tip off. Was that you as well? There was virtually a Mexican standoff in the street.’
‘Are they all okay?’
‘What’s it to you?’
DC Jones interrupted. ‘Everyone’s fine. But,’ she added, with a warning frown, ‘we are now working alongside the army and taking our orders from them. We can’t get involved as easily as we could before.’
She said that as if she thought I was planning to arrange for more life-or-death showdowns. This was becoming irritating. Why wasn’t it easier to save the world? Why did people always have to question what I was doing?
‘Look,’ I said, trying not to sound impatient and failing miserably, ‘I’m on your side here. I’m…’ I broke off as my eye caught something at the end of the street. Gasbudlikins. ‘When did you say the army would be here?’
‘In the next hour. Sooner probably.’ Jones narrowed her gaze. ‘Why?’
I opened the front door again, ignoring both Charley and Monroe who were standing so close together I was surprised they still had room to breathe. ‘There’s an Australian woman in there who really needs your help.’
I grabbed Monroe’s arm and hauled him out then unceremoniously shoved Mulroney and Jones in. ‘It’s been lovely knowing you both!’ I called. ‘Help Charley and Lizzy, and stay inside till the army gets here and all will be fine.’ Before any of them could protest, I slammed the door shut again. If they knew what was good for them, they’d do as I said.
Monroe glared. ‘What are you doing? I was talking to that blue-haired bug of a woman.’ He pushed past me as if to enter again.
‘You idiot werewolf,’ I hissed. ‘Stop thinking with your cock and start paying attention.’
‘I am pay…’ Monroe’s voice trailed off as he caught sight of the masses of faeries gathering at both ends of the street, blocking off our exits. Morgan and the others were already on their feet and heading into the middle of the road. ‘Is this Rubus?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ I answered shortly. I hopped down the pavement and ran to Morgan’s side. ‘How did he find us?’
‘Might have been magic,’ he grimaced. ‘Might have been old-fashioned look-outs. You have the sphere?’
I nodded grimly. ‘I do.’
‘Then you need to get out of here any way you can, Maddy. Keep yourself and that thing safe. We’ll keep Rubus busy.’
I shook my head. ‘I’m not getting out of here any more than you are.’
Charley’s front door opened and Mulroney peered out. ‘What on earth is going on?’
Monroe snarled at him, whiskers and fur springing out all over his face. For what was possibly the first time in his life, Mulroney did the sensible thing and stepped back inside.
‘Stay there!’ I screeched at him. We didn’t need more collateral damage.
I met Monroe’s eyes and he nodded at me, understanding. He was already more wolf than man but he still managed to snap his fingers at several of his werewolves and send them to guard Charley’s door. Then he bounded back over to us. ‘Have you grown a third boob?’ he enquired, gazing at the lump protruding from my chest.
