Page 22 of Waifs And Strays
‘Let her go,’ I heard MacTire say. ‘She’s just a cat. Can you fetch us some fresh coffee?’
I released a breath then leapt up the exterior wall and bounded away.
Although my bagwas in the same place, He Who Roams Wide had disappeared. I gave a small, plaintive miaow to call him back, then tensed and started to cough.
I hated this part but it was necessary. I hacked and spluttered and coughed until, after what felt like an age, I hawked up the hairball. As soon as it was out of my mouth, the painful spasms began again, jerking my bones. Moments later, I was back in my own body with a cold sweat across my forehead.
Nobody was coming after me. I’d made it out scot free.
My black top was damp with dregs of the poisoned coffee that were clinging to it in the same way it had clung to my black fur. I yanked it over my head and folded it to preserve the evidence, then unstrapped my weapons. It was one thing wandering through the streets of Coldstream in the middle of the night in little more than a sports bra, but quite another to display the wares of a professional assassin as I did so.
I returned everything to my bag and slung it over my shoulders. I was shivering a little from the cold but if I moved quickly, I’d warm up soon enough. By the time I’d adjusted the bag straps, He Who Roams Wide was sauntering placidly towards me. There was a tiny smear of blood next to his mouth. It was probably better not to ask.
‘Well, he definitely didn’t take Nick,’ I told him. ‘And MacTire doesn’t know he’s missing.’ Yet.
Alexander MacTire had made it perfectly clear what he’d do to me if anything happened to Nick; it was a sobering thought that the entire MacTire clan would set upon me if the boy was dead.
‘Unfortunately,’ I said aloud, ‘I’ve now got even more questions that need urgent answers. Let’s head home and get a few hours’ kip. We’ve got some busy times ahead.’
Chapter
Ten
Ibarely got sixty winks but I knew my body and how to deal with less sleep than I’d grown accustomed to enjoying. There were plenty of hours left before I hit my physical limits, and I wanted to reach Trilby before they opened up their stall for the day. I was on a mission and I didn’t have time to arse around in a queue before I could talk to them.
I dropped kibble into bowls for all five cats and reassured them again that I wasn’t angry with them for not preventing Nick’s abduction. The kid wasn’t their responsibility, he was mine. Then I checked on She Who Hisses, who flatly refused to come out from behind the boxes but did miaow to let me know she appreciated the food I was leaving for her and that she was on the mend. Perhaps she was softening towards me.
‘This evening,’ I promised, ‘when we can be sure that your injuries have healed enough. That’s when I’ll let you go.’
With my immediate tasks completed, I rushed to the river market. A weak dawn had already spread its way across the sky and several of my neighbours were stirring. I waved at them; they’d eyed me with considerable suspicion when I’d first moved in and I’d had to work hard to be accepted.The presence of a werewolf-driven car the previous day would have diminished my standing in many eyes, so I had some ground to make up. There was no reason not to start now.
Trilby was setting out the last of their wares by the time I arrived at the market. It was surprisingly busy despite the early hour, but the queues were forming by the baker’s stall and Natasha’s butchery; locals who required Trilby’s services would doubtless pitch up later.
I strolled up and eyed the display. It was mostly innocuous: a few love potions that every person in Coldstream with half a brain cell knew would never work; some herbs to enhance perimeter security, and several bottles of dubious moonshine to which the authorities would turn a blind eye. Trilby kept the good stuff out of sight.
‘Kit!’ They spread their arms wide and beamed as I approached. The eponymous trilby hat perched on their head jiggled slightly. ‘You’re a sight for sore eyes.’
I didn’t smile back. ‘Good morning, Trilby.’ I folded my arms. There was no point beating around the bush so I didn’t waste my breath. ‘You’ve been selling magic catnip without telling me.’
They didn’t miss a beat. ‘You’re not the only cat lady in town, Kit.’
‘Since when did werewolves seek out cats?’ I enquired.
‘Ah.’ Trilby nodded. ‘I did seek assurances from that particular customer that no felines would be harmed. I believed her. Was I wrong to do so?’
No, but that wasn’t the point. I glowered but Trilby only shrugged. ‘You could hunt down the werewolf and steal the catnip off her. You’ll probably have to kill her first, of course.’ They grinned as if the thought that I’d kill anyone, let alone a werewolf, was hilarious. ‘If you do that, don’t dispose of thebody until you’ve spoken to me. Ground up werewolf bones are excellent for curing cancer.’
I rolled my eyes. Yeah, yeah.
Trilby’s smirk grew. ‘So I’ve heard. And apparently werewolf blood can be used to invoke demons.’
I folded my arms. I wasn’t in the mood for old wives’ tales or Trilby’s warped idea of humour, and I certainly wasn’t stupid enough to chase after Samantha to steal her damned catnip. I liked my head and my limbs where they were, thank you very much. ‘Do you still have some of that catnip in stock?’ I’d buy all of it if I could.
‘Alas, it was only a small batch, but next time I promise I’ll let you know that I’ve got some.’
I moved on to more pressing matters. ‘What about forget-me-not spells? Any of those under that counter?’
Trilby blinked. ‘Now why would a lovely lady such as yourself be interested in powerful magic like that?’
