Page 26 of Waifs And Strays
The witch interrupted them. ‘I’ll take them.’
‘Thought you might.’ Trilby bagged them up, the witch paid and moved to the side so I could take her place at the front of the queue. I passed them £200. They counted it, nodded and tucked the money away. ‘Soft touch,’ they mouthed at me.
I shrugged. I was hardly perfect; I used to kill people for a living.
‘Have you tested the fabric?’ I asked. ‘Have you got an answer for me?’
‘It’s only been a few hours, Kit,’ Trilby protested. ‘And I’ve got a stall to run. I can’t drop everything just for you.’
‘Trilby—’
They sniffed. ‘Yes, I’ve got an answer – but it’s going to cost you and you’re not going to like it.’
No surprises on either count. ‘Fine,’ I said.
Trilby held up a folded note. ‘Eight hundred.’
That was actually cheaper than I’d expected. I counted out the money and passed it over then took the note and opened it. There were only two words:Death cap.I stared at them then a moment later I crumpled the paper into a ball.
In its most potent powdered form, death cap would kill someone within twelve hours. Quack really hated her alpha.
‘You’re welcome,’ Trilby said.
I inclined my head in acknowledgment of their work. Trilby was right, though: I didn’t like it.
They pointed at the crumpled paper. ‘You ought to take care, Kit. I’d hate to lose one of my best customers.’ Although their words were light, there was serious concern behind those dark eyes.
‘I wasn’t the target,’ I said.
‘I’m glad to hear it.’
I started to step away but they raised a hand. ‘Before yougo,’ they murmured. ‘As you’re such a good customer, there’s something else I should tell you.’
‘Go on.’
‘About an hour ago somebody came by the stall and asked me if I had any forget-me-not spells in stock.’
I stiffened. ‘Who?’
‘A male werewolf. Short red hair, pale skin. I’ve not seen him around here before so I don’t know his name.’
‘Which way did he go?’ I snarled softly.
‘He headed towards Black’s, but I lost sight of him pretty quickly.’ Trilby waved a hand towards the queue behind me. ‘I’ve had a busy morning.’
I met their eyes. ‘Thank you,’ I said, meaning it. ‘You’ve helped me a lot.’
They swept a bow. ‘Any time, Kit. Any time. Take care out there.’
I wasn’t the one who had to take care. I managed to smile through gritted teeth, spun on my heel and jogged towards the coffee shop. If I had to kill that damned ginger werewolf in public while he munched on a cupcake and drank the best coffee in town, then I absolutely would.
I swung openthe glass door to Black’s with so much force that it threatened to come off its hinges. Every single head turned towards me and the wait staff, who recognised me, glanced over to check that I didn’t have any grumpy werewolves on my heels. Chance would be a fine thing. It wasn’t Quack and Ribbit whom I wanted to see, it was the mysterious ginger wanker who was dogging my steps and who was surely involved in Nick’s abduction.
I marched in and stared hard at every occupied table.Nobody here was a wolf, not today. I strode towards the toilet and yanked on the door. It was locked. I growled and yanked harder. ‘Fuck off!’ yelled a very annoyed, very female voice. ‘I’ve got my period!’
I spun around, preparing to head into the kitchen and check that the errant fucker wasn’t hiding in there but before I could take a step Black himself blocked my path. ‘It’s time for you to leave.’
‘I’m looking for someone. A werewolf.’
