Chapter 3 #2
Owns a car, she scribbled. She remembered what he’d said about silphium and added, Classical education.
The hot dog he’d bought her offered more information and she tightened her grip on her pen.
Typical alpha sensibilities: domineering personality, needs to take care of others.
She paused and then wrote: Intelligent. Observant.
Thoughtful. Finally, for no other reason than because the memory of his amber eyes continued to unsettle her, she finished with: AVOID IF POSSIBLE.
She took a few moments to write down a few more details in the entry for Kit McCafferty, and on Victor Vallese’s page she added a note about the snooty waiter.
She also updated the entry for Chester Longchamps.
Then, with that chore completed, she untangled her legs from her bedsheet and stumbled through to her small kitchen to make a cup of coffee.
She grimaced when she opened the cupboard door and remembered belatedly that she’d run out of coffee – she’d meant to nip to the nearby market to get some the previous afternoon but had forgotten. Strong tea it would have to be.
‘Coffee,’ she muttered. ‘Remember to get more coffee.’
Mallory ignored the familiar thuds from the pub downstairs; the cleaner would already be in sprucing the place up before it opened for the day. Instead she took her cup over to the window and gazed out across the expanse of Crackendon Square.
It was still early but there was plenty of activity.
A tram with bright-purple sparks glimmering along its roof heaved its way out of view.
A group of eager tourists were assembling for a walking tour, goggling wide-eyed at what was, quite frankly, a nondescript collection of stone buildings.
Three worried looking witches, including one whom Mallory knew was a Council Fetch thanks to his pointed black hat, were huddling together in the far corner.
She wondered what it would be like if she had the wherewithal to make use of proper spells; a bit of magically induced eavesdropping would make her life considerably easier. But daydreaming of what might be didn’t change what actually was. It was important to remain grounded in reality.
She eyed the witches. From their expressions, something was definitely wrong.
She nibbled on her bottom lip then put down her cup, grabbed her coat and shrugged it over her wrinkled pyjamas.
It was long enough to cover her modesty and this was too good an opportunity to worry about appropriate clothing.
There were many reasons why she lived in the central location of Crackendon Square and being able to gaze out of her window and pinpoint whose conversations were worth listening to was definitely one of them.
Mallory nipped down the narrow staircase that led to the ground floor, opened the exterior door then, with unhurried steps designed to avoid any undue attention, she walked across the square towards the witches.
They were making little effort to lower their voices and even Mallory, with her pathetic human ears, could hear every single word.
‘Fetch Jackson is dead? Truly?’ the tallest one exclaimed. ‘Who would do such an awful thing? First he was arrested for murder and now he’s been murdered himself!’
‘It’s a cold-blooded atrocity,’ one of her companions agreed. ‘The MET building is still smoking as we speak.’
The third witch, the Fetch, bowed her head.
‘It’s a dark day for us all. We’ve been told to assemble at headquarters for an emergency meeting at noon.
After that, I reckon we’ll be battening down the hatches.
Until this matter is resolved and the killer is found, we’ll be on high alert.
All non-urgent business will be halted.’
Bugger. On all counts.
Mallory swerved away from the group before they realised she was eavesdropping.
Although she’d have liked to stick around in the hope of learning more about what had happened to poor Fetch Jackson, she was mindful of her promise to Chester Longchamps.
If the Council witches were effectively putting themselves into lockdown, she had to move quickly to get the information she needed.
She crossed her fingers and hoped that Boris had already contacted Nicola Sturgess. If she wanted to find out anything useful about the Clouded Map, she’d have to do it before that witches’ meeting at noon. Suddenly time was of the essence.
She veered towards the excited tourists planning to loop around them, scurry back to her flat to get changed and contact Boris, but she’d barely reached them when she caught sight of a familiar figure watching her progress from her own damned doorway. Her steps faltered. What the hell?
Mallory didn’t know where Alexander MacTire had sprung from.
She certainly hadn’t noticed him in the vicinity when she’d left her flat.
It had been mere hours since they’d parted company and she couldn’t imagine any good reason why he’d be here now.
Given that he was standing at her front door, though, she couldn’t avoid him. She grimaced and squared her shoulders.
‘Ms Nash,’ MacTire said as she drew near. ‘It’s good to see you again.’
She couldn’t pretend to be anything other than confused by his presence. ‘You know where I live?’
He smiled easily, flashing his white teeth. ‘I guess you’re not the only one who’s good at winkling out important information when it’s required.’
Mallory stared at him, more discomfited than ever. What was he doing here? ‘What do you want?’ she asked, dread filling her whole body. She tightened her toes but even that familiar action didn’t alleviate her anxiety.
His face altered. ‘I apologise. I don’t mean to scare or worry you. After we parted company, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I spoke to a few acquaintances who know where you live. My intention isn’t to alarm you – I only want to talk.’
He couldn’t stop thinking about her? What did that mean?
‘This is business,’ he added quickly, reading her expression. ‘I have a proposition to put to you.’
Mallory was still completely befuddled. She passed a hand in front of her eyes. ‘This isn’t a good time. I’m in a rush.’
‘I can tell,’ he said. ‘You’re in such a rush, you didn’t have time to get dressed.’ He gestured to her pyjamas, the bottoms of which were visible beneath the hem of her coat.
Ah. He was dressed immaculately, of course, in a smart grey pinstriped suit and brilliantly white shirt open at the collar. There wasn’t a crease in sight. Mallory was wearing her favourite fuzzy pyjamas covered in images of strawberries and her somewhat grubby winter coat. Oh well.
‘What can I say? I’m a busy person.’ She sidestepped as if to move past him but MacTire wasn’t budging. She couldn’t squeeze past him and she certainly couldn’t push him out of the way.
‘I won’t take up much of your time,’ he said. ‘It’s about the Wolf Ball.’
Seriously? He’d turned up on her doorstep at this hour of the morning to talk about a cocktail party? She tried to keep her expression neutral but she knew that she’d betrayed her thoughts when she caught a glimmer of amusement in those damned eyes.
‘You said that I shouldn’t go with Samantha. I thought about your suggestion and I agree with you – but that rather begs the question of who I should go with.’
Much as she wanted to get away from this conversation, Mallory sensed that it would be quicker to engage with him. And she had created this situation by discussing the Ball last night in the restaurant. She tapped her foot and considered the question.
‘Perhaps I should go alone,’ MacTire said.
She shook her head immediately. ‘No, you don’t want to turn up without someone on your arm – it’ll look as if something is wrong with you.
You should go with someone who isn’t threatening, who is obviously not a love interest and who signifies to all the single women out there that you’re a good guy who’s worth getting to know. ’
He snapped his fingers. ‘That’s exactly what I was thinking.’ He grinned at her. ‘Ms Mallory Nash, would you do me the honour?’
Her mouth dropped open. ‘Huh?’
‘You’re the perfect companion. I’ve been thinking it over and I can’t imagine a better choice.’
She continued to stare at him open-mouthed.
‘You’re a squib, which means you’re not threatening.
’ He gestured between them. ‘We’re obviously opposites and you made it clear last night that you’re not attracted to me, so you’re not a potential love interest. Most people will realise that immediately.
But you are friendly and charming, so with you on my arm I’ll prove my worth as an eligible bachelor. ’
Mallory found her voice. ‘You think you need to prove your worth? You’re the MacTire alpha.’
He grimaced. ‘Some time ago I decided that I wouldn’t find a mate who was a wolf.
I’ve already burned my bridges with a lot of werewolf women – that’s partly why I had dinner with Kit last night.
I was trying to expand my search. Unsuccessfully, as it turned out.
Perhaps it’s time I made a completely fresh start.
You know what you’re doing. You can advise me and tell me if there are any werewolf women out there who I should look at more closely.
I may have judged some of them too harshly the first time around, and it could be that I need to lower my expectations. ’
‘Uh-huh.’ Mallory swallowed. ‘Look, Mr MacTire, I don’t feel comfortable with this. It’s not a business deal, it’s about your personal life – hell, it’s about the rest of your life. And another woman’s life. This isn’t what I do.’
MacTire smiled even more widely. ‘Of course it’s a business deal.
I want to hire you to carry out a favour for me.
I want you to come to the Wolf Ball and help me find the right woman to be my First Mate.
I’m looking for someone who will understand my pack and its needs, who won’t interfere with my day-to-day business dealings, and who will present herself appropriately. It’s not a lot to ask.’
It sounded horrendous and Mallory was already shaking her head. ‘Absolutely not. I’m sure you can find a marriage broker who’ll help you. This isn’t for me.’
‘I beg to differ. You see the world in a unique way and you understand people. Your methods are unorthodox but I think that’s exactly what I need.’
This was wrong on every level. ‘No.’ Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Boris walking towards her and gesticulating wildly. Clearly he’d heard the information about the Witches Council; if she was going to speak to Nicola Sturgess, she had to get a wiggle on.
Unfortunately, MacTire was standing his ground. ‘Please.’
‘It’s not a good idea, Mr MacTire.’
His smile vanished and he looked at her earnestly. ‘At least attend the Wolf Ball with me. We can negotiate matters from there.’
Boris reached them. ‘Mallory,’ he said. ‘There’s a problem.’
‘I know, Boris.’
‘If you want to speak to Fetch Sturgess today, you need to leave for the Council headquarters in the next ten minutes.’
She nodded. ‘Yes. Thank you.’ She turned to MacTire. ‘I have to go. I need to get into my flat and get changed. I’ve got things to do.’
‘One evening of your time. In return I’ll complete any favour you desire,’ he promised. ‘No holds barred.’
The man was clearly crazy. ‘You don’t mean that.’
‘I do. I need to find a mate, Mallory Nash, and I think you’re the perfect person to help me.’
Boris was scowling. ‘Mallory…’
She gritted her teeth. ‘Mr MacTire, if you don’t move out of the way…’
‘Please. Help me.’
Goddamnit. She didn’t have time for this.
‘It’s just one ball,’ MacTire said. ‘Five hours. If that.’
Mallory sighed. ‘Any favour in return?’
‘Name your price.’
She made a snap – and probably stupid – decision. ‘Twenty-four months’ time frame. Any return favour of my choosing. If I don’t come to you within twenty-four months to request repayment, you are free of any obligations.’
‘Done.’
‘You’ll have to sign a blood contract.’
‘No problem.’
‘And,’ she said firmly, ‘once the Wolf Ball is over, we part company regardless of what happens or who you meet.’
‘Fine.’
‘I’m making no guarantees. I can advise you but I can’t promise results.’
‘I’m good with that.’ His grin had returned and his eyes were dancing with delight. ‘You and I will have fun.’
Mallory doubted that very much. ‘I have to go. This is Boris – he’ll visit you later with the contract. Until you sign it, you can back out.’
‘I won’t do that.’
‘We’ll see,’ she murmured. ‘You might have second thoughts.’ She nodded pointedly at her door.
Alexander MacTire stepped smoothly to the side. ‘Of course.’ He dipped his head in a tiny bow. ‘Have a good day, Ms Nash.’
‘It can only improve from here on in,’ she said honestly.
He laughed then turned on his heel and walked away whistling triumphantly to himself.
Boris was watching her with an odd expression. ‘What?’ she asked.
‘You’re usually better at saying no to people like that.’
She felt an uncharacteristic flush rise to her cheeks. He was right; so much for her titanium core. ‘He needs my help.’
‘If you say so.’
‘I needed to get him out of my way as quickly as possible.’
Boris smirked. ‘Sure thing. You also need to get going as quickly as possible.’
Mallory nodded jerkily before she darted inside and rushed upstairs to change.
Forget Alexander MacTire. He wasn’t a stupid man but he had certainly made a stupid request. She’d worry about it later. Much later. Right now, she had a Council witch to meet and an antsy vampire to satisfy.