Chapter Twenty-Seven

For a park in the centre of London, St James's is surprisingly large. Bounded by Buckingham Palace to the north and Birdcage Walk to the south, it has a small lake in the centre and numerous monuments in the grounds. There were signs everywhere warning the public about the full moon and, to my surprise, barriers were already being erected around the park to prevent anyone who wasn't a werewolf from getting in.

A large group of people was waiting on the pavement. When we pulled up, they all turned in our direction. Vampires, I realised. Lukas had called in his own private cavalry.

I didn't care about any of that. I hopped out of Lukas's car, crossbow in hand. I was getting into that park and I was going to find Cassidy. The vamps could tag along if they wished, but for them this was merely work. For me, it was personal.

Every single one of the waiting vampires stared at me before turning to Lukas and bowing. A leather-clad vamp stepped forward. ‘Lord Horvath. We might have a slight problem.'

Lukas raised an eyebrow. ‘Go on.'

There was a loud cough from the side. I peered round the crowd of vampires and saw two uniformed police officers standing there. Both of them looked nervous but determined.

‘Good morning, sir,' the older of the two said. ‘We've been explaining to your, uh, your colleagues here, that we can't allow you to enter the park. The area is being closed off for the werewolves.'

‘Full moon doesn't begin for another twelve hours,' Lukas said. ‘We won't be more than an hour, tops.'

‘St James's Park is forbidden to the public for the next thirty-six hours.'

Lukas's black eyes narrowed dangerously. ‘I am hardly the public.'

‘All the more reason to keep you out. We don't need any brawls between vampires and werewolves, any more than we need dead tourists who think that they can take on four werewolf clans.'

Shit. I knew exactly what they were referring to. A couple of months earlier, a group of Australian students had sneaked into St James's Park before the full moon fell. Their plan had been to hide in the trees and film the wolves in their complete lunar abandon. It might even have worked. They'd scouted out the werewolf hiding places and checked the wind was blowing away from them in order to mask their scents. One of their number, however, couldn't resist clambering down from a tree to taunt a young wolf. The result hadn't been pretty. It wasn't the wolf's fault – even the Australian government had to concede that fact; the dangers were well documented and heavily advertised. But it did mean that legislation had changed, and now St James's Park was shut off for a longer period of time to discourage others from thinking they could do the same.

Lukas didn't bother arguing with the police officers. He drew out his phone. ‘I'll speak to Lady Sullivan and the other alphas. They'll grant me temporary dispensation.'

I gazed at the two uniforms. I didn't envy them their job; it couldn't be easy to face up to a group of vampires, especially when it was still dark. It would be simple for the vamps to push past them and force admittance. The repercussions of such an action would be more than Lukas was willing to face, however. He still had to strike a balance between human law and supernatural desires. But I wasn't a supe like him.

I strode up to the officers. ‘I'm with Supe Squad,' I declared, a fraction too loudly. ‘I'm going into that park.'

They were implacable. ‘We can't let you do that. Unless you turn furry, you're not getting in.'

I tried to move past them; they moved with me, barring my way. ‘If you're really with Supe Squad,' the first police officer said, ‘you'll understand we can't let you enter.'

I gritted my teeth. ‘Look,' I began. ‘It's vital that I get in there. There won't be any wolves for hours yet.' Apart from the one that I wanted to get hold of. ‘Just let me in. I won't be long.'

‘No can do.'

I reached for my ID and passed it over. The second officer took it and examined it. ‘You're a trainee,' she said flatly. ‘You're not qualified yet.'

‘That doesn't matter! Call DSI Barnes. She'll tell you that—'

‘You're not getting in.' The policewoman paused. ‘I'm sorry. We have orders.'

I cursed and looked at Lukas. The phone was glued to his ear, but he didn't appear to be having any joy. ‘Lady Sullivan isn't picking up,' he muttered.

I watched him for a moment. He was going about things the right way. There were strict procedures to be followed and damned good reasons for those procedures. But there were also damned good reasons for getting into that park and locating Cassidy as quickly as possible. If she spotted the congregating vamps, she'd know something was up. I wasn't willing to risk her going on the run and escaping.

I nodded to the officers and edged away. Just because this section was cordoned off didn't mean that all of the park was. There had to be a chink somewhere in the security where I could slip through.

Without looking back, I marched northwards. More police were stationed all the way along. As much as I wanted to yell that I was one of them, I knew it wouldn't do me any good.

Picking up speed I kept going, scanning for a spot where I could sneak through without being spotted. I rounded the corner, aware that I was now out of sight of Lukas and his vampires. I glanced into the park, my eyes straining through the shadowy trees in a bid to spot Cassidy. She was in there somewhere. I was sure of it.

‘Emma?'

I jerked my head, alarm rippling through me. When I saw who'd called my name, however, I relaxed. I trotted over to Molly, pasting what I hoped looked like a genuine smile on my face.

‘Oh my goodness!' she said. ‘How the bloody hell are you? I heard what happened to DC Brown. Why are you still with Supe Squad? Barnes should have pulled you out.'

I muttered something non-committal. ‘Good to see you, Moll. What are you doing here?'

She waved a hand behind her, indicating the familiar outline of Buckingham Palace. ‘One of CID's duties is to make sure that the Palace is kept wolf free during the full moon. It's ceremonial, really, and it should be Special Branch who do this crap.' She shrugged. ‘As I'm sure you know, the wolves don't leave the park, but apparently we've still got to be here just in case.'

‘Ri-ight.' I nodded slowly.

She peered at me. ‘I don't want to be mean, Em, but you look like shit. Supe Squad must be terrible.'

‘It's not that bad.'

Molly wrinkled her nose. ‘I heard it's really boring. And that the werewolves and the vampires are annoying.'

‘Actually,' I said, surprising myself at my willingness to rise to their defence, ‘they're more accommodating than you'd think.'

She nudged me. ‘I'll believe it when I see it.' She paused. ‘Is Lord Horvath actually down there trying to get into the park? What on earth is he trying to pull?'

I laughed awkwardly and avoided the question. ‘Molly,' I said, ‘I need your help.'

Her eyes widened a fraction. ‘Anything. What can I do?'

‘I need to get in.'

‘In?'

‘To the park,' I explained. ‘I need to get into St James's Park.'

Her mouth dropped open. ‘Why?'

‘I'm tracking down a dangerous suspect. I think they're in here.'

‘The park's been swept already. Nobody's in there. Apart from one wolf who entered an hour or so ago.'

I drew in a sharp breath. Cassidy. It had to be. ‘It's a wolf that I'm after.'

She glanced down at the crossbow in my hand. ‘Is that why you're carrying that thing?' she said, trying to make light of the situation. ‘Do you know how to use it?'

‘Of course,' I lied.

‘Em,' she whispered, ‘I thought we didn't have jurisdiction over the wolves.'

‘Please, Molly. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. Trust me. I have to get into that park.'

She gave me a long look. ‘If something happens to you…'

‘It won't.'

‘But—'

‘Please.'

From the resigned expression on her face, I knew I had her. ‘Fine,' she muttered. ‘But if anyone asks, this wasn't me. Wait here and I'll distract the others. You can slip in when their backs are turned.'

I exhaled in relief. ‘I owe you one.'

‘And then some,' she said darkly. ‘Does Jeremy know you're wandering around the streets of London chasing dodgy werewolves?' I grimaced. Molly sighed. ‘I'd better not get into trouble for this,' she muttered. Then she turned away and wandered over to the other officers who were milling around.

I edged closer to the barrier, watching as she began to talk to them. She twisted away and pointed at the Palace. The uniforms and CID detectives followed her gaze and I didn't waste my chance. I leapt over the barrier and ran. A moment later, the trees swallowed me up.

I'd done it; I was in.

I flicked off the safety on the crossbow and slowed to a walk, my feet crunching the frost-covered grass. I had no doubt that Cassidy was well aware Anna had decamped to the DeVane. It made sense that she'd set up her trap close to the hotel. She'd want to challenge Anna as quickly as possible, and would aim to nab her as soon as she entered the park.

I swivelled on my toes, my head swinging from left to right as I searched through the darkness for any shadows that looked out of place. Given what Cassidy had already done to me, not to mention my ongoing trauma because of it, I should have been scared. Strangely, I felt the complete opposite; I no longer felt even remotely like prey. This time I was the predator – and I had the element of surprise on my side.

I crossed one of the pathways and skirted round the lake. The headlights of a few cars on the other side of the park's boundary lit up the area momentarily and I ducked down, but I didn't stop moving. I wove in and out of the trees, concealing myself as best as I could, and maintained my grip on the crossbow. I'd only get one shot. I wasn't nearly adept enough to reload it under pressure. I had to make the one bolt count.

I'd reached the halfway point when I heard something up ahead. It sounded like a twig snapping. I reacted instantly, crouching down and pointing the loaded crossbow. That was when a loud, derisive snort filled the air.

‘You think you're some sort of smart-arsed, ninja, don't you?'

Ice hit my belly, but I schooled my expression into a mask.

‘I'm a werewolf,' Cassidy said, from somewhere over to my left. ‘I could smell you coming half a mile off.'

‘Well, aren't you the clever one?'

‘Yeah,' she said, ‘I am.' She stepped out from behind a tree. Maybe it was the dark shadows, but she looked much more forbidding than when I'd seen her in the sandwich shop. Her hair was scraped back, and her face was devoid of make-up. It was devoid of anything, in fact, beyond curiosity.

‘Remember me?' I taunted nastily.

She tapped her mouth thoughtfully. ‘I think I do. You're Tony Brown's little trainee. The late Tony Brown.'

A low guttural growl that surprised even me rumbled from my chest. ‘You killed him.'

Cassidy blinked. ‘I believe he accidentally killed himself during a weird sex game he was having with himself.'

My eyes narrowed and she giggled. ‘No, you're right,' she said. ‘You found me out. I did kill him. I guess I wasn't quite as careful as I thought. It's not my fault, though. I had to improvise at short notice. It was his own fault for coming after me. I knew what he was about from the beginning.'

She smirked. ‘He knew exactly what was happening, you know. Even after I injected him, he still knew. That's why the likes of Supe Squad shouldn't involve themselves with their betters. It only leads to upset.'

She waggled her finger. ‘You're going to be quite upset soon, too. Fortunately, you chose to come here. It'll be easy to pass off your death as another unfortunate accident when this park is filled with werewolves. That is,' she added thoughtfully, ‘if there's anything of your body to be found, once my friends are done with you.'

‘You've already killed me once,' I bit out. ‘I won't allow you to kill me again.'

Cassidy's brow creased. ‘Did the death of your boss really affect you that badly?' she asked. ‘Did it kill you when you found his body? You humans ought to toughen up.'

She tilted her head while I stared at her, a strange sensation flickering in the pit of my belly and a troublesome thought scratching at my skin.

‘I never was human, you know,' Cassidy continued. ‘I was born a wolf. I deserve to be treated better. Do you know what it's like to have your legacy torn away from you by some upstart who finagled their way into your family?'

I focused on her. ‘You're talking about Anna.'

‘Yeah,' Cassidy sneered. ‘And her stupid, over-protective sister. They were bitten, not born. They don't deserve to be ranked wolves.'

I needed her to move closer because I wasn't confident enough to hit her with the crossbow from this distance. A few taunts ought to do the trick. ‘But you do. You deserve the rank, even though you're not strong enough to achieve it without cheating.'

Her features twisted with fury. ‘I'm not cheating! I'm just making sure I get what is mine!' She started to stride towards me. ‘I deserve to make zeta. I deserve to go further. If Lady fucking Sullivan thinks I'm going to make sandwiches for the rest of my life, then—'

‘Stop, Cassidy,' I said, raising my voice.

Her feet came to a halt.

‘Get down on your knees.'

She looked momentarily confused.

‘Cassidy,' I repeated, ‘get onto your knees.'

She stared at me – and then she laughed. ‘You … you…' she spluttered. ‘You're trying to compel me. You think you can make me do your bidding.' She laughed even harder. ‘You're human. You couldn't make me open a door for you, no matter how hard you tried. And Cassidy isn't my real name.'

She shook her head in amusement. ‘You're crazier than Tony Brown was. You deserve to be put down.'

I looked her in the eye. I'd tried to do this the easy way and it hadn't worked. I lifted the crossbow and aimed. ‘You're under arrest,' I said. ‘I'm charging you with the murders of Detective Constable Anthony Brown and Becca Sullivan, and the poisoning of Anna Sullivan. Anything you say may be given in evidence against—'

Cassidy sighed. ‘Oh, for goodness' sake,' she said. ‘Do shut up.' Then she leapt towards me, her body transforming in mid-air into that of a wolf.

Time seemed to slow. I registered her outstretched claws reaching for me, and her vicious snarl as she bared her teeth. I pulled the crossbow trigger and the bolt flew out. Cassidy flung herself to the right – and the bolt thudded uselessly past her. She rolled and landed on all fours, the look on her lupine face one of unmistakable glee. Then she threw herself at me again.

I'd learned a lot from Anna's brief attack on me in the hotel room. The crossbow might be useless now as a projectile weapon, but it wasn't entirely defunct. I held it up, using it as a barrier between me and Cassidy. Her jaws snapped as she tried to tear it from me, but I clung onto it with all my might. I staggered backwards. I couldn't allow her to bite me. The experience with Anna had been bad enough – and I really didn't want to turn into a damned werewolf. I had enough problems as it was.

I struggled with the bow then, when she pulled back a fraction in order to lunge at me again, I thrust it towards her with all my strength. The frame of the bow collided with her muzzle, the wire cutting into her flesh and drawing blood. She whined sharply and fell back.

I scrambled up, breathing hard, gazing at her with challenge in my eyes. As a wolf, she had the upper hand physically. But I was smarter. I knew I was smarter.

I dropped the crossbow while Cassidy shook her head, sending drops of blood flying towards me. She lowered the front half of her body, snarling again as she readied herself for a second onslaught. I waited until the very last second and, as she sprang forward, I rolled to my right. She tried to grab me, but I was already up and running.

I didn't aim for the open ground; instead, I sprinted full pelt at the nearest tree, reaching for its branches and hauling myself upwards. There was the sound of ripping fabric as her teeth snapped at my trousers. She was a fraction too late; I was already climbing away from her.

Cassidy jumped up, trying to follow. It was no good. As I'd suspected, wolves were not designed to climb trees.

I manoeuvred until I was standing on a sturdy branch, one arm hooked round the trunk of the tree, then I gazed down at her. Her yellow eyes glared up at me. Suddenly she shook out her fur and transformed, her naked human body quivering with as much fury as her wolf form had.

‘I can still come up there and get you,' she spat.

The tiniest smile curved round the corners of my mouth. ‘Come on, then,' I said.

Cassidy hissed, then she began climbing. Now that she was no longer in wolf form, however, she was considerably more vulnerable. I broke off a branch and angled it towards her to fend her off. She growled, trying to avoid being smacked in the face as I swung it in her direction.

‘Fuck you!'

I ignored her venomous curse and concentrated, ramming the branch downwards and knocking her to the ground. I let my body drop, landed on her shoulders and sent her sprawling. I twisted, keeping my weight on top of hers. She writhed and started to change back into a wolf again. Before she could complete the transformation, I bent my elbow and slammed it into the side of her head.

She paused for a split second, surprised, and then she collapsed underneath me.

From somewhere behind me, someone started to clap. Unwilling to take any chances, I stayed where I was, though I did glance round. Lady Sullivan walked towards me, with several other werewolves – and Lukas – behind her.

‘Well, well, well,' she said. ‘I wasn't sure you'd have it in you to bring down a wolf, yet you managed it with relative ease.' She looked down at Cassidy's unconscious body. ‘I have to offer you my apologies, Ms Bellamy, for the attack that you suffered. It appears you were correct all along. I've heard from the morgue, and there are indeed traces of drugs within poor Becca's system.' She tutted. ‘The idea that a wolf of mine could turn rogue in order to get a leg up the rankings is quite disturbing.' Despite her words, Lady Sullivan didn't look disturbed in the slightest.

Lukas's expression was grim. His black eyes were fixed on mine, but he didn't speak.

‘She killed Tony,' I said. ‘She murdered a police detective.'

‘Yes.' Lady Sullivan sighed. ‘I rather imagine that is going to cause us quite a few problems. We shall adapt, however. We always do.' She snapped her fingers. Robert and two other werewolves sprang forward. ‘We'll deal with her now.'

No. ‘She's mine.'

Lady Sullivan's expression didn't change. ‘The law is quite clear on this matter.' She raised her head. ‘Isn't that right, DSI Barnes?'

‘Unfortunately, yes.' Lucinda Barnes moved, stepping into my line of vision. ‘Hand over the wolf.'

Hurt and anger flooded my veins. ‘What about Tony?'

‘I can assure you,' Lady Sullivan said, ‘he will be avenged.'

I looked from her to DSI Barnes and back again. ‘You've made a deal.'

‘We have extracted some concessions regarding the future of Supernatural Squad,' DSI Barnes said. ‘The matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.'

‘Apart from the dead ones,' I said sarcastically.

‘You will be rewarded for your efforts, Emma.'

I didn't want to be rewarded, I wanted justice. Beneath me, I felt Cassidy stir. I cursed and stood up. Almost immediately, Robert and his wolves grabbed her and hauled her away.

‘Detectives are sworn to uphold the law,' DSI Barnes said quietly. ‘Whether they agree with it or not.'

I wanted to stamp my feet and scream. Instead, I looked away.

‘Go home,' she continued. ‘Go home, hug your boyfriend and get some rest. You deserve it.'

Yeah, yeah. I looked up at the sky and the faint streaks of pink appearing as dawn finally arrived. I started to walk away.

Lukas caught up to me. ‘That was a dick move, D'Artagnan. You should have waited for me. What happened to "all for one"?'

I didn't answer.

‘I know that you're angry that Cassidy will be dealt with by the wolves, but that was always going to be the case. You knew that. The important thing is that she's out of the picture.'

‘Yep.'

‘You should be congratulating yourself.'

I glanced at him and managed a weak smile. ‘Go me.'

Lukas frowned. ‘Are you alright?'

‘I'm fine. I'll do exactly what DSI Barnes said and go home for a rest.' I bit my lip. ‘I do appreciate all the help you've given me, Lukas.'

‘Any time, D'Artagnan. Any time.'

I smiled again before picking up my fallen crossbow, turning out of the park and leaving him behind. His words from yesterday echoed in my head: Just because the deaths occurred within a similar time frame doesn't mean they're related.

Cassidy had poisoned Anna, murdered Tony and then done the same to Becca. But from what she'd said, she hadn't killed me. Whoever had slit my throat was still out there.