Page 29 of The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine

‘Then be with Sig. As soon as Thomas is here, we’ll head out.’

Gunnar bundled me into his arms, gave me a quick kiss on the forehead then released me and hustled after his wife.

Anissa spoke up. ‘The elders are ready to use the ingredients as soon as you can get them. The sooner, the better.’

‘I’ll get them ASAP. Thanks for doing this and for taking care of them.’

She smiled warmly then went after Sigrid and Stan.

‘Are you staying, Sidnee?’ I asked.

She squared her shoulders. ‘No, I’m going with you.’

‘Okay, I’ll drop you home.’

‘I mean to get the potion ingredients.’

‘It’s outside the barrier,’ I said incredulously. Sidnee had only recently decided she liked real police work and she’d been a bit timid about doing anything too wild; nothing was wilder than going beyond the barrier.

‘I know, but it’s Sigrid and Stan. They’re my only family, Bunny. I have to go.’

I understood exactly how she felt. ‘Okay. Let’s go home and get some rest, because tomorrow we’re going to go find the plants and save them all,’ I vowed.

Connor had asked Lee to follow us to the hospital so we all climbed into his car. Lee dropped Sidnee home then drove us back to my house. I wasn’t surprised when Connor followed me out of the car while Lee stayed outside. ‘Has he got a charm?’ I asked.

‘Yeah, he has Juan’s.’ A small flash of grief passed across Connor’s eyes.

‘I’ll be heading to bed.’ Mum was still swaying a little. ‘I need some rest.’

Connor offered her his elbow and walked her to her room; it was a mark of how tired she was that she simply patted his hand in thanks and didn’t try to curtsey and call him ‘Your Majesty’ or something embarrassing like that.

I rang April and updated her; she promised to hold the fort in our absence and I trusted her to do exactly that.

I had a hot shower to wash away the nightmare events of the evening – and then I started to cry at the thought of Stan and Sigrid trapped in their nightmares. Connor pulled back the shower curtain and pulled the sobbing mess that was me into his arms. ‘Your shirt!’ I hiccupped between sobs. ‘You’re getting it wet.’

‘I couldn’t give less of a fuck,’ he said pleasantly. ‘Come here.’ He held me whilst I wept, and after I was done I felt better. Calmer. He helped dry me, then he undressed and slid into bed naked.

‘What if there’s a fire and you need to run out?’ I asked. ‘We can’t have my mum seeing the goods!’

He grinned. ‘I’m happy to have them so named, but I promise she’s already seen similar goods.’ I glowered. He relented. ‘If there’s a fire, I promise I’ll grab some boxers.’

‘Okay, good.’ I settled down against him.

He kissed my shoulder. ‘So,’ he cleared his throat. ‘Now that Gunnar can’t go, I’d like to come with you through the barrier.’

I hesitated; I didn’t want him in danger’s way but I also knew that he’d be an asset, not a liability. And this wasn’t about me; it was about Sigrid, Stan and Fluffy. And yeah, Jeff. ‘Okay,’ I agreed. ‘Thanks. Now can you do me a favour?’

‘Anything.’

‘Distract me.’

‘Your wish is my command,’ he promised.

Chapter 16

I slept fitfully with bad dreams full of the beast and the kushtaka. When my phone alarm finally sounded, I was relieved to get up; I needed to actually do something to save my nearest and dearest.

Connor and I got up and dressed. When I checked my phone, I saw I’d missed a call and a text from John so I hurriedly texted that I’d call him when I got back from a case. I felt bad for foisting him off but I really needed to focus. I also had a message from Thomas Patkotak who said he’d meet us in an hour at the spot where we’d exited the barrier last time, up past the Grimes’ brother’s house.

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