Page 104 of Of Fate and Phantoms
"I can get another hack."
"Hmmm."
"You disapprove of me returning?"
"Does it matter if I do?"
"I'm not sure." I considered my options and decided I ought to leave again and opened my mouth to tell him.
He suddenly went very still and gripped my hand. It was difficult to see his expression in the poor light, but his body tensed, alert and ready to spring. Then I heard it too. Yelping. Not barking, but certainly animal noises.
They stopped and I craned my neck to see where. I didn't dare ask Lincoln if he could see them. Their hearing was far too good.
A few moments later, a group of six wandered past the tree, all of them in human form. They must have changed back into their clothes in the lane again after their run.
"I ought to go," I heard Harriet say. "Could you find me a hackney, Mr. King?"
"Already?" drawled a man. "But it's early. My dear Lady Gillingham, we would very much enjoy your company a little longer."
"Mr. King, I must insist. My husband will be worried."
"From what you've told us, your husband won't be worried for your wellbeing, more for his reputation. He doesn't deserve your consideration. Stay," he purred. "We appreciate you and wish to get to know you better." King's rich, honeyed voice resonated through the dense air. There was no hint of the East End in his accent, but it wasn't as plummy as Harriet's.
"I don't know." Harriet stopped and glanced behind her. "I do want to get to know you better too, but I've been gone quite a while."
The group spread out and surrounded her, as if King had given them an order. But I'd heard none. He took her hands. "I insist. We'll drink wine and eat cake into the evening. Doesn't that sound like fun?"
"Ye-es but—"
"No buts! It's arranged. You'll come back to my place."
"I really shouldn't."
King didn't answer. Perhaps it was simply my imagination but I felt the air close in. Harriet glanced at the people surrounding her and tried to pull her hands free from King's, but he didn't let go.
"You misunderstood." King's voice turned harsh, tight. "Iinsistyou join us this evening. You're one of us now and your initiation is not yet over."
"I—I don't understand."
"It's simple. You've run with us. You're part of my pack now and that means there are rules to follow."
"Can you not write them down and send them to my home?"
His brittle chuckle held none of his earlier charm. "And risk them being intercepted? You are a sweet girl, but very naive. Let me blunt. One rule is that I, as pack leader, am entitled to call upon you."
"By all means, do so. My husband will want to meet you, of course. I warn you, he won't like you, out of principle. He dislikes my—"
"You misunderstand. I mean, I expect certain…privileges from you."
"W—what kind of privileges?"
He lifted a hand and stroked her cheek. "Can you not guess, my sweet?"
She recoiled and stepped back, only to be caught by the two men. "What are you doing?" she screeched. "Unhand me!" She struggled against them but they held firm.
King hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side. The other men let go and he forced her to walk on. She resisted every step but he was too strong.
"Stop!" she cried. "Stop at—"
