Page 3 of Bleeding for the Prince
“The usual tedious swanning about. Queen Vaness is a decent hostess, and the entertainment wasn’t bad. But since the focus was on the royal siblings, specifically confirming who would be next, I was just a spouse and not even the husband of the chosen one, so I got to stay away from Metra for most of the evening.”
“Result!”
“Indeed, which reminds me. My mother is having a garden party this weekend, you’re expected, not full consort robes, but a good suit is a must and no tie.”
Gwil pulled off the tie he was wearing and popped his top button to reveal the platinum collar Hyax had given him. “You want everyone to see this?”
“You know it.”
Hyax kissed him and pushed him backwards. He always reaped the benefits when Hyax came home from having to play dutiful husband. He tugged at Hyax’s T-shirt, and then the doorbell rang.
Hyax huffed but sat back. “Expecting anyone?”
“No.”
Gwil tried to get Hyax to kiss him again, but the door knocker clattered several times, and the bell chimed repeatedly. Whoever had interrupted them wasn’t going away.
Hyax conjured up a looking sphere, and Gwil peered into the glass surface to see who was standing outside their door. “Recognise him?” Hyax asked.
Gwil rubbed his eyes; he might be seeing things. He looked again. “That’s Howard Squire. What the fuck is one of London’s richest men doing standing on our doorstep?”
CHAPTER TWO
Howard Squire was a short, compact man of indeterminable age, and he looked small and a bit lost as he perched on the armchair in their sitting room. Hyax knew the name, but didn’t know him personally, and was still miffed he’d interrupted his getting down and dirty with Gwil.
Gwil had made Howard a cup of tea as Hyax changed out of his pyjamas, but now Hyax wanted answers, and to see how quickly they could get rid of the fucker so he could get Gwil on his back.
“I assure you, Prince Hyax,” Howard began, “I wouldn’t have turned up here uninvited if I didn’t think it warranted. But I want to engage you and Gwil to help me with a delicate situation.”
“How did you get this address?” Gwil asked. Another question high on Hyax’s list. Gwil’s consulting rooms were downstairs, but they’d been careful not to advertise where they lived.
“Oliver gave it to me, he said you could be trusted.”
“Oliver? As in Hoffman?” Hyax said.
“Yes, he’s a good friend of mine.”
Judging by Gwil’s expression, their friendship was news to him. Meaning their friendship post-dated when Gwil used to date Oliver Hoffman, the vampire richer than God, thanks to inventing the process to bottle blood and tap into the lucrative market of convenience feeding for bloodsuckers worldwide.
“You being here on his recommendation is by no means a reason I would be willing to help,” Hyax said, barely able to conceal his contempt. Hoffman was lucky Hyax hadn’t yet got the chance to be on his own with the twat because he was the prize shit behind his marriage to Metra, not that this Howard idiot would know. He couldn’t be openly hostile. Hoffman was as powerful politically as he was rich, but that didn’t mean Hyax would jump when the odious little shit sent his mates over for a favour.
Howard cleared his throat. There was something about the way his prominent Adam’s apple bobbed that gave Hyax a brain itch. He wasn’t sure what Howard was, but he wasn’t a vampire or a fae, and it annoyed him that he couldn’t identify his species.
“Oliver did say I would need to tread carefully, that his name might not open the door all the way,” Howard said, his voice cracking. “I need someone to help who can be discreet and with enough experience and capability to do so quickly. I know you’ve assisted various Vampire Council members, and that Gwil has recently been accepted into the Jyndarin Society, so I can’t think of anyone better placed or more suitable.”
“How do you know that?” Gwil asked. “I only had my membership confirmed a couple of hours ago.”
“I’m part of the admissions committee. You don’t turn someone down who’s been recommended by your signatories, not without a death wish.”
“Gwil is well-connected,” Hyax said carefully, as there were strict rules around membership and he didn’t know how much Robin Flint had bent them.
“There was some challenge around the magic stipulation, but a sworn affidavit from the Dark Viscount of MacLove on Gwil’s behalf silenced those voices.” Hyax was intrigued, but if Howard was a member of the Jyndarin Society, then he must have magic as well, and Hyax wasn’t getting any vibe from him.
“I’m sure that’s all very interesting,” Hyax drawled. “But what is it you want? And how can it be so important you bang on our door on a Saturday night?”
Howard didn’t seem perturbed at being spoken to so directly. “You may be aware of one of my business ventures, it’s a department store on Oxford Street. During the day, it caters for humans, and after nine in the evening, it flips to serve the paranormal community.”
Hyax shook his head. Department stores were for the general public, not princes. “I can’t say I am.”
