‘There’s not a larger version for Hugo?’
Tash’s cheeks coloured. ‘Uh, no.’
‘We are planning to get one,’ Charles said quickly. ‘We just haven’t got around to it yet.’
Welcome to 1994. Hester popped her head up from her spot on my shoulder. ‘What’s wrong with you? Get a proper seat for your kid!’
Otis nodded solemnly. ‘Safety first. Always.’
‘Tell that to that damned fiend and those vampires,’ Charles said. Fair point.
There was a flash of headlights and the sound of an engine as Hugo arrived outside the door. I handed the bag stuffed full of nappies and sweet-smelling baby equipment to Tash. ‘Wait here,’ I said. ‘Don’t come out until I say.’
I opened the door, sucked in a deep breath of chilly evening air and stepped out. The street was quiet and I paused for a moment, swinging my head first to the left and then to the right. Everything was clear: there was no sign of the vamps that Nigel had described.
I glanced through the car window at Hugo. His hands were gripping the steering wheel and he was ready to make a quick getaway. Our eyes met, then I reached for both front and back passenger doors and opened them. We had to make this quick.
I spun on my heels and beckoned to Rose, Charles and Tash. They immediately followed me onto the pavement. As we’d already decided, Tash slid into the rear seat first, then Rose handed Baby Daisy – who was thankfully fast asleep – to me before following Tash.
I glanced down at the baby’s face. Although her weight in my arms was unfamiliar, I didn’t feel as nervous holding her as I’d thought I would. I leaned down and prepared to pass her to Rose now she was inside the car. Charles climbed into the front passenger seat and clipped in his seatbelt.
Rose took Baby Daisy so I could get in, but before I could manoeuvre myself onto the seat a hard voice rang out. ‘Give me my daughter.’
‘Athair!’ Hester squeaked shrilly in my ear.
I raised my head in time to see him stride from the shadows on the other side of the street flanked by two gaunt vampires. Athair wasn’t wearing another body this time because he no longer needed to hide his true self. His golden skin glittered in the light from the street lamps, and his red eyes were shining with purpose and intent. But the road was clear: if Hugo reversed quickly we could still get away.
I briefly regretted not taking more spider’s silk when I’d had the chance; alas, there was nothing I could do about it right now.
Suddenly a hand slammed into my chest: Rose had shoved me – hard. I staggered as she threw herself out of the car. Tash was staring wide-eyed from her seat as she held Baby Daisy in her arms.
I choked out a cry as Rose stormed past the vehicle towards Athair. Her back was ramrod straight and her head was high. Oh no. ‘She’s not yours!’ she screamed. ‘She’ll never be yours!’
There was no mistaking the delight on Athair’s face. The two vamps started forward, hunger throbbing in their undeadeyes, but when Athair lifted his right hand they stopped immediately. He might not command the same numbers of vampires as Vargas, but his mastery over the undead creatures was clearly just as strong.
‘Rosie, darling,’ he purred. ‘I’m so glad we can finally talk face to face again.’
I didn’t know what to do. My immediate instinct was to rush forward and either join Rose to face Athair or drag her to the car, whether she liked it or not. In fact, I’d already taken several steps forward to do just that when I faltered. My presence by Rose’s side would probably only panic her further. I couldn’t rush into this without thinking, I had to come up with a plan first.
Unfortunately, while my mind was racing, it appeared that Rose had come up with a plan all of her own. And it wasn’t a good one.
The blood magic she’d been trying so hard to keep at bay flared up, and the now familiar – and horrifying – red shapes danced across her skin once more. She threw her head back and a strange keening sound unlike anything I’d ever heard before escaped her lips. Then she thrust her hands out in front of her and spewed black flame in Athair’s direction.
Athair reacted quickly, stepping back and directing the two vampires to form a barrier in front of him. They did as they were commanded, but as soon as Rose’s black fire smashed into their bodies they started to writhe and scream, their agony plain to see.
‘Daisy!’ Hester hissed. ‘Get into the car! She’s giving us the chance we need to make our escape! This is how it’s supposed to be! This is how we save the baby.’
But I was the baby. I would not allow Rose to die for my sake. I looked at Hugo. His jaw was tight, but he nodded at me; he understood.
He opened his door and stepped out to join me, ignoring his parents’ cries. Charles fiddled with his seatbelt, clearly prepared to attach himself to our small group of terrified fighters.
I spun around and snarled at him with such ferocity that he blanched. ‘No! Slide into the driver’s seat and be ready to leave when it’s time. You will know when that time is!’ I pushed Hester and Otis off my shoulder. ‘You two need to get inside that car.’
They hovered in the air then looked at each other. ‘Nah,’ Hester said. ‘The vamps are already goners. There’s only Athair left. This time we’re with you.’
‘Till the bitter end,’ Otis agreed.
There wasn’t any time to get into an argument; the vampires were already ash and Rose was getting ready to throw more blood magic at Athair. His attention was wholly on her.
