like the competition of another beautiful Level Two in the same room.
Olivia growled back, revealing her fangs.
“Okay, ladies, perhaps you can do the catching up another time,” said Max, trying not to smile. “Right now we’re asking for any information that will lead us to the Brood’s main nest. I’m not after any Level Two law violators today, so you can all relax. I think it’s in everybody’s interests that the Brood are sent down and we can all go back to normal – or whatever that is for you.”
“We don’t help humans,” hissed Olivia. “We’re not traitors.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed and Max grabbed her arm, in case she decided to make the argument more personal.
“Look,” said Max quietly. “The Brood don’t just kill humans – they’ll happily kill Level Ones and Twos, as well.”
“Not if we stay out of their way,” said Olivia, sulkily.
“Are you afraid, Olivia, dear? Afraid you might snap a nail – or a talon?” said Sophie.
“You’re not helping,” whispered Max.
Sophie wrenched her arm free, looking annoyed.
“Are you taking her side?” she said.
Olivia looked quite happy at the idea. Max blushed. It was going to be a long day.
“No, I’m not taking her side. I’m just trying to point out that these Level Threes are not just here for a short visit. They’ve got something planned and whatever it is, it won’t involve sharing the world with humans – or any demon below a Level Three.”
Max sensed that his argument was beginning to work. The demons began to whisper amongst themselves. Kurt cleared his throat, a sound that would make most ordinary humans want to throw up.
“There have been some rumblings underground,” said Kurt. “A lot of problems on the Circle Line – especially at Temple. That’s all I can tell you. That’s all anyone can tell you.”
Max frowned. That was the second time in less than 24 hours that the word ‘Temple’ had come up in the line of work. He didn’t believe in coincidences and tried to work out the connection.
Max glanced at the stony faces and knew he wouldn’t get any more information out of them and, frankly, he doubted if they knew any more. There was a distinct whiff of unease in the room.
“Thanks,” he said.
He was about to leave when he remembered something else.
“By the way, has anyone seen Ralph? He’s a Level One who works at that fast food place over on Buckingham Palace Road.”
“I heard you went looking for him,” said Olivia, looking puzzled. “Didn’t you find him?”
“Er, well, I found part of him,” Max admitted. “I found his tongue – it had been ripped out.”
The silence in the room was deafening and the stench of fear was palpable.
“You tell me this now ?” said Kurt. “They’ll do the same to me – to all of us – if they hear that we spoke to you. I’m getting out of town fast!”
He threw down his bar cloth and ran for the back door. The rest of the customers followed, not even bothering to finish their coffees.
“You really know how to clear a place, Max, darling,” said Sophie softly. “We’re definitely going to have to discuss your interrogation techniques.”
The Circle Line and the Crypt
Even though it was only four stops on the Circle Line, Max was glad when he was able to escape the Tube carriage.
Max had sat with his head in his hands while Sophie had complained loudly and non-stop about having to travel by what she called ‘cattle class’.
“I can’t believe humans put up with this,” she said, still complaining in a carrying voice that had made the other passengers look up from their newspapers. “It’s crowded and dirty and some of these people smell bad. Besides, it’s common.”
“How do you usually travel?” said Max, under his breath, “By broomstick?”
“Why can’t we use chauffeur-driven limousines?” she moaned. “Or even taxis? I always travel by taxi!”
“Look, Sophie,” said Max, abruptly reaching the end of
Olivia growled back, revealing her fangs.
“Okay, ladies, perhaps you can do the catching up another time,” said Max, trying not to smile. “Right now we’re asking for any information that will lead us to the Brood’s main nest. I’m not after any Level Two law violators today, so you can all relax. I think it’s in everybody’s interests that the Brood are sent down and we can all go back to normal – or whatever that is for you.”
“We don’t help humans,” hissed Olivia. “We’re not traitors.”
Sophie’s eyes narrowed and Max grabbed her arm, in case she decided to make the argument more personal.
“Look,” said Max quietly. “The Brood don’t just kill humans – they’ll happily kill Level Ones and Twos, as well.”
“Not if we stay out of their way,” said Olivia, sulkily.
“Are you afraid, Olivia, dear? Afraid you might snap a nail – or a talon?” said Sophie.
“You’re not helping,” whispered Max.
Sophie wrenched her arm free, looking annoyed.
“Are you taking her side?” she said.
Olivia looked quite happy at the idea. Max blushed. It was going to be a long day.
“No, I’m not taking her side. I’m just trying to point out that these Level Threes are not just here for a short visit. They’ve got something planned and whatever it is, it won’t involve sharing the world with humans – or any demon below a Level Three.”
Max sensed that his argument was beginning to work. The demons began to whisper amongst themselves. Kurt cleared his throat, a sound that would make most ordinary humans want to throw up.
“There have been some rumblings underground,” said Kurt. “A lot of problems on the Circle Line – especially at Temple. That’s all I can tell you. That’s all anyone can tell you.”
Max frowned. That was the second time in less than 24 hours that the word ‘Temple’ had come up in the line of work. He didn’t believe in coincidences and tried to work out the connection.
Max glanced at the stony faces and knew he wouldn’t get any more information out of them and, frankly, he doubted if they knew any more. There was a distinct whiff of unease in the room.
“Thanks,” he said.
He was about to leave when he remembered something else.
“By the way, has anyone seen Ralph? He’s a Level One who works at that fast food place over on Buckingham Palace Road.”
“I heard you went looking for him,” said Olivia, looking puzzled. “Didn’t you find him?”
“Er, well, I found part of him,” Max admitted. “I found his tongue – it had been ripped out.”
The silence in the room was deafening and the stench of fear was palpable.
“You tell me this now ?” said Kurt. “They’ll do the same to me – to all of us – if they hear that we spoke to you. I’m getting out of town fast!”
He threw down his bar cloth and ran for the back door. The rest of the customers followed, not even bothering to finish their coffees.
“You really know how to clear a place, Max, darling,” said Sophie softly. “We’re definitely going to have to discuss your interrogation techniques.”
The Circle Line and the Crypt
Even though it was only four stops on the Circle Line, Max was glad when he was able to escape the Tube carriage.
Max had sat with his head in his hands while Sophie had complained loudly and non-stop about having to travel by what she called ‘cattle class’.
“I can’t believe humans put up with this,” she said, still complaining in a carrying voice that had made the other passengers look up from their newspapers. “It’s crowded and dirty and some of these people smell bad. Besides, it’s common.”
“How do you usually travel?” said Max, under his breath, “By broomstick?”
“Why can’t we use chauffeur-driven limousines?” she moaned. “Or even taxis? I always travel by taxi!”
“Look, Sophie,” said Max, abruptly reaching the end of
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