“I can’t let that happen,” said Daniel. “It’s not what my old friend would have wanted.”
“Your friend was murdered. He isn’t around anymore.”
The vampire dropped his glamour, to show what he really was: a rotting corpse, in a coat covered with grave mold and dried bloodstains. Decaying flesh fell away from yellowed cheekbones, and his eyes were like patches of night. His teeth were too large for his mouth, his hands had claws like an animal, and he stank of the grave and all the people he’d killed.
Daniel went forward anyway, stake in hand. Because he’d made a promise, and because he couldn’t leave his job unfinished. Tina was quickly there beside him, a stake in her hand too. Paul just stood where he was, smiling his awful smile, waiting for them to come to him. And then he lashed out with inhuman speed, one hand slamming into Daniel’s chest like a wrecking ball. It smashed all the air out of his lungs, and sent him flying the whole length of the platform. Daniel hit hard, but still scrambled back up on his feet again. Just in time to see Paul slap the stake out of Tina’s hand, take hold of her firmly, and then lower his mouth to her throat.
Daniel raced down the platform. “No! Don’t!”
Paul pressed his teeth against Tina’s throat, but didn’t bite. Daniel crashed to a halt. He knew he’d never reach them in time. Tina stood very still, keeping her gaze fixed on Daniel. The vampire’s teeth were pressing just hard enough to dent the skin over Tina’s jugular, without breaking it. And then Paul pulled his mouth back a little, so he could smile at Daniel.
“I smell traces of garlic, but it would seem the waters have washed most of it away. And while her clothes may be soaked in the blessed River Fleet, my coat will protect me long enough to do what’s necessary. I’ve spent a long time wondering what Hyde blood would taste like.”
Tina back-elbowed Paul in the groin with all her Hyde strength, but he didn’t even flinch.
“I’m afraid that’s just another of the things they took from me. I have to find my pleasures in different ways now.”
“You want Hyde blood?” Daniel said steadily. “Then take mine, instead of hers.”
He threw away his stake and walked slowly forward, holding his right wrist out before him.
“Come on, Paul,” said Daniel. “Make me a vampire too—and then you’ll never have to be alone again.”
The vampire stared at him. “You’d give up your life—for her?”
“For you, old friend.”
“I could take you both.”
“You don’t want her, you want me. You said I could never understand what’s been done to you—so help me understand.”
Paul threw Tina to one side, hard enough to leave her stunned and helpless. The vampire surged forward inhumanly quickly, and his mouth clamped down on Daniel’s outstretched wrist. Daniel gasped once as the sharp teeth pierced his skin, not so much from the pain but because it felt like a violation. He could feel the blood rushing out of him, see a soft red flush filling Paul’s face, giving it the appearance of life. And then Paul jerked his mouth away from Daniel’s wrist and he fell backward, screaming shrilly as all the strength went out of him. His legs collapsed under him and he went sprawling, his face full of a terrible understanding . . . and in just a few moments there was nothing left on the platform but the remains of a body that had died months ago.
“I drank the holy water, Paul,” Daniel said steadily. “And now even my Hyde blood is blessed.”
He wanted to feel sad for his friend. But Paul died long ago. This was just a walking corpse that thought it was Paul. He looked down at the vicious wound in his wrist and winced, but the damage was already repairing itself. Tina came over to stand beside him, and slipped a supportive arm around his waist.
“Did you know that would happen, when you offered yourself to save me?”
“Of course,” said Daniel.
“Liar,” said Tina.
“Let’s just say . . . I hoped. Come on, it’s a long walk back to civilization.”
Tina smiled. “Then let’s take the scenic route this time.”
Chapter Seven
VOICES FROM THE DUST
Daniel and Tina spent the next few days at Tina’s place, celebrating not dying after all, and only returned to the Jekyll & Hyde building because they didn’t want Edward sending someone to bang on their door. As always, there was no one in the lobby. Daniel was beginning to wonder about that. Given that the whole building only existed to house Jekyll & Hyde Inc., why did he never bump into anyone else going about Edward Hyde’s business?
When they entered Edward’s outer office, the rather more glamorous than she should be secretary gave them her best professional smile.
“Go right on in. Edward has something he wants to share with you.”
Daniel looked at Tina. “Is that good?”
“As long as it’s not another tiger.”
“Beware Hydes bearing gifts,” said Daniel.
He barged into Edward’s office without knocking, just to make it clear what kind of a visit it was going to be, and then stopped short as the smell of roast meat hit him in the face. Marvelous and mouth-watering, it was like nothing he’d ever encountered before. Tina made a loud appreciative noise. Set on an antique silver platter, the steaming meat was so rare that blood was still seeping out of it. Edward smiled at Daniel and Tina from behind his desk, tore a piece off the large joint, and stuffed it into his mouth. He chewed with uncomplicated enjoyment, already reaching for another piece. Daniel couldn’t help remembering how he’d attacked his pizza the night before, as though nothing mattered but satisfying his appetite. Daniel took a deep breath, and the amazing smell filled his head till he couldn’t think of anything else. Edward smiled knowingly, and waved them forward.
“This is a haunch off the tiger I killed yesterday. Waste not, want not. Go ahead, help yourselves.”
Daniel felt he should object, on behalf of the tiger. What had been done to it was cruel as well as wrong. But he just had to know whether the meat would taste as good as it smelled. Tina had already pushed past him, to rip a piece off the joint and jam it into her mouth. She made ecstatic noises, her eyes closing to slits as blood and juices ran unheeded down her chin. Daniel took a smaller piece for himself, and did his best to eat it in a more civilized manner. The taste was incredible, and before he realized what he was doing he’d emptied his mouth and was reaching out for more.
He stopped himself, with an effort. He remembered Tina saying that Hydes could indulge themselves however they wanted, but he had to believe there was more to him than just his appetites.
He turned away from the meat on the table, looking for something to take his mind off temptation, and his eye was caught by a mirror on the opposite wall. His reflection smiled and nodded to him, and Daniel remembered that there was no mirror in Edward’s office. He moved over to stand before his reflection. It was chewing on a really large piece of meat, while blood dripped thickly from its chin. The reflection winked cheerfully at Daniel, and spoke without bothering to empty its mouth first.
“Told you you’d like being a Hyde.” It looked past Daniel at Tina, and he glanced back to see her unself-consciously licking blood and juices from her fingers. The reflection sniggered loudly. “She is something, isn’t she? No conscience, and no restraint. Ready and willing to do absolutely anything, and never give a damn about the consequences. The only trouble is, eventually you have to get out of bed. How long will it be, do you think, before you’re just like her . . . and loving it?”
Daniel started to turn away, and the reflection raised its voice.
“You have to listen to me!”
“No I don’t,” said Daniel, facing his reflection steadily. “You’re nothing but a voice in my head.”