Scorched Heart (The Firebrand Series Book 4) by Helen Harper (top non fiction books of all time .txt) 📗

large blast of power has far-reaching consequences that most druids would want to avoid. And if nature is so important to them, you can understand why they maintain such secrecy. They’d be labelled as supes and forced to move to London with the rest of us. They’d be subject to supe law.’

‘But they’re essentially human,’ I objected. ‘Miranda James is human.’

‘So were alleged witches,’ Lukas said quietly. ‘It didn’t stop them from being burnt at the stake for hundreds of years.’

He had a point. ‘If people like Miranda James can have that sort of power hidden in plain sight, then who else is out there?’ I asked. ‘What else is out there?’

‘It’s a good question,’ he said grimly. ‘Let’s not forget that we didn’t know that a phoenix could exist until very recently.’

I swallowed, my brain suddenly conjuring up all manner of monsters. This was why the British government was so keen to keep track of all existing supes. It was down to fear that had as much to do with conjecture as reality.

I glanced over at Lukas. Damn it, he didn’t look well at all. There was a sheen of sweat on his forehead and his complexion was wan. ‘You’re sick. That crossbow bolt did a lot of damage.’

‘I’m fine.’

‘I don’t think you are.’ I gestured to his chest. ‘Show me.’

‘It’s bandaged up, Emma. There’s nothing to see.’

I folded my arms and glared. Lukas sighed then lifted up his shirt. I sucked in a breath at the damp, bloodstained bandages. ‘You’re still bleeding. A lot.’

‘I have excellent healing powers. In a few hours I’ll be dancing and skipping and solving any nasty murders that come my way.’

I gave him a long look and he pulled a face. ‘Alright,’ he admitted. ‘I might be in more pain than I initially let on. I’m trying to be brave so that you think I’m a valiant hero. I’m here to help you, not the other way around.’

A ghost of a smile crossed my face. ‘You are helping me, more than you know.’ I brushed my fingers lightly against his chest. ‘I have to get to London, no matter what. If we leave now, there’s time for me to take you to Soho. Your vamps can look after you while I go and see Samuel Beswick.’

‘I don’t need to be looked after. I need a bit of rest.’

‘That’s settled then,’ I said, satisfied. ‘Rest it is. In London.’ I turned on the engine.

‘Nobody else would order me around like that,’ Lukas growled.

‘And? What’s your point?’

He leaned his head towards mine. ‘I like being told what to do when it comes from you,’ he said in a low voice. Despite his words, there was a note of warning. Lukas would only take my so-called orders so far. Regardless of our romantic ties, he was still Lord Horvath.

‘Do you have to speak to Beswick?’ he asked. ‘You already know his side of the story. Honestly, Emma, I think it’s better if we both stay here. I’ll rest up in your room so I’m close by if you need me. In fact, if I could find someone willing to donate some blood to my worthy cause, I’ll heal even more quickly and then I’ll be of more use to you.’

‘You won’t find someone like that in Barchapel,’ I told him, pretending that I’d already forgotten Miranda’s offer of her own blood. ‘And I have to see Samuel Beswick. He’s been in prison for a quarter of a century for my parents’ murders. I owe him a face-to-face meeting – it’s the least I can do.’

My phone started to ring. I checked the screen, frowning at the withheld number. ‘Hang on,’ I said. ‘This might be important.’ I pressed the answer button. ‘This is DC Bellamy.’

‘Good morning, detective.’

A trickle of unease ran through me when I recognised that voice. ‘Mr Jenkins,’ I said. ‘How are things up at Galloway?’

‘I’m afraid they could be better.’

It wasn’t a trickle of unease I was feeling now, it was a damned flood. ‘What?’ I asked. ‘What is it?’

‘If I were you, I would cancel that trip to see us.’

‘Why?’

Lukas’s phone dinged with a message. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him glance down at the screen and blanch.

‘I have some bad news,’ Jenkins said. ‘Samuel Beswick was attacked at breakfast this morning. For no reason that I can yet determine, one of the other prisoners decided to try and kill him, first with his food tray and then with some sort of shank.’

The blood drained from my face. ‘Is he alright? Is Samuel Beswick alright?’

‘He’s not dead, if that’s what you’re asking. Not yet, anyway. But he’s been transferred to the nearest hospital and he’s in intensive care. It’s not looking good. I’m sorry to be the bearer of such news. We don’t often have incidents of this nature in Galloway. The prison officers here are adept at picking up on any trouble and preventing it before it starts. We also—’

I shut out Jenkins’ litany of excuses. He droned on in my ear while bile rose in my mouth. I dropped the phone. No. Fuck. No.

‘That’s the prison, isn’t it?’ Lukas asked. ‘My contact there has been in touch. I’m so sorry, Emma.’

His voice sounded as if it were coming from far away. I blinked rapidly and tried to focus. I couldn’t understand why this had happened now. Before my first visit to Samuel Beswick, I’d checked his prison record and there had been no indication of any trouble. In fact, to all intents and purposes he’d been a model prisoner. So why get involved in a fight now? What had changed? It didn’t make sense.

My mind whirled. Focus, Emma. You need to deal with this.

Lukas reached for me and squeezed my hand. ‘Are you okay?’

I nodded stiffly, then picked up the phone again and interrupted Jenkins’ babble. My tone was hard and cold but this was not the time to play nice. ‘Tell me about the prisoner