Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

“They just want us out of here as fast as possible,” said Tina. “This is probably someone else’s order. Isn’t that right, Maurice?”

The headwaiter smiled, wished them “Bon appétit,” and then hurried back into the kitchen to hide. Daniel studied the massive pizza before him. He took a deep breath and an amazing smell filled his head. He grabbed hold of the pizza with both hands, and stuffed his mouth with the biggest bite he could manage.

Daniel wolfed all of it down with ferocious appetite, and Tina did the same. They didn’t bother with the cutlery provided, just tore the pizzas apart with their bare hands and crammed the pieces into their mouths. The two Hydes devoured their meals at incredible speed, and then sat back in their chairs and grinned at each other. Daniel didn’t feel stuffed, or even satiated, just pleasantly full.

“So,” Tina said brightly. “Dessert?”

And then the main door slammed open and every conversation in the place broke off as Edward Hyde came swaggering down the main aisle.

He was wearing a really expensive suit, complete with a gold watch chain stretched across his waistcoat, but he still looked like someone had dressed up a demon. His arrogant rolling gait only emphasized his squat and muscular frame, and he lurched down the aisle like he’d come to avenge a deadly insult with extreme malice. He was grinning broadly, as though just by being there he was playing some vicious practical joke on the world. Customers he passed flinched back in their chairs, to put as much distance as possible between them. They didn’t just looked scared, they seemed actually sickened by Edward Hyde’s sociopathic presence, as though he suffered from some form of moral leprosy and they were afraid it might prove contagious.

The staff looked like they wanted to just drop everything and run, but Edward ignored them, heading straight for Daniel and Tina. But even though he kept his gaze fixed on them, it was obvious he knew the effect he was having on everyone else—and that he was enjoying it.

He dropped down into a chair opposite Daniel and Tina, without waiting to be asked or even greeted. A lot of the customers were leaving, abandoning their unfinished meals so they could make their escape before the trouble started. The staff clustered even more tightly together, looking as though they were wondering which of their many sins they were being punished for. One waiter had put his arm around a waitress, who was sobbing quietly.

Daniel wondered what all the fuss was about. He remembered how badly he’d been affected the first time he saw Edward, but now the man’s presence hardly bothered him at all. Maybe he was getting used to being around monsters—or perhaps being a Hyde changed how he saw the world. Edward beamed happily around the private booth, and Tina glared right back at him.

“What the hell are you doing here? Checking up on us?”

“I am celebrating the destruction of the Frankenstein Clan,” said Edward.

“But you never leave your building! You always said you had too many enemies, out in the world.”

He shrugged his massive shoulders. “It’s not often I have reason to celebrate.”

“Would you like to order some pizza?” said Daniel.

“I’ve already eaten,” said Edward.

Tina smiled sweetly. “Anyone we know?”

“I’ve talked with our contacts inside the hotel,” said Edward. “They confirm that no one survived the destruction of the top floor. They’ll be digging bodies out of the wreckage for weeks to come. There are bound to be a few Frankensteins who weren’t at the gathering, but I can always have our people hunt them down later. Out in the open and on their own, they’ll make easy targets.”

Daniel thought about Peter Frankenstein, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to attract Edward’s attention to a young man who’d tried to do the right thing. He just hoped Peter got a good head start. He realized Edward was giving him a knowing look.

“How does it feel, now you’ve had your first taste of revenge?”

“Better,” said Daniel.

“You mustn’t be disappointed that it wasn’t more hands-on and personal,” said Edward. “In the end, all that matters is that your enemy is dead.”

“Are the other Clans as bad as the Frankensteins?” said Daniel.

“Worse, if anything,” Edward said cheerfully. “Come and see me the day after tomorrow, and I’ll see you’re provided with everything you need to take down the Vampire Clan.”

Daniel frowned. “Two gatherings, set so close together?”

“It’s that time of the year,” said Edward.

“And the vampires will be gathering here in London as well?”

“The monster Clans are great ones for tradition,” said Edward. “Fortunately for us.”