Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

“There are bars, and clubs,” Paul said vaguely. “Private places, where the lower ranks can meet and drink and talk together, even though they know they’re not supposed to. Perhaps especially because they know they’re not supposed to. But who else could they gossip with, who would understand?” He looked thoughtfully at Daniel. “Did it feel good, when the Frankensteins died?”

“Yes,” said Daniel. “Like a weight off my soul.”

“I’m glad,” said Paul. “I couldn’t get to them. The vampire elders keep me on too short a leash. But I knew you could do it, with a little push in the right direction.”

Daniel looked at him. He didn’t like the idea that Paul had sent him to Edward just so he could make use of him.

“Did you reach out to Edward, originally?” he said. “Or did he go after you, to be his inside man?”

“Did he buy me, or am I using him?” said Paul. “You’re sharper than you used to be, Danny boy. Let’s just say there are games within games inside this very private war, and there are more sides than anybody knows. But that isn’t the question you should be asking.”

“Then what is?”

“Did Edward Hyde provide Commissioner Gill with the original misleading information that sent us to the Frankenstein chop shop?”

Daniel stared at Peter. “Why would he do that?”

Paul shrugged. It looked subtly wrong, like something the vampire remembered doing from when he was alive, but couldn’t quite remember why.

“Perhaps because he hoped it would produce someone motivated enough to kill monsters. Someone prepared to do absolutely anything, in their need for revenge.”

“Are you sure about this?” said Daniel.

“No. But I listen, and I hear things. Enough to be sure that this whole situation is so hideously complicated that not even Edward Hyde understands everything that’s going on. The only thing I am sure of is that I don’t want to do this anymore. So when it’s all over . . . if I survive, stake me.”

“I can’t do that,” said Daniel. “You’re my friend.”

“If you are still my friend, put an end to me,” said Paul. “Because I can’t. Trust me, you’d do it without a moment’s hesitation if you knew some of the things I’ve done. Because the elders ordered me to, or just because I wanted to. I’m hanging on to what’s left of my humanity by my fingertips—and I’m losing my grip. Promise me that whatever happens, you’ll finish me.”

Daniel nodded slowly. “I promise.”

Paul abruptly turned away, and headed for the main door. His feet made no sound at all on the bare wooden floor. As Paul approached the door it opened on its own, and then closed behind him after he was gone.

“Okay . . . ” said Tina. “That’s handy.”

Daniel walked back to join her. Edward thrust a large folder into Tina’s hands.

“This file contains your mission details—everything you need to know, to destroy the Vampire Clan. Follow the plan carefully, and you should come back alive. Now off you go, my children, and put an end to every single one of them.”

He looked meaningfully at Daniel. He knew Edward was talking about Paul, but he didn’t say anything. He headed for the door, and for once Tina hurried after him.

Chapter Six

THE GLAMOUR OF IT ALL

“We need to visit the armory,” said Tina, as they walked quickly down the corridor, putting some distance between them and Edward’s playroom.

“For the bomb?” said Daniel.

“Well, obviously,” said Tina. “But we’re also going to need some pretty specialized weapons, if we want to survive long enough to lure the entire Vampire Clan to their death and destruction.”

“Yes,” said Daniel. “About that . . . ”

“Edward has been working on his plan for years,” said Tina, hefting the heavy mission file he’d given her. “I’m sure he’s thought of everything.”

Daniel gave her a look. “You’re being very trusting, all of a sudden.”

“I trust the plan,” said Tina. “No one knows more about monsters than Edward Hyde. Surviving the plan . . . is up to us.” She grinned at Daniel. “Come on—we’re going to walk right into the vampires’ annual gathering, call them a bunch of names to their faces, and then lead them by the nose to our very own killing ground. What’s not to like?”

“This can only go well,” said Daniel.

“Exactly!” said Tina.