Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

There was a great crash from the other side of the circle, as Tina finally threw the sarcophagus to one side. She lurched to her feet and raced across the circle, darting past the burning shapes to rip the blazing mummy out of Daniel’s grip. Thick smoke rose up from his blackened arms and hands. Tina threw the burning thing to one side, and then beat out Daniel’s flames with her bare hands, not flinching once. And when it was done, they both dropped to their knees and breathed heavily as they waited for their burns to heal.

It took a while, but eventually Dr. Jekyll’s marvelous Elixir brought them back from the brink, one more time. Daniel’s breathing gradually slowed and steadied as the pain died away. He held his hands up before him, though it took him a moment before he could bring himself to look at them. The blackened, twisted things that had held on to the burning mummy despite everything were now completely back to normal, and Daniel let out a long, slow sigh of relief. He leaned against Tina, and she leaned on him. Though neither of them would ever admit it, taking down the mummies had turned out to be a closer-run thing than either of them had expected. They rose slowly to their feet, and looked round the circle at the burning shapes.

“It’s a pity we didn’t think to bring a few marshmallows,” Daniel said finally.

“Or some sausages,” said Tina.

Daniel winced. “I don’t think I’m in the mood for burnt meat, just at the moment.”

“Time we were leaving,” said Tina. “Someone must have heard something by now. A small army of heavily armed mercenaries is almost certainly heading in our direction, even as we speak. And loath though I am to admit it, I do have limits.”

Daniel nodded quickly. “Back to the sewers, then.”

Tina smiled. “But if we can find the time . . . I always did fancy a pair of crocodile hide boots.”

Chapter Eight

WHERE THE WILD

THINGS ARE

When Daniel and Tina entered the Jekyll & Hyde Inc. building a few days later, they didn’t even get as far as the secretary’s office. A message board had been planted in the center of the lobby, with a handwritten message instructing them to go down to the cellar.

“Well,” said Tina. “That isn’t at all foreboding.”

“I am getting really tired of being led around by the nose, just so he can give me a grand tour of his building,” said Daniel. “This had better not be tiger-related.”

“Oh I don’t know,” said Tina. “I am feeling a bit peckish.”

Daniel sniffed. “I didn’t know this building even had a cellar.”

“There are stairs at the back of the lobby.”

“And what’s in this cellar?”

“Beats me,” said Tina. “It’s always been Edward’s private domain.”

“More so than his playroom?”

“Definitely. I don’t know anyone who’s ever been allowed in the cellar before this.”

“Then how do you know how to get there?”

Tina smiled. “People tell me things.”

“Whether they want to or not?”

“Pretty much.”

Tina led the way to the back of the lobby, and a concealed door that opened onto bare stone steps falling away under a series of softly glowing lights. Tina started down the steps, and then stopped when she realized Daniel wasn’t following her.

“What’s wrong?”

“I really don’t like cellars these days.”

“You’re going to have to put that behind you one day,” said Tina. “Why not now?”

“Because it’s still too recent,” said Daniel, not moving.

“But that was months ago,” said Tina.

“No,” said Daniel. “That was yesterday.”

“You’re a Hyde. Nothing can hurt you anymore.”

“There are all kinds of hurt. And I have to wonder whether Edward knew what effect meeting in a cellar would have on me . . . ”

“You think he’s messing with your head? Why would he want to do that?”

“You tell me. You know him better.”

“I don’t think anyone really knows Edward Hyde,” said Tina. “He keeps everyone at a distance—and most people prefer it that way. What reason could he have to mess with you? You’re his new golden boy, his very own killer of monsters.”

“Perhaps I’ve been too successful,” said Daniel. “And now he sees me as a threat to his position as head of Jekyll & Hyde Inc.”

Tina smiled. “It’s about time somebody was. Come on, Daniel, don’t let him get to you. You’re the one who finished off the monster Clans when he couldn’t.”

Daniel moved slowly down the steps to stand beside her. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I know that. I was just being supportive. This is probably only about reminding you who’s boss.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” said Daniel.

“Want me to hold your hand?”

“Maybe later.”

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they found a door standing slightly ajar, as though inviting them in. Daniel kicked the door open and barged straight in, with Tina at his side.