Bound by Alan Baxter Page A

you.’
    Did he really need to go through with any of this? He couldn’t give the book back to Peacock, so would that old fucker keep sending creatures like gargoyles after him? If the buck stopped with Peacock, then a path seemed clear. And he owed some kind of vengeance to Welby, surely. If he couldn’t get rid of the book, and the only real issue was Peacock, then take Peacock out of the picture and put the book on a shelf somewhere and forget about it. The thing hung heavy in his pocket. He got a sensation of warmth, almost as if it approved of his train of thought. He sensed it cajoling him, urging him on.
    He looked up into Silhouette’s eyes. ‘Can you try to help me first?’
    ‘You got an idea? Call me crazy, but I kinda like you. I should warn you that you might not like me so much, the more you learn.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Yeah. My history might not sit well with you.’
    That wasn’t something he wanted to consider just yet. ‘Well, you’ve done the right thing by me so far. I’m happy to leave it at that for the time being. Especially if you help me.’
    She laughed. ‘Cute. What are you thinking?’
    ‘Well, I can’t get rid of this thing. Peacock is the only one who knows about it now Welby’s dead. Before Peacock sends any more fucking monsters after me, I’m going to kill him.’ He said it so easily the words shocked him. ‘Peacock murdered Patrick and nearly killed me, so fuck him, right? Kill Peacock and end it there. Forget about the book and get on with my life.’
    Silhouette grinned at him. ‘I really don’t think it’s going to be anything like that simple, but it’s certainly a bloody good place to start. And it takes care of at least one loose end.’
    ‘So you’ll help me?’
    ‘I don’t think you’ll need any help, but sure. I’ll come along. Be a shame to miss a good revenge slaying.’
    Alex frowned. ‘You’re pretty dark, you know that?’
    Silhouette flicked him a wink and stood. ‘Alex Caine, you have no idea.’

7
    The street outside Peacock’s shop was quiet in the wan autumn sunshine. Alex and Silhouette stood on cold cobbles, staring at the black painted door.
    ‘So what’s the plan?’ Silhouette peered up at Alex from under her fringe. She was only a couple of inches shorter than his six feet, yet she deliberately taunted him.
    Her icy eyes teased him, had him imagining the parts of her he couldn’t see. ‘Not sure,’ he said. She did that half-smile thing again and Alex looked away. He needed to focus and she was playing with him. ‘I suppose,’ he said, ‘I’ll just walk in there and smash the fucker.’ He felt heat swell out from the book in his pocket. The pendant around his neck remained warm constantly, like a tiny hand lying against his skin.
    ‘You ever done anything like this before?’
    He laughed. ‘Stroll into someone’s place and kill them in cold blood? Funnily enough, no. This’ll be a first for me.’
    ‘You seem quite collected, all things considered.’
    He did feel calm. ‘It’s the right thing to do. I’m protecting myself and avenging Welby. The rules of my life have changed.’
    ‘You really need to avenge Welby?’
    ‘I thought you were all for a good revenge slaying?’
    ‘Oh, I am. I love a good killing. But it seems like you’re making some major changes here.’
    Alex pursed his lips, thinking. ‘Yeah,’ he said eventually. ‘I’m taking control back.’
    Silhouette seemed to accept that. ‘Fair enough. Can I offer some advice?’
    ‘Definitely.’
    ‘This place is wrapped in all kinds of magic which I’m guessing includes alarms and security. I suggest you don’t make a meal of this. Get in there, use your familiarity to get close and take him out quickly.’
    ‘Cold.’
    ‘But effective.’
    ‘Fair enough.’
    ‘Hesitation will kill you, Alex.’
    He watched her for a moment. ‘Why are you helping me?’
    ‘Call it a weakness of character.’ She looked away. ‘That’s what my Clan would