I patted my face dry and gazed into the bathroom mirror. I looked gaunt and sickly, my freckles standing out in sharp relief against my skin. My short hair and green eyes didn’t help. I looked less like a living, breathing woman than an androgynous robot whose maker had run out of materials to finish the job properly.
I tightened my lips. Given that I might well not be coming back, I should probably break into my own emergency supplies. At least a decent-ish meal might set me up for what was to come.
***
I didn’t feel exactly nourished when I detached my shadow and set out from home but my energy levels had been buoyed by the instant noodles and dry crackers. I’d even allowed myself a couple of squares of chocolate that I’d kept hidden for months. The black market hadn’t provided proper chocolate at any price for ages, although word was that the goblins were swimming in it. I left myself just enough to savour when I got back – if this little venture wasn’t my swansong.
I used the growing dusk to mask my shape, but even so I took a slight detour and went via Mercat Cross again, double-checking that the line of nooses remained empty. I was surprised at the relief I felt when I saw that Ange’s body wasn’t swinging in the gentle breeze.
My plan was to nip back down the same street where Kanji and the other clubs lay but suddenly a suited and booted group of goblins came marching down from that direction. While my physical body drew in a sharp breath, my shadow body darted into the furthest corner to hide.
The goblins moved towards the hanging ropes in a tight group. They weren’t dragging any unfortunate prisoners with them. I watched them, feeling sick to my stomach. The only reason I could think of that they’d tamper with their execution site was to prepare for a large-scale hanging. The largest number who had ever swung at one time was twelve, which was why there were now twelve empty nooses waiting to be filled. The goblins had left them there as a stark reminder. You could avoid viewing the executions – attendance wasn’t mandatory – but the bodies stayed up for at least a week. That way no one missed seeing what would happen if you did something that displeased the goblins.
I hunkered down and wrapped my arms round myself. If any of the goblins glanced in this direction, they wouldn’t see me. The other shadows and the darkening night sky kept me well concealed. Remaining motionless, I watched while the goblins separated, one by one, before climbing onto the scaffold. When they started undoing the knots and releasing the nooses, I almost staggered. Each rope spiralled down, landing with a heavy thump onto the cobbles below. What the bejesus were they up to this time?
The goblins clambered down, huffing and puffing as if it were a great effort, then coiled up each rope to make it easy to carry. One of them, whose shoulder pips signalled that he was a higher rank, stepped back and eyed the scaffold with a critical expression. ‘Auction block,’ he grunted. ‘That’s what it can be used for now. Taking all of the rest of this down will take too long.’
Something inside me eased; they were dismantling the gallows, not extending them. The sudden benevolence seemed too good to be true but I was still delighted. For a brief moment, anyway.
‘Auction block for what?’ one of the other goblins asked.
The leader pursed his lips. ‘This season’s strawberries.’
The group guffawed. Even tiny wild strawberries were impossible to find these days. I glared at them from my hiding place. They couldn’t see me and it didn’t make me feel any better but all the same I silently killed them with my eyes. Then I slid away.
Whatever they were up to, it wasn’t anything for me to worry about right now. Still, their strange antics altered my plan and instead of using the main thoroughfare, with its useful darkness, I sneaked towards the smaller streets. It was a longer route but my destination was the same: all roads led to the castle sooner or later. At least on the back streets I wouldn’t inadvertently bump into any more goblin gangs. That was the theory.
I’d slunk about five hundred metres when a movement ahead caught my eye. A man appeared, someone with a delicate build and a flat cap. It didn’t take a genius to know that he was up to no good. He darted from one side of the street to the other, his head twisting this way and that as if he were expecting someone to come after him. A moment later someone did.
‘You wanker!’ A tiny person sprang out from the same doorway and barrelled towards him. I squinted. It was definitely a kid and even at this distance it was clear that he was shorter and younger than Becky. I grimaced. No one should let their children out on these streets at night, no matter what the reason.
The man picked up speed but he was obviously unused to running and I could see the kid gaining on him. A moment later the man’s foot slipped and he went flying, landing on his back with a yell. He scrambled up, trying to get to his feet, but the kid was already on him, raising one foot and smashing it down into the man’s groin. I winced while the man screamed, the sound echoing round the streets. Half the damn city would have heard it.
‘Give it back!’ The kid bent down, struggling to pull back whatever had been taken. Despite the man’s obvious pain, he didn’t appear willing to let it go.
Making a snap decision, I moved forward. Neither the kid nor the man noticed me – they were far too intent on their own struggle. A metal canister skittered free and rolled down the street. I snatched it up with one hand just as the kid glanced towards me then I sprang towards him and yanked him by the scruff of his neck, hauling him back into the shadows.
He writhed and kicked against me, trying to shout out, but I clamped my free hand round his mouth to muffle the sound. I managed it in the nick of time; seconds later, four goblins appeared at the bottom of the street.
I felt the kid convulse – him and me both. It wasn’t as if he’d given me much choice in the matter, however, and at least this was my wraith form touching him rather than my physical body. It made things a little easier for me.
Surrounded by tightly packed terraced houses, there was nowhere to hide him. I spun round, facing him away from me and using my own shadow to mask his body. Then the goblins were on us.
‘Who are you?’ one demanded, grabbing the man and yanking him upwards. ‘What are you doing?’
Whatever was going on between him and the boy, neither of them wanted the goblins involved. The man cowered and tried to duck away, making a vain attempt to shield his face. ‘Nothing,’ he whined. ‘I’m not doing anything. I’ve not taken anything and I’m doing nothing wrong.’
I grimaced. Every word was laced with a lie. There were numerous avenues he could have taken to avoid the goblins’ interest but this wasn’t one of them. I couldn’t do anything for him now; instead I squeezed the boy tighter, praying he had the good sense to keep quiet.
Another goblin rummaged in the man’s jacket, pulled out his wallet and flipped it open. ‘Eric Quiddle,’ he read aloud. ‘I think you’ve been a naughty boy, Eric.’
‘I’ve not! I’ve not done anything!’
The goblin released him. ‘Well, then, we’ve obviously made a terrible mistake. I’m so sorry, sir. Enjoy your evening.’
Damn it. I knew what was coming next.
‘Wh … what?’ the hapless Mr Quiddle stammered.
The goblin gave him a little shove. ‘Off you go.’
Quiddle remained where he was for a second and then turned, trying to run away as fast as his legs would carry him. He didn’t get very far. Another goblin reached into his pocket and threw a heavy-looking shuriken towards the back of his head. The goblin clearly knew what he was about; the weapon was angled so that the dull blades skimmed Quiddle’s skull and didn’t break the skin but the force of the throw sent him slamming down onto the hard concrete .
‘Running away from the strong arm of the law, are we, Mr Quiddle?’ The nearest goblin turned to the others. ‘What is that?’
The shuriken-throwing bastard tapped his mouth thoughtfully. ‘Seizure of assets. Ten days in jail.’ He glanced down. ‘Let’s hope he’s got some assets worth seizing.’ He hauled Quiddle up and dragged him away. Quiddle’s feet scuffed against the cobbles.
I sighed. There was little doubt that Eric Quiddle was no angel but he didn’t deserve the goblins’ attention. No one did.
I stayed where I was, with the boy’s body fully covered by my shadow, until I was certain that the goblins weren’t coming back. Only when the street was still again did I release him. He leapt backwards, wide blue eyes staring at me with fear. He might be a kid but he knew what I was.
‘Are you going to kill me?’
I shook my head slowly, making sure I was out of the shadows of the nearby buildings so that he could see me. Then I tossed him the canister. I didn’t know what was inside and, to be honest, I didn’t really want to know. The boy unscrewed it anyway and held it out to me.
‘Here,’ he said sullenly. ‘Take it.’
Three small tomatoes lay inside. My mouth watered. I shook my head again and placed my finger to my lips, hoping the boy got the message. I had no idea where he’d managed to find tomatoes but I wouldn’t tell anyone about them if he wouldn’t tell anyone about me. Understand me? I’m not your enemy.