The Holly Man

The Last Dream Of My Soul

The next morning, Amy got up early, showered, and left in her car. Will watched her go from the front door wishing he could tell her not to go to work, but knowing her absence would place her out of his protection, and if neither of them went to the office it might prompt talk. Frances appeared moments after her car had disappeared behind the closing gates. "Are you ready to leave?" he said in a terse voice.

"Not even a cup of tea?" she said sarcastically. He didn't reply but grabbed his keys and indicated the door, lifting her bag. When they were on the main road, Frances turned towards him. "Bill, you can't be serious about this girl. You must know her being involved with you puts you both in danger. What if she's been sent here to infiltrate." Will's knuckles turned white on the steering wheel.

"She was adopted." he said through gritted teeth, "I met her mother, and trust me, she was no jägerin. She had no idea who or what she was until I told her. And what would she be infiltrating? The only other vampire I ever see is you and whatever miscreant you have in tow at the time."

"You're a sentimental fool." She huffed, "You know this can't work. You're doing her no favours by pretending this can be any kind of normal life. Wake up to reality, and if you can't bring yourself to let the Herskers deal with her, at least get rid of her from your life and make sure she can't lead anyone to you." He didn't answer, and as they were approaching the station, she inhaled. "Listen," she said, "the jägerin are on the rise again. There's a group in the US, on the east coast, called the Agostini. There's a lot of them, and they're well protected, so the Herskers can't get to them. It's making them extra vigilant to eliminate any that might emerge here." She grabbed her bag as they drew to a stop, "Bill, it'll make them ruthless with anyone who threatens that." He watched her walk across to the station, and when she'd disappeared, he rested his forehead on the steering wheel.

***

Amy took refuge in the bathroom cubicle after another morning of furtive glances and aching for his touch. Her initial relief at Frances' departure was quickly superseded by anxiety about Will's insistence that should only have contact in work until he was convinced there was no risk that the Herskers would come looking for his former girlfriend. She didn't want to acknowledge it, but she'd felt something change between them from the moment Frances arrived. It was as if Frances had planted doubts about her in his mind. Sitting on the toilet for momentary respite from the way the rest of the world continued turning, she inwardly railed against the unfairness of her situation.

***

Will watched her take her seat in relief. Her absence had started to make him nervous. Ever since Frances had left the previous day, he'd been fighting the urge to take her by the hand, out of the office and back to the house where he could make her feel safe and loved. He sighed; it was no use wishing it was different. He needed to be positive no one could link them, and once he was sure his connection to Frances' situation was settled, he could work out how they could re-build the tranquillity they once had.

When he arrived home that night, the air had turned icy, and white frost was already gathering on the trees as he turned into his driveway. He didn't see the figure swiftly and silently taking advantage of the open gate. As he put the key in the door, he yelled in surprise at the man who stepped out of the shadows. He was in a dark overcoat, which despite the cold was unfastened revealing an expensive navy-blue suit beneath it. "Apologies. Mr Cross-Johnson I believe?" Will nodded, and the stranger continued, "We haven't had occasion to meet before, but I am Magnus Hersker. I wondered if we could step inside for a moment." Despite the politeness and civility of the request, Will knew there was no optionality in it, so he merely nodded and led the man through to the hall, motioning the lounge where he flicked a switch for the wall light. The soft glow revealed more of his visitor, and Will couldn't help but be shocked. He'd expected a much more menacing looking character than the man standing in his lounge. He had thick dark hair, and to anyone unaware of his true nature, he would pass as a well-dressed but otherwise unremarkable businessman. He had an attractive, surprisingly open face, but Will also noted the thickness of his neck and shoulders indicating significant muscle and physical power.