Wraith(15)

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.