Free The Demon Collector by Jon Mayhew Page B

face at a bunch of grapes. The others were murmuring to Janus, who stood in front of the table. More portraits dotted the panelled walls of this grand room. A large one hung over the glowing fireplace. The sober features of James I stared down at him.
    ‘The boy, Lord Mauldeth,’ Sally said to the tall, dark gentleman at the centre of the table. She gave Edgy a sharp shove, making him stumble.
    ‘Thank you, Sally,’ Lord Mauldeth said, looking down his long nose at Edgy. A cat sat on Mauldeth’s lap, as haughty as the lord. ‘Now, boy, tell us your name.’
    ‘His name’s Edgy Taylor –’ Janus began but a fat, red-faced man sitting next to Mauldeth cut him off.
    ‘Can’t he speak for himself, Envry?’ the man bellowed, huffing and puffing. ‘He’s got a voice, what?’
    ‘Very well, Plumphrey.’ Janus inclined his head but Edgy could see flashes of red on his cheeks.
    ‘My name’s Edgy Taylor, sir,’ he said, his voice sounding dry and squeaky. He felt stupid and small in front of these grand people. Maybe Talon was right and picking up dog dirt off the street was all he was good for. He twitched his head.
    ‘Can’t you keep still, boy?’ Mauldeth said, as he scratched the cat behind its ears.
    ‘No, sir. Sorry, sir. It’s just something I do,’ Edgy said, avoiding Mauldeth’s gaze. Edgy didn’t like him already.
    ‘Probably brought cholera in with him off the street,’ grumbled Sokket, heaving a huge sigh. ‘Or some other malady. Wouldn’t be surprised if we’re all dead by dawn.’
    ‘Don’t be so melodramatic, Mortesque,’ said the lady next to him.
    She easily filled her end of the table, looking taller and wider than any of the men in the room. Her wiry brown hair stuck out in all directions, a wild curly mass that she had obviously tried but failed to contain with pins and bands. She struck Edgy as being brown in every way – brown eyes, brown skin, brown tweed clothes. She reminded him of a huge tree.
    ‘Don’t worry, Edgy. We’re pleased to meet you,’ she said. ‘I’m sure Envry has a very good reason for ossifying three demons and bringing you into our midst.’
    ‘He always does, Professor Milberry,’ Plumphrey said, slapping the table, his moustache bristling. ‘That’s the trouble!’
    ‘Yes, little brother, do tell us.’ Lord Mauldeth’s sharp features twisted into a smirk. He snapped a biscuit in half. ‘Why did you compromise the security of the Royal Society so flagrantly?’
    ‘I believe the boy may be useful,’ Janus said, ignoring Mauldeth’s accusation. His neck was red too now, Edgy noticed.
    ‘Hmmph,’ snorted Sokket. ‘You said that about the last one and look what happened to him –’
    ‘Bernard.’ Milberry’s brow creased into concerned furrows.
    ‘What?’ asked Sokket, obviously confused.
    ‘He had a name,’ Milberry snapped back. ‘Bernard Green.’
    Edgy’s stomach churned again as he thought of the boy crumpled in the mud of the street. Bernard Green .
    ‘Yes, well. A simple case of carelessness crossing the street,’ Janus said, shaking his head. ‘That wasn’t my fault.’
    ‘No, it never is,’ Sokket muttered, ‘but someone always ends up dead, don’t they?’
    ‘That’s not fair,’ Janus said.
    The room fell silent for a second. Edgy tried to swallow but his throat felt so dry that he ended up coughing and spluttering.
    ‘And then there’s the budget,’ Plumphrey said, sitting back heavily in his chair and making Edgy jump. ‘We’ll have to pay for the last one’s funeral, y’know. And then can we afford to feed another mouth? Do you realise the size of the food bill for this month alone?’
    ‘Yes, well, if you insist on collecting demons of gluttony, then we will be eaten out of house and home, won’t we?’ Janus said. His whole face glowed red now. ‘You only collect them because it’s so easy. All you do is invite them to a slap-up meal and then clap the irons on them!’
    ‘How dare you?!’