Page 10 of Quiver of Cobras
‘Were we lovers?’
‘No.’
‘Nothing more than work colleagues?’ I asked. ‘That’s a bit dull.’
He glared at me but at least his partner snickered. Then they took their positions at either side of me and escorted me out to the waiting car.
I resisted the urge to look back. It was just as well killing glances weren’t a faery skill or I reckoned the skin would have been stripped off my back by now. Morgan was not a happy Fey bunny. And despite my relief that he was still up and breathing, I had to admit that neither was I.
Chapter Two
Once Rubus’s driver had set off, I buckled up my seatbelt and sniffed my fingers. Rubus glanced at me. ‘I was just checking,’ I said. ‘I can’t remember if I washed my hands or not.’
He grimaced in disgust. ‘You were gone for long enough to manage that.’ He reached into the door pocket and passed me a hand sanitizer. ‘Please.’
I shrugged and took some. ‘You’re not a fan of germs?’ I enquired.
Rubus didn’t bother to answer. Maybe, I thought hopefully, I could introduce salmonella. Or legionnaire’s disease. If I did it accidentally on purpose, surely that wouldn’t break the truce? I pursed my lips. Hmmmm.
‘What?’
I frowned at him. ‘Eh?’
Rubus rolled his eyes. ‘You’ve obviously thought of something. What is it?’
‘I was wondering about the truce,’ I said. ‘And how it works.’
‘It’s magic,’ he answered tersely.
‘Well, I got that part. Duh.’
Rubus growled. I shrugged then I raised a hand and attempted to strike him. My hand froze in mid-air and a flash of pain overtook me. ‘Ouchy!’ I yelled.
For the first time, Rubus bestowed me with a genuine smile. ‘That’s how it works.’
I stared at my hand. Straining, I tried to fling it forward in another bid to punch him. More pain coursed through my system and my damned hand wouldn’t budge. Beads of sweat popped out on my forehead with the effort. Eventually, I dropped my hand and gave up. ‘Damn,’ I whispered.
‘The truce has its uses,’ Rubus said, obviously still amused.
‘Explain it to me.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Is that an order?’
I dismissed his curt enquiry. ‘A request.’
He ran a hand through his hair, in a gesture that was achingly familiar of Morgan. ‘When we realised the border to Mag Mell was closed, there was a meeting,’ he said. ‘All the Fey in this demesne were present. Even you.’
I sniffed. ‘Well, I’m Fey, aren’t I?’
He ignored me. ‘It was decided that there was considerable danger to other life forms if things continued as they were. We Fey don’t always … see eye to eye. Not that it should be a problem for anyone if there’s the odd argument. We’re obviously superior to humans – we’re the top of the food chain. Who cares if any of them get hurt?’
‘Indeed,’ I murmured. ‘Do we cook them before we eat them?’
Rubus recoiled. ‘Eat humans? Are you insane?’
‘You said we’re at the top at the food chain.’
‘I mean figuratively speaking. Good grief, Madrona. We’re not monsters.’
