Page 8 of Quiver of Cobras
Rubus was astonishingly put out. Honestly, he was like a child. ‘You like him more than you like me.’
‘Well,’ I said, ‘he might have called me an evil bitch but he was also quite nice to me and helped with those stalkers and with the nux. You all but abducted me.’
Rubus glared. ‘I helped stop those stalkers more than he did. And I can be very nice too.’ He leaned forward. ‘If you’ll let me. I’m working hard to get all us faeries back home to Mag Mell. Morganus is doing nothing more than pulling a few pints and walking around the city pouting.’
I smirked. ‘He probably likes his steak well-done too.’ I waggled my finger at Rubus. ‘But it doesn’t change the fact that I have no reason to be impressed by you, despite all your fine words. You put a damned giant spider on me!’
‘It was a Truth Spider. I had to learn the truth from you. I had to know I could trust you,’ he growled. His eyelid was twitching even more furiously.
‘But,’ I said softly, ‘how am I supposed to know whetherIcan trustyou?’
Rubus didn’t answer. His eyes remained fixed on mine until suddenly he turned round and addressed the waiting group of patient minions. ‘We are leaving,’ he said. ‘You lot go search for the bogle. The others can prepare for Plan B.’
Plan B? Wariness ran through me. I opened my mouth to ask Rubus about it but he jerked his thumb at his patiently waiting minions and indicated the time for chat was over. ‘Bring her.’
I exhaled. Despite what else might be going on, I thought I’d done rather a neat job of flipping the conversation. I might not remember anything specific about Rubus but I had no doubt that he was both dangerous and crazy. If I could keep him focused on what he had to do for me, rather than the other way around, then I might just find a way out of this mess.
I didn’t want to have to throw any more bricks at the soft skulls of human beings. It had been remarkably difficult to time the toss to avoid hitting anyone directly. Even then I’d been nervous that I’d got the trajectory wrong. It was just as well it wasn’t a breezy day. Gasbudlikins. Maybe Iwasevil. I had no desire to be indiscriminately evil, though; that would be a complete waste of energy.
***
We took the lift down to the lobby. I was flanked by two Fey arsebadgers all the way down. Maybe they were expecting me to fling myself upon Rubus and attack him, or make a run for it while in the tiny enclosed space by throwing myself at the doors and shrieking. Considering how nasty Rubus’s aftershave was, that was quite a tempting move. It really was unpleasantly overpowering.
When we finally reached the bottom and exited the lift – and I was able breathe through my nose again – I spotted a woman wearing a T-shirt and jeans heading towards the ladies’ toilets. A cartoon picture of a snail was emblazoned across her chest and her eyes, which she quickly cast to the ground when I glanced at her, were bright green.
‘I need to pee,’ I announced loudly.
‘Cross your legs,’ growled the nearest Fey.
I did as he suggested, bowing slightly at my waist and hobbling forward. ‘It’s not helping,’ I complained. ‘Do you have a bottle or something? Maybe I can squat here in front of you. Will that suit you?’
Rubus sighed. ‘Bring the car round to the front. I’ll wait for her there. You two stay with her till she’s done.’
I beamed. ‘Thank you. I don’t want to leave a smelly wet patch on your car’s upholstery.’
Rubus walked out of the front building while I – and my two minders – dashed to the toilet. I banged open the door, assuming they were following, and darted into the nearest cubicle.
‘You’d think,’ I called out, as I settled onto the loo seat, ‘that the amnesia I’m suffering from wouldn’t affect my bodily functions. After all, it’s a problem with my mind, not my body. But I have to pee so much! And clearly my stomach is disturbed because I’ve got constipation too. It’s hard work straining your bowels all the time. I don’t suppose you’ve got any laxatives on you? I could do with releasing some of that stinky brown stuff so—’
‘We’re going to wait outside,’ one of the Fey snapped, interrupting me in mid-flow. ‘Don’t be long.’ A moment later I heard the door open and close behind them.
I breathed out, jumped to my feet and cocked my head. One of the many things I’d discovered about myself was that I possessed incredible hearing. Having already latched onto both Fey’s heartbeats, I could tell that they’d positioned themselves directly outside the restroom door. Of course, they also had the same excellent hearing. I would have be careful.
I unlatched the cubicle door at the same time as the snail woman did. She flashed me a crooked grin and walked to the basins, turning on every tap. I reached for the automatic hand dryer, set it off and kept my hand in place so that its sound also filled the room. When I glanced back, the woman had gone. In her place was a heart-breakingly familiar face.
‘I wasn’t sure you’d get the reference,’ Morgan murmured. ‘But I had to be subtle enough to avoid detection.’
As if I’d forget that he was Snail Boy. He was named after a sea snail and I’d thoroughly enjoyed laughing at him for it. I grabbed him, yanking him towards me so I could hug him. It was awkward with one hand out of action under the dryer but I pressed him tightly against me.
His hands wrapped round my back and his lips found my ear. ‘We still have to be careful. I couldn’t hold the glamour for much longer and if we’re overheard before…’
‘I know,’ I whispered. ‘I’m just glad you’re okay.’ I pulled back slightly and looked into his eyes. ‘I didn’t want to go with Rubus. There wasn’t any choice though. I promise. I—’
‘Shhh,’ he said. ‘I know. I was drifting in and out of consciousness when he showed up and took you but I heard enough of what he said.’ He paused. ‘And did. I’ve had people out looking for him. When you were spotted coming into this building, I got here as quickly as I could.’
‘I’m really glad you did.’ Unexpected tears pricked at my eyelids. Well, that was a surprise. I pulled back so I could look at Morgan’s face. ‘Jinn?’ I asked, even though I already knew the answer.
Morgan’s expression shuttered and he shook his head grimly. ‘Julie and Finn are fine, though. They were far enough away to avoid detection. I don’t think Rubus ever knew they were there.’
