Page 66 of Box of Frogs
‘We watch them,’ Morgan answered without hesitation. ‘We see what they’re up to then we follow them back to Rubus’s lair. We’ll be able to scope out his place, find your friend and deal with whatever comes next. There are plenty of faeries on my side who’ll help me against my brother if need be.’
For a heartbeat I didn’t answer. When I did, my voice was distant. ‘Onourside, Morgan.’
He gave a tight nod. ‘Our side. As you say.’
At least he didn’t argue about it; I wasn’t sure what I’d have done if he had. I nodded and dismissed the subject. I couldn’t be pedantic about grammar now. ‘We’re sitting ducks here,’ I said. ‘Even with the windows steamed up, it’ll take only one glance and they’ll spot us.’
‘Then,’ Morgan agreed, ‘we need to make sure they don’t spot us.’
He released his grip on my arm, pushed his chair back and stood up. Together we marched over to the counter and the young, pimply human behind it, who looked as if he were asleep on his feet. ‘Is there a back way out?’ Morgan asked.
The assistant blinked and yawned, as if startled to be asked a question. ‘Uh, yeah, but…’
‘Great,’ Morgan said, flipping up the counter so that we could pass through. ‘It’s this way?’
I could see the boy weighing up his options; no doubt there were rules that customers were not permitted to be in this area. The steely look in Morgan’s eye, not to mention whether it was worth raising an argument when you’re on minimum wage, made up his mind. ‘To the right,’ he muttered.
I beamed at him. ‘Good lad.’ We skirted past him and the small galley kitchen. I glanced at Morgan and lowered my voice. ‘Apparently I’m not the only one who’s prepared to engage in a little intimidation when the situation calls for it.’
‘I didn’t intimidate him. I merely asked a question and he answered.’
Yeah, yeah. At least if was good to know that none of us were perfect – even if I pretended otherwise.
While Morgan tussled with the dented steel door, I straightened my shoulders and cracked my knuckles. I was nervous that the Redcaps would already have vanished. When we finally made it out, I breathed a sigh of relief. Their shadows were still visible from the lamppost up ahead. Not only that, but the angle of the buildings and the narrow alley we’d emerged into hid us from their view. This was going to be a piece of cake.
‘The Madhatter rides again,’ I whispered.
Morgan shot me a look. ‘Where did you hear that?’
I gazed at him blankly. ‘Huh?’
‘Madhatter. That nickname. Where did you hear it?’ There was an odd light in his eyes.
‘From those bastards up ahead. That’s what they called me.’
Morgan was frowning slightly. ‘That’s interesting.’
‘Why?’
Before he could answer me, there was the sudden sound of breaking glass. We both stopped moving and turned in the direction of the noise. ‘They’re breaking in somewhere,’ he murmured.
I tightened my lips. ‘Right across from an all-lights-blazing, twenty-four-hour restaurant. Sloppy.’
‘I don’t think the kid in there is going to do anything.’
I tutted and slid forward, keeping close to the wall to avoid the Redcaps noticing. When I reached the corner of the building, I craned my head round for a brief look then pulled back. ‘They have a rope,’ I said. ‘They’re climbing up to the first floor.’
Morgan’s mouth twisted. ‘We’ll have no choice but to intervene if they’re hurting someone.’
I grimaced. ‘You were right before. If we confront them now, we could lose any chance of finding both Rubus or Julie.’
‘Are you willing to risk someone’s life for that?’
Gasbudlikins. No wonder I’d chosen to be evil; working out the most heroic path to take was much harder than simply going hell for leather and being bad. I shrugged. ‘I don’t know,’ I whispered. I ground my teeth, searching for the right answer. For any answer. ‘We divert them,’ I said finally. ‘We do something to make them abandon whatever it is they’re up to.’
‘We could call the police.’
I thought about it. ‘This might be over by the time they get here.’ I bit my lip. ‘You stay here. I have a plan.’
