Page 27 of Skulk of Foxes
‘So do you have, like, magical powers?’ I enquired, skipping over a fallen branch.
‘We can affect the natural world,’ Sitri said. ‘Although our skills in that regard have diminished along with our viridescence. We can sour milk, make animals go lame, or blight the occasional crop if we’re feeling up to it. Needless to say, it doesn’t happen often. There’s no longer any need for that sort of mischief in this technological world. We usually keep ourselves to ourselves. Or,’ he added grimly, ‘we did until you lot showed up and decided to stay.’
I twitched. ‘As I understand it, that wasn’t really a conscious decision.’
‘Whatever the cause,’ Sitri said darkly, ‘the continued presence of the Fey does not help us.’ Then he paused. ‘Apart from you, Madrona. You’re different.’
I glanced at Morgan in glorious triumph although I managed to restrain myself from pumping the air. Unfortunately, he wasn’t paying me any attention. He was focused on keeping himself upright, which was no mean feat given that at least three of the younger bogles appeared intent on getting in his way and tripping him up. They really didn’t like him much.
We veered right, crossing a small wooden bridge until we were virtually back where we’d started. I glanced around. No one was outside. Considering the scorch marks on the road and pavement, not to mention the smoke rising from various buildings, that wasn’t a huge surprise. Stay inside, little humans. It’s safer for you that way.
‘We tried to infiltrate your ranks,’ Sitri told me. ‘But most of you weren’t interested. The only one of us who had any real success was Charrie. He had to do some terrible things to get Rubus to trust him but it was worth it to have the inside track on what he was up to. There have been numerous occasions when Charrie’s insider knowledge helped us to work against the Fey to prevent catastrophes occurring. You,’ he added with an air of desperate sadness, ‘were the only one who truly helped him. You were the only one he trusted.’
I sniffed. ‘Well,’ I said, ‘even with my amnesia, I know that I am eminently trustworthy. I work for good. I am toiling alone against the forces of darkness.’ I dipped my head slightly. ‘I even have a superhero costume.’
Rather than look impressed at that particular titbit, Sitri appeared slightly confused. I nudged Morgan. ‘See?’ I told him. ‘I’m the only one Charrie trusted.’
Morgan angled his body away from the nearest bogle who, I could swear, was trying to jab him surreptitiously in the ribs with a sharpened stick concealed under his sleeve. ‘I’m not surprised,’ he said. ‘Maybe now you can stop castigating yourself for killing him and act like a normal person.’
‘Don’t forget dismembering his body,’ I reminded him. ‘I did that too.’ Then I clamped my hand over my mouth and flicked a horrified look at the bogles.
Sitri simply smiled and the others didn’t so much as flinch. That was odd. I understood that they liked me and I recognised that they all but worshipped the very ground I walked on. That was only to be expected. But surely they should feel slightly concerned about what I’d done to their compatriot.
My uneasy feeling that we were walking into a trap returned.
‘There.’ Sitri pointed ahead. ‘That’s his house.’
I followed his gaze. Part of me had expected a gloomy castle with turrets and mossy slime dripping down the walls. Instead I was gazing at a small, red-brick terraced house with shiny windows and a neatly trimmed lawn. I nodded. That made sense. They wouldn’t lead us to an obvious place to spring their snare. They were trying to lull us into a false sense of security. Not this Fey. I was the Madhatter; I had eyes in the back of my head.
Something slammed into my shoulder blades. I spun round, hands raised to attack, just as the offending football bounced away down the street. Morgan laughed loudly although several bogles bellowed.
‘Oi! Bally! Stop that!’
A pint-sized bogle grinned cheekily. ‘Sorry!’
Judging by the smirk on his face, he wasn’t sorry at all.
‘This is Madrona,’ Sitri said sternly.
Immediately the bogle child blanched. He stared at me, eyes wide and face pale. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said again, this time without the trace of a grin. In fact, he looked utterly terrified. That was more like it.
‘I’ll forgive you,’ I said magnanimously. Then I added, ‘This time.’ I had my limits, after all.
‘You shouldn’t be outside,’ Sitri scolded. ‘Goodness knows what might fall from the sky next.’
‘The fire’s stopped,’ Bally said in a small voice. ‘It’s safe now. I wanted to see if there were any pink elephants.’ Him and me both.
Sitri frowned and jerked his head at the house. ‘Go and get your mother. Tell her Madrona wants to speak to her.’
I felt Morgan bristle slightly. ‘And Morgan,’ I said sunnily.
‘Yeah. Him too.’ Sitri shrugged.
I nudged Morgan. ‘You know what this means?’ I said.
‘What?’ he growled.
‘You’re now my official sidekick. I’m the hero and you’re the one who holds my cape.’ I arched my eyebrow. ‘Get behind me, Batgirl.’ Morgan frowned so I leaned in and brushed my lips against his cheek. ‘This still might be a trap,’ I whispered.
