Page 78 of Tattered Huntress
‘The effects from that blood-magic cloud will probably be more severe for them, given their size. They’ll come round soon.’
‘In time to be eaten by selkies, you mean?’
Hugo scowled. ‘You got here before the last high tide and you managed to avoid them.’
‘That was before I was shoved into some sort of magical barrier with you for company,’ I said with a derisive sniff.
‘You’re talking as if this is all my fault. If you suspected Humphrey was up to something, why didn’t you come to me?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Because you’d have believed me?’ Sarcasm dripped from every word. ‘I didn’t have any proof, only suspicions.’ And I’d only expected Humphrey to steal the treasure, not attempt murder. Now I realised that our deaths were the only way he’d get away with his theft. I’d been as naïve as Hugo – well, almost.
I asked aloud, ‘What would you have said if I’d grabbed a word in your shell-like ear and suggested Humphrey was planning to double-cross you?’
‘I’d have listened.’
‘No, you wouldn’t.’
Hugo sighed. ‘Alright. I’d have been sceptical.’
‘Because I’m a pathetic junkie who can’t be trusted.’
He didn’t reply but I caught the flash of guilt in his expression. I changed the subject. Sniping at Hugo wouldn’t help any of us escape. ‘You’re a high elf. Can’t you use your superior magic to get us out of here?’
Hugo flung out a burst of air magic followed by flames and water, but every attempted enchantment thudded uselessly against the ring of black smoke that surrounded us despite the power that rippled from each attempt. ‘I’ve already tried.’
I dropped Hester and Otis gently into my coat pocket, stood up and dusted myself off. ‘There’s still earth magic,’ I said.
Hugo’s eyes met mine. ‘I wasn’t sure if you’d notice that I’d not tried that yet.’
‘I’m not a complete idiot.’
‘No,’ he said quietly. ‘You’re not.’ He held out his hand. ‘Here. If we work together, we can probably manage it.’
I gazed at his outstretched hand then reached across and took it. His fingers closed around mine with reassuring warmth. ‘There?’ I asked, gesturing towards a barren scrap in front of us.
‘It’s as good as any spot,’ Hugo replied. ‘On a count of three. One, two…’
We both directed a massive thrust of earth magic downwards. I felt my magic twist with his, plaiting together before slamming into the ground.
There was a loud rumble and I stumbled sideways. Hugo’s arm shot out and he grabbed my waist to help me stay upright. I coughed and waved away the clouds of dust. ‘Thanks,’ I muttered.
‘No problem.’ He gave me a long look.
‘What?’
‘Your magic is strong.’
I snorted. ‘For a low elf, you mean.’
His response was instant. ‘For any elf.’
Eventually I ripped my eyes away and looked down at the hole we’d created. ‘I suppose your magic is quite strong too,’ I said, offering a grudging compliment in return.
He grinned suddenly and his dimple reappeared. ‘Ladies first?’
I grinned back. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’ Then I jumped feet first into the hole.
It took five more bursts of controlled earth magic before we managed to finagle our escape by burrowing through the earth beneath Humphrey’s blood-magic ring of smoke. When we finally pulled ourselves out at the other side, I was panting with effort and Hugo’s brow was slick with sweat.
