Page 16 of Tattered Huntress
‘I guess life is full of coincidences.’ I shrugged.
Hugo’s jaw clenched. ‘Get her out of here. Now.’
The two burly doormen were marching over to us from the dining-room entrance. Every face turned towards me and the elves who were trying to drag me backwards. I dug in my heels. I had a definite sense that things were about to take a turn for the worse.
‘Wait.’ It was Sir Nigel. He’d taken out the small wooden box and opened it to reveal the silver necklace. ‘You found this?’ he asked me.
I lifted my chin. ‘I did.’
‘Where?’ he asked. ‘How?’
I met his eyes. ‘If you want the necklace and the story behind it, you’ll have to stop treating me like a criminal.’
Hugo bared his teeth. ‘This woman cannot be trusted. She’s a junkie.’
Sir Nigel looked me up and down. ‘Have we met before?’
Hardly. ‘No.’
He tugged on his moustache. ‘Hmm. You look incredibly familiar. What’s your name?’
‘Daisy Carter.’
‘Well then, Daisy, would you like to join me for dinner?’ he asked.
Chapter
Seven
To give the staff of the Royal Elvish Institute their due, as soon as Sir Nigel gave the word they sprang smoothly into action without a single flicker of judgement in their eyes. The tables were separated so that we could sit together. Hugo and his cronies were moved several metres away, though that didn’t stop him glowering at me with undisguised hatred. I smiled sweetly every time I caught his gaze.
I sat down, unfolded the delicate white napkin, placed it on my lap and leaned forward to speak to Sir Nigel. ‘I’m not missing a trick, am I? You’re human and not a high elf?’
Sir Nigel didn’t take offence. ‘You mean why am I treated with such deference in a place that probably shouldn’t allow me through its doors?’ he asked. I nodded. ‘Well, it helps that I know the likes of Hugo. He’s well-thought of around here.’
I managed to stop my lip from curling, but only just.
‘But I’ve also been a friend to the elvish community for a very long time.’ He raised his glass and took a sip of his wine. ‘The fact that I’m a wealthy philanthropist from a well-established lineage who enjoys throwing both my patronage and money around is also a contributing factor.’
I gave a bark of surprised laughter – I hadn’t expected such honesty. I was already starting to like the man. ‘Fair enough.’
‘Your turn,’ Sir Nigel said. ‘Why did you come to me with the púca necklace instead of selling it on the black market? You could have earned a pretty penny from it.’
Púca necklace? I frowned. ‘It wouldn’t be an easy object to sell, and I don’t know the sort of people who would buy it. But mostly I went looking for the necklace because I wanted to piss him off.’ I jerked my thumb at Hugo Pemberville who was ignoring the food that had been placed in front of him in favour of continuing to glare at me. He would be a terrible poker player, that was for sure.
Sir Nigel’s eyebrows shot up and he chuckled. For some reason, he appeared impressed by my answer. ‘Why?’
I helped myself to bread and smeared butter liberally onto a crusty piece of sourdough. ‘He called up my boss and complained about me. I lost my job.’
‘I see. So this about revenge?’
‘It’s petty, I know, but incredibly satisfying.’
He gave me a long look but I didn’t get the sense that he was judging me. ‘You’re a drug addict.’ It wasn’t a question. He gestured to my eyes. ‘I wouldn’t have noticed if Hugo hadn’t mentioned it, but I can see the silver rings now he’s pointed them out. Spider’s silk is a nasty substance.’
I chewed the bread slowly, using the delay to work out my answer in a way that didn’t sound overly defensive. ‘I don’t steal to fund my habit and it doesn’t make me violent. I’m not a scourge on society. The only person I harm is myself.’
‘You’re an elf, so you must have some magic. Surely you are aware that spider’s silk affects that magic.’
