Page 37 of Tattered Huntress
‘Guess who just stepped out of their tent and saw you parading around in your underwear?’ Hester asked slyly.
‘I’m not parading around,’ I protested, but I still looked up. My eyes met Hugo’s; he was staring at me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking; I didn’t want to know. Probably.
‘Youshouldparade around. Do some strutting,’ Hester advised. ‘Show him what he’s missing.’
‘Hester!’ Otis gasped. ‘Don’t be so scandalous!’
I zoned out their bickering as I gently rubbed my bum to loosen the muscles and ease my pain. The blonde woman who was one of Hugo’s Primes appeared and spoke to him. He said something to her and she glanced in my direction; no prizes forguessing what – or rather whom – they were talking about then.
I reached into my bag and pulled out a pair of loose-fitting trousers and a T-shirt that smelled only slightly musty. By the time I was dressed, the blonde was standing directly in front of me. Her eyes crinkled as she smiled. ‘Hi there.’
I grunted, ‘Hi.’
Otis flapped up and performed a bow in mid-air. ‘Good afternoon, Miss.’
She curtsied, making an effort to look serious rather than mocking, and went up an inch in my estimation. Only an inch, mind you. She was still a Prime. ‘I’m Becky.’
I looked at her again. Yep. She had good hair.
‘Otis. This is my sister, Hester.’
Hester curled her lip.
‘And my owner, Daisy.’
I winced. ‘I’m not your owner, Otis.’
‘Leader, then.’
I pursed my mouth. ‘Can we use friend? Is that allowed?’ Otis looked delighted.
Becky followed our interaction with bright-eyed interest. ‘I’ve never met a brownie before,’ she admitted.
Hester snorted. ‘That’s hardly surprising. We already know you don’t move in the right sort of circles.’
Becky didn’t miss a beat. ‘You’re talking about Hugo. I can’t blame you for being wary of him. That’s why I’ve come over. He has his reasons for acting as he did but he knows he’s been something of an arse.’ That was an understatement.
‘You’ve been something of an arse too,’ Becky went on.
Justifiably so. But whatever.
‘We’d like to make amends. Why don’t you join us this evening? There’s a small pub nearby that has a good menu andwe’re heading over there for something to eat. It’d be lovely if you could join us.’
My skin prickled. There was a catch somewhere. ‘Does dear old Hugs know you’re inviting me?’
‘Of course.’ She waved a hand around. ‘I’m inviting everyone. Just because we’re in a competition doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy each other’s company.’
Before all this started I’d have agreed with her, but I’d been persona non grata so far.
‘We can exchange war stories,’ she added. ‘And I know that Hugo wants to talk to you some more.’
‘Does he indeed?’ I murmured.
Hester floated up to my right ear. ‘You should say yes then we can spy on them and find out more about all these other sneaky bastards.’
Otis headed for my left ear. ‘You have to agree, Daisy. This is your chance to smooth the waters and make new friends.’
It was rare that both brownies agreed with each other, even if their motivation was markedly different. ‘I’ve got to put my tent up,’ I said to Becky. ‘But once that’s done, I might join you.’
