Page 86 of Fiendish Delights
‘Humming,’ Hester said.
Otis objected, ‘It was more of a whistle than a hum. It was probably the wind.’
‘It wasn’t the wind, you nincompoop!’
I gritted my teeth. I needed them to focus. ‘When?’ I asked. ‘When did he leave?’
Hester abandoned my neck and flew upwards to join her brother. She placed both her hands on her hips. ‘Oh, I see. You’re worried about Hugo but you weren’t worried about us? So much for loyalty!’
‘Hester,’ I said, doing my best not to panic, ‘you’re here. You’re both fine. Hugo is missing.’ I looked around but I couldn’t see any sign of him. ‘Which way did he go?’
At least Otis understood. He pointed behind him. ‘He disappeared around that corner. You see those trees?’
I nodded. That wasn’t far – but my concern didn’t dissipate.
‘I’m sure he’s okay, Daisy. He’s very capable,’ Otis tried to reassure me.
‘Why didn’t you go with him?’
The brownies exchanged awkward glances. ‘He was getting a bit annoyed,’ Otis admitted. I waited. ‘At us,’ he muttered.
Oh. Their incessant bickering could be vexing. I’d long since learned to block them out when they started sniping at each other, but I could understand why Hugo would have wanted a break from them.
‘He was already in a bad mood because of leaving you behind,’ Hester said. ‘He got grumpier when we heard that huge bang last night. He wanted to go back and rescue you.’
‘But mostly,’ Otis said, ‘he was irritated by Hester when she kept saying that the dragon liked her best.’
‘No! He was irritated byyouwhen you kept saying that the dragon wouldn’t have sneezed all over me if she liked me.’
‘It’s true. She could have sneezed over Daisy. She chose to sneeze over you. Ergo?—’
I interrupted him. ‘Ergo, let’s go find Hugo.’
Hester opened her mouth but I wagged my finger at her. Thankfully, she thought better of speaking.
With both brownies flapping beside me, I set off towards the small copse of fir trees that Otis had pointed out. I couldn’t hear any whistling or humming, but I couldn’t hear Hugo either and I certainly couldn’t see him. My anxiety ratcheted up with every step, even though I kept telling myself that he was powerful enough to look after himself.
We’d almost reached the trees when there was a rustle. I slowed and my stomach clenched. A moment later Hugo emerged, striding lazily from beneath the branches. When he caught sight of me, his face lit up. ‘Daisy! There you are!’
I probably should have concealed my concern, but I was so relieved to see him that I dashed forward and gave him a tight hug. Hugo’s arms instantly went around me and he squeezed my body.
‘That’s quite some welcome,’ he murmured in my ear. His arms tightened and, for a moment, I wasn’t sure he’d ever let me go. ‘Are you alright?’
‘I’m fine,’ I said, extricating myself from his embrace. I scratched the back of my neck and squinted at him. ‘Where the hell have you been?’
‘Call of nature.’ He grinned awkwardly.
‘And the humming?’ Hester asked.
‘It was whistling!’ Otis said.
A tiny frown marred Hugo’s forehead. ‘That was nothing. Just the wind.’
Otis smiled smugly. ‘Told you.’ Hester rolled her eyes.
Hugo paid them no attention. Instead his gaze remained focused on me. ‘What happened? Did you deal with the fiends?’
‘The Fachan mostly took care of them. We won’t see them again for a long time. The one from yesterday showed up as well.’ I licked my lips. ‘He’s, uh, dead now.’
