Page 29 of Fiendish Delights
He gave me a long, measured look. ‘Not that.’ He put down the clean bowls. ‘Come on. It might be dark but it’s still early.’
Confused, I tilted my head. ‘So?’
‘Are we going to a nightclub?’ Hester asked eagerly. ‘Cocktails? Dancing?’ She pirouetted in the air. ‘Partying the night away?’
‘Hes,’ Otis said, ‘we’re in rural Wales. Where do you think the nearest nightclub is?’
She pouted at him and raised her fists, preparing for a mock fight. Becky and Slim tried not to laugh, but I didn’t think Hugo noticed.
‘We are going to start Daisy’s training,’ he said. A muscle ticked in his jaw. ‘Before it’s too late.’
More bemused than anything, I followed Hugo to a patch of open ground near the campsite. When he reached the centre, he turned around and gazed at me, his hands shoved in his pockets and his stance deceptively casual.
‘I understand that training is our cover story,’ I said, ‘but nobody is around. It’s dark. We don’t have to put on an act. There isn’t an audience.’
‘You’re the one who keeps complaining that you didn’t receive a magical education like the rest of us. It’s time we addressed the gaps in your knowledge.’
‘Is this because of what happened by the tree?’ I glanced athis hair which was still damp and curling around his ears more than usual. ‘I already apologised for that.’
‘You lost control of your magic, Daisy.’
‘It was an accident, that’s all.’ I spread my arms. ‘You got a bit wet, and I’m sorry about that. But no real harm was done.’
He stepped towards me. ‘You have more power than a low elf normally has, yet you can’t control it. That makes you dangerous. What if it’s not a few buckets of water next time? What if it’s fire? Or an earthquake? Or?—’
It felt like he was criticising me. ‘I’m in control.’ I hesitated. ‘Most of the time.’
‘And where does that control come from?’ he asked simply.
I didn’t answer. We both knew where my control came from: I used spider’s silk to dampen the effects of my magic.
‘I’m not dangerous,’ I said finally. ‘Not any more. What happened by the tree was an aberration.’ Even as I said it, I felt the lie dripping from every word. I cringed, then I lifted my chin and sternly told my ego to take the hit. ‘But I’m always happy to learn more.’
‘Good. Because the longer you take that fucking drug, the less effective it becomes. You’ll be forced to take more and more until it destroys you and everyone around you.’
My natural urge to defend myself was still strong but I knew deep down that Hugo was right. This time I remained silent.
When he realised I wasn’t going to argue further, he visibly relaxed. ‘Anyway, it’s not only your magic we need to focus on.’ He gestured at Gladys, who remained sheathed by my side. ‘You have no idea how to wield that thing. If you’re going to carry her around, you ought to learn.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘I hadn’t realised that you were an expert swordsman on top of everything else,’ I said, with only a tiny hint of sarcasm.
‘I’m not – but Miriam is. She’ll teach you those skills.’ Hiseyes gleamed in the glow of the moonlight. ‘But for now let’s work on magic.’ He pointed down at the ground. ‘Make a hole three inches wide and three inches deep.’
Piece of cake. With a lazy grin, I directed a burst of earth magic downwards. Almost instantly a cloud of dirt flew upwards and damp grass exploded into the air with it. ‘There,’ I said. ‘Easy.’
Hugo clicked his fingers and raised up a small, hovering ball of fire to illuminate my achievement. I beamed in satisfaction. He frowned. ‘I said three inches. Does that look like three inches to you?’
The hole was about half a foot. I shrugged. ‘I rounded up.’ I winked. ‘Isn’t size everything?’
Hugo didn’t smile. ‘Control, Daisy, that’s what we’re working on. Instead of bulldozer, think tablespoon.’ He focused on the ground, using his own magic to smooth it over and return it to its original condition. ‘Again.’
I did as I was told. I hadn’t got this far on my own without being a fast learner who was prepared to fail numerous times in order to achieve success.
‘Too small,’ he barked. ‘Again.’
I drew in a breath and focused.
‘Better,’ Hugo said. ‘But the depth is wrong. Again.’
