Page 70 of Fiendish Delights
‘Hugo walks like a general commanding an army. He doesn’t have to turn around to check anyone is following him because he knows that everyone will.’
I folded my arms. ‘Will they?’
‘Yep.’ Hester gestured after Hugo’s retreating back. ‘In fact, you’d better hurry if you’re going to catch up to him. He won’t wait for you. I’ve watched him with the Primes. He leads, they follow, and he doesn’t hang around while they get their shit together. Not ever. If he won’t wait for them, he certainly won’t wait for you.’
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Hugo stopped marching and looked over his shoulder. ‘Daisy? Are you coming?’
Otis chuckled. ‘He might not wait for the Primes, but he does wait for Daisy.’
‘Because he knows what will happen to him if he doesn’t wait,’ I replied. ‘This ismytreasure hunt.’ I raised a hand. ‘On my way, Hugo,’ I called.
‘You’re smiling very broadly, Daisy,’ Otis said.
‘That’s not a smile,’ Hester told him. ‘That’s an ear-to-ear beam of shining radiance.’
I flicked her a side eyed glance but, for some reason, I still couldn’t stop myself from smiling, radiantly or otherwise.
Hugo wasright on one count at least – we didn’t have to go far. Within ten minutes, we were strolling into the National Library of Wales, a vast, grand building that gave Pemberville Castle a run for its money.
Otis and Hester zipped around in excitement. ‘I love libraries!’ Otis squealed. ‘This is a great idea, Hugo!’
I wrinkled my nose. ‘Useable information about the dragons is protected,’ I said, unwilling to match their enthusiasm just yet. ‘We’re not likely to find it easily in a book.’
‘I disagree.’ Hugo grinned. ‘All we need is therightbook. We won’t find any information about the current location of the dragons, but we can find old tomes that show where dragon lairs used to be.’
I started to frown then I stopped. Oh. ‘You’re right.’
‘I usually am.’ He winked at me. ‘You said it yourself already, Daisy. Wales isn’t that big. There’s a limit to the places that are safe for a dragon to reside. And why would they go to the trouble of making a new lair when there are old ones that will be just as comfortable? They aren’t stupid. Today’s dragons will be making use of the same locations as their ancestors. All we need to do is find a history book that mentions a lair near to Strata Florida Abbey and we’ll find our modern-day dragon.’
Hester nudged me. ‘He’s not just a pretty face.’
Yeah, yeah. I gave Hugo a grudging nod and he blew me a kiss in return. Before he grew too smug, I pointed to the door. ‘Come on. Let’s head in there and find a member of staff to help us.’
‘What’s the rush?’ Hugo asked. ‘You could spend another moment or two acknowledging my brilliance.’
I gave him a long look and he laughed good-naturedly. ‘You’re right. My superiority in all things is a foregone conclusion.’
I put my hands on my hips but removed them when I saw the teasing glint in his eye. He was hoping I’d disagree. ‘We are not worthy of your magnificence, great Lord Pemberville. Shall I kiss your shoes?’
He smirked. ‘That won’t be necessary.’ He paused. ‘This time.’ He held out his arm. ‘Shall we?’
What the hell. I took his arm, aware of the familiar jolt as I touched him. He moved his hand and his fingers brushed against mine. Then, while I shivered despite the warmth of the building, the four of us headed deeper inside the library.
‘Think of all the knowledge contained within these walls,’ Hester breathed, her eyes wide.
‘And all the words,’ Otis agreed. ‘It’s amazing! How many books are here?’ he asked Hugo.
A twinkly-eyed woman left her desk and approached us. ‘Six million,’ she said proudly. ‘Give or take a few.’
‘Wow,’ Otis whispered.
She smiled at him. ‘It’s rather wonderful, isn’t it? And it’s wonderful to meet you. My grandparents used to have brownies but I’ve not seen any since I was a child. I’m Sandy.’ Her delight at the brownies’ presence made a pleasant change to the wary shock they normally inspired in the general public.
At first I thought that would help our cause, but I saw her expression grow more sombre when she looked at Hugo. ‘Lord Pemberville,’ she murmured.
Uh-oh.
‘We’ve had a call from the Office for Dragon Affairs,’ she said. ‘We were told to you expect you.’
