Page 42 of The Dark Hiss of Magic
‘You can’t do that!’ Thane glared, unable to disguise his anger.
‘Can’t I? Oh, I’ll let you go then,’ the officer said sarcastically.
‘Ourfamilies?—’
‘Yeah, yeah. You need to feed your kids. You’ll have to make alternative arrangements for them.’
Thane’s green eyes spat fury. ‘How are we supposed to do that from here?’
I glanced at the spriggan. I didn’t want to owe any more favours, not if I could help it.
‘Ask your lawyer,’ the officer suggested.
‘Huh?’
Boris went out, only to be replaced by a second figure.
‘Good evening. Quite a mess you two have got yourselves into, isn’t it?’
My shoulders dropped. ‘Hi, Trilby.’
They grinned. ‘Hi, Kit.’
Chapter
Fifteen
Either Trilby actually possessed real legal credentials or they were extraordinarily good at lying because the officer allowed them into our cell then departed so that we could talk without being overheard.
I was certain that someone was still eavesdropping but Trilby was prepared for that. They took out a small glass vial and scattered the liquid contents in a circle on the cell floor before beckoning Thane and I inside it. As soon as I stepped across the liquid line, I knew what they’d done: the sound inside the circle was different to outside, as if we were underwater.
‘A noise nullifying spell?’ Thane asked. ‘Impressive.’
Trilby waved an airy hand. ‘Every good lawyer comes prepared.’
I tilted my head. ‘Are you a lawyer?’ They only smiled. ‘How did you know we were here?’ Again, Trilby’s response was a grin. ‘You,’ I said, ‘are most definitely an enigma.’
They swept a bow. ‘Thank you.’
I tried a different tack. ‘Why are you here, Trilby?’
This time, they nodded approvingly. ‘It appeared that youmight require some help. The stall is closed for the day and I wasn’t doing anything else noteworthy, so I thought I’d pop along. I detoured via your house on my way here. I hope you don’t mind but I went inside and gave some food to your feline friends.’
There weren’t many people who I would feel comfortable allowing into my house when I wasn’t home, but I had no problem with Trilby going in – and at least I knew the cats were fed and watered. Trilby had no visible scratches so presumably my furry family had been content with the arrangement, too.
Thane opened his mouth but Trilby forestalled him. ‘Yes,’ they said. ‘I went by your place too.’
‘How do you know where I’m staying?’
I knew before he finished his sentence that was one of the many questions that Trilby wouldn’t answer. ‘I fed your young demon kitty,’ they said instead. ‘And then, because she’s only a baby, I thought I ought to go one better.’
Trilby unbuttoned their long coat and revealed Tiddles’ tiny snoring form nestled in a harness against their chest. ‘It’s amazing,’ they said with an odd emphasis, ‘what one can conceal when concealment is required.’
Indeed. I beamed. ‘Your help is greatly appreciated.’
‘I thought it might be.’ They gently lifted the little ginger cat and passed her to Thane. ‘My work here is done.’ Trilby tipped their hat, dusted off their palms, then stepped out of the circle and called for the MET officer.
‘Wait,’ Thane said to me. ‘Did they bring Tiddles so that you can…?’
