Quiver of Cobras by Helen Harper

Author:Helen Harper [Harper, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It took longer than I’d hoped to get back into the city although it was still barely gone midnight by the time I limped out of the taxi. One of Rubus’s Fey henchmen was standing outside the hideout. His eyes flicked in my direction and I blew him a kiss, but he didn’t react. Shrugging, I turned and walked in the opposite direction, heading for the nearest open pub.

The first one I came across displayed a curling, yellowed poster for a local band aptly named ‘Mud In Your Eye’. I shrugged and entered.

It was one of those old men’s pubs. No showy craft beers or artisan crisps on offer here; this was all strong ale and pork scratchings, with an invasive odour of stale Old Spice and sour body odour. I ignored the stares from the few remaining punters and took a seat on one of the bar stools.

The barman shambled over. He didn’t say a cheery hello; in fact, he didn’t say anything – he just looked me up and down. Perhaps I should have kept my Madhatter superhero cape and added it to my leather corset and splattered mud ensemble.

I hefted the chest of pixie dust onto the bar top. ‘Vodka,’ I said. ‘Lots of vodka. No ice.’ I look at the barman sternly. ‘And make sure it’s the strongest you’ve got.’

Mr Silent-But-Judgy nodded and turned to the shelf behind him. He poured me a double and set it down in front of me. I raised the glass and lifted it to my lips, taking only the smallest sip before choking and spluttering.

‘Maybe some Coke too?’ I croaked. ‘Just to make it a bit sweeter.’

He smirked, finally cracking his bland exterior. ‘Sure thing, duck.’

Once I could continue drinking without fearing for my life, I started to relax. The vodka, even tempered with copious amounts of sweet, fizzy cola, sent a warm buzz down through my body.

The other patrons settled back into their conversations and, thanks to my appearance, I had no worries that I would be interrupted with nonsensical flirting. Mud-caked as I was, I was still obviously far too sophisticated for the likes of anyone here. All the men must have recognised that to approach me would be to punch too far above their weight.

I tossed back my hair, inadvertently sending a few bits of dried mud behind me, one or two of which landed in a bearded fellow’s pint. Oops. I hastily turned away and hunched my shoulders. Maybe if I pretended I were invisible, he wouldn’t notice me.

‘Enjoying yourself?’ murmured a familiar voice by my side.

I jerked, spilling some of my drink. ‘Rubus,’ I said. ‘What a joy.’

He smiled at me, although his smile didn’t reach his eyes. ‘You could at least pretend that you’re happy to see me.’

I gave up on my invisibility attempt and flung myself off my bar stool. I wrapped my arms round Morgan’s brother and squeezed him as tightly as I could without breaking the terms of the truce, then I rubbed my cheek against his like a cat.

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