Box of Frogs

  I stopped my stomping. ‘Hey!’

  Both Artemesia and Morgan ignored me. ‘Rubus did this for a reason,’ he said. ‘I need to know what he wants her to forget.’

  This whole situation was as mad as a box of frogs. I bet even Julie’s scriptwriters couldn’t come up with anything as nutty as this. ‘This is ridiculous,’ I muttered. I put my hands on my hips and stared hard at Artemesia. ‘Well?’ I demanded. ‘Is there a cure?’

  ‘Not that I know of,’ she answered, holding her nerve. ‘I can look into it. But everything might not be lost.’ Her smile took on a triumphant edge. ‘This is why my uncle wishes he still had this book. The magic used to create the forgetting potion is unstable.’

  I didn’t know why she looked so bloody happy. ‘Unstable? You mean I’m likely to explode?’

  Artemesia laughed. ‘If only. No, it means that reality is going to seek to re-assert itself. Due to the magic bound in the herbs, the potion that must have been thrown down your throat is wholly unnatural. And nature always, always, seeks to re-assert herself. It’s why faeries were permitted to visit the demesne in the first place. We were needed to re-balance nature, for both our sakes and the humans.’

  ‘Yeah?’ I growled. ‘And how exactly is that working out for us?’

  She gave my words a dismissive wave. ‘Something went wrong. But sooner or later the border will re-open and nature will take over once again. I have faith,’ she added serenely. ‘But that’s not what is important in this current scenario.’ She pointed again at the page in front of her. ‘The unnatural essence of the amnesia potion means that your body – or your consciousness, if you will – is going to continually try to solve the problem. You’ll be drawn towards situations and people where the truth will reveal itself. Without realising it, you’ll be forced to find out what it is that you’ve forgotten.’

  It took a moment for her words to unjumble themselves. When they did, troubled clarity struck me like a thunderbolt. ‘Dave,’ I breathed. ‘I was supposed to meet him. My consciousness drove me towards him, which in turn drove me to you.’ I nodded at Morgan.

  ‘Sure,’ Artemesia said easily. ‘Whoever Dave is.’

  I thought about it. The same could be true of Julie: a part of me could have known that she was a vampire, so I was drawn to her in much the same way.

  I realised that both Artemesia and Morgan were staring at me and I hastily dissembled. ‘I was drawn to you as well,’ I pointed out to Morgan. ‘And I’ve still not even seen Rubus.’

  Artemesia shrugged. ‘Probably because whatever counts as a soul inside you knew that Morganus would help you and Rubus wouldn’t.’

  Morgan flashed a quick smug grin then tapped his mouth. ‘So, we just need to be patient and see where events take Madrona. Natural order, as in her memory, will be forced to re-assert herself.’

  ‘She might not remember consciously,’ Artemesia explained. ‘But she’ll be led towards people and situations that will provide the missing information to solve her problems.’

  Morgan looked at me. ‘Where do you want to go right now?’

  ‘I want,’ I said through gritted teeth, ‘to find Julie.’

  ‘We don’t know where she is.’ His answer was annoyingly calm. ‘Where do you feel like going?’

  My stomach grumbled. I shrugged; if nature was the answer, then that was the call I would answer. ‘Food,’ I replied. ‘Preferably greasy and with as many calories as possible.’

  He waved towards the door. ‘Lead the way.’

  ‘I really don’t see how this will work,’ I said doubtfully.

  Artemesia grinned. ‘I reckon it will. I’ll hunt around and see if I come up with some sort of antidote but I can’t guarantee it will work. Even if I don’t find anything, you shouldn’t be concerned. Be patient and forces unseen will take you to where you need to be.’

  Forces unseen. Yeah. Mad. As. A. Box. Of. Frogs.

  Chapter Twenty

  I took a bite out of my kebab, chilli sauce dripping down my chin and onto my fingers. ‘This is all very well,’ I said with my mouth full, ‘but Julie isn’t here. Time is still ticking. If we don’t find her, goodness knows what Rubus will do to her.’

  Morgan, who was somehow managing to eat his food without looking like a messy toddler, looked at me assessingly. ‘You really are different without your memory,’ he said. ‘This interest in another person’s wellbeing is most unlike you.’

  ‘I only have your word that I’m a bad person.’

  ‘Has anyone you’ve met so far suggested anything to the contrary?’

  The unfortunate answer to that was no. ‘I’ve obviously not met the right people,’ I said. I looked at him, the shadow of stubble round his jaw and the faint laughter lines at the corners of his emerald green eyes, and I knew I was lying to myself.

  I scratched my neck awkwardly and put down the kebab. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said, my words barely audible even to my own ears. ‘It’s clear that I treated you badly before.’ That was a bit of an understatement. ‘Despicably,’ I amended. ‘I want to be better. Maybe,’ my fingers twitched, plucking at the paper napkin, ‘maybe I could spend more time with you and learn how to be better. I’m not angling for anything here, Morgan. I…’ I swallowed. ‘I like being around you. A lot. More than I probably should.’

  I avoided looking at him. When I finally peeked, the blazing hope in his expression before he quickly shuttered his emotions filled me with optimism.

  ‘That might not be so bad,’ he said gruffly. ‘I don’t hate spending time with you either.’

  I supposed that was about the best I could hope for right now.

  ‘You know,’ he continued, ‘you’re pretty cute when you look at me appealingly with your big eyes like that.’

  ‘Cute?’ I spluttered. ‘I’m not a puppy!’

  He let out a bark of laughter. ‘Just checking,’ he said. ‘It’s good to know that the real Madrona is still in there somewhere. I’d hate to think that I beat that sharp tongue out of you. It’s actually rather refreshing to be with someone who says exactly what they think. Children are like that before they reach a certain age, when they’re still innocent enough to tell people exactly what they think.’

  ‘In that case,’ I said, ‘I think you’re a sexy beast.’

  Morgan laughed again, although this time it was tinged with surprise. ‘For all your faults, Maddy, you’re pretty damned sexy yourself.’

  We grinned at each other – then something caught Morgan’s eye and he glanced out of the steamed-up window, his whole body stiffening. ‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ he said. ‘It looks like Arty was right after all.’

  I frowned and followed his gaze. When I saw what he was looking at, I also tensed. I slowly pushed the kebab away from me and wiped my mouth with the napkin. ‘Unbelievable,’ I murmured.

  If I hadn’t had the evidence right in front of my own eyes, I’d never have believed it. Out there in the street, scoping out an upper-floor flat, were two nastily familiar Redcaps, the same two who were part of the trio that had attacked me at the golf course. The same two who had circled round us out on the quiet country road and abducted Julie. Without thinking, I rose to my feet. I was going to smash their ugly faces into the ground.

  Morgan placed a warning hand on my arm. ‘Don’t,’ he said.

  I gave a deep growl. ‘You already said the truce doesn’t apply to them. I can do what I want.’

  ‘They’re strong.’

  I lifted up my chin. ‘I’ll be stronger.’

  ‘They’ll have learnt from their mistakes and coated their weapons with rowan. You survived before because your wound was just a tiny nick. If a bullet hit you, the rowan would flood your system.’

  ‘Then I’ll dodge their damned bullets.’

  ‘They probably want to kill us more than you want to kill them. We killed their buddy.’

  ‘Brother, I reckon,’ I answered. ‘They look alike. They have to share the same gene pool. They’re probably f
reaking triplets.’

  ‘That doesn’t make this situation any better,’ Morgan pointed out unnecessarily. ‘Remember, they’ve slipped from our grasp before. They could do it again.’

  I was growing irritated. ‘This time I won’t let them.’

  Morgan’s grip tightened. ‘If you kill them, you might never find your boss again.’

  ‘She’s my friend,’ I answered softly. ‘I might not have known her for long but I know that she’s a friend.’

  His answer, when it came, was equally quiet. ‘I would like to think that over the last hours we’ve become friends again too. And friends don’t let friends make daft mistakes.’

  ‘Is that what we are?’ I probed, keeping my eyes trained on the Redcaps loitering outside. ‘Friends?’

  When he didn’t answer immediately, I allowed myself a quick glance at him. His face was inscrutable. I sighed; it was pointless angling after something that Morgan was unwilling to give. Whether I could remember or not, I’d given up any opportunity to claim more of him when I’d abandoned him for Rubus’s camp.

  ‘Fine,’ I sighed. ‘What would you suggest? We can’t just let them go.’ I paused. ‘My own consciousness and the latent magic from the amnesia potion led us here in the first place.’ That, and an empty belly. ‘We can’t waste this opportunity.’

  ‘We watch them,’ Morgan answered without hesitation. ‘We see what they’re up to then we follow them back to Rubus’s lair. We’ll be able to scope out his place, find your friend and deal with whatever comes next. There are plenty of faeries on my side who’ll help me against my brother if need be.’

  For a heartbeat I didn’t answer. When I did, my voice was distant. ‘On our side, Morgan.’

  He gave a tight nod. ‘Our side. As you say.’

  At least he didn’t argue about it; I wasn’t sure what I’d have done if he had. I nodded and dismissed the subject. I couldn’t be pedantic about grammar now. ‘We’re sitting ducks here,’ I said. ‘Even with the windows steamed up, it’ll take only one glance and they’ll spot us.’

  ‘Then,’ Morgan agreed, ‘we need to make sure they don’t spot us.’

  He released his grip on my arm, pushed his chair back and stood up. Together we marched over to the counter and the young, pimply human behind it, who looked as if he were asleep on his feet. ‘Is there a back way out?’ Morgan asked.

  The assistant blinked and yawned, as if startled to be asked a question. ‘Uh, yeah, but…’

  ‘Great,’ Morgan said, flipping up the counter so that we could pass through. ‘It’s this way?’

  I could see the boy weighing up his options; no doubt there were rules that customers were not permitted to be in this area. The steely look in Morgan’s eye, not to mention whether it was worth raising an argument when you’re on minimum wage, made up his mind. ‘To the right,’ he muttered.

  I beamed at him. ‘Good lad.’ We skirted past him and the small galley kitchen. I glanced at Morgan and lowered my voice. ‘Apparently I’m not the only one who’s prepared to engage in a little intimidation when the situation calls for it.’

  ‘I didn’t intimidate him. I merely asked a question and he answered.’

  Yeah, yeah. At least if was good to know that none of us were perfect – even if I pretended otherwise.

  While Morgan tussled with the dented steel door, I straightened my shoulders and cracked my knuckles. I was nervous that the Redcaps would already have vanished. When we finally made it out, I breathed a sigh of relief. Their shadows were still visible from the lamppost up ahead. Not only that, but the angle of the buildings and the narrow alley we’d emerged into hid us from their view. This was going to be a piece of cake.

  ‘The Madhatter rides again,’ I whispered.

  Morgan shot me a look. ‘Where did you hear that?’

  I gazed at him blankly. ‘Huh?’

  ‘Madhatter. That nickname. Where did you hear it?’ There was an odd light in his eyes.

  ‘From those bastards up ahead. That’s what they called me.’

  Morgan was frowning slightly. ‘That’s interesting.’

  ‘Why?’

  Before he could answer me, there was the sudden sound of breaking glass. We both stopped moving and turned in the direction of the noise. ‘They’re breaking in somewhere,’ he murmured.

  I tightened my lips. ‘Right across from an all-lights-blazing, twenty-four-hour restaurant. Sloppy.’

  ‘I don’t think the kid in there is going to do anything.’

  I tutted and slid forward, keeping close to the wall to avoid the Redcaps noticing. When I reached the corner of the building, I craned my head round for a brief look then pulled back. ‘They have a rope,’ I said. ‘They’re climbing up to the first floor.’

  Morgan’s mouth twisted. ‘We’ll have no choice but to intervene if they’re hurting someone.’

  I grimaced. ‘You were right before. If we confront them now, we could lose any chance of finding both Rubus or Julie.’

  ‘Are you willing to risk someone’s life for that?’

  Gasbudlikins. No wonder I’d chosen to be evil; working out the most heroic path to take was much harder than simply going hell for leather and being bad. I shrugged. ‘I don’t know,’ I whispered. I ground my teeth, searching for the right answer. For any answer. ‘We divert them,’ I said finally. ‘We do something to make them abandon whatever it is they’re up to.’

  ‘We could call the police.’

  I thought about it. ‘This might be over by the time they get here.’ I bit my lip. ‘You stay here. I have a plan.’

  Without waiting for Morgan’s agreement, I darted into the road. The Redcaps were busy trying to hoist themselves upwards. As sneakily as possible, I tiptoed until I was almost directly underneath them. I could feel Morgan’s eyes boring into my back. He didn’t need to worry; I wasn’t going to engage the Redcaps.

  On the edge of the pavement lay a brick, no doubt the same brick that they’d used to break the window. I scooped it up, ran to the nearest lamppost and threw the brick upwards, smashing the light with my first attempt. Glass tinkled down and I froze, worried that the Redcaps might notice, but they were too focused on their nefarious deeds. They were heaving themselves through the window. Heart thudding, I jogged to the next lamppost and did the same thing. I was pretty impressed by my aim; maybe I should take up cricket.

  At least a minute had gone by and there was no sign of the Redcaps now. I ran several feet away, made sure my back was turned, threw back my head and began to shriek for all I was worth. I almost shattered my own eardrums, let alone those of the poor innocent people who lived on the street.

  It didn’t take long before curtains began twitching in the houses and flats around me. Worried faces peered out and a few bedroom lights were switched on.

  ‘Help meeeeeee!’ I screeched, reaching true caterwaul point. No one would stay in the land of nod if I could help it.

  Doors opened. I waited until three people, hugging dressing gowns round them, emerged. Then I made a run for it, pelting away from where the Redcaps were. I continued to raise hell as I went.

  As soon as I came to a crossroads, I veered off and circled round, back to the spot where Morgan was waiting. I doubled over, breathing hard.

  ‘Impressive,’ he murmured.

  ‘Has it worked though?’ I said, in between gasps. ‘Did I spook them enough?’ From my position, I couldn’t see a thing.

  Morgan looked out of the alley. ‘There are still people going back into their houses.’ He frowned. ‘None of them are checking down the street to see if you’re okay.’

  ‘I screamed like a madwoman and ran away,’ I said drily. ‘They’re forgiven.’

  He snorted then his body went still. ‘Wait.’

  I rolled my eyes. ‘I am waiting.’

  Morgan ignored my gibe. ‘The humans have gone and the Redcaps are coming out.’

  I held my breath. ‘With anyone?’

  ‘No. They’re alon
e.’

  Whew. ‘Good.’

  I must have looked relieved because Morgan squeezed my arm. ‘That was impressive work.’

  I offered him a mock curtsey but unfortunately he’d already turned back to focus on the Redcaps. I blew him a kiss as well, for good measure.

  ‘What are you doing, Maddy?’ he enquired.

  Did the man have eyes in the back of his head? ‘Nothing. What are the Redcaps doing?’ I asked.

  ‘Getting into a van. We’ll have to retrieve the bike and follow them.’

  ‘Can you keep out of sight?’ I asked. It was an honest question. ‘We can’t afford for them to spot us.’

  Morgan glanced back at me. ‘Please. They don’t stand a chance.’

  Chapter Twenty-One

  By the time we got Morgan’s bike and set off in pursuit, the Redcaps had quite a lead. That was fine by me; as long as we didn’t lose them altogether, it was imperative that we stayed well back. It was the middle of the night and there were virtually no other vehicles on the road, let alone motorbikes with engines louder than my own banshee-style screaming. Fortunately, Morgan’s confidence wasn’t misplaced and he was more than capable of keeping the arsebadgers in sight without them noticing us.

  There was only one point, when they made a sharp right turn, that I felt concerned and even then the numerous traffic lights and the Redcaps’ unwillingness to trigger any traffic cameras meant that we found them again quickly enough. It was almost disappointing; I’d been hoping for a high-speed chase through the deserted city streets. Next time, I comforted myself. Next time.

  The building they pulled up in front of was depressingly similar to the warehouse where Dave had been camping out. Broken windows, graffiti-laden walls, air of desolate desperation; check, check and check.

  I grimaced as Morgan and I remained at a safe distance and watched the Redcaps enter a side door.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked.

  I flipped up the visor on the helmet and scowled at his back. ‘How the hell do you know something’s wrong? You’re not even looking at me.’

  ‘I know you, Maddy.’