Page 22 of Box of Frogs
‘But you needed more, didn’t you? Every time you took some, you needed a little bit more.’
Vandrake bit his lip and looked down, toeing the ground. ‘I would do anything for some more.’
Morgan’s expression hardened. ‘Anything for Rubus. Anything forher.’
Vandrake nodded, unwilling to look at me again. ‘I was an addict.’ His jaw clenched. ‘Iaman addict. It never goes away.’
‘Thank you. I know that was difficult for you.’
Vandrake raised baleful eyes. I realised, somewhat belatedly, that they were green in colour. A murkier green than my own irises and certainly less vivid than Morgan’s but still green. Before I could think about that, he spoke again. ‘Can I go now?’
‘Of course.’ Morgan squeezed his shoulder. ‘You take care. And remember I’m always here if you need me.’
Vandrake twisted on his heel and, despite his awkward and tired manner, fled as if the hounds of hell were after him.
Morgan and I watched him go. Once he’d disappeared out of sight, I put my hands in my pockets, ignoring the shiver that was still running across my skin. ‘So I’m a drug dealer, that’s what you’re saying? I’ve been selling this dust stuff to people all over the city. It’s addictive.’
Morgan didn’t look at me. ‘In essence.’
I raised a shoulder. ‘Addiction is bad. But he said himself that the dust made him feel good. Alcohol is addictive and it’s a depressant but people still drink it. Legally. Often.’
‘Maybe they do,’ Morgan answered. ‘But bartenders don’t withhold alcohol until they can manipulate their customers for their nefarious ends.’
Nefarious ends? I almost laughed aloud. Instead, I swivelled on my heel and looked more closely at him. ‘You think I’m evil,’ I said wonderingly.
He faced me, his gaze unwavering. ‘I think you’re a bitch,’ he answered.
‘Well, gee, don’t sugar coat it. How do you know I wasn’t simply trying to help the man? Take away that ache he was talking about?’
‘Because I know you, Madrona.’ Morgan’s answer was quiet but firm. ‘You keep forgetting that part. I know you better than you know yourself.’
I rolled my eyes. Like that was a difficult feat these days. ‘Is that it?’ I asked. ‘Is show and tell over now?’
His expression was grim. ‘Oh no. We’re just getting started.’
Chapter Nine
Yet again, Morgan took off at a tremendous pace. Initially I didn’t bother trying to keep up. My mind was filled with Vandrake. Whether pixie dust was indeed a good or a bad thing, there was no denying the haunted look in the man’s eyes – or the fact that he’d been terrified of me. I shook my head to rid myself of the image. Then another thought occurred to me.
Catching up to Morgan, and brushing my hair out of my eyes for the umpteenth time, I broached the subject. ‘Do all superheroes have green eyes?’
He halted in his tracks. ‘Pardon?’
Maybe it was a stupid question but given the evidence I had to hand, it seemed to fit. ‘I’ve got green eyes. You’ve got green eyes. Vandrake has green eyes. A guy who asked me for dust back at my hotel has green eyes. That librarian woman, Paeonia – which, by the way, is an even more stupid name than Madrona – has green eyes. Are we all superheroes? Do we all have superpowers?’ I considered some more. ‘Is everyone with green eyes a superhero or only some of us?’
He stared at me as if I’d grown two horns and started to belly dance. ‘Madrona…’ His expression was filled with disbelief. ‘Superheroes? Super powers?’
I shrugged, trying to downplay the sudden uneasiness I felt at his incredulous expression. ‘What? Come on. You know I did something to time in your pub. I slowed it down. I did that once before after I woke up. And when I was Tasered, I didn’t feel anything. Plus you put up that weird barrier thing afterwards so I couldn’t get back inside the Metropolitan.’ I held up my finger. ‘And you can’t tell me that everyone in the world gets poisoned by rowan. It’s our kryptonite, right?’
For a long moment Morgan just stared at me.
‘Jeez,’ I said. ‘Keep rolling your eyes. Go on. Maybe sooner or later you’ll find a brain back there.’
If anything, his incredulity only increased. ‘You are something else. You’re not pretty enough to be this stupid.’
I scoffed. Game on. ‘At least I don’t look like a visible fart.’
His eyebrows shot up to his hairline. ‘That’s a bit playground, isn’t it? I’d challenge you to a proper game of wits but it wouldn’t be fair when you’re unarmed.’
