by H. L. Burke
“Yes, well, someone needs to be looking out for the wee things.” Annie set down her paring knife. “I’m afraid I haven’t had a chance to start on lunch yet, Master Auric. Between the twins and the canning …”
“No worries.” Auric strode to the cabinet. “I’ll fix myself something simple.”
Jaspyr bounced over to the crate and rested his paws on the edge. He stared down at the twins, his tail wagging. Taking a loaf of bread and the butter dish out, Auric gazed at Annie.
“I found Jaspyr in the hall closet, shut in. Any idea how he would’ve got in there?”
Her frown deepened. “No. I haven’t had a reason to be in there today, and he was out and about this morning. Odd, that. It’s not like he can open the door and shut himself in. The handle’s too high.”
“Yes, well, I can see him being clever enough to get the closet door open.” Auric settled into the chair across from her. “It’s the getting himself shut in part that doesn’t sit right with me.”
“Yes.” They sat in silence.
So much was wrong. Rill’s severity towards him, her neglect of the twins, her apparent lack of concern for Jaspyr, her fight with Jericho—he stopped himself. No, no matter what she’d done since then, he couldn’t blame that on her. Perhaps that was the cause of all her odd behavior. Being struck by the man she loved had to change her whole outlook on life. He’d give her time.
“I know it’s wrong, but—” Annie clamped her mouth shut.
“What is it?” Auric tilted his head.
“It’s not my place to speak.”
“Annie, you’ve been part of this household since before I was born. You have every right to speak freely.” Auric leaned forward and touched the old woman’s hand. “Please, what is it?”
A tear trickled down her cheek. “I know it is wrong, but I miss Master Jericho. I still remember when your father brought him from the village to study the craft: skinny twig of a boy, all up and down and such solemn, sad eyes. The way he took to your sister though … I could tell he was in love with her long before he approached your father about her hand. Seeing them together was like a perfect little fairy tale, and what happened … it just makes me so sad.”
“Me too.” Auric scratched at his beard. The bread and butter no longer appealed to him.
“Do you think … I mean, I don’t know much about magic.” Annie dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “I’ve never studied like you or your father, but when I was a girl, I had an uncle who was right peculiar, talking to himself and people who weren’t there, wandering about in his nightshirt until the family had to send him away for his own safety. My father said he was ’fairy-touched.’ If fairies can get into folks’ minds, could that be what happened with Master Jericho? You said the children are most likely taken by Fey. Could the same Fey have made him hit Mistress Rill? Or could they be the reason Mistress Rill was treating him so poorly?”
“No, it doesn’t work that way.” Auric shook his head. “Believe me, I’d like to write off their behavior to some outside influence, but Fey can’t manipulate people’s minds like that. I tore through every note my mother left on Leechers, and that’s not how they work. Even imagining it is a different sort of Fey, the whole fairy-touched thing is pure superstition. An explanation for misunderstood human illnesses. At most a Fey might be able to temporarily cloud your judgment, making you confused or lowering your inhibitions. What happened between Rill and Jericho can’t be explained away so easily.”
Though by all that was Holy, he wished it could. It would be so much easier to blame magic than to think that Jericho had willfully hurt Rill … or that Rill’s warm heart had frozen solid.
A faint rapping rose through the house.
“Someone’s at the door.” He stood. “We’ll be all right, Annie.”
When Auric opened the front door, he found Sheriff Robbins waiting for him. “Hello, sir.” Auric bowed his head. “Come in. I’m afraid I’m not prepared for company.”
The sheriff glanced around the foyer. “Honestly, I was hoping you could come with me back to town. We haven’t found the little girl yet.”
Auric grimaced. “I suppose I can help. I was hoping Jericho would be able to handle it. He knows as much about magic as I do.”
“You might say he’s trying too hard.” Robbins shook his head. “I suspect he hasn’t slept more than an hour at a time since the search began, and it’s been all I can do to convince him to stop to eat.”
“Sounds like him.” Auric sighed. “He can be single-minded.”
“Yes, well, that’s nice trait to have, but I’m not sure how much good he’s doing us, half asleep on his feet, and then today—Wallis Gregor, the station master’s eight-year-old grandson, is no where to be found.”
Cold washed through Auric’s veins. “Another child?”
“We’re not sure yet. The village mothers have been keeping a close eye on their broods. Can’t say I blame them after what happened with little Olive, but some of the children are getting antsy, kept indoors. Wallis’s father thinks the boy just got restless and took off birds nesting or berry-picking. His older brother saw him walking towards the woods this morning, of his own free will, but he hasn’t returned, and with all that’s going on—”
“Yes, it’s good to be cautious,” Auric agreed. “I’ll get everything together and join you shortly.”
“Thank you.” Robbins’s shoulders relaxed. “Perhaps it’s superstitious of me—I know your partner had years of training under your father—but it comforts me to have a Spellsmith on this case.”
Auric’s chest tightened. He wasn’t sure he could live up to his name. It seemed like his father’s legacy was already crumbling around him, what with Rill and Jericho’s estrangement and the Fey coming to their very doorstep.
Robbins departed. Auric hesitated, glancing from the parlor door to the stairs leading to the workshop. He’d be working with Jericho which could be awkward for Rill. Of course, it was purely professional, and Rill didn’t even have to know about it. On the other hand, if she did find out and thought he’d hidden it from her, he might lose her trust. Best to mention it.
He knocked on the parlor door. No answer.
“Rill, it’s me.”
For a long moment, nothing, then a rustling and finally the door opened. She narrowed her eyes at him.
“Another child has gone missing in the village, and the sheriff wants my help.” He cleared his throat. “Jericho is already working with the searchers. I wanted to give you a heads up, you know, in case, well—Jericho and I were friends, but you’re my sister.” He shuffled his feet. “I need you to know, I’m still on your side.”
“Then go.”
There was no anger in her voice, only frigidity. He longed for her to smile, to call him Aurry and offer him a hug. Perhaps if she wasn’t going to offer, he should. He reached for her only to have the door shut in his face.
“And take that annoying fox with you!” she shouted through the door.
Chapter Thirteen
Lotta held the strap as the train jerked to a halt. Her insides roiled with a mix of anxiety and excitement. Seeing Auric again would be like Christmas morning. Accepting his proposal … more like putting together a machine from scrap without any schematics to reference. How did one make a marriage? There really should be instruction manuals about that sort of thing.
“Do you need help with your luggage, ma’am?” the elderly conductor asked.
“Oh, no, I’ve got it.” Lotta pushed a button on her trunk. Something within it whirred, and a set of wheels popped out of the bottom. She fished a controller from her handbag. “I lead it with magnets.”
The conductor whistled. “Ain’t that somethin’. Almost like magic.”
She opened her mouth to explain the differences between engineering and magic and how of the two engineering was far the superior, but thought better of it.
Making her way off the train and onto the platform, she spied a small knot of
men. A head of dark hair stuck out over the rest of them. A familiar head.
“Jericho?” she called.
Jericho turned towards her, and a smile captured his face. “Ah, Lotta. You’re back.”
“Yes, well … Auric … yes, I am.” She flushed, uncertain how much Jericho knew about her soon-to-be engagement. Probably everything. Auric tended to talk too much.
He chuckled, coming to her side. “Good. Tell Auric he’s a lucky—” His smiled died. “Actually, never mind. It’s good to see you.”
“I was going to rent a carriage to Spellsmith Manor. Did you walk into town or ride? If you walked, we can ride back together.”
“I … well, I’m not heading back to the Manor today.” A look crossed his face that even she could identify as pain.
“You’re not? Why? Is everything all right?”
“There are two missing children, and I’m helping with the search.” He pointed towards the crowd. In their midst stood a wide-eyed child of perhaps twelve. “Mervin was the last person to see his little brother, so we’ve been trying to get anything relevant out of him. No luck so far.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Do you need help?”
“Not at the moment, but thank you.” He pushed his hair back from his forehead. Dark circles surrounded his eyes, sad eyes, hurt eyes, eyes that looked as if they wanted to quit.
Lotta hesitated. She liked Jericho. He seemed to understand her and looked after Auric like a protective older brother. She’d always considered him an ally—perhaps a friend even.
“You look tired.” She cautiously touched his arm. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
He gave her a weak smile. “No, but don’t worry about me. Auric will be glad to see you.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Do me a favor and take care of him for me?” He started to turn away.
Lotta’s mind raced. She didn’t know much about people, but she did know about broken things. Something about Jericho’s behavior screamed “broken.” If he were a machine, she’d take him apart and see what was wrong. What did one do with a malfunctioning person? What would Auric do if she were broken?
“Do you want to talk?” That was a thing people did.
Jericho hesitated. “I should get back to work.”
Lotta’s stomach grumbled. Food. Food was comforting. Everyone liked food. “How about eating? Do you want something to eat?” She glanced down the packed dirt of main street. “Does this town even have a cafe?”
“There’s a little tea room with cakes and sandwiches and a tavern that serves meals, but I’m honestly not that hungry.”
Tea! She remembered several times during the week she’d met Auric when he’d been upset and Rill had ordered tea. “Could we have a cup of tea together, then?” She tried to put on a warm smile but feared it was tepid at best. “I got on the train without bothering to send a letter ahead, so Auric isn’t waiting for me. We can take a few minutes.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure I should.”
“Please?” Her chest felt tight. If she couldn’t do this one little thing—help Auric’s best friend when he was feeling down—how could she handle the challenges of a marriage? Jericho, however, looked about to bolt. Somehow Auric got Lotta to talk when she didn’t want to. Of course, she usually only went along with it to make him happy. Could it be that simple with Jericho? “Please, it will make me happy if you have tea with me.”
He laughed. “Well, if it will make you happy.” He whistled. One of the younger men in the group looked up. “Hey, Yan, if Sheriff Robbins comes looking for me, would you tell him I’ll be at the tea room with Miss Tyckner?”
“Sure.” The youth nodded.
“This way, then.” Jericho waved down the street.
The tea room only had a handful of tables and no customers. However, all the tables were covered in cheery, blue-and-white checked gingham. Vases filled with fresh flowers sat at each place setting. Lotta had to admit, it was rather nice. Jericho ordered a pot of tea and a plate of sandwiches then pulled Lotta’s chair out for her to sit. She complied, and he settled across from her.
“Auric told me he popped the question.” Jericho raised an eyebrow. “You being here suggests you’re saying yes?”
She flushed. “I think so. He’s … he’s very sweet, Auric.”
“I guess that’s one word for it—but whatever he is, he’s a good fellow, and you make him happy.” His gaze softened as if lost in the fog of some memory. “He deserves to be happy.”
“I hope I can … make him happy, that is.” She scrunched the napkin between her fingers. The cloth had an ancient softness as if it had been washed a thousand times. It felt good against her hands, so she continued to fiddle with it.
Jericho absently drummed his fingers on the tablecloth. Lotta tried to remember what friends having tea were supposed to talk about. She’d tried to read a book that involved a lot of talking over tea once, but had only got about halfway through before putting it aside in favor of a steam engine repair manual. Now she regretted that. Still, all the small talk and society gossip and fashion news she vaguely remembered as being a thing didn’t seem to mean much, like spun sugar rather than anything hearty one could sink their teeth into. She suspected Jericho was more into meat and potatoes than sugar.
“So Auric—” that was one shared interest they had. “Why isn’t he helping with the search?”
“I told him I’d handle it so he could stay and look after Rill.”
The waitress set a tray with a steaming pot of tea and two cups between them.
“Thank you.” Jericho poured out for both himself and Lotta.
She stared into the dark liquid. “That seems backwards. I mean, you’re Rill’s husband. Wouldn’t you be better to look after her? And why does she need looking after at all?”
Jericho’s expression tightened. “It’s a long story.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I have plenty of time. Like I said, no one’s expecting me.”
He turned his cup around in his hands. “I suppose you’ll find out soon enough. Rill and I … we’re not together right now. I guess legally we are, though I should probably—I don’t want to get into why, but I’m not staying at Spellsmith Manor, and Rill’s made it clear she doesn’t want to see me.”
Lotta’s bottom jaw slackened. Rill and Jericho? Not together? But they seemed so happy—if they couldn’t make it work, how could she? She was hopeless at people things. Rill and Jericho were both calm and perceptive and perfect. Comparatively, she and Auric were a ticking time-bomb. “But why?” she stammered without thinking. Then she flushed and dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s not my business. It’s just, you are married. You love each other.”
“Sometimes love’s not enough. Though it certainly feels like enough in the moment.” He massaged his forehead as if it hurt.
Something leaped through the open doorway then skittered across the tearoom, metal feet tapping on the wooden floors. A bronze streak pounced into Jericho’s lap.
Lotta swallowed a yelp of surprise.
“Jaspyr?” Jericho leaned away from the metal fox who nosed desperately at his face. Jaspyr whined and yipped. “Steady, boy.”
“Jaspyr, you stupid fox!” Auric burst through the door. He froze when his eyes fell on Jericho and Lotta. “Lotta? When did you get here?”
Lotta got to her feet so quickly she knocked her chair over. “Just a bit ago.” This wasn’t how she pictured seeing him again. “I ran into Jericho at the station.”
Jericho rose, still cradling Jaspyr. “I should go.”
“No!” Lotta grabbed his arm. “Auric should join us.”
He exhaled. “Lotta, I appreciate what I think you’re trying to do, but you don’t know the full story. It’s better if I leave.”
“No, she’s right.” Auric righted Lotta’s chair. “Please. We need to talk.”
Jericho’s hold on Jaspyr tightened, but his eyes darted towards the door.
Auric groaned. “
Please, Jericho. You can’t erase yourself from our lives overnight.”
“I can try.” Jericho set down the fox who still clung to his ankles.
“This is for Rill.” Auric’s voice sharpened.
“I’m the last thing Rill needs.”
The waitress who had been arranging a display case of pastries ducked her head and scurried into the backroom.
Auric let out a long breath. “She’s not acting right.”
“Maybe because of what I did.” Jericho scowled.
Lotta recoiled. What could Jericho have done? She opened her mouth to ask, but thought better of it.
“Don’t be an idiot. She was acting off before that. That was the whole reason you two were fighting, wasn’t it?”
“She’s been stressed. She lost her father. The twins have been demanding everything from her, and I wasn’t … I wasn’t enough.” He shook his head.
“She locked Jaspyr in a closet.”
Jericho started. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. At first I thought it was an accident, but now everything is screaming at me that something is seriously wrong with her. Add that to the missing children, and it’s got to be some sort of Fey magic.” Auric stepped closer and placed his hand on Jericho’s shoulder. “I’m not trying to justify what you did. I’m not saying things can go back to normal, but I need your help to figure this out.”
Jericho shut his eyes but remained silent.
Auric shifted from foot to foot then released Jericho and turned to Lotta. “It’s good to see you. I wish it were under different circumstances.”
Lotta nodded.
“Yes, well, we have plenty of time to … I mean … I got your last letter and …” He stumbled from sentence fragment to sentence fragment like a skipping phonograph record.
She flung herself forward, wrapping her arms about his waist and pressing her lips to his. He stiffened then relaxed into it. His beard brushed against her cheek as he withdrew for breath before returning for another kiss.
Lotta savored his warmth. Her lips parted in a sigh, and he took advantage of this, his tongue meeting with hers. A thrill shot through her.
