Meara hesitated, “Are you sure? I mean, I’m nothing special…”
Aletta interrupted, “Hush! I would not ask if I weren’t interested. And I can tell that you are very special indeed. A beautiful, sweet young lady like you should have more confidence.”
Meara flushed but before she could reply, Alan came up and claimed her for a dance. Rose chose to join Awena instead of joining their table. Returning to a more comfortable position, Aletta smiled at Lirim, “Your sister is sweet. I still can’t believe that you never told me about her.”
He grumbled, “That’s because she’s still shy around you. Wait until she’s completely comfortable. You’ll never get her to be quiet then.”
She shook her head, smiling at his put-upon expression. “You know that you adore her chatter.”
He just offered her a tiny smirk before turning his attention to the rest of the guests. Aletta knew that he was carefully observing the guests and filing away all of their subtle nuances that she was undoubtedly missing a good portion of. His fingers drummed impatiently on his knee and she could feel the restrained energy coursing through him.
Examining the shifting purples of her wine, Aletta thought carefully. How long had it been since he’d had a good spar or workout? Truthfully, their last case had kept them quite busy. But after that? Right after the case ended, he was occupied with hovering over her until she’d finally snapped and ordered him to stop, punctuating her demand with a throw pillow to the face. After that, he was subpoenaed for the case that he wouldn’t talk to her about. That had lasted for several days. Then there was the two-day train ride. And even though they had been exploring here in the Glade, they’d kept their pace to a crawl in order to accommodate her bad leg.
Going over the math again in her head, she nodded decisively. It had been at least three weeks since his last good exercise. No wonder he was climbing the walls. As a male fae in his prime, he was doubtlessly brimming with excess energy. While his job usually helped, his routine had been thrown sideways in the last month.
Turning her attention back to Lirim, Aletta demanded, “Go dance!”
He looked at her, startled with just a hint of bewilderment. “What?”
Keeping her voice low enough so that other fae couldn’t hear over the low murmur of noise, she repeated, “Go dance, circulate, do something. Either that or hit someone. Is your friend from the museum here tonight?”
Lirim groaned and moved her goblet out of reach. Examining it, he exclaimed, “This has got to be some sort of record, you’ve only had a few sips and already tipsy.”
She scowled at him. “I’m not tipsy!”
He raised an eyebrow, “Then why in the world are you telling me to dance or hit Dylan?”
Realizing that she should’ve thought her idea through a little more before blurting it out, she felt herself blushing. Clearing her throat delicately, she tried distracting him, “I mean, I’m fine if you’d like to circulate or dance with someone.”
This apparently only deepened his suspicions. “Why are you trying to get rid of me?”
She sighed, “I’m not trying to get rid of you. Honest. It’s just, you’ve been taking care of me for weeks now and I’m really ok.”
Looking like he had a headache forming, Lirim rubbed his temple. “You don’t want me to take care of you? But what does that have to do with hitting someone?”
She grumbled, “You’re hung up on the hitting.”
He exclaimed, “You’re the one that recommended it!”
Aletta raised her voice to match his, “I said that you could dance too!” They stared at each other for a minute, waiting to see what the other would do when a tiny giggle suddenly slipped from her. She slapped her hand over her mouth but the giggles still escaped and after a moment Lirim’s deep chuckling joined in.
After a few minutes of laughter, Aletta worked hard to contain herself. Once she was certain that she wouldn’t break down again, she said, “Ok, let’s start this conversation over. Lirim, I’m thankful for your care of me.” He opened his mouth to interrupt and she held her hand up. “However, you haven’t taken care of yourself. You’re young and athletic and used to a certain amount of physical exercise. If you’d like to go and blow off steam for a little bit, I’ll be fine here.”
Handing her her goblet back, he asked, “What do you mean, blow off steam?”
Sipping it gratefully, Aletta said, “Go and dance or anything really. I mean, when was the last time you had a good spar or anything? You’ve been so busy lately making sure that everything is not falling apart that you haven’t been taking care of yourself. And while I appreciate everything that you do and have done, if you don’t take care of yourself, we’re going to end up in a much worse position than we are now.”
He relaxed back into his seat and seemed to seriously be thinking it over. He murmured, “It has been a bit since I’ve sparred, it’s true.” He drummed his fingers on the table before realizing what he was doing and stared at his hand. “Why didn’t I realize?”
Aletta said dryly, “Because you’ve been busy running around putting out fires. I know that we’re here for a reason, but take ten minutes or so and just let yourself be. Why don’t you ask Awena to dance? I think that she’d like that.”
Smiling at her, he stood and rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed gently before letting go. “I think I’ll do that. Be back in a few.”
Aletta watched as he walked over and spoke to Awena, their conversation too low for her to hear what they were saying. However, the sparkle in her eyes and the way she quickly rose told Aletta that Awena was pleased to have been asked. The string quartet struck up a lively tune and Lirim and Awena swiftly made their way to the dance floor.
The dancers had just started moving when her view was blocked. Looking up, she found Fergus standing there, watching her. After a moment during which he stared at her silently, he slowly extended his hand. “Miss Sheridan, would you care to dance?”
Feeling uncertain, Aletta smiled her best diva smile. “I’m afraid that I must decline.”
This appeared to startle him from his icy impassiveness. “Do you not dance?”
She laughed lightly, “I love to dance but alas it’s impossible for me at this time. My leg is still healing from where it was broken. But you are welcome to sit with me if you are so inclined.”
He nodded his acceptance, but the gesture felt forced somehow to her. Once again she wondered how this man was related to the warm hearted Rose. Fergus claimed the seat across from her. “I’m am sorry to hear that you will be unable to join the festivities tonight. Will you be able to dance before midsummer?”
“No, sadly. Still, it is a treat to be able to experience all of this. It’s beautiful beyond compare.”
He fiddled with Lirim’s glass and she puzzled over the random movement from a man who appeared to be extremely self-contained. He asked, “And how are you finding your stay here in the Glade? Have you had an opportunity to visit the healers and discover your designation yet?”
She deflected, “The Glade is truly incredible. I am enjoying my stay immensely. I was able to visit the healer’s guild today but the discovery of a gift is not completed in a day. I go back in two days’ time. Maybe I shall discover more then.”
He nodded, his attention caught by something in the crowd on the other side of the dance floor. Aletta tried to discreetly glance that way but couldn’t single out what had garnered his attention. He stood, bowing abruptly. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ve seen someone that I need to speak with. Enjoy you stay and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to inform me.”
Before she could respond, he strode off and was lost in the crowd. She didn’t have time to puzzle over the strange encounter because Kane approached right then with his lady. Meredith was tall, with fiery red hair, freckles, and laughing blue eyes. They clicked right away and Aletta was starting to get a stitch in her side from laughing so much. The laughter only increased when Meara rejoi
ned them.
Lirim came and went throughout the evening. He kept a close eye on their table, but was in constant motion, dancing one minute, talking with an old friend the next. By the time it was time to leave, Aletta was pleased to see that he was more relaxed, his energy wasn’t calm but it was more settled.
During the ride back to the manor, Aletta felt herself dozing. Lirim’s voice pulled her from her pleasant lassitude. “Did you have a pleasant evening?”
Opening her eyes, she smiled at him. “Yes, it was beautiful. Also, Meredith and Meara are charming. I’m looking forward to spending more time with them. What about you?”
His face was thoughtful as he slowly replied, “It was pleasant enough. I’ve got a lot to think about, between what you told me earlier and everything else.”
Aletta sighed, having forgotten about the prophecy. “Did you notice anything at the party?”
His eyes gleamed and Aletta straightened. She knew that look, it was the look he got when he’d discovered a viable lead and was eager to begin tracking it down. He answered, “Nothing concrete, just bits and pieces. There’s a tension here, subtle but there. But it’s enough for me to get started.”
Aletta yawned and hastily covered it. “Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me.” The carriage started slowing down. “Thank goodness, any longer and I was going to fall asleep.”
They exited the carriage and Lirim chuckled as she swayed slightly, “Do you need me to carry you to bed?”
She sniffed disdainfully. “I’ll be just fine, thank you!” She yawned again and then chuckled. “Well, at least I’ll be able to make it. See you tomorrow.”
Waving over her shoulder, she quickly made her way up to her room. She had just finished getting ready for bed when she saw a letter propped up by her bedside lamp. Picking it up, she flipped it over several times, examining it closely. Now who in the world would be writing to her?
Chapter Ten
The next week fell into a pattern. Every day, Lirim and Aletta would make their way to the guard post and healer’s guild respectively. They’d spend several hours working, Lirim on chasing down leads on the chimas. There had been two more incidents, but he’d been far enough away that he missed the actual incursion and only saw the aftermath. Aletta was working on honing her communicating with Lirim and Awena. Working with her gift was somewhat frustrating as it continued to be erratic. Mostly she spent her time at the guild making bandages by hand. All of the bandages had to be made by hand without magic because any magic could potentially interfere with any healing spells that had been used. While she did this, she was memorizing lists of herbs and their healing properties.
They had discussed and dissected the prophecy until both were thoroughly sick of it and both had agreed to let it go. It would either happen or not and angsting about it was not helping. They had decided to work the case like any that they would in Isenton. They’d attended parties every other day and had managed to glean a few leads, but all of them had turned into dead ends at the moment.
Aletta mumbled under her breath, trying to shift her attention between three different things. This was the eighth list that she’d been required to memorize and she was growing frustrated with the constant memorization. Still, it kept her mind engaged while her hands were busy with the bandage making. But she had enough on her mind that she really didn’t need help keeping her mind busy.
She had been sending out feelers and making acquaintances, but if things truly were going down soon, they were running out of time. It was frustrating to be so out of her depth. Normally she’d rely on Lirim to tell her what was normal and what was not, but… She sighed, feeling her heart ache a little. They were spending less and less time together as the days wore on. It was only natural as they got deeper in the investigation that Lirim would become busier, but normally she would be right there beside him as they worked through the case.
She glared down at her cast. It had passed from constantly aching to being unbearably itchy. It was enough to drive her mad although the healers had been encouraging when she had asked them about it, telling her that it meant that she was healing faster than normal.
Suddenly realizing that she’d stopped, she picked up the next batch of bandages. Her thoughts circled back around to Lirim. At least he’d taken her advice and started sparring with some friends. The exercise had seemed to help at first but he had grown increasingly antsy as the case wore on with no solid leads. She pursed her lips thoughtfully. Not only was he getting antsy, it was almost like he was avoiding her. However, every time she was certain that he was avoiding her, he would specifically seek her out and talk about nothing and everything. Then he would go back to his disappearing act. The dichotomy was frustrating her.
A voice spoke from the door, startling her. “They have you on bandages, huh? I spent three weeks making bandages, enough to drive you crazy.”
Meara came in and sat her empty basket on the table, examining the stack before Aletta. Aletta chuckled, grateful that she hadn’t been mumbling out loud. “Are you training to become a healer, Meara?”
Meara made a face like she had sucked on a lemon. “Heaven’s no. I’m not suited at all. All the youth of the Glade are required to spend a few weeks in all of the different professions while we’re in school. It helps us narrow down what our magic is and what career paths we might follow.”
Aletta nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. No use studying for years if you will just hate it. What brings you here today?”
Meara smiled at her. “You.”
“Me? Whatever for?”
Picking up the basket, Meara hauled her gently to her feet. “You need a change of pace. You’ve been here for over a week and you’ve barely seen anything of the Glade. Mum asked me to pick up a few things from market and I thought that you might like to see it.”
Aletta stretched, groaning as she felt her spine pop. “Yes please. I need to get out of here before I lose my mind. Do I have to tell anyone?”
Meara laughed, “I let them know that I was kidnapping you when I came it.”
Making their way through the guild, Aletta felt a little bit of guilt over slacking off, but it was quickly overshadowed by her growing excitement. After all, how many chances would she get to explore a fae market. A thought occurred to her and she said, “Will it be safe to be there? After all, if the schedule holds up, there will be another attack today.”
Meara linked an arm through hers. “You worry too much. We’ll be perfectly fine, it’s in the middle of the Glade. There has never been an attack that far into town.”
Aletta smiled back but couldn’t tuck away that small thread of unease. Meara’s innocence was charming but Aletta knew how quickly things could go south. Taking a deep breath, she shoved the feeling down. She’d obviously been too long in the city investigating crime. Meara surely knew if it was safe or not.
Enjoying the sun on her face as they walked, Aletta chatted with Meara, gossiping about all of the different people she’d met at the different parties and who would be attending the one tonight. Entering the square containing the market, Aletta was charmed. It was an open-air market, complete with wood and stone stalls with canvas awnings. It was midday and there was a festive air surrounding the people as they laughed and shopped.
Aletta exclaimed, “Wow! This is amazing!”
Meara giggled, “I knew that you would like it. Come on, let me show you my favorites.”
Grabbing her arm, she started towing her towards the nearest booth. Aletta laughingly protested, “Careful! Remember, I only have one good leg.”
* . * . *
They were so absorbed in examining the different wares available that it took a minute for Aletta to realize that what she was hearing was screaming. Snapping her head up, she swiftly scanned her surroundings. Seeing people running into the market from a side street, she knew that whatever was happening wasn’t good. When people ran away from something instead of towards something, it meant that
something very dangerous was heading towards them.
Mentally cursing her bad leg, she grabbed Meara’s arm and started dragging her away from the side street. She struggled to keep upright in the pushing crowd, her eyes frantically scanning for a defensible spot. With her leg she would never be able to outrun whatever was coming and she needed to get Meara somewhere safe until reinforcements could arrive. Finally spotting two stone stalls, she fought her way through and shoved Meara in between them. The girl was white and trembling, but Aletta turned away. She could reassure her after they had survived this.
She barked, “Stay there!” Casting a shield over the space and frightened girl, Aletta hastily searched for a weapon as the wave of chimas finally hit the market. She felt her stomach lurch when she saw them and it was all she could do not to throw up. Shoving the feeling aside, she looked frantically around for a weapon.
It was pure chaos with all of the screaming and snarling. The chimas resembled gray foxes with mange, but there was a manic red gleam in their eyes and their teeth were exposed in hideous snarls. Battle cries joined in the cacophony as some of the braver fae and stall keepers started trying to fend them off. Knowing that she only had seconds left, Aletta finally managed to scoop up a barrel stave that had been tossed carelessly aside.
She turned just in time to react as the leader of the chimas reached her. Swinging it like a baseball bat, she hit the first one that leaped and sent it tumbling away. Positioning herself in front of where Meara was cowering, she managed to keep them from rushing her. However, she knew that she couldn’t keep it up forever as her muscles started to burn and her arms began to tremble from the strain.
As if her thoughts had been prophetic, one she hadn’t seen rushed from the side and grabbed the stave, managing to wrench it from her hands. She stumbled back and fetched up against the stone stall. Screaming like a cheerleader in a horror movie, she reached behind her and started flinging whatever was in the stall at them. To her surprise, they started howling and scrambling away from her. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw that it was spice stand. Mentally apologizing, she started grabbing handfuls and launching them at the chimas. It wasn’t until she had thrown the salt that they reacted again.
In Search of High Society Page 14
