Bourn’s Edge by Davies Barbara

Author:Davies, Barbara [Davies, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Gay & Lesbian
ISBN: 9781934452530
Publisher: Bedazzled Ink Publishing Company

Chapter 4

“You’re sure the flies won’t come back?”

Tarian glanced at Cassie. “Positive.” There had been a thoughtful silence since she’d told Cassie about the artefact. That silence appeared to be over.

Cassie turned right at the crossroads. The road began to dip. “And all because you destroyed the kidney bean?”

“Ill luck attractor,” corrected Tarian, eying a group of walkers with rucksacks on their backs. If the walkers hadn’t indicated the park was close by, her senses would have told her. There was a refreshing scent and fizz to the air coming in through the half-open window that had been missing since Bourn’s Edge.

“It’s easier to say kidney bean,” said Cassie. “And you say you’ve come across them before, in Faerie?”

Tarian nodded. The creation of ill luck attractors was one of the first spells taught to young Fae (lessons in detecting and destroying them followed soon after), and it was common to use them to play tricks on their peers. The novelty soon wore off, though.

The road began to rise. To their left, behind low railings, was a grassy bank, in which were set the wide steps of an artificial waterfall—the overflow from a pool. Up ahead she saw an open gate and signs saying, “Sutton Park National Nature Reserve. Boldmere Gate.”

“How on earth did a Fae artefact get inside Louise’s doll?” asked Cassie, braking to negotiate the gate’s cattle grid. She bumped over a ramp, found a vacant parking spot in the car park just inside the gate, and turned off the ignition.

Tarian looked around her with interest. On a grassy area, bounded by a belt of trees, families were picnicking, playing ball games, or throwing frisbees. To her left were a steakhouse and grill, a children’s funfair, and a vast expanse of water on which sailing boats were tacking to and fro.

Cassie saw the direction of her gaze. “Powell’s Pool,” she said.

Tarian picked up the thread of their previous conversation. “Obviously, someone must have put the attractor in the doll.”

“I know that, silly. But who? And more to the point why?”

“The answer to that depends on when.”

“What?” Cassie blinked at her then shook her head and muttered, “Could this conversation get any more cryptic?”

Tarian grinned and undid her seat belt. “Think about it. When did the plague of flies first start bothering Louise?”

Cassie considered. “Sometime last month, I think she said.”

“And when did she get that doll repaired?”

“About the same time. Oh!” Blonde eyebrows shot up. “You mean someone at the Doll Hospital put the bean into the doll?”

Tarian nodded and reached for the door handle.

“But why?”

Tarian got out and turned to let out the dogs. They shook themselves, and set about sniffing everything within reach. “A malicious prank?”

“Some prank! Those flies looked like something out of a biblical plague.”

“Shall we get some lunch?” Tarian pointed to the steakhouse.

“Those two slices of coffee cake haven’t gone down yet. And we don’t want to spoil our appetites. Mum and Dad will be stuffing us tonight for certain.” Cassie’s cheeks pinked.

Her embarrassment made Tarian smile.

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