Serenya's Song by Mysti Parker

Author:Mysti Parker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: demons, elves, enchantment, cruelty, birth defects
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC

Chapter Twenty-Two

~ Jayden ~

Harlee’s chin trembled as though he might cry.

I took a breath and spoke calmly. “Gone as in escaped?”

“Aye. I’m sorry, sir.”

“Sorry can come later. We’ll have a look.”

Lilly and I rode to the jail, with Harlee close behind. Handee was there on the porch, looking every bit as ashamed as his brother. We dismounted and followed him inside. He said nothing, and led us to the cell door. It was wide open. The cell was empty.

“Did you see anyone come or go?” I asked.

“No, sir. I...fell asleep at the desk.”

“And you, Harlee?”

“I was runnin’ some errands, sir.”

My eyes scanned the cell. A pillow and crumpled blanket lay on each cot. Two breakfast trays sat on the foot of each. The food on one was half-eaten, and on the other, barely touched. Something dark and flimsy blew across the floor. I stepped inside and picked up a black frond, no doubt from Droopy Feather’s hat.

“Someone interrupted their meal,” I said. “When did you last see them?”

“When I brought their breakfast.”

“Which was when?”

Handee grimaced. “Three hours ago.”

So much for tracks. Three hours’ worth of traffic outside would prevent any chance of finding them that way. I’d need more luxium powder to illuminate their trail. With the piece of feather I found, it might be possible. However, I doubted their disappearance would prove any more dangerous than what was already happening around here. We couldn’t waste a lot of man-hours on a pair of shoddy criminals.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “Are your keys missing?”

“No.” He rattled the keychain on his belt. “Right where they always are.”

“Mine too,” Harlee added.

I inspected the cell door’s lock. No evidence of picking, but that was hard to determine without taking the mechanism apart.

Lilly’s foot pounded a staccato rhythm on the floor. “So ye just sat there sleepin’ like an angel and let two thieves and attempted murderers waltz right out of ‘ere?”

They lowered their heads. Harlee sniffed. “We rarely have any prisoners besides a drunk or two. I’m sorry, truly. What can we do?”

“Who else would have a key besides you jailers?” I asked.

The brothers looked at each other and shrugged. Harlee’s face lit up. “We have a locksmith in town. If someone had an extra key made, he’d know.”

“And where would he be?”

“He keeps shop at Fosson’s Farmacie, right across from The Wasted Witch.”

“Lilly, while I’m there, do you think I can persuade the apothecary to make some luxium powder?”

Her laughter surprised me. “Ye won’t have any trouble with Nayla Fosson. She’s been through so many husbands since she moved to town, we’ve all lost count, and she’s always on the lookout for ‘er next former spouse. Maybe I should go with ye in case ye need rescuin’?”

“I think I can handle it.”

“I’m gonna head on to the tavern and let Douglas know that my plans have changed. If ye need my help, just come over there.”

Lilly rode on to the tavern. I headed to Fosson’s Farmacie. The bright yellow building smelled of fresh paint.

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