Page 83 of Forsaken Secrets

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Kaiya

"Kaiya, Eli … what have you two gotten yourselves mixed up in?" Mr. Harlsted said, his voice barely above a whisper as we followed Tiernan.

"I'm so sorry. This wasn't what you had in mind for your visit to Ellesmere today, was it?"

His lips curled into a half smile and he twisted his mustache. "Mrs. Harlsted would kill me if I didn't help, though."

I smiled at him. My mind was spinning, still trying to process Lady Frexin's words. This was all spiraling out of control so fast. What would I owe her for the use of her influence today?

Eli obviously didn't care, because he was smiling and asking Tiernan questions already. Sighing, I rushed to his side. "I'm sorry. What did I miss?"

Tiernan shook his head, lips pursed. "I'm very sorry, miss. I was just telling your young man here that I don't know who brings the pearls in. A man in a cloak delivers them every Thursday, like clockwork. Sometimes, he takes money for them, and sometimes he takes relics."

"Relics?" I asked. "You mean he sells you relics?"

Tiernan shook his head sharply. "No, miss. He buys them — anything that comes in with a magical bent, he buys."

My jaw dropped, and I turned to Eli. He was staring at Tiernan, eyes wide. "But why?"

The owner shrugged. "I'm not sure. The man puts me on edge, but I can't turn away our biggest source of income. My wife thinks his boss might even be one of the owners."

"And do you have any information on this man?" I asked.

Tiernan chuckled. "Miss, if we kept records like that, we'd be out of business instantly. Like I said, the man comes in, we trade, and he leaves. That's it."

I leaned closer. "Can't you give me a little more information, though? Perhaps just what the servant's crest looks like, or some small detail about him?"

Tiernan grimaced."Fine. fine. He's enormous. I'd almost say a giant, if those still existed."

I had to hold back my excitement. That sounded just like Lady Ellingsworth's manservant. Like we'd hoped, she was dealing in more than just the pearls!

"Thank you." I said. "I'll tell Lady Frexin how helpful you've been today."

He dipped his head, and I motioned for Eli and Mr. Harlsted to follow me outside.

The news wasn't what I expected, but it was progress.

We stepped into the fresh air, and Mr. Harlsted motioned for us to follow him again. When we stepped through the stone archway, he tipped his head towards the main road. "I trust you can see yourselves safely home? Mrs. Harlsted will worry if I'm not home by dinner. Please be safe, though?"

I nodded.

He reached out and patted my shoulder. "I'll send your aunt a message letting her know you're safe. I'm guessing you didn't think to do it yourself?"

I nodded. I really should have told her what was going on when I had the chance. At least I'd have some good news for her, though …

He waved at us once more, and then he was gone, swallowed by the buildings crowding the street.

Eli put his arm out for me, ever the proper gentleman, and we strolled through the edge of town.

"Is there anything we can do?" he asked.

"I don't know. Just knowing the manservant is involved isn't enough to press any charges. It does tell us that those rosaries are the eggs, though."

I thought back to Solyn in the caves.

We had to get her out of there and stop Lady Ellingsworth before she grabbed more of the vrytra pod again. Eli's fix would only last a couple days.

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