Page 36 of Enchanted By a Pirate
"I…"
"It was a long time ago. I'm Elena. We met in Lotti's nursery. Remember?"
Great, that was all she needed. Anna tilted her head, frowning thoughtfully. "Not really. When was that?"
"Oh," Elena waved her hand dismissively, "at least four years ago. It was only for a few days. You helped out at Lotti's where I was employed at the time."
Four years ago? Was that perhaps just before she disappeared? Why had she been helping out at this nursery? Had she been following some kind of lead? Maybe she could getsome useful information from her. Wait… hadn't she said she was employed there at the time? "So, you're no longer working for Lotti?"
"Right. Like anyone's been working since the fairies disappeared."
Okay, so Elena obviously knew about the fairies, but she didn't mention anything about Anna being one. Who knew what she had to say about the events of that time and the disappearance of the fairies. "Nice to see you again, Elena. It's been a long time."
"You remember?" Elena beamed. "How nice. Do you have time? We could have a cocoa at Ingrid's. We used to do that during our breaks, remember?'
Even if this didn't ring any bells, a cocoa sounded good. "I'll make time. Tell me, when did you stop working for Lotti?" She reached her hand out in a friendly way to Elena, who immediately started chatting as they strolled down a side street. She felt a little guilty about taking advantage of her former acquaintance's kindness, but in the end, it was for a good cause. Inconspicuously, she allowed herself to be led through the side streets so Elena wouldn't notice that Anna didn't know the way or her way around the city.
"Lotti closed up shop three years ago. She lasted longer than most. But once the flowers stopped blooming and the plants grew sickly, there was soon nothing left to sell."
Now she'd find out what Elena knew. Anna put on an innocent expression. "Do you know why the flowers stopped blooming?"
"Well, because of the fairies. They disappeared. I haven't seen one in almost four years — since the last time I saw you. Strange." She gave Anna a crooked sideways glance. "It must be a stupid coincidence, right…? Where have you been all these years?"
"I was off… traveling."
"Oh, how exciting. Perhaps with that handsome man who accompanied you? Are you still together? Wait, I don't see a wedding ring. Isn't it about time?" Elena poked Anna teasingly in the side.
What handsome man was she talking about? Was it the captain? Had she been with him in Linnenberg? "Who are you talking about? What did he look like?"
"You couldn't have forgotten him. Tall, muscular, dark eyes, and dark hair, bold look. I think he's a pirate. Not that you ever clued me in. Are you no longer a couple? Then give me his name and tell me where I can find him!" Elena winked mischievously at her.
Anna laughed cautiously. There was no doubt that Elena meant the captain. What should she say? It was interesting that Elena mentioned him. Had she been with him in Linnenberg in search of information? Why hadn't he mentioned it?
Feeling Elena's pensive gaze on her, she quickly steered the conversation in a different direction so she wouldn't grow suspicious. "Do you have any idea why the fairies disappeared?"
Elena shrugged. "If only I knew. We didn't even notice it right away. One day, Lotti stormed into the nursery and shouted that the Linnenberg was no longer blooming. We immediately left town to look, along with dozens of other city residents. Nobody had any idea what had happened. No one has seen a fairy since. However, rumor has it the pirates are to blame. My neighbor said a friend of her husband saw a flying pirate ship."
"A flying pirate ship?" Anna tried to laugh incredulously. If she hadn't flown here in one herself, she would have dismissed it as madness. But in front of Elena, she had to act ignorant. "Was the friend perhaps drunk?"
Elena giggled. "I asked her that too, but the man was adamant about what he saw. Tell me, that man from back then, was he a pirate?"
Something about Elena's facial expressions made Anna shiver. She glanced off to the side to think of an answer, not wanting to look into those piercing eyes. What she saw startled her. She'd been so engrossed in the conversation she hadn't paid attention to where they had been going. The corner was gloomy, the houses were tall, and some of the windows were broken. The buildings stood so close together that there was hardly any daylight in the alley. When Anna turned, the market and the crowds were no longer visible. Unease overwhelmed her until her eyes fell on Elena again.
An innocent smile crossed Elena's face. "You know Ingrid has never been able to afford a better location, but her cocoa is the best in all of Linnenberg." She pointed to a small tavern located between the gray houses. Even though the house appeared old — the roof was definitely no longer watertight during heavy rains — it looked tidy and clean. The street in front of the entrance had been swept, the windows scrubbed, and the curtains looked freshly washed.
"Come on." Elena took the lead and Anna followed. Even though it wasn't the best area, she had to follow because Elena might provide her with useful information.
They filed into inn, which was filled with the scent of chocolate. Anna breathed in the sweet air with pleasure. Immediately, a willowy beauty with a bright white smile approached them. She was pulling her glossy black hair back into a high bun as she pointed with her elbow at a vacant table by the window. "Welcome to Ingrid's."
Elena beamed. "Don't you recognize us? We were here several times four years ago."
"Sorry, I don't remember. I have lots of guests coming and going from my establishment, although, unfortunately, far too many leave without paying. I bet you two always came for my hot chocolate, right?" Ingrid put her hands firmly on her hips.
"Correct. Two cups please."
Ingrid nodded and greeted another guest who entered the inn. It wasn't nearly as packed as the tavern on the main street, but it appeared that word had gotten out about Ingrid's food. People who didn't look as hard up as Anna had feared frequented the area trickled in, one after the other. When the cocoa was in front of them and she and Elena had taken the first sips, she relaxed.
"So you believe the pirates have something to do with the disappearance of the fairies?" Anna asked, picking up where they'd left off in their conversation.
