Deception by A. S. Fenichel Read Free Book Online

assistance.”
    A man of perhaps five and thirty stepped into the middle of the room. “Our boy and two younger girls were taken right off the street, not half a mile from home. They was only going to a country dance. They wouldna’ cause no harm.”
    Lillian took hold of the man’s hand. He was close to breaking down. “I know they would not, Mr. Thrush. I only want to help recover your children. May I speak to your daughter?”
    “She won’t talk. Said some crazy things when she first ran home, but then she went quiet. It’s like she’s been cursed mute.”
    The crowd murmured at the word curse. Some dropped to their knees in prayer.
    “I would like to try, if I may. I have a way with such things.
    Mr. Thrush stepped aside, and Lillian crossed to the table. “I wonder if I might have a word alone with…”
    “Joy, her name is Joy.” Tears bubbled over Mrs. Thrush’s lower lids.
    With Dorian’s help, Mr. Thrush shooed the neighbors from the house. Chairs scraped the dirt floor, and the low hum of conversation stirred until they were alone.
    Lillian pulled a rickety chair close to Joy and leaned in so her mouth was only an inch from the girl’s ear. “Joy, I know what you saw. I know you are afraid, but I will find your siblings. You are not mad.”
    Joy blinked and turned her dirt-smudged face toward Lillian. “It was horrible.”
    “I know. How many were there?”
    “Two. Just two, but so strong and no like any men I’ve ever seen.”
    “Were they short or tall?”
    “One was unnaturally tall and big like the man from the circus what came when I was little. The other was small for a man with pointed teeth and dead eyes.”
    Lillian nodded. “And what direction did they take your brother and sisters?”
    “West on the road. I fought and screamed, but I couldna’ save them.”
    “This is not your fault, Joy.”
    “Will you save them, milady?”
    Lillian leaned forward so only Joy would hear. “I will do everything I can to return your family to you, but you must know this was not your fault. There is evil at work here.”
    “Who is at fault then?”
    Lillian’s chest tightened painfully. “I cannot say. Just be assured you are not to blame.”
    Joy’s eyes were wide pools. “Find them. They are good babies.”
    With a nod, they bid the family good evening and rushed back to the posting house. On the way she grappled with her part in the abduction. “Whether we find them or not, we will need to be out of this area before first light. We will not be revered no matter the outcome. People blame strangers no matter their good intentions.”
    “At least we managed a few meals and a good night’s sleep.” His words were laced with mirth.
    She chuckled too. Nothing was ever easy. She supposed it never would be.
    * * * *
    She’d been much better with the family than Dorian had expected. Everyone had taken to her, trusted her. In fact, when he thought of it, he too trusted her more than their acquaintance should warrant. What was it about the woman? She was beautiful, certainly, but there was something else, a quality he couldn’t quite put a word to. He’d felt the pull of attraction to Lillian long before this quest started. He’d always considered it a blessing that they were rarely in each other’s company. Whatever it was that drew him in, he wanted to know more about her.
    They’d borrowed two horses from the inn’s stable and demanded saddles. Lillian refused the sidesaddle and asked for a man’s. The stable boy’s eyes bulged and his mouth hung open before he complied.
    Dorian chuckled about it while they mounted.
    They also informed the innkeeper they needed their things loaded in their carriage and horses ready before dawn. Lilly was right about one thing, no matter the outcome, they would not be welcome when they returned. People often blamed strangers for things they didn’t understand. Better to disappear before they had trouble with humans as well as demons.
    She tracked two