Page 36 of Forsaken Secrets

What if he tested me and saw something this time?

His attention was directed at a small man, though, organizing his produce display next door to Aunt Grace's shop.

Mr. Adem?

What had he done to grab the attention of a Seeker?

His curved spine stretched as I watched, and he stood tall to face the Seeker. "And what is it I'm supposed to have done?"

"Your charges will be detailed once in detainment. You must accompany me now or face punishment."

Mr. Adem's shoulders went taut, and he looked at the shop window. His wife and kids stood there, staring out, mouths agape. My heart raced as I debated intervening, but Aunt Grace poked her head out of her shop as though she'd heard my thoughts, and jerked her chin sharply towards the Harlsteds.

I stared between her and Mr. Adem, fists clenched in my skirts. But what could I do?

My feet moved towards him before I could stop them, but a man in a morning coat and top hat slipped between us. His silver hair glinted in the afternoon light.

Lord Ellingsworth? What was he doing here?

He purposefully turned his back to the Seeker, then took Mr. Adem's hands in his own, clasping them to his chest. "Sir, would you submit to being searched?"

The shopkeeper stood there, jaw agape and cheeks dark, but he nodded and cleared his throat. "I would, my lord."

"That should suffice, should it not, Seeker?" Lord Ellingsworth said, back stiff and chin high.

I watched, tense — sure the Seeker would force him to back down. Lord Ellingsworth was more brave than I gave him credit for — those dark pits of eyes were intimidating!

I sent a quick glance towards Aunt Grace. She'd finally looked away from me, but the starry-eyed look in her eyes as she stared at Lord Ellingsworth almost worried me more than the standoff.

Finally, the Seeker reached his hand out and placed it atop Mr. Adem's head. The shorter man tensed, his body going stiff for a moment before it relaxed, and the Seeker's hand dropped to his side once more.

"Clean," was all he said, but he didn't take his eyes from the two men in front of him.

"May I ask what brought this about?" Lord Ellingsworth asked.

Finally, the Seeker ripped his eyes from Mr. Adem and looked around. "A report came in claiming he'd been seen practicing magic."

The small crowd that had gathered around them gasped collectively, and my throat tightened. Who would do that?!

"We'll be conducting an inquiry to find the person responsible, so please make yourselves available over the next few days."

My eyes flew to Aunt Grace. This was serious — if someone was caught after a false accusation they were flogged in public, and that was never pretty.

Who could have done it, though?

I searched the surrounding people, but we knew all these shopkeepers! None would have done such a thing.

Ellingsworth dipped his head once, then met the Seekers gaze again before stepping away. "Well, if your business is concluded, then we'd all better get back to work." He motioned to the crowd, flipping his hand as though to shoo them away.

The Seeker just shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Lord Ellingsworth. The Overseeker would like to have a few words with you. There have been some unusual … disappearances."

Lord Ellingsworth straightened and lifted his chin. "I'm sorry, but I don't have anything to say about that. I've had nothing to do with them."

"Certainly. However, you will still need to report to the Institute for questioning." Then he turned and walked off, black cloak swirling behind him.

Lord Ellingsworth stood there, jaw agape.

I took a deep breath, then turned back to the shop.

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