Page 17 of Capricorn Blessed

“The first is a locket with a large onyx stone on the lid. It would be a silver metal or maybe pewter. Antique old. It’s been here since magic began,” I say. “I’m thinking maybe in a museum of some kind or antique store, but other than a feeling that I’m in the area, I’ve got nothing to go on.”

Kenric taps his chin with his long fingers while thinking. Our food arrives, and he still is sitting quietly, his mouth scrunched up to one side as we start to eat. The food distracts me as the first bite of flaky pastry melts on my tongue, and I moan. Both men lock their eyes on me.

“Sorry,” I say, even though I’m not really. “I’ve never had anything this tasty before. It’s so buttery and melts in your mouth, and...” I trail off, taking another large bite.

“Keep making sounds like that and it may delay us from looking for this locket,” Dennis says, his eyes hooded as he watches me lick the flakes of pastry off my lips.

“It is quite distracting,” Kenric agrees.

“Ew,” Izzy says. “I’m trying to eat. I don’t want to be privy to any three-ways you two are planning.”

My cheeks heat at being called out by my friend, but the thought of being the meat in a Dennis and Kenric sandwich has my belly warming.

Trying to change the subject before I end up doing something that could get me arrested, I ask, “So, have you heard of anything like the locket?”

“Maybe,” Kenric answers, pulling out his phone and typing on it. He turns it to show us the screen. “There’s a castle a few hours from here that has several display cases of family jewels. Well, at least they did. It was closed to the public the year I got here, but I remember a lot of onyx in the pieces. I think it was the family’s favorite stone or something. I only went once before it was closed, and I’ve heard they have abandoned it since. But I never heard what happened to their collections. No museums boasted about buying or receiving a donation around that time.”

“Can you give us directions?” I ask. “Even if it’s not there, it may give us a starting point on where to look.”

“I can do you one better,” he answers. “I can drive you up there after we finish eating.”

Chapter 9

Fight or Flight

Kenric drives us through the countryside to the castle. We pass vineyards and cottages. We drive through small towns with people working in their gardens. Everything seems so peaceful, and I wish I could take the time to slow down and explore.

The car stops in front of wrought-iron gates, and Kenric looks over. “We’re here.”

We all look at each other and back at the gate.

“Should we try to go in?” I ask. “I don’t see any no trespassing signs.”

Dennis shrugs and pops the backdoor open. “May as well see if the gates are locked. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He climbs out, the rest of us quickly following.

Reaching the gates, I push some vines aside and look through at the estate beyond.

“Wow,” I say.

The rolling lawn appears to be well-maintained. A few smaller buildings are dotted around the walls, which I guess are greenhouses, sit between beds of flowers. The cobblestone drive disappears over a hill, where I can see the top of a building peaking over.

“The yard is gorgeous. I can’t believe they have abandoned this place since it closed. It’s in too-good shape.”

Everyone else moves closer, reaching for the vines to peer through. Kenric stands in the middle near where the two gates touch. As he pushes the vines out of his way, the gate shifts, opening enough for people to enter.

“Guess we could have just tried to open the gate,” Izzy mumbles. “Well, are we going in?”

We have a quick discussion and decide this is the best lead we have, so we may as well. I pull the case with my rapier out of the car, removing the sword and strapping it along my spine. Returning to the gate, I lead the others through in single file and onto the estate.

We walk silently up the driveway, listening to try to find out if anyone is around. The wind whistles, rustling the flowers and blowing my hair into my face. We reach the front door without hearing anything. Not even birds.

The hairs on the back of my neck tingle like I’m being watched.

“I don’t like this,” whispers Izzy.

“I mean, it may be my lack of power, but something seems off. Almost like we’re being watched,” whispers Dennis.

We all nod and look around the empty lawn like someone is going to pop out and yell ‘boo’.

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