Page 101 of The Threadbare Queen

“In fact, we should be getting on, if we’re going to make it,” Gregor said.

“Fair enough.” Sirna spoke congenially. Too congenially.

Ava tensed, waiting to see what he would do.

“It sounds as if this is goodbye, if we don’t find Avasu in time to catch up with you. So if you have time for one last cup of tea together, I’d like to treat you to a special blend from my home country, Cattha.” Sirna walked to the cart and emerged in a moment with a box in his hands.

The others looked like they’d prefer to leave, but good manners meant they were stuck with accepting Sirna’s hospitality.

Ava caught sight of Gregor’s face at the mention of tea, and when he saw the box, his eyes narrowed.

Melodie reached out a hand and patted his arm, and he glanced at her.

She smiled at him, her eyes dancing, and he slowly smiled back, then lifted her onto his lap. She whispered in his ear, and Ava saw him go still.

Message received. He knew she was watching.

He lifted his head and did a slow sweep of the clearing, his eyes passing over her.

He wasn’t able to see where she was, she thought with relief. Her working was still holding. For now.

“This must be the wrong box.” Sirna tried to smile as he looked down into what was now an empty container. “Or did you use it?” He looked at Evelyn, his jaw tight.

“No. Maybe that’s the wrong box.” She spoke brightly, but she was frowning, and when her gaze met Sirna’s she gave a tiny shake of her head. She got up and disappeared into the cart, taking so long that Vanin Gruger stood and began packing up.

“We’ll have to use our normal stash,” Sirna said, giving a nervous laugh.

“If it’s all the same to you, we need to move,” Reckhart said, clapping him on the back in an overly-hearty way. “And you’ll be worried about Avasu and want to find her as soon as possible.”

“True.” Sirna nodded, but he looked angry. “Thank you for your company this last week.”

Gregor grunted in response to that, and Vanin Gruger and Madame Croter said nothing.

While the others doused the fire and packed away their lunch, Sirna grabbed Evelyn’s arm and dragged her amongst the trees.

They ended up standing close to the tree where Ava had stationed herself. She crouched down, keeping to the shadows even with her invisibility working, and waited.

“Where is it?” Sirna gave Evelyn a shake.

She ripped her arm out of his hold. “I. Don’t. Know. I haven’t touched it. You’re the one who’s so keen on using it, not me.”

“It was in that box.”

“Himself.” Evelyn hunched over, arms crossed over her chest. “It was probably him.”

“Did he go into the cart?” Sirna looked up, his face slack as he tried to remember.

“He demanded the tea back, and you got it for him. But he was in the cart dealing withher. So he was in there alone.” Evelyn rubbed her upper arms.

“He told me that I would regret it if I hadn’t given it all back.” Sirna tapped his chin. “If he knew I hadn’t, why didn’t he just say?”

“Because he wanted you to bring her to the border for him. If you knew he would be waiting to accuse you of stealing from him when you got there, you wouldn’t have done it, would you?” Evelyn sniffed and turned away.

“I’m still not sure it was him. Maybe it was Ava.”

Evelyn gave a laugh. “What about her makes you think she can even walk in a straight line, let alone reach the box and empty it without us seeing. I haven’t let her in there alone, ever.”

“It’s the rope. We used it too much. And even if she isn’t translucent, like she was in the beginning, she isn’t right. The way she stares at me, absolutely blank and empty.” He shivered. “That old hag is right, she’s probably wandering around among the trees, trying to find the road or something.”

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