Page 66 of I Ran Away to Evil 2
“Alright. I look forward to it.” Bronwynn lifted her bags, and we headed for the open spiral staircase. On the left-hand side of the stair, there was a doorway that said “Tea Room,” and to the right, “First Floor Rooms.” The lobby itself opened up all the way to the third floor.
We found our rooms easily and settled our things before agreeing to meet in the Tea Room after.
I didn’t have much to unpack, so I paced a bit to pass the time before heading back down. Nothing like a good pacing.
Before I could walk into the Tea Room, Amber headed me off and let me know that Jack was waiting in a private room. Bronwynn still hadn’t come down.
That might actually be a good thing; I wanted to get a chance to talk to Pjori and Jack without Bronwynn. It was time to clear up a few things.
The two were waiting for me, drinking tea in a meeting room on the first floor.
“Well met, Rufus,” Pjori greeted from his chair farthest from the cozy fire. He was nursing a cold cup of chai, by the smell, and Jack was sitting next to him drinking Lady Green.
Jack leaned back in his large armchair. “I told you this place was the best.”
“You told me this place was safe to talk business,” Pjori countered, but it was obvious he wasn’t too committed to arguing as he happily sipped from his glass.
“Are we getting straight to business, then?” I asked, taking the third out of the four chairs set up for this meeting. I sat across from Pjori so I wasn’t right beside the fire. I didn’t want to be; singed fur was no joke.
“You could order tea first,” Jack suggested.
“OrI can say that I don’t appreciate your choice to drag Minstrel Bronwynn into this mess andkindlyask you to explain your employer’s plan for her,” I said, crossing my arms and leaning back into my own chair. It was very comfortable, with good lower-back support and a small blue-and-white pillow.
Pjori and Jack shared a look, and Jack finally looked serious. “The bard is a suspect.”
“Of course she is,” I countered, stating the obvious. “She’s been at multiple molten ash vane sightings, and you can confirm yourself she was at the last two. You also know that she probably wasn’t working for your assassin employer if she also got kidnapped.”
Hearing about that day, and the trials my favorite bard—er, and my queen—had suffered still made my stomach clench and churn.
“So you know … Is that the reason you’re traveling with her? To test her?” Pjori asked.
“Among other reasons,” I admitted. “But so far, I haven’t seen anything at all that relates to the assassination cases or her involvement. The only lead was a false lead you yourself planted, Jack.”
“It wasperfection. A proper excuse to question the bard without giving anything away. I wasn’t expecting you and Page Saryl to defend her so adamantly. Luckily, I am very smart and came up with another excuse on the fly.” Jack puffed out his chest.
Pjori added, “Itwasa good idea. I didn’t know any of this and was ready to properly investigate her at the party.”
“You”—Jack waved a hand at me—“are making it hard to follow through with my questioning. Stop getting in the way.”
“All of that just to get her alone today?”
“Yes.” Jack smiled. “Today, you’re going to let us do our job. Ah, and here she is now.”
CHAPTER 38
His Golden Eyes Locked on Her Tongue
Brownie
Brownie decided to make use of the tepid water basin to wash off a bit of the road. Before she went downstairs, she did a basic check on the doors, the windows, and the exits. If she jumped from her window, which conveniently opened wide enough for her to clear with ease, then she would land mere feet from her horse at the front of the inn.
The hallway ended in a big window overlooking the side of the building opposite the horse stable. It was a narrow section just big enough to walk single file along, and it would make a great escape route—especially if she could clear the jump onto the next-door roof, which was only two levels.
With a kick in her step and her instrument slung over her shoulder, Brownie wandered downstairs.
“The others are waiting for you this way!” Amber smiled at her and showed her to a private room. When Brownie walked inside, she noted that Pjori, Jack, and Rufus were already seated. Rufus was perusing the tea menu in the chair closest to her.
He looked up and gave her a pained smile. “The waitress will be back in just a second, want to share a menu?”
