Page 19 of Edge of Wonder

I made a gagging face at her obvious come-on. The room was getting cold again, and he’d better speed things up or this place would drip with icicles.

“I’m looking for a local painter. One who does portraits and imaginary landscapes with strange—”

“Objects hidden inside?” The barmaid giggled. “You’re looking for the White Rabbit shop, luv. It’s on the east side of the village.” She placed a hand on his shoulder and smoothed a path along the back of his neck. Dipping her head, she murmured, “My shift is almost over. I could take you there. Then maybe we can go back to my place.”

I made a disgusted sound in the back of my throat. This woman was relentless! Behind us, the sconces on the wall flickered.

“Thanks for the offer. I should be able to find it on my own.”

The barmaid pouted as he disentangled himself from her grip. She reached for his half-empty bowl and placed it on her tray.

“Maybe another time, then. You know where to find me.” She rested the tray on her hip and gave Sebastian a coy smile. Her hips swayed as she turned back toward the bar. She only made it halfway before an empty chair from a vacant table slid into her path.

The barmaid stumbled into the chair and lost her balance. The tray slipped, causing the stew bowl to crash to the floor. Fish-scented mush stained her skirt and glazed her shoes.

Sebastian’s gaze shot toward me as I casually twirled a lock of hair around my finger. I lifted my shoulders. “Oops. How clumsy of her. I hope her shoes aren’t ruined.”

“Seriously, Alice. You could give the tea society villain a run for her money.”

“What? She tripped.”

“And I’m the king of the realm.”

“All hail King Sebastian. Now let’s find that shop before it closes for the day.”

***

The White Rabbit gallery was a dilapidated hole in the wall with an arched wooden door and a broken lantern post. A single display window had been boarded up, and no light seeped between the beams.

Evening had set in, and shadows filled the narrow alley. The only evidence the place wasn’t completely abandoned was a single candle flickering in a second-floor window.

Sebastian tried the door handle, finding it locked.

I drifted up the steps to the entrance. “I know we’re too late, but I just want a quick look around. It’ll only take a minute.” I held out my hand and pressed it against the door. Something was wrong. Frowning, I pressed harder, trying to breach the shop’s entrance. A glowing field of light emanated beneath my palm, keeping me from passing through.

“Why can’t I get inside? I’ve never had trouble crossing barriers before.”

“It’s because of the bonding spell. You’re haunting me, remember? You can’t go where I can’t see you.”

"It’s that sensitive?” I gave up my attempt with a little growl and sank onto the steps. “How frustrating. Looks like we’ll have to come back tomorrow.”

“Or—” Sebastian dug into his pack and pulled out a rolled leather toolkit. “We can break in and search the first floor.”

I floated to my feet and tugged uncomfortably on the sleeves of my dress.

“Isn’t that trespassing?”

“Says the ghost, who is a literal squatter in another man’s home.”

“It’s not the same thing! And I was there first,” I grumbled, studying the toolkit with renewed interest. “All right. But hurry before someone sees you.”

Sebastian made sure the alley was clear before he inserted a metal pick into the lock. With a few quick turns, he manipulated the pins until there was a faint click. The handle turned beneath his palm, and he slowly opened the door.

Inside, the room was sparse, with a few easels set up in the corner and a small leather sofa pressed against the wall. Sebastian inched forward, struggling to see in the dark room.

“Over here.” I pointed to a box of candles sitting on a shelf. He lit one and held up the light. The flickering flame illuminated a series of portraits hanging on the wall. Their frozen faces watched us from their stationary perch.

“Nowthat’screepy,” I said, as their unwavering stare seemed to move with us as we approached a long counter. On the other side, a door opened to a back room, while a staircase led to the second floor. We chose the door, careful to keep it from creaking, and crept further into the shop.

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