Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
Rhaz reached the end of a street and stopped short.
One of the red-and-gold trucks he’d seen the day before sat in front of a building. Several people were washing it. How odd.
He cocked his head and sidestepped behind a tree, watching as the tiny dark-haired woman walked out a door and headed toward the men. She immediately joined them in tending the truck. If that was what one called it.
He turned away from the scene and leaned against the tree. His heart hammered in his chest, and he had no idea why.
Okay, that wasn’t true.
He peeked around the tree again. Did she belong to one of the men there? Was she free or a slave? So far, he hadn’t seen any human females being mistreated or ordered about. Perhaps slavery didn’t exist in this realm.
Good.
He watched for another moment before remembering he was supposed to be looking for Basil.
Rhaz squeezed his eyes shut. What good would it do to keep an eye on the woman if he and Basil would be leaving as soon as he found him? That was assuming they could get the door to open again.
Taking a deep breath, Rhaz stepped away from the tree and started walking in the opposite direction. He was surprised by the heaviness in his limbs and the strange pull in his chest.
His dragon wanted to protect her.
What if one of those men had set his sights on her? What if he took her?
Go back! Ezrel roared. Must protect!
Rhaz pushed forward. “We’ll check on her after we find Basil. You do remember Basil, don’t you?”
Gnome.
Rhaz sighed. “That’s all you have to say?”
Ezriel fell silent.
He fought the urge to roll his eyes. His dragon could pout all he wanted. He wasn’t going to let himself get sidetracked.
Still, it was nice to know where he could find her.
Rhaz rounded a corner and entered a street lined with houses. He crossed to the other side and continued on, stopping now and then to see if he could pick up Basil’s scent.
It was no use. There were too many other smells. Mostly human, but also animals, oil, and an assortment of scents he couldn’t identify.
“Basil, where are you?” His senses seemed to be returning to normal. His hearing had improved and so had his eyesight.
By scale and flame, what if he didn’t find him? Worse, what if Basil had been captured by the humans and locked away somewhere?
A smile tugged at his mouth. Part of him felt sorry for anyone foolish enough to try to capture and contain the gnome. Basil was as clever as he was cantankerous.
Still, there were a lot of humans here. And they had pets. What if one chased Basil or hurt him?
He was familiar with cats and had seen more than a few roaming about. As for dogs, there seemed to be all kinds of them. Only once had he seen one wandering alone, but it had worn a collar, so it must have belonged to someone.
Rhaz crossed two more streets before reaching a bench. Frustrated, he sat and surveyed his surroundings. How could he go almost three days without any sign of the little gnome?
He sighed heavily. Basil was small. Maybe he really could hide so well that even Rhaz couldn’t find him.
Another possibility crept into his thoughts. Maybe Basil hadn’t made it through the door. Rhaz didn’t want to consider it, but he was going to have to.
The door had battered him badly enough. What might it have done to someone like Basil? Had he even landed in this realm? Or had the door sent him somewhere else entirely?
After all, they hadn’t entered it at exactly the same time.
His stomach growled, dragging his attention elsewhere. Food. Rhaz immediately thought of the wonderful meals Basil prepared whenever he wished.
He could certainly use one now. Rhaz rubbed his stomach. He had no more paper currency and only a handful of coins remaining. He doubted they would buy much.
If he didn’t find food soon, he might have to steal some. The thought sat poorly with him, but desperate times were desperate times.
Forcing himself off the bench, he continued walking. Another street led into another neighborhood. One home had a beautiful side garden overflowing with flowers. He paused long enough to admire it before moving on.
Only then did he realize he was heading back toward the center of town. Perhaps he should return to where the dark-haired woman had been washing the truck.
Would she still be there? Did she live there? And who were those men? Brothers?
He didn’t think so. None of them looked alike. Still, there had been a camaraderie between them, something shared by people who knew one another well. It was something Rhaz wished he had.
Maybe Basil was right. Maybe he should make more friends and spend less time isolated in the palace. His duties kept him chained there. Soon they would chain him to something else entirely.
The thought made his stomach turn, and he quickened his pace.
Being here for three days meant he had been missing from the palace for three days. What was his father doing to find him? Did anyone even know what had happened?
If he and Basil couldn’t find the door and return home, would war erupt? What was Father going to tell King Iskareth?
Rhaz stopped short. What if his parents thought he had run away to avoid marrying Princess Beyza?
He drew in a slow breath and let it out before leaning against the wall of a nearby building. What a catastrophe that would be.
If King Iskareth believed Rhaz had fled the arrangement made between their fathers, war would almost certainly follow. His father would stop at nothing to find him.
Rhaz glanced around. People wandered between shops and eateries. He kept hearing the word tourist and wondered why so many would visit this little town. Was it the ocean? Or was there something more?
Pushing the thought aside, he continued on. He had to find Basil, and quickly. The sooner they returned home, the better.
Not that he minded imagining what life might be like if he had truly run away to avoid marrying Princess Beyza. But it would do his kingdom no good, and despite everything, he knew his duty.
He was expected to marry a conniving witch. A cruel woman who, given the chance, would enslave every human she could find. A woman who viewed other races little better.
She was far too much like her father. Between the two of them, they would try to turn Rhaz into something he never wanted to become.
How could his father not see it? Did he truly not know what they were like? Perhaps not.
Maybe he was so desperate to preserve peace between their kingdoms that he was willing to sacrifice Rhaz to do it. Or perhaps there was more to the arrangement than Rhaz understood.
Honestly, he didn’t know.
“That’s all Sally said!” Louise insisted. She put a hand on her hip and wagged her finger at Anon. “You can use me for a snoop, but you still owe me answers, Dr. Anon Blackstone.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” Anon said. “But first we need to rescue a poor soul from the general populace. Think of poor Aaron if we hadn’t found him. Do you honestly think he’d be safe out there all by himself?”
Louise gave him a flat look. “The boy parts water. And he made the water take that shadowy thing away. What ever happened to that thing?”
“The ocean fried it, as far as I know,” Anon said. “Held it up to sunlight and sizzle, sizzle, no more shadow creature.”
“My point is,” Louise continued, “you still owe me. Pearl and Sam too. Why should we keep an eye out for this mystery hero? So what if he defied death, ran into a burning building twice, and saved lives?”
Anon frowned. “Now you’re just trying to prove your own point. You know you’re dying for a story for your column. Tell me, have you written it yet?”
Louise blushed. “Maybe.”
“Mm-hm. And when did you plan to print it?”
She pursed her lips and shrugged.
Anon gave her a triumphant smile. “You haven’t submitted it yet because you want more to tell. And this will give it to you. Aren’t you wondering where the man went?”
“Why are you so interested in him anyway?” Louise shot back.
Anon heaved an impatient sigh. Louise was being impossible. “I’ve already told you. He needs us. Like Aaron, he comes from someplace... far away.”
“Well,” she hedged, “he did save Lily Parker.” She wagged her finger at him again. “And we mustn’t forget about Wilbur.”
“Never.” Anon crossed his heart. “On my honor.”
Louise rolled her eyes. “Very well, I’ll keep an eye out. But if I find him, I get an exclusive interview.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “And answers, Dr. Blackstone.” She poked him in the chest several times for good measure.
Anon rubbed the spot. “Ow.”
“You deserve it.” She pulled her cell phone from her purse.
“What are you doing?” Anon asked.
“Calling Pearl and Sam. I need backup. And snacks!” She put the phone to her ear. “Hello, Sam? Louise. Yes, I’m fine. We have a job to do.... What? Yes, bring a bag of chocolate kisses. It’s a stakeout.”
Anon smiled as he listened to Louise charm Sam into spending however long it took to locate the dragon prince. He wasn’t about to tell her what they were really looking for. Just who.
When she hung up, she shoved her phone back into her bag. “Well, don’t just stand there. Details, man. Details!”
“His name is Rhaziel Stormfyr.”
Louise scrunched up her face. “How do you know what his name is?”
“I have it on good authority. Now, use his name only if you must. In fact, it’s best you don’t confront him. Just call me, let me know where he is, and I’ll do the rest.”
Louise eyed him suspiciously. “Hmm, very well. But remember what I said. And what about Sally and Mabel? Should they keep an eye out for him too?”
“Yes, but don’t tell them anything I’ve told you. Simply say that you’d like to interview him for your column.”
“They already know that.”
“Excellent! Then it should be easy to find him.” Anon gave her a thoughtful look. From what Basil had told them, the dragon prince would be getting awfully hungry by now. Good heavens, he hoped he hadn’t eaten any livestock.
He blanched as he thought of Petunia and his other goats. “I have a few chores to do. I must go, Louise.”
“Fine. I’ll keep you posted.” She put on her large, white-rimmed sunglasses, adjusted her flowery hat, and marched out of the living room.
Anon walked her to the door, saw her out, then hurried to the back of the house where he kept his goats. He did a quick head count.
Thankfully, they were all accounted for.
Dandy had raised a good point earlier about how large the prince’s dragon might be. Basil claimed he was gigantic and would eat them all for breakfast.
The little gnome seemed delighted that they were searching for Rhaz, but at the same time, cautious.
He kept asking questions about the humans here and what the other supernaturals were like.
Every time Anon tried to explain how things worked in Moon Creek Falls, Basil cut him off and insisted someone else answer.
Caelen, Quill, and Jackson refused. Instead, they told him it would be best if he listened to Anon, “The bloodsucker.”
Jackson always had to tack that on.
Anon returned to the house and headed down to the basement, where Quill and Caelen were quizzing Basil.
The moment Anon entered the guest room, Basil turned up his nose. “I could smell you coming a mile away,” the gnome said.
“And I could hear you exaggerating about how much your king enjoyed your chicken dish, which might be the last meal you ever cook for him, you little beast.”
“Will you two stop it?” Quill said. “If we’re to find Rhaziel, we need to get moving. He can’t be far away, and hunger will keep him near town.” He sighed at Basil. “Did your prince have any coin on him when he was taken by the door?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know,” Basil said. A worried expression crossed his face. “Do you really think he’s that hungry? Would no one give him food here?”
“It depends,” Anon said, “on how bedraggled he looks. Would he look like a common laborer or a prince?”
Basil glanced down at his own clothes, which were a little worse for wear. “I don’t know. But I would like you to find him for me. Once you do, I can take care of him.”
Caelen gave the gnome a smile. “You’re very fond of him, aren’t you?”
Basil frowned. “Of course. I’ve watched him grow up. I’ve cooked for him since he was a babe. I don’t want to see him harmed in any way. Do you understand me, Fae?”
Quill crossed his arms and looked at Caelen. “Why don’t you tell him who you are?”
Caelen shrugged. “Basil, I am Caelen Thornvale, Prince of Kranthorne, First Knight to the King and Queen, and brother to the heir of the throne.”
“Didn’t you tell me that once before?” Basil asked, thoroughly unimpressed. “Besides, you’re not my prince. Why should I be interested in a lesser realm?”
Caelen laughed. “You arrogant little beast! Is there no end to your pompous prattle?”
“I’ll prattle all I want,” Basil said. “Now be gone, you peasant Fae. Bring me my prince, and he’d better be intact, or you’ll be sorry.”
Anon made a tsk-tsk sound. “You are a nasty little piece of work. How ever does your prince put up with you? “
“For one thing, he lets me cook him whatever I want.” Basil narrowed his eyes. “You have a kitchen here. Why haven’t you let me prove myself? Where is the Naiad? What have you done with him?”
“If you must know,” Anon said, “Aaron is newly married and on his honeymoon. We’re giving the happy couple a few days of privacy. Surely even you can understand that.”
“Hmm, very well. But you’d better let me see your kitchen. Once my prince is here, I must cook for him.”
Anon studied the gnome. “You promised to behave before and then stabbed me with a fork.”
“A plastic fork,” Quill pointed out.
“It was still a fork,” Anon said. “Some would consider that a lethal weapon.” He turned back to Basil. “Very well. You may see the kitchen. But no funny business. We can’t be worrying about you while trying to locate your prince. Is that understood?”
Basil crossed his arms and stuck his nose in the air. “Yes. Now take me to your kitchen.”