Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
They arrived at Sweet Haven Bakery and parked across the street. Once out of the van, they crossed to the door, and Anon prepared to open it. “Now, with any luck, there will be three cherry Danish left.”
Everyone crossed their fingers.
“Why would I cross my fingers?” Aaron asked.
“Oh, it’s just something fun to do, my boy.” Anon opened the door, stepped inside, and gasped.
“Oh dear. Abort.” He turned around and shoved them both back onto the sidewalk.
Rhaz took in the panicked expression on his face. “Anon, what’s wrong?” He looked through the door. With his dragon’s eyesight, he could see well enough.
Hana stood behind the counter with the same woman who had served him when he first arrived. Two men were ordering, and several people sat at tables enjoying pastries, as Anon called them, along with various beverages.
“Why do you look so upset?” Rhaz asked.
Anon steered them toward the van. Instead of getting in, he guided them to the far side so the bakery was out of sight. “It’s Emory Chen.”
“Emory?” Aaron said. “Isn’t he your friend?”
“Yes, but he’s with someone who is not my friend and whom I’d recognize anywhere.
” Anon grimaced. “That square head and short-cropped hair. It’s Paul Bristow.
Oh dear, now what did he say he did?” He paced.
“It was probably a lie anyway. Let’s see...
” Anon tapped his chin. “Oh yes. Interagency specialist, he called himself at our last meeting. I thought he was up on Mount Hood.”
“Mount Hood,” Aaron said. “I’ve heard that mentioned too.”
“Yes, yes, my boy. I know.” Anon peeked around the van, then ducked back quickly. “What is Emory doing with the likes of Paul Bristow? This is not good.” He steepled his fingers and began tapping them together.
“What can I do?” Rhaz asked.
“Do?” Anon thought for a moment. “Oh yes. Neither one has seen you.”
Rhaz waited.
Anon pointed at him. “Well, you could go order for us while Aaron and I wait in the van. I don’t want Aaron anywhere near that Paul Bristow. Perhaps not even Emory. I compelled him at one time.”
Aaron blinked. “But you took it away.”
“Yes,” Anon agreed and looked at Rhaz. “He’s a scientist, you see. We haven’t filled you in on all the trouble we’ve had. Just bits and pieces. Sorry about that.”
Rhaz shrugged. “It’s all right. I’m still learning and getting used to things. You’ll get around to it.”
“I did plan on it, you know,” Anon said apologetically.
Rhaz nodded. “So I’ll go in, order from Hana, and hope she doesn’t give away that she knows you.”
Anon whipped out his cell phone. “I’ll give her a call real quick and warn her.” He put the phone to his ear. “Drat. Voicemail.”
He left a quick message, then stuffed the phone back into his pocket. “Well, she’ll get it in a bit. If she greets you by name, that’s still all right. Just cut her off before she can mention the rest of us.”
Rhaz nodded and headed across the street. Then he stopped and came back. “I need currency.”
“Oh yes, of course.” Anon pulled out a billfold, removed several bills, and handed them over. “That should be plenty.”
“Thank you.”
“Off with you.” Anon waved him away.
Rhaz crossed the street and entered the bakery. The two men were still at the counter. Were these the ones Anon was upset about?
Hana looked up from what she was doing. “Rhaz, hello.” She glanced at the door and then back at him. “Here all alone?”
He approached the counter. “Yes. I’ve been sent for some snacks. I need two iced teas, one iced coffee, and three cherry Danish, if you have them.”
The two men glanced at Rhaz. The taller one spoke. “You do have enough cherry Danish left, don’t you?”
“Yes, I made extra today. You don’t need to worry.” She smiled. “Besides, you already ordered. Just give me a moment and I’ll get those for you.”
She looked at the man beside the one called Bristow, but said nothing.
Rhaz guessed, by the indecisive look on his face, that this must be Emory, Anon’s friend.
Then he glanced at the other man. Paul Bristow was staring at him.
Great.
The man looked human, but there was something different about him.
Rhaz took an indiscreet sniff. He smelled human, but there was something else there. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He would have to ask Anon about him when he returned to the van.
He watched as Hana gave the two men their cherry Danish, each on a plate, along with two coffees. “Thank you, Hana,” the one Rhaz assumed was Emory said.
He watched the two men head for a table and sit down. As soon as they did, the taller one, Mr. Bristow, stared at Rhaz, his eyes narrowing.
Rhaz turned his back to them and waited for Hana to finish his order.
“You needed this to go, of course,” she said, glancing between him and the two men behind him.
“Yes, thank you.” Rhaz took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
Hana looked at him for a moment and gave him a barely perceptible nod. She must know this was not a good situation.
If she knew Emory as well, then she was probably also wondering why he was with this man called Bristow. What were they doing here? How could they find out?
If Emory was friends with Anon, he supposed all Anon had to do was call him. Then perhaps he’d get his answer that way.
He hoped Emory hadn’t switched sides, if there was such a thing.
It didn’t take long for Hana to gather his order along with the three drinks. She put everything into an odd-looking tray made of some paper-like material so it would be easy to carry.
He’d never seen anything like it. “That is genius.” He looked around and lowered his voice. “What is this made of?”
She leaned toward him and whispered, “Cardboard. I’ll explain later.”
He smiled, nodded, and left with his purchase. Back at the van, Anon and Aaron were inside with the engine running.
Rhaz handed everything through the window, then went around to the other side, slid open the door, and climbed in. “I believe Hana is aware of the situation. Has she seen this other man before? This Bristow?”
“Yes. He’s come into the bakery when he’s been in town, but what is he doing with my Emory?” Anon pulled away from the curb and headed back toward the manse.
“This is a pickle,” he went on. “Emory has been up at the Mount Hood site. I know very well that Major Kincaid and Mr. Bristow have been there too. They were called away when Caelen was courting Dandy. Thank goodness. We haven’t seen hide nor hair of them since.
Well, not Bristow, of course. Emory, yes, but that’s another story. ”
“Anon,” Aaron said, “is this what you call rambling? The way you are talking?”
Anon let out a nervous laugh. “Yes, Aaron. This is rambling. This is worry and concern all wrapped up into one neat package.”
Rhaz leaned forward. “How can I help, Anon? What can I do?”
Aaron turned around in his seat and smiled at him. “It is nice that you want to help. I bet they’d be afraid of your dragon.”
Anon let out a yelp. “No, no, Aaron. No dragons. What is our rule?”
Aaron turned around, a disappointed look on his face. “Hide in plain sight to survive.”
“Exactly,” Anon said. “So no dragons.”
Aaron let out a disappointed groan and crossed his arms over his chest, almost like a child. But then Aaron was very childlike, and as a Nemthra could live for thousands of years, he probably was a child.
Which was fine, if not a bit concerning. If the humans ever found out what Aaron was, war would start, and the fight over him would be brutal.
Rhaz sighed and took a sip of his iced coffee. He found it delightful. Bitter and cold.
When they reached the house, they piled out and went inside. Basil, as usual, was glued to the television while the three of them prepared to have their pastries.
After Anon plated them, they began to eat. “Tell me about this Bristow,” Rhaz said.
Anon took another bite of his cherry Danish, and Rhaz was surprised he was eating it.
Anon dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “He was in town briefly, not long after Caelen arrived and started working at the flower shop with Dandy. He seemed to take an interest in Caelen, but much more of an interest in her, which was concerning.”
“She’s human?”
“Yes. For the most part…”
“What do you mean, for the most part?” Rhaz asked, cutting him off.
Anon shrugged. “What I mean is we sense a little something different about her, but none of us can figure out what it is. She has a propensity to be friendly with flowers and plants, much the same way Aaron has a relationship with water.”
Rhaz could only stare. He hadn’t noticed anything different about Dandy. Not really. Then again, he hadn’t been paying much attention whenever she was in the room. He would have to from now on.
“I see,” he finally said. “Well, this is an interesting situation. What are you going to do?”
Anon took another bite of his pastry and set it aside. He held up a finger while he chewed and swallowed. “I’m going to have a little chat with Emory Chen.”
Phin went up the porch steps of Anon’s house and knocked on the door. She should have rung the bell, but she was so nervous she forgot.
What was she even doing here? She needed to put Rhaz Stormfyr out of her head and get on with her life. Getting attached wasn’t going to do her any good.
He didn’t even know what he was going to do. Would he stay? Would he go back to Dubai? Or wherever it was he was from. She never did get the name of the place.
Quill opened the door. “Hi, Phin. Here to see Rhaz?”
“Um, yeah. If he’s home.”
“He is. Come on in.”
She entered the house and followed Quill into the kitchen. Rhaz sat at the table with Anon, who stood immediately. “Well, hello, Phin. And I also must say goodbye. I’m off to the office. Quill, you’ll keep an eye on things?”
“Of course.” Quill stuck his hands into his pockets and leaned against the wall near the basement door.
Phin smiled and waved at Anon. He waved back and headed out the back door.
She took a deep breath and turned to Rhaz. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” He stood. “To what do I owe the pleasure, my lady?”