“Thank you. Who is this?” she nodded to Jasmine.
Jasmine stuck out her hand. “Jasmine Bloomday. Cassian’s cousin.”
“Ah, I’ve heard a lot about you, Jasmine. It’s nice to meet you,” Gertrude said with a smile. I was grateful for Jasmine’s presence easing the tension between us.
Her moment of hospitality didn’t last long. She crossed her arms and frowned at me when she finished welcoming Jasmine. “What did you want to ask?”
“When was the last time you communicated with Cassian?” I asked.
“I’ve written him a few times, but I haven’t heard back,” she said, sighing as she looked away. “He must be busy.”
I scratched my head as I thought about this. “You wrote to him at Fibbersnap Inn?”
“I did.”
“Hm…” I retrieved my journal to make a note and then turned to Jasmine. “Have you been receivinganypostage to the inn?”
“Not much, but yes,” Jasmine said.
“I can’t imagine why Cassian wouldn’t write back unless he didn’t receive your letters. He would have told me if he’d heard from you,” I said.
“Why would he tellyou?” Gertrude looked unimpressed.
I cleared my throat while Jasmine snickered at me. Gertrude’s expression moved from perplexed to understanding, and she chuckled too. I continued before either of them could say anything. “If you don’t mind my asking, what did you say in these letters to him? I’m concerned someone is intercepting messages to and from the inn.”
“They were fairly straightforward. I wanted to know how he was doing and if he needed anything…” Gertrude trailed off and squinted at a row of dried, bundled flowers hanging on her wall. “I also included advice about protective wards. His grandfather must’ve had some in place, but they probably expired when hepassed away.” She looked at me again. “What kind of trouble is he in?”
“The inn is cursed,” I answered.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Cursed? How?”
“Faian magic,” Jasmine answered for me, clearly knowing I wouldn’t be able to answer the question well. “Five rune stones placed around the property cursing the place not to make any money.”
“Probablyfive, but we don’t know for sure,” I added. Maybe I had learned more than I thought.
“That’s really bad,” Gertrude said. “Faian magic is serious.”
“Did you cover Faian magic with Cassian when he was your apprentice?” I asked.
“Oh, yes. We went over it thoroughly, but we didn’t get around to practicing it. It’s far too complicated for a beginner,” Gertrude said.
That was interesting. Cassian had acted like he didn’t know much about Faian magic, not that he had learned about it thoroughly.
“Should I come to the inn? I may be able to locate the stones, and it would be nice to see Cass again,” Gertrude said.
“Would you do that?” Jasmine asked. “We would be so grateful.”
“Certainly. How long can it wait? I have a few orders that I can’t leave just yet,” Gertrude said.
Jasmine scratched her head and grimaced at the floor. “Not much longer, to be honest. We’re running out of money.”
Gertrude nodded once. “I’d better get to work. I’ll probably be able to make it there within the next few days if I hurry.”
“Thank you, Gertrude,” Jasmine sighed. “Cassian will be so happy to see you.”
“Sure, sure,” Gertrude said, herding us to the door. “Goodbye.”
“Wait—” I said as she shut the door in our faces. I frowned at Jasmine. “I wasn’t done questioning her.”
