“I wish that for Deryn, Aunt. Even if I’m unsure whether she wishes it for herself. I think now, above all other times, she could use a mate. A soulmate and a fated mate, in her life.”
Victoria’s eyebrows shot up, and Deryn risked a question, an answer to which she wondered if she’d regret getting.
“Why, Ceri?”
Still, when the answer came, it was nothing like she could’ve expected.
“Because whoever broke into the house wasn’t after me or my property. They were after you. Your bedroom was covered in ash, even though we found no fire anywhere. I don’t believe in coincidences, baby sister. Someone wants something from you. And that someone knows who you are. Thus the ash.”
Deryn felt the piping bag drop from her hands as Victoria got up miraculously fast, for someone her age, to prevent her from sliding to the floor while her head spun.
17
PALOMA, HELPFUL HEADMISTRESSES & MIDDLE NAMES
CROW’S NEST PREPARES FOR ELECTION DEBATE!
The two front-runners, John Moss and Paloma Allende, will square up at the town hall this Friday to debate their platforms and the future of the town. Residents of Crow’s Nest are invited to attend, and employers are encouraged to give time off to their employees, should they wish to participate.
In other news, Prudence Fowler has temporarily closed her bookstore while she travels to the mainland with her fiancée, Rhiannon Crowhart. The future brides are expected to spend time in New York and L.A. to acquire inventory for the soon-to-be restored Crow, Cat & Possum antique bookshop. Book Nest is expected to reopen after the winter holidays.
And to cap the events on the island, Sheriff Redding released a public appeal to all residents to provide their outside camera recordings for the night Ceridwen Crowhart’s house was broken into. Our sources indicate that the investigation has stalled, and law enforcement is currently looking for new leads. If nothing is uncovered with the help of neighborhood footage,the sheriff has not ruled out offering monetary incentives for any and all tips.
Watch this space and watch pretty much the entire town at this point, because why are so many things happening at once?
—Crow’s Caw
“I thinkafter years of having very little to relay to the public, whoever is responsible for theCawis being run ragged. Every time they email me with questions these days, the missives are more and more erratic.” The Headmistress of Dragons School for Girls looked over the top of theCawand winked.
Paloma didn’t answer and just watched as her interlocutor handed the newspaper back to her and bit into a piece of beautiful blackberry tart. Magdalene Nox wiped the crumbs from her mouth and took another bite, making a decidedly satisfied sound.
“And I do have to say that your girlfriend has outdone herself with this blackberry filling. I’ll have to ask Mrs. Crowhart-Moreau to pack me one to go. My wife adores blackberry desserts.”
Paloma shook her head.
“Deryn didn’t bake it. She’s swamped with helping Ceridwen with the house and running interference between Rhiannon and the construction team while she’s away. And she still trains my pastry chef at Astronomy Resort.”
Magdalene gave her a little smile. Which, Paloma mused, in Magdalene speak, could mean literally anything. Amusement, teasing, interest.
“Busy girl.”
Again, the tone was neutral enough, and Paloma waited for more from the Headmistress before she would know how to respond.
Magdalene did not let her wait too long.
“I assume you keep her even busier. I saw her at Blossoms about a week ago, and she had a lovely mark on her neck. Sam, being polite and helpful as always, took her aside and quietly pointed it out. Ms. Crowhart turned the loveliest shade of crimson before wrapping her scarf tighter. I’d say nice work, but somehow I don’t think you’d welcome the congratulations.”
Ah, so the esteemed Headmistress was fishing. Smart. But also, bold. Paloma wondered if she was the first one to doubt the veracity of her relationship with Deryn. Certainly, the first to almost openly question her about it. Not even the other meddlesome Crowharts were this insightful.
When she replied, she chose her words carefully.
“I’m sure Deryn was embarrassed.”
Magdalene scrunched her nose for a moment; her dissatisfaction with the answer was visible. Paloma bit her lip. This was like a game of very, very subtle chess between two people who were almost friends.
“As long as you aren’t,” Magdalene finally settled on saying, and Paloma allowed herself a tiny smirk.
“Not in the least. Those amongst us who have not had to cover a hickey, may they have more interesting lives.”
