Page 19 of A Wayward Movement

“No, it’s not that,” Mrs. Pincer cut her off. She patted her hair briskly. “I was just out front and saw the investigators coming out of the baker’s next door. They’re speaking in the road now, but I think they’re coming here next.”

Alina swallowed, wondering if she should try to hide upstairs and make up an excuse for Lilah and Mrs. Pincer later. She was still debating when the bell over the shop door jangled merrily, the sound accompanied by the firm tread of boots on the porch outside.

Alina’s eyes flew to the doorway, one of her hands resting on the bottom of the wooden rail that ran along the staircase up to her sanctuary. But she didn’t dart upstairs. She watched with outward calm as several men trooped into the store. The one in front had an air of command about him—she recognized him as the guard who’d sat at the end of the group at the tavern. But he didn’t address them, stepping to the side as his companions followed him in, and looking respectfully toward the last to enter.

Prince Xavier. Alina resisted the urge to smooth her new skirts. She held herself steady, telling her erratic heart to settle down as the prince’s eyes lazily scanned the group. One dark eyebrow rose slightly as his gaze lingered on Lilah, and he sent the ghost of a wink to the pretty golden-haired girl. Alina didn’t look at Lilah to see how her friend took this hint of flirtation. She didn’t want to miss the moment Prince Xavier properly saw her. She was suddenly desperate to know whether he remembered her, whether he would recognize her after all these years.

His eyes slid across again, flitting over her whole form before their gazes locked.

He froze in place, his expression of lazy amusement instantly replaced by blank shock as they stared at each other. He made a small, jerky movement, as if he’d started forward but stopped himself. One hand rose slightly then fell, and he swallowed hard enough to make his throat bob. For a moment there was total silence, stretching out and enveloping the small shop with a presence almost as tangible as Dust.

Then a muffled mewing sounded from the prince’s cloak, breaking him from his stupor. He tore his eyes from hers, stepping back and looking toward the guard in a silent appeal. Whatever the prince had been about to do or say, he’d lost the thread of it.

Well, that answered her question quite decisively.

Alina lowered her eyes, knowing it was vanity to be pleased she had an effect on him, but feeling a sense of relief all the same.

The guard stepped forward, taking the prince’s loss of capacity in stride.

“Good morning, ladies,” he said in a pleasant but firm voice. “My name is Captain Mitchell, and I’m assisting with the crown’s investigation into the recent disappearances in this area.”

“We’ve heard all about it. It’s past time someone did something about the situation.”

Mrs. Pincer’s words carried a regal air that seemed intended to remind these visitors that they’d entered her own small kingdom, over which she and she alone presided. Alina’s lips twitched in appreciation, but her expression sobered as she felt the prince’s eyes again boring into her face.

“It is indeed,” Captain Mitchell agreed curtly. “Rest assured, we’ll be conducting a thorough investigation, ma’am. Today’s inquiries are only preliminary.” He looked toward Prince Xavier, as if offering him another opportunity to take over.

Alina followed his gaze, warmth prickling at her neck as she found the prince’s eyes still fixed on her. He pulled them away with an effort, giving a small nod to the captain.

Captain Mitchell’s eyes passed discreetly between the prince and Alina, the look shrewd but brief as he continued speaking.

“To whom am I speaking?”

Mrs. Pincer and Lilah introduced themselves, another member of the prince’s party jotting down their names carefully in a ledger.

“And you, miss?” the captain prompted her, when she didn’t speak.

“My name is Alina,” she said, keeping her eyes resolutely on the guard’s face.

“And do you live in town here?”

“I do,” she confirmed.

His eyes passed between her and Lilah. “Are you employees in this shop?”

“I am,” Lilah said, casting a concerned glance at Alina. She must wonder what had her friend so tense.

“And you?” Captain Mitchell’s question was directed at Alina.

“No, I’m just passing through the shop,” she told him. No need for everyone to know exactly where she lived.

“Do any of you have information to share about the disappearances?” the captain asked.

“No more than what’s widely known, I’d imagine,” Mrs. Pincer said. “Over the last few months, a suspicious number of people have left town without telling anyone they’re leaving. And other towns in the area have reported the same. Usually young people, always people known to have a bit of a knack for magic craft. It took a while to connect the pieces, because it was often people who were just passing through, or didn’t have family here.” She clucked her tongue. “I worry about these two, and their young man. None of them have family about to look out for them. And I’m sure we all try to look out for each other, but some are still more vulnerable than others.”

“I see.” The captain studied them both thoughtfully. “Have either of you had any threatening encounters, or suspected you were being watched or followed?”

Alina thought of the man who’d observed her outside the inn, then at the markets when she’d assisted Lilah. It wasn’t enough to call being watched, though. She hadn’t seen him since. She shook her head along with Lilah.