Page 42 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

The disturbing pattern had become more than a little exhausting in every way, and she was heartily sick of it. Somehow, it needed to end. How they were to accomplish that feat, however, remained elusive.

Though Herrick’s expression remained blank in his typical guard stoicism, she rather suspected he felt the same way.

Duke Armand nodded at her when she finished her tale. “Thank you for helping once again, Miss Nova. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us after returning each victim. Until now, we have been blind to the answer to this problem—and we have an urgent need of your assistance.”

Zorina furrowed her brow at that. What kind of additional help could they possibly need from her? How could she do anything to stop the Maestro?

Unless they’d somehow learned about her magic… But considering how careful she’d been, it didn’t seem likely.

Swallowing, she asked, “What kind of assistance are you looking for?”

Duke Armand and Captain Firmin met each others’ eyes, a hint of apprehension in their expressions.

Whatever this is, I have a feeling I won’t like it…

Instead of giving her a straight answer, however, the duke handed her a folded note. Hastily, she opened it and began to read.

Duke Armand and Captain Firmin,

It has come to my attention that the pretentious diva Carlotta is wreaking havoc around Adael—and not just with her atrocious voice, though she should cease singing immediately. Her vibrato vacillates so much that she alternates between being either flat or sharp without ever hitting the actual note. The discord of her abrasive tones abuses the ears of everyone forced to hear her, and could shatter even the most robust chandelier.

If only it were possible to push a button and mute her songs. Alas, I suppose this letter will have to do.

Please inform Carlotta to stop throwing tantrums about her supposed ordeal. No harm came to her—unfortunately—and she remembers nothing anyway.

And do beg her to cease croaking like a frog when she ‘sings,’ too.

You have yet to bring me the mage I am searching for, and I am most displeased at this egregious negligence on your part. Potential candidates will continue to disappear until the correct one is in my care.

I insist that you comply immediately, or something truly terrible will happen—and it will be entirely your fault.

To prevent this impending disaster, please deliver the mage I seek to the north woods by dusk tonight.

Or else.

Your true master,

The Maestro

While part of Zorina wanted to laugh at the very apt description of Carlotta’s singing, she kept her expression bland. “What does this have to do with me?”

Though she suspected she knew exactly who this Maestro was looking for—and if she was right, the thought terrified her. Whether he was one of her mother’s associates or not, she couldn’t let him find her.

Did these authoritative men of Adael know something about her that she’d tried to keep hidden? She glanced over at Herrick seated beside her, but his features remained stoic.

“Well, you see,” Duke Armand began, “since you are the one who found the previously missing women wandering aimlessly in the woods, we believe you may be just the one who could help us capture the Maestro.”

Confused—but relieved they did not seem to know about her magic after all—she asked, “Me? How?”

“We believe we need a decoy,” Captain Firmin suggested. “Someone we can bait and fool him with.”

Her heart froze in her chest at that, rendering her incapable of questioning the captain further. Bait the Maestro, when she was likely the very one he wanted? It was beyond risky. Foolish, even.

“What do you mean?” Herrick demanded, his words a harsh growl.

The captain then met Zorina’s gaze. “You look astonishingly similar to the three women taken. Would you be willing to fill a decoy role? No harm will come to you; we will have guards hidden nearby and will capture him before he can drag you away to his lair.”

She stared at Captain Firmin with wide eyes, but before she could say anything, Herrick intervened. “What? No. Absolutely not. Besides, he is looking for a mage, not a shopkeeper.” His fiery gaze rounded on Zorina. “You do not have to do this. They cannot make you. There is no guarantee that the Maestro won’t harm you or abduct you before they can stop him.”