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“Pottifer,” Layala murmured, eyeing the bright-orange leaves in jars, used for enhanced speed. It was one of Aunt Evalyn’s favorites to collect, although the downside of eating them was extreme tiredness later on.

As they moved farther down it was so crowded that Layala slid behind Thane to keep people from ramming into her shoulders. He was a tall, powerful-looking male and everyone moved for him. Leif kept a close few steps behind, watching her back like his own. They strolled by a tawny tent filled with bouquets of orange poppy flowers, bundles of bright tulips in glass vases and lovely bright-pink peonies tied with string.

“Pretty flowers for the pretty lady?” an old woman crooned in a crackly voice, holding out a bunch of closed midnight lilies. She stepped right in between Layala and Thane, bringing Layala to a jarring halt. “I think these suit you.”

Leif put a hand on Layala’s shoulder, letting her know he was there. “Keep going,” he said.

But Layala stared at the bundle in her hand. Black lilies. She swallowed hard and searched the old woman’s face. Her gray and silver hair was a mass of halo curls around her head. Her milky, crepey skin almost ashen. Cloudy-blue eyes seemed to stare right through her, and a missing front tooth made her speak with a slight impediment. “The lilies will bloom in the dark, just like you.”

Bloom in the dark? Thane moved in like a shadow, half stepping in front of Layala. “We don’t want your flowers, witch.”

“Mmm, why if it isn’t the Prince of War. You are as delicious as ever.” She cackled. Lowering the lilies, those cloudy eyes trailed over him then she shifted her attention to Layala. “I guess what the spirits say is true. I began to wonder. It’s been an age since I’ve seen the likes of you.”

Layala’s brow pulled tighter. “What are you talking about?”

Thane grabbed her hand, pulling her attention from the woman. The fierceness in his gaze surprised her. “Let’s go,” he demanded. The trepidation in his expression made her quickly agree. Did this woman work for Tenebris? Perhaps it was best they didn’t let her go. But when she glanced back the woman had vanished.

Chapter15

With Thane’s hand clamped around hers, Layala let him pull her through the crowds. She watched every person she passed with suspicion. How many spies did Tenebris have? Would she be recognized? Would Thane? Their only possible lead on the All Seeing Stone was a friend of Thane’s and risky or not, this is where they must be.

Thane pulled Layala toward a cedar wood building with a hanging white painted sign that read: The Salty Gnome. It was the only business on the street that wasn’t painted a bright lively color. Instead, large reddish-brown logs lined the walls. Grass grew out of the roof with sprays of tiny lavender flowers. Smoke roiled out a chimney that faintly smelled of pine.

Thane abruptly halted, and Layala bumped into him. Two men in dirty brown leathers, and shaggy hair stumbled out the swinging doors in front of them. One fell onto his side and rolled over onto his back, laughing up at the sky. He was either drunk or wasn’t entirely right in the mind. It was then she noticed curling black horns coming out of the crown of his head and a long, skinny tail covered in tawny fur with a tuft of black hair on the end. He flicked it like a cat would. She couldn’t help but stare, having never seen anything like him before. She’d heard rumors that people like him existed but didn’t believe it.

A burly man with a barrel chest crossed his arms in the doorway. “And stay out, you filthy dogs.” A streak of gray went through the center of the doorman’s full, dark beard. He turned brown eyes on Thane and then spied Layala behind him. “Not sure you want to bring a lady elf in here, sir. Been lots of trouble today. Something in the air.”

“She can hold her own. We’re here to see Kail.”

With a grunt he shrugged. “As you wish.” He held the door open to a billow of smoke and loud chatter. The rambunctious atmosphere and low lighting were a stark contrast to the sunny day outside. Nearly every table was full of elves, humans, a table of dwarves with beards that reached their belly buttons, and a pair of those horned men with antlers any prized elk would have. Sprites buzzed around swirling the clouds of smoke, carrying drinks and small baskets of food. A lady elf in a floor-length scarlet dress sang on a stage to the right. Her voice was smooth as red wine and haunting like a deserted forest. Layala spotted a table full of females in extravagant yet revealing gowns. One elf with beautiful golden-brown hair held a thin black cigarette holder between her fingers. She took a deep pull of smoke and blew it out without ever taking her lavender eyes off Layala. She couldn’t decide if the lady wanted to attack her or ask Layala to join them.

Layala fidgeted with her hands, remembering how filthy her dress was and that her hair must look like a tangled wet mop. Thane slipped his arm around her waist and leaned down to her ear. “He’ll be at the corner booth.”

Before Thane could pull them inside further, she asked, “Did you know that old witch?”

“No, but it was obvious she knew who you were. I didn’t like it.”

“And you. But it was odd though. She looked blind.”

He grunted. “Some human witches have the gift of the other sight. To see and know the truth. Perhaps she did.”

“What do you think she meant about the spirits? And do you think she works for your father?”

He lifted a shoulder. “She could be deranged for all we know. She certainly looked it. As far as working for my father, I doubt it. He might work with the dragon and Mathekis for his own gain, but some old human woman? Not likely.”

They started moving around the tables. “We’re going to get some drinks,” Leif announced, and they made an escape for the bar top.

As Thane and Layala wound around the patrons and through the trails of smoke, many turned to stare as they passed, as if sensing something about them. She leaned in and said quietly, “And what are those horned men with tails?”

Thane smiled, tightening his hold on her. “They call themselves fae. There aren’t many in Adalon. From what I’ve heard they come from across the seas. A land they call Delfaria, I believe. Since they’ve never caused much trouble, I haven’t worried about them.”

They came upon the corner booth to a male elf sitting alone with a black top hat, and charcoal suit with a purple undervest perfectly tailored to his body. On the table before him was a stack of papers, an ink bottle with a quill, and a glass mug of amber liquid. He lifted his head and a big grin spread across his handsome face. “Well, I’ll be damned. You’re not dead. The Maker has blessed us. Sit down, friend.” He shifted his attention to Layala. “You too, lovely.”

Thane slid into the red leather seat and patted the spot next to him. With a little reluctance she scooted in beside him. Thane tilted his head toward her. “Kail, this is Laya. Laya, Kail.”

“It’s a pleasure,” he said with a smile. “I assume you two need a room and something to eat.”

“Yes, a few rooms, for some friends, and she needs fresh clothes.”