The Orphan and the Thief

Chapter 24: Bell's Brews

Melena's voice was left behind in the dining room as she was pulled down the hall. Owl's thin fingers were like iron bands, bruising her arm. He made a short detour to a room that looked like a study. Keeping the pistol upon her, he retrieved a very small box from inside the desk and put it in his pocket.

Owl's grip returned to Melena's arm and they quickly traveled down a sweeping staircase and out of the house into the darkness. Thinking of Hickory Guards and nosy neighbors, Melena stared wide eyed around the manicured lawn. Seeming to read her mind, Owl's fingertips dug deeper.

"That's why we're going out the back way, Miss Elf. And fair warning, if you scream I will put a bullet in your back."

Melena nodded jerkily.

"Where is Bell's Brews?" asked Owl, conversationally. "I haven't heard of it."

"21st Street, East Hickory," Melena whispered, her voice shaking so badly she was amazed he could understand her. "It's a terrible shop. Dreadful. Worst potions in the city. No one would ever, ever think that the ingredients to the Seeking Solution would be there. It's the perfect hiding place."

"How do you know it's called the Seeking Solution?" asked Owl, eying her critically. "I never said what the potion was."

Melena hesitated for half a breath. "I'm good at potions."

"But the Seeking Solution," Owl pressed, tightening his hold on her arm to the point that she winced. The gleam from the moon fell upon the pistol, inches from her side. "That is a terribly rare potion. It took me a tedious amount of time to learn it was in fact actual and not fantastical babbling. How could a little girl figure out something so quickly?"

Melena's legs jerked as she walked.

"I'm good at potions," she repeated.

Owl snorted contemptuously. "Did you know that people thought the directions were nothing more than a children's poem? Hair of the unicorn, talon of the roc, Springs of Mirg, Moonflower, Elfin Moss. Stir together what you seek. Listen. Listen. The Vessel speaks. Moronic, isn't it? But after a few potioneers proved the poem came from a woman who was known for her unnaturally powerful brews, they began to think otherwise."

They were nearing 21st Street. Melena recognized the area. There had to be a way of getting away, but his hold upon her felt unbreakable. And if she did break free, would he react fast enough to shoot? Would he miss her in the dark? She couldn't stop glancing up at the lines of apartments and lofts as they slipped underneath. If only someone would look out a window ...

"Aren't you curious what it is I'm seeking?" Owl asked suddenly.

"No — I mean, I never thought about —"

"Do you know about me, Miss Elf? Have you heard of me?" Owl asked.

"I — Toad told me you're rich," said Melena, taken off guard.

"I am the sort of businessman who follows in his father's footsteps. The name of Owl has been feared and respected for three generations. I was more than honored to take up the mantle from my father, but my younger brother was a dreamer. He wanted to be an explorer. Someone who dug about in the dirt in search of artifacts. I loved my brother, Miss Elf. I loved him far more than anything else in this repugnant world. I knew he wouldn't be content in the family business so I agreed to fund his and his partner's endeavor to find the fantastical and mysterious." Owl's voice was harsh in its sarcasm.

"It was the last time I ever saw him."

Melena did not miss the irony that Owl too was in search of his missing brother and a manic bubble of laughter escaped her throat at the insanity of it all.