He tossed his head and replied, “Not a problem. You gotta keep the wee folk happy.”
Scarlett smiled and nodded in agreement, falling back into silence as the dirt road gave way to even, brick paved streets. Ancient trees with thick, knobby trunks grew in the grassy median. They towered above the tallest buildings, their massive branches spreading out in leafy canopies above the traffic.
Sprites flitted overhead, leaving colorful trails of faerie dust floating behind them to sprinkle down onto the pegs and their riders. As they approached Cybele’s shop, The Queen Bee, roses and herbs scented the breeze and the buzzing from the charmed bees grew into a steady, musical drone.
The peg slowed to a stop at the curb beside the shop and knelt for Scarlett to dismount.
“I’ll only be a few minutes,” she promised as she peppered his muzzle with some of the oatcake spell she’d brought.
“Take your time,” he replied, whickering his thanks.
She passed beneath a trellis blooming with lavender and white roses and entered the shop. From the outside it appeared to be a small storefront bordered closely by its neighbors. But expansion spells and other enchantments transformed the inside into a bright, sprawling flower garden with walking paths and whimsical stone fountains that watered the blooms.
Honeybees darted about, gathering pollen and returning to their hives, one of which was perched atop the shop-keeper’s head like a giant, fanciful hat.
“Welcome, daughter of the sidhe,” Cybele greeted, her voice carrying a wavering vibrato reminiscent of her bees. “Can I help you find anything?”
Scarlett dipped her head in respect as she approached the tall, robed woman. Legend had it that long ago, when the veil between the faerie and human realms was thin, Cybele had taken up the mantle of a warrior goddess to the humans. It was said that later she forsook her axe to become one of their most potent fertility goddesses.
The tales were steeped in the mists of time, but regardless of their veracity, she was a mysterious and powerful being. Her aura pulsed with strength, and standing beside her was a bit like standing at the foot of an ancient mountain.
“Well, my brownie friend ‘forgot’ to put the lid back on the honey jar this morning,” Scarlett explained with a rueful smile. “So I guess I’m getting a little low on supplies.”
Cybele gave a hearty laugh. “Is there any variety in particular that your wee friend prefers?”
“I usually just buy the local clover honey for our tea. But I was hoping to surprise him with something a tad more exotic.”
“You’ve come to the right place,” Cybele assured her. “I have some gorgeous herbal varieties at the moment. The rosemary in particular is quite lovely. Come, let me give you a sample.”
Scarlett followed her to the honey bar and accepted a tiny spoon of the ambrosial nectar, groaning at the amazing impression it left on her tongue. She tried a few more, thinking she’d love to linger in the beautiful gardens and taste honey all day. But she was aware of the peg waiting for her outside.
Reluctantly, she wrapped up her selections and exited The Queen Bee with her coin purse lighter and her sweet tooth satisfied. Any moment now, a large box with an assortment of gourmet honeys and biscuits would appear on her kitchen counter.
She had no doubt it would be unpacked and Bradan would have a blissfully full belly by the time she arrived home.
The blue roan peg remained patiently at the curb, and she sat astride him once more as he carried her on to the Seelie Police Station. She thanked him for his service and gave him some more of the oatcake spell before he trotted away.
She hesitated on the sidewalk in front of the entrance to the official-looking building. The Seelie Police Station was the largest complex in the city, housing not only the station, but also the prison.
As with most of the city’s structures, it was laden with spells and enchantments that allowed it to take up far less space on the outside than it did inside. And it was easy to forget that a high security prison lay just behind it, since the austere penal complex was only visible when exiting from the back of the station house.
She took a nervous breath and went in. She knew she’d been a git to needle Pat about his soul mate. She hoped he wasn’t too mad at her.
“Well, if it isn’t young Scarlett Thresher!” exclaimed the shaggy-bearded dwarf behind the front counter. “What brings you to our fair city, lass?”
Scarlett grinned and leaned forward to kiss his wizened brown cheek. “Galen. It’s wonderful to see you. How are you?”
“Can’t complain, lass, can’t complain.”
“Not even about the troubles with goblins and the depredations of dragons?” Scarlett asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Galen snorted. “You always were a bit of a wise ass, Letty.”
Scarlett laughed. “How’s your sister doing?”
“Galena? She’s as ornery as ever. Still runnin’ covert missions for the force. She’s gotten so good at disguises, I swear sometimes even I don’t recognize her.”
“She always was clever,” Scarlett said fondly.
“Don’t tell her that,” Galen grunted. “It’ll go straight to her fat head.”
Scarlett scowled at him.
“You know I’m just teasin’, lass,” he said with a chuckle. “So what is it that brings you to the police station this fine afternoon? No crimes to report, I hope.”
“I’m not sure,” she replied with a sigh. “I need to speak with Pat about something that happened in the human realm. I think an immortal may have killed a woman there.”
Galen blew a breath out through his teeth. “Breaches between our worlds seem to be happenin’ more and more of late. Makes you wonder if the veil between the realms might be slippin’, whether the Seelie Court likes it or not.”
He shook his head. “I’ll get Pat for ya. He’s locked himself in his office to finish up some paperwork, but I’m certain he’ll be glad to see you.”
“I’m not so sure,” she muttered as he hopped down from his stool and disappeared through the doorway behind him.
Scarlett fidgeted as she waited, questioning her plan to show up unannounced at Pat’s workplace. She’d almost lost her nerve by the time Galen returned to the lobby with Pat in tow.
“Letty? What are you doing here?” Pat asked, looking concerned.
“I need to talk to you about last night.”
He raised a dark brow and crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “What about it?”
Scarlett puffed in annoyance. He obviously wasn’t in the mood to make things easy for her. “In private, Pat.” She looked at the dwarf apologetically. “No offense, Galen.”
“None taken,” he replied in a gruff tone as he nimbly climbed back up onto his stool. He looked askance at Pat. “Give the lady a break, Sparrow, she came a long way to see you.”
Pat rolled his eyes and dropped his arms to his sides. “Fine. Follow me, Letty.”
He strode back through the doorway behind the counter and she rushed to catch up with him before he disappeared from sight. A few of the younger police officers were hanging out at a cluster of desks in the room beyond. The smell of burnt coffee was heavy in the air.
She followed Pat toward his office, holding her tongue as she hurried down the hallway behind him. He opened a door at the end of the corridor, and led her inside a small room with two desks