Killer Pointe

by Kristi Helvig

  In another group, a woman attempted to console a wailing woman over her missing daughter. “We’ll find Evelyn. I promise.”

  If Muriel was behind the disappearances, I knew the chances of finding Evelyn alive were between slim and none.

  I came to Ye Olde Taverne and entered. Despite the fact that it was mid-day, the place was dark and dingy thanks to small, dirty windows that hardly let in any light. I pulled the scarf from my head and wound it around my arm. A musty smell hung in the air, and several trolls with large pint glasses hovered around a table in the back. Of course, the trolls would hang out here. I thought of Helga, and chided myself for my thoughts, but sometimes a troll really was a troll.

  A large, stocky man with a bushy red beard stood behind the bar. His eyes drilled into me while he dried a thick glass with a cloth. “What’ll it be?”

  I approached the bar, somewhat intimidated by his size. “Excuse me, are you Mr. Fibbons? I was told you might have some information about—”

  “Maybe you didn’t hear me. I said, ‘What’ll it be?’” He turned away from me to place the glass on a shelf.

  Helga hadn’t been kidding about his personality. “Oh, I don’t drink. I just wanted to talk.” Several of the trolls snickered. Helga thought you might—”

  The bartender kept his back to me when he spoke. “Helga sent ya? Well, I’m known as Fibb round these parts, and I know a little ‘bout a lot of things, but still … no drink, no talk.”

  I fingered some of the gold coins I’d brought along in case of an emergency. I held one up in the air, dangling it over the counter. “Maybe this would change your mind,” I said loudly.

  Fibb whipped around and eyed the coin. Before I could react, he grabbed my hand by the wrist. I gasped. He spoke in a low growl. “Put your gold away, missy. There are folk here who ain’t eaten proper in days. They might kill for a bit of coin like this.”

  I looked over my shoulder, and sure enough, several trolls were pointing and whispering in my direction. The bartender released my hand. “Pint of ale or jigger of whiskey?” he boomed. “It’s all I got.”

  I’d never had either, in this world or the other. When I was eight, Dad had let me have a sip of wine on New Year’s Eve. He’d laughed when I spit it right back out again. As I got older and found that nothing excited me the way ballet did, I skipped pretty much every party there was.

  I gulped and tried to meet Fibb’s eyes. Which drink would make me sound tougher? “Whiskey,” I said, and discreetly pushed the coin across to him. He swept it up and tucked it into his shirt.

  “Whiskey it is,” he said, pouring it into a small dark glass. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he slid the glass across the counter.

  I sat and stared at the glass. He crossed his arms across his chest. “Drink up, little lady. Don’t you know bar etiquette—drink first, then talk.”

  Best to get it all over with at once. I’d once seen someone knock their drink back in one gulp in a movie. How hard could it be? I picked up the glass, a weak smile on my lips. “Cheers,” I said.

  I tipped the glass into my mouth and swigged the entire contents at once. The liquid burned like fire going down my throat, and I dug my fingernails into the bar stool to keep from gagging. If I asked for a glass of water, I’d probably be laughed right out of the place. After the initial heat, a slow, warming sensation spread through my stomach, which was not entirely unpleasant. I had done it without looking like an idiot. I was so proud of myself that I felt like dancing around the bar, but that would either give me away or make me look like I couldn’t handle my liquor.

  Fibb leaned across the bar and spoke in a low voice. “Not bad for your first time.”

  My jaw went slack. “Was it that obvious?”

  He shrugged. “To me, but it’s my job to know. Just like I bet I know who you are. Prince Edgar was in here drunk and bellyaching a year or so ago ‘bout some dark-haired girl who stole his glory. Put it together with some other stories I’d heard about a warrior girl.” He eyed me up and down, speaking gruffly. “Don’t look like much of a warrior to me, truth be told. So, one drink gets you one question. Choose wisely.”

  The warmth had already spread from my stomach to my entire body, and I was strangely relaxed. I’d better make it a good question because I wasn’t sure I could handle any more of his drinks.

  “Okay.” I tapped my finger on the bar, trying to think. “What do you know about the witch, Muriel?”

  Fibb frowned. “That’s a pretty vague question, so I’ll respond in kind. I know she’s been MIA for years—ever since she killed that little girl’s family.”

  The shock must have registered on my face.

  “Well I’ll be …” Fibb ran his hand through his course hair. “Wondered whatever happened to you. Terrible thing to have to go through at such a wee age. I—” He stopped talking and handed a tray of filled pint glasses over to a frail yet hard-looking girl who had appeared at the counter. Heavy black-eyeliner rimmed her eyes and a dark shade of burgundy stained her lips. Her shiny hair was the color of night and looked to be the healthiest thing about her.

  He waved her off. “Hurry it up, Snow. You know trolls don’t like to wait on their refills.”

  Snow’s eyes met mine and for an instant I saw sadness reflected there, before they hardened again and she smirked at me. She sauntered off with the drinks, her tight clothes barely covering her skin.

  My eyes widened. “I can’t believe she works here.”

  Fibb looked offended. “It’s better than pimping her on the streets like those perv dwarfs had her doing before. I’ll have you know this is a respectable establishment.”

  “Of course. I just … never mind. What were you saying about Muriel?”

  “I told you. I hadn’t seen her in a very long time—”

  Dread and excitement coursed through me. “Wait. You’ve seen her?”

  He held up the whiskey bottle. “I do believe that’s a second question.”

  This time, the shot went down a little smoother and warmer. A slight fuzziness blurred my thoughts, but I fought for clarity. “You’ve seen Muriel recently?”

  He grinned, displaying a cracked front tooth. “Just yesterday as a matter of fact, but don’t none of the townsfolk know about it. It’d get their panties all in a bunch.”

  A sense of dread shot through me. Was this a set-up? Was he working with her? I reached down to make sure my sword was still at my side. I slid off the stool, steadying myself on the bar. The bartender held up his hands. “Relax. Ain’t nothing bad going down in my place. I don’t stand for that. You’re safe here.”

  I remained standing. “What did Muriel say?”

  “Sshhh,” he scolded, putting his finger to his lips. He tipped the bottle toward my glass and refilled it. “That’s question number three, right there.”

  Emboldened by the prior two shots, I let my anger take over. Unfortunately, as my judgment was slightly clouded, it meant that I slammed the third shot and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “There, happy—now what did she say to you?” My vision blurred and the room started to spin. I had to get out of here before I fell down. “You know what? Forget it. I’m out of here. I’ll find Muriel myself.” I staggered toward the door.

  “Suit yourself,” he said. “But I don’t think you’ll have to.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked, turning around too quickly. The room seemed to turn with me and I fought the urge to hold onto the wall.

  He definitely looked like he was having a good time with this. “You asked me what she said, right? So, I’m telling you.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut, but that only made the spinning worse. I opened my eyes again and glared at him. “Then tell me already.”

  The bartender turned somber. “You won’t have to look hard to find Muriel—because she’s looking for you. I’m guessing she’ll find you first.”

  I stumbled into the main hall after dropping Majestic with Edward in the stables. Rolph grabb
ed my arm to keep me from falling. Concern blazed on his face. “Sweetie, are you alright?” He put a hand to my forehead to check for fever.

  “I’m fine. Just got a little bad news is all,” I said, breathing in his face.

  He reared his head, making a face. “Good heavens, you’re drunk.”

  I shook my head. “No, not drunk. Had a little whiskey though. I’d be totally fine if things stopped spinning.”

  Rolph clucked like a mother hen. “How am I supposed to take you to the Queen in this condition?”

  His words sobered me up a little, and I pulled away from him. “No, I must see her immediately. I’ve made my decision.”

  Rolph announced me in his usual way, but the tension in his voice was evident. With everything going on in Liralelle, I couldn’t believe his biggest concern was the state of my sobriety. It turned out not to matter, because the Queen was oblivious. “Bree, so good of you to return so quickly.”

  “You didn’t tell me about the missing girls.”

  She sighed. “I didn’t want to bring it up after what you went through. I wanted to spare you more pain. I assumed that knowing it was Muriel would be enough information.” A tear leaked out of her eye. “I wish I had someone else as skilled as you are so I wouldn’t have to bring you into this. Does this affect your decision?”

  I bowed, eyeing the floor and trying to ignore how inviting it looked and how much I really wanted to curl up and nap. “It does, your Highness.”

  She eyed me expectantly.

  “I wish to return to my world to be with my brother.”

  The Queen slumped in her chair, appearing crestfallen.

  “But I shall return tomorrow, and I will take the job. I will hunt Muriel.”

  The last thing I saw before she chanted the magic words and pointed her scepter at me, was her tired smile.

  6

  I barely made it to my locker before first bell and was so tired I couldn’t see straight. Rolph had been right about the time differential—mostly. Not much time had passed in my world when Kermit and I reappeared down the street from Ava’s house the night before. But it had still been three hours. Three hours from when I should have been home after auditions.

  First, I checked my cell, which always died as soon as I reached Liralelle—the “can you hear me now campaign?” would have failed miserably there. My phone had multiple messages from Mom, followed by several from Ava who Mom called when she couldn’t reach me. As pissed as Ava had been, her last message said she’d covered for me and said I’d stayed late to study at her place.

  My brain was fuzzy from lack of sleep and the whiskey. I tried to recall which book I needed for class. I reached in my backpack and pulled one out, but it fell to the floor. Good thing the auditions were yesterday because I would have been tripping over my feet today. I leaned down for the book but it wasn’t there.

  “Here you go.”

  I looked up. Ty Wilder held out my book.

  Of course he did. The one day I’d been so tired that I’d gotten up five minutes before I had to leave for school. I hadn’t had time for make-up, and “doing my hair” had involved running my fingers through my bangs while driving like a maniac to school.

  I took the book and couldn’t help but notice that his aftershave smelled really good. “Uh, thanks.” I checked the hallway for Catelyn but didn’t see her anywhere.

  He smiled and those blue eyes pierced mine. “So, I’m not exactly sure what happened at the audition, but Catelyn said she’d earned the day off from school today. I’m sorry if that means things didn’t go well for you.”

  Extreme fatigue dampened my anxiety about being in an actual conversation with Ty. I stared into his baby blues and felt no fear. “A Catelyn-free day would usually make me jump for joy, no offense, but I’m too tired to jump right now.”

  He grinned at me. “None taken. I know how she can be. Anyway, good luck.”

  “Thanks, I’m hoping it didn’t go as badly as I think.” The second bell rang which meant I should be heading toward a class—I just still wasn’t sure which class that should be.

  “Guess we gotta go,” he said and backed up a step. “Hey, you going to Trevor’s tonight?”

  Oh right, the party Ava begged me to go to. Trevor, who was known more for his sexual conquests than his playing ability, played second-string running back for the football team. He had parties almost every weekend, thanks to his newly divorced mom who spent most of her time in Atlantic City in an attempt to regain her youth. Needless to say, I’d never been to one of his parties and had never had the tiniest desire to attend one—until now.

  “Um, I don’t know.” I walked with Ty down the hall and hoped it would spark a recognition of what class I was supposed to be in. Going to a party would require me to stay awake and I’d promised Her Highness I’d come back tonight. We’d agreed on midnight my time, but if I wasn’t at home, the funnel cloud would find me wherever I was. I’m sure a funnel cloud swooping me up from Trevor’s living room might cause a little gossip. Plus, I needed some sleep or I’d have no chance against Muriel, assuming I had a chance at all.

  Ty nudged my shoulder. “You should come. It’ll be fun.”

  I opened my mouth to ask him if Catelyn would be there, but another voice permeated my mental haze.

  “You do realize you’re going the wrong way? If you’re still going to French Lit, that is.” Jay Ashland walked toward me going in the opposite direction I was headed.

  I smacked my head with my hand. “French Lit, right! I’ll walk with you.”

  I attempted to smile at Ty, but even smiling required more effort than I could muster. “See ya,” I managed.

  “Yeah, see you tonight,” he said.

  I hadn’t even said I was going, but he sure seemed confident I’d be there.

  Jay raised an eyebrow at me as we walked to class. “I have to hand it the guy. If he can make a girl forget what class she has, then he’s got some skills.”

  “No, that’s not why I ... I mean, it’s that .... I’m just really tired.”

  Jay stopped and faced me as we reached the door to class. “Oh wow, yeah, you look like hell.”

  I glared at him through blood shot eyes. “Thanks, Jay. Just a tip—you’ll never make girls forget what class they’re in with lines like that.”

  “Sorry, it’s just that I’ve never seen you this beat. What’s going on?” He reached out and tucked a stray piece of uncombed hair behind my ear. I didn’t normally like people invading my space but his touch was gentle and his brown eyes looked concerned.

  “It’s a long story. Basically, I didn’t get much, actually any, sleep last night.”

  The final bell rang and Ms. Rossueau ushered us into class, before Jay could say anything else. I sat close to the back of the room with Jay right behind me. Ms. Rousseau’s French accent lulled me into a trance.

  Next thing I knew, a hand patted my back and I woke with drool running down the side of my chin.

  “Huh?” I blinked and rubbed gunk out of my eye.

  The classroom was empty, save for Jay, who stood next to me. I wiped my chin with the sleeve of my shirt, grateful that he was the only one there to witness the drool fest. I reached for my backpack and tried to stand.

  Jay grabbed my arm and helped me up. “You slept straight through the bell. I told Ms. Rousseau that you weren’t feeling well. It’s good you have an A in this class, because she bought it. You sure you shouldn’t just go home?”

  I slung my backpack over my shoulder. “I’m sure. I’ll be fine. Plus, I find out about the auditions after school.”

  “And you have whatever that thing is with Ty tonight, right?” His deep brown eyes prodded mine.

  I crinkled my brow at him. “What? Oh, that’s just one of Trevor’s parties. I’ve never been to one so I probably won’t go.”

  Jay walked out into the hall with me. “I’ve been to a couple, but unless you enjoy loud, drunk people, I wouldn’t say you’re missing out on m
uch.”

  I smiled. “When you put it like that, it sounds so tempting.”

  “See you in Trig,” he said and turned down another hall. “And try to stay awake.”

  For the next two classes, I didn’t do so great at the staying awake part. In fact, I dozed and napped my way through the entire morning. When the bell for the lunch period rang, my big plan involved catching a nap in my car until Trig class.

  Ava intercepted me on my way toward the exit. “Oh my gosh, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Are you okay? What happened to you last night?” She thrust her hand on her hip. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m still mad at you, but your mom was freaking out with a capital F last night. I covered for you but then wondered if something bad had happened to you and if I should call the police.”

  “I know.” I leaned against a nearby locker. “Look, I’m really, really sorry for bailing so fast last night. I should have been there for you, and I swear I’ll make it up to you.”

  “So, you’re not gonna tell me where you were?” Ava’s foot tapped against the floor.

  I gulped. “I, uh, can’t right now.”

  She frowned at me a second, then looked like a light bulb went off in her head. “I know how you can make it up to me! The party tonight at Trevor’s ... don’t look at me like that. You owe me, plus I heard Ty’s going to be there. Pretty, pretty please.” Ava started to get down on her knees in the hall.

  “Get up, already,” I said and looked around. I didn’t want to tell her that Ty already told me he would be there. Even though I was pretty sure he was just being nice, Ava would be devastated if Ty didn’t like her back. The fact that I’d crushed on him for years wouldn’t matter, because I never said it out loud like she did.

  Ava planted her knees on the floor and held her hands up as though in prayer. “Not until you say you’ll go to the party with me tonight. Please with a cherry on top.”