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“Because they can actually be good at getting rid of all organic waste, plus they provide security. They’re fiercely territorial and will protect the property.”
“Hunh. That’s an interesting idea. I might have to try that. Thanks.” She smiled at him, and it was as he replied in kind that Daphne walked in, dewy-faced, her hair pulled back in a braid.
She scowled as her gaze bounced between them.
She’s jealous. Understandable. You should reassure her she has nothing to worry about.
How could she be jealous? They had only barely met, and she certainly had no interest in him like that.
And people think I’m the dumb one.
“Hungry?” Marissa queried aloud as she turned back to the stove.
“Yeah, but I gotta ask, do you always cook in the middle of the night?” Because at not even four, it was still dark outside.
“I keep weird hours.” Marissa shrugged as she ladled scrambled eggs onto a plate and pushed some buttered toast at them.
When she offered him bacon from a pile on a plate, he refused. “Sorry, I don’t eat meat.”
Marissa froze. “Oh shit. I didn’t even think to ask. Do you need, like, fruits or veggies?”
“I’m vegetarian so eggs and toast are fine.”
“He’s weird,” Daphne stated. “But I see it as more bacon for us.” She grabbed several strips.
As they ate, the discussion began.
“What can you tell us about this witch over in Palusville?” he asked, dipping his bread into the eggs before biting.
“She’s been around for a while but didn’t raise any flags. She was registered, and as far as the CA knew, and not causing any harm. She didn’t appear to be using her magic to do much at all. No store selling products. No adverts for her services.”
“When did the problems start?” Baptiste queried.
“That’s been harder to pinpoint. Palusville has always had a transient population. It’s a little town in the middle of nowhere that would have died years ago but for the fact it’s right off a major transport route. It mostly services truckers and those passing through. It took a while before the disappearances began forming a pattern that involved all last known sightings of the missing people being in, or around, Palusville.”
“This witch is sacrificing them?” Daphne asked in between inhaled bacon bites.
He still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact a dryad ate meat. Shouldn’t they be the ultimate vegans?
Marissa rolled her shoulders. “I don’t know what she’s doing. The CA has classified the file on her. Only those with authorization can get a look at it.”
“Surely someone is investigating her. You said agents went missing,” Baptiste pointed out.
Marissa shook her head. “Nope. Not anyone from our office, and it’s the closest CA hub. Even worse, they’ve not put out any kind of warning. People are still travelling through that area, and not all of them are making it to their final destination. Concerned families have been contacting our office and getting the runaround.”
“You mentioned you worried we’d be detained. Why?” Baptiste cleaned his plate of eggs with his last bit of toast.
“I don’t know if they would have, but given all the secrecy and oddness about my CA office’s dealing with Palusville, I think it very possible they might have done something to impede your quest had they learned of it.”
“The Mother would not have been pleased.” Daphne pursed her lips.
“Hence why we’re here instead of at the precinct.” Marissa leaned back in her chair with her mug of coffee. “So what’s your plan?”
“Go to Palusville, locate the witch, put a stop to her poisoning of the Earth.” Daphne had a simple answer.
“You’re not planning to arrest her, are you?” Marissa concluded.
Without any hesitation, Daphne replied, “The Mother wants the threat eliminated.”
