A scoff burst from my lips. “What a silly question. Of course she’s not bleeding. I have other sides to my personality. They’re not all violent.”
He didn’t look as if he believed me. “You don’t need to confront everyone who stares. It doesn’t bother me as much as it used to.”
“It bothers me,” I said, knowing I’d defend him again given the chance.
Bowen shook his head as Beth strode down the hall, calling to us over her shoulder. “This way, you two! I’ll introduce you to some of the children. Did you have an age and gender in mind?”
“Definitely a girl,” I said. “You know, we were just speaking with your headmistress about how terrible it is that one of your charges has gone missing. And we were saddened to learn he has a younger sister here. If it’s not too much trouble, we’d like to check in on her and see how the orphanage is handling her care.”
“I can assure you, we provide all our charges with the highest care. You needn’t worry.”
I leveled her with a determined look. “We insist.”
Beth nodded, but her features were pinched. “Of course. Right this way.”
She led us to the second floor and down a long corridor. Most of the rooms were massive and filled with bunk beds, housing at least twenty children at a time. A few of them peeked out the door as we walked past, whispering behind their hands. We continued down the hall, turning into another wing, where the rooms grew smaller and there weren’t any other children.
Beth paused outside a door. “Annie was moved to a solitary room so she wouldn’t disturb the other girls.”
“Disturb them?” I asked.
“Oh, it’s nothing to be overly concerned with. She likes to tell stories, but they were starting to scare the girls, so we thought it best to separate them. It’s to be expected. She’s started lashing out since her brother left.”
“You believe he ran away?”
“Yes, I do.” Beth ushered us inside the room, putting an end to further questions.
The little girl sat alone at a small table. She looked to be about six or seven. So much younger than I imagined. So much younger than I’d been.
A single window spilled sunshine across the papers scattered beneath her tiny hands. Her fingers were smudged black with charcoal. Limp brown hair hung in her eyes as she bent over her drawings, oblivious to our presence. She reminded me of a forest sprite with her pixie nose and narrow ears. There was a nervous energy about her as she used her fingers to blend the charcoal into the paper.
“Annie?” Beth stepped in front of us and gained the girl’s attention. “Why don’t you put your drawings away and say hello to Lord MacKenzie and his wife, Liana?”
Annie didn’t lift her head but looked up with her eyes. Her blue gaze overflowed with wariness and distrust.
I was about to say hello when a bell sounded. Beth started and looked over her shoulder.
“I’m afraid I’m being summoned. If you’ll follow me, we can come back later.”
“If it’s all right, we’d like to visit with Annie for a bit. We can stay here until you return,” I said.
Beth looked uncertain and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Are you sure? Annie can be a little temperamental.”
“Nonsense.” I nudged Beth toward the door as the bell chimed again.
The woman shot a final glance at Annie who had resumed her drawing. She tossed up her hands in defeat, then she hurried from the room.
Once we were alone, I approached Annie slowly, keeping my actions fluid and calm. Annie followed me with her eyes, still scratching charcoal into the parchment. When the charcoal stopped, so did I.
“That’s a beautiful drawing. Do you think I could try to make one too?”
Annie hesitated for a moment. Her gaze moved from Bowen then back to me. Finally, she snapped her charcoal in two and slid a clean sheet of paper across the table. I picked up the piece of charcoal she offered and knelt beside the girl. The only sounds in the room were the charcoal sticks marking the paper. Bowen hovered a few feet from the table, watching us both.
As the minutes passed, Lily grew interested in my drawing. She slowed her movements to watch mine. “Your drawing is nice too,” she whispered.
“Thank you,” I said, continuing to draw.
“Do you want to make one, sir?” Lily addressed Bowen with an unsure smile.
