Scarlet Nights (Edilean 3)

“Stole my paintings is what she did,” Mr. Lang mumbled as he looked at the woman tied up on the rug.

Both Sara and Ariel turned to look at him.

“What are you talking about?” Sara asked as she began to remove the big robe and was glad she’d left her smaller costume on under it.

When Mr. Lang hesitated, Ariel said, “I’ll set my brothers on you if you don’t tell us what you’ve done.”

“Nothing. All I did was find them when I was a boy. That man that lived there, the college professor, he never saw them. I made sure of that. I nailed the room shut.”

“What room?” Ariel asked.

“Is there a secret room in Merlin’s Farm?” Sara asked softly, and when Mr. Lang didn’t reply, she said, “By the fireplace. That’s why that fireplace is off center. It conceals a hidden door. Did Mike figure it out?”

Mr. Lang’s old face nearly melted. “He took them? I saw him looking, but I didn’t think he’d know. He’s a smart boy. I’m glad he’s mine.”

“You’re related to Mike?” Ariel asked, her eyes wide. “How did that happen?”

“Never mind that now,” Sara said. “Ariel, help me get her dressed in this. Mr. Lang, I want you to stay here and tell fortunes.”

“I can’t—”

“I can’t wrestle people, but I’m doing it!” Sara snapped. “If you want my husband to continue letting you live at Merlin’s Farm, then you have to help out. You understand me?”

Mr. Lang nodded.

“Wow, Sara, when did you grow a set?”

“Ariel, shut up and help me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ariel said as they pulled the flailing Mrs. Myers upright.

“What car do you have here?” Sara asked.

“None,” Ariel answered. “My whole family came in a van.”

“Must have been the size of a freight train,” Sara muttered, and Mr. Lang gave his funny little laugh.

“Better than those toys you and Jocelyn like.” She held Mitzi’s head while Sara tied the veil over the bottom half of her face.

“You know,” Sara said as she looked at the woman, “you do look better with half of your face covered. Is it true that your old husband was so horrified at the sight of you on your wedding night that he couldn’t do it?”

Mitzi’s eyes shot fire at Sara.

“She hates you,” Ariel said. “Truly and deeply hates you.”

“It’s mutual.”

Ariel took one arm and Sara the other, but when they tried to move her, the woman dug her feet into the carpet thrown over the ground. But they man

aged to haul her into the back room of the tent where the curtains hid them.

“Great. Now what do we do?” Ariel asked.

“I don’t know, but we have to get her out of here and cause as little attention as possible.”

“And how do you propose we do that?” Ariel asked.

“I, uh …” Sara had no answer. Again, she looked up at the roofline. Why wasn’t anyone watching them and coming to help?!