Page 19 (1/2)

Throughout the entire conversation, Julianna had learned so much that was nearly impossible to believe, and yet she had no choice but to believe it After all, the proof was all around her Miss Tsing told thedoms, the Veil, and the Borderkind She shared what she knew of a crisis that was spreading throughout the Two Kingdoms, with Hunters in pursuit of the Borderkind in a secret effort to eradicate theer quite as secret Even as Julianna atte explained that Oliver was different froht," she said now, sipping at the coffee, which had a hint of exotic spice "So Oliver was not touched by thethis…which o back And that’s why this whole crazy world wants hi man came from within the bakery He wore an apron that was covered in flour and s dark From his complexion and his countenance, it was clear he was some relation The roup of hulanced over at Halliwell and Julianna and laughed softly, rolling his eyes in derision The baker said so quiet but sharp, and the paletold her

"Virginia," Halliwell said, and it had been so long since he spoke that both women were startled by his voice "If one of these Borderkind can take Oliver back, then why not us? So ent through once, and now this…roadblock…is going to stop us?"

"I’rimly "There has to be a way"

Even as he spoke, the baker ca’s shoulder

"There are always stories But if there is a way," the baker said, "no one has ever found it in all the years since the Veil was created Otherwise, the Lost would never have remained"

Julianna sh But Halliwell knitted his brows and grimaced at thewhatever spark of hope he could still retain Julianna didn’t bla said, "this is my son, Ovid Ovid, Mr Halliwell and Miss Whitney"

Ovid Tsing nodded once to thelanced at the Lost who sat around the table he had just come from There were others out on the bakery’s patio as well, souise their eavesdropping

"I have spent my whole life on this question, Mr Halliwell," Ovid said He squeezed his ently, patting his hand "If there were a way for the Lost to return, I would know One day you will have to accept that, but it often takes ti about a child…as it?"

The pale end-Born?" Ovid asked, favoring his eneration is very superstitious"

A dreadful silence fell upon theentle, hospitable people She looked out across the cobblestoned riverwalk and at the river rolling by Her parents and friends would be frantic by now, believing the worst It ht of the antique radio she had bought her father, who loved such things, and the Christmas Eve dinner she was supposed to cook with herto leave behind It was all of the little things, the sweet minutiae thaton the patio, and went to the railing to look up and down the length of the Gorge, as if searching for an exit

"What will you do?" Miss Tsing asked, leaning in toward Julianna

"Find Oliver Whether I’ left for me to do is to find him, to see his face and hear his voice, and froure out what’s next"

"And you, Mr Halliwell?" Miss Tsing asked

Julianna studied him The detective leaned on the rail with his shoulders hunched, his e But when he turned, his expression was calave him away Halliwell’s eyes were far away, perhaps as far away as a little corner of Maine, or an aparthter re as in her father’s heart

"Julianna’s right We find Oliver," he said "There are questions I want to ask hi, and there is a way hoazed at hiht, and there is no way hoh conte the question, then walked back to the table He did not answer Instead he sat down again and looked at Miss Tsing

"All we know is that Oliver’s gone east He’s got al to have to stop at soo?"

The wolanced around at the other people sipping coffee and tea and eating scones and h soed "I cannot help you The Orient Road is to the east If they are truly going that direction, they will travel upon that road But your friend has a warrant sworn out for hiht slow hi not to be found, unaware that some of those who seek hi the way, but nothing of great consequence I cannot guess at his destination"

Julianna shivered, and becah she had been cold all along and only now realized it A sip fro to warm her Only then did she understand that the chill was despair

"So, what, then?" she asked, turning toward Halliwell "Hoe even begin to look for hiy "We go, now We’ll find this Orient Road and we’ll follow If we ask enough questions, we ht find someone who saw him, or even better, someone ill be able to tell us where he’s headed He’s wanted, Julianna Wantedon their ure out how he plans to do that, we can find hied the old woman "Thank you, so much"

Ovid shook Halliwell’s hand, then Julianna’s "I wish you luck Please, though, wait here just another ether for you, some food and water to carry on the road"

"That’s very kind," Julianna said

Halliwell looked at him and the tension between the The detective nodded, and Ovid the baker nodded in return, then turned and went back into the bakery to fetch the stepped close to Julianna "If you do not find him, or if you should find hienerosity, Julianna e her thanks