AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Peter nodded down at my left arm, and more specifically, the canister. “I’m curious to learn about that unique flute your companion played right before the spirit spinner was subdued.”
I pressed my left arm against my chest and could feel my heart pound against the other side. “What do you mean?”
“I saw you slip into the shadows of the tower and play a song,” Peter explained as he folded his arms over his chest. “I couldn’t hear the tune, but from what I saw the spinner itself heard something.”
The corners of Ben’s lips twitched upward. “You suspect us of creating the spinner.”
My eyes widened as I followed Ben’s example in taking in the situation. “I didn’t make that thing! It was blowing up before I blew on my flute!”
Peter turned his head slightly to one side and pursed his lip. “I must admit I suspected you at the first, but your message from Aria has changed my mind.”
I cocked my head to one side. “Why does that matter?”
He closed his eyes and smiled. “She knows my affinity for thunder races and wouldn’t tolerate anyone who would ruin them for me. She may be gruff on the outside, but she does have a full heart. And she’s not naive. No salesman has ever cheated her out of a penny, and I don’t expect anyone to cheat her out of her betrothed’s amusement.”
“Then why are you asking about us?” I wondered.
“To discover how one was able to create such a mighty spinner,” Peter admitted as he knitted his eyebrows together. “It must obviously be magic, but how? An instrument, like your companion here? Or something else?”
“We suspect the latter,” Ben informed him as he inspected the illuminated crowds. “And it may be the work of Dr. Myer.”
Peter’s fury was swift as he dropped his balled hands to his sides and his eyes glistened with anger. “That monster? What has that creature of blasphemous destruction to do with the races?”
“Betting forms,” I spoke up.
“Then he means to ensure his bets, no matter the cost to driver or machine?”
“That is the way we see it,” Ben confirmed. “But what can you tell us about Enzo Dinari?”
Peter’s ire was slightly softened by confusion. “He’s been a racer for nearly five years, but he has shown little promise. His average placement is middling, at best, though he’s come up in the rankings these past few-” His eyes widened as understanding dawned on him. “You don’t mean to say?”
Ben nodded. “Every cheat must have an inside accomplice.”
Peter took a deep breath and his eyes scanned over both of us. “Then what do you intend to do?”
“How do you know we’re here to do anything?” I countered.
A hint of a smile stretched across his lips, but it was marred by his lingering disgust. “You know far more about this plot than I. It stands to reason that you’ve come here to stop another incident.”
“And perhaps enjoy ourselves amid this revelry,” Ben added as he offered me his arm. “And we must see to my investment, as well.”
I snorted and accepted his arm. “You mean find the trio?”
“If you’re referring to the gentlemen with whom you’ve been speaking, they are at their tower,” Peter told us as he nodded in the direction of the tract. “Before you go, however, might I ask if you suspect more foul play this night?”
“I would be surprised if there wasn’t trouble,” Ben replied as he scanned the crowds. “We should all keep our eyes open for trouble, and we’ll alert our companions, as well.”
“I’ll see what I can find out about Dinari, as well,” Peter offered as he stared at the ground and rubbed his chin in one hand. “How foolish of me not to see the pattern. The trouble started at the same time that poor driver rose in the ranks.”
“He has a chance at the final race, I believe,” Ben guessed as he led our little group back toward the lights.
Peter nodded. “A decent chance, but that depends on the race times this evening. Enough good times and he will be excluded.”
“When does the race start?” I wondered as I heard the familiar roar of thunder engines.
“In about an hour,” Peter told me as he stared up at the stars. “A few of the wrecked cars from yesterday are still being repaired, so the officials offered a later time than is usual for these races.”
“We’ll meet you after the race and discuss what we may have discovered,” Ben suggested.
