BreadCrumb Trail (The Yellow Hoods, #2): Steampunk meets Fairy Tale by Adam Dreece Page B

Myers tea?”
    “Ah yes, of course. Well, that says it all,” said Anna, smiling like a little girl surprised by a treat. Ernst Myers tea was a black blend so prized and rare that it was said some royal families had gone to war over the tea.
    Jerome appeared nervous. “But, I don’t think I have—”
    Nikolas stood up, walked over to Jerome, motioned for him to relax, and then leaned over the counter to whisper. “It’s in your office, inside a tin. The tin has been used as a bookend since you were a boy.”
    Jerome’s eyes widened. “How do you know about that ? My father said it was only for one person—”
    Nikolas nodded toward Anna’s direction. No longer whispering, he said, “ She is the one person. Anna Kundle Maucher, also called—”
    Awestruck, Jerome interrupted. “The candle and sticks maker—one of the three leaders of the Tub! Wow… I’m honored to have you in my café, Madame Maucher!” Jerome’s father had told him tales of the Tub and the Fare. His grandfather was convinced Monsieur Klaus was involved, but never knew for certain.
    Anna was annoyed. She hated that people outside the eastern kingdoms didn’t know how to address her. “ Frau Kundle Maucher , peasant,” she muttered under her breath. Offering a thin smile, Anna said, “Please remember to make sure the water is absolutely boiling before steeping the tea,” she said. “And, if you have any fresh biscuits, they would be… appreciated.”
    Nikolas gave Jerome a light tap on the arm. “Thank you, Jerome.”
    Jerome happily went off to fetch the tea.
    Anna waited until Nikolas was seated. She didn’t like small towns like Mineau—they were too simple, too unrefined for her tastes. She couldn’t understand why Nikolas would live in such a place, forgetting that he actually lived in the smaller, more remote town up the mountain.
    “You received my letter, but I have to say, I was quite surprised to get yours ,” she began.
    Nikolas looked at his coat hanging by the entrance. “Had I read your letter when I received it, there would have been no follow-up letter, yes? But I didn’t read it until after all the trouble with LeLoup. Things were different then. I decided it would be best if you came—I have something I want to share, but in person. Also, it was Solstice.”
    “Yes, well, I saw all that last night,” said Anna with annoyed disinterest. “Frankly, I think it’s wrong in some ways—but now’s not the time to discuss philosophical differences.”
    A bit irritated, Nikolas ignored Anna’s criticism. “You’re right—it isn’t the time. I wanted you to come in person because I’ve invented something I believe will be very important to the—”
    Anna interrupted, clearly not listening. “The St. Malo business—I was surprised he hired Andre LeLoup to come for you. I was more surprised to hear what happened, to be honest. It’s nice to know your protégés are coming along, even though it’s against the Tub’s rules—as you well know. We keep the secrets so that other generations do not have to bear their burden. We do wonder, though, whether you are teaching them anything secret? We assume not, but… it’s almost like you’re trying not to try?”
    Nikolas didn’t respond for a few seconds. He’d forgotten Anna’s habit of getting under someone’s skin, even an ally’s. “Let’s be clear,” said Nikolas firmly, “They have done this themselves. Yes, I provided my granddaughter with the first yellow cloak, but I have not built anything or taught them anything other than simple science.”
    “You made those sailing land ships—didn’t you?” said Anna, pointedly.
    Nikolas chose his words carefully. “Those are toys . My granddaughter and her friends know nothing .” Nikolas knew he was bending the truth, but figured it was close enough; Anna wouldn’t be able to tell he was lying.
    Anna’s eyes narrowed and her lips tightened. “What are you talking about? I heard about some