Chapter 559: Sabotage

Chapter 559: Sabotage

Alex asked Lorraine to take over the counter for a while, then marched out the front door and into the crowded street flanked by Theresa. From near and far, passersby were eyeing the bakery, a mix of trepidation and disgust on their faces.

He even heard someone mutter, throw a pretty dress on a pig, and its still a pig.

Outside, Claygon was frozen stone-still while Selina looked absolutely panicked. Alex! she cried. Its terrible!

Whats happening? he asked, looking from her to Claygon Whats

He paused, listening to the sounds of the city.

From down the street, he heard some sort of commotion: a mans voicein full distressshouting something that wasnt clear.

Youd better come with me, Theresa said, her jaw clenching and unclenching. I might need you to hold me back.

With that, the huntress turned and strode down the sidewalk, with Alex close behind. Brutus gave three quick barks and ran after them. Together, the fierce huntress, enormous cerberus and hulking wizard stalked the city street, people parted before them after one look at Theresas face.

The ruckus grew louder and the mans words more distinct as the trio drew near. Alex cocked his ear, only catching a snippet here and there.

And then, the words became clear.

The voice sounded horrified.

Then angry.

What the hell? Alex stomped forward with Theresa and Brutus by his side, pushing through the crowd until he reached the corner. His hands balled into fists, and Theresas growl was nearly as deep as Brutus.

On the street corner was a man who was doubled over, skinny, and dressed in fine garments that looked like theyd been made by a master tailor. They were by no means gaudy or ostentatious like some aristocrats, but clearly cost more than one or two gold, making the puke staining the front of his shirt even more obvious.

He had collapsed against a nearby bench, retchingthough no vomit was being expelledand shaking. A sheen of sweat coated his reddened face, and his breaths heaved, like hed run for miles.

Or, like hed been poisoned.

And yet, he still seemed to have plenty of strength to shout.

Ive been poisoned! he cried. I ate something from that new Roth bakery, and it feels like they fed me glass! My stomach hurts! Their foods off!

Blood boiled in Alexs veins as he glared down at the man. More than one part of his story stank. First, the vomit stains on his shirt looked like theyd been smeared on hours or days before. Secondly, there was no vomit anywhere on the ground near him or the bench he was hanging onto for dear life; if this man was truly food poisoned by Alexs cooking, then where was the puke that should be by the bench he was collapsed on?

And lastlybut most importantlyAlex had never seen the man before in his life. Hed never taken a single samplefrom what Theresa saidentered the bakery, ordered a damn thing, or even passed in front of the place for that matter.

The man shudderedas if in agonythen reached out imploringly to a passerby. Dont make the same mistake I did! Dont go anywhere near there!

With a growl, Theresa took a threatening step toward him.

Alex caught her by the shoulder. Dont do it, he snarled, forcing himself to hold back. Someones doing this on purpose, and if we start yelling or pounding on that guy, well be playing right into their hands: well just look like unscrupulous merchants trying to intimidate a customer that we already harmed.

I know, she growled. Thats why I want you to hold me back before I really give him something to throw up about.

I gotcha, and Im having a hard time stopping myself, but weve got to think about this rationally. With the lousy reputation our bakery had, an incident like this on opening day could be-

Alex! a familiar voice cried from down the street.

The young wizard, the huntress, and her hound whirled toward the voice: Thundar was coming down the street, his hands balled into fists.

He looked pissed.

It was just enough to attract attention to himself, and attention was exactly what he wanted. The crowds were watching his group as they approached the bakery, and eyebrows shot up when they stopped in front of a worried Selina and Claygon.

Whats happening? his little sister asked. Everyones been giving us dirty looks. Claygon and Ive been trying to get people to taste the food, but no ones interested. Is that awful man still saying were selling bad food?

Yes, but I have an idea, Alex said.

I coulddestroy this man Claygon offered. I am jokingprobably. Alex could hear the anger in the golems voice. It was also pouring through his link with Alex, and there was nothing he probably wanted to do more than march down the street and pound the liar into a grease smear.

Its going to be alright, Alex said with more confidence than he actually felt. For now, could you two offer Sinopes friends some treats?

Hm, yes, yes, of course, Selina said, turning to the dryads and lifting her tray. She tried to put on a friendly customer service smile. P-please try some of our goodies, with our compliments.

The dryads reached out, taking apple tart samples from her tray. Together, they bit down.

Mmmm! This is incredible! one of them cried. Its lovely!

Like blossom petals in early spring! another shouted, her musical voice attracting eyes from up and down the street.

Alex noted how much attention the dryads were attracting from curious folk nearby. Some slowed to watch. Murmurs spread through the crowds.

A dryad looked at the rest of her tart with something resembling wrath. Alex was terrified, wondering if she hated it, but her anger was directed down the street where the fraudster was still faking his suffering. I despise liars. Is this what this great city has to offer? Filth and liars?

The other dryads joined in; it seemed that the trickiness of humans struck something in them.

Which was even better than Alex had hoped for.

Sinope he turned to Khaliks lover.

Alex Sinope turned to him at the same time.

Both paused.

You first, Alex said.

What is happening to you is not right, and it should be made right. Truth should drink the light of the sun while lies must be snuffed out by the canopy above like filthy fungus. My kinswomen and I will go outlike leaves on the windand find where these liars skulk and tell everyone the truth.

That was my idea too, Alex said. Listen, since you got here, every single eyes been on all of you.

Youre all beautiful, Theresa said.

Yes, Sinope agreed simply. But what does thatAh yes. Humans are entranced by such things.

Exactly. So heres what Ill do, Alex said. Ill give each of you trays of food. Samples to offer passersby, like how Claygon and Selina are offering samples here. You can say how much you love the food: I get the feeling that people are going to pay a lot more attention to beautiful dryads, than to random humans. In return? You all eat for free today, as much as you want.

Sinope frowned. The honour of shedding sunlight on the truth is good enough. We dont need to deprive you of your livelihood.

You wont be denying me of my livelihood. Youll be making my livelihood even more secure, trust me. Giving you free food is the least I can do.

...very well, she said. I will tell my kin. I have no doubt they will agree.

Good. Alex rubbed his hands together. And if we counter these liars, I bet theyll either give up, or try even harder to get people to believe them. And if they do? Well be ready to spring.

He smiled evilly. And if we push hard enough? I get the feeling whoever hired them will poke his filthy head out from whatever rat hole hes hiding in.

And so the Roth Family Bakerys counter-offensive began.