Puck shrugged. "Are we going to do this or not?"
Daphne grabbed the little black ball that detected magic from the bureau and slipped it into her pocket. Then she joined Sabrina and Puck at the window. They opened it and Puck leaped out. A second later his wings were flapping and he was hovering outside. He reached out his hand for Sabrina's. She eyed it as if it were something she didn't understand, like algebra or diagramming sentences. She snatched it quickly before the boy threw a fit, though she caught her sister's grin out of the corner of her eye. Before she had seen their future together, Sabrina wouldn't have thought twice about holding the boy's hand, except to remember to wash later with generous amounts of antibacterial soap and a wire brush. But now even something so simple seemed to have so many complicated layers to it.
"Don't you say a word," Sabrina grumbled to her sister.
In no time, the trio was sailing above the treetops out of sight of their family and friends on the front lawn. Once they were over Main Street, Daphne began to shimmer and vibrate.
"I'm picking up something," she said.
"Remember what Charming said," Sabrina replied. "Concentrate on what we're looking for. Think about the clock and the wand and the water."
Daphne agreed and closed her eyes tightly. "I can't explain why, but I feel like we should head toward the river." Puck dropped them off out of sight of the human townspeople, which was harder than it sounded. The streets were quite crowded with people trying to sell their jewelry and watches. It was Friday--the last day to pay the taxes. People were desperate.
The children walked down the road as Daphne described the sensation she got from the magic detector. As they continued, the feeling got stronger, which was good, but Daphne was visibly, violently shaking, which was bad. Sabrina was sure someone would notice eventually. They walked down to the end of the street, where Ms. Rose's coffee shop, the radio station, and a few other businesses sat. There the vibration was stronger than ever.
"Are you OK?" Puck asked as he watched the little girl turn into a blur.
"I feel funky," Daphne said. Her voice sounded like she was talking through an electric fan. "I have a feeling we're really close. It's hard to pinpoint exactly where they are, though. I think I need more practice."
Suddenly, the vibrations stopped. "I need a break," the little girl continued. "I think I might ralph."
They stopped outside of Sacred Grounds and spotted Briar Rose through the window. She was sitting with several women, showing them the coffee mug she had purchased at Granny's yard sale. Next to her at the table were Ms. White, Dr. Cindy, and another woman with long, flowing red hair whom the girls had never seen before. They were all trying to console Ms. White, who was in tears.
"Charming is a jerk," Daphne said as she looked through the window. "He's broken her heart. He should at least call her."
"I think he's trying to protect her," Sabrina said.
"Let's go in and try to cheer her up."
"We're wasting time," Sabrina said. "We need to keep looking for the stolen items."
"I don't care," Daphne declared. "Ms. White is my friend."
"Fine with me," Puck chimed in. "I'm starving. I'm getting in line for a muffin."
The children entered the coffee shop, and the girls crossed the room to greet the four women.
"Hello!" Daphne said, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hello, girls," Briar Rose replied. "Taking a break from the big sale?"
The girls nodded.
"What's wrong, Ms. White?" Daphne asked.
"Snow is having a difficult day," Cindy said.
"I'm just worried about Billy," the teacher said with a sniffle.
Sabrina and Daphne shared a look.
"I'm sure he's fine," Sabrina said.
"That's what I've been telling her," the fourth woman said. Her red hair framed her creamy complexion and green eyes. To Sabrina she looked like a glamorous star from an old black-and-white movie. She reached over and shook Sabrina's hand. "You must be Henry's girls. I'm Rapunzel."
Daphne let out a squeal.
"She does that for everyone?" Cindy asked with a laugh. "I thought I was special."
"We're trying to cheer up Snow," Rapunzel said. "William doesn't deserve your tears, girlfriend."
"She's right, Snow," Briar Rose said. "Whenever his pride is hurt, he runs off--hunting, he used to call it, but I knew better. He was sulking. Losing the election hurt his fragile ego."
"And William does have his childish moments," Cindy added. "I was married to the man for nearly a hundred years. He'd throw his tantrums, disappear, and then show up without any explanation. He'll be back."
"But I can't believe he wouldn't call, write, leave me some way of knowing he was OK," Ms. White sobbed.
Rapunzel sighed. "You thought you were different."