Page 9 of The Witch & the Grizzly

Harriet: What? With whom? Are you coming to the bar after all?

Eva: Some guy named Nathan Griever, I think. I think that’s his surname. And no, I’m not going to the bar. Sorry to disappoint…

Harriet: What?

Harriet: WHAT?

Harriet: NATHAN GRIEVER?

Eva: Yes…

Harriet: Bitch, that’s my cousin!

Eva: You're what now?

Harriet: COUSIN. Girl, what? He was coming to the school for a job offer. Did you meet him?

Eva: We’re on the same job. They needed a potioneer, and they decided I was the best available. Professor Umber approached me earlier about it. I thought I’d done something bad, but it turns out it’s some job.

Harriet: Are they paying you?

Eva: You know what? I’m going to ask if they will.

Harriet: Good. Don’t let them treat you like a slave! But my cousin? Girl, you have to be careful with him.

Eva: Yeah, I’m aware of his fae powers. That’s why they wanted to hire him. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. He’s been respectful so far.

Harriet: I am going to hurl abuse at him via text in a second so he doesn’t do anything stupid with you.

Eva: Thanks.

Harriet: Just be careful. He’s a regular Lothario. He’s great if you just want something casual. But nothing else, okay?

Eva: Thanks. I’ll be careful. Enjoy your night!

Harriet: Later.

Eva also answered her brother, just a short check-in to make sure he was okay and happy and to update him about the encounter with Morgryn, a name he would recognize.

Martin: Be careful with that one. I believe he genuinely wants to help, but I got a really unsettling vibe from him.

Eva: He saved your friend, right?

Martin: Yes, but he also left us high and dry instead of helping us. Remember we had to deal with a hydra when we were trying to get out? It's not exactly a tea party or anything.

Eva: Ah… okay. You mentioned the hydra. I don’t like him anymore.

Martin: That’s wise.

She showered, freshened her breath, and ate something light before making her way toward her meeting.

---

The village at night looked lovely. Black iron street lamps illuminated the various pathways, giving the impression of a long bygone era and of the whole village being a little pocket to the past that had been preserved. It was the same aesthetic that people appreciated about Dreadmor Academy, and it wasn’t an uncommon sight for students to pause and snap pictures of themselves positioned artfully under the lamps to share on social media.

Inside the Blue Rose coffee shop, the lights were bright. This particular shop remained open until late at night, entertaining some last coffee lovers with snacks and food, though it didn’t have a license to serve alcohol.

There, in the soft orange light, Nathan waited, hands in his pockets, watching for her every time someone came through the door. When he spotted her, he perked up and waved, pointing to the counter where they’d order their drinks. She joined him there and opted instead for a fancy tea since, as much as she enjoyed coffee, she didn’t much enjoy staying awake half the night when she had lessons early the next day.

---