Page 27 of Mate Night Snack
“Not the way you’re holding yourself,” Twyla said, eyes flicking to her like a hawk’s. “You’ve got the look of someone who asked the woods a question and didn’t like the reply.”
Katniss slid onto the stool at the counter. “You always talk like you’re half a step ahead.”
“It’s in my blood. That’s our thing.” Twyla poured the tea and set it in front of her with a wink. “Try the blackberry sage. You’ll like it.”
Katniss eyed the mug, then sipped. It was earthy and sweet, with a sharp, cool edge that lingered on her tongue.
“Still have your charm?” Twyla asked, wiping her hands on her apron. “The silver thistle bundle I gave you?”
Katniss blinked. “Yeah. It’s in my bag.”
“Good. Hand it over.”
Katniss fished it out and set it on the counter. The dried herb bundle looked the same as when Twyla had given it to her: silver thistle bound in twine, faintly fragrant, tucked in a fold of wax paper.
Twyla pulled something from beneath the counter, a small tuft of coarse, pale fur.
Katniss stared. “Is that...?”
“Wolf,” Twyla said. “Local.”
Katniss frowned. “That legal?”
“Only if you get it from the source.” Twyla’s eyes sparkled. “And this one volunteered.”
Katniss didn’t ask. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
Twyla tucked the fur into the bundle and bound it tighter with a single red thread.
“There,” she said, tying the final knot. “Better now.”
“Better how?” Katniss asked, reaching for the charm.
“You’ll see.”
“That’s what you said last time.”
“And wasn’t I right?”
Katniss narrowed her eyes but tucked the charm back into her bag anyway. “You always this cryptic?”
“Only when the truth would break things before they’re ready to bend.”
Katniss didn’t like that answer. Not one bit.
“Have you looked into the attic yet?” Twyla asked nonchalantly.
Katniss looked up from the charm. “The attic? Can I even do that?”
She laughed. “Of course you can. You’re a guest there and it’s open for anyone. There’s no out of bounds sign, is there?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, I would suggest maybe venturing up there and seeing what others have left behind,” Twyla suggested with a glint in her eye. “You know, for the hell of it.”
Katniss stayed for another ten minutes trying to get more from Twyla but only able to scribble down a few odd quotes that might, someday, make good intro material. Then she left the café and walked back toward the inn, the charm heavier in her bag than it had been before.
The attic at Hearth& Hollow creaked with every step.
