Page 28 of Magic & Mochas
“Sorry for the interruption everyone, and thanks for standing up for me.Free refills are on the house!”I announced.
A collective cheer went up, and I smiled to myself.Losing a bit of money on my opening day seemed like a small price to pay for the scene I had just witnessed, and for the warmth that filled this room.My customers had given me more than just help or protection; they had given me new hope, and the sense of community I had been yearning for, but didn’t know I needed.
Chapter eleven
Cats & Carvings
Thorne
Anythingtoreport?Iasked my soldiers.
Negative,stated the one outside Clove’s house.
Nothing,answered the one stationed at the shop.
Nothing relevant,answered the soldier I had placed in Rasmus’ shadow, after his little outburst during the shop’s grand opening.The warlock has been spending the bulk of his time arguing with his mistress, being scolded by his parents, or yelling at his computer.
I see.Continue your observations, and report back to me if anything changes.
Yes, my lord,they replied in unison.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.I preferred eliminating threats immediately.Monitoring them was exhausting, and I wasn’t even the one doing most of the watching!
But at least this way, I could keep Clove safe.So far, Rasmus hadn’t made any other stupid moves, and I hoped he would keep it that way.Though I was still surprised the warlock hadn’t noticed the shadow soldier I had slipped into his shadow.His parents must have sheltered him a great deal for him to be so completely oblivious.
Then again, maybeIwas the strange one.I had to keep reminding myself that most people, magical or otherwise, did not have nearly as much experience in battle as I did.
At least that experience allowed me to protect Clove now.Even if it made me feel like a shark in a pond full of guppies.
I returned my gaze to Clove.At the moment, she was helping what was likely her last customer for the night.Leaning back in the stuffed armchair I had claimed as my own, I watched the way her smile warmed up the entire room, far more than the crackling fire to my right.She used her magic so effortlessly, as if it were an extension of her being.I had encountered very few witches or warlocks with an equal level of dedication to their craft.Though it seemed she had devoted an equal effort to her brewing skills for both coffee and potions.
The little bell over the door jingled as the customer left, with a cup of steaming GlimmerBrew in hand.Another heartbeat later, and Clove flicked her wrist to magically flip the OPEN sign to CLOSED and locked the door.
Putting her hands on her hips, she exclaimed, “Well, I think I’ll call it a day.”
“I’m glad business has been going so well this week.”I stood, stretching after sitting for so long.
“Me, too.”She gave me a relieved smile.“I hope it keeps up.”
“I’m sure it will.”I walked over to the counter and leaned against it.“By the way, when did you want to carve those pumpkins?I’m assuming you want to have them ready before the Moonlit Masquerade Ball in a few days.”
“That’s right!I completely forgot about them.”Clove tapped her chin thoughtfully.“Why don’t we carve them tonight?I can cast a preservation spell on them so they’ll last through all the festivities.”
I loved the way she saidwe.
“Let’s do it.”
With a grin, Clove floated two pumpkins over to one of the shop’s tables, not too far from the fire and Silas’ cat tree.I grabbed a few knives and some spare newspapers.
“What are the newspapers for?”Clove asked as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
“For the pulp.That way you don’t have more cleaning up to do.”
“Good thinking.”She sat down and drew one of the pumpkins towards her.Pulling out a marker, she began drawing on her pumpkin.
“What are you drawing?”I asked, edging closer so I could see.
“No peeking!”Clove summoned a curtain of sparkles to hide it.“It’s a surprise.”
