Page 255 of Midnights
Elle throws her arms out dramatically the second we walk in. “Lynn, take pity on us. We’re starving over here!”
A short woman, who looks like she’d beat you with a spatula and the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen, looks over her shoulder from the stove. Her laughfills the room. “Help yourselves, ladies. But I don’t want to see a single dish left on the counter, Miss Elle.”
I can’t help but grin as Elle bounces toward the food with a smile on her face. The chaos of the last few weeks slips away, replaced by this weird, fragile sense of normalcy.
“Thank you.” My voice slips out before I can overthink it. “Everything smells amazing. I wish I knew how to cook like this.”
Lynn’s laughter is softer this time. “Stick around long enough, and you’ll learn a thing or two, that I can promise you.” Her eyes linger on me for a second too long. Then she shakes her head, and gets back to whatever she was doing. They must get a lot of visitors if she doesn’t even bat an eyelash that we’re in here.
Elle leans in, and whispers. “She doesn’t like to get attached to anyone who might leave. She’s a bit of a softy.” She winks, handing me a plate. “But, once you’re in her good graces? It’s free butter cakes, and cinnamon rolls for life.”
“Good to know. That’s enough motivation to stick around.”
I say that, but I don't even know wherehereis, and as much as I'd like to stick around, I really just want answers.
Elle grins and nudges me toward the table, snapping me out of my thoughts. “See? You’re catching on fast.”
I hesitate for half a second before giving in to my overflowing curiosity. “Okay, but whereexactlyis here?” Finally letting the question slip. Maybe she’ll actually tell me something useful instead of just tossing me into another round of cryptic bullshit.
“Oh. You’re in Nveri.” Her voice is bright with enthusiasm, and her smile is still too easy. It's the kind of welcome that makes me wonder what she's hiding. “Welcome!” She flashes me another warm smile.
“Maybe while you're here, I can show you around.” She keeps scooping food onto her plate like we’re just two normal people having breakfast. “It’s gorgeous here and the people are even better. I swear you’d love it once you get to snoop around.”
I nod slowly, because what else am I supposed to do? Freak out? Throw a plate? Demand an immediate return ticket to Scotland? Not exactly productive. I mean it does sound like a good idea to at least know my wayaround. Besides, Elle’s smile is doing this weird thing where it makes me feel like everything's okay. And less like I should be sprinting the opposite direction.
We eat in silence for a few minutes while the kitchen buzzes around us. It’s mesmerizing, honestly. Everyone moves like they’re part of some well-oiled machine, seamlessly dodging each other, passing ingredients, and handling dishes with ease. It’s a weird kind of relaxing, watching them work.
CRASH.
The sharp shatter of glass slams through the kitchen, breaking the easy rhythm, and I’m embarrassed by the noise that comes out of my mouth.
A man stands frozen over the mess while his hand hovers mid-air, and sweat runs down his face.Then he snaps his fingers and the broken shards lift from the floor, catching the light as they fly back together, fusing seamlessly into the cup he now holds.
I gasp as my fork slips from my fingers. Of course it doesn't just fall—it hits the plate and takes half my breakfast down with it. The crash echoes in the now-dead-silent kitchen.You have got to be fucking kidding.
I look up, drenched in sweat, and everyone in the kitchen is staring like I'm the most fascinating thing they’ve seen all morning.Great. Love that for me.
Elle, bless her soul, breaks the moment with a perfectly timed distraction. “Lynn, this breakfast isdivine.” She grabs a cinnamon roll off the platter and takes a dramatic bite, moaning like it’s the best thing she’s ever eaten.
And just like that, the kitchen exhales. The noise picks back up, people shuffle around, and the moment slips away like it never happened.
I let out a quiet breath and bend down to clean up the disaster I just caused—except there's nothing there. Like I didn't just freak out over a little magic.No big deal. I'm not sure I'll be able to get used to this.
I look over at Elle, who leans in slightly, handing me a clean plate. “You’ll get used to it.”
I give her a look that screams,yeah right,while my pulse still hammers in my throat. “Will I?”
“You’re doing great.” Her grin is bright as she pats my arm, but there's a quiet steadiness under it. “This place is chaos at first, but you’ll find your rhythm.”
I don’t get the chance to respond, because Camburstsinto the kitchen like a damn wrecking ball.
“Lynn! Cinnamon rolls? And no one thought to tell me? Do you even love me anymore?” He moves straight to the counter, snatching one like it already belongs to him. Then he sees the two of us, and rolls his eyes.
“Raven, I was actually just coming to see if you wanted to eat, but it looks like you’ve already made a friend.” He nods at Elle with a raised brow. “Don’t trust a word she says.”
I meet Elle's eyes. She gasps, clutching her chest like she's wounded, and a beat later we're giggling like idiots.
“Therealperson you shouldn't be listening to isthisassface.” Elle rips off a piece of her cinnamon roll and launches it at Cam. He catches it mid-air, and pops it into his mouth without missing a beat, and grins.
