Eva
Ididn’t think this through.
When I came out of the bathroom and his room was empty, I got scared he left.
It didn’t make any sense. We are in this whole predicament because he can’t leave.
Oddly, the strange sensation that’s been sputtering inside me like a light bulb trying to turn on felt weaker for a second when I thought he was gone.
The way he came back into the house, wind blown from the night air, it almost looked like he was out of breath. My magick buzzed just from the sight of him.
After a day like today, I didn’t want to be alone. It seemed like one of those days where nothing goes in your favor. The universe was not cooperating, and instead of tossing and turning, I decided tea and some TV would help.
I knew what I needed to take my mind off everything. I just hoped Sorren wouldn’t judge me too harshly for it. Reality TV is a cure for almost anything. However, plans changed when I realized Sorren didn’t know who Patrick Swayze is, and that is taking precedence.
“This is Ghost. It’s a classic.”
The sound of the closing song wakes me up just in time to see the credits rolling. On the other end of the couch, Sorren sniffles and wipes a tear from the corner of his eye. My heart does a little stutter at the sight of him so affected by the movie.
“I can’t believe I fell asleep.” I sit up with a stretch. “What did you think of the movie?”
“Honestly? It was incredible.” He picks up Catrick, who also fell asleep during the movie and plops him on my lap. The cat goes rigid and hops off before I have a chance to pet him.
“It’s late, and you’ve had a long day,” Sorren says, lifting himself off the couch.
“We didn’t get very far in figuring out how to get you home, did we?” I clear the cups and drop them off in the sink on my way toward the stairs.
“I dunno. If Sam and Oda Mae can figure it out, I think we can too.”
My phone pings, waking me up out of a dead sleep. Half asleep, I grab it and look at the time, 5:00 a.m. A text from Grant pops up.
Grant
I’m sorry about yesterday.
It’s alright.
Grant
I should have called beforehand. I thought it would be a fun surprise.
There’s a lot going on right now. I’m sorry too, I’ve been more distracted than usual.
Grant
Want to have dinner tonight?
I can’t. Coven stuff
Grant
They know you won’t be at their beck and call after we get married, right?
Why wouldn’t I?
Grant
We’ll have our own life. I figured you’d move on from that phase after we’re married and have kids.
Phase? The nerve of this guy talking about phases. He’s the one who has completely transformed into a robot over the last year.
You figured wrong.
I toss the phone back on my nightstand before this becomes a full-fledged fight. It’s too early to deal with Grant right now.
The cold wood floor sends a shock up my legs as I hurry over to the bathroom. I splash icy water on my face and argue with Grant in my head while I brush my teeth.
He’s always known about my magick, but he’s mostly ignored it or downplayed it, which has been annoying. I’m not going to turn into a Stepford Wife just because he wants to fit in at the office.
I look tired. Competing priorities weigh on me: the café and the giant pile of paperwork still waiting for me on the kitchen table, the demon sound asleep in the next room, and all this Grant nonsense.
Not to mention the coven, the mysterious fog, and the issues with my magick.
I haven’t been able to work on the leyline problem since it all blew up in my face.
As quietly as possible, I get dressed and tiptoe down the stairs. There is a light on in the kitchen already.
Shoot! Did I forget to turn it off last night?
“Good Morning!” Sorren says, his back turned to me while he works on something at the counter.
“Did I wake you?” I ask, feeling guilty for the ungodly hour.
“Sorta, but I was hoping you would.” He turns around, holding a breakfast burrito half wrapped in tin foil. “Here, I made you breakfast.” Sorren hands me the warm burrito, and I ignore the giddy feeling at the slight touch of our fingers.
“Breakfast?”
“The groceries got delivered last night after you fell asleep,” he says proudly.
“Thanks.” I bite into the warm tortilla. A moan escapes my lips, and I know Sorren heard it because his eyes widen, and his cheeks turn bright red. “You didn’t have to do this,” I mumble with my mouth full of eggs, sausage, cheese, and salsa.
“I’m guessing most days you just drink coffee until your heart beats out of your chest.” He laughs and takes a bite of his own burrito.
“How’d you know?”
“Don’t be late for work. We’ve got some witchcraft to do tonight.”
“Yes, we do. I’m going to swing by my mom’s house and get my scrying textbook right after work. Then I’ll be home.”
“Have a good day!” Sorren calls while I pull on my boots.
“You too.”
My previous worries are all forgotten. This day is actually off to a good start.
I dart back into the house and yell, “Watch Dirty Dancing while I’m gone! I want a full report when I get back!”
I eat the delicious breakfast burrito as fast as possible. If I walked into the café with a freshly made breakfast, Riley would definitely know something is up. It’s been pure agony the last few days not telling her what is happening at my house right now.
I shove the foil wrapper into my jeans pocket and hop out of the truck, ready to take on the day. My plan is to leave once the lunch rush is over, let Riley close up by herself, and get back to Sorren with answers in hand.
I shove my key into the front door, but there is no resistance. The door swings open easily.
“Hello?” I call into the dark café. “Riley, you here?” The air is charged. It doesn’t feel right. Something dark and rotten lingers in the air, accompanying something else I’ve never felt in the aether before.
“Anyone here?” I slide my key between my fingers and make a fist. Blood rushes in my ears, blocking out any potential sound of the invader.
The light switch is all the way behind the register. “Riley?”
A cold chill runs up my spine as I reach into my bag and pull out my phone.
“Morning!” Riley steps into the café, and freezes, taking in the situation. “Woah, what’s going on here?”
“The door was open when I got here.” My hands shake and my knees feel weak, my nervous system is telling me to get the fuck out.
She links her arm with mine. I’m immediately emboldened by her presence.
Together, we step toward the light switch.
Whatever magick was done in here is fading.
Arm in arm, we get to the counter and Riley reaches to toggle the lights on.
They bathe the café in their calming warm glow.
Tentatively, we look back toward the office.
Papers are scattered all over the ground, drawers pulled open and left hanging.
Finally convinced we’re alone, I let go of Riley and approach the office. It’s a mess. Someone trashed the place last night. Probably looking for money.
“Damn,” Riley mutters.
“Think they got the cashbox?” she asks, heading toward the office. I go behind the desk, the large drawer where we keep the money is open, the locked metal box intact, sitting there untouched. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why break in but not take the cash?”
“Maybe they got interrupted?” Riley suggests.
“You open up, and I’ll call the cops,” I tell her. I should be relieved that nothing was stolen, but I can’t shake the terrible feeling of some unwanted presence in the café. I unlock my phone to text my mom.
There was a break in at the café. Everyone’s okay.
Mom
What? I’m on my way!
Bring my old scrying textbook with you, please!