Chapter 6 #3
“Of course. I’m just teasing you. But it does help to have intimacy, whatever that looks like for you. Even if it’s just spending time together after a long day. Sitting on the couch, reading, lounging...” She gave a playful shrug. “Making out.”
“I’ll keep your advice in mind,” I said with a grin. “I appreciate it. I really admire the two of you as a couple, so your words of wisdom mean a lot to me.”
“We’re not perfect, but we love each other. You and Silas will find your happy place too. You might already be well on your way to falling in love, even if you’re not ready to admit it.”
I nodded, thanked Lily again, and headed out to Magic & Mixology, the bar where Gus was working.
Behind me, Lily whistled cheerfully to herself as she reshelved the vials she’d pulled out to help Chuck.
It had been such a simple interaction, my brief conversation with her, but it struck me as so lovely that I didn’t want to forget it.
I’d never had a friendship like this before. I’d never been the kind of person who could just pop into someone’s home without a pre-scheduled meeting and shoot the breeze. It probably sounded so banal of a thing to most people, but to me, it meant everything.
I’d seen stories on TV and in books about friends who just swing by.
Neighbors who entered without knocking. But I didn’t come from that kind of world.
I came from a house where I didn’t even feel welcome, let alone my friends.
I didn’t talk about relationships or sex with my parents, or even any of my school friends, because we weren’t that close.
We didn’t sit around on Friday nights, eating pizza and watching movies.
On Friday nights, I was usually alone in my room, reading about fantasy worlds, while my parents were off at a gala or vacationing in Europe.
Even in college, I’d been too focused on school and internships to make space for frivolous fun.
But I was quickly learning that these had been some of the least frivolous moments of my life.
“I got something for you.” Gus’s gravelly voice interrupted my thoughts. “Lily said you wanted some books?”
I approached where Gus stood behind a wide counter next to a strange coffee machine.
One or two people were seated at small tables in the sand, sipping from mugs and reading the paper.
This little shop attached to the bungalow was called Magic & Mixology.
It served customers potions, food, and drinks.
“Coffee?” Gus asked. “This one’s called a Caffeine Cup. It’s a bit different than your usual cup of joe. It’s got Lily’s magic touch.”
Before I could answer, Gus poured a cup into a hefty diner-style mug and slid it across the counter like he’d done it a thousand times.
I cupped it in my hands, surprised by how comfortable I felt sitting here, even though Gus was a complete stranger. It felt like walking into an episode of Cheers. Everybody knew your name.
“I’ll be right back with those books,” Gus said. “Make yourself comfortable.”
I took the mug and found a table bathed in morning sunlight. The enchanted warmth from the island wrapped around me like soft candlelight. It wasn’t hot, just a gentle, glowing heat that felt pleasant and delicate.
I took a sip of my drink. It tasted like regular coffee, but instead of that sharp caffeine jolt, as I drank, I noted it gave a slow, comforting kind of energy. Like joy distilled. A gentle buzz of contentment.
In that moment, I basked in a rush of gratitude as I realized I truly had everything I needed for the first time in my life. A friend. A boyfriend, technically. A great cup of coffee and a beautiful day. Sometimes, that was enough. More than enough.
Gus returned a few minutes later, arms full of dusty old books. Some of them looked like bricks: ancient tomes with thick spines and curling pages. He placed them carefully on the table.
“There aren’t many ancient Fae texts left,” Gus said.
“Not even a lot written on the subject. There wasn’t much that could be recovered after the Hunters wiped out the Fae Queens.
They destroyed most of the archives, but a few books survived.
I’ve collected these over the years from distant libraries.
Don’t know how helpful they’ll be, but hopefully, it’s something. ”
“Thank you.” I very nearly fawned over the books, and Gus too. “I’ll take really good care of them. I’ll return them as soon as I can.”
“They’re yours,” Gus replied. “They’re of no use to me. They’re much better off with someone who can make out what they say. That’s what books are for, right? Reading.”
“I never thought of it that way, but it’s an excellent point.”
“Books are one of the simplest forms of magic.” Gus tapped the top book in the stack. “Even when they’re not spellbooks. Words on a page turn into pictures in your mind. Can’t think of anything more fascinating than that.”
I looked at Gus, trying to imagine him as the grumpy old man Lily had described when she first arrived.
I wondered if she’d softened him over time, like butter sat out on the counter for days.
I wouldn’t put it past her to have that sort of effect on Gus.
Lily had a way of changing people. She’d definitely changed Ranger X.
I had a feeling she changed everyone she touched.
As I sipped my coffee, Gus wandered back to the bar to help another customer. I pulled one of the books into my lap and opened it gently.
Some of the pages were written in a language I couldn’t recognize. Strange symbols unlike anything I’d seen before. Maybe it was an ancient Fae dialect. Maybe Seer Goddard could read it. Or maybe, one day, I’d learn to read it myself.
For now, I stuck with the pages I could understand and read.
And read.
And read.
I didn’t notice when Gus refilled my cup. That was another thing about Lily’s special coffee: the caffeine never once overloaded my system. No jitters. No crash. Just warm, steady energy. Eventually, Gus came by and raised the umbrella above me.
“You’ll burn,” he said. “Sun’s getting high.”
I looked up, startled to realize it was nearly lunchtime. Gus returned a moment later and set a sandwich down in front of me.
“Don’t get grease on the books,” he said, then sauntered off with my empty coffee cup.
There’s the grumpy old man, I thought, smiling to myself. Still, fair enough. I wouldn’t want thousand-year-old texts ruined by mayonnaise either.
I was about to pack up when I found a page that caught my eye.
This particular page was filled with sketches in faded ink, sketches of a full moon and crumbling walls between worlds.
One side looked evil, all pitchforks and shadows.
On the other side of the wall, it looked peaceful.
Something about that contrast gave me chills.
Beneath the artwork, a spell shimmered on the page.
“Gus,” I called to the old man. “Can you come here for a sec?”
“Ah.” Gus looked over my shoulder as he approached. “Full moon? Yeah, that’s tonight. I was just talking to Chuck. Don’t even think about attending the gnome ceremony. That whole thing is just a schtick to eat and drink all night. It’s not real magic.”
“It’s not?”
Gus rolled his eyes. “It might technically be rooted in real history, but over the centuries it’s devolved into an excuse for the gnomes to indulge in their favorite hobbies. All-night parties. The true meaning has been lost over the years.”
“Chuck told me they still offer sacrifices?”
“A couple of bananas doesn’t count as a sacrifice,” Gus drawled. “I get that it’s all pomp and circumstance, but really, the ceremony is not going to bring you any enlightenment. Might bring you heartburn, though.”
“So I hear,” I agreed. “Although, I’m putting my money on indigestion.”
Gus gave a short, coughing laugh.
“Are there any other full moon celebrations?” I asked. “Besides the gnomes?”
“It’s really a lost art. The Fae Queens have always been more connected to the spirit realms than any other kinds of magic creatures.
That’s how you have the kind of power to place wards around an entire island without depleting your magic.
You tap into this... higher flow. A source nobody can really explain.
Maybe your ancestors? I am not the guy to be asking, but that’s my best guess. ”
“Yeah.” The disappointment sank into the pit of my stomach. “That seems to be the trend. A lot of knowledge seems to have been lost with the destruction of the Fae Queens.”
These were the moments when it felt lonely, even when I was surrounded by help. There was no one I could really talk to for specific guidance on Fae rituals and magic. And the one person who was supposed to help me even marginally was currently refusing to see me at all.
“If nobody else celebrates it,” I said slowly, “then going with the gnomes might be my only chance to experience a full moon celebration of any kind.”
“Suit yourself,” Gus said. “Just don’t drink too much. You’ll need a clear head.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“What’s not dangerous?” Gus echoed Lily’s words from earlier. “You’re going out all night with a bunch of drunk gnomes. Yeah, you’ll want to be thinking straight.”
“Do you know what this spell does?” I pressed my finger to the book.
“That’s not a spell.”
“It’s not?” I frowned. “Then what is it?”
“I don’t know,” Gus admitted. “But it doesn’t look like any spell format I’ve ever seen.”
I considered Gus’s advice, but something in my gut disagreed with his conclusion. To me, the markings on this page looked like a spell, felt like a spell. I couldn’t explain why, but I was sure of it. I didn’t know what it did, only that it was something I should pay attention to.
“Okay,” I said hesitantly. “Well, thanks for these books. Do you know anything about the spirit realm being closer on a full moon? Are the veils really thinner between worlds? Are there even spirit worlds that exist?”
“I’m just the assistant.” Gus sounded a little weary. “I can’t say I’m an expert on spirits.”
“I am sure you have valuable insights. Everybody does.”
Gus did a double take at my reply. Then he gave a subtle nod, like he didn’t want to agree, but couldn’t argue either.
“In that case, yeah,” Gus said. “In my opinion, there are spirit worlds. All of them souls in the underworld, they’ve gotta exist somewhere, right?”
I thought of the Furies. Of the Darkest Lord. Of the strange new creatures appearing on The Isle.
“Somewhere,” I echoed. “Somewhere is right.”