Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Islept for eight hours, just because no one woke me up. If the rabbit hadn’t nosed me, I could’ve slept for another twelve. I hadn’t slept well since my mother passed, and not before, either, not with that week on watch with my dad until she finally slipped through the pale.
It was amazing to wake up, stretch, and feel that streak of optimism raise its head. Everything was going to be okay. I had my very own bakery, and what was better than that?
“Good morning!” I said to the adorable rabbit.
It blinked its rheumy eyes and nibbled on my hair.
“That’s right, you’re probably hungry. Let me put some ointment on you first then we’ll go find breakfast.”
I quickly rubbed the stuff all over him then went to the closet.
It opened into a small room that could’ve been the room above the bakery, except that it was finished, and absolutely beautiful.
The walls were the color of my wings, framing a white metal bed with my old floral duvet with pink English roses and blue forget-me-nots.
Next to the bed was my clothes rack on one side and my old white vanity on the other.
My dad must’ve gotten everything from the apartment I was being evicted from, but when had he had time to paint and do repairs?
Now I’d never have to sleep in the creepy dead woman’s bed again!
I twirled with the rabbit, kissed his head, and rubbed his soft fur against my cheek as I stepped through the doorway from one world to another.
My scalp tingled, but that was the only magical thing I felt.
My footsteps were loud on my bedroom’s wooden floor.
I should get a pretty rug to soften it and match my duvet.
Did I have extra money for that? I’d have to ask the devil.
“Kesty, is that you?” my dad called from below.
“Yes! Just a second.” I put the rabbit on my bed and dressed hurriedly in a sensible pink coverall that I could use for baking or painting.
I picked Pavlov back up and hurried downstairs.
I stopped halfway to stare at the kitchen.
Everything was perfect, from the pale blue-and-white striped walls and wooden shelves with brass guardrails to the enormous oven.
The ceiling was smooth and luscious with a slight curlicue in pale blue and white that swirled toward the large brass pendant light in the center.
I slowly finished descending, looking around in growing happiness. It was so beautiful, and happy, and charming, and I could start baking right away!
“There you are,” my dad said, coming out from the front. “Have you eaten?”
“I’ll bake some muffins.” I beamed at him. “This is the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. How did you get everything done so fast?”
He shook his head, lips tight with irritation. “The devil had his servants work on it while I was passed out next door. In the contract, it said you’d have everything you need to run your shop, but it feels like too much. There’s got to be a catch.”
I made a face at him as I felt a moment’s doubt thinking about the devil and his deals. I shook it off and smiled brightly as I headed for the oven. “Too much is better than not enough. Do you want blueberry walnut or banana muffins?”
“Don’t bake for me. I had far too much sushi. Speaking of walnuts, that Grand Sorcerer is certifiable.”
“Did you meet her husband? Was he jealous?”
He wrinkled his green nose. “Very jealous. That’s why he told me the epically long story of their true love. For all his money, he still couldn’t best the goblin forget-spell.” He grinned at me with his sharp teeth, and I smiled back at him, showing mine.
He blinked and leaned closer, eyes on my teeth. “Where are your caps?”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed the flour bin. “Probably in a closet in Wonderland. It’s fine. I get to be myself from now on.”
He hmphed and headed toward the doorway.
“I don’t like it. I’ll work on the mushroom lights.
The front is repaired and painted, with the basic display cases laid out how you planned, but it still requires some magical touches.
I’ll take care of that while you bake. Figure out your menu.
Get started on the things you can keep in the refrigerator.
Apparently, everything’s already passed the city inspection.
Makes you wonder who the devil doesn’t make deals with.
” He left me alone to stare at the enormous industrial fridge then beam at the rabbit.
“Macarons, fudge, divinity…” I leaned closer to peer into his eyes, slightly less cloudy today than yesterday.
“Divinity is white fluffy deliciousness studded with black walnuts. Much better than Pavlov for a name. What do you think? Divinity? And the fact that you’re owned by the devil makes it much more delightfully ironic.
Divinity it is.” I kissed his head then got to work.
I whipped together some muffins then started on the macaronage while I waited for them to bake. As I worked, I had this growing nagging feeling, like storm clouds were gathering in the horizon, moving closer, ready to break.
It was the Lady of the Wild Woods, sure, but mostly it was the devil.
He’d planned on the deal falling through when the sickly rabbit died, but Divinity was getting better.
Devils were wily, so he must’ve put another clause in the deal that would ruin my life, but I wasn’t the best at logic puzzles.
Still, I was half goblin, and goblins were notoriously clever.
Which was why my dad had made a deal with the devil in the first place.
If only I could talk to my mom about it.
Toward the end, she’d been disconnected, confused, sometimes not recognizing me or my dad. Once she’d even cowered in fear when she saw him. That had hurt him more than he’d ever admit. He must be devastated, but he was keeping it together. And so would I. We would prevail!
By the time I had a freezer full of delicate tasty morsels, the front bell jangled, a cheerful, slightly moody bell that had me wiping my hands, grabbing my rabbit, and popping my head out to the front.
The devil was at the door, looking around while my dad glowered at him. When the devil saw me, his dark eyes glimmered, and he gave me a slight bow. “Miss Kesty, are you ready to visit the police station?”
“Why would my daughter be going to the police?” my dad demanded.
“Just a second. Let me get my cake box. And don’t think of stealing it this time.”
Philius widened his eyes like he’d never dream of stealing someone’s cake box, and cake, which was ridiculous because that was exactly what he’d done.
I grabbed the box, put the double-layered chocolate cake with glazing inside, wrapped it up, then realized I was still wearing the pink coverall.
I needed to advertise. I ran up the stairs, got changed as quickly as I could, smoothed back my hair, studded it with pretty hearts and stars clips then ran back down in a fluffy little dress that screamed magical tea party.
When I got back down, grabbed the cake, the rabbit, and the devil, I dragged him out of the shop past my father, who was glowering at him.
“We’ll be back after we get dinner. Do you want anything? I’ll get you something. Love you!” And with that, we were out on the street.
I stopped when I saw our ride. Instead of the long car made of snail shells, it was an enormous spider-mech.
Like battle grade. People were staring at it.
Was it legal to have one of those things with the monstrously long legs and the tiny seat so high above everyone? Also, how would we both fit in it?
The mech dropped down, and I saw that the half-moon seat was large enough for two people if we were squeezed together. Pity I wasn’t more ethereal so I could fit into it without touching the devil.
He climbed in and took my hand, helping me into the monster. The mech lurched, and I fell against Philius, staring into his luminous eyes while his scent, caramel and old paper, wrapped around me like a warm cashmere coat.
“Careful,” he murmured as he helped me down to the seat, putting my cake box on the floor. Straps shot out and wrapped around us, squeezing us together for a moment before they relaxed slightly, conforming to our bodies.
I didn’t have time to gasp before the spider-mech was off, leaping over cars and people in a way that was certainly dangerous and probably illegal, and we were headed directly to the police station.
When we got there, the mech dropped to almost street level, leaving my stomach behind. For a fairy-goblin, I lacked a strong stomach.
The bands released us, and the devil stepped out, hand in mine to help me stumble to the sidewalk like a drunk leprechaun. I swayed against him, letting his warmth seep into me for a moment as I struggled to get my balance.
“All right?” he asked, looking down at me, his smile bemused.
I straightened and raised my chin. “Perfectly. It’s an absolutely vile way to travel, but that’s devils for you.”
He laughed, low and melodious, before he walked with me toward the station, not offering me his arm, almost like I’d called him vile. That hadn’t been very nice. Just because he was vile didn’t mean I had to be. Did it?
I peered at the rabbit so I didn’t have to look at Philius and feel guilty. Did Divinity look more or less sick? “Can we stop at a pet store on the way home so I can get some rabbit food?”
“I have some in Wonderland. He’d prefer your cakes.”
I shot the devil a frown. “How is that good for him?”
“You bake happiness and love into your baked goods. How could that be bad?”
“I’ll have to bake some animal cakes. Wasn’t there a pet baker trending recently?”
“Was there? Life’s too short to pay attention to trends. Good afternoon,” he said to the enormous ogre at the doorway, ogling Philius in a way that made me want to cover him with a blanket.
“Hi! We’re here to see Lieutenant Sato,” I said cheerfully.