Chapter 27
My boots crunched against the sidewalk as I hurried down Main Street, the last of the daylight fading behind the mountains. October’s chill bit through my cardigan despite the brisk pace I’d set. I should have worn a heavier coat.
The Roost’s warm glow appeared ahead, its windows still lit. A few customers lingered inside—I could see their silhouettes through the glass. Good.
I was more careful than ever to ensure there were always people around. Especially after Ambrose’s threat on Sunday. Since then, I felt like I was constantly checking over my shoulder.
The street was populated with a mix of small town folks from Redding and a few tourists enjoying everything the season had to offer.
Most of them were heading into the couple of restaurants around and on Main Street.
The majority of the other shops closed down around six, in true small town fashion. Even The Roost.
Iris would be closing up any minute, and then we’d have privacy to talk.
My thumb hovered over Axel’s contact. I’d already texted him earlier—keeping him updated throughout my day. He checked in on me nearly every hour.
My encounter with Ambrose had been playing on repeat in my head for three days. Every time I closed my eyes. Every quiet moment between lectures.
His words about Iris were impossible to shake.
The guilt sat like a stone in my stomach. This was my fault. My mess. And now Iris was tangled in it.
I tucked my phone away and pushed through The Roost’s door. The familiar chime announced my arrival and the scent of coffee and cinnamon wrapped around me—usually comforting, but tonight it did nothing to settle my nerves.
Iris looked up from behind the counter, her face brightening. “Becca! Perfect timing.” She gestured to the few remaining customers. “Just finishing up with these last stragglers.”
“Take your time.” I gave her a smile, dropping my bag at my usual table by the window.
A college-aged guy was working on a laptop at the corner table, headphones in. An older woman sat near the fireplace with a paperback. They both looked settled in, oblivious to closing time.
I dropped into my chair, pulling out my phone to look busy. My knee bounced under the table. Every few seconds, my eyes flicked to Iris behind the counter.
She was wiping down the espresso machine. She glanced up at the clock and frowned, then turned to look at the remaining patrons. “Miss?” she called to the woman by the fireplace, her voice friendly but firm. “We’re closing in a few minutes.”
The woman looked up, startled, then quickly gathered her things. The college guy did the same after Iris tapped on his table. Within minutes, they’d both filtered out, the door chiming twice.
And then we were alone.
“Ahh. That’s better.” She flipped the sign to CLOSED and turned the lock. “They’ll stay all night if you don’t give them a firm push.”
I huffed a laugh. “No worries.”
I watched her lean against the door for a moment, her back to me. Her shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath. Then she pulled out her phone, her thumb scrolling quickly before she tucked it back in her pocket.
“Long day?” I asked, hoping she was okay.
“Hmm?” She turned, blinking. “Oh. Yeah. You know how it can be as we approach Halloween.” She moved behind the counter, reaching for mugs. “Want some tea? I’ve got a new autumn blend I’m testing out.”
“Sure. That sounds good.” My shoulders relaxed. Tea sounded perfect.
The kettle hissed and steamed. Iris filled two mugs. When she brought them over and set one in front of me, her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. I couldn’t help but wonder if something was wrong, and if it had anything to do with my seeing Axel. Or worse, Ambrose having spoken with her.
“Here.” She slid into the seat across from me. “Cinnamon, clove, and orange peel. Let me know what you think.”
I wrapped my hands around the mug, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. The tea was a deep amber color, steam curling up. It smelled wonderful—spicy and sweet, perfect for autumn.
“Thanks for meeting me,” I said. “I know closing time is probably when you just want to go home.”
“Usually? Yes. But I’ve been looking forward to this all week.” She took a sip of her own tea, watching me over the rim. “Girl time is exactly what I need right now.”
I hesitated, then decided to just dive in. “Iris, I need to talk to you about something. About Ambrose.”
She set her mug down. “Your ex?”
“Yeah.” I took a breath. “He’s been...causing problems. He broke into my office at RCC. Sent me threatening texts. And then on Sunday, he showed up at Axel’s cabin.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh my God. Are you okay? That’s horrible.”
“I know.” Relief washed through me at her reaction. She got it. She understood. “The sheriff’s involved now. We’re building a case.”
She looked surprised. “The sheriff?”
“Yeah, we were forced to get him involved after the office incident.”
“Oh…”
“Anyway…” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “Ambrose said something. About you—that he’d talked to you.”
Something flickered across her face. “He came in last week. Thursday, I think? Ordered a coffee, asked some questions.”
My stomach tightened. “What kind of questions?”
“About you, mostly. Where you’d been spending your time. If I’d seen you around.” She shrugged, but I could see tension in her shoulders. “I didn’t tell him anything useful. Just that you were settling in, teaching at the college. Normal stuff.”
“Did he threaten you? Say anything weird?”
“No, nothing like that. He was actually pretty sweet.” She picked at her napkin. “I didn’t realize he was still causing you problems. I’m sorry, Becca. If I’d known—“
“It’s not your fault.” I leaned forward. “But I wanted to warn you. He’s unpredictable. And if he approached you once, he might try again. Especially if he thinks you know something about me.”
“God.” She pressed her hands to her face. “This is like something out of a movie.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I never meant to drag you into this mess.”
“You didn’t drag me into anything.” She dropped her hands and gave me a small smile. “None of this is your fault.”
The knot in my chest loosened slightly. “Thank you. Really.”
“Of course.” She nodded toward my mug. “Now drink your tea before it gets cold. I worked hard on that blend.”
I chuckled and lifted it to my lips, taking a sip. The flavors hit my tongue—cinnamon and clove with a hint of something citrusy. It was good. Really good. Maybe a little bitter at the finish, but that could just be the clove.
“It’s delicious.”
“Yeah?” Her face lit up. “I’ve been tweaking the ratios all week. Trying to get it perfect for the holiday season.”
“Well, you nailed it.” I took another sip, feeling some of the tension drain from my shoulders. The warmth spread through my chest, soothing.
“So.” Iris leaned back in her chair. “How are things with Axel?”
The question made me wary, given that I was certain she had a crush on him. “Everything’s…good. Complicated, but good.”
“Complicated how?”
I hesitated. How much should I share? “He’s been really protective since everything with Ambrose started. Which is sweet. But also kind of intense.”
“He seems intense in general.” She traced the rim of her mug with one finger. “I’ve never seen him with anyone before. In all the time I’ve been here.”
“He keeps to himself,” I agreed.
“And now suddenly he’s driving you everywhere. Picking you up. Staying close.” Something in her tone made me look up, but her expression was neutral. “Must be nice. Having someone care that much.”
“It is.” I took another drink of tea, trying to read her mood. Was she upset? Jealous? It was hard to tell. “But it’s also...I don’t know. We haven’t made any commitments to each other.”
“Do you want to?”
Did I? The mate bond conversation over the weekend hung heavy in my mind. The way Axel had pulled back, convinced I’d change my mind once I got my magic back.
“I do,” I admitted. “But there’s a lot of complicated stuff in the way.”
“There always is.” Iris smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “It definitely surprised me at first.”
“Surprised you?”
“Well, yeah, seeing both of you together. You’re this smart, accomplished professor. And he’s...” She paused, searching for words. “I don’t know. A recluse who lives in the woods and barely talks to anyone. It’s an unusual match.”
The description stung a little, even though it wasn’t entirely inaccurate. “He’s more than that.”
“I’m sure he is.” She took a long sip of her tea. “I just meant it was unexpected. But good. Good for both of you.”
My head felt a little fuzzy. Probably just tired from the long day. Three lectures, office hours, the constant vigilance. It was catching up with me.
“Are you okay?” Iris asked. “You look pale.”
“Just tired.” I blinked, trying to clear my vision. The edges of the room seemed softer somehow. “It’s been a really long week.”
“I can imagine.” She stood, moving back toward the counter. “Let me get you some water. That might help.”
I watched her go, my eyes feeling heavy. The warmth from the tea had spread through my whole body now, making my limbs feel loose. Relaxed. Maybe too relaxed.
Something nagged at the back of my mind. Something felt…wrong. But I couldn’t quite grasp what it was.
Iris returned with a glass of water, setting it in front of me. “Here. Drink this.”
I reached for it, but my hand was clumsy and I bumped the glass rather than grabbing it. “I think...something’s off.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I just feel...” I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn’t cooperate. The room tilted. “Iris?”
“It’s okay.” Her voice sounded far away, even though she was right there. “Just breathe, Becca. It’s going to be okay.”
But it wasn’t okay. My heart hammered in my chest as understanding crashed over me. The tea. The bitter aftertaste. The way my body was shutting down.
“What did you…?” The words came out slurred. Wrong.
“I’m sorry.” There were tears clouding Iris’s eyes now. “I’m so sorry, Becca. But I can’t let you have him.”
Terror flooded my system, sharp and cold. “What…what are you talking about?”
“Axel. I’ve wanted him for years. And then you showed up and he just…Ambrose came to me. Said he could help us both get what we wanted.”
“You…drugged me?!”
“You left me no choice.”
A maelstrom of panic and anger flooded my system. I reached for my magic—that well of power I’d been so careful to preserve. Pulled on it desperately to try and protect myself.
It surged up and out, but it didn’t do what I wanted.
Instead, glass shattered. The windows exploded outward, shards glittering in the dim light of the shop. The door blew open, hinges screaming. Mugs flew off shelves behind the counter. The chalkboard menu crashed to the floor.
Iris screamed, ducking and covering her head.
“Oh, god!” I cried, my words slurred.
And then—
That tearing sensation. Like someone reached into my chest and ripped out my soul. Except this time it didn’t stop. It kept going, kept pulling, dragging every last drop of magic out of me until there was nothing.
Empty.
The panic doubled. I tried to scream but my throat wouldn’t work. Tried to move but my body was deadweight.
Darkness closed in, my vision blackening.
And then my legs gave out and…nothing.