5. Goldie
FIVE
”Goldie, we can”t,”Fenris said, his tone more resigned than annoyed. ”We need to get to safety.”
I stared longingly at the shop, the comforting hum of conversation and the clink of ceramic mugs calling to me. The enchanted realm had its wonders, but sometimes, the simple pleasures of home—like a good cup of coffee—were all I needed to feel grounded.
Fenris sighed, clearly recognizing the look of sheer determination on my face. ”Fine. But make it quick.”
I didn”t need any more encouragement. I practically dragged him towards the shop and pushed the door open, the bell above it chiming pleasantly.
The interior was even more charming than the exterior. Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, and shelves lined with books and trinkets created a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Plush chairs and small tables were scattered throughout the room, and a crackling fireplace in the corner added a touch of warmth. The scent of coffee and baked goods filled the air, mingling with the soft chatter of customers.
At the counter stood a dragon. Yes, an actual dragon. Well, more of a dragon-man hybrid. His scales were a deep emerald green, shimmering under the shop”s warm lighting, and his eyes glowed a fierce amber. He was expertly handling an espresso machine, his claws surprisingly nimble as he frothed milk and pulled shots of espresso.
He glanced up as we approached, his expression a mix of curiosity and mild irritation. ”How do you like your lattes?” he asked in a gravelly voice that seemed to rumble from deep within his chest.
I blinked, momentarily taken aback. ”Um, vanilla latte with oat milk, please.”
Fenris, looking slightly amused, added, ”Black coffee for me.”
The dragon nodded, his movements precise and efficient as he prepared our drinks. As we waited, I couldn”t help but take in the other customers. A group of satyrs were huddled around a table, animatedly discussing something over a pile of scrolls. An orc in the corner was reading a book, his brow furrowed in concentration. A few elves sat by the window, their elegant forms silhouetted against the light streaming in.
”Nice place,” I said, turning to Fenris.
He shrugged, though I could see a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. ”It”s different, I”ll give you that.”
The dragon placed our drinks on the counter with a surprising amount of care. ”Here you go. That”ll be five silver pieces.”
Fenris dug into his pocket and handed over the coins, and I had this feeling of a sense of normalcy as he did so. We took our drinks and found a small table near the back, away from the main bustle of the shop.
As I sipped my latte, the rich, creamy flavor bringing a sense of calm, I glanced at Fenris. ”This is nice. Thank you for indulging me.”
He took a sip of his coffee, his intense green eyes meeting mine over the rim of the cup. ”We all need moments of peace, even in the midst of chaos.”
For a few precious minutes, we sat there, enjoying our drinks and the strange, wonderful ambiance of the coffee shop. It was a brief respite, but one that I desperately needed.
As we finished our drinks, the reality of our situation began to creep back in. The Source Stone in the basket was a constant reminder of the danger we were in and the mission we had to complete.
I set my empty cup down and looked at Fenris, determination in my eyes. ”Okay. Let”s go.”
As we stepped back into the bustling streets of Tunnel City, the comforting warmth of the coffee still lingering, something caught my eye. Just ahead, moving swiftly through the crowd, was a flash of red. My heart skipped a beat, and I gasped, grabbing Fenris by the hand.
Instantly, he growled—a low, primal sound that sent a shiver down my spine. His eyes flashed with intensity as he curled his hand protectively around mine. ”What is it?” he asked, his voice a mix of concern and readiness.
”I just saw a red cape,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. ”Doesn”t that huntress wear one?”
Fenris” expression darkened, and he scanned the crowd with renewed urgency. ”Yes, Red-Scarlett Hood,” he said, his grip tightening on my hand. ”We need to move, now.”
The energy in the air shifted, the earlier sense of calm from the coffee shop quickly evaporating. Fenris led me through the crowd with purpose, his body tense and alert. I could feel the power radiating from him, a reminder of the dangerous world we were navigating.
We wove through the maze of streets, the vibrant activity of Tunnel City now a blur around us. Satyrs, orcs, and elves moved aside as Fenris forged a path, his presence commanding attention. The sight of the red cape had put us both on edge, the threat of the huntress looming large in our minds.
”Do you think she saw us?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
”I don”t know,” Fenris replied, his eyes flicking to every shadow and alleyway. ”But we can”t take any chances.”
We turned down a narrow side street, the sounds of the main thoroughfare fading behind us. The air grew cooler, the buildings taller and more imposing. I clutched the picnic basket tightly, the weight of the Source Stone a constant reminder of our mission.
Fenris slowed as we approached a small, unassuming door set into the side of a building. He glanced around one last time before pushing it open, revealing a hidden passageway. ”In here,” he said, guiding me inside.
The passage was dimly lit, the air damp and cool. We moved quickly, the echo of our footsteps the only sound. My heart raced, the fear of being caught by Red-Scarlett propelling me forward.
”Why does she want to kill you?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why not just, like, give you a sedative or something? Maybe some chamomile tea? An indica brownie, I don’t know. It’s just that killing seems pretty extreme, even if you are werewolves.”
Fenris hesitated, his expression pained. ”The Council of Others issued the bounty for the public good. They claim it”s for everyone”s safety after a rise in violent crimes by unmated males. Red-Scarlett is one of their most feared huntresses.”
”But you”re not like that,” I said, squeezing his hand. ”You”re not violent.”
”Try convincing the Council of that,” Fenris replied bitterly. ”To them, I”m just another threat.”
We continued through the passage, the walls closing in around us. I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down, the reality of our danger sinking in.
”Goldie,” Fenris said suddenly, stopping and turning to face me. ”I won”t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
I looked up at him, seeing the determination in his eyes. Despite everything, I felt a surge of hope. ”I know,” I said softly.
As we navigated the narrow passage, the cool, damp air pressing in around us, a voice suddenly called out from a side tunnel. ”Hey there, pretty lady!”
I froze, my heart pounding. From the shadows emerged a man with a roguish grin, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He leaned casually against the tunnel wall, his clothes disheveled and his hair a wild mess. ”Where are you headed, beautiful?” he asked, his tone flirtatious and dripping with overconfidence.
Alarmed, I instinctively grabbed onto Fenris” arm, feeling the familiar jolt of connection that always seemed to happen when I touched him. His presence was grounding, a stark contrast to the unsettling man before us.
Fenris stiffened, his protective instincts flaring. He stepped slightly in front of me, his body a solid shield. ”Keep moving,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.
The man chuckled, clearly unfazed. ”No need to be so harsh, big guy. Just paying a compliment.” His eyes flicked to me, a smirk playing on his lips. ”What”s your name, sweetheart?”
I pressed closer to Fenris, the warmth of his arm a comforting anchor. ”Let”s just go,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Fenris didn”t need any more convincing. He started moving again, his arm curling protectively around my shoulders as we continued down the tunnel. But just as we passed, the man lunged forward, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me into the side tunnel.
I gasped in shock as Fenris spun around, his eyes blazing with fury. ”Let her go!” he roared, his voice echoing off the walls.
But the man ignored him, his grip tightening on my arm as he dragged me further into the dim tunnel. Panic surged through me, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled against his hold.
”Fenris!” I screamed, reaching out desperately for him.
Fenris” expression twisted with rage as he watched me being pulled away. His muscles tensed, and I saw his form begin to shift, the beginnings of his transformation into a wolf. With a guttural growl, Fenris lunged forward, his claws extending as he chased after us. His eyes burned with primal fury, his wolf side taking over in a desperate bid to save me.
I watched in horror as Fenris closed the distance between us, his snarls filling the tunnel. The man glanced back, fear flickering in his eyes as he realized the danger he was in.
But it was too late. Fenris was upon him, his massive form slamming into the man with a ferocity that left no room for mercy. With a cry of pain, the man released his grip on me, and I stumbled backwards, my heart racing.
”Fenris, stop!” I cried, my voice filled with desperation.
But Fenris didn”t listen. His wolf instincts had taken over completely, his only focus on protecting me from harm.