Twelve
Winter
"Ineed to get out of this apartment before I lose my mind," I announced, bursting out of my bedroom where I'd been staring at the ceiling for the past hour. "I'm going grocery shopping."
It was just Fenric and Rook with me.
Fenric looked up from his tablet, his expression somewhere between horror and constipation. "That is absolutely out of the question. The risk assessment we would have to go over, not to mention we have the vending machine."
"I don't care what your matrix indicates," I cut him off, grabbing my purse from the counter. "I haven't left this place in days except for that spa trip, which ended with me covered in magical relaxation goo. I need normal human activities or I'm going to start turning people into houseplants for fun."
As if to emphasize my point, the blue markings on my arm flared briefly, causing the lights to flicker. Frank swam in frantic circles in his bowl.
Rook, who'd been silently monitoring the windows, turned to face me. "Grocery shopping." His tone made it sound like I'd suggested bungee jumping into an active volcano.
"Yes, Rook. Grocery shopping. That thing where people who eat food go to obtain said food if they don't have a magical vending machine." I crossed my arms. "I'm not some helpless prophecy pawn who needs to be bubble-wrapped. I managed to feed myself for thirty-one years before this whole mess started."
His amber eyes narrowed slightly. "It's dangerous."
"So is keeping me locked up until I snap and accidentally remake reality into a world where everything is made of cheese," I countered. "Besides, you'll be with me. Isn't that your job? To protect me while I live my life?"
Something flickered across his face, surprise, maybe, that I'd acknowledged his role as something other than an imposition.
"Fine," he finally grunted. "But we take precautions."
Fenric looked like he might spontaneously combust. "This is highly irregular! Protocol dictates…"
"I'll file the paperwork," Rook interrupted, which shocked me into momentary silence. Rook, voluntarily offering to deal with bureaucracy? "Winter needs..." he seemed to struggle with the words, "...normalcy."
Thirty minutes and what felt like seventeen thousand forms later, Rook and I stepped out of the apartment building. The autumn air felt gloriously fresh after days of recycled apartment atmosphere. I took a deep breath, savoring the scent of fallen leaves and city exhaust.
"There's a farmer's market three blocks east," I pointed. "We can walk."
Rook grunted, falling into step beside me. His eyes constantly scanned our surroundings, his head turning at the slightest sound. He walked slightly behind me but to my left,positioning himself between me and the street. The protective gesture wasn't lost on me.
"You know, normal people make conversation when they walk together," I glanced at him. "They say things like 'nice weather' or 'how about those sports teams?'"
He gave me a sidelong look. "Nice weather," he deadpanned.
I couldn't help the laugh that burst out of me. "Was that a joke? Did the big bad wolf just make a joke?"
The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. "Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation."
"Your secret's safe with me," I promised, my smile lingering as we continued walking.
As we rounded the corner, the farmers market exploded before my eyes in a riot of color and magic that made my breath catch. Unlike the sterile grocery stores with their neat rows and fluorescent lighting, this place pulsed with wild, vibrant energy.
Floating lanterns bobbed between stalls, changing colors based on shoppers' moods, turning pink near couples holding hands, deep purple beside a brooding teenage witch. Vendors hawked their wares from booths where produce literally sang its freshness. A cluster of tomatoes harmonized a jaunty tune about their ripeness, while nearby a bunch of asparagus whispered promises about their nutritional benefits in sultry voices.
"Fresh transformation fungi! Change your appearance for up to six hours!" Called a gnome, his mushroom display glowing in hypnotic patterns.
At the center, a massive oak tree stretched skyward, its branches laden with fruits that shifted seasonally, one branch dripping with summer peaches while another sprouted autumn apples. Pixies darted between the leaves, sprinkling enchantment dust that made the fruits sparkle.
"Careful," Rook murmured close to my ear, his warm breath sending unexpected shivers down my spine. "That vendor'sselling mood-altering berries. One bite and you'll be singing show tunes for days."
"Maybe we should grab a few for Fenric."
Rook cleared his throat and I knew he agreed.
