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“Superb.” Fidelito adjusted his monocle and moved toward the door, satisfied that by his estimation at least, the meeting had gone extremely well. “We’ll be in touch soon, Mr. Wilder. Toodle pip, Porter.”

The door swung shut behind him.

Dan looked at the card. He looked at Will.

“Acorn ale?” Dan said. “I don’t even know what that is.”

“And now you’ve committed to stocking it.”

“I know.” Dan bit his lip.

Will finished his whiskey and jumped down from the bar.

“Go and see Granny Luna,” he said. “Ask her for help with the seating. It would mean the world to her. I know you don’t want to. I know you think accepting help is losing something. But it isn’t.” He paused at the door. “I think it’s been really selfish of you to freeze her out like that and deprive her of that joy, but I thought I’d lead with the more generous version.”

“Okay, Porter.” Dan sighed. “You’re probably right.”

“You know I am, but you don’t always pay attention to what the people in your life say and really need. What’s the point of being the smartest, most self-sufficient guy in the room if you’re standing there all alone?”

“I said I get it!” Dan rolled his eyes.

“Do you, though?” Will raised a brow. Then, in a lighter tone. “Zani did find one reference in the Archives. Period poetry, obscure collection, something about a hairy bull stealing a boat.” He shook his head. “It’s a little far-fetched.”

“But you think it’s Buffalo.”

“I don’t know,” Will said. “He’s famously afraid of open water.” He considered this for a moment. “But I also know he traveled back over two thousand years to hang out with a woman he loves, and I’m pretty sure he’d cross an ancient ocean in a rowboat if it meant finding her. So yes. Maybe. Probably him.” He buttoned his jacket. “What are the actual odds of a buffalo booking a boat in ancient Egypt?”

Will didn’t bother opening the door. He walked into it. The portal opened neatly around him, blinding Dan for a second, and blowing his hair back. The door settled back into place with a soft pop.

Dan stood in the empty room. The bare floor. The empty shelves. The single book.

He thought about driving around Boston with Buffalo that night long ago, and what had brought on his anger. A bully at the orphanage had been picking on Will, focused on his fae blood, calling him names. Will was younger, and he’d been so small and vulnerable. Dan had lost it. The roar that had come out of him, when he opened his mouth to put that other kid in his place, had terrified everyone in the room. Most especially himself.

After that Will had always shared his contraband candy with Dan. There were perks to being best friends with a porter.

He locked up the bar and went to find Luna.

TASSEOMANTIC TALES IN A TEACUP

The ship sets sail at a significant time.

The acorn says autumn will be simply sublime.

A shell speaks of ancestors keeping you well.

See a heart in your cup? Love casts a spell.

The owl brings wisdom and knowledge to spare.

A parrot says simply, there’s talk of you in the air.

A key claims your potential is finally your own.

The butterfly suggests something new has been sown.

A book heralds a new chapter calling your name.

A wheel and good fortune are one and the same.