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That’s an idea that has potential, but a lot of danger. Either way, I’m not to the point where I’m evaluating ideas yet, just brainstorming.
“Excuse me, but I am ready to make a purchase.” A beautiful fae woman set a recipe book on coffee drinks and beverages on the desk, as well as a book about gardening, then immediately pulled out her phone. “Since I am buying two books, could I take two pictures?”
I hastily stored my binder in a shelf of my desk. “Sure,” I said. “But could I ring you up first?”
* * *
“I’m stuffed.”Pat rubbed his belly as he tottered down the sidewalk, weaving his way toward his parked car. “I overate for sure.”
“The food was amazing as usual,” I agreed, thinking of the donut breakfast sandwich I’d had.
Pat groaned and held his stomach. “I’ve put on at least ten pounds since I moved to Magiford.”
Joy noisily sucked on the straw of her iced latte that was mostly ice by this point. “The food in Magiford is ridiculously good. I’d blame it on the supernaturals, but all the places we’ve been to on our food tour are human owned and run.”
Since Joy had moved to Magiford, we tried to have a sibling outing at least once per week where we met and went out for either breakfast or dinner. Today we’d opted for breakfast—it was easy for me since we went out after my shift, and Pat and Joy were already up since they were determined we travel in packs these days.
I ruffled my light jacket—as we crept toward October, the weather was starting to get a little too cold for me to handle with such a lightweight coat. “My working theory is the restaurants have to be good—fae are naturally pretty choosy, and while werewolves need to eat a lot because of their metabolisms, they also have heightened senses,” I said.
“What about vampires?” Joy asked.
I veered around a fire hydrant as we continued our stroll down main street. “Most vampires don’t eat human cuisine—it comes down to personal taste for them—but yeah, those who do are even pickier than fae.”
“Either way, if we’re settling here long term, I’m going to have to workout more.” Pat dug his car keys out of his jacket pocket. “If I get too out of shape I won’t be able to even pretend to keep up with all my supernatural coworkers. Okay, Chloe. I’ll take you home. Joy, where’s your car?” Pat peered up and down the street.
“I’m in public parking over by city hall—I have a meeting there, so no need to worry about escorting me.” Joy stepped to the far side of the sidewalk, making way for a few pedestrians going the opposite direction. The orange light of the weak morning sun made Joy’s blond hair glow, and her bright smile had the human pedestrians automatically returning it.
Traffic—both foot traffic and street traffic—was starting to pick up as people were beginning to head into work.
“You’ll call when you get there?” Pat asked.
Joy frowned. “It’s less than three blocks away.”
“We can’t be too cautious,” Pat said.
“Yes, we can,” I mutinously muttered as I hiked my backpack farther up my shoulders while being thoroughly ignored.
“Fine.” Joy swung her purse with a sigh. “I’ll call. Sleep well, Chloe. Have a good day at work, Pat. See you tonight, little sis!” Joy waved as she hurried ahead of us to a crosswalk—even Joy wouldn’t jaywalk in front of Pat—and crossed the road.
I checked my phone as Pat held his hands up, shielding his eyes so he could see through the growing sunlight and watch our sister. “Hey, Pat, do we have enough time to head to the Curia Cloisters and back to my apartment before you work today? I want to buy a few potions.”
Pat spun around to face me so quickly he almost knocked into me. “You’re out of potions? Why? Did you get hurt somehow and didn’t tell us?”
“I’m not out,” I assured him. “It’s just that today’s the day my favorite potion vender is selling this month, so I thought I could stock up on a few extra.”
Pat folded his arms across his chest. “Your favorite potion vender, or thecheapestpotion vender?”
“His potions are very affordable,” I acknowledged.
Pat’s scowl grew. “You can’t fool me anymore—I have contacts now. Cheap potions means they don’t work as well!”
It was a lot easier to do supernatural stuff before they learned so much. Then again, he’s not wrong.
“It could be worse,” I said. “I could try ordering them online.”
“No!” Pat chopped his hand down. “That stuff isn’t regulated by the FDA, you have no idea what actually goes into those potions you find on the internet. They could be some weirdo human who is posing as a wizard and is running a scam!”
“Wizards can’t make potions,” I said. “Only fae can.”
