They untangled from each other slowly, muscles protesting after the magical exertion. Jamie moved to the window—now showing a proper street view instead of wilderness—and pushed it open.
Salt air flooded the room, carrying with it the sound of gulls and... raised voices?
"The bakery smells incredible," Corin announced, leaning out the window. "And there's a small crowd gathering outside our front door."
Sure enough, a dozen villagers had clustered on the street, pointing at their store with expressions that seemed more curious than alarmed.
A middle-aged man in an apron dusted with flour stepped forward and called up to their window. "Excuse me! But what is this building doing here?"
"Magical displacement?" asked a woman clutching an orange cat to her chest. "We've been getting all sorts of strange occurrences lately. Last week Mrs. Hartwell's garden shed ended up on her roof."
"At least it's a nice building," someone else called out. "Better than those shadow creatures that kept prowling around the old Brennan lot."
Jamie exchanged glances with his partners. "They're taking this remarkably well."
"Veridia's been unstable lately," Azelon murmured. "Barrier disturbances, magical manifestations. A relocating bookstore probably seems mundane by comparison."
Corin leaned out the window again. "We're a bookstore! Completely harmless displacement. Sorry for any inconvenience!"
"What kind of books?" the baker called up, his wariness giving way to interest.
"All kinds," Jamie replied, finding his footing. "We also serve tea."
"Tea's good," the woman with the cat said approvingly. "Better than the glowing mushrooms that sprouted near the docks last month."
"Much better than mushrooms," Corin agreed cheerfully.
"Should we go introduce ourselves properly?" Jamie asked.
"Definitely," Corin said, bouncing slightly on his toes. "I want to see if that bakery makes those little cream pastries."
They made their way downstairs, the store adjusting around them as they moved. The front area had expanded, creating more comfortable browsing space and a small seating area with cushioned chairs. A tea service had appeared on a side table, complete with delicate cups and an assortment of herbs.
"Show off," Jamie muttered fondly to the building.
When they opened the front door, the curious crowd pressed closer. Jamie found himself shaking hands with the baker (Thomus), the woman with the cat (Mrs. Nostrix), and half a dozen other locals who seemed genuinely pleased to have a bookstore in their village.
"Haven't had a proper book shop since old Herrik passed," Thomus explained, wiping flour from his palms. "His place has been empty for months."
Within an hour, they had their first customers. Mrs. Nostrix browsed the herb gardening section while her cat claimed a spot near the window. A young couple debated poetry collections. Two children went looking for picture books.
Jamie manned the counter while Corin charmed customers and Azelon quietly organized the back shelves. The rhythm felt natural, like they'd been doing this for years instead of hours.
"I'll take this gardening guide," Mrs. Nostrix said, approaching the counter, "and one of those newspapers. Always like to keep up with the regional news."
Jamie rang up her purchases. Three coins of a currency he didn't yet know, but which his store's til demanded. Instead of the strange coins, though, his gaze lingered on the newspaper.
The store carried those now?
After Mrs. Nostrix left, curiosity got the better of him. Jamie walked over and picked up a copy ofThe Coastal Herald, scanning the headlines. Local fishing news, a festival announcement, complaints about road maintenance?—
His heart stopped.
Buried on page three, a small headline:SHADOW COURT RECEIVES UNUSUAL GUEST
Sources reported that Lord Caelen, the notorious Shadow King, had taken a particular interest in "a clever mortal with colorful hair" who had arrived at court under mysterious circumstances. The guest was said to be adapting well to fae customs and had been seen frequently in the lord's private chambers.
No names were mentioned, but Jamie didn't need them.
