Azelon and Corin exchanged glances.
"You might not think you do," Corin said, "But something about crossing realms might have activated latent abilities."
"I don't have abilities," Jamie reiterated.
As if in direct contradiction, the lights dimmed and brightened in sequence.
"Your store disagrees," Corin said with a smirk.
Jamie stared at the ceiling, experimentally focusing on the central light fixture. It brightened immediately, almost eagerly. He imagined it dimming, and it complied with the same enthusiasm.
"This is too strange to be real," Jamie insisted, though a strange tingle had started at the base of his spine—something between unease and exhilaration.
"Try something else," Corin urged, leaning forward. "Something bigger."
Jamie hesitated, then closed his eyes, picturing the kitchen expanding, adding a window over the sink—one overlooking the strange purple-tinged forest he'd struggled through yesterday.
A grinding noise made him open his eyes. The wall beside the sink was shifting, stones rearranging themselves. Light spilled through a newly formed opening, revealing exactly the view he'd imagined.
"Well, that's new," Jamie muttered, fighting down a surge of panic.
Corin clapped delightedly, his excitement causing several dishes to rattle. "I knew it! You're not just connected to the store—you can direct it."
Azelon stood, moving to examine the new window with cautious interest. "This could make life easier."
"I don't want an easier life." Jamie pushed away from the counter. "I want more information. About this place, about Barrier Keepers, about everything."
"The store might help," Corin suggested. "If it's responding to you, maybe it can provide what you need."
Could that really work?
If so, he had to try.
After all, he'd already established that talking to his store was now a thing he did. "I need information about Veridia. About Barrier Keepers. Can you help?"
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a book slid off a shelf in the adjacent room and landed with a thump. Another followed, then another, until a small pile had formed.
Jamie approached cautiously, then frowned. The books had fallen open, but not to pages about Barrier Keepers at all. One displayed intricate illustrations of blue-skinned beings with tails—unmistakably Tideborn like Azelon. Another showed diagrams of emotional energy fields, with drawings of figures surrounded by colorful auras that affected their environments.
"This isn't what I asked for," Jamie said, picking up a particularly ornate volume that had opened to a chapter titled "The Tideborn Exile Rituals."
Azelon stiffened beside him. He reached for the book, then stopped himself, hand hovering inches away.
"What is it?" Jamie asked.
"Nothing," Azelon said too quickly.
Corin had picked up another book, eyes widening as he flipped through pages. "This is about chaos magic and emotional projection. It's the most detailed explanation I've ever seen." He looked around the room with newfound respect. "Your store has everything."
"But nothing about Barrier Keepers," Jamie pointed out, frustration edging into his voice. He addressed the ceiling again. "I asked about Barrier Keepers. About how to get home."
In response, another book tumbled from a high shelf, landing open to reveal an illustration of three figures standing in a circle—one human, one with Tideborn features, and one surrounded by pink and red waves of energy. They stood with hands linked.
Jamie snapped the book shut before either of his companions could see it clearly. "Very subtle," he muttered to the store.
"What was that?" Corin asked, trying to peek at the closed book.
"Nothing useful," Jamie said firmly, though heat had risen to his face. He turned back to the pile of books. "Is there at least a map here?"
