“Seems fair. What can I help you with?”
“You used to live among humans, right?” Shit, not where I thought this was going. Does she know that this time last week I thought Iwasa human? Did Selene tell her? I force my tight shoulders to relax. If Selene chose to share my secret with her friend, she’d only have done so because this… witch—I’m still getting the hang of using my magic to distinguish between the different types of supe—is trustworthy.
“Yes,” I reply warily.
She claps her hands gleefully. “Oh my goodness, OK, have you heard of a flavour called pumpkin spice?”
Is she for real? “Yeah, why?”
“Perfect, you can be my taste tester.” She darts through a door I’m guessing leads to the kitchen and comes back with a muffin the size of my hand. I’ve learned that supes have faster metabolisms, so they need to eat more than humans. It’s something to do with magic—the more powerful the supe, the more energy they need. It’s why the portion sizes in town are larger than I’m used to. Since my power surge, I’ve already noticed my body’s need for more fuel. Hux says it’s normal and, once I ditch the amulet, I can expect a more noticeable increase in appetite.
“Here.” Selene’s friend thrusts the giant treat towards me. “Let me know if it tastes right. Please” she adds in an amusing afterthought. She’s like a little kid forgetting their manners because they’re excited.
Now’s probably a bad time to tell her I don’t actually like pumpkin spice flavoured things. Meh. Just because I won’t enjoy it doesn’t mean I can’t still help her out. I tear off a small piece and pop it in my mouth.
“You nailed it,” I say, desperately trying to keep my facial expression under control as I swallow and try not to gag. It’s pumpkin spice flavoured alright.
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. It’s just like what I had back home.” One time. Because it was the last muffin left at a breakfast meeting, and I was starving. I still left half of it. Seriously, what’s wrong with blueberry or chocolate chip?
“Then why aren’t you eating it?” She asks suspiciously.
For fuck’s sake. I can’t upset Selene’s friend. Maybe if I hold my breath while chewing it, it won’t taste so strong? Hastily, I munch another bite.
“So good,” I tell her. “But I’ll wait to finish the rest with Selene if that’s alright with you?” My stomach churns at the thought.Please, God, let it be alright.
“Aw, I’m glad Sel has a sweet ma—” her eyes go wide. “Man. A sweetmanlike you in her life.”
“Thanks?” Seems like someone’s had too much sugar today.
“Right. Well then. Thank you for trying the muffin. I want to serve them at this year’s Halloween festival. I hear humans really like the flavour, but I was nervous I wouldn’t get it right.”
“No problem. So, what does Selene like?”
“Oh, I’ve got you, don’t worry.”
She busies herself behind the counter preparing one, two… is thatfourdrinks? Then she fills a pastel box with the shop’s logo on the lid with an assortment of treats.
“Here you go.” She presents me with the box and a full drinks tray. “The cappuccino and dark chocolate and cherry cupcake are for Selene.”
“And the rest?”
“A black coffee for you. The other two are for her sister and niece. They’re all working at the shop today, and I thought you might want the brownie points.”
“Thank you.” Hopefully it’s a good sign that I’ve already won over one of Selene’s friends.
“No problem. I’m Dove, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you. How much do I owe you?”
The bell above the door to Threads of Magic chimes, announcing my arrival.
Selene looks up from her spot amidst several open boxes, the long skirt of her burgundy dress pooled around her. “Jared?” She almost drops the box-cutter she’s holding.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s fine.” She waves off my concern, standing. “I was in the zone, that’s all. What brings you by?”
