“Youdo? So I have something of an idea. I’m thinking what this place might need is some… breads—or something baked—to eat.” She squeezed an invisible loaf between her hands. “Snacks, I guess. Not something I know much about, though. But I thought, you, well, if youdidknow something about that, then….”
The rattkin raised a tentative paw to forestall her. Leaning forward over his drink, in a tiny, breathy voice, he said, “Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
He nodded again.Eagerly, Viv thought.
She didn’t know whether he had to be on his way or needed a few hours to think, but despite her curiosity, she wasn’t going to press the matter. She rapped the table and stood.
“I’ll look forward to it, Mister…?”
He stared up at her, and in a solemn whisper, said, “Thimble.”
“Thimble,” Viv agreed. Then she gave him a nod and returned to the counter.
* * *
The afternoonagain became a desert of inactivity. Hemington returned and purchased a drink, a pained expression on his face, and once more left it untouched.
Viv wiped down tables in the empty dining area, gathering dirty mugs. Suddenly, Tandri’s voice cut through the hush, her tone icy.
“What are you doing here?” Tandri glared at a young man who leaned on the counter top, gazing back at her in an overly familiar way. His soft handsomeness hinted at money, and while he wasn’t wearing the split robes Hemington wore, Viv saw one of the stag pins on his tailored shirt.
“Saw you through the window and just had to stop by,” he replied. “Haven’t seen you in a while, Tandri. I’d almost think you were avoiding me.”
“And you’d be right.”
“Well, I’m only here as a customer, so we can call this an intervention of fate.”
“You just said you saw me through the window. If fate intervenes, it’ll be to turn you around and send you right back out.”
“Now don’t be that way. A succubus like you, you canfeelthis….” He gestured between them. “Thisattraction, I know you can.”
Tandri looked stricken, and then her expression became deliberately neutral. “Kellin, thereisno attraction. There never has been. I think you should leave.”
“But I haven’tboughtanything yet,” he protested, a smile in his voice.
“I don’t think we have anything you want,” said Viv, approaching the front of the shop and looming, arms crossed.
Kellin turned his attention to her, and his easy smile vanished, replaced by something sharper. “I don’t remember involving you in this conversation.”
Viv was mildly surprised he hadn’t quailed at the sight of her.
“It’s my shop,” said Viv evenly. “I serve who I want, when I want. And I don’t think I want to serve you. So, I’ll ask you to leave.”
Kellin stared at her hard for a moment, a sneer developing. “I don’t guess you’ve met the Madrigal, yet. At some point,everybodyaround here serves them. Which means that sooner or later, you’re going to be paying your dues to me.”
“Oh, so you’re his errand boy? I thought that was the man with the very fine hat.”
He was about to retort when Amity emerged from behind Viv and strolled by with deadly grace. She settled beside Tandri and indifferently licked a massive paw.
Kellin blinked but recovered his sneer.
Viv couldn’t decide if he was brave or stupid.
“I’ll leave for now,” he said. “But you’ll be seeing me again.”
He looked at Tandri again with that soft, proprietary smile. “But you and me, we’ll catch up later. Looking forward to it.Fate.”
