Oh.
Oh.
Well, I certainly didnotexpectthat.
The being in front of me could best be described as… vast. The man was massive, taller even than my lanky frame, which was a rarity around here. He was rugged as though he worked outside throughout all the seasons, and his skin was toasted to show it. His hair was luscious and tree-bark colored, and I had the strangest urge to walk up to him and run my hands through it.
Down, girl.
My daydreams came to an abrupt halt as soon as the handsome hunk opened his mouth again.
“Is anyone actually working here or are you two just going to stand there? I don’t know if you heard me, but I need a thirst tonic. I am really in a hurry here.”
My jaw dropped at his bluntness. Howdarehe. Coming into Kizzi’s shop and giving her attitude? Absolutely not. Luckily for Kizzi, her self-designated protector was here.
I was a monster before I had finished my morning tea and pastry, and I was already on edge. This man had no idea what he had just stumbled into.
CHAPTER 2
Redd
Ididn’t know what I had done in a previous life to deserve this. This was my worst nightmare. There was no way in Hell’s Realm that this was actually happening right now.
I was late for my newest work assignment, I was miserably thirsty, and now I had managed to piss off some folk I had never even met before.
I couldn’t shake this streak of bad luck.
The two women I could see stared at me with matching glares.
“Are you fucking kidding me!” the taller of the two women screeched at me. I could catch a glimpse of blue hair peeking out from under the hood of her cloak. How interesting.
“You storm into Kizzi’s shop and demand immediate attention–who do you think you are, the gods damned King?” she continued, waving a mug of tea threateningly in my direction but somehow managing not to spill any.
I pinched my nose between my thumb and forefinger and suppressed a heavy sigh. I did not have the time or patience for this right now.
I tried to wrangle my irritation and plaster a semi-convincing smile onto my face to salvage whatever I could of this situation. Iwasn’t in the mood for a fight, and this lovely Hellbeast seemed determined to pull me into one.
“I was told this establishment had some thirst tonic for sale. I just need a dose or two and then I’ll get out of your hair. Do you have any in stock?” I asked in as calm a voice as I could manage, flashing my fangs in another smile that I hoped didn’t look too much like a grimace.
Of the two women, I wasn’t sure who to aim my question to. The scents of many magical folk were mixed within the space so I couldn’t determine the species of my apothecary companions without getting closer.
I held my breath as much as I could, just to be safe.
I usually kept myself heavily dosed in thirst tonic to avoid any annoying urges to sink my fangs into the throats of those around me, but since moving to Moonvale I hadn’t managed to replenish my stash. I had only been in the area for a handful of days and had been so busy, I hadn’t wandered very far into town. I was now completely out.
My rental cottage was on the outskirts, tucked into the forest, which suited me just fine. There were no neighbors to bother me. I only ventured into the town square when absolutely necessary.
One of the women, the shorter of the two, scurried behind the counter. She tilted her chin up politely and met my eyes, though her smile seemed a bit forced. Her skin and hair had a slight green tint to them, which wasn’t necessarily abnormal for some of the species living in this hodgepodge town, though it was unexpected. Like the underside of a leaf.
Where I came from, Sunhaven, everyone was always at least lightly sun-broiled from the intense heat of the dual suns.
“Hi there, I’m Kizzi. This is my shop as I’m sure you already know if you looked at the name plastered on the sign out front. Thirst tonic, you said?” she chirped. This woman was entirely too lively this early in the morning. Up close I could smell thespicy remnants of magic on her–she must’ve been some sort of witch. My throat twinged.
“I have to warn you… I do have some thirst tonic in stock, but it might cause some unexpected side effects. You see, the sprites like to make my life a living Hell's Realm. I can’t guarantee your thirst quenching won’t also come with color changes, hoofed feet, or shimmery skin. It’ll certainly soothe your thirst, though, I’m sure of it! Well, at least mostly sure!”
Maybe she spelled herself to never run out of things to say.
I registered her words and groaned internally.Shimmery skin? You’ve got to be kidding me.I couldn’t hold back the sigh this time as I glanced around the room, considering my options.
