“You caught that too? It sure seemed like it!” I shivered. “I thought he was more polite than that!”
“He usually is. Maybe it’s the aftermath of the potluck stress, or he ate too much yesterday and his stomach hurts.”
“Maybe,” I agreed halfheartedly.
“Well, I promise that you are beautiful, and you smell like sunshine and daisies.” She stood from her stool. “I better go start my day. If any folk are still lingering out there, I’ll threaten to bite their throats to make them go away.”
“You’re the best.”
She flashed me a fanged grin. “That’s what best friends are for! Moons, Kiz!”
I laughed. “To the suns, Fi.”
She waved as she left, and I heard the muffled sounds of her ferociously snarling through the door. I snorted out a laugh, wishing I could witness that spectacle for myself.
My mirth died quickly. Why was everyone losing their minds? First me, when I almost kissed Tandor against his will. Then Linc, Mayor Tommins, and half of Moonvale?
It was almost likethe Josten incidentall over again. But this felt different. This didn’t feel sinister—it just felt strange.
Well, hopefully everything goes back to normal soon.
Iworked for what felt like hours in tense, charged silence. My skin felt too tight. It itched, and I couldn’t get comfortable.
I refused to leave the shop to make deliveries—I was pretty sure everyone outside had gone but I didn’t feel like risking it.
But I couldn’t handle the silence anymore.
“Do any of you little shits feel like bothering me today?” I shouted into the empty shop, hoping to startle a sprite into revealing itself.
Silence was the only response. My ears drooped slightly. I stood, spreading my arms wide and turning in a circle.
“Good! I’m happy that you’re all gone!” I shouted louder.
Silence again.
“I’ve been trying to get rid of you for ages and I’m so glad it finally worked!” I screamed. My voice cracked at the end.
Nothing.
“I’m so glad you left me here all alone!” My voice crumpled. A wave of sadness and fury washed over me. I felt abandoned. I felt betrayed, even though I had no logical reason to.
I stormed over to the cauldron in the corner. “And you! Fuck you! Fuck you most of all!” I grabbed the edges of the cauldron, not caring if any of the strangely smooth and thick substance got on my hands. I needed to scream, and this was my best outlet.
“Fuck you for ruining my potion. Fuck you for causing a mess. Fuck you for making my shop feel weird. Fuck. You!” I screamed until my voice fragmented like shards of broken glass, and then I started to cry. Tears welled up in my eyes and dripped down my cheeks. They traveled the curve of my jaw and collected at the point of my chin.
Slowly, so slowly, a tear dripped from my chin and landed in the giant cauldron.
The tiny drop settled on top of the sludge for a moment before it began to spread, becoming a thin layer that I could hardly see. Then it began to sink into the sludge. I watched curiously.
Heavy waves of magic shot through my hands, up my arms, into my shoulders. A massive boom resounded, throwing me across the room and shattering my eardrums. Darkness stole my vision. Darkness took over the entire shop.
Faintly, I could hear ringing, metal cracking, and what almost sounded like… laughter?
And then there was nothing.
CHAPTER 11
Tandor
