Ginger’s Pub hummed with a strange energy. I refilled goblets, delivered plates, and wiped down tables, trying to figure out where it was coming from.
My hands, still wrapped securely in the bandages and salve, didn’t ache nearly as fiercely as they had before Kizzi’s treatment. They barely even stung. I was able to use them as I normally would, with only minor hindrances.
I was hesitant to remove the bandages and look at my wounds beneath. I was occasionally a squeamish orc, especially when it came to my own injuries.
There were more folk in the pub than usual this early in the day. Folk that would normally be going about their daily tasks, running their businesses, or staying at home.
It was like they were… waiting for something. My mind flitted to Linc, and his strange behavior last night. He had appeared to be waiting, too. Like he was frozen—ready to move only when he received orders.
A small white cat was perched in the corner of the room, watching with alarmingly bright green eyes. It gazed at the crowd with an almost folk-like intelligence. I didn’t bother trying to shoo it away—I let the cats come and go as they pleased aslong as they didn’t irritate anyone. They kept the more invasive critters away, like mice, squirrels, and spiders.
And they were cute to look at, too, if I was being honest. I often tried to pet them, but they usually didn’t let me. They were intimidating for some reason.
I recognized the critter—it was the same cat that had nearly tripped Kizzi before the potluck. Weird. I was seeing it everywhere.
“What’s up with everyone?” Ginger asked as she swept in front of me to drop a bowl off at a table of fae and witches.
“I’m not sure…” I answered. “I was wondering the same thing.”
I looked around, examining the pub’s patrons. Daine, the mothman from the grocery store, sat in the corner with Velline, both of them stiff and awkward. A few shifters hovered by the door looking like they might bolt at any moment. A pair of humans dined at the bar, but they spent more time staring into nothingness than they did eating. Everyone lookedalmostnormal… but not quite.
“Well, if they’re paying customers, I suppose we’ll keep serving them how we usually do.” Ginger shrugged.
“This weird thing happened with Linc last night, do you think it has anything to do with it?” I asked. As the faun and I wandered back to the kitchen, I explained the situation that had occurred the night before in Kizzi’s apothecary. How Linc had shown up, insisting on coming in to speak with Kizzi, and was forced to leave. How I found him on a bench in the park with none of his wits about him. The crazed, faraway look in his eye. The way I dragged him home, mindless and compliant.
“Gods. That is strange,” she mused. “Late night at Kizzi’s, huh?” She raised an eyebrow knowingly.
I rolled my eyes. “She was helping me with my burns.” I held my hands out as proof. The neat bindings were beginning to loosen from how much I was using them.
“Sure. Whatever you say, Tandor.” She smirked at me. “I’ve seen the way you watch that little witch. Kizzi’s a treat—only a blind folk wouldn’t be interested.”
“Exactly!” I agreed.
“I knew it!”
“Wait, you tricked me!” I huffed out a sigh. “Okay, fine. I might be interested. I just find her lovely, is all. And interesting. And she’s so hardworking, always fixing up potions for everyone in town. And?—”
Ginger cut me off with a laugh. “Enough, enough, I get it. She’s amazing. Why haven’t you done anything about it?”
“I’ve tried! Well, I’ve sort of tried. Every time I feel like we’re having a moment, she clearly doesn’t feel the same way. I don’t think she even sees me.”
“You’re gigantic, it’s impossible not to see you,” she teased. “Have you tried telling her how you feel?”
I sighed. “No. I should, I know, but I’m not prepared to face that rejection yet. And she makes me sonervous. If things must stay exactly how they are, I’ll be content with that. I’ll take a few friendly words here and there rather than scaring her away forever.”
“I don’t think you’d scare her away. She likes your ciders too much.”
I elbowed her in the shoulder. “That's all I have going for me, huh?”
“Yes. But it’s better than nothing,” she agreed solemnly.
“Do you think I should go over there and check on her? She seemed pretty rattled after the Linc situation last night, and I’m afraid he’ll go back and bother her some more.”
“Go, go, check on your woman. Just come back before the evening dinner rush.”
I bent and plopped a kiss onto the top of her head, pulling my apron off and tossing it aside. “You’re the best, Ginny!”
She shoved me toward the door. “I know it. Good luck!”
