I knew the ironwork shop down the road should have been my first target, but I could admit it—I was stalling.
And I was a sucker for a pretty crystal.
My attention caught on a particularly lovely geodite sphere. I picked it up, tossing it between my palms. The stone radiated a strange magical energy. Something that felt wise and ancient.Like if I held it long enough, a few strands of my hair would turn silver.
The shopkeeper noticed my attention. “A good choice,” the old man murmured. He nodded sagely. “I see it has chosen you as much as you have chosen it.”
I glanced at him warily. He could sense that? Perhaps he was a wizard—it was hard to be certain. I couldn’t tell if he oozed magic, or if the shop was overwhelming my senses. “I thought it was pretty.”
His wrinkled cheeks lifted into a smile. “Of course. Usually, this one would cost four silvers, but you’re special. Two silvers, please.”
“Oh, I’ll pay four,” I insisted. I fumbled around in my satchel and placed the coins on the counter. “I like to support my fellow businessfolk.”
He simply tilted his head before turning around and returning to his rearrangement of the shelves.
What a peculiar interaction.
As I left the shop, my satchel heavier, I tucked my hands in the pocket of my cloak.
Something cold and metallic met my fingertips.
The two silver coins.
I sighed. When I tried to turn, the door had a “Closed” sign on it, and the lights were dim.
I fumbled with the two silver coins as I made my way to the ironwork shop. I had spent an alarming number of silvers in the recent weeks. I wasn’t one to turn down a bargain, but I liked to pay my dues. I didn’t want to owe anyone anything.
I felt strangely off kilter.
I spotted Tandor’s glossy black hair at the end of the road as I slipped into the shop that I was pretty sure would have a cauldron large enough to suit my needs. He was perchedon a bench, bent over, feeding cookie crumbs to a small fluffy squirrel. I huffed out a snort at the sight.
A rush of warm air blanketed me as I stepped into the ironwork shop. The heat was almost stifling after adjusting to the cold, dry air outside. Something brushed against my ankle, exiting at the same time I was entering. I caught a flash of white fur.
Damn, why does everyone get to have a cat friend except me?
Hex shuffled, slipping out from my hair and onto my shoulder. I batted them back under the cover of my curls. I didn’t need anyone spotting them and asking questions. “No,” I whispered. “You have to stay hidden.”
Hex yanked on a strand of my hair.
“Bitch,” I hissed.
They pulled out two more hairs.
I let that slide, rubbing my fingers against my now-sore scalp. I knew when to admit defeat.
A fire roared in the back of the shop. Clanking sounded from the forge, but I couldn’t see anyone.
I caught a glimpse of a telltale blur of vision from the corner of my eye. Sprites. With a surge, I missed my shop sprites. Somewhere along the line, I had started considering themmysprites. My little buddies. My little pests.
The thought was as nauseating as it was heartwarming. Whoever ran this shop must have been dealing with them too. Poor sap.
I spotted promising cauldrons immediately. The right wall was lined with them in varying sizes. Some were even a shining gold color. I wandered over, trailing my fingers over the gorgeous gold material.
The price tag made my eyes pop out of my skull. I immediately moved to the less flashy black cauldrons.
A short witch emerged from the back. “Got your eye on a cauldron, huh?” she asked.
I nodded with a smile. “I sure do. The biggest one you’ve got.”
