As soon as she’s gone, the cafe feels oddly quiet, even with the customers eating and drinking up front.
Ziros lets out a hard breath of air, almost a laugh, as the door shuts.
Shaking his head, he says, “There’s something odd about that one, but I don’t know for sure yet, hu—ouch.” He stops mid word as you elbow him, giving him a sharp look before he can finish calling you ‘human’ in public. “Right,” he grumbles. “Nevermind. Just be careful around her, okay?”
“She’s honestly super nice,” you say, not really sure why he’s worried. “Is it because of the letter opener?”
He starts to reach for it, but you pull it away, sliding the sheathed blade into your pocket before he can take it.
“Nah-ah. No way you’re stealing my cool tiny sword.”
“Hey. I just want to look at it again.”
“Not right now,” you say as the door chimes and a pair of new customers walk in. “Here, you sit down over there while I greet these folks.”
Ziros begrudgingly agrees, dropping onto a barstool at the far edge of the counter.
And there’s something concerning about the way he stares out the window with a grim expression on his face. It’s got youon edge, but you shake it off, focusing on your work as the door chimes again and more customers come in.
Looks like you’ll be busy for a bit.
By the time the next wave of customers has finally all been served and most have trickled out again, it’s already been over an hour.
Then, finally, blissfully, the cafe is empty again. You know it won’t last, and you’re not about to waste this opportunity.
That’s right—the trash can behind the counter is so full, you can’t add a single additional item without it overflowing.
You’ve got to take it out.
“Hey, can you watch the counter real quick?” You ask Ziros as you bag up a nearly-overflowing bin. “I’m headed to the dumpster. I’ll be back in a second. Just make sure no one steals anything or breaks anything—and do try to look friendly if anyone walks in, okay? I’ll berightback.”
That’s what you say, anyway.
You’re fully intending to be back in a snap, but it seems life has other plans.
Plans that involve a giant, plated monster with a body like a scorpion. The kind with glowing red eyes and way too many legs.
You freeze, swearing under your breath as it turns, red eyes flashing. Too late. It’s already seen you.
Crap.
You swear again.
Crap, crap crap crap crap crap.
“Next time, I’m asking Ziros to take this out,” you grumble as you break into a sprint. The skaddler launches itself toward you, claws clattering and scraping against the back alley pavement as it corrals you further from the cafe door.
The golden cuff at your left wrist grows softly warm. Can Ziros sense that you’re in danger? Or is it just that you’re getting near to the limit of how far you can go away from him?
Maybe—
That gives you an idea.
If you run far enough, maybe the magic will yank him out here after you.
Fortunately, it’s still early afternoon, early enough you can plainly find your way through the mess of narrow alleys.
You just need to avoid all the refuse and bits of broken glass, and you’re good.
