“What on earth happened to you?!” you ask, staring between his burned apron and scratched arm. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Ziros says, glancing darkly down the alley. “But I don’t like it out here. Let’s talk inside.”
That seems like a good idea. The bright, sunny afternoon sky is starting to grow cloudy, making the back alley even more dark and ominous than before.
You shiver as you step back in, hoping there won’t be any customers waiting inside who might start asking questions about your sword. Fortunately, the cafe is empty.
Empty, butmessy. A stack of disposable cups has been scattered across the floor, and there are several scorch marks on the walls.
What the heck happened in here?!
Ziros shuts the door, latching the deadbolt before drawing the beat-up old mini blinds over its window glass.
Something about how cautious he’s being makes the hairs on the back of your arms stand on end.
The cafe feels way too dark and ominous all of a sudden.
“Uhhh, is everything okay?” you ask, glancing at the front door. Maybe you should forget getting any customers and go lock that, too.
Ziros frowns, but you can’t help but notice he’s peering outside through the closed blinds.
“Just fine,” he says at last, dropping the slats. “Fine as it can be, when we’re standing in a building constructed smack in the middle of a faultline.”
“A what?” You glance between him and the front door, gripping your sword hilt with sweaty palms. “Are we about to have an earthquake or something?”
“Notthatkind of fault, human. This is different. This is a space where the veil between worlds is especially thin—that’s how monsters get through.” He pauses, glancing back at the alley, and you wonder if a skaddler could smash through the door window. Probably. “In fact, the whole alley runs right along it.”
You shiver. “I got your book from a shop run by a weird old man who told me the ‘world-veil’ was extra thin that night.”
“Yeah.” Ziros exhales, leaning back against the edge of the counter behind you, and you take that as a sign that it’s okay to relax a little. For a moment, at least. “The veil ebbs and flows, and right now we must be in a thin cycle. But no matter how thin or thick the veil is, it’s always worse in a fault zone.”
“So…” you glance at the alley door again, then over to the front. “Does that mean we’re not safe here? Should we lock up and leave?”
Ziros just laughs softly, pushing away from the counter.
“Weare fine here. And most normal humans are fine. But not you. Not now that your magic has been activated. You’ve got powerful magic running through your veins, human. And that magic calls to the monsters. It draws them in. You’ll never be safe, no matter where you go.”
“But you just said—”
“Exactly. You’re in danger, human.” He pushes you back gently against the opposite counter, tilting your face toward his. And his eyes flash with intensity as he growls, “So whatever you do, don’t leave my side.”
You gulp.
He’s so close, he could kiss you. Right here at work in the cafe with the giant sword at your side, the front door unlocked, where new customers or your boss could walk back in any minute.
And maybe you should remind him that youcan’tleave his side. Not really. You can’t go very far without the magical link connecting you drawing you back.
Not that it stopped you from running right into danger.
So maybe he’s right.
You’d better stick close.
Then again.
“I have the sword now,” you whisper, though you’re still not entirely sure you could successfully defend yourself with it again.
Not without some proper training.
