“Yelling isn’t communication,” Cush countered.
“Then stop saying things worth yelling about!”
Lisa pinched the bridge of her nose, the grinder still humming beside her.“All right, kids, play nice.Some of us are trying to make tea.”
“Put me on speaker,” Elora said.“He needs to hear this.”
“Why wouldIneed to put you on speaker for him to hear you?He’s standing in the same room as you, so I’m pretty sure he can hear you,” Lisa said.“I thought you were ‘peace out.’”
“Oh.”A short pause, then, “See, he’s making me crazy.I’m not even making sense anymore.And I realized I can’t defend myself if I leave.So, I’ll leave in a minute.Perhaps you can explain to myoverprotective matethat I’m not some helpless damsel who needs guarding every time I pick up a sword.”
“Elora, maybe?—”
“Lisa, no.He’s—Cush, and seriously, I can practically hear you rolling your eyes!”
“I wasn’t?—”
“You were!”Lisa totally was.
“Lisa,” Cush said, his patience thinning, “I’ll deal with this.”
Elora’s voice rose.“Oh, I will give you something to deal with, mister!”
“Like you haven’t already,” Cush muttered, and the phone went dead.
Lisa stared at the screen for a long beat, then exhaled and looked at her customer, who was blinking like she’d just witnessed a reality show.
“They’re big into cosplay,” Lisa said finally, straight-faced.
The woman nodded slowly.“Uh-huh.”
From behind Lisa, a melodic voice purred, “You know, I’ve never seen a mated pair split up before, but those two, they’re dynamic, doused in gasoline with plenty of kindling.It’s going to be a wild show watching them evolve, and I’m totally here for it.”
Lisa didn’t have to look to know Syndra was grinning.The light elf always sounded amused.
“Be.Visible,” Lisa said again, reaching for a jar of lemongrass.“Please.”The only reason she bothered to speak to Syndra was because she knew the royal elf would deal with the memories of the customer.But that still didn’t make Lisa feel any less stupid while it appeared she was answering the voices in her head.
“Where’s the fun in that?”Syndra’s voice floated closer, still unseen.“I like watching mortals try to figure out whether you’ve lost your mind.”
Lisa blew a strand of hair out of her face.“It’s not polite to make people question my sanity before noon.”
A shimmer filled the air beside her, and Syndra materialized with the faintest sparkle, like the sun catching dew.Dressed in a soft green tunic that somehow looked both regal and effortless, she leaned an elbow on the counter, eyes bright with amusement.She lifted a slender hand and made a motion towards the customer, who somehow hadn’t fallen over in shock, and muttered some words in the Elfin language.The woman shook her head as if waking up and looked at Lisa.“So, what do I owe you?”
Lisa finished the sale and watched the woman leave before turning to look at her long time friend.
“You handled that call well,” Syndra said.“Though I admit, I was hoping Cush would start throwing things.He’s got that lovely temper.”
Lisa turned to give her a look.“You heard the whole thing?”
“Of course.You really should ward this place better if you expect privacy.”
Lisa scoffed.“I like my privacy respected, not enforced.”
Syndra’s smile curved knowingly.“You sound tense.Has Tony been in lately?”
Lisa groaned.“No, and that’s not why I’m tense.”
“Oh, so thereistension?”Syndra teased, her tone musical.“Do tell.Are we finally going to admit that you enjoy his attention?Or are we going to talk about the notes you think I don’t know about?”
