I’d seen stories on TV and in books about friends who justswingby. Neighbors who entered without knocking. But I didn’t come from that kind of world. I came from a house where I didn’t even feel welcome, let alone my friends. I didn’t talk about relationships or sex with my parents, or even any of my school friends, because we weren’t that close. We didn’t sit around on Friday nights, eating pizza and watching movies.
On Friday nights, I was usually alone in my room, reading about fantasy worlds, while my parents were off at a gala or vacationing in Europe. Even in college, I’d been too focused on school and internships to make space for frivolous fun. But I was quickly learning that these had been some of the least frivolous moments of my life.
“I got something for you.” Gus’s gravelly voice interrupted my thoughts. “Lily said you wanted some books?”
I approached where Gus stood behind a wide counter next to a strange coffee machine. One or two people were seated at small tables in the sand, sipping from mugs and reading the paper. This little shop attached to the bungalow was called Magic & Mixology. It served customers potions, food, and drinks.
“Coffee?” Gus asked. “This one’s called a Caffeine Cup. It’s a bit different than your usual cup of joe. It’s got Lily’s magic touch.”
Before I could answer, Gus poured a cup into a hefty diner-style mug and slid it across the counter like he’d done it a thousand times.
I cupped it in my hands, surprised by how comfortable I felt sitting here, even though Gus was a complete stranger. It felt like walking into an episode ofCheers. Everybody knew your name.
“I’ll be right back with those books,” Gus said. “Make yourself comfortable.”
I took the mug and found a table bathed in morning sunlight. The enchanted warmth from the island wrapped around me like soft candlelight. It wasn’t hot, just a gentle, glowing heat that felt pleasant and delicate.
I took a sip of my drink. It tasted like regular coffee, but instead of that sharp caffeine jolt, as I drank, I noted it gave a slow, comforting kind of energy. Like joy distilled. A gentle buzz of contentment.
In that moment, I basked in a rush of gratitude as I realized I truly had everything I needed for the first time in my life. A friend. A boyfriend, technically. A great cup of coffee and a beautiful day. Sometimes, that was enough. More than enough.
Gus returned a few minutes later, arms full of dusty old books. Some of them looked like bricks: ancient tomes with thick spines and curling pages. He placed them carefully on the table.
“There aren’t many ancient Fae texts left,” Gus said. “Not even a lot written on the subject. There wasn’t much that could be recovered after the Hunters wiped out the Fae Queens. They destroyed most of the archives, but a few books survived. I’ve collected these over the years from distant libraries. Don’t know how helpful they’ll be, but hopefully, it’s something.”
“Thank you.” I very nearly fawned over the books, and Gus too. “I’ll take really good care of them. I’ll return them as soon as I can.”
“They’re yours,” Gus replied. “They’re of no use to me. They’re much better off with someone who can make out what they say. That’s what books are for, right? Reading.”
“I never thought of it that way, but it’s an excellent point.”
“Books are one of the simplest forms of magic.” Gus tapped the top book in the stack. “Even when they’re not spellbooks. Words on a page turn into pictures in your mind. Can’t think of anything more fascinating than that.”
I looked at Gus, trying to imagine him as the grumpy old man Lily had described when she first arrived. I wondered if she’d softened him over time, like butter sat out on the counter for days. I wouldn’t put it past her to have that sort of effect on Gus. Lily had a way of changing people. She’d definitely changed Ranger X. I had a feeling she changed everyone she touched.
As I sipped my coffee, Gus wandered back to the bar to help another customer. I pulled one of the books into my lap and opened it gently.
Some of the pages were written in a language I couldn’t recognize. Strange symbols unlike anything I’d seen before. Maybe it was an ancient Fae dialect. Maybe Seer Goddard could read it. Or maybe, one day, I’d learn to read it myself.
For now, I stuck with the pages I could understand and read.
And read.
And read.
I didn’t notice when Gus refilled my cup. That was another thing about Lily’s special coffee: the caffeine never once overloaded my system. No jitters. No crash. Just warm, steady energy. Eventually, Gus came by and raised the umbrella above me.
“You’ll burn,” he said. “Sun’s getting high.”
I looked up, startled to realize it was nearly lunchtime. Gus returned a moment later and set a sandwich down in front of me.
“Don’t get grease on the books,” he said, then sauntered off with my empty coffee cup.
There’s the grumpy old man, I thought, smiling to myself. Still, fair enough. I wouldn’t want thousand-year-old texts ruined by mayonnaise either.
I was about to pack up when I found a page that caught my eye. This particular page was filled with sketches in faded ink, sketches of a full moon and crumbling walls between worlds. One side looked evil, all pitchforks and shadows. On the other side of the wall, it looked peaceful. Something about that contrast gave me chills.
Beneath the artwork, a spell shimmered on the page.
