“I find it funny that Phineas is vegetarian.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Why?”
“I don’t know, he has pretty sharp teeth for a vegetarian.”
“He thinks of fish as friends and not food.”
Mercedes chuckled. “Oh? Can he talk to them?”
“So he says, but as I don’t, I can’t ask the fish their opinion.” He leaned back against the wall where he was sitting on a bench. “What else do you find strange about Harmony Glen?”
“Well, you being a cook. Although Sven said you sort of always took on that role, just that you’re no longer cooking your meat on a spit.”
“Hey, I have a spit. But we won’t often have people looking for a suckling pig or rotisserie chicken at a bed-and-breakfast. Maybe I could use the spit if Sven and I do more catering. We’ve talked about it.”
“That would be a good idea. So, you do enjoy cooking dainty things and breakfasts?”
Magnus nodded. “I do. I like breakfast and cooking relaxes me.”
“I hate cooking, but then again…I did melt a cauldron or two in my time.”
He frowned. “Stay away from my kitchen.”
“Noted.” She tucked her legs under her. There was a flash of lightning through the dirty, taped-up window, followed by another rumble of thunder. “Maybe one day I can sneak out of Hetty’s and try one of your sandwiches or maybe come early for breakfast?”
He smiled at her warmly. “I would like that. What’s your favorite breakfast?”
“Hmm, that’s a tough one. I think eggs Benedict. Though I’m kind of picky about them. Sometimes the Hollandaise sauce can be a bit…not right.”
“I get that, but I can assure you I make the best around here. Nice generous slice of ham or bacon, some people prefer back bacon over ham. And I’ve even made it with regular bacon.”
“Okay, now you’re making me hungry enough that I’m actually contemplating the questionable peaches.”
“Change the subject?”
“Maybe.” Her stomach growled loudly. “Probably would be safe.”
“Well, when this storm lets up, we’ll go back to the dead-and-breakfast and I’ll make you an omelet before you go home to Hetty’s.”
“Deal.”
Although, once they got back to the marina, she’d probably just go straight to bed. But it was nice of him to offer.
“You have to do me a favor.”
“Oh?” she said.
“Tell me what you saw when you placed your hands on the earth, before the explosion. If you can remember.”
Mercedes sighed. “Yeah, I suppose we need to talk about that.”
Only, she wasn’t sure she wanted to tell him everything she saw. Some of it she was still processing herself. How she’d seen the whole attack from Magnus, except she was in Yrsa’s body. If she remembered her teachings right, the fact that she was in Yrsa’s body at that time, instead of viewing the memories from above, meant that she was actually supposed to grow up to be the vessel for Yrsa.
Something hadn’t been quite right. As if her soul didn’t want to be the vessel for Yrsa or become like her.
Because I’m me. That’s why.
And honestly, Mercedes wondered if that’s why she wasn’t the best witch, why all her spells went spectacularly wrong, and why she could communicate with the dead. Her soul wasn’t supposed to be in her body, but Yrsa wasn’t here. It was almost as if the souls were mixed up.
