Page 23 of The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium

“What is this ‘not good enough’? My dear, be reasonable.” Kiki swished the rock candy from one side of their cheek to the other. “You solved the riddle of my lock quite well. Only pure witchfire could’ve done that.”

“I didn’t have a crowbar on hand.” Talula shrugged. Kiki chuckled, and Talula started to feel a bit more at ease.

Grumbling, Simon warily sidled a few feet closer to the couch.

“Awww, your little friend is feeling left out,” Kiki said. “Does he want some food?”

“He ate about a pound of ground beef a few minutes ago. Maybe he just wants our company.”

“I do like that about dogs. They’re always direct about what they want. Not like people.”

“What do you mean?”

A bitter smile gleamed sharply from Kiki’s face. “People play games. Games of power and manipulation, until you’ve convinced yourself love is supposed to hurt. Until you hurt so much, you ship yourself in a cursed box to flee from one you’d called beloved.”

Kiki took a long slow sip of tea, their hands shaking as they held their mug.

“I’m so sorry.” Sorrow pressed heavily on Talula’s chest. Gently she asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“My story isn’t a new one.” Kiki shook their head. “All you need to know is that love traps just as well as a bottle, little sorceress. They didn’t put that in any of those ridiculous children’s films, but it’s the truest thing I’ve learned.”

“Hrmph,” Simon added. He sounded so commiserating that both Talula and Kiki couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well said! You may have a treat,” Kiki said, scooping honey onto a spoon and holding it in front of the dog. Eyes still suspicious, Simon gripped the spoon gingerly in his mouth and waddled away.

The small kindness inspired Talula’s deep-set hostessing instincts. “Can I make you something to eat? It’d be no trouble.”

“You’re too sweet, darling. In fact, I feel my molars dissolving,” Kiki replied, notably not saying no.

Grinning, Talula tightened her apron strings and headed to the back of the café. First, she texted her mom, explaining Kiki’s arrival and her magic teacher’s absence. Next, she thought about a snack for Kiki. Talula wanted to give the jinn comfort and safety and possibly a hug. That meant only one thing—cheese. Specifically, melty cheese. Talula preheated the toaster oven, then opened the Voltlette.

Several blocks of cheese later, Talula heard Kiki calling.

“Talula, who is this beautiful creature storming up the walkway? Can I borrow her for a century or two?”

Dahlia.

6

Talula ran out the Employees Only door, her mother’s many warnings about mischievous jinn blaring in her mind. She pulled herself to a stop inches away from the lounging jinn. “That’s­my­human­friend­please­don’t­tell­her­about­magic­stuff.”

A wicked smile unfurled across Kiki’s face. “She’s cute.”

As Talula opened her mouth to beg the jinn for good behavior, Dahlia exploded into the café. Half a dozen grocery bags stuffed with pet care supplies weighed down her arms. Dahlia collapsed gracelessly into an armchair. “My parents went overboard with the dog fostering; you wouldn’t believe how many doggy bow ties I found.” Dahlia straightened as she noticed the jinn. “Hi!”

“Hello,” Kiki replied, stretching out the vowels sensually. “All of this for the four-legged one?”

“Poor guy’s got nothing but the fur on his back.” Dahlia reached out a friendly hand. “I’m Dahlia, by the way.”

The jinn held it with a fiendish gentility, as though they were a rakish rogue from a regency romance. “A pleasure. You may call me Kiki, I’m an old friend of Sah—Sara’s.” Kiki tossed a subtle look to Talula. “Just stopping by for a cup of tea. I’m sure there’s another cup just awaiting your lips!”

Talula was slightly scandalized by the lascivious way Kiki said “lips” while still holding Dahlia’s hand.

“Sounds good! But why does it smell amazing?” Dahlia sniffed the air. “Talula, are you cooking something?”

“Another off-menu adventure.” Talula dared a wink at Dahlia.

“Oh, hell yes! Is there enough for me?”