Page 41 of The Blue Moon Café & 24-Hour Occult Emporium

Talula flung herself through the doorway. Dahlia stood on the front steps, hunched over and panting, curls damp against her neck and forehead. She was wearing a sleek running outfit, complete with a brightly colored sports bra that made Talula’s mouth go dry.

“I was on a run.” Dahlia gasped for air. “When I saw…the bullshit.”

“It’ll blow over,” Talula said, putting on her barista smile. “There’ll be a Samhain this year, don’t worry.”

Dahlia looked at Talula like she’d started talking about the mating habits of glowworms. “Talula, I’m not worried about the festival. I’m worried about you.” Dahlia unhunched herself and put a sweaty hand on each of Talula’s shoulders. “Are you okay?”

Talula felt her barista smile slip. Her throat ached; her chest felt tight. The sorrow and feelings of inadequacy she’d been shoving down came bubbling back up. “I…I…” Talula couldn’t manage the words.

But Dahlia read it all on her face. She pulled Talula in for a hug. “They’re morons, and you’re perfect.”

Talula gave a wheezy kind of laugh. Dahlia smelled so good, like pomegranate shampoo. She found herself leaning into Dahlia’s embrace, taking slow deep breaths to calm her heart. When she’d gotten a bit more of a grip on herself, Talula broke off the hug. “Thank you.”

“You did the same for me, like three days ago.” Dahlia shrugged. She stuck her hands in her pockets. “Is there anything I can do? Because if you need a distraction or a friend, maybe tonight we could—” But before she could finish the thought, a series of short, stern barks erupted from inside the café.

Talula knew exactly what those barks meant. She shook her head. “I’ve got to get back. We’re doing some…café stuff.”

“Sure.” Dahlia nodded. “I need to finish my run anyway. By walking. I ran here faster than I’ve ever run. I think I broke my spleen.”

“I appreciate your spleen’s sacrifice,” Talula said stoically. She added, “Thanks for checking on me. See you tomorrow?”

“I told my mom I’d visit this weekend. I’ll be back Monday,” Dahlia called as she jogged away. “But in the meantime, I’m going to send you ten million memes and pics of unlikely animal friendships, and you can’t stop me!”

Talula laughed, watching Dahlia go. She ran here to check on me because she knew I’d be upset. The thought made Talula feel sunlit from the inside out. She’s a really good friend.

But when she ducked back into the café, Simon’s ears were twitching with irritation. “Are you going to tell me what that was about?”

“It’s a petition that’s going around the town,” Talula explained. “Locals are trying to make sure that Samhain doesn’t happen.”

“Pfff. What can a few measly humans do?” Simon huffed haughtily.

“A lot, actually,” Talula said through gritted teeth.

“I assume you’ve told your mother?”

Talula nodded. “I sent her a message. She hasn’t responded yet.”

“Then there’s nothing more to be done.” Simon blew out a frustrated breath. “Now. May we resume?”

With a grimace, Talula plopped herself in the middle of the café rug, and they began again.

11

Later that night after another dismal training session, Talula sat on her bed, nervously chewing her lip and checking her watch every other second. Sara had finally replied to Talula’s SOS text, and the two agreed on a meeting time. But that time had come and gone. Sure, Sara was always late (she asserted it was part of her cultural identity), but never this late.

Worry sent Talula’s imagination into overdrive, worst-case scenarios crowding her mind. There was still so much they didn’t know about the mysterious organization of magical trophy hunters and how they caught their dangerous prey. Simon’s warnings rang clear in Talula’s head as another minute went by without a word from Sara. Her bedroom walls absorbed her concern, turning into a dark slate. Just as Talula was considering calling the Council for an emergency magical search party, the air began to shimmer, and Sara’s astral projection appeared.

Talula shouted with relief. “Mom!”

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Sara smiled, clasping her hands over her heart. “It’s so good to see you, my darling girl.”

“Is everything okay? I was worried—”

“Just a little caught up with my work, as usual.” Sara smiled forcefully. “Now, tell me everything.”

Talula felt tension humming from her mother; her usual poise felt taut as a violin string. “You sure? It seems like something’s on your mind.”

“Sorry, my love.” Sara’s shoulders melted down, her face relaxing just a fraction of an inch. “I’m waiting for a contact to reach me with some information about the hunters. She should be here in the next hour or so. Let’s make the most of our time together. Tell me what’s going on with Samhain.”