Page 16 of Tall, Dark and Haunted

Chapter Eight

Rhiannon

Istartacrossthe street, then slow down to let the guys catch up. They’re still getting the hang of this whole walking thing, though they’re getting a whole lot better at it surprisingly fast.

By the time we reach the cafe, they’re almost walking normally. Davy trips once. Red almost walks face-first into the door because he forgets he needs to open it. And Topher kind of sways back and forth with each step.

But we’re in a supernatural town, so no one gives three wobbling men with super odd clothes and facial hair a second glance. It helps that they’re all distracted by the fact that they’ve suddenly landed in Wales. Doesn’t sound like that happens often—even in a town like Silver Springs.

“After you.” Red gestures for me to enter the cafe first.

I step inside and the scent in the air reminds me of Margam Castle. Not Margam Castle when I first showed up, translucent, floating, and naked—that didn’t smell like much—but Margam Castle post-magical explosion, with the pumpkin spice coating everything in sight.

“Hi, I’m Amber. What can I get you?” The blonde barista gives me a friendly smile.

She’s got a drink in her hand that reminds me of an explosion of color. Kind of like my hair and current choice of wardrobe—not that this awful outfit was something I actually chose.

Just looking at the drink makes my mouth water. I wasn’t into fancy drinks like this before I died, but I guess floating over your dead body really puts life in perspective. Especially when you happen to die naked in a public fountain.

“Unicorn hot chocolate,” Amber says.

“Are you making fun of my shirt?” I ask with a scowl at the unicorn monstrosity I’m wearing, compliments of the lost and found.

“Of course not. I like your shirt,” she says brightly, though I can tell she’s lying. No way anyone can like this shirt. “And it really is what the drink is called. Would you like me to make you one?”

I nod as I practically drool at the sight. Forget what it’s called, I want one.

“How about you guys?” she asks the men before transforming in front of my eyes. Suddenly, Topher is standing behind the counter, and the barista is gone.

“What the—” I start, then gasp when Topher speaks, and I realize he still has his arm around me.

As in, there are two Tophers. One with his arm around me and another behind the counter.

“Cool trick,” the Topher who’s next to me says, completely unfazed at seeing himself randomly appear in front of us.

“Sorry,” Amber says in Topher’s voice. Then she transforms into me. “I think I’m nervous because of what happened with the castle. It’s making my shifting more wonky than usual.”

“Do I really sound like that?” I ask the guys, ignoring her words and focusing on what really matters. The fact that my voice is horribly annoying! Plus, traveling has really done a number on my accent—so I sound like an odd mix of Welsh, British, and American.

“You do, and I dig it,” Topher says. “That is what you say nowadays, is it not? Or is it all the rage? Back in my day, you would have said it was all the crack.”

“I guess you might say that it’s lit. But I would just say, I like it.”

“Then I like it,” Topher says. “You’ll shine everyone else down.”

“That’s not…” I start to tell him that’s not what lit means, then shake my head. “Never mind. Thanks, Topher.”

Red grunts and nods his head in agreement. And suddenly I don’t care what I sound like so long as my mates think it’s all the crack and shine and whatnot.

I’m smiling when the cafe door opens. Bells jingle above it, and two elderly men with raised voices enter. They’re speaking Welsh and they’re obviously panicked to find themselves in Silver Springs.

“Esgusodwch fi!” the first one says, coming up to the counter.

Amber looks at him with wide, confused eyes. To be fair, there aren’t many people outside of Wales who can speak Welsh. I can barely remember it myself and I’m Welsh.

“He’s saying excuse me,” I translate, relieved that my limited knowledge of the language at least extends this far.

“Ble rydym ni?” the second old man asks.