Heat Wave by Melissa Gunn

Author:Melissa Gunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: shifter werewolf, science fantasy, found family shifter, demigod norse mythology female lead, urban fantasy fade to black
Publisher: Melissa Gunn
Published: 2022-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

The lonely cat cafe

Aisha and Freya were quickly settled into a table by the window. A tabby cat - clearly not lonely despite the name of the cafe - approached them as soon as they were seated. It rubbed against their ankles for a few minutes, providing a pleasant distraction until their desserts and drinks arrived.

“You didn’t really tell me about your job yet,” said Aisha. “How is big science working out for you? Is it all you’d ever dreamed of?”

Freya wrinkled her nose at Aisha.

“It’s not like that,” she said. “It’s just that I can do things with science that I can’t with demi powers. Well, different things, anyway. And as for the work - well, I’m still getting used to it, really. There’s lots of time in the lab. Lots of people telling me what to do. And it’s weird having lunch in a canteen with so many others. There’s this chilli guy, he’s super odd. I thought he was your classic geek - he’s the policy analyst, dry as anything - but then it turns out he is a chilli fanatic. He invited me to go see his chillis, which sounds like a weird pickup line. But I asked my lab mate Kylie, she’s going to come with me. So, I guess I’ll see what that’s like.” Freya stopped, realising that Aisha was gaping at her.

“Wait, you know the chilli king? He is like, legendary. Can you get me an invite? Or at least access to his chilli sauce?”

“You’re kidding, right?” Freya looked at Aisha’s face carefully - had she missed any obvious cues?

“I am really not. Honestly, Mum has been telling me about the chilli king of the north my whole life. She thinks chillis are even more important than tomatoes. Maybe we need to get the chilli king and your mum together, they could take over the north with that combo.”

“Woah, slow down. I can’t believe you know about that guy. Let alone his sauce. You’ve never mentioned him before,” Freya said.

“Well, the way you reacted when Mum gave you spicy food that first time, I figured you wouldn’t be interested.”

“That’s true enough.” It had taken Freya what felt like hours to drown the taste of chilli from her first meal at her friend’s house. “But honestly, I didn’t think chillis were so important.”

Not to mention they burn like lava. Who needs that in their food?

“You need to pay more attention, girl. But seriously, I would give real money for some of that guy’s sauce. Let me know if you can get some, alright?” Aisha sounded hopeful.

“Alright. But I thought we were here to talk about your family and the weres? Or Gareth?”

“I told you things have moved on. It started with you and your mum having part-time care of your sister’s kits.”

“Just Mum, really.”

“Yeah, sure. I get that. But it provided an opening. I mean, you’re my friend, so you and your mum were seen as cat-allies. And then the kits were looked after by you and by the were-foxes.

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