Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice by Laura Greenwood

Author:Laura Greenwood [Greenwood, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Drowlgon Press

Seven

The babble of dozens of voices fills the coffee shop, and the display case is looking rather empty with all the cakes I've sold. It's a good job Clover said she'd drop by later, because I'm going to need more than just baklava from my cousins.

I glance at the teapot sitting on the shelf above the till and smile at it. I should feel weird about knowing Azíl is sitting inside and observing everything, but I don't.

He's comforting to have around, and I'm not even sure why.

A new customer approaches the till and I take a deep breath, readying myself for their order.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Cauldron Coffee Shop, what can I get for you?" I ask brightly.

"Just a coffee to go, no extras," the woman responds, giving nothing away.

"Of course, coming right up." I turn to grab an empty takeaway cup, keeping half an eye on her as I work. I'm not sure what it is about her, but something feels a little off.

I push the thought aside. It's probably just to do with whatever inherent magic she might have. I can't tell just from her presence, which is a little unusual, but not unheard of. The only reason I'm able to tell for most people is because of years in the service industry. It's easy to pick up that someone's a werewolf when they come in and order a shot of calm every few hours around the full moon.

Not that I ever question them about it. I just put on a smile on my face and go about the rest of my day as if I know nothing about any of it.

I quickly put together a cup of coffee, only stopping to glance in Azíl's direction to check he's okay.

Something about the current situation feels strange, and I don't know what it is. I focus hard to try and sense if there are any emotions coming from the pot, but don't pick up on anything. Maybe it's different now that he's been able to break free.

"Here you go," I say to the woman as I set the sealed takeaway cup on the counter in front of her. "That'll be two-seventy, please."

She gives me a tight smile and lifts her card to signal how she'd like to pay. I press a button on the till so the machine will light up.

"That's a lovely teapot," she says as she waves her card over the screen. It beeps, signalling that her payment has gone through.

I barely look away from her to check on Azíl. "Thank you."

"Where did you get it from?" she asks.

"It was a gift."

A sense of unease comes from the shelf. Or maybe from me. I don't know what's happening, but something about the situation doesn't feel right, and I'm not sure exactly what it is.

"Ah, such an interesting gift." She gives me a tight smile. "Thank you for the coffee." She starts to head towards the door, only to stop and start talking to Aisha who has been clearing tables as people leave.

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