store. Inside, the aromas wrapped around her like a family hug. Not that she’d ever had one of those, but she liked to think that Aniela’s hugs were given to her with such goodwill behind them. An older woman stood behind a counter, placing pastries onto a wire rack.
“Hello, there. What can I help you with?”
“I don’t know. I smelled something incredible and wanted to know what it was.” She jabbed a thumb in the air, toward the window. “They’re too busy fighting, so I came in on my own."
“Really? Who’s that?” The woman glanced out the large front window. Her eyes widened and her jaw slackened a bit. “I don’t believe it.”
“Why is it so shocking to see them speaking to each other?” Holly asked, eyeing the pastries on the wire rack. They smell so good. Despite the pancakes she ate this morning, her stomach made a strange growling noise.
“That, my dear, is a long story, and one that they should share. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll put together some rolls for you. They’re fresh from the oven.”
“That’s very thoughtful, but I don’t have any currency with me as of yet. I need to find a career, and as soon as I figure out where one is, I’ll be back.”
The older woman smiled and patted her hand. “Oh, sweetheart, sit down. My name is Catherine. I’m certain that Colwyn or Brand will be here in a moment and we’ll get them to cover it for you. Would you like a cup of tea to go with it?”
Holly looked at the paper cup in her hand. “My name is Holly, and I’m all right, thank you. I still have this.”
“Now, what is it that you want to do as a career?”
The door dinged again and Holly turned hoping to see Brand and Colwyn. Instead, a large man stood in the opening, inhaling deeply.
A twin of the man gave him a firm but friendly shove out of the way. “Fuck’s sake, Vencel, you walk in after us if you’re going to insist on doing that every time. Mai’s freezing cold.”
The man named Vencel immediately appeared apologetic and moved out of the way. A smaller woman stood tucked under his arm. “Okay, you two, stop it. It’s not like I’m going to freeze to death, for Pete’s sake. I’m just hungry, and I’ve got three pairs of socks on.”
“I’ll be back in a moment.” Catherine called out a welcome to the three of them and went to the counter to get three more plates. The small woman smiled at Holly and gave her a bit of a wave hello.
Holly smiled at the trio that walked in but before she could say anything, the door dinged again. She blinked at the variety of people that came through the door. So many shape-shifters living in such close quarters was unheard of in her previous life. She wondered how they all ended up here.
A large man caught her attention as he pulled a knitted cap from his head. His long, blond hair caught her attention first, but as he scanned the room, she saw his face. Fear slammed into her chest. What was he doing here? She looked away quickly so that their eyes would not meet. The last thing she wanted was for him to recognise her. He was a hunter for the fey council. His job was to track down rogue faeries and destroy them. Is he here for me? Thankfully, he didn’t seem interested in her and left after making a purchase.
“There you are!” Colwyn sat down beside her. She hadn’t seen him come in. “I didn’t know where you went. You scared the hell out of me.”
“You two were fighting and egging each other on and I smelled the most incredible thing. Have you had one of these?” She took a bite of the pastry and licked the small flakes off her lips. Brand walked up to their table and stood there staring at her as if he wanted to take a bite of her .
“Didn’t take you long to discover Ecstasy Lake’s best kept secret. Catherine’s sausage rolls are delicious.”
One of the twin men who had come in earlier called out a greeting and Colwyn smiled and waved back, before turning his attention back to her. Leaning
Julia London
Vanessa Devereaux
Paula Fox
Gina Austin
Rainbow Rowell
Aleah Barley
Barbara Ismail
Christiane Shoenhair, Liam McEvilly
Celia Jade
Tim Dorsey