Grasping the warmth of the liquid gold, I brought the white chocolate mocha to my face and breathed in its essence. It was life in a cup. Well, the morning rush of caffeine anyway. Carrying my venti drink over to the table in the corner of the shop where I’d set my laptop down, the location meant I could see everyone coming and going. I blanched when some hipster had had the audacity to sit at my table where I’d clearly put my things, claiming it. Furthermore, he wore a damn beanie in the summer heat of West Virginia.
“Excuse me,” I said and pointed to my laptop. “I’m sitting here. My stuff, my table.”
“Oh, my bad,” he said and smiled without moving. “No one was here so I thought I’d sit.” He motioned to the chair by my laptop. “I don’t mind sharing.”
I frowned and set my cup down, then crossed my arms over my chest. “I do. Now scoot before I knock that crap off your head.”
“Damn, that’s foul,” he scolded and stood. “I hope you have the day you deserve.”
“I will,” I said and proudly took my seat. As he sauntered off, I thought about what he said. Have the day you deserve. “Yeah, you have the day you deserve, too, with your stupid hat!”
A few coffee drinkers turned toward me, and I shrugged. “What? He tried to stake a claim.” Sitting down at my now hipster-free table, I lifted the top of my MacBook and the screen came to life. A cute white kitten with a pink bowtie around her neck and bright blue eyes stared back at me. No, it wasn’t my kitten, I’m allergic to cats. But if I weren’t, nah, even then, I wouldn’t own a cat.
Cats are familiars to most witches. For me? I’d still go for a chicken. Chickens are cool and, hey, free eggs. But if dragons were in the realm of familiars, give me a fucking dragon! Red with golden eyes and breathing fire . . . I’d be talk of the town and all covens would want me.
Pfft. I pulled up my website. Sitting, tucked in a corner of the coffee shop, the backside of my computer was all that could be seen, and for good reason. The work I did would be considered “under the table,” and some say it was part of the black market. I clicked on the messages option and found I had a new inquiry.
From GreysonDragosP: Ms. Averly, I hope this message finds you well. I require someone with your skills; not just anyone can find what I need. Your utmost secrecy about this mission is necessary whether you choose to accept it or not.
I picked up my coffee and took a sip, the deliciousness slipping over my tongue. I could bathe in this stuff. I set my drink down and looked up as a couple passed by my table, then returned to reading the email.
I’d like to set up a time to meet with you. Please reply and let me know if you’re interested. I’ll pay you handsomely for your efforts. Your final remuneration will be provided upon completion of the task, with sixty percent up front.
I blinked at the sixty percent part and smiled. Well, yes, Mister Mysterious, and no idea who you are. I’ll come spend time with you for some cash and an expedition.
Clicking reply, I thought back to the meeting with Zelda and the elders. Why do they constantly hold me at an arm’s length? Why am I not good enough? I would continue to hold onto hope that one day, they’d accept me. You know, glutton for punishment and all.
I sighed and took another sip of my drink before my fingers reached the keyboard.
From CeshasDarkSecrets: Mr. Greyson Dragos P, thank you for your inquiry. I’ll be happy to meet with you to discuss the location of said precious item. What date and time did you have in mind?
I pressed send and closed my mail. Sitting back, I clicked on Facebook and scrolled through a few of the cute videos people shared of dogs and baby giggles. It wasn’t social media I wanted to be on though. I wanted to be back in that cave, venturing into the other world again. I wanted to see what was on the other side, apart from a beautiful waterfall and the sounds of what had to be wings.
Wings on what, though? It’s another world, another universe, another realm, anything could be possible; flying horses, magic, and, maybe, dragons! I smiled and pressed my lips together. I could completely disappear and start a new adventure . . . a new life.
If I left, though, would anyone know I was gone? Would anyone care? Would anyone look for me? When the realization of those answers settled in, I knew right then, it was time to leave. I can make zero friends on my own; I don’t need a stupid coven to continue to deny me that privilege.
Then air blew through the door when it opened, and in came Zelda, wearing denim fitted jeans, over knee boots, and a loose, black top. She looked stunning.
“Zelda?” I asked and frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“To get coffee, duh.” She took a seat next to me, then leaned in. “But that’s not really why I’m here.”
I lifted a brow, skeptical. “All right, so why are you here?” I then gasped and I brought my hands together with small, baby claps. “Oh, shit! The elders! They changed their mind!”
“Sh,” she ordered and brought her voice down to a whisper. “Not quite. I come bearing news, but it’s not what you want to hear.”
And just like that, I could kick myself for getting excited, again, over nothing. “What the hell do they have against me?”
Zelda sighed and crossed one leg over the other, then ran her fingers through her auburn locks. “Look, it’s not you, it’s them, okay?”
“Lame. Try again.”
“Okay, fine. They don’t want to see you. They can’t and won’t help you. Baba Yagoobizoomi said you’re on your own. Sorry, kiddo, but that’s their final answer.”
“Don’t call me kiddo. We’re almost the same age.”
She lifted her brow this time. I shook my head and picked up my drink. I took a long sip, savoring the flavor. I’d need something harder than this later.
“I don’t understand why they constantly turn me away. I’m a witch, just like you, and like them. I have powers. I can do things humans can’t. So, why? Tell me why, please!”
I hated begging but I wasn’t above it when it came to this. Never having had a family, a coven, or someone to call on when I needed them sucked large, sweaty, hairy, monkey tits. I didn’t even want to hear her reply. I felt my jaw twitch as I gritted my teeth.
“You know what? I don’t even care. I’m done with this shit, Zelda. Done! D. O. N. E, done!”
“Thanks for the spelling lesson, but, Cesha, trust me when I say you don’t want to be Baba Yaga’s bitch, okay?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to be someone’s bitch than to not even belong? Think about it. You have a life with people who care about you. You have the support of your coven. What do I have? I have shit!” I stood and picked up my MacBook. “I’m done with this conversation. I appreciate you coming, but I’m done and I’m leaving.”
“Where are you going?” she asked and stood with me.
“Does it matter?”
“Yeah, it does. Don’t run away because you hit a roadblock.”
“My entire life has been filled with roadblocks. I have no idea who my parents were. There’s no trace evidence anywhere of who I am or where I came from, other than a piece of paper with a dead woman’s name on it.”
“Harsh,” she muttered.
I sighed, then continued. “I basically just appeared out of thin air. And when I need help, I can never get it. So, I’m going to leave and say goodbye to this shit and go start over. I’ll find people who appreciate me and want me around.”
“Okay so now you sound childish.”
“Do I, though? Think about it. How would you feel if you were rejected from everything and everyone you ever wanted in your life?”
“Relieved?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’d never give up that baby of yours or your man. Don’t even pretend otherwise.” I turned toward the door and pushed through it.
“You’re right,” she said and followed me out. “I don’t want to live without them, but Cesha, people do care about you here. I care or I wouldn’t be here.”
I stopped just in front of my Porsche and my head lowered. I wanted to laugh, but I also didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Of everyone I knew, Zelda was the only one who’s ever treated me as a friend.
I looked over my shoulder at her. “Thank you for that, but I’m out of here as soon as I can get my things in order.”
Without arguing this time, she simply nodded, then walked in the other direction. I opened the door and put my computer in the backseat, then climbed in the front. Closing myself inside, I started up the car and sat there, gripping the steering wheel.
The elders still refused to assist me. Zelda had tried, but failed, to help me out. I couldn’t blame her for what had happened. The next client had a better offer right now: to find something precious.
I wish I had someone to call me precious. Shit, talk about mommy and daddy issues. I rested my head back on the seat and closed my eyes.
A tap sounded at my window, and I jumped in my seat. Power pulsed in my veins, ready to strike whoever was on the other side of my glass. When I looked, it was the stupid hipster from Starbucks who wore that ridiculous beanie.
I pressed the button to lower the window. “What do you want?”
He smiled and offered me a grande cup with a lid. “Consider it a peace offering. I saw you leaving and wanted to help make your day better.”
I frowned. “What’s in it?”
“White chocolate mocha. I asked the barista what you ordered and thought I’d bring you one.”
I wanted to smile, but gestures like this usually came with a price. “All right, what do you want?” I took the cup and sat it in the console next to me.
“A beautiful woman like you driving a car like this? I needed to come meet the sassy girl behind the wheel.”
I laughed and pressed the button to raise the window. “Thank you, but I’m not interested right now. Try again with some other desperate woman.”
“Call me?” he said and pointed to the cup.
I looked at it and he had Kyle written on it with his number.
Shaking my head, I put my Porsche in reverse. “Desperate is not becoming on you, Kyle. Goodbye. Thank you for the drink.”
I pulled out of the parking lot and, stopping for traffic to pass, I pulled the lid off the coffee, taking a long sniff; I wanted to know if Kyle had slipped something inside it. It didn’t smell weird, so that was good. I circled my finger over the top and felt the magic pulse through my veins. I swirled the contents and waited, but nothing pulled from the liquid. If there was poison or some type of date rape drug, I’d know. Detecting zilch, I put the lid back on and took a sip.
It was perfect. Poor Kyle. He’ll meet a nice girl one day, just not this girl. I may be wanting to be accepted, but I didn’t want a man who was desperate for affection. Needy shit turned me off.
Give me an aggressive male who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it. That was hot and what I liked in a man. And a shadow of a beard on his face. Strong, bare chest, and cleaned, manscaped manly bits. If I’m going to go down there for some tube steak, I don’t want to choke on a fucking hair ball.
As soon as the traffic cleared, I pulled out and headed toward home. I had a meeting with destiny soon, and a client to collect some extra money from.