Spells, should they wish to do the more powerful air magic, they are reliant on the Faerie to provide.
And now the whole of the Yeavering is in turmoil over the swift exits of some of the most powerful Faerie. When I say exits, I mean they were reaped by the Barghest and won’t be returning to this world, to rule over it or for any other reason.
The bakery Gloriana has opened is a distraction for the inhabitants of this strange, magical region, beyond the veil between here and the human world.
A human world infiltrated by the Faerie, offering their poisoned assistance to a world in disarray following a virus which threatened to wipe us out. Their cure came at the highest of prices. A life for a life. And that’s the reason I’m here.
“So these, suppliers”—I poke my tongue into my cheek—“would they be tall, with a beard and a cellar filled with wine? Possibly called Harold?”
Gloriana titters. I pour her out a cup of tea into a china cup painted with roses. I guess I have my answer.
“I’ll prep for tomorrow,” I say, pouring out my own drink and dropping into the chair next to her. “The peach melbas were very popular, so I’ll make some more.”
“You should get out and get some fresh air, rather than haunting this place,” Gloriana says. She puts her hand on my arm and gazes at me. “Guyzance is gone. No one has any hold on you, Kaitlyn. You are free. They won’t take you again.”
I’m sure I hear a growl, but it’s difficult to say if it’s coming from her or not.
“I know. It’s hard going from one reality to another, especially…” My words trail off.
“Because you can’t go home?” Gloriana heaves out a sigh, her big bosom lifting and falling. “I really wish it was possible. I know you want to see your sister. If there was any way I could help…”
I grab her hand and squeeze it. “You’ve done more than enough, giving me a home and a job. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay you.”
“I’ve told you time and time again, my sweet, you owe me nothing. It’s bad enough the Yeavering allowed any of this to happen to humans in the first place.” She gives me a big smilebefore getting to her feet and picking up a basket filled with baked goods.
“Enjoy your date,” I call after her.
Gloriana gives me a look which could freeze hell, but I’m used to it the same as she’s used to my sass.
“Witches do not go on dates,” she says before her handsome face breaks into a big smile. “But I’ll enjoy myself nonetheless.”
The door clatters shut behind her, and I’m alone in the bakery. I sip my tea and steel myself for the feeling to cover me once again.
It has to be the Yeavering getting to me. I’ve been through too much to be scared of nothing. I drain my cup and drop it into the saucer with a clatter before getting to my feet and pulling my apron back on.
Whatever spirits await me in the bakery, I will face them with a whisk and a sharp knife. Let’s see how they likethat.
KAITLYN
Ifinish cleaning up my work area, ready to get started first thing in the morning. Whatever has been creeping me out in the bakery seems to have gone, or I’ve managed to get a grip on myself. I’m hoping it’s the latter rather than the former.
The Yeavering is filled with everything which goes bump in the night, proving that all the fears humans have had through the ages were not merely figments of our overactive imaginations in a world without technology but, in fact, entirely true. Dragons, witches, warlocks, werewolves, ghosts and ghouls, faerie—they were all true.
Shame we’d fallen for the Victorian ideal of faerie being cute little creatures with translucent wings and filled with laughter and love.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The age-old tales from the North of England of cruel faerie queens and dangerous faerie hills where human infants disappear never to be seen again was the truth, and the modern world had dismissed it.
We thought we were too clever to be fooled.
We were wrong.
So there’s very little point being frightened of anything in the Yeavering. I’ve survived so far, and I’m still here, so whatever is trying to scare me, it isn’t working.
The door to the bakery rattles, and I peep out from the preparation room. A shadow moves past the windows in the street where we place all our tempting treats, now empty this time of day, and it disappears around the corner.
Instantly I’m running to the back door. Admittedly, locks can’t keep out all of the creatures in the Yeavering, but they can keep out enough to buy me time. I’m a human. I can’t do magic and until Gloriana comes back. I’m defenceless.
I hit the door with a bang and flick the lock. I have plenty of weapons (the whisk notwithstanding) which I can and will use if I need to.
