I’m not sure I’ll ever understand. Not when all I need runs through the veins of others.
And it’s the one thing I am unable to take, not until my mission is complete and I have killed the one thing which holds me spellbound.
KAITLYN
Yet again, I have the weird, skin prickling feeling I’m being watched. The bakery is as busy as ever, meaning I can concentrate on our customers and attempt to shake it off. We’re getting so many repeat clients as well as new ones, and this morning, there was a queue for the first time, which was exciting.
It certainly appears we are the place to be, as witches and warlocks stand waiting patiently, gossiping.
“Have you heard about the Bluecap?” one warlock with a beard which nearly reaches the floor says to his friend behind him in the queue.
“There are no Bluecaps in Moranick, Harry,” his friend says. “I’d know.”
“You don’t know everything.” One of the witches behind him chortles. “Even if you think you have the gift of the sight.”
“What I have,” the bearded warlock says, not looking behind him, “is the ability to listen and watch. If there was a Bluecap in Moranick, I’d know.”
“Then what attacked Rowland of Callay in the square last night? He swears it was a Bluecap.”
“Rowland is always drunk.” The bearded warlock barks a laugh. “You can’t believe anything he thinks he’s seen. He was seeing Duegar the other day.”
“He was covered in scales,” Harry says, his voice lowered slightly. “Bluecap scales.”
“What’s a Bluecap?” I ask as I finish with my last customer and turn to assist Harry the warlock, who has been in before and likes a large loaf with caraway seeds.
“They’re creatures of the mines and caves,” he says, tapping the bottom of the loaf. “Can I have two of these today?”
“Sure.” I pick a second one from the shelving behind me.
“That’s not all they are,” the witch who was talking to the two warlocks says. “Tell the little human what they do.”
“They’re assassins, in the main,” Harry says salaciously as I wrap up the loaves. “The ones who tend to appear, that is. It’s hard to know if they all are. But if you see a Bluecap outside their natural environment, the chances are you’re their next mark. Very dangerous, very violent, blood drinkers. We don’t want one in our town.”
“I doubt anyone would want to kill Rowland,” Harry’s friend adds. “Let alone drink his blood. It has to be forty percent proof.”
“He surprised it.”
“Then that settles it.” The bearded warlock folds his arms with finality. “There can’t be a Bluecap in Moranick. No self-respecting Bluecap would ever allow itself to be surprised.” He looks smug, and Harry huffs in annoyance.
“Two silver pieces.” I say, and he hands over the money.
“I don’t doubt what I’ve heard, and I’ll be locking my doors tonight,” Harry adds as he sweeps out of the shop.
Bearded Warlock shakes his head.
“Won’t do him any good if it really is a Bluecap. They can get through most locked doors. Shame he was never any good at locking spells.”
The witch behind him in the queue titters. “You are bad, Kevan.”
“Don’t you know it, Delores.” He manages a rather dirty wink and a leer under his beard.
I can’t help but smile at their flirting. It would appear every witch and warlock in this place is banging each other.
“What can I get you?” I return to a subject I’m more comfortable with.
By the time I turn over the closed sign again, I’m absolutely exhausted. But I have a burning question for Gloriana.
However, when I check the prep room and our parlour, there’s no sign of her. Her hat and cloak are missing, so I decide she must have gone out to arrange supplies…again. Instead I return to the shop and start sweeping up. I may as well get it done before I crash out with a cup of tea.
