“Uhm, Rina… This was kind of meant to be a private conversation.” I comment awkwardly, glancing at the now invited strangers approaching us.
“Sorry.” She says, but the casual shrug that follows definitely doesn’t scream apologetic.
“It’s just, Richard is probably the person you need to talk to. He’s spent more time with Solem than any of us. This is about Solem, right?” she confirms, looking between us. Lukas gives a tight nod but immediately narrows his eyes at the guy heading our way. Richard’s holding hands with the woman he was talking to before. She’s really cute, with tanned skin, soft brown hair, and big brown eyes that dart nervously between us. The moment she notices Lukas staring, Richard loops his arm around her waist protectively, tucking her in close. She gives a small, polite smile and clutches her coat tighter around her shoulders. That’s when it clicks in my head. Oh. Hold up. She’s a selkie. No wonder she’s shy. I’ve never actually seen a selkie out in public before. Their pelts, that coat thing she’s wearing, are everything to them. Lose that, and someone can control them. It’s no wonder she’s clutching it like her life depends on it.
“Hey, you’re a selkie!” Lukas blurts, almost excitedly. Oh my gosh, Lukas! The girl freezes up like he just threatened to steal her pelt right off her back. Richard’s eyes narrow dangerously, pulling her even closer, his whole posture screaming back off. Even Torin takes a half step toward us, his expression unreadable, but his body language clear, he’s ready to throw down if Lukas so much as breathes wrong. I realise, too late, how incredibly threatening Lukas’s comment probably sounded. It’s a well known fact that if you steal a selkie’s pelt, you control them. Lukas might’ve just been excited to meet someone unique, he’s that type of guy, but his enthusiasm definitely didn’t come across that way. I grab his hand and mentally yell at him.
*Dude, chill out a bit. You’re scaring her!* I lecture him silently, squeezing his hand like it’ll physically stop him from saying something worse. His eyes widen. Yeah, he definitely didn’t realise how his words sounded.
“Sorry.” I say aloud, trying to smooth things over.
“Lukas is just super blunt sometimes. He didn’t mean anything by that. He’s just curious about you. He is in no way looking to kidnap, enslave, or steal from you.” I add quickly, shooting Lukas a pointed look. Richard’s eyes don’t soften one bit, and I can tell he’s still mentally assessing how fast he could get Lindy out of here if he had to. But Lindy glances over at Rina, who gives her a reassuring nod. That seems to help, Lindy relaxes just a little and pats Richard’s hand gently.
“It’s okay.” She murmurs, her voice soft but steady. Richard lets up, but only slightly. His protective stance doesn’t falter.
“This is Clare, Laura’s cousin.” Rina adds, like that’s supposed to clear everything up. Lindy’s eyes light up a bit, though.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lindy… I like your hair.” She adds shyly. I grin, a little too relieved that we’re past the kidnapping vibes stage.
“Thanks, Lindy.” I gesture toward Lukas.
“Oh, and this is Lukas. If it makes you feel better, I’m pretty sure tons of people want to kidnap him and keep him as a minion or something too. At least I know Solem wants to.” I say almost jokingly. The room goes dead silent. Even Roxy stops panting and looks up at me, her head tilted to the side as if she’s asking ‘are you stupid?’ Lukas actually facepalms.
“What? It’s true…” I mumble awkwardly, shrugging like that somehow makes it better. Richard raises an eyebrow, his suspicion shifting from Lindy’s safety to us.
“What would Solem want with a witch? He has plenty of witches on his payroll. What makes you so special?” He remarks, eyeing Lukas carefully. Oops. Right. I forgot that Lukas doesn’t generally advertise his… Abilities. I was more focused on reassuring Lindy than remembering Lukas’s very complicated relationship with his mind reading powers.
*Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.* I think at him, squeezing his hand apologetically. He shrugs, letting out a soft breath.
“What’s done is done.” He replies softly. I’m relieved that he isn’t mad. Then he turns back to Richard, his voice calm.
“Solem wants me because my natural magic manifested as mind reading.” He explains. Rina’s eyes widen in recognition.
“Oooh, you’re the guy Laura’s mother wanted to set her up with when she kidnapped her!” She blurts out, like we’re just swapping gossip about mutual friends. I sigh. Yep. My relatives are crazy.
“I’d like it noted that I had no part or knowledge of that particular plan.” Lukas comments dryly, shooting me a sideways glance that’s equal parts amusement and please don’t hold that against me. Torin, who’s been quiet this whole time, suddenly speaks up from behind us.
“Did you read my thoughts? Last time you were here…” He asks, his voice low and measured. Lukas cringes slightly, and I barely resist the urge to flinch. I can’t read Torin’s expression or tone well enough to tell if he’s pissed, but it’s definitely a question that deserves an answer. Lukas takes a slow breath, then nods.
“Yes. I needed to be sure. I knew there was a demon involved in the problem we’re facing. I didn’t think it was you, but I had to be totally sure. I apologise for intruding. If it helps, I believe you’re trustworthy now. That’s why we’re here. Actually… I quite like you.” Lukas finishes, his tone genuine. Torin blinks, his expression flickering somewhere between incredulous and amused.
“You… Read my thoughts… And decided you like me?” He asks, totally shocked. Lukas nods, entirely serious. Rina grins, nudging Torin with her elbow.
“See? I told you. People like you when they get to know you.” She says warmly. Torin gives her a small, reluctant smile, shaking his head slightly like he still can’t believe the conversation he’s in. Then Rina glances around the nearly empty bar.
“If we’re gonna have a serious conversation, I should lock up.” She announces, already moving toward the front door. I glance around, realising that Lindy and Richard were the only other customers left. So now, it’s just us.
I follow Rina as she locks up, tapping her on the shoulder just before she flips the lock.
“I don’t want to be rude or anything.” I whisper, glancing back toward the group.
“But that guy, Richard… He’s keeping the selkie awfully close. He seems kind of… Possessive. Is she okay?” I ask, worried. She’s so small. Rina pauses, then smiles, thankfully, not offended by my nosiness.
“She’s fine. They’re together.” She explains, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Also, he’s super against the idea of slavery. He won’t hurt her. He’s just protective since, y’know, so many people aren’t so well meaning.” She adds. I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding. Okay. Good. I don’t know why I was so wound up about it, probably because Lindy does seem nervous, but I guess that’s just who she is. I mean, being a selkie probably means always keeping your guard up. Still, knowing she’s safe with Richard is a relief. Maybe I’ve just been too deep in demon contracts and necromancer nonsense lately to believe that anyone’s situation could be simple. When we return to the group, I stare in surprise. Torin, the literal demon Torin, is bent over, petting Roxy, who’s practically melting under the attention. He’s explaining something about how he and Rina adopted a kitten recently, and… Wait. Is he suggesting that Lukas should introduce the kitten to Roxy? I glance at Lukas, who’s nodding along, looking genuinely intrigued by this suggestion. Okay, what? I guess Torin didn’t take offense to Lukas reading his mind that one time after all. That’s a relief. But also… What is even happening right now? Is Torin the demon… A pet parent?
“I’m gonna start cleaning up.” Rina announces, cutting through my confusion as she starts stacking glasses and moving empty bottles around behind the bar. SHE doesn’t think there is anything odd going on here apparently.
“Why don’t you two explain what your demon problem is, and we’ll see if any of us can help? You said you wanted to help a friend, right?” She prompts. Torin reluctantly stops petting Roxy, who whines softly in protest, and moves around the bar to help Rina with the cleanup. Richard and Lindy settle into chairs near us, both of them watching quietly but with clear interest. I’m still trying to figure out how to start when there’s a soft creaking noise from the far end of the bar. My eyes dart over just in time to see something black and shadowy, like smoke with substance, slip up over the edge of the counter. A long limb reaches out, grabs one of the empty bottles, and then slides back down behind the bar as smoothly as it appeared. What the hell? I freeze, my brain trying to process what I just saw. Then there’s a crunching noise, like glass being ground into dust. I stare at the spot where the bottle used to be, heart pounding just a little faster now.
“Uhm… Did anyone else see that?”