“Give me a man or woman who has read a thousand books and you give me an interesting companion. Give me a man or woman who has read perhaps three and you give me a very dangerous enemy indeed.”

― Anne Rice, The Witching Hour

I think it’s safe to say, I had a great deal of anxiety over the opening of ‘House of Figs’ without my aunt present. The guys seemed to be proficient in their specific areas but I had doubts about whether they would be able to integrate into normal society.

However, given that they had already done so under Aunt Jo’s watchful eye, I was pretty sure that they were already good at ‘fitting in’.

But I was not yet convinced.

On top of which, I was essentially starting a new job and I had not done waitressing before.

It wasn’t an acceptable occupation in the home I grew up in.

Yet here I was, up at the crack of dawn, already downing pain killers to deal with the tension headache I’d woken with, trying to figure out what to wear. In the end I settled on comfortable jeggings and my walking shoes and a short sleeve white top. It was a neutral look.

When I came downstairs at a little past six in the morning, Rob greeted me.

“Good morning, Bethany St James. Query, how did you sleep?”

“Not great.” I admitted. “Rob, why do you always call me Bethany St James?”

He blinked. “It is your name.”

“I know…but it’s my whole name. You can call me Bethany or Beth…or some people call me Bet.”

He tilted his head in his rehearsed manner. “Query, which would you prefer?”

I shrugged. “Bethany is kind of an old style name and none of the nicknames I’ve ever been called seem to have made it any more modern.”

Rob paused. “That is not an answer.”

I laughed, more from nervous tension than anything else. “I suppose you’re right. Um…Bethany is fine.”

“Updating your personal file.” Rob blinked. “Done.”

“While we’re at updating,” I leapt at the opportunity, “can you do away with the ‘query’ at the start of every question you ask?”

Rob shook his head. “It is a function of my basic programming. I can update personal files to better suit my masters and work out of a model based upon their preferences, but I cannot change my base line programming. It is read only.”

I couldn’t help but giggle.

“Query, did I say something amusing?”

“I think I’m tired more than anything.” I admitted. “And nervous. Oh so nervous.”

“Quoting Johanne West, worrying will not change anything.”

Oh how true that was.

“So…what do I do?” I asked.

“I have laid out your work uniform and tools on this table.”

It was a cute denim apron with a halter tie around my neck and another tie around my waist. Next to it was a notepad and pen.

“Your function is to greet customers who wish to be seated and take their orders.”

“And get the orders to the right person behind the counter.”

Rob paused. “That is not necessary.”

“Huh?”

“Good morning all,” Bastian walked in with his usual flare, “bask in my presence.”

“Good grief.” I moaned and turned to him…then stared. “What are you wearing?”

“My uniform.” It wasn’t that what he wore was so shocking…just that it wasn’t what I’d seen him in for the past three days. Bastian wore stylish baggy jeans with embroidered graffiti over parts of them and a white, short sleeved t-shirt that showed off his impressive biceps. It was the first time since meeting him that his bare chest hadn’t been blatantly apparent. “Do you approve?”

I realised I’d been staring and blushed hard at the way he turned a pitiful query into a sensual remark.

“I…er…” I blundered. “What happened to your ears?”

His head of tawny, black locks remained but his ears had disappeared.

“I have some control over my form as long as I spend time in it in my world.” He leaned forward. “I have been running naked across the wild plains of Alte Fehde in anticipation of this moment.”

I had nothing to say to that, mostly because it conjured up images too damning for me to even be able to open my mouth.

“Werewolves lack subtlety of any kind.” Faelan arrived with Rafael. They were also dressed in jeans and t-shirts but while Faelan opted for a muted blue, Rafael wore black jeans and a black t-shirt. He looked almost normal. It was kind of weird.

“Are you able to control your form too?” I asked Faelan then gestured to his ears.

“I shall tie my hair in a manner that conceals them.” He explained.

“Oh…okay.” I looked at Rafael who gave me a withering glare.

“What?”

“Nothing,” I shrugged, “you just look so…normal.”

“Is that a compliment or an insult?” Rafael asked and I suspected he wasn’t curious so much as offended.

“Did Eustace come with you?”

“We are assisting Jet with the relocation of his equipment to this location.” Faelan explained.

“When we’ve got that set up, we’ll give Eustace a shout.” Bastian jerked his head. “Come on then.” He and Faelan and Rob left ‘House of Figs’. I hoped Jet was awake. He hadn’t seemed all that impressed at being roped into a job although I couldn’t see much wrong with it.

I glanced at Rafael who was behind the counter, fiddling with the coffee machine.

I didn’t really know what to say to him.

Anything I did say was always taken the wrong way.

I yawned, my poor night’s sleep catching up with me.

I heard the machine working and Rafael made a coffee. He put it on the counter.

“Drink this before you fall over.” He told me.

“Oh…” I cringed, knowing if I didn’t say something now, it would only be harder later. “Rafael, that’s really kind of you…but I don’t like coffee.”

He turned and stared at me in the most unguarded shock I had ever seen on anyone’s face.

It was a combination of horror, surprise and disbelief all rolled into one.

I rubbed my arm where goosebumps had risen.

“You don’t like coffee…”

I wished I’d waited until the others were back before dropping this particular bombshell on him.

“No.” I said softly. “I’ve never cared for it.”

Rafael looked at the cup and I wished I’d swallowed it whole rather than be honest.

“How can you possibly be related to Jo?”

At this my guilt fell away and I stood up straight. “Hey, I don’t know how it works in your world but in mine, you can be born into a family and never feel like you fit in or that you have anything in common with blood relatives.”

“Then how can you run ‘House of Figs’?” He accused with cold anger.

“I…I don’t know.” I blurted and his eyebrows sharpened at me. “But I’m going to try…and I’m going to need everyone’s help…cause if it went under and Aunt Jo woke up to find out her dream had died while she was sleeping…” I swallowed. “I don’t expect you to like me. Sometimes, more often than not, I don’t even like myself…” He made a small huffing sound, possibly a shallow gasp but I was too into my own thoughts to respond to it. “But I’m here and I’m trying…and I need your help.” I braved a look into his eyes. He was staring at the counter but he looked up when he sensed my gaze. “We don’t have to be friends but I’d like to at least be able to get along with you to make this place work.” I realised I was twisting the edge of the apron into a rumpled mess and let go, smoothing it down. “Do you think…we can do that?”

Just like he had reached out and put the coffee on the counter for me, my own words hung between us as a kind of peace offering.

“We can try.”

I breathed out in relief, nearly giddy. “Great.”

“Don’t expect me to suddenly become Mr Personality.” He warned.

“Oh I think we’ve got enough personalities vying for attention without adding another in.” I smiled. “Thanks, Rafael.”

He looked more uncomfortable with my gratitude than he did with my anger.

Thankfully at that moment, the others arrived with Jet and two boxes of gear.

“There are cars parked in the street and there’s a line at the gate.” Bastian announced.

My nerves returned full throttle.

“I shall assist with the set up of the equipment.” Rob announced and grasped both boxes with ease.

“Good morning.” I said to Jet who looked at me blearily. “Did you just wake up?”

He grunted something unintelligible and followed Rob upstairs. I bit my bottom lip and hoped fervently I hadn’t made a mistake.

“Bethany,” Bastian turned to me, “would you open the gate?”

“Me?” I blanched.

“Jo always did.”

“Oh…well…alright…” I walked out the front door, knowing that two groups of eyes were on me. There were the guys in the café and then there were the customers at the gate. I smiled as brightly as I could, hoping my smile would hide my nerves and unlatched the gate, using a small hook to keep it from swinging closed again and I turned the closed sign over. “Come on in.”

“Excellent.”

“Oh I can’t wait.”

“I need coffee.”

“About time too.”

The customers formed a line at the window. I slid around them, closing the front door behind me. Rafael was already busy.

“Do you need help?” I asked, sure I was supposed to be doing something.

“If I need help, I’ll ask.” He said brusquely.

The customers put their orders in at the window and Rafael worked quickly. There was a wave and pay machine which most people used to pay for their orders. Rafael was brisk about entering in the figures, sometimes asking a question of Faelan and Bastian behind him.

“Two lattes and a piece of carrot cake.”

“A half strength mochaccino.”

“I’ll have a full strength HOF special.”

“Me too and can I bundle that into a breakfast to go?”

I knew I was just standing there, watching but it was fascinating to see Rafael work making the coffees. He was able to do several orders at once, putting beans on to grind, opening new bags, frothing milk and sprinkling chocolate on the foam. He had a powerful rhythm about himself.

And then, as the orders contained some food items, Bastian or Faelan would slide cardboard serving containers up the counter, each one with the order nestled inside.

Rob appeared after fifteen minutes.

“Eustace has arrived and is with Jethro Robertson.” I made a mental note to tell Rob to refer to Jet as Jet and not his full name. I suspected the teasing would not go down well.

“Good, cause I’m running ragged here.” Rafael muttered.

“Apologies,” Rob stood near the counter but not behind it and picked up the wave and pay machine, “I am ready.”

If I thought Rafael was fast before, he was amazing now. With Rob handling the orders and payments, Rafael could concentrate on purely making coffee. The café filled with the rich aroma of roasted beans, frothed milk, coffee and as Bastian fired up his grill, toasted bread, bacon and eggs.

“Bethany,” Rob turned to me, “I have instructed a customer to wait for their order at the table on the lawn.”

“You want me to take it out to them?” I started, suddenly realising I had a job to do.

“Yes.”

Rafael put the coffee in front of me and Rafael made a breakfast roll that oozed a sauce or a chutney that made my stomach growl violently. I looked at Rob who nodded.

“I’ll take it through the side entrance?” He nodded again.

I picked up the order and headed out the side, avoiding the line at the window by going down the side stairs and walking on the pavers. On the lawn were some wrought iron chairs and tables that the guys had scrubbed clean. I found a young woman sitting there, on her phone.

“I believe this is your order?” I asked.

“That’s it. Thanks.” She stood up. “Oh…where’s Jo?”

“She’s not able to be here today.”

“Shame. Tell her Courtney said hi.” She took her order and left. I returned to the inside and the minutes ticked away until I opened the front door and allowed customers into the café. That’s when my job began in earnest.

“Welcome to ‘House of Figs’.” I said using the practiced line, thinking that I should have some sort of formal greeting. “Table for two?”

I led the couple to a table and tried to think of what I’d been asked when I had ever gone to a café or restaurant. It was the sort of thing I’d heard many times but never really thought about.

“Do you know what you would like or do you want to look at the menu?”

Thankfully they asked to peruse the menu so I went back to the door and seated someone else. As I was doing that, others came in and sat themselves. I was feeling a little overwhelmed and tried to work through the customers in the order that they had come in.

“I’ll have a long black.”

“Cappuccino for me.”

“Pancakes for two with syrup, figs and a side of cream.”

I scribbled all this down frantically and took it to the counter. “Rafael I need a long black and a cappuccino…”

“I know.” He said abruptly. “It’s coming.”

“Okay…” I turned and went down the counter to where Faelan had commandeered part of the stove top. “Faelan, I need pancakes for two…”

“I am aware.”

I faltered and turned to Rob. “How…”

“There is no need to convey the order,” Rob explained, “they heard.”

I thought about this. “They…heard?”

“It’s the ears.” Bastian chuckled nearby, assembling another of his breakfast rolls. “Even if they’re not on my head, I can hear just as well.”

“As can all of us.” Rafael announced. “Your coffees.”

“Pancakes for two.” Faelan called.

“Right!” I blurted and took the coffees to the table and then picked up the pancakes carefully. They looked like they ought to be displayed in a gallery of fine art, not deposited on a table to be cut apart. The pancakes were soft and fluffy, the syrup was drizzled in the shape of a heart while a small mound of fig jam was placed in the centre, a tuft of cream on the side and a mint sprig adorning it at its pinnacle.

Then I moved onto the next order. It was disconcerting to take an order and not deliver it to the guys behind the counter. I didn’t trust them for a number of orders, still returning to them to check but in the end, it took up valuable time and I had to trust their hearing.

And they didn’t get it wrong once.

I realised that my role was to get the customer to announce what they wanted and then, when it was prepared, take it to the table. Everything else was handled. Even when it came time to pay, the customers would approach Rob and he told them the total and handled their payment.

“Bethany,” Rob called me at one point, “we have a delivery.”

I looked out the window and saw a truck had parked out the front.

“I’ll go get Jet and Eustace?” He nodded.

I hurried upstairs and rapped on the door. “Jet? Eustace?”

They had turned Aunt Jo’s sitting room into a gaming haven. They had commandeered her TV and plugged all manner of consoles and controllers into it. Eustace was nearly rolling on the floor with laughter as his car ran off the road, off a cliff and into oblivion.

“He likes it when he crashes.” Jet said with a slightly strained expression.

“Then just let him play and you do your own thing. Oh…but there’s a delivery.” I looked at Eustace. “Eustace. There’s a delivery truck outside.”

“Oh! That’s my job!” He leapt up and ran out the door. Jet groaned and went after him. I followed, staying in the café but keeping an eye on them through the window. Two boxes were loaded onto a trolley and Eustace pushed them up the side path and then heaved them onto his shoulders. Jet made sure to get the trolley back to the delivery guy. Eustace opened the boxes like it was Christmas, scattering product everywhere. Jet sighed and set things out in order, neatly grouping them all into clusters of five.

“Order’s up!” Rafael barked and I blinked out of my reverie and went back to work.

The pace didn’t really slow until nine thirty where I guessed, half of the customers had to get to their jobs or whatever else they needed to do for the day. And while it wasn’t as frantic, there were just as many customers but they were more inclined to take their time, spending longer chatting after they’d eaten. Rafael wasn’t as busy at the window but the coffee orders still kept coming from the sit down customers.

I showed two women to a table at eleven.

“Would you like a moment to look at the menu?” I asked.

“I know what I’d like.” Announced the first one. “I want a ‘House of Figs’ lunch special, hold the onion and a side of chips with the homemade dip.”

“Something to drink?”

“Macchiato.”

“And what would you like?” I turned to the other woman.

“I’ll have a chai latte,” she glanced towards the counter, “and, could you ask the dessert chef if he still does the seasonal fruit caged heart?” I glanced towards Faelan who had heard her speak and nodded at me.

“He does.”

“Then I’ll have that.” She handed me the menu.

“You just want something sweet so you have a reason to compliment the chef.” Her friend said saucily. “I don’t think Chris would be too impressed.”

“Oh, and your lunch special is any less subtle?” The dessert lady retorted.

The first woman gave a half shrug then looked at me. “You don’t know, do you, if that sexy man at the grill is involved with anyone?”

“I…eh…that is…” I risked a glance at Bastian and while it was clear he’d heard the question, judging by his ‘cat that ate the canary’ expression on his face, he didn’t give me anything to go on. “I honestly don’t know.”

“Well,” she handed me a slip of paper with a phone number on it, “you tell him I’d happily have his boots beneath my bed any night of the week.”

I flushed bright crimson.

“Talk about tactless.” Her friend accused.

“The café was closed. I thought I’d missed my chance.”

“Ah…okay.” I turned and walked stiffly to the counter where Bastian was waiting for me, still with that look on his face. “That lady said to give you her phone number.”

“I’m getting quite a collection,” he chuckled and I felt exasperated, “but fear not, fair Bethany St James…my heart is already taken.”

I flushed again and went to stomp my foot.

“Can you not see that your attentions are making her, Bethany, uncomfortable?” Rafael snapped quietly in a way that only he could do. It was like his voice was a rapier, deadly and fast without being obvious.

Bastian put his hand over his heart then chuckled lightly.

“Again, my apologies. I see a beautiful woman…and I am undone.”

“I’m not beautiful and you are too well practiced at this to really expect me to believe you are sincerely ‘undone’.” I retorted and picked up the drink orders and, a few minutes later, I deposited their meals in front of them.

A young mum stood at the door with a child on her hip and one holding her hand. I went over to her.

“Is Jo here?” She asked.

“I’m afraid not.”

“Oh…”

“Were you here for a coffee?” The mum looked harassed and the children, a little wild and red cheeked.

“Jess Sloane,” Rob interjected, “please come in.”

“Only if…no…maybe not…”

“I already have your coffee order with the barista and babyccinos for Max and Peggy.”

“That’s very kind…as long as I’m not a bother…”

“Not at all.” Rob turned to me. “Jess Sloane sits next to the bookshelf.”

“Okay,” I nodded and walked them to the spot, “here we are.”

The oldest child, no more than two, squealed and pulled a box from the bottom shelf and immediately tipped out some blocks and toys. Jess put the baby on the floor and sank wearily into the chair.

I picked up the coffee and the two babyccinos which the little ones gulped down happily.

“Are you new?” Jess asked.

“I am.” I answered honestly.

“You look familiar.”

“Ah…I’m Jo’s niece.”

“Oh you’re Bethany!” Jess smiled and it lit up her weary face. “She talked about you a lot.”

I felt a twinge of guilt by that. “She was always thoughtful.”

“Very much so.” Jess drew a book out of her bag. “She loaned me this to read. I’ve only just finished it.” She handed it to me.

“Obernewtyn…” I paused. “I think I read this years ago.”

“Jo suggested I read it. It’s taken me weeks but I got there.” Jess gave a pathetic little shrug. “I’m not very good at reading but she said it was great and it really was.”

“I think it’s the first in a series.” I tapped the book.

“I think so.”

I hesitated then blurted. “Shall I find the next one in the series?”

“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother…”

“Aunt Jo would never consider someone asking for a book as a bother. In fact, I’m pretty sure I know where it is!”

The chronicles of Obernewtyn were a collection that lived on my shelf in my bedroom. I hadn’t read them all but I remembered reading some of them when I was young. I slotted the first book back on the shelf and grabbed the next one, taking it down stairs and handing it to Jess who grasped it.

“I’ll return it. I promise.” She vowed.

“Pardon the interruption,” Bastian suddenly appeared at our side, “but Faelan and I conspired to make something for the children. A bowl of chips with my homemade tomato sauce and the half cast mini donuts you loved the last time you were here.” He set the food on the little table.

“Thank you.” Jess’ eyes filled with tears.

Bastian smiled at her with rich warmth and not a hint of flirtation.

“It is, as always, our pleasure.”

By this stage the two women who had designs on Faelan and Bastian had finished their meals. The dessert lady, upon removing her jacket and exposing a rather plunging neckline, approached the counter where Faelan was working.

“That dessert of yours is the most amazing thing. Thank you.”

“I am pleased you enjoyed it. It does seem to be your favourite of all my creations.” Faelan replied politely.

She leaned on the counter. “I always feel a little bad about breaking the chocolate cage to get at the berries…but I suppose that’s a metaphor for a passionate heart to break through, isn’t it? I mean, rules are meant to be broken, right?”

“The breaking of some rules only damn us in the process of enjoying the forbidden fruit,” Faelan said almost a little too strongly then he softened, “however, in the case of my dessert, it would be a shame for the fruit inside to remain uneaten.”

The lady stood up and nodded and I didn’t sense she was discouraged.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Well…I look forward to breaking more cages.” She smiled at him and walked to Rob and paid for her meal. Bastian chortled and bumped Faelan on the side.

“Must you be so clumsy when I am working?” Faelan asked sharply.

“Must you be so obtuse when that woman was giving you the ‘come on’?”

“Must you always respond to every young woman as though they are a target?”

“Must I remind you both to behave?” I interjected and they both looked at me. “Faelan…you did know she was totally flirting with you, didn’t you?”

“Perhaps she simply liked my dessert.” The elf replied lightly.

Bastian snorted. “Elves…as passionate as a block of ice.”

“Werewolves burn with an eternal lust.”

“Bethany going back to her job before she knocks your heads together.” I muttered and walked away.

After half an hour, Jess left the café and I noticed that she didn’t pay. It wasn’t that she snuck out because she said goodbye to Rob and thanked him.

Later in the afternoon the pace slowed to a much more leisurely stroll from its frantic sprint. I asked if I could visit Jo, feeling bad about leaving while they were still working.

“We are more than capable of managing.” Faelan assured me.

“Go say hello to Jo for us.”

“And listen to the song of the machines.” Rob added.

“I will.” I removed the apron and hung it up, taking my jacket down and slipping it on.

“Bethany,” I looked at Rafael as he deposited a hessian bag that would fit in the palm of my hand on the counter, “coffee beans for Jo.”

“Thanks.” I smiled. “Alright. I’ll be back.”

At the hospital I checked the pot plant, talked with Dr Ishani briefly and made sure to leave the coffee beans near the plant so that the aroma could scent the air.

“Well, ‘House of Figs’ reopened today,” I told my aunt as I brushed down the blanket covering her, “I was worried it was going to be a disaster but the guys really worked well together. I think they could probably manage without me there to be honest. Oh, they all say hi and I know they can’t wait for you to come back. You are going to come back…aren’t you?” I glanced at her and bit my lip. “Anyway…it’s all going pretty well. I’ve even got Jet handling Eustace. Oh, you haven’t met him. He’s Gary’s useless and lazy grandson. I think he’s a bit odd but he’s not at all phased by fantasy characters entering our world. He even seemed to think it was normal…which makes him even odder. Anyway, I should probably get back but I thought I’d keep you up to date on everything.” I gave her cold hand a squeeze. “See you tomorrow. Enjoy your coffee.”

When I returned to ‘House of Figs’ I found Gary sitting at one of the tables enjoying a coffee and talking with Rob.

“Ah, feminine supreme,” he greeted me, “how we are in awe.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, hanging up my scarf.

“Oh, forgive an old man. It’s from a poem I once read about the way a woman’s charms could make anything happen…including getting my grandson off his backside.”

“He’s still on it to be honest.” I replied. “But having him here looking after Eustace is a relief.”

“If it just teaches him how to get up on time and go to bed at a reasonable hour, I’d be grateful.”

“How are things here?” I asked Rob.

“Operating within expected parameters.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Bastian, do you think I could get some lunch? I’m starving.”

“For the feminine supreme, I would move heaven and earth.”

“Keep that up and I’ll ask Faelan next time.”

I sat down at the table with Gary and looked at Rob. “What was with that woman before…Jess?”

“She is a woman your aunt befriended months ago.” Rob explained. “Jo recognised a lonely single mother who needed company and somewhere safe. She comes to ‘House of Figs’ twice a week usually.”

“And doesn’t pay?” I ate some chips. “I’m not worried, I’m just curious.”

“That is your aunt’s direction, that Jess and her children have somewhere to go where they will be fed and warm.”

“That was, I mean is, your aunt.” Gary looked embarrassed but I brushed away his slip of the tongue. “She is a nurturer.”

“Then I’m even more relieved we reopened ‘House of Figs’.” I nodded.

“Jethro, there you are.”

Jet stomped down the stairs. I don’t think he intended to sound as though he had an attitude, he was just heavy of foot. He nodded at his grandpa.

“Wait, Jethro?” Bastian beamed, his pointed canines showing and giving him a wicked grin. “Your name is Jethro?”

“Yeah.” Jet shrugged.

“Wow…how old are you?”

“The way he walks, about a hundred.” Gary stood up with a cracking of bones. “Straighten your shoulders or you’ll wind up like me and no good at all.”

Jet made a half hearted effort to repair his posture as he followed his grandfather to the door.

“We’ll see you tomorrow?” I asked him.

“Tomorrow…”

I sighed as they left then looked at the guys behind the counter. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to give him a job here. He doesn’t look very happy.”

“He will when he gets his pay.” Bastian cleaned up the pots and pans. “Elf, move your skinny butt. I’m not cleaning your dishes too.”

“These dishes are all yours.”

“Don’t think you can dump them all on me. You had to use some…”

“If you cleaned as you went, you would not have a mountain to do now.”

They bickered lightly as they cleaned up the kitchen. Rafael shook his head as he cleaned his beloved coffee machine.

“Are they always like this?” I asked him.

“What do you expect?” Rafael asked dryly. “One is a pure being, separate from humans, the other a human with an animalistic transformation. One does not eat meat and the other almost only eats meat. One is as subtle as a sledgehammer and the other, like trying to find icing sugar sprinkled on snow.”

“So they’re polar opposites,” I nodded, “fair enough. So where does that put you?”

“Me?”

“Not light like an elf, not dark like a werewolf…Eustace is all bubbles and excitement while Rob is sombre and sensible…”

Rafael wiped a glass mug clean and hung it up. “What does it matter?”

“Just…trying to get to know everyone I guess. Is that so wrong?”

He looked at me and I felt the progress I had made in tearing down the walls between us disappear as he erected a twenty foot high fence complete with flesh tearing barbed wire on top with the sharpness of his gaze.

“It would be unwise for you to presume to know me.” He closed the windows and latched them tight. “I am finished for the day.”

“Clocking Rafael off. Done.” Rob announced as Rafael left the building.

“Jeez…” I muttered. “Just when I thought we were starting to get along…”

“Know that Johanne West also found it difficult to relate to Rafael.” Rob assured me. “She often lamented that she could not breach his walls.”

“So what did she do?”

“She graffitied them.”

“Huh?”

“It was her way of explaining what she did. Your aunt was simply herself, warm, kind, generous, inclusive and bold.” Rob explained. “Eventually, it rubbed off on Rafael’s walls.”

“However, I believe I am correct is saying that though he was less hostile, Rafael has never truly warmed to anyone here.” Faelan admitted.

“I suppose when it comes down to it, I don’t really know that much about any of you.”

“You only have to ask…”

“I will do the dishes, go home!” I ordered Bastian who chuckled deeply.

“Aw, home time already?” Eustace lamented as he ambled into the room.

“Have you watered the plants?” Faelan asked, removing his apron.

“Yes,” Eustace said in a resigned voice, “I promise I watered all of them. Then I crashed a million times on the game!” He looked around, disappointed. “Isn’t there anything I can do?”

“I need help with the dishes.”

“I can do those, Bethany.” Rob insisted.

“Well…what if Eustace washes, I dry and you put them away?”

It wasn’t exactly what Eustace had in mind of something to do as I could tell he was itching to burn off some energy. He was very good at getting distracted and I had to redirect his attention multiple times. It wasn’t that he did it begrudgingly like Rafael would have. There was no doubt he was willing and able but perhaps not the most focused.

When the dishes were done and Rob made sure Eustace got home, I had some quiet time to myself. I would have watched a movie but didn’t dare touch the set up Jet and Eustace had constructed. Rob assured me he did not require company and was more than comfortable in the office.

I was physically exhausted but my mind was a whirl.

“My first day at ‘House of Figs’.” I mused. “Much nicer than any of the temp work I was doing in those firms.” My phone pinged and I glanced at it. Casey was putting my suitcases on the train in the morning. They would arrive in the afternoon. “I’ll go visit Aunt Jo and then head to the train station to pick them up after work.” I decided and yawned. “I’m so tired now…but it’s been a great day. Maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to figure this thing called ‘life’ out, leaving behind the old and starting fresh.”

Part of me was undeniably hopeful about this.

Another part, one that had gotten used to things going wrong, sat in a corner without saying anything waiting for the world to up end itself and prove me wrong…

Knowing more about how things operated in ‘House of Figs’ I slept much better and woke without a headache. My clothing situation was lamentable but I reassured myself that by tonight, I would have a full wardrobe. When I went downstairs, three out of five of the guys were already there. Rafael was tending his coffee machine and shuffling milk around, Bastian was writing his specials on the blackboard and Rob, because he never left, was laying out my apron, note pad and pen. I put the apron on and look at the notepad.

“Why bother writing it down if you can all hear the orders?” I asked.

“To give the veneer of a normal café run by average people.” Rob explained.

“As if anyone could mistake me as average.” Bastian tutted.

“This is true.” I shook my head. “Those women yesterday…is that normal?”

“The werewolf receives a phone number or less than subtle invitation to a ‘date’ at least once a week.” Faelan announced, walking into the café.

“What can I say?”

“Nothing at all hopefully.” Faelan turned to me. “I apologise for my lateness. I had…things to do.”

“It’s okay,” I assured him, “I mean, you have a life, don’t you, in your world? You’ve got to spend some time there.” I turned to the others. “Well, apart from Rob, you all have lives to live, right?”

“We do.” Bastian confirmed.

“Then how can you spend so much of your time here?”

“Six or seven hours…that’s a pretty good work day.” Bastian shrugged.

“But aren’t you a werewolf alpha? Doesn’t that mean you ought to be, I don’t know, lording it in Alte Fehde?”

“I am perfectly capable of managing this position as well as leadership of my clan.” Bastian assured me firmly.

“It is also worth noting that time does not turn at the same pace in the other worlds as it does here.” Rob added.

“A bit like Narnia then?”

“Not that extreme for time does indeed pass,” Rob explained, “however, seven hours here might only be three in Faelan’s world.”

“Or two in mine.”

“I still have so much to learn.” I murmured, feeling my phone buzz. “That’ll be Casey. Sorry.” I answered the phone, moving to a quieter corner, far from Bastian and Rafael’s clattering. “Hey Casey, so suitcases are on their way?”

“Yep. You’ll be fully clothed and not have to run around in a towel anymore.”

“Right, like that’s going to happen. Weren’t you going to text me the tag authorisation?”

“I was…but you won’t need it.”

“Why not? They won’t let me collect my bags if I don’t have the code.”

“Oh…I’m going to spoil the surprise.”

“What surprise?”

“You don’t need a code because the person who is bringing the bags has it on their ticket.”

I paused. “Case, are you bringing my suitcases up here?”

“No…Eden is.”

All the blood drained out of my face and I immediately felt hot and sticky.

“What?” Instantly I was aware of the eyes of everyone in the café looking at me with concern, well…Rob was looking at me emotionless but the others were definitely curious. “Hold on, let me just go outside.”

I slipped out the front door and onto the lawn. “Casey, what do you mean Eden is coming?”

“He came over last night and saw me packing your suitcases and said he was planning to visit you and would take care of your bags. What’s the big deal?”

I closed my eyes. “I broke up with him two weeks ago.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Then what’s he doing coming round here pretending that you’re still together?”

“Did he actually say that?” I was horrified.

“Well…he didn’t really say anything…I opened the door and said hello and he immediately spotted the bags and we went from there. I didn’t think to ask him if you guys were still a couple. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because all that stuff with my dad happened, then I got the key to ‘House of Figs’ and found out my aunt is in a coma...I just…” I felt tears of self pity well up inside of me and had to swallow them down. “It wasn’t working out and I had to get out of it.”

“And I just sent him straight to you.” Casey swore. “Bet, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know, truly I didn’t.”

“No, I know. I never thought he’d do something so underhanded like this.”

“Well, when he arrives, just give him the big shove and be done with it.”

My knees felt weak. “Yeah, that’s all I have to do.”

“I’ve got to go…let me know how it all turns out, okay? I’m really sorry, Bet.”

I hung up and took a few big, deep breaths in. I didn’t need to be going back into the café looking like a complete mess.

I turned around and jumped out of my skin to see all five guys standing on the veranda.

“What?” I demanded rather than asked, going on the defensive.

“We became…concerned.” Faelan explained.

“The stresses in your vocal range were much higher than normal.” Rob explained.

“Who is Eden?” Eustace asked.

“You were listening in on my conversation?” I exclaimed. “Whatever happened to not eavesdropping?”

“We can hardly help it when our ears are so sensitive.” Faelan excused.

“You’d have to be on the other side of Glenwilde for me to not hear you call for help.” Bastian boasted.

“You could whisper at that distance and I would still hear you.” The elf was not to be outdone by the werewolf.

“Across the street for me,” Rafael shrugged, “and these two are exaggerating…but not by much.”

“So, who is Eden and why is he coming here?” Bastian asked.

“He’s…a friend,” I stammered, “and…he’s bringing my suitcases up from the city.”

“Query, does friendship often cause high levels of stress?” Rob asked.

“No, I would wager it does not.” Rafael said darkly.

“Look, it’s none of your business.” I walked up the stairs and pushed past them. “He’s coming with my suitcases and I’ll meet him at the train station. End of discussion.”

My words seemed to halt their concern. I wish it had had the same effect on me. Any few seconds of space to think in my day immediately focussed on Eden coming to Glenwilde. I prayed that ‘House of Figs’ would be ridiculously busy and that I wouldn’t have to think about him at all.

Fortunately word had spread that the café was up and running and the place was packed. The line up for coffee was even longer than before and I didn’t even bother with the façade of taking orders to the guys behind the counter, forced by necessity into trusting that they would hear the order and fulfill it accordingly.

And yet, every time there was a pause, back came the worry about facing Eden.

With damning inevitability, two o’clock came around. I knew, if I wanted to reach the hospital within visiting hours and then onto the train station, I’d have to leave now.

My heart felt heavy as I pulled on my jacket and wrapped my scarf firmly around my neck.

“Are you sure you don’t need me here?” I asked Rob.

“I am capable of managing without your presence at this time of day.” He said. I know he was being factual but it felt a little like I just wasn’t needed or even wanted. I had to shake off my fragile emotions, realising that Rob would not mean to hurt me.

“I shall accompany you.” Bastian announced, wiping his hands.

“Uh…no.” I blundered. “Why?”

“You have suitcases to carry, do you not?”

“I’ll have Eden to help me.”

“Even I heard those vocal stresses.” Rafael frothed milk, pouring it into a takeaway cup.

“Stop reading me.” I gritted my teeth. “I don’t want anyone coming with me, okay?”

“We shall abide by your word.” Rob nodded.

“Good.” I went to go but Rafael stopped me, handing me the cup. “I’m sorry but I really don’t like…”

“It is hot chocolate,” Rafael interrupted, “with five mini marshmallows.”

I put my hand around the cup, grasping it as the same time as he. “Aunt Jo always put five in.”

“I know.” My fingers lightly touched his and he drew back quickly. “You have not had enough to eat today. The sweetness of the drink will give you some energy.”

“Thank you.” I smiled. “That’s very kind of you.”

Rafael seemed flustered by my gratitude and turned his back. I caught sight of Faelan nodding as though in admiration and Bastian sniggered silently to himself.

I sighed and left the café. The sun was out but its warmth did little to chase away the chill inside of me. The hot chocolate was delicious and I drank it all my the time I reached the hospital grounds.

“Hi Aunt Jo,” I said as I entered her room, “how are things?”

She lay silently in her bed. I sank onto a chair.

“I really wish you were awake.” I murmured. “I suppose if you were, I wouldn’t be here…but then if I wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have met all these rather unusual guys and seen ‘House of Figs’ in action…I wouldn’t have begun to feel safe.” Tears stung my eyes and I gritted my teeth again. “I let down my guard. How could I be so stupid? I thought I was safe…even with a dragon, a vampire and a werewolf under the same roof. I thought I could pick up and leave my old life behind me…but it’s coming here. Oh gosh…I know it’s old fashioned…but I just want a knight in shining armour to save me.”

I had to grab tissues and wipe at my eyes. “Stupid damsel in distress complex.” I breathed out and tried to regain some control over my emotions. The last thing I needed was for Eden to see my red, puffy eyes. “I don’t suppose you could wake up now and give me an excuse not to go?” I asked her still form then cringed. “Right, sorry, that wasn’t a selfish request at all, was it?”

I procrastinated so long before leaving that I had to jog to the train station and reached it just as the train was pulling up. I stood on the platform with my arms wrapped around myself for protection as well as warmth. I began to pray over and over that he’d gotten out at the wrong stop or not bothered to come at all.

However, just as I was starting to taste the hope, Eden emerged from the carriage to my left…

…and all my resolve deserted me like rats fleeing a sinking ship.

“Bet!”

“Eden…”

He was a pretty good looking guy with surfer blonde hair that was dark at the roots. He liked his brand name clothes so everything he wore was excellent quality and very fashionable. He wasn’t much taller than me but when he came forward to embrace me, he put his arms around my shoulders and it felt like possession rather than a hug.

“How are you my little Bet Bet?” He asked. “I’ve missed you.”

“Yeah, uh…” I disentangled myself and stepped back. “What are you doing here?” It was meant to be a question but in my tense state, it came out like an accusation.

“What kind of a question is that?” He asked casually. “Shouldn’t a boyfriend come and spend time with his girlfriend?”

“Uh…” My brain became muddled. I never knew quite which way I was to address his questions. “Eden…we broke up.”

“No, you broke up with me.”

I blinked. So he hadn’t misunderstood the text or just not received it. I knew it had been the cowards way out but in his presence, I turned into a jabbering wreck. Yet, judging by his words, he hadn’t misinterpreted the message.

“Then I don’t understand…”

“I never broke up with you.” He said with serious intent. “Beth, you think I couldn’t see what was happening?”

“What was happening?”

“You’d lost your mum, your dad went and got engaged and just announced it to you rather than asking and you broke up with me. You were reeling. I knew I shouldn’t take it personally.” He gave me a smile that did nothing to warm my chilled soul. “You really think I’d give up on us so easily?” He ruffled my hair.

“Well, no, but it’s just…I…”

“What did you do to your hair?”

I froze, recalling one of our disagreements before we’d broken up.

“I cut it off…right after I sent that message. I knew you’d hate it.” I blurted.

Eden gave me another smile and shook his head. “I still love you no matter what you do to your hair.” He put his arm around my shoulder. “Let’s get your bags.”

And just like that I was back in a relationship with Eden. In his mind, we had never really broken up. I knew I should stand up for myself. I knew I ought to tick him off but every time I tried to argue with him, it felt like I was wading through mud. I always came away the guilty party. I didn’t know how to combat that.

The bags were being unloaded onto a conveyor belt that squeaked a little as it went round like a small merry-go-round for suitcases. I was so shellshocked that I didn’t even look for my bags.

“Ah, there we are.” Eden picked up a dark red bag.

“That’s not mine.”

“Oh I know. It’s mine. I had to bring something to wear.”

Now I was even more alarmed. The bag he’d brought was not an overnight bag. It was large enough for a short holiday.

“How long were your planning on staying?” I asked.

“I came all this way to spend time with you. Do you really think I’d take off the very next morning?”

I gaped and blundered, sinking into a familiar pit of inadequacy.

“There’s one of yours.” Eden picked it up. “Oh, there’s the other one.”

I saw the blue case ambling around on the conveyor belt. I sensed no movement from Eden to go get it. Sighing I stepped forward and put my hand on the handle then felt a warm, decisive presence behind me.

“I’ll get that for you, princess.” The scent of spices and a wild wind through dried grasses swept across me as Bastian, who had appeared out of nowhere, picked up my case with ease.

I turned, taking in his handsome face. “What…”

“Please forgive my tardy arrival. I should not have waited so long in coming.” His words were so strong and firm I almost felt like he was embracing me. “Shall we go?”

“I…”

“Who are you?” Eden asked, stepping close.

“I am Bastian Wolfgang.” The werewolf greeted, standing by my side.

“He works for my aunt.” I explained hastily. “He…came to help me with my bags…”

“Why would you do that when you knew I was here? Unless you don’t trust me?” Eden’s words carried faint accusation amidst the guilt.

“Bethany did not ask. She need not. I would always be there for her.” Bastian’s words carried much more meaning than he was saying. Eden immediately got the message, folding his arms and looking at me.

“Bet, you’ve been through a lot,” he said kindly yet my heart lurched back even as he took my hand, “and I don’t blame you for needing comfort in someone…but that’s why I’m here. We’re meant to be, Beth. I’m not going to let go of you, not when you need me the most.”

“You say one thing but you mean another.” Bastian lifted his chin. “Where you offer comfort, all I sense is containment. Where you offer love, you mean obligation.”

“Hey, pal, regardless of what you ‘read’ into the conversation, I am talking to Beth, not you.” Eden hoisted two cases into one hand and grasped my hand. “Come on Beth.”

“She is not leaving with you.” Bastian said and I could sense his words darkening and his confidence was overwhelming to the point of arrogance.

“You don’t have a say in the matter. It’s up to Beth. Let’s go.”

“Release her hand…”

It was a love triangle…but it was as though I was a fifth wheel. I didn’t belong there at all. I could have been wallpaper or a park bench for all they were concerned. I listened to their arguing back and forth, stunned that Bastian was there at all.

And not just stunned…I was angry.

I’d told all the guys not to come.

I was furious that he’d not respected my wishes.

“Shut up the pair of you!” I suddenly snapped, yanking my hands out of their grasps. “Bastian, you have no right being here. None whatsoever. I told you I didn’t need help and I didn’t want you or any of the others with me. Now give me my damn suitcase!” He looked at me blankly and handed the case over. I grasped it then turned and saw the smug look on Eden’s face…and suddenly the mud I had been wading through was baked with my ire and I was standing on solid ground. “Eden, give me my suitcase.”

“Don’t you want me to carry it?” He asked but the ground stayed firm beneath my feet.

“No. More to the point, I don’t want you here.” I huffed, my body trembling out of rage or fear I wasn’t sure. “I broke up with you. Our relationship is over, whether or not you think it ought to be. I don’t want to be your girlfriend anymore. In fact, I haven’t for a long time and you know something else? I love my short hair. I’m so glad I cut it all off. It felt like I was cutting you out of my life. Stop texting me and stop trying to get back into my life.”

Eden looked at me, hurt on his face but anger in his eyes. “So I’ve come all this way for nothing? You won’t even do me the kindness of trying to make it work?”

“No.” I replied. I could see my one word reply was throwing him. He looked like he was floundering for something to respond to. I grasped the handle of my case and yanked it out of his grip, holding onto both cases. “Go home, Eden.”

“There are no trains at this hour. You’re just going to leave me here with no accommodation and no place to go after I spent money on a ticket to come see you?”

It was like all the double talk had been stripped away and I could hear the real Eden.

“I never asked you to come and you should not have assumed, or deceived, Casey into giving you my cases. Your current situation is your responsibility and yours alone. You are not part of my life anymore.”

I carried the cases to the ramp that led off the platform and trudged down it as best I could. I didn’t look back and I didn’t look round. I walked with my face turned forwards, not giving either of them the slightest hint of weakness.

However, my pride lasted longer than my strength. Eventually I had to stop to flick out the wheels on the cases so I could drag them along. One of them wouldn’t work so I pulled one while lugging the other. I was so intent on getting as far away as possible, I didn’t notice Bastian until he was beside me, taking the dodgy case out of my hand.

“Give it back.” I barked.

“Eden can no longer see you. You’ve made your point.”

“Obviously not well enough. Give it back!” I was infuriated by the look on his face. “What the hell were you thinking? I told you not to come!”

“And I disagreed but I was respectful enough of your wishes to stay out of sight…until I saw that you were becoming ensnared in that whelp’s clutches again.”

“So, what? You think it’s your right and duty to sweep in, acting like I’m a damsel in distress?”

“I rather like to think of it as a personal service.”

“You’re as bad as Eden!” I cried, sure I was making a scene but beyond caring. “Why didn’t you listen?”

“I did. I heard the way he spoke to you, the way you became less and less in his eyes until you were withered and belittled.” Bastian gazed at me strongly. “I knew you needed my help.”

“You made me look weak!”

“No,” he denied, “I made you realise that you are not weak.”

“You are so full of yourself!” I stormed up the road and across a park area where I had to follow a path or the suitcase would become bogged in the grass and dirt. “I got myself out of that situation, not you! You did not rescue me today. You get no credit for it whatsoever.”

“While you did get yourself out of it, and bravo too by the way,” Bastian chuckled darkly, “I was the catalyst that made you stand up.”

I made a growling, angry noise and turned on him. “You did nothing except nearly start a fight!”

“Over you.”

“I’m not worth starting a fight over!”

Abruptly his hands were on my skin, cupping my cheeks, turning my face towards his, so close it was as though I could feel the heat of his eyes that looked like two setting suns.

“Yes you are,” he said and my heart trembled in a way that sent warm tendrils of pleasure out to my fingertips, “and in that moment, you suddenly realised it. You are not a trinket or a prize or a slave to another’s whim and belittling. You realised that you are valuable…and things that are valuable, are protected.” He drew back ever so slightly and I finally had the presence of mind to breathe. “Whatever boundaries you had when entering into the relationship with him would have quickly eroded…but today you put them back and stronger than ever…because you are precious.”

“You’re still making me sound weak.” I pulled back, alarmed at the heat between us.

“No, not weak. Precious and valuable.” He heaved the case he had onto his shoulder and took mine out of my hand. “I’ll suffer any ire of yours for you to discover that.”

His stride far outpaced me. When I arrived at ‘House of Figs’, Bastian had already gone inside and put my cases outside my room. The cafe was quiet, everyone except Rob having gone for the day.

“Would you care for a meal?”

“I can cook…” I said without conviction, still trying to make sense of the way I was feeling.

“I have already prepared something in anticipation.”

Rob, knowing that he couldn’t taste if something was sweet or sour, salty or spicy, tended to make bland food. The spaghetti was pretty bland but I added some salt and pepper and a little parmesan on top which improved it greatly.

I ate in the café, feeling alone in the large space, my mind still whirling from everything I’d said and done and what I’d heard.

“Rob?” I called.

“I am here.” He emerged from the pantry. “I was performing a stocktake.”

“Sorry to interrupt.”

“I will not forget where I am up to. Query, do you require anything?”

“Oh, no…do you need help? I feel like I ought to be doing more.”

“Unlike humans, I am able to process wages, stock amounts, orders, bookings and totals all at once.”

“Now I really feel useless.”

Rob tilted his head. “But…this is what I am capable of so I do it.”

“Yes but…oh I don’t know.” I poked the last of the pasta around the bowl. “Shouldn’t I be doing more work?”

“Query, what work?”

“Something more?”

“You are already fulfilling your function to the best of your abilities.”

I sighed. “I guess I don’t really know what I’m asking. I just don’t feel like I’m doing enough here.”

“You are fulfilling your function.”

“And what if I wasn’t here?”

“Then we would adapt.”

My shoulders slumped. “You see…you could get by without me.”

“Yes we could…but I would not like to try.” Rob explained. “You are…a linchpin.”

“What am I?”

“It is a small part in a larger whole. It makes the whole function.”

“You just said you could get by without me.”

“Again, I would not like to try.” Rob picked up my bowl and cup. “We are imitators of humans or deformations of humans…or creations anthropomorphised into human form…but we are not human. You are. You are the reason we are here.”

“I suppose some of that makes sense.” I collected my cutlery and took it to the sink. “I just think it would be so much easier if I was as tough as a werewolf, steely like a vampire, as logical as a robot, as serene as an elf or just saw the fun in things and laughed more…like Eustace.” I scrubbed the utensils clean. “I am just me. I may be a linchpin but I’m still not all that important.”

“Query, would you prefer to be needed or wanted?”

I blinked, thinking it over. “Needed or wanted…it’s nice to be needed.”

“Query, what happens when need is met?”

“I…I don’t know really.”

“I do. I was unneeded for three years.”

“Those years you spent in a cupboard?” Rob nodded stiffly. “Maybe they just forgot?”

“When a need arose, I would have been remembered. But I was unneeded and so, I was alone. You are needed here, Bethany,” the way he said my name, I kept expecting him to finish with ‘St James’ but he never did now, “but you are also wanted. You are valuable to us.”

I stared at him, his words echoing what Bastian had said.

“I’m valuable?”

“Indeed. Query, may I return to my stocktake?”

“Yes, sure. I’m probably going to go to bed.”

“Sweet dreams, Bethany.”

I watched him go. “Rob?” He turned to me. “Can I change my preference in your profile of me to have you say my full name. I think I prefer it.”

He blinked. “Preferences updated. Sweet dreams, Bethany St James.”

His words made me smile.

“Sweet dreams, Rob.”

I had a shower, finally becoming used to using a tiny drop of shampoo for my hair now that it was short rather than the dollop for when it was long. I had received quite a few criticisms or questions about the wisdom of my choice, saying that surely in winter, I would want it long. But I’d needed to make a change and I’d always loved the pixie cuts on the women in catalogues so thought I’d try it.

It was actually more convenient in winter because it dried so fast. I gave it a good tousle with the towel which made it wilder than usual then dressed in my pjs and went to my room. I unpacked the clothes, relieved to have so much more choice with my wardrobe. Then I made the decision to actually put things into the chest of drawers and wardrobe in the room. I’d been living out of my overnight bag or the pile on the floor since I’d arrived. Putting it away felt good, like I was making a choice.

“I suppose up until now, I’d just been going with the flow. Today was the first day I put my foot down really.”

The arrogance of Bastian’s claims of having been a part of that made me clench my jaw.

“Of all the nerve…” I muttered, shoving the cases beneath my bed. “He’s just so…so…”

Words failed me so I sat on the bed. Oddly enough, I wasn’t all that tired.

I felt…lighter.

After I’d broken up with Eden via text, I’d felt relieved but never entirely sure how he would react. He had continued to message me just as he had before, as though I’d never ended it. I’d done what I always did when faced with confrontation. I avoided it, ignoring his texts, hoping he would figure it out and leave me alone. But since the argument at the train station, there hadn’t been anything.

I checked my phone just to make sure but there really was nothing…except a message from Casey asking me how it went.

I let her know that I’d finally had the guts to set him straight.

“On your own? Without backup? Go you!” was the reply.

I felt a twinge of guilt.

I hadn’t been on my own. Bastian had been there with me.

And, I suppose, despite his infuriating manner, he had sparked the anger that made me protect myself by putting up boundaries.

I recalled the argument and realised that he hadn’t objected or responded when I’d cut him down in front of Eden. He’d simply handed the case over to me. Eden had tried to hang on and weasel his way back into my life but Bastian had accepted the cut…up until he’d taken both cases off me and carried them back to ‘House of Figs’.

The memory of his hands on my face was both thrilling and unsettling. I knew he was an outrageous flirt but in that moment there had been real heat coupled with uncompromised sincerity.

Had I had him pegged wrong this whole time?

That didn’t seem right either.

The wind blew the fig tree and it scratched at my window. I had a compunction to go out and sit on the swing with it for a while. I had my own dressing gown and ugg boots so I dressed warmly and went outside.

The swing was one of those iconic wedding photograph locations. It hung from the branches of the fig tree just out of sight from the front of the property. The fence at the front turned the corner and then became a more rambling, slightly ruinous wall with hedges and creepers keeping intruders out with their thorns yet adding a mysterious something to that corner. Aunt Jo had encouraged the foliage to run almost wild and in the shade of the fig tree which blocked the afternoon sun, its atmosphere was layers upon layers of shadows and the swing simply rested in the peace and quiet.

It made me think of ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett and when I swung on the swing, I imagined I was Mary Lennox, trying to rediscover myself in a strange new world in a garden that had long been forgotten after it was locked up tight.

I sat on the swing, my feet able to reach the ground when they once had been too short to. I gave myself a slight push and let my momentum take me over the roots of the fig tree where they dipped down across the pavers almost completely covered in moss and the dull bushes that would bloom into a dozen different colours in spring.

It was almost completely quiet except for the light creak of the swing rope. Aunt Jo wouldn’t have a nasty, squeaking chain. The swing was held up by two ropes and vines climbed down from the fig tree to wrap around them, giving it an organic feel. The swing was a wide board with plenty of room for me even as an adult to sit on it, a carved wood back and sides adding to the decorative feel.

I closed my eyes and listened to the crickets and the light rustle of leaves.

I yawned and opened my eyes.

“I should probably go to bed.” I mused and went to stand up. It was then that I noticed a shape nestled in the ridges of the tree, leaning against its bulk. “Huh?”

“Kismet beneath the branches of the noble fig.” Bastian’s eyes glowed in the dark, his arms folded across his chest, one knee bent, his foot pressed against the tree.

“What are you doing here?” I gasped, clutching at my dressing gown. “I thought you’d gone home.” His eyes remained fixed on me. “Are you keeping an eye out in case Eden shows up?”

“Ha,” Bastian shook his head, “no, that whelp knows his game no longer works on you. He’s beaten.”

“I didn’t do it to be cruel.” I protested, guilt washing over me.

“I didn’t say you did.” Bastian pushed himself upright and I saw a tail, that had been cushioning his recline, appear from behind him. It was bushy in the same tawny and black hues as his ears which had reappeared on his head. It draped behind him, twitching now and then to show it wasn’t an affectation. It was real. “Men as broken and needy as Eden break down the morale of women and make them dependent upon them, almost to the point of slavery.”

“He wasn’t like that,” I defended him then sank onto the swing, “not in the beginning.”

“You don’t strike me as one who has no taste or judgement.” Bastian walked around to stand in front of me. “He must have caught you at a vulnerable moment.”

“Can you not…”

“Not what?”

I put my head in my hands. “Stop reading me like that.”

“I am a werewolf.” He replied without apology. “This is how my kind have survived, by learning to hone our instincts and read humans, the way they smell, the way they sound…”

“I must sound pretty pathetic then.” I muttered and looked up. “He wasn’t like that, Eden I mean…not in the beginning. He was…my mum had just died after a short and futile battle against cancer. Eden was one of the other temps in the office I was assigned to. He came to the funeral and I…didn’t want to be alone. And for a while it was good and then…I started to feel like I was suffocating around him, that I was miserable but I felt terrible because he was always so nice…”

“No, not nice.” Bastian shook his head.

“No, not nice…not kind. Everything was always my fault and if there was any lack on my part, he always made up for it…”

Bastian leaned in, one hand on the swing, his heat mingling with mine.

“And what kind of lack could you possibly have, princess?”

I sighed in exasperation. “You know what…I don’t know how to handle you!” I stood up and glared at him. “You come on so strong…”

“I did not think you found it so repulsive…”

“Look,” I put my hands on my hips, “that woman in the café who would have happily thrown herself at you given the slightest encouragement…I’m not like her.”

“I know.”

“In truth, I’m not even sure what I’m like. I’m still figuring it…myself…out.” The brutal honesty was trying to make my eyes tear up but I refused to let them fall. “What I did today…I’ve never…considered myself valuable, at least, not worth protecting. From an attack, yes but…”

“Your value has been eroded by the words and actions of others…”

“And their expectations.” I admitted. “So…can you realise that I…when it comes to you…I can’t…”

“I may be a werewolf,” Bastian stood up straight with an almost gentlemanly air, tucking one arm behind his back, “but I am also a man of honour. If you ask it of me, I will leave ‘House of Figs’.”

“What, forever?”

“If that will assure you of my intentions.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want you to go…but I don’t know what you want from me.”

His hand cupped my face and his thumb brushed over my lips. “To make you smile and find pleasure in life…even if it means flirting a little…”

I couldn’t help but smile, drawing back and shaking my head. “As long as it’s just fun flirting…like…for a laugh…”

His eyes conveyed deep warmth and his pointed canines appeared. “Until and unless you say otherwise.”

I went to protest then saw the sparkle in his eyes and gave him a shove. “You’re terrible,” he chuckled and stood up straight, “but thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being there today and making me angry enough to realise I’m worth more than I think I am.”

“You’re welcome.” He bowed with a graceful motion. “Now, I shall escort you to your door…”

“And no further.”

He snapped his fingers like he’d been thwarted but his wink told me otherwise. He said goodbye at the bottom of the stairs, promising he was going home.

“I would say one thing, Bethany,” he looked at me, “the term ‘precious’ has been made out to be a negative description…but it was not my intent. Precious is not the same as weak or fragile or even pitiable.”

“I know. It just makes me feel like I’m about as tough as an eggshell and as demanding as a prima donna.” I sighed.

“A pearl is precious, is it not?”

“I guess.”

“It is beautiful, a treasure formed and then discovered,” he walked down the passage to the back door, “and it is to be treated as such, not to be wasted on those unworthy of its value.”

“Valuable.” I breathed to myself in the dark. “My life…no…I have value. I am valuable. I’m worth protecting.” I yawned again, taking the stairs to my bedroom and falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.