I couldn’t find the Cat anywhere once dinner time rolled around. The doorway that led to the hidden room didn’t appear, no matter how sweetly I asked Betty for access. I was worried about him, and that worry crept into my dreams, which were filled with conflict, destruction, and, oddly, images of my family.

None of it made any sense.

Despite my troubled night, I woke up just as the sun peeked into the skylight above my bed, and forced myself to get out of bed. Today was not a day off, and I had a job to do. I checked on Indigo, but she still slept deeply, curled up in a tight ball with the heated blanket tucked around her. She hadn’t moved since I’d put her there the day before.

“Grow strong and smart, little one,” I whispered as I headed to the bathroom to take a long shower. It felt like a long shower day, which meant I stood under the spray for way too long since the never-ending hot water didn’t give me a clue to get moving. By the time I’d gotten dressed and headed out my bedroom door, more sunlight streamed into the shop from above. I also felt way more human, so I counted it worthwhile.

I wore my new boots for the first time, lacing them up over my skinny jeans. Each step felt like stepping on a cloud. The only other additions from my birthday party were the necklace from the dragons, and the bracelet from my brother. I tucked the leaf necklace under my black t-shirt and had a dark purple flannel on top. The red leaf on the little oak from yesterday made me feel like fall really was here. Hence, the flannel, though the shop’s temperature stayed the same as it always had.

My first stop was Betty, and I quickly pulled a large cinnamon vanilla latte for myself. Something warm and relaxing seemed just right. I frothed the milk perfectly, topping it with a ton of rich foam. The main shop looked the same as normal. The big table in the center was filled with books, bookshelves ran along the back wall, and the children’s area was set up. Maybe we’d be getting more deliveries from Adam, since it felt like a ‘normal’ day without magic.

Then I headed to the kitchen.

The room brightened as I entered, making it clear I’d beaten the Cat up and moving, despite my indulgent shower. Bacon and eggs would be easy enough, and it’d let me sip my latte slowly as I readied myself for work. Bacon went into the oven and I scrambled eggs on the stove, with a little shredded cheese mixed in.

None of it took long. Even so, I expected to see the Cat waiting when I was finished, but he was nowhere to be found.

“Cat, breakfast is ready! I made bacon and eggs…” I called out into the hallway, unsure of where he was hiding. I picked up a piece of crunchy bacon and took a bite. It really had turned out perfectly. I sat down and started on my plate slowly, keeping an eye out for the Cat.

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My plate was half empty when he showed up.

Immediately, I knew something was off. “Hey, you okay?”

“I didn’t sleep well,” the Cat muttered. His tail hung low and his ears were drooping.

I nodded and motioned to the plate with bacon on it. “I had rough dreams as well, but bacon always helps.”

The Cat moved toward his plate, but even the bacon didn’t cheer him up.

That red leaf on the tiny oak tree came to mind. “You know that tree, the one that’s special?”

The Cat froze, even before I could get my question out. He said nothing, but the tension emanating from him was intense.

“It has a red leaf. I watched it change yesterday, like magic. One second, it was dark green like the others, then it shimmered to red.”

A loud knocking came from the front of the shop, causing me to jerk, almost spilling my coffee. “That’s strange…”

Again, nothing from the Cat, though his eyes went wide.

I hurried, leaving my plate on the island with food still on it, toward the front of the shop, with my latte in one hand, trying hard not to spill it. Two dark figures stood outside the door. Though I only recognized one of them, I quickly unlocked the door and let them in.

Lady Twilight entered. “I apologize for the unexpected arrival, but we are on a timer here…” She stepped into the room without asking, and I moved toward the center, near the large table. Her bright eyes flickered over the room, searching.

The Cat appeared, jumping onto the counter, his head cocked to one side. “This is unexpected.”

“I bring a gift, one of equal value to what you have given me and my clan,” her voice came out formally, and it was directed to the Cat. Behind her entered someone with a thick green cloak with the hood up.

I couldn’t see who or what was beneath it, but I trusted the Elder Dragon. Of course, with her here in the shop already, I really didn’t think I had a choice.

“You have saved countless eggs. Others taken like Indigo from distant clans that normally don’t meet with the Clan of Knowledge, and some of our own. All of this by giving me that demon.” Her gaze turned toward me. “Dragon-kin, Guardian of Indigo, Shopkeeper, do you accept this gift on behalf of…” her voice paused, then continued. “Lord Felimid Ó Cearnacháin Felix?”

The Cat froze, and Lady Twilight waited for my answer. Magic swirled through the air, so heavy I could almost see it. I glanced at the Cat, but it was like he was stuck in time. Nothing moved near him. Nothing moved near the guest either. Only Lady Twilight and I even breathed in the sudden pause.

I’d heard that name once before, but I couldn’t remember where, like it’d been removed from my memory. That was the Cat’s name. His true name. It rolled around inside my mind, pictures forming, making connections. The red leaf appeared, along with the hidden room, and the shield Betty had showed me. Everything inside me said it was time to discover what was going on.

There was only one possible answer. “Yes.”

Time unfroze, and the Cat growled. It was deep, and the floor vibrated.

“What did you do, dragon? How dare you?!" Magic swirled along the Cat’s fur, and his tail flickered. The edges of his form blurred but snapped back into place. “By bringing them here, you sentence them to death. You’ve killed one of my children!” The voice floated in the back of my mind, but it was clear I wasn’t the only one who it had been intended for.

Lady Twilight simply nodded in reply.