This morning, I was on a mission. It was my first of two days off, and I needed to figure out more about this Fey Lord business. I didn’t know how it worked, but on my days off I always seemed to get up early, even when I was intending to sleep in. It didn’t matter as I headed to the kitchen to make pancakes. The mix came in a box, and you covered them in butter and maple syrup. It wasn’t quite bacon and eggs, but it was just as good, in its own way. After all, there weren’t many things better. Maybe waffles, but somehow I always burned waffles in the waffle maker, so pancakes it would be.

The mix was simple, and it didn’t take long for me to be flipping pancakes to a plate on the island. The Cat and Indigo were nowhere to be seen, but I made some little ones for Indigo. I even put on a little music to sing with. It couldn’t get better than this.

A chirp behind me spooked me, and I sent a small pancake flying. Thankfully, Indigo took it as a challenge and dove after the pancake, catching it before it hit the floor. She chomped on it merrily as she headed back to the island. The pancake stack was bigger than the little dragon. Mostly, that was because I also made a tower of small ones. Still, I’d already made quite a substantial quantity of both sizes.

I decided that was enough and sat down to make myself a plate. Indigo watched as I put butter on, then dipped each bite into syrup. Then, she tried to do the same thing with the smaller pancake. As soon as she tasted the maple syrup, she started chittering loudly.

“Maple syrup is pretty amazing,” I answered.

The cat jumped up on the counter. “Pancakes, that’s new.”

“I figured something different for my day off.” I finished my first pancake and grabbed two more off the stack. “Plus, they freeze well, and then make super quick meals.”

I tossed one on the empty plate I had set out for the cat. “Do you want butter or syrup?”

“Yes, please.”

I quickly buttered it and poured a little syrup over the pancake. The cat didn’t have as flexible digits as Indigo did. She cut her little pancake up into 4 sections and dipped each one in the syrup. It was adorable. The cat couldn’t do that with his paws.

“So, what’s on your to-do list today?” I asked the cat.

“Not much, Indigo will need to stay out of sight.”

The dragon quickly chirped, asking why.

“Sable is having a guest.”

“I am?”

The Cat’s head tilted to one side, staring at me. “Yes?” he answered, slightly confused. “One of your brothers…”

I pulled out my phone to check for any messages or emails from my family to say as much, but I found nothing. “I don’t think anyone is visiting.”

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The Cat’s tail flickered. “All I know is one will show up.”

I ate another couple bites of pancake. “Well, good to know.”

“I apologize if I ruined a surprise.”

“Not your fault,” I said. “I told my mom I had these two days off, but I didn’t think anyone would show up.” I shrugged and took another bite. It would change my plans a little, but not by much. I still needed to find more information about Fey Lords. At the same time, it would be great to see one of my brothers.

Breakfast went quickly after that, and I stored the extra pancakes in the freezer in meal-sized portions. It would give me some options for quick breakfasts later this week, in case something tough showed up. The rest of the kitchen cleaned itself and I headed to the front to make some coffee.

“Thanks, Betty.” I lightly patted the top of the espresso machine, thankful that the dishes loaded themselves into the dishwasher. Sitting down on the stool, I wondered if I should message my mother asking about any visits, but decided against it. Instead, I’d go about my day and be surprised when someone actually showed up. That was, if someone did.

Indigo had taken off for her hideaway, still working on whatever homework she had gotten yesterday. I didn’t have a clue where the cat went, though I guessed it was to the room with the big glowing book. Taking my cup, I moved toward the shelves. “Well, Betty. If you have any other info on Fey Lords, now’s the time to share it,” I mumbled under my breath. A doorway near the far wall appeared and I moved toward it.

I peeked inside and it was filled with even more bookshelves, bookshelves upon bookshelves. They stretched as far as I could see. “Woah, are these all the books you have? You are so freaking amazing…” I wandered down one of the aisles, looking at the various spines. All of these were leather and had strange symbols on them. The next section were newer looking books, made with cloth bindings.

The shelves just continued on. Most of the time I couldn’t read what was on the spines. Some had nothing on the spines at all. Still, I wandered, wondering what I could find here. Farther down the way, one book stuck partially out of the bookshelf. It immediately caught my eye, and I hurried in that direction.

The book was slim and bound in a dark green leather. Carved on the front was an Oakleaf. “This must be it.” I flipped it open, finding thick parchment for each of the pages. It was handwritten, each line in thick pen strokes that were hard for me to make out. The words weren’t in English, that much was clear.

Now all I needed to find was something to translate the book with. Still, it was progress.

A loud knocking rattled through the room, and I hurried back toward the opening. It was faster leaving than it had been wandering the many shelves. A dark form at the door caused me to pause, but then I realized who it was.

Cerulean.

It almost felt fake as I set my coffee cup and book down on the main table and hurried toward the door. Honestly, I’d expected Cyan again. I flung the door open, and he hurried inside, carrying a large cardboard box.

“Sable! Finally, I thought I’d be standing out there forever!”

I motioned for him to set the box on the counter, and I closed the door behind him, locking it.

“I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”

“Did you really think the family would forget your birthday?” he asked with a chuckle. “There wasn’t a chance someone wouldn’t show up. You’re lucky it’s me, and not mom.”

“Mom never leaves town,” I said with a smirk. Then I found myself wrapped up in my brother’s arms. He lifted me off the ground slightly before setting me back down. All I could smell was forest and mountains.

“She just might have to come see you,” he muttered, still smiling. “So, this is your place?” He glanced around the shop, his eyes darting every which way.

“It is. Do you want a coffee?” I asked, moving behind the counter after grabbing my mug. I really wished I had a living room I could invite him to. Instead, I had the kitchen or the rooftop deck.