I was tired. It felt like I’d gone out drinking, but I hadn’t. Still, I felt sluggish and had a sickly-sweet taste in my mouth. I slowly rolled out of bed, and the skylights showed it was still early. In this case, that was a good thing. A hot shower, some caffeine and I’d be back on track for having a good day, I hoped.

By the time I started grinding my beans for espresso, I felt more awake. Awake wasn’t the right term, but maybe more solid. The thick scent of coffee filled the air and I couldn’t help but lean forward. This was heaven, no rush to make coffee or breakfast. I blinked, then snapped out of my caffeine haze.

“Cat, what’s your preference today?” I called out. I took a sip of the latte, and I added a touch of vanilla to add a hint of sweetness to the drink. Maybe the cat would like one of these.

I peeked into the kitchen but it was empty from what I could see. The bookshop itself was still in the normal arrangement, nothing strange that I could see. The wooden bookshelves were against the back wall, a small kids’ section right where I expected it. Yep, as I glanced around, there was nothing special. It was still early. Normally, I’d be getting out of bed right now.

I paused.

Why did I wake up early?

The warmth from the deep blue mug in my hands centered me. Something had woken me up. I never woke up early. I loved to snuggle in my thick comforter until my alarm said it was time. At that point, sunlight usually filled my room and made it feel magical. But today, I’d crawled out of bed before my alarm, showered, and made coffee.

“Where’s the cat?” I muttered, tapping my fingers on the countertop. The more I stood there the more I felt like something was wrong. Today wasn’t a day off, I had one more work day this week, with whatever strange thing we had to do. I set my mug down on the counter. “Where is the cat?” I asked, louder. “I need to find the cat.”

Something sparkled at the edge of my sight and I spun around. Paw prints led up the stairs, glowing faintly, almost like glitter. My lips parted but then the first prints vanished. I dashed up the stairs, following the paw prints down the hall past my room. They led around the balcony toward all the plants.

Then I spotted a dark patch, the cat curled around a tree in a wooden container. It was a sapling, with a few leaves. A dead leaf lay next to the cat.

“Cat?” I whispered. That feeling of something wrong increased when he didn’t respond. I knelt down and touched his fur, which didn’t look like it was moving. As soon as my fingers made contact, he gasped jerking.

“Sable?” His normally bright green eyes were dull. “What are you doing?” He glanced around, taking in the situation before carefully climbing to his paws.

“I couldn’t find you, and I was worried,” I said. “Are you okay?”

His head glanced at the dead leaf next to him. “I’m fine, it was just a rough night.” He marched off the way I’d come. “I need some caffeine.”

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My eyes went back to the dead leaf. None of the plants had needed any tending, and none had dead leaves. Everything was always bright and green in this area of the shop. With the giant windows, sunlight normally poured in.

I picked up the dead leaf and realized the little sapling was an oak tree. It had several other leaves on it, all still bright green. “Poor little guy, we just need to give you a bit more attention.” I set the dull brown leaf at the base of the tree and patted the pot. “I’ll figure out how to take care of you. This is a bookstore after all.” I climbed to my feet and glanced around the plants, but from what I could see nothing else was different. Only the sapling. A puzzle to solve, and I loved puzzles.

The cat waited for me on the counter next to my mug. “You didn’t make me a coffee…”

I chuckled. “I didn’t want it to get cold. I couldn’t find you, and like I said I was worried.” I reached out and scratched his ears, and he leaned into the touch. Something was off with the cat. I scooped him up into my arms and gave him more attention. He purred quietly, as I sat down on the stool I kept behind the counter. “I’m glad you're okay.”

We stayed like that for several minutes; me holding the cat in one arm to my chest and the other petting him. That raised red flags all over the place. He liked some scratches on occasion, but usually resisted being picked up unless it was his idea.

“You can talk to me about anything,” I whispered. “I’m here for you.”

“I’d like a latte. Yours smells good,” answered the cat, pawing at my hand.

I set him back on the counter and turned to make a latte for him. “What’s on the schedule today?”

“I haven’t checked yet,” answered the cat.

I spilled the steamed milk I was pouring into his teacup. It splashed onto the counter, and I jerked back to not burn myself. I grabbed a rag, but it was gone by the time I turned back. I shook my head and grabbed the espresso shot, adding it to the milk.

“Here you go. A latte like mine. It should warm you up.” I grabbed my mug and took a sip of the still-warm beverage. Maybe I’d get to see that book he kept hidden, the one with the appointments.

The cat glanced at me and at his beverage. “Please go into the kitchen, and start breakfast,” demanded the cat. “I know you want to see the book, but you’re not ready for it.”

I glared at him. “Really?”

“Really.” He nodded. “The magic can be dangerous and I don’t want you to get hurt.” His eyes stared at me, and he looked sincere. His head was lower than normal.

I stood up from the stool and turned to go into the kitchen. He waited until I was down the hall, and then a bright light flared behind me. I rolled my eyes and didn’t look back. Yet, what if the cat was right? The magical book from the bookseller had been cold, so freaking cold it hurt. This one was a bright light, what if it burned me?

That kept me going into the kitchen and focused on breakfast. I could get the bacon cooked, along with some eggs. Boring breakfast food was still tasty.

#

Sable, thankfully, went into the kitchen as I asked. I’d worried she was going to resist and push the issue. I wasn’t ready for that, and I didn’t think she was either. The pressure of who we answered to was high, and I didn’t want it to shatter her. I had to protect the Shopkeeper, even if it hurt our relationship. She deserved to be free at the end of her contract.

Still, I worried.

She had found me near the… I pushed the thought of the dead leaf away. I had a job to do, my focus needed to be on that. We had to check items off the list, keep the balance that I had so ignorantly shattered, and someday heal it whole.

“Cat, we have bacon!”

I closed the book, shaking my head. Today was a simple day unless I wanted to add a harder task to it. I jumped off the counter as the book vanished. Maybe next time. Not today.