I didn’t know how long I sat there with the Cat, but eventually he jumped over to his cat house and I made my way downstairs to order the food. Not to mention, make a cup of tea. It sounded good and would be a pleasant change from all the coffee I’d been drinking. By the time I made it down to the front counter, the shop had changed to the default layout.

The tall bookshelves in the back were like always, not overflowing, and the large table in the middle had a tasteful arrangement of books instead of disorganized piles. Everything was nice and neat. Two fluffy chairs sat near the right wall, instead of the children’s area. The fireplace from before stood on the wall with crystals glowing inside.

“I love a good fireplace…” I muttered as I heated the water before pouring it into the mug. The metal tea ball floated to the surface until I poked it down. Quietly, I walked over and sat down in a chair, staring at the fake fire. The crystal still sent warmth into the room, and it made the entire space feel cozy. “Betty, you are fantastic at making this place feel like a home, even though it’s a shop.”

A blast of warmth flooded out from the fireplace, and I giggled. A squeak announced Indigo right before she landed on the armrest.

‘Feels inviting.’

“It really does…” I said with a smile.

Indigo slowly climbed onto my shoulder, careful to not jostle my mug. It was clear she still felt bad about earlier.

“Soon the winter solstice will be here,” I said. Jackie’s visit reminded me that my family, well, my mother, expected me to be home for the holiday and the family dinner. That couldn’t happen, and somehow I needed to explain it to her. I let my mind brainstorm as I sipped on the rich tea. It was a minty blend that didn’t get bitter from steeping too long.

‘Party, like your birthday?’ asked the dragon.

“It’s a gathering, but not focused on one person. It’s more about the food and company. There are songs people sing, and special cookies that only come out that one time of year.” I sipped on my tea. “You would enjoy it.”

‘We can go!’ Indigo leaped off my shoulder and flew around the room in a large circle before landing on the armrest again.

“Not this year, but maybe next year. We can decorate the enormous tree and you can see all the pretty lights in town.”

The doorknob rattled, cutting off my rambling. I set my mug down before frantically jolting toward the door.

“Coming!”

The Chinese delivery guy was unusually quick. The door unlocked as I approached, and I swung it open to get the plastic bag.

“You were…” my words stopped as I blinked at the person on the other side. It wasn’t the delivery guy. All I saw was a mouth filled with sharp teeth and an outstretched hand with pointed talons.

Panic rushed through me, and I wished them away.

Bright light pulsed out in a wave from the bracelet on my wrist. The golden light slammed into the creature and shoved it back across the snow. I slammed the door shut and locked it as my heart pounded in my chest.

Unlawfully taken from NovelBin, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Stumbling backward, I didn’t even hear Indigo until she flew right in my face. I landed in a chair that hadn’t been there before as the Cat appeared near my feet.

“Sable!” Bright green eyes stared at me before he raced to the door, peering out the window. “What happened?”

Squeaks came from Indigo, too fast for me to follow. Then a shimmering image appeared floating in the air in front of the Cat. It showed me opening the door, and then paused as I stared at the creature.

Now that it wasn’t in my face I noticed more detail. The creature stood taller than me, with armor and a sword strapped to its back. Deep black scales covered it under the armor, and it didn’t wear shoes. Both fingers and toes were sharp talons.

“What was it?” I asked, clutching my bracelet to my chest.

“A dragonling…” muttered the Cat. “I’ve never met one before.” His head tilted sideways as the image moved. It showed the golden wave of light flash out of my bracelet and hit the dragonling. This time his eyes went to me. “You did magic…”

The bracelet glowed, and I didn’t know what to say.

‘Dragonling?! Are they okay?’

Indigo’s comment cut the silence in half as I jumped to my feet. “Oh, no…”

“They are probably the unexpected visitor,” said the Cat. “All I know is that they are normally warriors, on the more orderly side of things. They usually work with the Fates, whether or not they know it…”

I quickly reached out to the door to yank it open, but it remained locked. “Betty, I might have overreacted and we need to make sure they’re okay.” The door remained locked, but an impression that felt like the shop was asking if I was sure hit me. “I’m sure. Plus, I can blast him again and you can eat him if needed.”

A second later the door unlocked, and I yanked it open.

The dragonling stood a few feet away from the opening.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “You surprised me is all…”

He scratched the back of his head. “A fine blast of magic, that. I didn’t mean to surprise you.” He shrugged. “I heard this place might have the knowledge I’m looking for, if I may enter?”

That’s when I realized I still stood in the doorway. “Come on in,” I said, turning toward the counter. I took one step forward and suddenly found myself stepping behind the register. Yet, the Dragonling hadn’t entered the shop. The Cat also stood near the base on the counter and Indigo rested on top.

“It’s all good Betty…” I whispered reassuringly while patting the wooden countertop.

The dragonling entered the shop, glancing around with wide eyes. “So many books…”

“So, what are you looking for?”

The dragonling took a moment to answer, turning around in a circle to see the whole shop. “Maps… I’m looking for a hidden place.”

“Well, you're already in some luck since this shop is hard to find,” I replied with a grin.

The Cat, sitting next me, went still, then his tail flickered through the air. “There are a few maps rolled up in the corner near the window.”

I pointed toward the rolls of paper. “There are some maps over there.” I tried to take a step in that direction away from the counter and my feet didn’t move. It felt like the floorboards were stuck to my shoes. “Betty…”

“Maps? That would be helpful.” One moment he was in the middle of the room, the next pulling the tubes of paper out, then in front of the counter setting them down.

Indigo jerked backward, drawing the dragonling's attention. “Oh, hello little one.” He bobbed his head at her before setting a map on the counter and unrolling it. “Oh, wow…” The map showed some world I didn’t know. “This is wondrous.” A claw pointed at a location with a weird tree holding a book. “That’s where we are right now.” He traced along the edge of a mountain range toward a circle of stones. “Yes - this is what I need to finish my quest.”

His golden eyes rose to study me. “What will this cost me?”

‘Knowledge!’ Indigo commented before the Cat or I could say anything. Both of us turned to glance at her. ‘Knowledge of what you find!’

“Indigo…”

The Cat grumbled near my hand. “That’s a good price.”

My head swiveled to look at him, before turning back to the dragonling. “What she said. Knowledge of what you find, and what you were seeking.”

“The little one is wise.” The dragonling bowed his head. “I will return when I finish my quest.” With that, the door jingled as he vanished from sight.