Page 7 of The Right to Bear Claws
Not that she remembered being in Kansas, or anywhere else for that matter, but the point stood. Street lamps flickered to life as evening settled over the town, their warm glow revealing shop windows that practically hummed with personality. Hand-painted signs swayed in the October breeze, advertising everything from "Enchanted Eats" to "Mystical Mechanics," and the very air felt different here. Thicker somehow, like it was carrying secrets on every breath of wind.
"So," she said, glancing sideways at Elias as they walked, "is Hollow Oak always this... atmospheric?"
His mouth quirked in what might have been amusement. "You haven't seen anything yet."
Before Kaia could ask what that meant, a melodic voice called out from across the street.
"Well, well, well! If it isn't our mysterious lake visitor!"
The woman approaching them looked like she'd stepped out of a fairy tale, all wheat-colored hair and knowing smiles. She was petite but carried herself with the kind of confidence thatsuggested she could handle whatever life threw at her. Her eyes, light brown with flecks of brightness that seemed to dance in the lamplight, studied Kaia with frank curiosity.
"Twyla Honeytree," Elias said by way of introduction, his tone holding fond exasperation. "Owner of the Griddle & Grind. And the town's unofficial welcome committee."
"Among other things," Twyla agreed cheerfully, extending a hand to Kaia. "And you must be the poor dear who gave our Elias such a fright last night. How are you feeling, sweetheart?"
"Better, thank you." Kaia shook the offered hand, surprised by the warmth that seemed to radiate from Twyla's skin. "Everyone's been incredibly kind."
"That's what we do here." Twyla's smile was genuine, but those dancing eyes missed nothing. "Speaking of which, you simply must come by the café for proper sustenance. Hospital food is one thing, but inn food, bless Miriam's heart, doesn't quite have the healing properties you need right now."
"Healing properties?" Kaia echoed.
"Oh yes, dear. Food is medicine, if you know what you're doing." Twyla winked. "And I always know what I'm doing. Come along, both of you. I was just closing up, but I can whip up something special."
Before Kaia could protest, she found herself being ushered across the street toward a cozy storefront with "The Griddle & Grind Café" painted in cheerful yellow letters. Elias followed silently, but she caught the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
The café's interior was exactly what Kaia had expected from the outside: warm wood, mismatched furniture that somehow worked perfectly together, and the lingering scent of coffee and cinnamon. What she hadn't expected were the tea leaves floating in lazy circles above their containers, or the sugar that poured itself into waiting cups without any visible assistance.
"Um," she said intelligently, staring as a spoon stirred itself in a nearby mug.
"Oh, don't mind that," Twyla said airily, bustling behind the counter. "Just a few little conveniences. Makes life easier when you're running a one-woman operation."
Kaia blinked, then looked at Elias for some kind of explanation. He was watching her carefully, like he was gauging her reaction.
"Magic," she said slowly. "That's actual magic."
"Good eye," Twyla called over her shoulder. "Most newcomers take a bit longer to catch on. Though I suppose after what you've been through, a few floating tea leaves aren't that shocking."
"What I've been through?" Kaia's stomach tightened. "What do you mean?"
Twyla emerged from behind the counter carrying a steaming mug, her expression suddenly serious. "Sit, dear. Both of you. This conversation requires proper seating."
They settled at a small table by the window, Kaia accepting the mug with hands that trembled slightly. The tea smelled like chamomile and something that made her think of clear skies and steady ground.
"Clarity tea," Twyla explained, settling across from them. "Good for when your mind's all jumbled up and you can't quite see the forest for the trees. Now then, what's the last thing you remember clearly?"
"I..." Kaia took an inhale of the tea. "Driving. My car broke down somewhere in the mountains. I was walking, looking for help."
"And before that?"
Kaia sipped her tea, buying time, but the warm liquid settled something restless in her chest. Like it was giving her permission to be honest.
"Nothing solid," she admitted. "Just fragments. Dreams that feel more real than memories. Places I've never been but somehow recognize."
Twyla nodded as if this made perfect sense. "Dreams can be tricky things. Sometimes they show us what was, sometimes what might be. And sometimes they show us what's hunting us."
The suggestion sent ice down Kaia's spine. "Hunting me?"
"Now hold on," Elias interjected, his voice carrying a warning. "Twyla, you're scaring her."
