Page 4 of Magic & Mochas
Lounging & Loneliness
Thorne
Withasilentcommand,I summoned a soldier made of living shadow, and ordered it to clean up the kitchen now that I’d finished my breakfast.My violet eyes watched its empty, glowing ones as it systematically swept the floor and wiped down the countertops.
This ability was what made me practically a one-man army when it came to raids and conquering dungeons.But it was also the reason not a single old bag in this entire little town would rent to me.
My reputation had preceded me.
Hence why I was now squatting in this empty apartment above a closed café.Although I had been hanging around town for the better part of a year, none of the residents had been brave enough to chase me out yet.Sure, the dirty looks stung, but I was used to that.And so long as I didn’t threaten them or draw too much attention to myself, the townsfolk had no reason to take up arms against me.
Not that they would win.
Well, maybe if the fire drakes, witches, and vampires coordinated their attacks, they might pose a bit of a challenge.But this was a sleepy town, and I was certain I had more combat experience than all of them combined.
After all, what else was a shadowmancer like me meant to do for work?
Gruesome flashbacks played behind my eyes: the loss of friends, the endless hordes of monsters, and the scent of blood and betrayal.
I rose abruptly from the kitchen table and stalked to the room I had claimed as my own.Nothing good ever came of sitting still, and yet there wasn’t much else for me to do.At least cooking could take my mind off of things three times a day.
Having completed its tasks, my shadow soldier followed me on silent feet.
Your next orders, Lord Thorne?Its voice spoke directly into my mind in a raspy whisper.
Rest until I summon you next.
As you wish.With a respectful bow, it melted into a pool of wispy shadows, which crept into my own shadow.Though my soldiers were efficient at executing orders, none of them had much in the way of personality.Or original thought.
It was next to impossible to hold even a bland conversation about the weather with them.
So even though I always had an army with me, I was perennially alone.
Back when I had been in the thick of an endless stream of battles, I had dreamed of a solitary future like this.But now that I had it…
It felt empty.
Angrily, I pulled open my dresser drawer and piled some clean clothes on the bed.There was no use getting down in the dumps about things I couldn’t control.Even if I could manipulate other people’s reactions to me, I would always know their acceptance wasn’t real.
And that would only make me feel worse.
Maybe it would be better if I tried to blend into the human world, instead.Perhaps if I joined their military, I could fit inthere.But would I be able to resist the urge to use my powers to save a brother-in-arm’s life if it came down to it?
I was fairly certain the answer was a resoundingno.
And then I would be on the run in both the humanandmagical worlds.
But what else was I supposed to do, sit around moping for the rest of my life?That didn’t sound particularly appealing, either.
With a heavy sigh, I collected my bundle of clothes and headed to the bathroom.A cold shower always helped me clear my thoughts.
Chapter three
Surprises & Strangers
Clove
Willowmere’smainstreetunfurledlike a ribbon of old cobblestone, gently winding through the heart of the town like it had grown there on purpose, rather than being built.
