dan

op. I wore the cheap, faded jacket. I had purposely messed up my hair,

ly drinking in the sight of June. She was standing behind the counter, carefully dusting a

t rattled in my chest an

r chimed. To me, it sounded

morning sunlight hit the side of her face, highlighti

cket pockets, balling them into tight fists to stop myself

completely empty professional smile. It was the exact same fak

now if you need anything." Her voice was clear, m

, pathetic smile onto my face. I wanted her to show fear. I wanted h

came out raspy. "Hi. My name i

"It's a quiet town. Good for fresh starts. Are you inter

ith Victorian silverware and old pocket w

gh some terrible things. I went bankrupt. I just need something to distra

uine human sympathy crossed her eyes.

oy bloomed in my chest. If playing the victim got

cup of hot tea to warm up, Mr. Bren," June said, p

being offered a bone. I nodded eage

a. My eyes traced the line of her s

t was the only tea I used to drink. She used to brew it for me every single

nd and handed me a pl

onally let my fingertips brush agains

the mate bond. June pulled her hand

my throat and looked down at the cup. I took a l

oat. It wasn't the clean, sharp taste of cedar

in the cup. My existence had been completely sc

r taste?" June tilted her head,

it's just, I thought it would be cedarwood flavore

head. "I hate cedarwood. It's too pungent

y hand began to shake violently. She didn't just forget. The spell

d downed the rest of the scalding liquid in one brutal swallow, l

cup down. My voice w

a is good. As long as it's