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‘It’s OK.’ Aiden stood. ‘I think I need to do something that feels a bit normal right now. Even if it’s really not.’

‘But…’ Rayenne started, but Ophelia caught her wrist and shook her head.

Aiden stumbled to the kitchen, his head overflowing with information he didn’t know how to process. Automatically, he filled the kettle and set it to boil, then stared at the jars and packets of tea he’d blended over the last five months – each one of them shimmering with that subtle light that seemed to swirl and hide as he looked at it. Staring at it there, he couldn’t believe he’d missed it for so long. It was so obvious.

Mist’s warning – because apparently talking animals was now a thing he had to get used to! – echoed in his mind alongside the one from Ophelia: magic would protect itself however it needed to.

He stared at the kettle that was starting to hum on the stove… Of course it was, because it was probably a magical kettle too! He slammed his hands across his mouth to keep the hysteria from bubbling out. What. The. Actual. Fuck?

He stared at the kettle again and made a decision. He’d give himself until it finished boiling to freak out, and then figure out what he wanted to do. It wasn’t long, but that was the point: he’d learned long ago that turning decisions over and over in his mind rarely did anything other than cause stress and anxiety – and almost never changed his mind in the long run. Like Rayenne had said, his instincts were good. Then again, maybe it wasn’t him at all. Maybe it was the magic.

The thought made him laugh aloud.

Magic? Him? It was ridiculous. This wasn’t a movie franchise or streaming series with a huge special-effects budget based on the latest hottest-selling fantasy series; this was the real world with boring jobs, illnesses, bills and bikes and cars that broke down at the wrong moments. Or maybe the right ones?

And, apparently, talking animals.

He scratched his shoulder then reached for his favourite calming tea blend, but hesitated when he realised one of the other jars was glowing more brightly. Curious, he picked it up. It wasn’t the de-stress one he’d planned on brewing, but maybe there was some logic in the idea of a changeling tea today.

As if approving of his decision, the spoons rattled cheerfully. He realised he’d heard that noise before, but always ignored it. Just another one of those quirky Hudsbury things he’d somehow managed to miss. He pulled open the drawer to look at them, but they were innocently still. Too still. Especially the teaspoons that seemed, somehow, to be waiting for something. A ridiculous idea, but no crazier than a talking cat.

‘It’s OK. I know.’

The air softened for a moment – almost like a lover’s sigh – and the spoons clattered happily together for a few seconds before one jumped out, waiting for him to grab it. He wasn’t surprised that it was warm and hummed slightly between his fingers.

He spooned out the blend – heavy on butterfly pea flower – into the teapot, and sliced up a lemon. The subtle, fresh tea would be delicately floral, right up until he added the hit of citrus that would awaken the senses and turn the heavy blue tea into the bright, energetic purple that made it so popular. Just a few drops of something new could change the pleasant into the spectacular. Just like a little new knowledge could change a person’s world view.

The kettle moved from humming to bubbling and singing as his thoughts settled into something resembling calm. Despite the upheaval he’d been through recently, he felt happier and more settled since starting at Glimmers than he could ever remember. It just felt right. If magic was a part of that, then – however ridiculous it seemed – he’d welcome it.

Decision made, he loaded up a tray with the tea and yesterday’s bake, and carried it back into the shop. The shop where he worked. Where he used and sold magic.

Whatever was coming next, he was pretty sure it’d be fun.

Aiden looked up from the shop diary. He’d run out of ‘normal’ things – like bills and appointments – that he could distract himself with. And he needed the distraction from the very weird things going on in the corner of the store where Ophelia and Rayenne were working – surrounded by a chaos of ribbons, crystals, fabric and plants that sparkled and glowed, each seemingly moving of its own accord. He swallowed hard. Despite his earlier resolve, as the day had worn on, things had become stranger and more unsettling.

Mist nudged Aiden’s leg, then headbutted him.

If you are not helping them, make yourself useful and pet me. She jumped up on the counter and made herself comfortable. I am bored of chasing ribbons.

His hands obeyed automatically, smoothing over her soft fur while his mind reeled. It still threw him that Mist was talking to him, but stroking her was an easy thing to do, and her purrs were soothing. Maybe too soothing.

‘You’re not… spelling me, are you?’

No. Why do you ask?

‘No reason.’ He felt too silly to say it aloud.

Petting cats is good for you. It soothes your nervous system and makes your brain produce happy hormones. And it keeps us happy.

‘Are you reading my mind?’

Not something I can do. But I needn’t be psychic to guess your thoughts. You just found out magic is real, and are re-evaluating everything you thought you knew. You are having to change your thinking. It is not something that comes easily, but you are doing well.

‘Thank you.’

For a human.

Aiden hid a grin. As weird as the thought still was, he supposed if an animal was going to start talking to him, at least it was one with a good sense of humour.