A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil 2)

I was bleary-eyed when Zaid drove me to work—upon Carrick’s insistence—and he’ll be picking me up soon. I’m finishing out my day at One Bean, helping out on the machines and being close to the employees, mainly because the day started awfully when I had to tell the staff about Adira’s death.

I had to talk to them in small groups as the shop was open and in full swing when I arrived, Lisa, my day manager, doing a spectacular job of getting everything going just before the sun breaks. I then had to make phone calls to those employees who wouldn’t be coming in until after I left. An email would have been easier, but that would have been too cold and sterile. By mid-morning, I’d imparted all the bad news, which had put a pallor over the vibe inside, so I eschewed the work in my office to make my face visible to the staff and customers. My job today was to let my staff grieve as they work and step in when needed, but for the most part, my employees are diligent, loyal, and they really didn’t miss a beat.

Shortly after the lunch crowd had begun to dissipate, I was shocked by a visit from the police detective who had come out to my house the evening Adira died. He wanted to give me an update, and I felt that was incredibly kind of him. Adira’s parents wanted an autopsy given she died so young with no apparent health issues, and I had to agree that it was a smart move. Of course, I know they’re going to find nothing more than a heart attack for no apparent reason.

He also told me that they would be flying her body back to Arizona tomorrow for burial.

“Do you know when the funeral will be?” I asked, but he did not. “I’ll call them and find out.”

We chatted a bit more about the coffee shop—he’d never been here—and I gave him a coffee and bear claw before he left. He promised he’d be back and bring some of his police buddies too.

As I make a double espresso, I think about how much I hate that I won’t be able to go to Adira’s funeral because Carrick made it clear I have to stick close to him. But perhaps Rainey and Myles might want to take the trip. I make a mental note to call her parents after work and find out the details. I also need to get their address to send her belongings, and I’ll probably have to ask Titus to go with me to pack them up, otherwise, Carrick won’t let me go.

I move to the end of the counter, where I call out the name on the double espresso I’d just made. “Mitch.”

A man steps forward, and the fizzing feeling hits my tummy. Without hesitation, I open my sight and see that he’s a light daemon who, like Zaid, looks remarkably similar to his human appearance. Completely nondescript and not worth describing, but I have been practicing my skills all day today. I’d shut them down after Fallon changed just a little over a week ago, so I was afraid they’d be rusty.

To the contrary, however, they seem to be sharper and quicker to access than ever before, and if I had to take a guess… I’m betting that feather on my leg has something to do with it. It’s clearly brought new abilities such as breaking and resisting compulsion, but I think it has enhanced my ability to see under glamours, too.

I also try eavesdropping a few times. I confirm it still doesn’t work on humans, but I actually can hear fae or daemon conversations clearly without needing to focus my sight on whoever is talking.

Not once today did I feel unsafe. Carrick said he’d have eyes on me, and I have to assume that any one of the fae or daemon that came in today could have been working for him. Hell, even some of the humans that came in could be on his payroll. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d put a bodyguard on me, but if he did, they’re outside watching me. It’s been nothing but a steady stream of customers in and out, most not staying more than an hour or so if they’re working at a table.

Mitch takes the double espresso, and I glance at the clock on the register closest to me. Five minutes until Zaid will be here. He told me to be prompt as he’d be out front at exactly five-thirty, and while I might have gotten comfortable bucking against Carrick from time to time, Zaid is still someone I don’t want to cross.

I take off the navy apron with One Bean’s logo done in white embroidery across the top, then head back to my office. I grab my laptop, shove it into my backpack next to my whip, with the handle securely tied to the outside. I also grab my cell phone, pocket it, and do a quick look around to see if I need anything else.