Chapter 28

Tessa’s POV

I sit quietly at a counter seat near the front of the 24-hour cafe, sipping the disgusting coffee and barely edible omelette while I scroll through the burner phone to catch up on the news. I watch out of the corners of my eyes as people queue up in a line to enter the store across the street. They all seem very excited and happy to be there. The window of the store has the silhouette of a wolf wearing a pointy witch’s hat. Above the image, in curly purple and white lettering, are the words ‘Patisseries de’ and below it are ‘ Loup Magique’ meaning ‘Magic Wolf Pastries’. I roll my eyes at blatant call out to the owners of the little bakery. The lights in the front of the store turn on, and a petite woman in a purple and white apron opens the door.

A security guard dressed in a purple shirt and black pants stands guard next to the front door, while another shoos away photographers from getting too close.

“Excuse me,” I call to the waitress behind the counter.

“Yes, Miss? Would you like some more coffee?” she asks in her powdery voice that reminds me of a grandmother.

“Oh Goddess no...I mean...No thank you. I was just wondering, what is that place over there? Where all the people are standing,” I point to the little bakery, “Is it that good that people stand in line for it and why are there photographers?”

“Oh yes, Loup Magique is the best bakery in town. We get our pies and cakes from there. The owner is Bronx Mason’s wife,” she wiggles her eyebrows at me as if that is supposed to be impressive news.

“Ohhhh, how...uhh cool,” I make my eyes a little bigger and emphasize the word cool, for effect. When in reality, I don’t give a shit that the owner is Bronx’s wife.

“You’re staying at Mrs. Kirby’s, right?” she asks with a tinge of sympathy in her voice.

can find something else,” I

decorating, cleaning, things like that. I can put in a friendly word for you if you’d like,” I feel her touch my wrist of the hand

I clear my throat and gently slide my hand away from hers, looking at her

are friends. Anything I can do to help get her girls back on their feet, you know,” her voice lowers as she thinks she made me uncomfortable. I look around the cafe. I’m the

It’s alright. I-I just get a little nervous about people knowing my business,” I

job. Unfortunately, I'm fully staffed, but why don’t you go stand in

them, even if you do chicken out on asking for a job,” she gives

give a relieved sigh and a small

time,” she picks up my

behind me. I put blue contacts in my eyes, then French braid my hair, pinning it up, before putting on a blonde wig. After I adjust the wig so it looks more natural,

of the restaurant, conveniently dropping a couple of one

last time at the line of people in front of the store and make my way to the end. The girls in front of me go on and on about which cupcakes they want to try. I try to ignore them as I assess security and escape routes. I calculate the distance between the door and various cameras around the shop. The guards are all carrying semi-automatic handguns, clearly visible for people to see. The one controlling the photographers seems to handle them with kid

smiling young woman with sparkly silver hair and violet irises. I take off the dark sunglasses and look at her with a smile. Her nose twitches

looks at me for a moment

isn't possible. She wouldn't be able to remember anything from the Waiting Room. Especially

says with a smile, “ Can I interest you in our wolf spirit special? It’s a coffee

a sly smile on her face. I feel my breath catch in my throat, standing this close to

falter before I speak, “Yeah, I’ll take that,

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