Page 13 of These Fractured Bonds

“That’s a possibility?”

“It’s unlikely it’ll happen in your lifetime,” August interjected.

Your lifetime. The words sobered Yareli, reminding her of their vast, differing lived experiences. What did a human girl have to offer a long-living Fae? As though sensing her change in mood, August dismissed Erick.

“Go check the front,” he said.

Erick made a face, but he went. “Alright, boss.”

August waited until his footsteps faded before saying, “This must be a lot, and you must have a lot of questions, but I…” He exhaled, running a hand through his shorter hair. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“All of it. You weren’t meant to ever find out.”

The acid in her ribcage loosened, and his words sparked her anger. “Was I meant to remain your ignorant human friend working in your magical cafe until one day you suddenly disappeared from my life?”

Do I really mean that little to you?

August’s eyes widened, then scrunched up. “No. That’s not—”

“You know, finding out magic exists isn’t intimidating. Finding out that you might not be who I thought you were is.”She walked away, pausing at the doorway. “I’m happy I met you, but are you?” She fled from the cafe before he could answer.

Feelings swept through her chest, roaring in her ears and pounding on her heart until it cracked.Ah, she thought,there’s the bitter heartbreak.Only love could hurt like this. Yet, Yareli sniffled and picked up her broken heart’s pieces, determined to confess her feelings and receive an answer from him.

“I’m going to get a happy ending,” she promised herself, her voice petulant, almost like a child’s.

As the bus arrived late again, she thought it wasn’t all awful. Magic was real, and she still had a job. The ghost on her shoulder weighed on her, reminding her that boy troubles should be the last of her priorities. She sighed and stepped onto the bus. It rolled away from Enchanted Brew, away from her delusional fantasy of being just a girl whose biggest problem was a magical boy, and brought her back to reality—bills, family, and homework. Her phone vibrated, and she picked up her mom’s call.

“Bueno.”

Everything wasnotbueno.

Chapter 6

Twodayslater,Yarelifound a small, brown-haired creature sweeping her floor while she slept. She kept her eyes half-closed, peeking at the curious creature as it went about its task. The broom was nothing more than a couple of twigs bundled together, scratching against wood in an admirable attempt. She adjusted to get a better view, but her bed creaked and startled the creature. It popped out of existence in an instant. One quick online search later, she confirmed it to be a brownie. She left a small plate of cheddar chips under her bedand rushed out the door. She was late to work. Her phone dinged as she entered the elevator.

Hey, how’s the new job?

Yareli smiled. Her brother had been sniffing around, attempting to figure out where she worked. When she had sent their parents some money last week, he had called her, suspicious about the sizable sum, but she had kept Enchanted Brew a secret. She didn’t want him to discover the truth; he would be completely against it. The unknown was dangerous, and that was what magic was—unknown. Dangerous? She wasn’t sure.

She replied,Great!Talk later, I’m late.

She threw it into her purse, rummaging for her lip balm when she bumped into a solid, cold chest. She jumped back, her eyes wide, and apologized. It was her neighbor, Helio, with a couple of grocery bags. Except Helio most certainly did not have fangs and red eyes last week.

Yareli averted her gaze. “Sorry,” she repeated.

Helio shook his head, his fangs on full display as he smiled. “No worries.”

She managed a smile, walking past him. He called out after her.

“Be careful out there.”

His words sent a biting chill down her spine. Avampirelived next door toher. It was a terrifying but thrilling revelation. Helio, she reminded herself, wasn’t a danger to her, and with that, her pulse settled, and a grin bloomed on her face. She had made the right decision to remove the glamor; she could feel it in her bones. Now, if she could only fix her friendship with August. She had spent her Saturday holed up in her room, afraid of stepping outside, of confronting him. Today, however, she was forced outside by her shift. Nerves mingled with excitement, churning her stomach. Magic—and maybe love—awaited.

“WelcometoEnchantedBrew,where magic is real.”

The familiar greeting brought a smile to Yareli’s lips as she stepped through the cafe’s squeaky wooden door. The fact that it had been right in her face the entire time was not lost on her; she chuckled. No wonder Don had always teased her.He was having a grand ol’ time, she thought dryly. He was at the counter, beaming as plates of pastries flew past him toward tables.