In the light of the café, I can see that she’s a petite calico with one blue eye and one gold. She sits and wraps her long tail around her body, watching me patiently.
I already know who she is, but the eyes cement the knowledge.
“It seems I have a new familiar.” I squat next to her and smile. “And aren’t you beautiful?”
“Meow.”
“You’re welcome.” I scratch her ears. “You’re going to need some food, a litter box, and all kinds of fun things, aren’t you?”
She rubs her face against my hand and starts to purr.
“The most important thing you need is a name. Come on, you can help me get ready for the day, and we’ll talk about it.”
I walk to the dining room, the cat on my heels, and start wiping down tabletops. She jumps onto a chair and watches me.
“You have the cutest little patches of orange fur on your cheeks.” I watch her as I scrub the table. “It almost looks like you’re blushing.”
I laugh and lean over to kiss the top of her head. When I pull back, she looks like she’s smiling up at me.
This is a fun turn of events. I lost my last familiar, Luna, two years ago. And a witch doesn’t choose their familiar—it’s the other way around. So, I’d been waiting to see who might come into my life and when they would arrive.
“And here you are.” I sit next to her, prop my chin in my hand, and talk with her. “I’m Millie, but you already know that, don’t you?”
She blinks happily.
“And who are you?” My eyes keep going back to her cheeks. It really does look like she’s blushing. “You know, I always had rosy cheeks, too. My high school English teacher told me they were sanguine. And I always thought that was such a pretty word. What do you think?”
She purrs again and rubs her cheek against my hand when I reach out to pet her.
“It’s settled, then. Sanguine is a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. You’ll stay with me at the shop today, but then you’ll have to go to the house. I don’t think the health inspector would be okay with me keeping a cat in a coffee shop. Don’t worry, though. I’ll sneak you in with me sometimes.”
I walk over to the door and flick the lock, then flip the sign to OPEN and turn on the rest of the lights.
Sanguine jumps up onto the counter just as the bell above the door dings, signaling an incoming patron.
“You’re not supposed to be up there,” I hiss at her.
“Ah, she found you.”
My head whips up at Lucien’s voice. The man has been a part of my life for a decade, thanks to the coven I found through my mentor, Miss Sophia. But I’ve seen his face for far longer than that.
Lucien has been a constant in my dreams since I was a small girl. Terrifying, horrible nightmares. And because of that, I’ve done my best to avoid the tall, sexy warlock as much as possible.
Although, I have to admit, he was a huge help last year when my sisters and I needed it the most. For that reason alone, I’ll always be grateful to Lucien.
“Good morning,” I say and instinctively reach out to pet Sanguine. “How do you know my cat?”
“I’ve seen her around,” he says and leans against the counter, grinning at us both. “She suits you.”
“I’m so glad you approve.” My voice is as dry as the Sahara, but Lucien doesn’t even blink. It’s his eyes that always get me. Ice blue and so full of wisdom, it takes a girl’s breath away.
At least, it takes mine away. Paired with messy brown hair that’s always a little overgrown, a square jawline, and hands with long, capable fingers, and Lucien is a sight to behold.
I’ve been drawn to him since the moment I met him.
Keeping my distance hasn’t been easy. It’s taken concentration, some spells, and a lot of willpower.
So I can’t help feeling salty when the man walks into my business.
“It’s awfully early for you to be out and about in the Quarter,” I say.
“I’m headed to the lab,” he says and grins when Sanguine walks right into his arms for some petting.
I’m jealous of my own familiar.
“And you want coffee?”
“Yes, please. Black is fine. And I want to talk with you.”
“I’ll pour, you talk.” I take a disposable cup off the stack next to my machine and pour the coffee.
“Millicent, things are starting to happen.”
Every damn time he says my full name, I get shivers down my spine.
“No need to be so formal,” I say with a wink, trying to keep it light. “Millie’s just fine. You’ve known me for a decade, Lucien.”
“I’ve known you a hell of a lot longer than that,” he replies. “Horace—”
“Is gone,” I interrupt. “We got rid of him a year ago, and things have been calm. There’s no need to discuss this.”
“Miss Sophia warned you that he wouldn’t be gone forever. And you know that’s true.”
“Nothing is happening.”
“Yes, it is, and I know it scares you.”
“I’m not afraid of anything, because nothing is happening.” But I feel my stomach tighten. In the few hours of sleep that I manage to get, I’ve been dreaming, and it’s filled me with dread.
“You’re not the only one who dreams,” he says, and my eyes find his again.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Stop reading my mind. I didn’t give you permission to do that.”
“Meow.”
“You’re new here,” I say, pointing to Sanguine. “You don’t get an opinion.”
“I can’t read you, and you know it,” Lucien replies. “And it’s damn frustrating.”
I sigh and pour Lucien another cup of coffee, then toss out the one he hasn’t even touched. I reach under the counter and pull up a small vial, dropping two drops into the brew.
“Are you poisoning me? Or giving me one of your famous love spells?” he asks.
“Neither.” I give the coffee a quick stir and pass it over. “It’s a protection potion. If you’re dreaming enough to come in here to talk to me about it, you need it.”
“I need more than this, Mill.”
I shake my head, not wanting to even consider that what he says is true. “Nothing’s happening.”
Lucien’s ice-blue eyes narrow as he sighs and takes a sip of his brew. “Red rose petals.”
“It adds a nice flavor, I think,” I reply. I’ve always enjoyed talking all things magic with Lucien. He’s so damn wise. So well-versed. And I know there’s so much more I could learn from him.
But I continue keeping my distance.
“When you decide you need me, you know where to find me.”
“In a lab.” Lucien is a warlock, a witch, but he also studies blood and consults with hospitals and police departments on many cases involving rare diseases and DNA. He’s a damn genius.
“My home, my lab, and everywhere in between. You have my number, and I want you to use it, Millie.”
“You only call me Millie when you’re trying to get on my good side.”