Grimoires and Where to Find Them by Raconteur, Honor (ebook reader for laptop .txt) 📕

Everyone immediately got up, the three juniors exiting quickly, no doubt glad for the break and not willing to linger long enough to be roped into something else.

It was, technically, only a half hour away from lunch time. I hadn’t realized it would take me that long to get into the station. Getting out of bed this morning had been so difficult, and had taken multiple tries before my legs agreed to leave the comfort of my quilt.

Jamie turned to me and asked, “Did you have breakfast?”

“I had a muffin on the way in.” Which had, sadly, already worn off. Walking into work had definitely not been the best choice.

“How about lunch at Yorkshire House?” she asked. “Gibson, Sherard, you guys too. I want to run something past you.”

Fish and chips was always an agreeable choice, and especially when my energy levels were low like this, it was the perfect food to replenish me. I nodded, amenable. Also, very curious as to what she wanted to tell us. Something was clearly on her mind.

“Sure,” Gibson agreed easily.

Seaton held up a finger. “Is this a problem for me to solve?”

“Not a problem at all. An opportunity I was handed. I’d like your take on it.”

“Ah. Then I’ll be pleased to join you.” He cast a glance at me. “Is this far?”

“Not at all. It’s across the street and two blocks down.”

“Perfect. Let’s walk, then.”

I truly regretted walking into work this morning. I sighed, as there was no help for it. It wasn’t like there was parking near the restaurant, anyway. It made more sense to walk.

We headed out the door and rearranged ourselves as a group on the sidewalk so we could fit on the narrow confines of the pavement. The traffic was, as usual, brisk, and we passed many a pedestrian on the street.

The pollution in the city was becoming a problem. I know Jamie had spoken with several people about this, introducing the idea of both solar and wind power to offset the issue. The idea had taken hold, as anyone with eyes and a nose could see the air quality in the city was getting worse by the day. I had hopes a decision would be reached soon about what to implement first. My guess would be wind power, as the wind coming in off the sea was a constant and surely the most feasible to quickly implement.

Jamie’s arm found mine and looped through it. I gave her a smile, pleased at the easy affection she showed. She smiled back, her eyes crinkling a little at the corners.

It was only then I belatedly realized neither of us were juggling a Felix. “Where is the trio?”

“Sleeping at my apartment. They were up all night watching over you and Colette, so I let them snooze today.”

I only vaguely remembered Phil being at my side, a purring ball of fur tucked in next to my chin. “He purred at me, I think.”

“He did. Most of the time you were dead to the world. I’m curious, do you have any intention of ever making him your familiar?”

I blinked at this question, as it came out of nowhere, as far as I could tell. I’d never really thought about having a familiar. Not all magicians did, and it was more about status, in some ways. Familiars were companions more than helpers. Although, in a field like mine, Phil had proven to be very helpful.

“But he’s not mine.”

“Henri.” She used that tone, the one that said I was being deliberately obtuse. “He spends far more time with you than me. It’s clear you’re his choice. If you asked him, he’d be over the moon.”

I hadn’t meant to overstep a boundary. Jules Felix had given Jamie the kittens, not me. But she did bring up a very valid point. Phil had made his preference clear. And she obviously did not mind, since she was encouraging me to do something rather than leave the situation in this strange limbo.

“Well. If you’re quite sure about this, I’ll ask him.”

“Good. I think he’ll be ecstatic.”

I did, as well.

We arrived at the restaurant, and everyone placed their orders. Seaton surprised us by paying for lunch, and when Gibson tried to protest, he simply held up a hand.

“After the ordeal I dragged you all into yesterday, I think I at least owe you a meal.”

And, well. What did one say to that?

I accepted it with good grace, as it was true. Yesterday had been a nightmare, and I was happy to be treated for my services. We chose a back table near the window, away from the other patrons, settling in around the plain table. Once we were all seated, Jamie angled herself so she could speak to all three of us comfortably.

“Alright. So, you all tried the strawberries yesterday.”

Gibson and Seaton nodded, and I could tell from their expressions they’d already discussed this with her. Likely, first thing.

“And everyone who’s tried them loved them, no surprise.” Jamie rubbed both palms together in a slow motion, picking her words. “When I went to collect them yesterday, Pam Pousson made me an offer. She had me sign paperwork to patent the seed. She wants to partner with me to market them.”

I startled in my chair. What? We’d had no plans on making this a wholesale product.

“Can you do that?” Sherard asked in surprise.

“This world’s conditions closely match Earth’s,” she explained. “Pam and I went through all of this when we were first figuring out what to do with the seeds. Water composition, air quality, soil nutrients, it’s all really, really close. It’s part of why I can function so well on this planet. The strawberries, apparently, see no real difference either, as they grew very well and taste just as delicious. She planted five outside, in pots, and they were happy little plants. They are a little invasive, so you’ll have to keep an eye on them. Pam’s firmly of the opinion that she can create a