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“Okay,” I agree, not wanting to get in the middle of whatever is going on between them.

Hunter steps away, and the person ahead of me finishes placing their order. I step up to the counter, ready to order an outrageous amount of sweets.

“Hi Lottie, what can I get for you today?” asks Calliope from behind the counter.

She greets me with a genuine smile, and I return the gesture. She was extremely helpful and friendly when I needed directions to Daisy’s and recommended the best cinnamon roll I’ve ever eaten. So, I think I can trust her.

“Hi, Calliope, I would like to get a cinnamon roll, apple fritter, lemon tart, and blueberry muffin, please. Oh, and a large milk.”

“Okay, would you like anything else? Or are you two sharing?”

I giggle, not at all ashamed to admit they’re all for me. “They’re all for me, but if he asks really nice, I might let him have a bite.”

Calliope rings me up, and as I’m digging for my wallet, a new voice appears at my side.

“Hi there.”

I turn to find the badass redhead standing next to me, one hand leaning on the counter and the other on her hip as if she’s been there the whole time. She’s shorter than me, but I would bet she could win a fist fight with a bear for how tough she looks.

“Hello,” I manage, not quite sure what to make of the woman.

“You’re not a local, are you?” she asks. But I have a feeling she already knows the answer. Hopefully, she doesn’t know who I really am.

“No. Well, not yet. I’m considering relocating, though,” I admit. Something I haven’t even told Ginger or Hunter yet. Somehow, telling a stranger seems easier.

She nods and purses her lips, looking me over before eyeing Calliope behind the counter.

“I’m Tess. Also, not a local. Just visiting. I heard this is a great place to view next week's blood moon.”

She extends her hand, and I shake it awkwardly. Her grip is like steel, and I was right; she is tough.

I don’t have time to form a response like, 'What the hell is a blood moon?'before she’s speaking again. She’s very forward and confident, which is something I admire in a woman.

“So, have either of you seen anything strange around town lately?” Tess asks.

“Um, like what?” asks Calliope, just as lost as I am. Her face scrunching under her thick-rimmed glasses.

“Oh, you know, weird things. People doing weird stuff, acting odd. Maybe people with weird markings or strange creatures in the woods at night?”

What in the actual hell is she talking about? Creatures and weird markings? She couldn’t be talking about non-humans, could she?

“I don’t think so,” I squeak out in response. I don’t like the way this conversation is going.

“So, no werewolves then?” she asks blatantly.

“What?” The word comes out shaky and high-pitched.

I did not expect to have to deal with this sort of thing so soon after learning about shifters and non-humans because I’m sure that’s what she means. What else could it be? I thought Hunter was a werewolf at first, too.

“You know, hairy beasts that change under the full moon and hunt people for sport.”

This is oddly not the weirdest conversation I’ve had today, but definitely the most awkward.

Calliope and I look at each other. She wears an expression similar to my own. Shock, confusion, and a bit of knowing reluctance as if she and I know the same secret. Perhaps we do. She could be a non-human, and I wouldn’t know it since I can’t see through their glamour.

We stare at each other for long moments, both with our mouths opening and closing, trying to decide what to say. Thankfully, Calliope speaks first.

“No, no werewolves or anything of the sort. Nothing like that around here,” she says with a soft nervous laughter in her voice.