A Lesson in Magic (by Kit Bryan) novel Chapter 87

Lesson 87- It’s okay if you fall as long as you get back up and try

again.

The night is almost over, there are only a few stragglers left, actually it’s basically just the vampires who

are the most drunk I’ve ever seen them, because they have had SO many drinks. Eventually I had to tell

them that they had drunk all the iron tonic. I really hope they were honest when they said it won’t make

them sick because that is DEFINITELY an overdose and if a human had that much it would be SUPER bad.

I’m about to tell them that it’s time to clear out when a woman enters the bar. She looks like she’s dressed

to head into an office, not a bar. I change directions to let her know that we’ve already had last call.

“Hey, we’re actually closing.” I tell her with an apologetic smile.

“I’m not here to drink. I wanted to ask if you could help me find someone. She’s a witch, about your age,

with red hair. Her name is Laura. Has she been by here recently? Maybe you’ve seen her about?”

Technically her tone and expression are pleasant, but something about it rings alarm bells for me. If she’s a

friend or something, then she could just call Laura and if not? Well then I’m definitely not handing that

information over anyway.

Uh, sorry. She doesn’t sound familiar to me. But I don’t really know a lot about this stuff, I’m just a human

so I don’t even know how I would tell if someone was a witch.” I tell her, playing dumb. Obviously I’ve

picked up more than a few things while I’ve been working here, but if this woman is anything like the

other supernaturals I’ve met, she’s going to underestimate me. She sighs deeply.

“Of course you don’t. Thanks anyway. Could you give me a call if you do see her?” She tries again, this

time her tone is genuinely condescending. For the first time I’m genuinely happy that I don’t have a phone

because this isn’t even a lie.

“Actually, I’m sort of trapped here, and no phone. Since I’m not supposed to know about all this magic

stuff. So I don’t have any way I can contact you, sorry. Now I really need to finish closing up. Have a nice

day!” I say cheerfully, then turn back to the vampires.

“Hey guys, it’s time to clear out.” I drop my hands on my hips and they groan but slowly shuffle towards

the exit. The primly dressed woman strides out behind them and I immediately lock the doors.

“You did the right thing. Never give out information about any of your coworkers.” Torin comments from

behind me. I whirl around in surprise.

“You totally snuck up on me!” I complain and Torin shrugs apologetically.

“Sorry. In the future, if someone asks about one of your coworkers just send them off if you can, if they’re

persistent and direct them to me.” He says seriously. I nod my understanding.

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Lesson 87- It’s okay if you fall as long as you get back and try again.

“Of course. Do you know who that woman was?” I ask. He shrugs.

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“I have an idea about it, but it’s not my place to say.” He says awkwardly. I can tell that he WANTS to tell

me, but he’s too respectful of Laura’s privacy. I save him from the internal struggle.

“I’ll ask Laura about it when she comes in tonight, no big deal.” I say with a smile. Torin nods gratefully.

Now that the bar is closed, I carefully place the kitten down on the floor and watch as he sleepily

stretches. Jane’s trap door immediately slams open and she reaches towards the cat. I’m alarmed for about

three seconds until I realise that she’s just curious. She pokes the kitten who toppers over onto his side

and starts swatting at Jane. She jerks away in apparent shock. The kitten gets up and chases after her. Jane

moves away again and the kitten leans down, wiggles his little tail then tries to pounce on her. She

continues moving and soon enough Jane starts purring as she teases the kitten who looks like he’s having

the time of his life. Well… I guess Jane doesn’t object to our new housemate then. I get to work cleaning,

wiping down the bar when I find a large stack of cash just… Sitting there.

“Hey Tori? What’s this money?” I ask, a little confused.

“Oh, I meant to tell you. The vampires left it for you.” He says casually. My jaw drops. I don’t know how

much money this is, but I suspect they tipped me more than the bar actually made tonight altogether.

“But… That’s crazy!” I object. Torin shrugs.

“They can afford it. Remember they’re older than they look. Isaiah especially. They’ve had more than

enough time to build wealth, and apparently more than enough time to get sick of drinking unpleasant

beverages.” He adds.

“Why do they even come here if they’re expecting it to be bad?” I wonder aloud.

“The same reason everyone else does. To socialise and catch up on gossip. They could get alcohol anywhere, but this is the only bar where they can relax and be themselves or speak honestly without worrying about what humans might be listening in. Well, humans other than you I guess.” He adds with a

small smile. I laugh and nod.

“I guess that makes sense. Still, this is a crazy amount of money to tip someone. Are you sure that they meant it for me?” I ask, still not really believing that this much money is mine. Torin nods.

“They made themselves very clear. Actually, can you show me what it was that you added to their drinks?

I’ll order more and we can stock it as an add–on for the vampire’s drinks from now on.” Torin says, looking

pleased.

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Lesson 87- It’s okay if you fall as long as you get back and try again.

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“Sure. I can show you where I ordered it too, but if you want to get it regularly you might want to find

some place cheaper. I just got it from the first place I found that would deliver it.” I add. He nods and looks

over the empty bottle I just handed him.

“That would be helpful. Maybe don’t feed this one to Jabe? I’ll take it with me so I don’t forget what I’m

looking for.” He decides and I nod.

I’m mopping the floor and trying not to laugh at Jane playing with the kitten. She taunts him then jerks

away, suddenly moving her limb. But the clumsy cat doesn’t stop himself in time and goes flying across the

floor and crashes straight into a chair. He sits there blinking and meows up at me, looking totally confused

the poor thing. I scoop him up and cuddle him to my chest.

“Aww you sweet thing. You didn’t hurt yourself did you?” I stroke his head. Still, it WAS pretty funny

watching him crash into the chair, like one of those cat videos you see online. Huh… actually, that might

be an idea for a name.

“Do you want to be called Crash sweetie? I think it suits you.” I tickle the little kitten’s chin and he tries to

bite my fingers. Yep, I think Crash is the perfect name for this tiny orange devil. I can’t wait for Kyle and

Laura to get in later tonight so they can meet him. I bet they’ll love him! I mean who wouldn’t? I spend a

few minutes with Torin making a list of stuff I’ll need for Crash while Jane eats, then he heads off and I raid the kitchen for kitten appropriate food. Torin will bring something later, but I can’t make him wait all day! I find some chicken and I tear it up into tiny pieces which he seems to be able to tolerate well enough. Then I get a bowl of water set up in my room and leave him to run around while I finally take the

chance to get some sleep.

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