Murky Cheat

Chapter 1: Blood Water

'They say it's thicker than water, but I think you'll find our family's blood runs thin,' my father said as I cut into my hand with the edge of his blade, entering into a Blood Oath beneath the light of a crimson moon and the eye of Pisces.

I was a young, ignorant fool back then who took the knife to my palm because that's what everyone in the movies did; Now I know I should have just fallen and scraped the shit out of my knees instead. Dramatics be damned. Of course, when you consider the price I would have to pay for betraying that promise, perhaps the theatrics were a fitting start to my twisted little narrative.

Oh and, if you're still wondering, my blood dribbled down through the lines in my hand as thick and discolored as aged syrup that was far past its due; to prove it to you, I'll begin my story by shedding a little more of it.

It all began with me seated at the bar of Ismelda's Morning Brews, the only place in town run by a real Elixir expert and her pastry-obsessed husband, Bernard. My trip to the coffee shop that morning was drenched in the promise of the gloomy day ahead as well as a steady scattering of rain. First the bell chimed on my entrance, then one of the weak lights overhead flickered across the bubblegum-pink tile until I finally met the eye of a very stocky man dressed in a strawberry covered apron. I walked up and slipped a crumpled 10 dollar bill across the counter- my bloodshot eyes no doubt wide with fatigue. Following it was a small nugget of gold that glistened brightly enough to quickly draw the baker's attention away from my sleepless gaze.

"Oh, what's this?" he said as he picked it up and turned it carefully over in his beefy palm.

"It's for Sprinkles," my voice cracked over the words, forcing me to clear my throat so I could speak for the first time that early morning. "And also for my large caramel macchiato. Make it a triple shot."

Bernie's eyes narrowed considerably, covering up what there was of his beady, black irises.

"Did you get any sleep last night, Albina?" A swell of fear quickly straightened my spine. "You look like you-"

"I'm fine, Bern," I interrupted with a glance at the kitchen door in the hopes that Ismelda didn't hear. "I've just got a math test today that I'm not looking forward to," I leaned over the bar to punch him playfully on his thick, tatted arm. "Midterms, am I right?"

Bernie continued to stare at me as he reached down and pressed some buttons on the shop's bright pink cash register. He cracked his knuckles marked across with the words BAKE LOVE and leaned over the bar towards me slowly.

"Six dollars and seventy eight cents is your change," Bern said before sliding the money over the rose-colored counter.

"Wow, no discount for bringing in the gold nugget?" I huffed which only caused him to push a sarcastic penny across the table. I glared at him for a moment before reaching out to take it. "You think you're being funny but I really am broke enough to need this," I shook the copper disk at him. "I was trying to be nice by bringing your pet dragon some premium coin, but I guess this is my only thanks. I could have pawned that off you know!"

Bernie grunted at the accusatory remark.

"Ismelda will throw in a fourth shot of espresso for free."

That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

"Hell, might as well make it five."

"Anything for you, sweetheart!" Ismelda's sugary voice spilled in from the high window of her bar.

Shit.

"Oh, uh..." My voice trailed off, but I didn't dare contradict her. "Thanks, Isma. At least someone here appreciates me!" I shouted back before settling into one of the bright pink bar stools with a nervous laugh. "Hopefully all this caffeine gives me a heart attack on the way there, right Bern?"

He frowned at me, the large cup of coffee I ordered suddenly appearing in his hairy grip. I always wondered what kind of spell they must use to do that.

"You die and we'll kill you."

I nodded solemnly and took a sip from the large mug, the self stirring spoon grazing the tip of my nose as it trailed by.

"You never know when you might get your chance."

The second after those words rolled off my tongue the bell to the shop rung again, it's off-key tinkling causing me to cringe. My brow instinctually furrowed. Ismelda's was a pretty popular coffee shop, but I always purposely came in extremely early in order to limit my human interaction. Sometimes I think Isma and Bernard must have started opening this early just because of me. I glanced down at my watch: 5:53am. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the other early morning drifter seat themselves at the far end of the bar. I blinked scrutinizingly at his black jacket, purple framed eyes and dark, ruffled hair- he looked as trashed as I did. In his hands was a slightly crumpled Magician Job Listing; Ah, a Mage. With a hum to myself I turned back to my steaming coffee, taking a scalding sip just as Bernie approached his newest patron.

"What do you want?" He huffed: Bern wasn't strong on customer service, though his red velvet cupcakes were exquisite.

The young man didn't seem perturbed by his coarse behavior, however, and only grinned up at him before sliding some cash across the bar.

"Just a coffee: no cream, no sugar," He mumbled back in a voice still raspy with sleep. "and a blueberry muffin... please."

Bernie grunted before taking the money and heading back to the register. I watched as his beefy fingers tapped comically at the small keys of his prized possession: He looked like he accidently got slipped into a Barbie Dreamhouse set and decided to stay. The thought caused me to chuckle softly to myself as I took another sip of the boiling hot coffee.

"Shouldn't you be studying, Alba?"

I choked a little bit on my drink.

"No, not really," He glared down at me. "I mean, I could but I don't need to," I cleared my throat, turning my eyes away from his critical gaze, and brought the edge of the cup to my lips again. "The teacher's a total ass anyways, he'll probably find a way to screw me over," I muttered under my breath.

One of Bernie's stubby fingers settled on the edge of my cup and pushed it away from my face.

"How?" Bern's voice grew instantly cold, his expression perfectly calm. Without looking he pushed the cup of black coffee in his other hand across the bar with perfect precision, a spell burning at his fingertips for a split second.

I sighed.

"Forget it Bern."

"Albina," Ismelda's voice joined in from the other room.

I groaned and rolled my eyes, trying to hide the spike of fear her voice brought me with an angsty 'ugh'. I had never actually met Isma face to face and must admit that I never wanted to since she absolutely terrified me. She must have stayed behind the shop's high bar window for a reason and I didn't want to find out why.

"I shouldn't have said anything, just forget it," I said as I pulled my coffee back and glanced at the young man, highly aware of his listening in. There was an amused grin twitching at his pale lips that really made me want to smack him straight across the face.

."Why does your teacher not like you, Alb?" Bernie grumbled out in his fatherly tone, turning my gaze back to him.

I huffed, quickly growing impatient with his and Ismelda's innocent parent act.

"You should try taking a wild guess." I stood up, half-empty mug of coffee still in my hands, and yanked my backpack onto my shoulder with anger and irritation evident in my jerking movements. "I gotta go; I need to get to school early so I can study. That's what you wanted, right?"

I started turning just as Bern opened his mouth to speak, but before I could make my escape to the door I saw rapid movement out of the corner of my eye; it seemed to be nothing other than the rippling black jacket of the shop's only other patron. I think if I were to freeze frame that moment it might make a pretty decent personal safety ad.

Caption: Always Be Prepared for Violence.

Well, my dear reader, I was most definitely not.

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