I almost woke up the cat to ask about it, but it was gone so fast, I doubted what I'd seen. I quickly glanced away, not wanting to be caught staring. But, still, I knew I'd seen something. I'd have to ask about it later.

One of the Elven students came up for a slice of the coffee cake. "Did I really see a dragon last time?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, she's napping at the moment." I took out a plate and placed the treat on it. Her face fell at my response.

"Do you think she'll be up soon?"

I shrugged. "It's a growth spurt. I don't know how long she'll be out, but I'll let her know you asked about her."

She nodded with a smile and paid for the coffee cake.

My stomach grumbled, and I forced myself to look away from the goodie. Actual food would be better.

"Hey, Cat…?" I asked.

His eyes flickered open slowly before he stretched.

"Can you watch the counter? I'm going to make us some food really quick. Proper food this time." We still had an hour till lunch, but sugar and carbs didn't last long.

"Then can I have another coffee?"

"Sure." I hurried into the kitchen and pulled out some leftover cooked bacon, along with eggs and wraps. Breakfast wraps were super fast, all I needed to do was cook the eggs. I peeked my head back out, but no one had entered and I quickly scarfed down my wrap. I left the Cat's on the island and walked back to the front.

"You have a wrap on the island, I'll make a coffee for you. Any requests?" I asked.

"Your choice." Then he jumped off the counter.

My empty glass sat next to Betty, and I wondered if I wanted to stay with something cold. Opening the fridge, I pulled out some heavy cream, and some toffee. A toffee cold coffee with a drizzle of chocolate sounded good. Sure, it had lots of sugar and caffeine, but today was going to be long.

I didn't notice the troll approach.

"That looks tasty," she commented.

I glanced up quickly. "Thanks, I'm in a cold drink mood today."

"Can I get one of those?" she asked.

"Of course, how's studying going?" I quickly pulled another two shots of espresso.

She shrugged. "Good, I just wish he would get the hint and ask me out already," she mumbled.

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"You can ask him out, you know… Take the initiative."

Her eyes grew wide. "I mean, I could…" She turned to look at him sitting at the table and caught him checking her out. His cheeks turned a dark green.

"I mean, he has a thing for you, that's clear…" I added.

"You might be right…" She quickly paid for her drink, then wandered back to the table. Within seconds, he was an even brighter red, and that same golden outline appeared again before vanishing. This time I knew I'd seen it.

The Cat jumped up on the counter.

"Did you see that?" I asked quietly.

"See what?"

"Between the two of them, that flash of golden light?"

The Cat looked at me like I was crazy.

"Nevermind." I placed a much smaller version of my toffee-chocolate iced coffee in front of him. "Here's a drink for you."

"What do you say we split a piece of coffee cake?" Asked the Cat.

I chuckled, my willpower failing as I grabbed two plates. "Well, since you asked…"

Thankfully, no one else entered until the crumbles were gone and the plates cleared away. Though, the moment the cleanup was done, three people entered, all human. They ordered fall drinks and took a table near the door. They chatted louder than the five people already in the coffee shop were. Both the elves and the trolls sent looks their way, but the trio of humans didn't notice.

Next a mixed group entered. Some shifters and elves, plus someone with magic. I could feel it around them. They took the table next to the humans. Something was up there.

My eyes kept wandering to the human table. It felt like trouble was brewing.

"Cat…" I whispered.

He blinked at me.

"Can you go knock over one of that group's to-go cups?" I asked. The human group didn't get mugs, I'd used to-go cups for all of them. It'd made sense at the time, and it felt like the right move. One thing being shopkeeper had taught me clearly was to go with my gut. "They're being rude…" I caught one of them glancing around at the other tables with a smirk.

The Cat jumped off the table and headed in that direction. The mixed group shot darker looks at the table of humans, but did nothing. Then the Cat arrived.

"Oh, look at the kitty," said one of the humans, way too freaking loud given overall mood in the coffee shop. The Cat jumped on the table and let one of them pet him. Then he twisted around, accidentally knocking into a cup. It crashed onto the table and he jumped out of the way to not get his paws wet. The coffee splashed onto the lap of the one I thought was the leader. He jumped up with a frown.

One of the others, a girl, tried to use some napkins to wipe up, but he stormed in my direction. "Your cat spilled my drink."

The temperature in the coffee shop lowered by a few degrees, and I studied him. Then I pointed at the sign on the wall behind the counter.

Do not upset the cat

The cat is always right

Do not go behind the counter

Do not upset the cat

"The rules are pretty clear, maybe it's time you headed out…" I kept my voice firm, and the skylights darkened for a moment.

He took a step back. "Let's get out of here…" Then the whole group stormed out. The temperature returned to normal, along with the lights.

I grabbed a rag and moved out from behind the counter to clean up the table.

"Sorry about that everyone, had to take out the trash."

The troll laughed, as did the mixed group. They beat me to the table and tossed the remaining to-go cups, pitching in to help clean up.

"How about cookies for everyone?" I asked with a smile.

Everyone in the shop quickly lined up, and I passed out either a chocolate chip cookie or a peanut butter. It felt like things were getting back on track.

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