Earthbound: An Otherworld Novella

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Book: Read Earthbound: An Otherworld Novella for Free Online
Authors: Yasmine Galenorn
me. Do you need the address?” She paused again, then said goodbye.
    “So, do cell phones work anywhere? I doubt they would work from home—Otherworld.” Most technology wouldn’t work over in Otherworld, but I really liked the idea of being able to contact my sisters no matter where any of us were.
    “Not exactly, but coverage is getting better. If you’re in the mountains or underground, or in a parking garage, you’ll usually have difficulty. But for the most part, they work fairly consistently and are getting better.” She tucked it back into her pocket and turn to Delilah. “Siobhan is a selkie. She’s with the Puget Sound Harbor Seal Pod, and is engaged to another selkie named Mitch. I think you’ll like her.”
    “Oddly enough, I think there are more selkies Earthside than in Otherworld. I’m not sure why they chose to remain over here during the Great Divide, but apparently they prefer it.” I ran my hand along the glass countertop. It was smudged and dirty. “Is there a cloth I could use to clean this glass with? I don’t like dinginess, or cobwebs or clutter. It all leads to a cluttered mind, and that muddies the atmosphere and the energy of the house as well as a person. And it muddies magic, and I don’t need my magic any more messed up than it is.”
    Iris laughed. “I think we’ll get along just fine. I’ll find something—give me a moment.” She hurried into the back. I heard the water running, and then she returned with a sponge and a spray bottle. “Here, I thought we might need this since the dirt is so embedded. I brought along a vinegar and water solution. It will cut the grease just as well as any harsh chemical.” She handed the bottle to me, showing me how to work it.
    As I began to wash the counters she found a feather duster and started dusting shelves. Delilah was busy writing up a list of what she thought she needed for her shop.
    “I’m not sure what to get, but I’m sure that I’ll find something.”
    “Do you have your check book?” I hoped she hadn’t lost it somewhere. Delilah could be a bit scatterbrained at times.
    “Right here,” she patted her pocket.
    We each had a checking account, as well as the household account. I wasn’t used to handing over scraps of paper for goods, but it wasn’t much different than our coins and gems at home. Currency was currency, regardless of the form.
    The door was open to air out the store when a man walked into the shop. I blinked. It was taking me some time to get used to seeing so many older people. Among the Fae, even the aged didn’t show it much. I was finding it hard to pinpoint what age meant over here, especially since I was older than a lot of people we had met.
    The man was about five foot ten, and what hair he had left appeared to be turning silver. He was wearing round glasses, a white button-down shirt, and a pair of grey trousers. As he stepped into the shop, a wide smile spread across his face.
    “Are you open for business yet?” He sounded excited.
    I glanced at Iris, who nodded for me to say hello.
    “Not quite, but we will be soon. My name is Camille D’Artigo, owner of the Indigo Crescent.” I held out my hand and turned on my glamour.
    One thing I had become very aware of was of the effect we had on full-blooded humans — or FBHs as the other Fae called them. It was like having charm magic on constant standby. I had found that if I closed my eyes and focused, I could rein it in, but I doubted that I could ever fully hide it. Glamour was as much a part of our nature as was breathing.
    “I’m Henry Jeffries. I suppose I’m what you would call a sci-fi geek.” He practically beamed as he took my hand, and the only thing I could sense from his energy was a happy joyful dance of light and color. Here was a man who was essentially happy. A rare find regardless of what world you lived in.
    “Well, Henry Jeffries. While we’re not officially open today, why don’t you take a look around and see

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