A/N: Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. I hope you enjoy this.

Chapter 6: Table for Two

Toni has never denied someone sanctuary. Somehow, she's not surprised that it's John who's using the safe house.

"Well?"

She looks at Riya. "Hmm? Well what?"

"Tell me about the big, bad, and broody."

Toni tries not to smile, amused at the description. "He's not big, bad and broody." She thought about it. "Mostly."

Riya just grins at her. "So tell me about him. I mean, it's not often anyone can make you turn that flustered."

Toni folds the towel she's still holding before placing it to the side and continuing with the laundry. "He's…" she pauses, trying to find a way to describe the man. She doesn't know him that well. "Kind. A good man, despite his occupation."

"And that is?"

"An assassin." She glances sideways at Riya. The woman is staring at her in surprise.

"You really know how to pick them."

"I picked you," Toni points out. Riya just waves her off.

"One kiss when we were teens doesn't count as picking me," she says. "Besides, that was a mutual test and we decided we're better friends. I'm not dangerous enough for you," Riya teases.

Toni feels herself flush and grabs the next piece of clothing to fold, trying to ignore it. "I don't pick the dangerous."

"Not always," Riya agrees. "But when you do, they're your best relationships. Or did you forget about Fiona?"

"No one can forget Fiona." The bone witch was a good friend but they hadn't started like that. Their relationship lasted nearly a year before they parted amicably. It had been a great year though.

"That's true. So? Tell me more."

Toni pauses as she considers what to say. "He's in pain but strong and still kind. He's been Blessed before."

Riya perks up. "Really?"

Toni nods. "By a Bone witch. Don't know who, but it's likely kept him alive so far." She finishes folding the shirt. "I also spoke to the Council."

"What?" All playfulness is gone as Riya focuses on her. "Why?"

Toni stops folding as she looks at her friend. "He's an assassin, Riya and at war with their High Table. I had to inform them what I had given."

"It's not like they're going to stop you from giving Sanctuary."

"No, but they needed to be told. Just in case this escalates. I asked Mavis for guidance," she admits.

"And?"

"She told me to follow my instinct. That they would stand by me."

"Wow." Riya picks at one of the shirts that's hanging near her, next to her sewing kit. "Is that why you're sewing Blessings into his clothes? These are strong."

"He needs them."

"How'd you even get them?"

Toni considers ignoring the question. Riya wouldn't let up though, she knows that. "I put a dry cleaner bag with the food I had delivered. When I picked it up, it was full."

"But he doesn't know what you're doing."

She winces. "No. Not yet. If he comes back, I'll tell him."

"Don't worry," Riya gives her a smile. "It's not like he'll refuse. No one with a smidge of intelligence would refuse your protection." Her smile suddenly grows. "But you don't want him around just to provide him with sanctuary, do you?"

Toni picks up the hand towel she recently folded and throws it in Riya's face. Her friend laughs before throwing it back.

"Tell me I'm wrong!"

Toni can't, of course. She's not blind. The man may be in pain, usually physically when she sees him, but emotionally but she can't help but be intrigued by him. She wants to know more but she knows well how uncomfortable her abilities can make people. He hasn't been back since their last conversation. John isn't even aware he's under her protection now.

"Hey," Riya cuts into her thoughts. "It'll be okay. Who can resist this face!" She taps Toni on the nose. "Besides, if he hurts you, I'll just sic Fiona on him."

"Riya!"

"What? It's not like I can hire an assassin. They're still failing, even before your protections. I'd just get her to remove the blessing. Shouldn't take long then."

"Oh my god," Toni stares at her friend. "You can't kill him because he doesn't like me. What are we, twelve?"

"And twenty!"

"I'd never believe it." Toni says dryly.

Riya just shrugs. "If I took things too seriously, life would be boring. For all of us. Now, how are you going to win him over? Did he have any of your coffee yet?"

Toni laughs and nods.

"And that didn't work? Damn. He must be a stubborn son of a bitch."

Toni laughs harder. "It's fine, Riya. Not everyone who comes into the shop falls in love with me. That's ridiculous."

"Keep telling yourself that, but your magic doesn't work on you like it does everyone else. Least not the food." Riya pauses as if she considers that. "Does your mom's magic work on you? Food wise?"

"Yes," Toni says with a nod. "Just not to the same extent because I can tell what she's doing. It's like listening to a sad song and feeling sad but knowing it's only because of the music. That it will pass."

"Oh, that sucks."

Toni just smiles. "It's fine. I'm used to it. I prefer helping people rather than worrying about myself."

"And that is why you're the Hearth witch and I am merely a Hedge."

"Merely? You decomposed a body in my shop the last time I saw you!"

Riya waves her hand. "That's just plants doing what they do best. I just help it along."

Toni stares at her friend for a moment before making a decision. "You're staying for dinner."

"I am?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay, but if I'm staying for dinner, we might as well make a whole night of it. Get the wine and be prepared to cuddle! I'm not sleeping on your couch again."

Toni just laughs and agrees. Riya won't have any more doubts about her magical worth by the time she leaves.

She's cleaning in the back when the door chimes.

She wipes her hands on a towel out of habit before walking to the front. She pauses at the sight of the person standing on the other side of the counter. There is something different about them. A sense of justice and balance but also the same darkness that lines the edges of some of the auras she's seen so far. She smiles anyway.

"Welcome to Mystic Creations! What can I get you?"

The person pulls something out of their pocket and slides it towards her on the counter. She leans over to get a closer look at it but doesn't touch. It's some kind of medallion that she's never seen in person before. She's heard of it though. The council educated her. "This is a first. What can I do for you?"

"I have been sent to discuss John Wick."

"Alright," she says. "Can I get you a coffee or something to eat?" It's not like it wasn't bound to happen. John himself told her of the trouble he previously found himself in. She moves, making them a coffee before the Adjudicator gives a preference. She places it in a to-go cup. She doesn't expect the conversation to last long.

"Thank you."

She waits until the Adjudicator takes a sip, watching with pleasure as they nod to themselves. "Now, what about John?"

The Adjudicator clasps their hands together on the counter and stares. She imagines most people that they encounter are uneased by them and the role they play. However, they are in Toni's space. The only one who might be wary now is them.

"The High Table recognizes your position," they say. Toni tries not to smile. It was a polite way of them saying they knew that they had no real power over her. "John Wick is a problem."

"Not mine though," she says lightly.

"You offered him sanctuary."

Toni tries not to sigh. "I offer everyone sanctuary," she says. "That's part of my role. I can respect that you and yours have their own way of doing things and your own rules, but I have mine."

"You granted him protection."

She knows that they mean the charms she stitched into his clothing, the food that she's given him and the blessing she granted. "John is a friend."

The Adjudicator takes another sip of the coffee before looking at her. "Out of consideration for your role, and your council, the High Table is requesting that your protection cease."

"Denied," she says immediately.

"You are certain?" the Adjudicator asks, raising an eyebrow at her.

"As I said, he is a friend and even if he wasn't, I am not in the habit of rescinding my offers. The High Table is welcome to argue with the Council, but I am sure you are aware of my role." There was a reason she stayed in this city and why her sister's family, the Zhaos, joined her own family in a permanent pact of mutual aide and protection and sealed it. Their bloodlines are protected.

"Consider this the first contact."

"Of course," Toni says. "Now, can I tempt you with something to eat?"

The Adjudicator nods. "You may choose."

She smiles, grateful that she doesn't have to argue it and that they'll allow themselves to try what she wishes to offer. It shows that despite the opposition they face when it comes to John, the High Table is still unwilling to cut themselves completely from her services that are occasionally and carefully contracted. She's used to that though. Toni would much rather they come to her, looking to use her skills as opposed to going to her sister. Not that Jia Li can't handle herself but it was her duty as an older sibling to protect her, as much as she could.

She peers into her creations before finally making a choice and pulling something out. It's a simple lemon bar, already sugared, and tart enough to tingle the back of your jaw when you eat it. It's charmed for perception and to give people a sense of appreciation. It is easy, she thinks, to be unaware of how people view you, especially in a positive light. That is why the charms have to go together.

"Would you like to have it now or have it to go?" Toni asks.

"Now, if you will."

"Certainly." Toni places it on a small plate and offers it forward. The Adjudicator almost delicately picks it up before taking a bite. Toni waits. This is her favourite part, watching the realization hit as the magic settles.

They pause as they chew but when they finally swallow, they look up at Toni. "Excellent as expected."

"Thank you."

Toni pours herself a cup of coffee while the High Table Representative finishes eating. She leans back against the counter behind her and waits. When they are finished, she takes the plate, moving it to the bin to the side that she'll wash later.

The Adjudicator uses the napkin carefully to wipe the remnants of sugar off of their face before they look at Toni again. "I will inform the High Table of your decision. We would do well not to need to meet again."

Toni simply smiles and agrees. "It would be in your best interest."

[tbc]