To make it clear which part only Victoria hears, those parts are in italic.

Chapter 2

With a groan, Victoria woke up. Her whole body ached, and her arms felt like she had kneaded dough all day. Her legs felt like lead. And suddenly, she understood what people meant by having a hangover.
Not like she had ever been drunk, but if the stories that got told matched how she felt at the moment. Victoria couldn't understand why someone ever wanted to get drunk.
She vaguely remembered a dream starring Señora Claus, and a wry smile appeared on her face.

It was a good thing that dreams were secret and that no one would ever discover what a vivid fantasy she had had. It must be because of the hangover feeling she had.
Although Victoria was pretty sure, she had only drunk a few cups of coffee, two cups of milk and juice yesterday.
Victoria crawled out of bed and looked at herself in the vanity mirror. She had never seen herself so dishevelled.

A little concerned, Victoria felt her forehead to check if she was running a fever. Today was the tavern's busiest day of the year, and she lacked time to get sick, not today.
Victoria had little choice but to ignore her headache and aching limbs as much as possible and make the best of filled the sink with water from the ewer, splashed some on her face. And immediately felt a little better.

After washing and getting dressed, Victoria went downstairs.
In the kitchen, she stoked the fire and began preparing to make the coffee, hoping it would give her another boost to keep her going for the rest of the day.|While the water was slowly coming to a boiling, she prepared the ingredients for the cornbread she had yet to bake.

In an hour, she expected to open, and her first guests of the day would arrive.

Moments later, the water for the coffee boiled. Victoria made a jar of extra strong coffee and poured herself a cup. She took a sip of the bitter drink that had an invigorating effect.
She turned around and saw a small glass vial on the table. The small object looked just as she remembered in her dream. The only difference was this one was empty.
She walked anxiously to the table, picked up the bottle and sniffed it.

It smelled like…, the ocean. Victoria could not give it another name. But how did it get here, and what more? Was this proof that her dream was not a dream?

No, nonsense. Last night, Mrs Claus appeared in her kitchen, asking for her grandmother's recipe for cookies. Then she had Victoria drink an unknown potion that would now allow her to hear people's thoughts.

Sure!

Maybe, yesterday, she had accidentally put a shot of liquor in her juice and started to imagine things.

Her experience with doctor Wayne's potions should make her wiser, after all.
Magic didn't exist. And potions with magical powers, most certainly not. Shivers of horror went down her spine as Victoria remembered the last time she had believed nonsense like that. And she had somehow convinced herself to be in love with de Soto.

Victoria took another sip of coffee, set the empty vial on a shelf. Maybe someday she could use it for something. It was a nice piece of crystal.

To distract her head from having other weird thoughts, memories she preferred to get erased from memory, or fantasies Victoria, started mixing ingredients for bread.
After kneading the dough and setting it aside covered by a damp cloth to rest, it was time to open the tavern.

Victoria walked into the main room to open the doors of her establishment.
In a few minutes, her helpers would arrive, and the first guest should walk in any moment.

Victoria was right, for the tavern doors were barely open when corporal Sulpevelda and private Gomez entered. Both had been on guard all night and sat down at a table near the entrance.

Victoria walked over to them, and a thought flashed through her mind. She could, of course, give it a try to make sure. What was it señora Claus had said? You must make brief eye contact.
"Buenos días, corporal Sulpevelda, private Gomez." Victoria greeted the men as she tried to make momentary eye contact with the corporal. "What can I get you?"

"Two coffees, por favor, señorita."

It worked, the corporal looked straight at her, and for a moment, Victoria had a feeling it seemed to be working. Immediately afterwards, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She heard nothing. As soon as the corporal stopped moving his lips, the sound she had thought she heard was gone.

All that she heard was deafening silence and the sound of a donkey, probably standing on the plaza.

"Uh, are you all right, señorita Escalante?" The corporal stammered. It didn't bode well if señorita Escalante gave you more attention than usual.

Victoria felt slightly relieved it had indeed been a dream. Her suspicions were correct. It had just been a strange dream last night. And she was unable to hear people's thoughts.
Reassured, Victoria broke eye contact. Put a polite smile on her face and said. "Everything is fine. Two coffees, coming right up."

Soon after, the tavern became crowded, and Victoria had no time to pay attention to her strange dream. She took the orders and served them with her usual kindness and grace.
The tavern would close at noon for the evening's festivities. To open again at six and remain open until eleven with the permission of the alcalde.

At five minutes to twelve, alcalde de Soto leisurely walked into the tavern. He sat down at one of the many free tables and ordered a bowl of abondias soup and a portion of tamales from Alicia.

When Victoria heard of the order, she stomped out of the kitchen to have a short talk with the alcalde.
"Alcalde, how can you order your lunch at this time, today! You know full well that I close at noon cause of the Christmas ball."

"Señorita Escalante, a man has to eat. Especially, a man who has huge plans for today."

"The kitchen is closed this morning due to tonight's ball. So, I'm sorry, but I can not serve you a meal. You can get a cup of coffee or something else to drink, but that is all I got at the moment."

It wasn't her intention, when Victoria gave de Soto a dirty look, he looked up at her, and their eyes met.

Stupid wrench and stupid overrated party.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end at the derogatory insult.

"What did you just call me?" Victoria hoped for the alcalde she misheard him, or she would personally kick him out of a tavern with the utmost kind of pleasure.

De Soto stared at her strangely for a moment and repeated what he had said. "I said, I have a coffee, por favor."

Not forgiving but not wanting to create unnecessary turmoil this time, Victoria reluctantly agreed. "Coming up, señor alcalde. And just, to be clear, tonight's ball is not overrated!"

As Victoria turned angrily to get the requested coffee, she didn't see the startled look on de Soto, his face. He did not understand why the woman reacted so strongly to his question. When she had the power to read his mind, yes, then he would have.

Two minutes later, Alicia brought de Soto the requested coffee. Victoria was drying glasses behind the counter. An angry look showing on her face showed she hadn't forgiven De Soto for his remark. De Soto glared at the tavern owner. He felt a tiny insecurity whether he was allowed to drink his coffee peacefully. The second she looked up at him, de Soto turned away his eyes. But not after their eyes had met briefly.

I ordered lunch, and this is what you get. So much fuss. For an overrated party. The wench better be kind to me.
Who knows, I might show some mercy on Zorro if she starts begging me to spare his life. Shoot him in front of a firing squat is more merciful than a hanging.
Tonight I will catch Zorro! My idea is brilliant. Simply brilliant, if I say so myself.
That blabbering idiot will surely make an appearance. And when he does, he dies. A hanging on Christmas morning, I don't think it has happened before. At least not in this wretched pueblo.

As if petrified, Victoria stood still, staring at De Soto. His lips didn't move. She did hear his voice in her head. As loud as if he was standing next to her and was speaking to her. And de Soto was looking so pleased, he gloated.

I will get summoned to Monterey. Or no, to Madrid.

The King will personally invite me. And he wants to thank me for freeing Alta California of the nemesis called Zorro. King Ferdinand will reward me for my accomplishment. My exploits will get praised. Everyone in Spain, California and all corners of the world will know my name. Ignacio de Soto. And they all want to know how I brought down the most dangerous criminal ever.
With a smug grin on his face, De Soto took a sip of his coffee.
Majesty. It was my honour. As soon as I saw that bandit, I knew Zorro was a great danger to the poor citizens of Los Angeles. How they must have suffered in fear and horror. I made it my sole purpose in life to bring justice and serve you to the best of my ability…,
Um, no, that might be too much of an exaggeration.
Your Royal Highness. It is my utmost honour to serve you as the humble man I am. And bring justice in your name to the most remote, desolate and dangerous parts of the colonies of the beautiful, noble Kingdom of Spain. Yes, that was bet…,

"Victoria, are you daydreaming? I can imagine a better view to stare at than our alcalde." Alicia made the teasing remark to her employer, who was also a good friend.

The voice of Alicia had stopped Victoria from hearing what de Soto was thinking. She was startled and stammered, not quite sure what Alicia had said. "Alicia, the alcalde, did you hear what he said?"

"The alcalde. He has been sipping at his coffee for a few minutes, very contentedly, I admit. Usually, that doesn't bode well for Zorro or by that of us.
Chances are, he's planning a new brilliant scheme." Alicia held up both hands and flicked two fingers momentarily. "To bring Zorro down! Like he will ever be able to manage that. Zorro is way too clever to fall into any trap."

Alicia, her lips, stopped moving. And yet Victoria continued to hear her speak.
De Soto? Victoria? Really? Are you serious? After your last escapade, I thought you were wiser. Honestly, what do you see in that man? Zorro, I can understand, but de Soto? Yaks!
Al thou, I have to confess if don Diego ever gave me one glare as he stares at you all the time. I might even forget all about our black-dressed hero.

"What did you say, Alicia?"

Alicia, totally unaware of what Victoria had just heard her thinking, saying. "Nothing. I only hope de Soto holds back a little longer, so we can have a peaceful Christmas and ball."

Victoria fled into the kitchen. All right then. Relax, take a deep breath. It was ridiculous. Of course, she could not hear what Alicia and de Soto were thinking.
That was sheer nonsense. There had to be a completely logical explanation for this nonsense.
It was, either she had lost her mind and was going crazy. Or she was indeed drunk, something like that.

Her gaze drifted to the vial on the shelf next to the stove. It almost seemed to sparkle in the light. Yes, anyway. Yes, it had to be either. Or anyway…,

No, no, no. A screeching sound escaped her throat.

No, it was ridiculous.

.

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