Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

“But you’d know what to expect.” He realized how it sounded the moment
he said it. “Which is why we unexpect.”
“Exactly,” Hugo said, as if that made any kind of sense. Wallace was
learning it was easier just to go with it. It kept his sanity mostly intact. Hugo
went to the pantry, frowning at the contents as he stood in front of it. Wallace
looked over his shoulder. More jars lined the shelves, each with a different
kind of tea inside. Unlike the ones behind the counter in the front of the shop,
these weren’t labeled. Most of them were in powder form.
“Matcha?” Hugo muttered to himself. “No. That’s not right. Yaupon? No.
That’s not it either, though I think it’s close.”
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to find what tea will best fit our guest,” Hugo said.
“You did this with me?”
He nodded as he pointed toward a dark powder toward the top of the
shelf. “You were easy. Easier than almost anyone I’d ever had before.”
“Wow,” Wallace said. “First time anyone’s said that about me. I don’t
know how I feel about that.”
Hugo was startled into laughter. “That’s not—oh, you know what I meant.”
“You said it, not me.”
“It’s an art,” Hugo said. “Or at least that’s what I tell myself. Picking the
perfect tea for a person. I don’t always get it right, but I’m getting better at
it.” He reached for a jar, touching the glass before pulling his hand back.
“That’s not it either. What could—ah. Really? That’s … an acquired taste.”
He took a jar from the shelf, filled with twisted, blackened leaves. “Not one
of mine. I don’t think I could grow it here. Had this imported.”
“What is it?” Wallace asked, eyeing the jar. The leaves looked dead.
“Kuding cha,” Hugo said, turning toward the opposite counter to prepare
the tea. “It’s a Chinese infusion. The literal translation is bitter nail tea. It’s
usually made from a type of wax tree and holly. The taste isn’t for everyone.
It’s very bitter, though it’s said to be medicinal. It’s supposed to help clear
the eyes and head. Resolves toxins.”
“And this is what you’re going to give him?” Wallace asked, watching as
Hugo pulled a twisted leaf from the jar. The earthy scent was pungent,
causing Wallace to sneeze.
“I think so,” Hugo said. “It’s unusual. I’ve never had someone take this tea
before.” He stared at the leaf before shaking his head. “Probably nothing.