Page 13 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
THIRTEEN
T he rest of the evening passed in a blur of successful tea blending, laughter, and growing camaraderie between witches and shifters. As the last guests departed, Romi found herself both exhausted and exhilarated.
“Despite the earlier excitement, I’d call this a success,” Clover declared, helping to clear away empty cups that still sparkled with residual magic.
“Agreed,” Thane chimed in, gathering scattered enchanted ribbons that still changed colors with each touch. “Though next time, maybe fewer magical mishaps? My strategic skills can only cover so many unexpected surprises.”
“Your strategic skills?” Romi raised an eyebrow. “Is that what we’re calling your running commentary now?”
“Hey, those jokes kept people laughing for the right reasons.” He winked. “And don’t think I didn’t notice certain people watching you all evening.”
Clover shot him a quelling look. “Let’s finish cleaning up. Some of us have herb shops to open in the morning.”
After the others left, Romi found herself alone with Xabir in the softly lit café. Whiskers had curled up on top of a floating recipe book, tiny snores sending up puffs of glittery smoke.
“Arlo found traces of foreign magic near the herb station,” Xabir said quietly, his presence solid and reassuring beside her. “The magical signature is... strange. Almost like it’s been deliberately obscured.”
“I noticed that too.” Romi absently traced the coffee cup tattoo on her wrist. “The spell patterns don’t match anything I’ve encountered in Mystic Hollow. They almost remind me of magic from the eastern territories, but that doesn’t make sense.”
“Let me help investigate.” His hand covered hers, stilling her nervous movement. The touch sent warmth spiraling up her arm. “You shouldn’t have to handle this alone.”
“I’m not alone.” She met his gaze, surprised by the intensity she found there. “I have good friends here. And apparently a very protective alpha in my corner.”
His lips twitched. “Is that a problem?”
“Was that a joke?” She brightened. “Did the mighty alpha just make a joke?”
“I have been known to possess a sense of humor.” The warmth in his eyes made her heart flutter. “On rare occasions.”
“Well, now, I’ve seen everything.” She grinned. “Next you’ll be telling me you know how to dance.”
“I am... proficient in several styles.”
“I don’t believe it.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
To her surprise, Xabir waved his hand. Soft music filled the air - not from the café’s enchanted sound system, but from his own magic. He pulled her close, one hand settling at her waist while the other clasped hers.
“I believe this is considered empirical evidence,” he murmured as they began to move.
Romi’s witty response died in her throat as they swayed together. His magic wrapped around them like a cocoon of starlight, making the floating lanterns dim to a romantic glow. Every point of contact between them sparked with energy.
A knock at the door startled them apart. Otis Quill stood outside, his owl-like eyes gleaming behind enchanted spectacles. Romi quickly let him in, trying to calm her racing heart.
“My apologies for the late hour,” Otis said, though his knowing look suggested he wasn’t sorry at all. “But I’ve found something else concerning in the archives.”
He placed another ancient tome on the counter, its pages covered in shifting runes. “The magic used today... it’s sophisticated. Whoever did this knows how to mask their magical signature completely. They’ve made it appear to originate from somewhere far outside Mystic Hollow - perhaps even from multiple locations at once.”
“Is that even possible?” Romi leaned in to examine the complex patterns.
“With enough skill and preparation, yes.” Otis adjusted his spectacles. “But it means we’re dealing with someone who really doesn’t want to be found.”
“Or someone who wants us looking in the wrong direction entirely,” Xabir added, his alpha power a protective presence at Romi’s back.
Whiskers chose that moment to wake up, stretching his tiny wings. He glided down to land on Xabir’s shoulder - something he’d never done with anyone besides Romi. The small dragon-cat bumped his head against Xabir’s jaw before settling in like he belonged there.
“Traitor,” Romi muttered, but she couldn’t help smiling at the sight.
“I think,” Xabir said, reaching up to scratch Whiskers behind the ears, “we make quite an effective team.”
The warmth in his voice wrapped around her like an embrace. Whoever was behind the sabotage had clearly underestimated one crucial detail - sometimes the best magic came from unexpected combinations.
As if agreeing, Whiskers puffed another heart-shaped smoke ring. This one drifted between Romi and Xabir before dissolving into a shower of silver sparkles that lingered in the air like promises of things to come.