Page 47 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
FORTY-SEVEN
M orning sunlight streamed through the enchanted windows of Witch’s Brew Café, casting rainbow prisms across the polished wooden counters. Romi hummed softly as she arranged a display of freshly baked pastries, each one infused with subtle magic to enhance their flavors.
Her magic sparkled around her fingers as she worked, responding to her contentment after the success of game night.
“The blackberry scones are practically glowing this morning.” Clover leaned against the counter, her green eyes twinkling as Whiskers landed on her shoulder, his tiny form nuzzling her cheek affectionately. “Your magic’s in an especially good mood today.”
“Hard not to be after last night.” Romi adjusted a croissant that shimmered with a faint golden light, warmth spreading through her chest at memories of the evening. After the game night success, she and Xabir had spent hours on the rooftop garden, wrapped in each other’s arms under the stars. The way he’d held her close, stealing soft kisses between whispered conversations about their future, made her magic spark even now at the memory.
Whiskers swooped down to arrange the pastries with his tail, adding extra sparkle to each one. He’d become quite the helper, though his matchmaking tendencies remained strong as ever.
“I noticed you and Xabir teaching that young witch the shifter strategy game.” Clover’s knowing smile made Romi’s cheeks flush. “Though you spent more time stealing kisses than actually explaining the rules.”
“We did not!” Romi protested, though her magic danced happily at the memory of Xabir’s quick kisses between moves, the warmth of his hand finding hers under the table, how naturally they gravitated toward each other all evening.
“Please. You two are disgustingly adorable.” Clover stole a still-warm scone. “I’ve never seen you so happy.”
“He makes everything better.” Romi touched the delicate silver pendant resting against her collarbone, a gift from Xabir the week before. The metal stayed warm against her skin, reminding her of his tender expression when he’d clasped it around her neck. “Even Whiskers has mostly stopped his matchmaking schemes since we got together.”
As if to prove her wrong, her familiar created an elaborate fireworks display of interlocked hearts above the pastry case.
“Mostly stopped,” she amended with a laugh.
The morning crowd began trickling in - early risers seeking magical energy boosts, shifters grabbing breakfast before work, young witches studying for exams at Mystic Hollow Academy. Romi lost herself in the familiar rhythm of brewing enchanted coffee and serving magically-enhanced pastries. Her magic hummed contentedly, adding extra sparkle to the drinks and making the scones release bursts of happy aromatics.
The first warning came as a sudden chill that froze the coffee in her cups mid-pour. Whiskers bristled, his fur standing on end as he zipped to hover protectively near her shoulder. The enchanted windows darkened, their usual rainbow prisms turning murky and strange. Before Romi could shout a warning, dark energy exploded through the café like a bomb.
Windows shattered inward, spraying glass across the floor. Pastries exploded in clouds of sugar and flour. Most terrifying was the way the dark magic seemed to seek her out specifically, writhing through the air like hungry serpents. Whiskers darted between her and the darkness, his tiny form glowing with protective magic.
“Everyone down!” Romi’s magic flared instinctively, creating shields around nearby customers as they scrambled for cover. Her heart pounded as she spotted young Tommy, the librarian’s son, frozen in fear by the window. “Tommy, get behind the counter!”
She lunged forward, magic streaming from her hands to form a protective bubble around the boy. The movement left her exposed. Dark energy slammed into her chest like a battering ram, sending her crashing into the display case. Glass crunched beneath her as white-hot pain blazed through her body. Whiskers screeched in alarm, diving down to nuzzle her face as she struggled to breathe.
The malevolent magic felt evil - twisted and poisonous. It seeped into her veins like ice, making her limbs heavy and unresponsive. Through blurring vision, she saw Neve and Madame Zephyrine spring from their usual corner table, hands already weaving counter-spells.
“Stay with me, dear one.” Neve’s normally serene voice crackled with power as she cast a protective shield around Romi. Silver light sparkled between them, pushing back the darkness.
“I’ll purge this foulness.” Madame Zephyrine’s silver hair floated in an arcane wind as she began an intricate ritual, her fingers painting glowing sigils in the air.
Pain knifed through Romi’s chest with each breath. The dark magic had wounded her more deeply than physical blows, tainting her own power with its corruption. She tried to add her strength to Neve’s shield, but the attempt sent daggers of agony shooting through her nerves. Whiskers crooned softly, his magic joining with hers in an attempt to fight off the darkness.
“Don’t strain yourself,” Neve ordered sharply. “Focus on breathing. Let us handle this.”
The assault seemed endless, though it probably lasted only minutes. Finally, Madame Zephyrine’s counter-spell took hold. The dark energy dissipated with an otherworldly shriek, leaving behind the acrid smell of corrupted power.
In the sudden silence, the café door slammed open. Xabir filled the doorway, his powerful frame radiating barely contained fury. His eyes blazed wolf-gold, muscles coiled tightly as he took in her crumpled form. The tendons in his neck strained as his gaze swept over her injuries, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.
“Romi!” The raw edge in his voice made her heart clench. He crossed the room in three long strides, dropping to his knees beside her. His hands shook as they hovered over her injuries before gathering her carefully against his chest. She could feel the wild thunder of his heart, the slight tremor running through his muscles as he held her. Whiskers landed on his shoulder, crooning worriedly as he nuzzled both their faces.
“I’m okay,” she managed, though the words came out weak and shaky. Her fingers found his hand, drawing comfort from the familiar calluses and warmth. Even injured, she sought his touch instinctively. “The customers-”
“Are all safe, thanks to you.” His arms tightened around her as he buried his face in her hair. She felt the uneven catch in his breathing, the desperate press of his lips against her temple, her cheek, anywhere he could reach. “Stars and moon, I can’t... when I sensed...” His voice cracked. He drew a ragged breath that seemed to shake his whole body. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
“The dark magic targeted her specifically,” Neve said quietly. “This was no random attack.”
The growl that rumbled through Xabir’s chest vibrated against Romi’s side. His lips brushed her ear as he whispered fiercely, “I’ll tear apart anyone who tries to hurt you.”
“First, we need to get her home and treated.” Madame Zephyrine produced a small vial filled with swirling golden liquid. “This will help counteract the corruption, but she needs rest for her magic and body to heal.”
“I’ve got her.” Xabir stood in one fluid motion, cradling Romi like she weighed nothing. She curled into his warmth automatically, her head finding that perfect spot between his shoulder and neck where she fit just right. The brush of his lips against her forehead felt as natural as breathing. “Arlo’s already investigating. He’ll coordinate with the enforcers to secure the scene.”