Page 4

Harper's ears perked at the sound of rapid footsteps approaching from the hallway. Becca burst through the dining room doorway, her cheeks flushed and wisps of dark hair escaping from her messy bun. Smudges of dirt decorated her gardening apron, and she carried the fresh scent of herbs and earth.

"Oh good, you're still here." Becca's blue-gray eyes sparkled with warmth. "I spotted Katerina heading out and wanted to catch you before you disappeared too." Her smile widened, revealing a hint of dimples in her honey-gold cheeks.

Harper smiled, touched by the witch's enthusiasm. The genuine welcome in Becca's voice soothed her usual wariness of new social situations. "I was planning to unpack and settle in, since I fell asleep last night before doing that."

"Perfect timing then." Becca untied her apron and draped it over a nearby chair, releasing another wave of herbal scents into the air. "I'd love to get to know you better. Would you like to grab lunch together? Not, now of course," she added. "At lunchtime."

The warmth in Becca's invitation eased some of Harper's usual social anxiety. Something about her genuine openness made Harper feel at ease, despite her normal inclination to retreat into solitude. "That sounds wonderful."

"Fantastic!" Becca's face lit up like sunshine breaking through clouds. "Meet back here at noon?"

"Perfect."

Harper returned to her turret room, determined to get organized before lunch. She unzipped her suitcase and began hanging clothes in the wardrobe, smoothing wrinkles from her work attire. The familiar task helped settle her nerves.

With her clothes put away and toiletries arranged in the bathroom, Harper curled up in the window seat with her Kindle. Sunlight streamed through the curved glass, warming her as she dove into a new story. Reyna, her inner fox, dozed contentedly, enjoying the patch of sunlight as much as she did.

Coming to the end of the story, she glanced at her phone and gasped, seeing it was just past twelve noon.

"Oh no!" Harper scrambled up, nearly dropping her Kindle. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as she grabbed her purse, room key, and phone. She'd completely lost track of time, leaving Becca waiting. Harper rushed down the stairs, her feet barely touching the steps, only to find Becca just coming in from outside.

"Give me five minutes to clean up?" Becca asked with a smile. "I probably shouldn't show up at a restaurant covered in garden soil." She brushed at a particularly stubborn dirt smudge on her sleeve.

"I was reading and lost track of time, anyway," Harper confessed. "I only just got downstairs."

"Oh, that is perfect. Renee lets me use the staff lounge to shower and change when I've been gardening. I'll be right back."

Harper went into the lounge to wait. She was surprised by how much she was looking forward to lunch with her new friend. She didn't usually take to new people so quickly.

Witch , Reyna informed her with a touch of smugness in her mental voice, her inner fox's instincts picking up on the subtle energies radiating from Becca. Witch good. Safe. The assessment resonated through their shared consciousness, validating her own genuine liking of Jake's Chosen. Sometimes, Harper mused, she trusted Reyna's instincts more than she did her own. Harper had learned to listen when her inner fox spoke with such certainty.

Becca hurried back into the hall, transformed from gardening mode to casual elegance. Her dark hair cascaded past her waist in glossy waves.

"Your hair is gorgeous," Harper blurted, then felt her cheeks warm. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be weird about it."

Becca's laugh tinkled like wind chimes. "No worries! Though I'm still getting used to having it down when I'm out in public. In Salem, we always kept our hair covered." She ran her fingers through the silky length. "Jake convinced me to wear it loose more often. He says hiding it would be a crime."

"He's right." Harper ran her fingers through her own foxy-red waves that came just a bit below her shoulders. "I've always wanted long hair, but mine gets so unruly past this length."

"Oh, I have some amazing conditioning treatments I make myself! Natural ingredients, a touch of magic - they work wonders." Becca's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "I'd love to share the recipe with you."

"That would be wonderful." Harper grabbed her bag from the chair. Her stomach growled again, more insistently this time.

"Someone's hungry." Becca grinned and linked her arm through Harper's. "Let's go feed that demanding fox of yours before she stages a revolt."

Harper laughed, surprised by how comfortable she felt with the casual contact. "Reyna can be pretty persuasive when she wants something."

"Trust me, I understand. Try living with a Familiar who gives you the sad kitten eyes whenever she wants treats. Lacey has perfected emotional manipulation to an art form."

Harper stopped mid-stride, her amber eyes widening. "Wait - you have a Familiar? Like, a real magical Familiar?"

"Mmhmm. A sassy little white cat with big, seraphic blue eyes, who thinks she runs the household." Becca's eyes crinkled with amusement. After a moment's consideration, she added, "and she might not be wrong about that!"

They both laughed.

"I'm so envious." Harper shook her head in wonder. "I've read about Familiars, but I've never met one."

Becca's musical laughter echoed through the hallway. "Oh, you'll meet her! Jake and I are hoping to have you over for dinner one evening."

"Really?" Harper perked up at the invitation, her usual social hesitation overcome by curiosity.

"Of course! We'll figure out a good evening - Jake's schedule is a bit unpredictable with his security work, but we'll make it happen." Becca's eyes danced with mischief. "Just last week, Lacey decided my herb-drying strings made the perfect cat playground. She batted down every single bundle I had hanging, then looked so pleased with herself while sitting in the middle of the mess."

Harper giggled at the mental image. "She sounds like quite the character."

"You have no idea. The other day, she knocked Jake's history books off his desk one by one, just to get his attention. When he finally looked at her, she led him straight to her empty treat bowl." Becca shook her head fondly. "And somehow he falls for it every single time. She has him wrapped around her little paw."

"That's adorable," Harper said, charmed by these glimpses into their lives. "Does she help with your magic?"

"She does, though sometimes her idea of 'helping' involves pawing through my ingredients or climbing into my books when I'm trying to study." Becca's expression softened. "But she also knows exactly when I need comfort or support. Familiars are incredibly intuitive that way."

"Speaking of food," Becca continued, "I'm thinking we should go to Kazakis Deli. The food is amazing, and you can meet Kester and Tamera. Tamera's a receptionist at the vet clinic, but on weekends she helps out at the deli." Becca must have noticed Harper tense slightly because she added, "Kester is Katerina's brother. And they'll be working, so it's a perfect low-key way to meet them. Jake mentioned you're more comfortable easing into social situations."

Heat crept up Harper's neck, spreading across her freckled cheeks. She resisted the urge to fidget with her hair, a nervous habit she'd never quite outgrown.

"We all want you to feel comfortable here." Becca's voice held nothing but warmth. "Besides, Jake knew how much I'd be able to relate to that. When I first arrived here from Salem, everything was overwhelming. Imagine going from a small Puritan village to..." She gestured at the bustling street around them. "All this."

Harper's embarrassment faded as she considered Becca's situation. Her own social anxiety paled in comparison to what this woman had endured. "That must have been terrifying." She couldn't imagine traveling centuries into the future, leaving behind everything familiar - family, customs, even the most basic understanding of how the world worked.

"It was. I had no idea how to talk to anyone, how to act, what was appropriate. The first time I saw someone wearing shorts and with their stomach bared… it was a jogger… I almost had a heart attack." Becca laughed at the memory. "And don't get me started on my first encounter with a television."

"How did you manage?"

"Everyone was so patient with me. They let me adjust at my own pace, explained things without judgment." Becca's expression softened. "That's what made this place feel like home - the people. And we want you to feel that same sense of belonging."

Something tight in Harper's chest loosened at those words. Reyna hummed with contentment in her mind, reinforcing their earlier assessment of Becca's trustworthiness.

"The deli sounds perfect," Harper said, meaning it with every fiber of her being. "And meeting Kester and Tamera while they're working does sound less intimidating."

Becca pulled out her phone, her fingers moving with careful precision across the screen. "I'll call us an Uber. I'm still getting used to these technology devices, but at least I've mastered the basics."

Harper tilted her head. "You don't drive?"

"Oh no." Becca's eyes widened, her fingers tightening around her phone. "Jake offered to teach me, but..." She shuddered emphatically, her thick ebony hair swaying with the movement. "The idea of controlling one of those metal carriages terrifies me. The speed, the noise - it's overwhelming. Even riding in them on the highways still makes my heart race, though I'm beginning to adjust better these days."

"I can imagine the transition from horse-drawn carriages must have been quite a shock."

"The first time I rode in a car, I spent the entire trip bracing myself to crash, but at the same time I was fascinated." Becca's laugh held a hint of embarrassment. "Jake says I'll get there eventually, but for now, I'm perfectly happy letting others do the driving."

They settled on a cushioned bench on the inn's wide front porch to wait, the white-painted wicker creaking beneath them. A gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers from the carefully tended beds along the front.

"Jake's very patient with teaching me modern things," Becca continued. "But cars..." She shook her head. "Simply watching how fast they move on the streets still makes me shake my head in wonder. In Salem, the fastest thing we encountered was a galloping horse."

"At least you're comfortable being a passenger now," Harper offered.

"Most of the time. Though I still grip the door handle when Jake takes corners too fast." Becca checked her phone. "Our driver should be here in three minutes. A silver Toyota." She pronounced the unfamiliar word carefully.

A silver Toyota matching the description pulled up smoothly to the curb. Harper noted that, despite her claims to being overwhelmed by technology, Becca seemed very comfortable as she double-checked the Uber's license plate against her phone screen, her fingers moving with practiced ease across the glass surface. She nodded in satisfaction. "This is us," she said, reaching for the door handle with the confidence of someone who'd done this dozens of times before.

They slid into the back seat, and Becca confirmed their destination with the driver in a clear, steady voice. As they merged into traffic, Harper noticed how Becca's fingers curled tightly around the seat belt, her knuckles whitening slightly at each acceleration.

The Uber pulled up in front of Kazakis Deli, and Harper's nose twitched at the mingled aromas of fresh-baked bread and aromatic Mediterranean spices wafting from the storefront. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation as she followed Becca through the glass door, a cheerful bell announcing their arrival.

As they stepped into the restaurant, Harper was immediately enveloped by the warm, inviting atmosphere. The walls were adorned with vibrant pictures of sun-drenched Greek landscapes, azure seas, and whitewashed buildings. The air hummed with the soft, melodic sounds of bouzouki music,. Rich aromas of garlic, olive oil, and herbs wafted from the kitchen, making her mouth water in anticipation. Display cases lined one wall, filled with colorful arrangements of olives, cheeses, and prepared dishes. Harper's eyes roamed over the cozy interior, taking in the rustic wooden tables draped with crisp blue and white checkered cloths, and the soft glow of pendant lights that cast a golden hue over the dining area.

Behind the counter, a tall man with sun-streaked blond hair was arranging fresh-baked pastries.

"Kester!" Becca waved, drawing his attention. His amber eyes lit up with recognition as he straightened.

"Becca, always good to see you." His voice carried a hint of warmth and humor. "And this must be Harper?"

Harper's usual social anxiety flickered through her chest, but Reyna's calm assessment steadied her nerves. Cat-shifter, her fox confirmed with quiet confidence, picking up his unique feline energy signature. His close resemblance to Katerina also helped ease her tension.

A woman with striking dark red hair emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of fresh-baked spanakopita, the aroma of spinach and feta wafting through the air. Her deep blue eyes sparkled as she set down the tray and hurried around the counter, wiping her flour-dusted hands on her apron.

"I'm Tamera," she said, her smile genuine and welcoming as she extended her hand. "I've been hoping to meet you… we all have been. We're so glad to have you here." The genuine warmth in her voice matched her friendly demeanor.

"Welcome to our deli," Kester added, coming around to join them, his tall frame radiating an easy confidence as he stood beside his wife.

Harper's inner fox perked up, her attention zeroing in on Tamera with sudden intensity. Different cat, Reyna observed, her mental voice tinged with curiosity. Wild cat. Not house cat like male.

The mental image of a sleek, tawny wild cat with distinctive black-tufted ears flashed through Harper's mind. Caracal, Reyna supplied after another careful assessment, drawing from their shared knowledge of wildlife.

"It's wonderful to meet you both," Harper managed, impressed by how steady her voice remained despite Reyna's excited curiosity. The fox's interest helped override her usual social awkwardness, giving her something to focus on beyond her own nervousness.

Tamera's smile widened, a knowing look crossing her features. "Your fox noticed, didn't she?" She touched her chest lightly. "Most shifters can sense what I am, but they usually can't pin it down exactly."

"Reyna's very observant," Harper admitted, relieved she hadn't caused offense by her fox's scrutiny. "She picked up right away that you're different from Kester."

"That's quite a gift," Kester remarked, his golden eyes warming with interest. "Most shifters can only sense that we're feline, not the specific type."

"Pick any table you'd like," Tamera gestured to the dining area. "The corner booth by the window is particularly nice - you can watch the street life while you eat. We have a patio area, but since we're supposed to have rain showers today, I don't recommend it."

Harper followed Becca to the suggested booth, sliding onto the cushioned bench. Through the window, she watched people stroll past, carrying shopping bags or walking dogs in the late morning sunshine.

Tamera brought over two leather-bound menus, setting them on the polished wooden table. "Everything's made fresh daily. The souvlaki is our specialty - Kester's grandmother's recipe." She winked. "Though I might be biased."

Harper opened the menu, her stomach rumbling at the descriptions of Mediterranean dishes.

"The souvlaki is amazing," Becca said, not even opening her menu. "Jake and I eat here at least once a week."

"I'll try that then," Harper decided, letting Reyna's enthusiasm for the meat dishes guide her choice.

"Perfect choice." Tamera jotted down the order. "And for you, Becca? The usual?"

"Yes please - lamb kebab and Greek salad." Becca handed back her unopened menu. "Though everything here is wonderful. Kester and Tamera have really created something special."

Tamera's cheeks flushed with pleasure at the praise. "Thank you. We try our best." She gathered the menus. "I'll get your orders started. Would you like some fresh pita and tzatziki while you wait?"

Both women nodded eagerly, and Tamera headed back to the kitchen, her red hair catching the sunlight as she moved.

Harper gazed around the charming deli, drinking in the Mediterranean atmosphere. "This is perfect. Exactly what I needed today."

"I thought you might like it here." Becca adjusted the napkin in her lap. "How are you settling in at the inn?"

"I love it." Harper's shoulders relaxed as she thought about her cozy turret room. "The whole place feels... safe. Protected. And Angus and Renee seem wonderful."

"They are." Becca leaned forward, her stormy eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Though none of us can figure out exactly what they are. Magically speaking, I mean."

Harper's eyebrows rose. "What do you mean?"

"Well, they're definitely magical beings of some kind. The protective wards around the inn are incredibly powerful." Becca traced a pattern on the tablecloth with her finger.

"But they're good, right?" Harper's fox stirred with curiosity.

"Oh, absolutely. They protect everyone who stays there. The magic in that place..." Becca shook her head in wonder. "The woods around the inn shift and change to confuse anyone meaning harm. Quicksand appears out of nowhere if threats approach. And somehow, Angus and Renee control it all."

"Have you ever asked them?"

"Jake tried once." Becca's lips quirked into a smile. "Angus just gave him that mysterious smile of his and said something cryptic about some mysteries being better left unsolved. And Renee just laughs and offers more pastries whenever anyone brings it up."

Tamera arrived with a plate of warm pita bread and creamy tzatziki sauce, pausing their conversation. The rich aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the air between them.

"I like that," Harper said after Tamera left, inhaling the fresh-baked scent wafting from the bread. "They're powerful but they use it to protect, not control. And that they don't feel a need explain themselves. That says a lot about them right there."

Becca tilted her head, her thick ebony hair sliding over her shoulder as she considered Harper's words. "I never thought about it like that before, but you're right. It does speak to who they are." She tore off a piece of warm pita bread, dragging it through the creamy tzatziki. "They could lord their power over everyone, but instead they just... serve. Make everyone feel welcome and safe."

Harper nodded, following Becca's example with the bread. The tzatziki was perfect - cool and garlicky with hints of cucumber and dill. "Sometimes the most powerful people are the ones who don't need to prove anything."

Harper traced the rim of her water glass, gathering her thoughts. "Growing up, we learned about other paranormal beings - Djinn, witches, mages. But it was like learning about far-off countries you never expect to visit. Abstract, distant."

"What do you mean?" Becca leaned forward, her stormy eyes bright with interest.

"Well, take the Djinn for example. I knew they existed, of course. But the prospect of actually meeting Jacinth?" Harper shook her head in wonder. "That's completely different. Suddenly Djinn are real people, with Chosen, and children, and lives, not just characters from stories." Also," she leaned in to confide with a grin, "I cannot wait to meet her!"

"Oh! Yes, I understand exactly what you mean." Becca's lips curved into a soft smile. "I never dreamed there could be a world inside a world, like this one, all these paranormal beings living among humans, in plain sight. I never imaged, not for one minute, that there were shapeshifters in the world, much less that I'd be engaged to one. Or that I'd be sitting here having lunch with a fox shifter."

"Exactly! And here, everyone just... works together. Djinn, shifters, witches - no one seems to care about the differences." Harper gestured around the deli. "Like Kester and Tamera. A house cat and caracal shifter running a restaurant together, married and happy, and friends with Djinn and witches, and mysterious innkeepers."

Becca's eyes sparkled as she grinned mischievously. "When I was meeting everyone, and trying to learn all the interpersonal connections, my head spun trying to keep track."

"I can imagine." Harper scooped up some more tzatziki with another wedge of pita. Waiting until she'd finished chewing, she continued. "Where I grew up, shifter families kept to themselves. We knew others existed, but stayed in our own circles. We're a fox shifter family, and we socialized with other fox shifters. Here, it's like everyone's simply one big family. Different kinds of beings working together, protecting each other."

"That's what reassured me about being here, right from the start," Becca admitted, her stormy eyes softening with emotion. "After everything in Salem..." She shuddered slightly, wrapping her arms around herself. "Finding a place where not only humans but paranormals support each other and work together, instead of fearing differences - it healed something in me I didn't know was broken. The way everyone welcomed me, no suspicion or hatred, no whispers behind closed doors." Her voice grew stronger, steadier. "For the first time in my whole life, I've been able to breathe freely."

Tamera approached with their salads, the fresh scent of oregano and olive oil wafting from the plates. "Your lunches will be ready in a few minutes," she said, setting down the colorful dishes. "I couldn't help overhearing - you're right about this community being special. Growing up, I felt so alone. Different. I thought I was crazy, literally. Finding this place, these people... it changed everything."

"That's what makes this place special." Becca's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, her smile brightening her entire face. "Everyone finds their place, their purpose."

Tamera smiled warmly and headed back to the kitchen, her red hair swaying as she walked.

Becca leaned forward across the table, her blue-grey eyes gleaming with a mysterious light. "So, Harper... do you know about the brownies?"

"Oh, I love brownies." Harper's mouth watered at the thought. "Especially the frosted ones. Though I have to be careful with chocolate - my fox gets a bit hyper if I have too much."

A soft laugh escaped Becca's lips as she shook her head. "No, not those kinds of brownies. I mean the ones from fairy tales. The little household spirits?"

Harper's fork paused halfway to her mouth, a chunk of feta cheese teetering precariously on the end. "Wait, those are real too?" Her eyes widened as she set her fork down. "Like the stories about tiny creatures who help around the house?"

"Very real." Becca's eyes sparkled with amusement at Harper's reaction. "There's one living at the inn, actually. Angus and Renee leave out cream and cake for it every night."

Harper's mind whirled with this new revelation. Just when she thought she was getting a handle on this supernatural community, something new emerged to surprise her. "I thought those were just stories. Folklore."

"Renee says, most folklore has some basis in truth," Becca said, spearing a kalamata olive with her fork. "The stories are right about the brownies that they are particularly shy around humans. They prefer to work unseen. I've never actually seen one myself," Becca admitted. "But according to the old tales - and what Renee has told me - they're small, usually brown-colored, hence the name, and they help with household chores. But only if they choose to. You can't force them, and you definitely can't try to trap them or trick them into showing themselves."

"So not like the house elves in the Harry Potter movies?" Harper asked, frowning. "The ones who are basically slaves?" Reyna bristled at the concept, her fox nature rejecting the idea of being bound to serve.

"No, not at all." Becca shook her head emphatically. "Though the Dobby character was clearly based on stories of real brownies and hobgoblins from old European folklore - though mostly Scottish, I think."

Harper and Becca both looked up as Tamera approached, balancing two steaming plates with practiced ease. The rich aroma of grilled meat and Mediterranean spices wafted through the air, making Harper's mouth water.

"Here we are - souvlaki for Harper, and lamb kebab for Becca." Tamera set the plates down with a flourish, the colorful arrangements of grilled meat, rice, and vegetables creating an appetizing display. "Everything's fresh off the grill."

"This looks amazing," Harper breathed, inhaling the fragrant steam rising from her plate. The souvlaki was perfectly charred on the outside, nestled on a bed of fluffy rice pilaf studded with herbs and pine nuts. Grilled vegetables in vibrant colors - red peppers, purple eggplant, yellow squash - filled the rest of the plate.

"Absolutely wonderful," Becca agreed, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her kebabs. "Thank you, Tamera."

"Enjoy your meal." Tamera beamed at them, and headed back toward the kitchen with a wave.

Becca picked up where they'd left off. "They're similar to house elves in some ways, but the stories got changed quite a bit for the books."

"But I remember in the movies, giving them clothes sets them free?" Harper's brow furrowed as she tried to reconcile the fictional version with what Becca was telling her.

"That part is actually based on real brownie lore, but not because they're enslaved." Becca's eyes lit up with enthusiasm - she seemed to love sharing knowledge about the supernatural world. "They do stop working for you if you give them clothing, but it's because they get highly offended. They're not servants at all. They choose to help around the house because they want to, and offering them clothes suggests you're trying to pay them or treat them like servants. Okay, so that part is just guessing. But anyway, offering them clothing is considered a grave insult to a brownie, and they'll leave and never return."

Harper absorbed this information, fascinated by how reality differed from fiction. "So they just... help because they want to? No binding magic or contracts? In other words, they're not servants - they're choosing to help."

"Exactly." Becca's stormy eyes lit up. "They absolutely hate when people take them for granted, and they'll leave if that happens, too. Like, if someone deliberately leaves dishes in the sink overnight thinking 'oh, the brownie will take care of it' - that's a sure way to offend them."

"I don't blame them at all." Harper's lips pressed together in a frown. "That's treating them like they're obligated to clean up after lazy people. Like their help means nothing."

"Right? It's about respect." Becca gestured emphatically with her fork. "They choose to help because they want to, and they take pride in their work. Assuming they'll just handle whatever mess you leave shows you don't value their choice to help."

"It's like..." Harper searched for the right comparison. "Like if someone keeps assuming you'll cover their shift at work because you did it once to help them out. Eventually you feel used rather than appreciated."

"That's a perfect example." Becca nodded enthusiastically. "The brownies want their help to be appreciated, not expected. The minute people start taking advantage, that's when they pack up and leave - metaphorically speaking, since they don't actually own anything to pack. At least," she added, "not that we know of."

Harper smiled at the image. "Good for them. Everyone deserves to have their contributions valued."

“One afternoon, the handle of my trowel fell off while I was gardening. When I woke up the next morning, it was fixed," Becca told her, looking absolutely thrilled. “That’s when Renee told me about them. ”

“How neat! Does it come out where you can see it?”

“No, they’re really secretive, apparently, and only come out at night after everyone is in bed. Probably they have some magical way of disappearing, I’m not entirely sure,” Becca said a bit wistfully. “I’d love to see one. Renee says she rarely sees him… or her, I guess, but she leaves out cream and cake every night for them. Apparently that’s what you do, leave them food on the hearth.”

That sounded kind of cool. Harper could seriously understand them being secretive, and in fact, she’d often wished she had a way to magically make herself disappear. Maybe it was the fox in her, but she found she had a certain sympathy… or maybe it was empathy?… toward the little creatures.

"Speaking of interesting people in our community," Becca said, wiping her mouth with her napkin, "would you like to meet Nathan? He's a musician - human, but he knows about our world."

Harper perked up, remembering what Katerina had mentioned earlier. "The one who plays the cello, and teaches at the music conservatory? I'd love to meet him." Her fingers tapped a light rhythm on the table. "I play the harp, myself. It would be nice to talk music with someone."

"Really?" Becca's eyes lit up. "Nathan will be thrilled. He's always looking to connect with other musicians." She pulled out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen. "Let me text him and see if he's free."

Harper finished the last bite of her souvlaki while they waited for Nathan's response. The meat was perfectly seasoned, and she made a mental note to compliment Tamera before they left.

Becca's phone chimed with a text. "He says we're welcome to come over when we're done here. He's just finished teaching for the day." She swiped through her apps. "I'll call another Uber."

"Perfect timing." Harper smiled as Tamera approached with their check. "The food was amazing, Tamera. I'll definitely be back."

"Thanks! I'll let Kester know, as he does most of the cooking." Tamera beamed with pride in her Chosen.

After they settled their bill, Becca's phone buzzed with the Uber notification, and they dashed through the parking lot to the waiting car, sliding into the back seat as thunder rumbled in the distance.

"Hi! Thanks for picking us up," Becca said to the driver, who nodded and pulled away from the curb.

Harper watched the familiar streets pass by, mentally cataloging the route for future reference. They turned onto a tree-lined residential street, the houses set back from the road with generous yards.

The car slowed in front of a pleasant two-story brick home with dormer windows overlooking the front porch. The wide porch hosted a couple of rocking chairs, and flower boxes overflowed with cheerful blooms.

"This is Nathan's house?" Harper's brow furrowed as they climbed out of the car. "I thought we were meeting him at the conservatory."

Becca's lips curved into a secretive smile as she led the way up the front walk. "Oh, did I forget to mention? There's someone else here I think you'll want to meet."

"Who?" Harper asked, but Becca just grinned and bounded up the porch steps, her dark hair bouncing with each step.

Fine, she'd play mysterious. Harper released an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes while Becca pressed the bell.

Becca bounced on her toes, practically vibrating with excitement. Harper narrowed her eyes at her new friend. "You're being awfully mysterious about this."

"Am I?" Becca's stormy eyes sparkled with mischief. "Maybe I learned a thing or two from hanging around Jacinth and Katerina."

"Uh huh." Harper crossed her arms, though she couldn't help smiling. Reyna perked up inside her, curious despite herself about who else she might be meeting. After all the surprises of the past few days - Djinn, mages, vampires, discovering brownies were real - who knew what other revelations awaited?

Lightning flashed, followed almost immediately by a thunderous crack that made them both jump. Harper pressed a hand to her racing heart. "That was close!"

"Good thing we got here when we did." Becca peered up at the sky. "It could rain any minute now."

Footsteps approached from inside the house, accompanied by the soft click of a lock turning. Harper's heart skipped as the door began to creak open.