Page 31 of Hex and the Kitty (Whispering Pines #9)
THIRTY-ONE
B utterflies erupted in Molly’s stomach at those words. As she walked back toward the bakery, she allowed herself to imagine a future with Warrick—passionate nights, quiet mornings, a partner whose strength matched her spirit. The mere thought sent heat pooling low in her belly. She’d never experienced this consuming desire, this bone-deep certainty that someone could become essential to her happiness.
Lost in daydreams, Molly almost missed the ornate package on her bakery doorstep. The gilded box tied with midnight-blue ribbon caught the afternoon sunlight, a handwritten tag proclaiming, “For the enchanting baker.”
A gift? Her fingers brushed the package, detecting a whisper of magic prickling beneath the shimmering paper. Something about the energy signature nagged at her memory, but the elegant presentation disarmed her suspicions. Perhaps a thank-you from Mrs. Henderson for those recall-enhancing scones?
Unlocking the bakery, Molly carried the box inside. The familiar scents of vanilla and cinnamon embraced her along with the lingering aroma of the morning’s cardamom buns. She placed the box on her workstation counter, untying the ribbon with curious fingers.
The moment the lid lifted, darkness exploded outward.
Foul-smelling smoke erupted from the box, twisting into grotesque creatures with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws. They moved with malevolent intelligence, screeching as they darted across countertops, knocking over displays and shattering jars.
“Goddess preserve me!” Molly ducked as a smoke monster dive-bombed her head, its shriek cutting through the air. She grabbed her enchanted rolling pin, swinging it in a desperate arc. The creature dispersed momentarily, only to reform twice as large.
Panic surged through her veins. These weren’t ordinary magical mischief—they responded to her magic by growing stronger. Five more creatures materialized from the churning smoke, crawling across the ceiling like nightmarish spiders.
The door burst open, bell jingling frantically.
Warrick stood in the doorway, golden eyes blazing. His chest heaved beneath his half-buttoned uniform shirt as if he’d sprinted across town. His gaze locked on Molly, relief and fury warring across his features.
“Get down!” he commanded, voice deepening to a growl.
Molly ducked behind the display case as Warrick charged forward. His body transformed partially—not a full shift, but enough that deadly claws extended from his fingertips and his muscles rippled with inhuman strength. He slashed through the nearest smoke creature with lethal precision, dissipating it into wisps.
“They feed on magic!” Molly called. “Physical attacks only!”
Warrick nodded curtly, his movements fluid and predatory as he leaped onto the counter, slashing through two more creatures. His grace stole Molly’s breath—even in battle, he moved with controlled power that made her heart race for entirely non-life-threatening reasons.
The remaining smoke monsters shrieked in unison, emitting a high-pitched tone that made Warrick wince in pain. Blood trickled from his ear as he staggered.
Understanding dawned on Molly—these creatures targeted enhanced shifter hearing specifically. This attack wasn’t random; it was designed against tiger shifters.
Against Warrick.
“Cover your ears!” Molly snatched a container of sea salt, flinging it in a wide arc while chanting a sound barrier spell. The salt particles froze midair, creating a dome that muffled the creatures’ attack.
Relief flashed across Warrick’s face. He straightened, launching back into the fray with renewed ferocity. His muscles flexed as he tore through creature after creature, a deadly dance that showcased both power and precision.
A monstrous form coalesced above the cupcake display—a mass of smoke twice the size of the others. It lunged toward Warrick’s back while he dispatched a smaller creature.
Without thinking, Molly grabbed her bottle of vanilla extract and hurled it at the mass. “Tempus Stasis!”
The monster froze mid-attack, suspended in a bubble of slowed time. Warrick whirled, eyes widening as he registered the threat. In one fluid motion, he launched over the counter and slashed through the suspended creature. It exploded into particles of black dust, settling over the pristine displays like volcanic ash.
Silence fell, broken only by their ragged breathing.
Flour covered every surface, mingling with sugar crystals and the smoldering remnants of dark magic. Display shelves lay toppled, pastries scattered across the floor. Amid the chaos, Warrick stood tall, his partial shift receding as his breathing steadied. A streak of flour dusted his cheek; a small cut above his eyebrow dripped blood onto his collarbone.
Molly had never seen anything more attractive in her life.
Her mouth dried as she watched his powerful chest rise and fall. His uniform shirt hung open, revealing tanned skin and defined muscle. Their eyes locked across the devastated bakery, and the air between them charged with something far more dangerous than smoke monsters.
“You’re hurt,” she whispered, moving toward him as if drawn by invisible thread.
Warrick’s eyes darkened to molten gold. “It’s nothing.”
“Not nothing.” She reached up, fingertips brushing the cut on his forehead. His skin burned beneath her touch, and she felt him shudder. “You’re bleeding.”
His hand captured hers, pressing her palm flat against his cheek. “Worth it.”