Page 13 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

Malik scrunched up his face as he heard the incessant beep of his phone alarm. For the first time in forever, he was not keen on getting out of bed, but as Tynan stirred, he quickly reached over to his dresser, shutting off the noise.

“It’s early, go back to sleep,” he murmured, as Tynan struggled to get his eyes open. “I’ll put the coffee on and will be out in the workshop when you’re ready to get up.” Brushing a quick kiss on Tynan’s forehead, Malik forced himself to leave the warm cocoon he had shared with his mate.

“I should probably get up, too.” Tynan grabbed Malik’s pillow and snuggled into it. “I have to find more leads about Hayley, Mrs. Cooper’s daughter.”

“Let me get the workshop open before Ian arrives and take care of a few things I didn’t get done yesterday, and when you’re ready, come on out to the workshop. I’ll order some breakfast for us and then we can do some poking around on the internet.”

“Ian won’t mind?”

“Ian loves everyone. You watch. Him and Sparky will be chatting like old friends before lunch.”

“Sounds nice.” Tynan’s eyes were already closed. Smiling softly, Malik quickly grabbed a freshly laundered set of overalls and went into the bathroom to get ready for his day.

Sparky perked up when he went into the kitchen. “We’ll have to start putting a cushion on the counter if you insist on sleeping there,” Malik teased in a low voice as he started setting up the coffee machine.

“I was in protection mode.” Sparky stood up and ruffled his feathers. “Someone had to be paying attention to what was going on in that alley at the back of the building, and it wasn’t going to be you two.”

“That’s appreciated.” Malik yawned and ran his hand over his head.

“But don’t lose sleep over it. My rhino keeps tabs on our safety around here, even if it doesn’t appear I’m paying attention.

” He grinned at the perky bird. “Did you want anything for breakfast, or will you be off hunting for worms or bugs?”

“Not at this time of the day.” Sparky shuddered. “That gingerbread you gave me yesterday didn’t agree with me.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t the three roast potatoes you pecked to death?”

“It was the gingerbread, but the jam roll was particularly delicious and in the absence of fruitcake…” Sparky trailed off as if he expected Malik to suddenly magic some up.

“Tynan’s the one with magic, not me. I’ll cut you a slice of jam roll and put fruitcake on my shopping list.”

“I could go and threaten to peck Tynan’s eyes out unless he zaps me up some fruitcake.” Sparky peered around Malik, looking in the direction of the bedroom.

“Let him sleep,” Malik warned as he grabbed a couple of coffee pods and put them into his machine. “I’ll ask Ian if he’ll check if the local corner store has any when he gets in.”

“Hmm.” Sparky hopped closer. “This Ian works for you, isn’t that right? Is he going to accept a talking raven or do I have to keep my beak zipped when he’s around, because I’m telling you now, that might not be easy for me.”

“Ian? No, he’s not going to care.” Malik chuckled as he filled the coffee carafe with water. “He’s young. He’ll probably think you’re some kind of gothic parrot.”

“Parrot?” Sparky stretched out his neck and fluttered his feathers.

“I’m not some mangy parrot with their bright colors and ridiculously huge beaks.

Although, I could probably rock the gothic idea.

The king of darkness…the haunter of dreams. Yes.

Fine. He can think that. As long as he doesn’t expect me to say stupid things like ‘Polly wants a cracker.’ Ugh. Those birds have no self-respect.”

“I never thought I’d have that sort of conversation before coffee in the morning.” Malik chuckled. “Just remember, Ian is human. He doesn’t know about my rhino, and I’d prefer he didn’t know about Tynan’s magic, either.”

“I do know how to conduct myself around the featherless.” Sparky tapped his beak on the counter. “Hmm. I’m not seeing any jam roll. I wonder where that might be.”

“Has anyone told you you’re a pushy bird?” Still smirking, Malik reached into his cupboard, taking out two coffee mugs and his cake tin. Winking at the bird, he poured his coffee first and then found a knife to cut the jam roll.

Sparky inclined his head gracefully when Malik put the roll slice on a paper towel in front of him. “Much appreciated. I’m going to need some extra energy if I’ve got to get used to this area. I haven’t noticed much in the way of greenery or park spaces the few flights I’ve already done.”

“You’d need to go back in the direction of the business district, they have trees there.” Malik took a sip from his mug. “I’m hoping Tynan will want to come with me when I go to my shifting space this weekend. You’re welcome to come along.”

“Ooh, do I get to ride a rhino? Not the way Tynan was riding you, you understand, but I’ve always wanted one of those photo shots of a majestic bird standing on a large beast.”

His cheeks flaming, Malik pointed at the bird. “I’d better not catch you peeking at what Tynan and I are doing in the bedroom, or you could find yourself inside a burger. Some things are private.”

“You weren’t in the bedroom originally. I can’t be helped if the kitchen counter gives me a bird’s eye view of the divan you two were naked on.”

The damn bird was right. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a workshop to open.”

“I’m surprised you can find the energy to open that big door.” Sparky went back to his jam roll. Clearly, he liked having the last word.

/~/~/~/~/

Malik’s first coffee was gone, and the workshop had been open twenty minutes when Ian sauntered in, whistling as he took off his jacket, hanging it on the hook by the office. “Morning, boss. How was your night? No more pixies or gremlins in the workshop?”

Moving out from under the hood of the truck he was working on, Malik smiled at his mechanic.

“Morning. Mrs. Bloom’s caddy is having gearbox issues again.

I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary, but you know how she is.

If you can check that over for me this morning, that’d be great. She’ll be back in at lunchtime.”

“Ah, my lovely caddy.” Malik’s grin widened as Ian hurried over to the bright red car waiting to be seen. “One day I will have one such as you and people will all go out of their way to wave at me as I drive past – slowly, you understand, so that people can see who is actually driving.”

“If you drool on it, you clean it.” Wiping off his wrench with his rag, Malik put his head back under the truck’s bonnet.

“By the way, I had a man stay over last night. He has a talking bird. He’ll be coming through here shortly, so I’ll get you to get us breakfast and some fruitcake when he’s awake, if you don’t mind. ”

Malik waited, hearing Ian gasp and then, sure enough, within seconds Ian’s head popped under the same bonnet. “You have a man?” His eyes were wide.

“Is that a problem?” Malik understood Ian’s confusion. He’d never discussed his personal life. But if there were going to be any issues, Malik wanted them ironed out before his mate came out to the workshop.

“What? Because you’ve got a man? Why would that be a problem? Love is love. But wow, this is bigger news than the gremlins. You never go out. Is it serious? Have you finally found your person? Who is he? Where did you meet? Did you say talking bird? How cool is that! Why do we need fruitcake?”

Shaking his head, Malik chuckled. “Bigger than gremlins. Only you would say that. My man’s name is Tynan. He’s…” Malik chose his words carefully. “He’s not been in town long, so if he sounds a little strange, just ignore it.”

“But he’s sticking around, right? You’ve not gone and fallen for someone who will be driving off into the sunset, leaving broken hearts behind him?”

“I don’t think Tynan can drive.” Malik chuckled. “But no, he’ll be sticking around. He works as a PI in town. As for where I met him – he was being beaten up outside the workshop one night. He came back to thank me for saving him…”

“Ah.” Ian moved out from the bonnet, clasping his hands to his chest. “The romantic hero trope. That’s so cool.” He peered under the bonnet again. “So, where did the talking bird come into this, and why do we need fruitcake? That’s not your regular breakfast.”

“The bird, Sparky, likes fruitcake. And no, before you ask, I have no idea why the bird’s name is Sparky, but he’s very entertaining. I’m sure you two will get on very well.”

“I get on with all the birds.” Ian went over to his toolbox with a laugh. “Not in any way that would be worth talking to me mam about – they just think of me as a friend - but I’m considered a lot of fun at parties.”

“Yep, you and Sparky will get on fine.” Malik bent back to the engine he was working on. It was comforting to his rhino that their mate was curled up safely in his bed, but he really wished he was in there with him.