Page 24 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

Malik woke before his alarm, his body tense and his mind immediately alert.

The late-night call from Ian about Hayley’s social media activity hadn’t helped with his restlessness.

As the first light of dawn filtered through the high windows, he carefully disentangled himself from Tynan’s sleeping form and slipped out of bed.

Padding silently into the kitchen, Malik started the coffee maker, his thoughts cycling through the recent events.

The vandalism at the workshop, Mrs. Cooper’s threats, and now this mysterious Instagram post from an account that shouldn’t be active.

His rhino stirred beneath his skin, sensing his agitation.

“You’re up early,” Sparky observed from his perch on the kitchen counter. “Trouble sleeping?”

“Just thinking,” Malik replied, keeping his voice low to avoid waking Tynan.

“About the girl?” Sparky tilted his head. “Or the increased presence of those thugs I’ve noticed hanging around the neighborhood?”

Malik’s head snapped up. “What thugs?”

“The ones watching your workshop. Three different groups over the past few days.” Sparky preened his feathers nonchalantly. “I didn’t mention it because they weren’t doing anything except observing.”

“Damn it, Sparky.” Malik ran a hand over his head. “You should have told me.”

“They weren’t doing anything threatening.” The raven shrugged, an oddly human gesture on a bird. “Just watching. Taking notes, maybe. I figured you knew.”

Malik’s jaw tightened. Surveillance meant someone was planning something. His rhino didn’t like being watched in his own territory.

“Do they look like Grok’s people?” he asked.

“I haven’t got anything to go on beyond those two goons who attacked us that first night.

These guys are younger. More coordinated.

They move like they’ve had training. Military, maybe, or they could be just trying to give that impression.

” Sparky hopped closer. “Are we getting jam roll for breakfast? A bird needs sustenance for surveillance tales.”

Malik absently cut a slice of jam roll and placed it on a paper towel for Sparky, his mind racing through possibilities.

The fact that they were younger men suggested they were part of Garrison’s crew.

But why watch a place without making a move?

Were they building a pattern of his comings and goings?

They’re going to get bored pretty quickly if that’s the case.

The coffee finished brewing just as Tynan wandered into the kitchen, silver hair tousled from sleep, eyes still heavy-lidded.

“You should have woken me,” he murmured, accepting the mug Malik handed him.

“You looked peaceful.” Malik pressed a kiss to Tynan’s forehead. “But we need to talk. Sparky says we’ve had people watching the workshop.”

Tynan’s eyes widened, instantly alert. “Garrison’s men or Grok’s?”

“Garrison’s most likely. Grok would call me if there was an issue with his lot.” Malik leaned against the counter. “They haven’t done anything yet, just observing.”

“That’s not comforting.” Tynan took a sip of his coffee. “What are they waiting for?”

Before Malik could answer, his phone rang. The workshop line, forwarded to his cell outside of business hours.

“Malik’s Motors,” he answered.

“Boss?” Ian’s voice was tight with stress. “I think I’m being followed.”

Malik straightened. “Where are you?”

“On my way to work. About ten minutes out.” Ian’s breathing was quick, nervous. “Two guys have been trailing me since I left my block. When I take a different route, they follow.”

“Description?” Malik was already moving, grabbing his keys.

“Early twenties. One’s got a shaved head, the other’s got a scar across his cheek. Both wearing dark jackets with some kind of patch I can’t make out.”

“Ian, listen carefully.” Malik put the call on speaker so Tynan could hear. “Keep walking in a public area. Don’t confront them. I’m coming to get you.”

“Okay, but…” Ian’s voice suddenly dropped to a whisper. “One of them just said my name. They know who I am, boss.”

Malik felt cold anger settling in his gut. “Where exactly are you?”

“Corner of Fifth and Elm. By the bakery.”

“Stay there. Go inside if you can. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Ending the call, Malik turned to Tynan. “I need to go get him.”

“I’m coming with you.” Tynan was already heading for the bedroom to change.

“It could be dangerous.” Even as he said it, Malik knew it was pointless. Tynan wouldn’t stay behind.

“All the more reason for me to come.” Tynan’s voice carried from the other room. “My magic’s working well these days, remember?”

Malik couldn’t argue with that. Within two minutes, they were both dressed and heading for the truck Malik kept in the workshop, Sparky perched on Tynan’s shoulder.

“I’ll fly ahead,” the raven offered. “Scout the situation.”

“Good idea.” Malik started the engine. “But be careful. Don’t let them see you.”

Sparky launched into the air with an indignant ruffle of feathers. “Please. I’m a master of stealth.”

They drove in tense silence, Malik taking corners faster than was strictly safe.

His knuckles were white on the steering wheel, his rhino pushing against his control, demanding action.

These people had targeted Ian - young, harmless Ian, who had nothing to do with the paranormal world. That crossed a line.

“They’re trying to get to us through him,” Tynan said quietly, voicing Malik’s exact thoughts.

“They picked the wrong person to threaten.” Malik’s voice was a low growl.

As they approached the bakery, Sparky swooped down to land on the truck’s hood, his wings beating rapidly against the windshield.

“The boy went inside,” he reported as Malik rolled down the window. “Two men are waiting across the street. They look impatient.”

Malik parked half a block away. “Stay here,” he told Tynan.

“Not a chance.” Tynan’s green eyes flashed with determination. “We do this together, remember?”

Malik hesitated, then nodded. “Fine. But stay behind me.”

They approached the bakery cautiously. Through the large front window, Malik could see Ian sitting at a table near the back, nervously checking his phone. Across the street, just as Sparky had described, two men in dark jackets loitered near a bus stop, occasionally glancing toward the bakery.

“I’ll go get Ian,” Malik said. “You keep an eye on those two.”

“I’ve got a better idea.” Tynan’s fingers twitched at his side, purple sparkles barely visible in the morning light. “Go inside. I’ll create a distraction.”

Before Malik could protest, Tynan had slipped away, moving toward a small alley beside the bakery. Sparky followed, muttering something about “impulsive fae” under his breath.

Malik entered the bakery, the bell above the door announcing his arrival. Ian’s head snapped up, relief washing over his face when he spotted Malik.

“Boss,” he breathed, standing quickly. “Thank God.”

“Are you okay?” Malik asked, scanning the young man for injuries.

“Yeah, just freaked out.” Ian glanced nervously toward the window. “They followed me for six blocks. One of them pointed at me and said, ‘That’s Cooper’s kid.’”

Malik frowned. “Cooper’s kid? As in Hayley Cooper?”

“I don’t know.” Ian shook his head. “But they definitely knew my actual name. Asked if I was enjoying playing detective.”

Outside, a commotion erupted. The two men who had been watching the bakery were suddenly surrounded by a swarm of pigeons - dozens of them, diving and pecking aggressively. The men swatted at the air, stumbling backward and cursing loudly.

Malik couldn’t help but grin. Tynan’s “distraction” was effective if unconventional. “Let’s go,” he said, guiding Ian toward the door. “While they’re busy.”

They slipped out of the bakery and hurried toward the car. Tynan emerged from the alley moments later, looking innocently puzzled by the bird attack happening across the street. Sparky flew lazy circles above, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

“Pigeons?” Malik asked as they reached the car.

Tynan shrugged, the picture of innocence. “They were just sitting on the roof. I merely suggested they might find those men interesting.”

“Remind me never to get on your bad side,” Ian said with a nervous laugh as they piled into the car.

Malik drove quickly but carefully, taking a circuitous route back to the workshop. In the rearview mirror, he could see Ian’s face, pale but composed.

“Want to tell us exactly what happened?” Malik asked once they were safely on their way.

Ian took a deep breath. “I was walking to work like normal. About two blocks from home, I noticed those guys behind me. Didn’t think much of it until I made that turn on Cedar - you know, where no one goes unless they live there - and they followed. That’s when I got suspicious.”

“Did they say anything else?” Tynan asked from the front seat. “Besides knowing your name?”

“They talked about how I should ‘mind my own business’ and ‘stop poking around where I don’t belong.’” Ian’s voice shook slightly. “One of them said something weird, too. Said I was ‘hanging out with the wrong kind.’”

Malik and Tynan exchanged a glance.

“The wrong kind?” Tynan repeated carefully.

“Yeah. Like…” Ian hesitated. “Like they meant you guys. Which is ridiculous. You’re the best people I know.”

The sincerity in Ian’s voice made something in Malik’s chest ache. This kid, this innocent human kid who had no idea what Malik and Tynan really were, was being threatened because of his association with them.

“We’ll sort this out,” Malik promised, his voice hard. “No one’s going to hurt you.”

“I know.” Ian’s trust was absolute. “But what do they want? Is this about Hayley?”

“Partly,” Tynan said. “But there’s more to it. Things have been complicated lately.”

As they pulled up to the workshop, Malik scanned the street carefully before allowing anyone out of the truck. The area seemed clear, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.