Page 33 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

After two tense days, it wasn’t easy to sleep.

Malik lay on his back, staring at the ceiling and listening to Tynan’s steady breathing beside him.

His rhino paced restlessly beneath his skin, eager for the resolution that tomorrow might bring.

A cool breeze drifted through the partially open window, carrying the scent of approaching rain.

Just as Malik had decided to get up and do another perimeter check, he heard it - the unmistakable sound of car doors closing quietly in the alley behind the workshop. His body tensed, senses immediately heightened.

“Tynan,” he whispered, gently shaking his mate’s shoulder. “Someone’s outside.”

Tynan was instantly awake, years of self-preservation making him alert to the slightest issue. “Garrison?”

“Possibly.” Malik slid silently from the bed, pulling on jeans and a T-shirt. “Stay here while I check.”

“Not a chance,” Tynan replied, already dressed. “You keep using that word ‘together’ and that applies all the time, not just when you feel like it.”

The sound of metal scraping against brick filtered through the open window, followed by muffled voices.

Malik moved to the security system panel he’d installed after the break-in, checking the newly placed cameras.

Four figures moved along the perimeter of the workshop, their faces obscured by the shadows.

“They’re trying the side entrance,” Malik murmured, pointing to the screen where one figure was working on the reinforced door. “Looks like they brought tools this time.”

“I’ll wake Sparky,” Tynan said, his voice calm despite the tension Malik could feel through their bond.

As if summoned, the raven fluttered into the bedroom, agitated. “Four men, armed. Two with bats, one with what looks like bolt cutters, and their leader has something in his waistband - probably a gun.”

“Garrison again,” Malik growled, recognizing the description of their previous encounter.

“What’s the plan?” Tynan asked, his magic already gathering around his fingertips in faint purple wisps.

Malik’s mind raced through options. “I’m guessing they don’t know we live in the connecting building. They think they’re hitting an empty workshop.” A grim smile spread across his face. “Let’s use that to our advantage.”

The security monitor showed the intruders had managed to break through the first lock on the side door. They were working on the second, unaware they were being watched.

“I’ll go through the connecting door and surprise them from inside,” Malik said, already moving toward the workshop entrance. “You circle around through the back alley and cut off their escape route. Do whatever you have to do but keep yourself safe.”

Tynan nodded, his glamor dropping to reveal his pointed ears. In the dim light, his eyes seemed to glow with an internal fire. “Be careful.”

“Always.” Malik pressed a quick kiss to Tynan’s forehead. “Sparky, stay high and watch for reinforcements. If you see more of Garrison’s men approaching, warn us immediately.”

“Consider me your aerial reconnaissance,” the raven agreed, flying ahead through the connecting doorway.

Malik moved silently through the darkened workshop, positioning himself in the shadows near the side door where the intruders were focused on breaking in.

He could have locked down the entire building with the security system, but he wanted to face Garrison directly.

The whole situation had gone beyond protecting property - it was about establishing boundaries that would never be crossed again.

The final lock gave way with a metallic snap, and the door swung open. Four figures slipped inside, the last one - clearly Garrison - closing the door behind them.

“Spread out,” Malik heard Garrison whisper. “Find anything that looks valuable or important. And remember, this isn’t just about theft. I want this place trashed.”

Malik’s rhino surged beneath his skin. Their territory was being violated, again. Forcing his animal side back, Malik held still, waiting until all four men had moved deeper into the workshop, separating slightly as they explored in the darkness.

“We need lights,” Garrison ordered one of his men, who flicked on a powerful flashlight, sweeping it across the tools and vehicles.

That was Malik’s cue. He reached for the main switch and flooded the workshop with harsh fluorescent light. All four intruders froze, momentarily blinded by the sudden brightness.

“You picked the wrong shop to vandalize,” Malik growled, stepping out from the shadows.

Garrison recovered quickly, his surprise transforming into a cruel smile. “Well, well. The rhino himself. This is convenient. I was planning to pay you a more personal visit tomorrow anyway.”

The workshop suddenly felt smaller as tension filled the space between them.

“You stepped over the line, Garrison,” Malik said, his voice deceptively calm. “The smart thing would’ve been to walk away.”

“Walk away?” Garrison scoffed. “The natural order is changing. Your kind doesn’t belong here - or anywhere else among decent people.”

One of Garrison’s men moved toward the vintage Mustang Malik had been restoring, raising his bat toward the windshield. Before he could swing, Malik was across the room with inhuman speed, catching the bat mid-strike and wrenching it from the man’s grasp.

“My kind?” Malik snapped the bat in half with his bare hands. “You mean business owners? People who contribute to the community instead of terrorizing it?”

The thug stumbled backward, eyes wide with fear. “Boss, he…he… he can’t be human!”

“Of course he’s not,” Garrison snarled. “That’s the whole point. He’s one of the creatures hiding among us, pretending to be normal.” He pulled a gun from his waistband, pointing it directly at Malik. “But not for much longer.”

A flash of purple light suddenly illuminated the workshop as the door behind Garrison burst open. Tynan stood in the doorway, silver hair floating around his face as if caught in an invisible breeze, his magic crackling around his fingertips.

“I’d reconsider that if I were you,” Tynan said, his voice carrying an authority Malik had never heard before.

Garrison spun around, keeping his gun trained on Malik. “The silver freak. Perfect. Two abominations for the price of one.”

“Four against two,” one of Garrison’s men said, clearly regaining his confidence. “We still have the advantage.”

A harsh laugh echoed from the rafters as Sparky dive-bombed the speaker, talons raking across his face. “Might want to recount, featherless.”

Taking advantage of the diversion, Malik seized his opportunity. He charged Garrison, moving fast. His shoulder collided with Garrison’s chest, sending the man flying backward into a toolbox. The gun clattered to the floor, sliding beneath a workbench.

The workshop erupted into chaos. Tynan’s magic flared, creating a barrier between two of Garrison’s men and the exit. They bounced off it like they’d hit a solid wall, cursing as they stumbled back.

“What the hell is this?” one of them shouted, swinging his bat at the invisible barrier only to have it repelled with a shower of purple sparks.

Malik grappled with Garrison, who was surprisingly strong. They crashed into a shelving unit, sending tools scattering across the concrete floor. Garrison fought dirty, going for Malik’s eyes and throat, but Malik’s superior strength gave him the advantage.

“You think you can hide what you are?” Garrison hissed, managing to land a solid punch to Malik’s ribs. “We’ve been watching you for months. We know what you are!”

“Then you should have been smarter than to challenge me in my own territory,” Malik growled, his voice deepening as his control slipped. He grabbed Garrison by the throat and lifted him off the ground with one hand, pinning him against the wall.

Across the workshop, Tynan was throwing out magic like a candy toss at a parade.

His magic created obstacles and distractions - tools suddenly sliding across the floor into a thug’s path, a spray of purple sparks temporarily blinding another.

He moved with graceful precision, never directly attacking but making it impossible for Garrison’s men to coordinate or escape.

“Boss, this is messed up!” one of the men shouted, backing away from Tynan. “We didn’t sign up for this sort of bullshit!”

Garrison couldn’t respond, still dangling from Malik’s iron grip. His face was reddening, hands clawing uselessly at Malik’s arm.

Suddenly, the workshop door burst open again. Malik tensed, expecting Garrison’s reinforcements - but instead, Grok strode in with six of his own men, all armed and looking ready for a fight.

“Starting the party without me, Malik?” Grok asked, surveying the scene with an amused expression. “That’s not very neighborly.”

Malik eased his grip on Garrison’s throat just enough to let him breathe. “You’re early. We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow.”

“Got word Garrison was making a move tonight,” Grok replied, nodding to his men who quickly secured the remaining thugs as Tynan dropped his magical walls. “Thought I’d save you the trouble of cleaning up alone.”

Garrison’s eyes bulged as he looked between Malik and Grok. “You’re working together? You’ve betrayed your own kind to ally with these…these freaks?”

Grok approached slowly, adjusting his expensive cufflinks. “My kind? You mean people?” He laughed, the sound echoing through the workshop. “My kind are businesspeople who respect boundaries and arrangements. You’re the one who’s been disrupting the natural order around here.”

Tynan moved to Malik’s side, his magic still crackling around his fingers, although he was trying to hide it. “What should we do with them?”

Grok gestured to his men. “My associates will take Garrison and his friends for a little conversation about territorial respect.” His smile was all teeth. “And tomorrow, Mrs. Cooper will receive some unexpected visitors with very interesting questions about her financial activities.”

“You can’t do this,” Garrison wheezed, still struggling in Malik’s grip. “I have connections, protection…”

“Had,” Grok corrected. “Past tense. Your protection has been revoked.” He patted his breast pocket as he smirked. “Amazing what people will do when faced with evidence of their own corruption.”

Malik finally released Garrison, letting him slump to the floor, where two of Grok’s men immediately secured him. “What happens to him after your little chat?”

“He’ll be strongly encouraged to relocate,” Grok replied. “Somewhere very far away, where his particular brand of prejudice won’t be our problem anymore.”

“And his operation?”

“Dismantled as we speak,” Grok assured him. “My men are visiting his various outposts tonight. By morning, it’ll be like Garrison’s ‘cleansing initiative’ never existed.”

As Grok’s men began removing Garrison and his thugs from the workshop, Tynan’s magic gradually subsided, the purple glow fading from his fingertips. Sparky descended from the rafters, landing on his shoulder.

“Well, that was anticlimactic,” the raven commented. “I expected more smashing and crashing.”

“Be grateful it wasn’t worse,” Tynan murmured, leaning slightly against Malik’s solid presence.

Grok lingered after his men had taken Garrison away. “Our arrangement holds,” he said to Malik. “Your territory remains your own, my territory remains mine. But perhaps a bit more communication between us might be beneficial in the future.”

“Agreed,” Malik said, extending his hand. “Thanks for the assistance.”

Grok shook it firmly. “Business is business. Garrison was bad for everyone.” His gaze shifted to Tynan. “You two make a formidable team. More than meets the eye with both of you.”

“You have no idea,” Sparky muttered under his breath.

With a final nod, Grok departed, leaving Malik, Tynan, and Sparky alone in the workshop. The sudden silence felt almost oppressive after the chaos of the fight.

Malik surveyed the damage - tools scattered, a shelf overturned, a small dent in the Mustang’s fender where someone had been thrown against it. Nothing that couldn’t be fixed - again.

“So that’s it?” Tynan asked, sounding almost disappointed. “Garrison’s gone, Mrs. Cooper will be dealt with, and we just...go back to normal?”

Malik turned to his mate, seeing the fading adrenaline in his eyes, the slight tremor in his hands as his magic settled. “Did you want more fighting?”

“No, it’s just...” Tynan looked around the workshop. “I was prepared for something bigger, I guess. Some final confrontation where we truly had to fight for our home.”

Malik pulled Tynan into his arms, feeling the tension gradually leave his mate’s body. “We did fight. Sometimes the most effective victories are the ones that happen through alliances and strategy, not just brute force.”

“Like using Grok against Garrison,” Tynan nodded against Malik’s chest.

“Exactly.” Malik pressed a kiss to Tynan’s silver hair. “Besides, I’d rather have a boring resolution than risk losing you in some dramatic final battle.”

Sparky fluttered to perch on a nearby tool chest. “If you two are going to get sappy, I’m going back to sleep. Wake me when it’s time for celebratory fruitcake.”

Tynan laughed, the sound breaking the last of the tension. “We should clean up and try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll need to check on Ian, make sure Hayley’s safe, and see if Grok follows through with Mrs. Cooper.”

“First things first,” Malik said, leading Tynan toward their living quarters. “I need to check you over, make sure you’re not hurt.”

“I’m fine,” Tynan assured him, though he didn’t resist being guided back to their bedroom. “My magic worked perfectly. It felt right. Like an extension of myself.”

“I noticed,” Malik said, pride evident in his voice. “You were magnificent. But humor me, I still want to check you over - every single delicious inch of you.”

“Well, when you put it like that.” Tynan leaned against him.

“Keep the noise down when you’re doing your sexy check,” Sparky grumbled as he flew through to the divan and settled in. “Heroic birds need their sleep, you know.”