Page 35 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter (Quirk of Fate #5)

Six months later.

Malik stood in the doorway of his workshop, under the “Malik’s Motors & Tynan Investigations” sign.

His heart warmed seeing the improvements in the neighborhood.

New businesses were moving in. Existing shops had been painted, and there was now a crew that went around every morning, ensuring the pavements were swept clean of any ‘debris’ left overnight.

There was a sense of community evident among the retailers, and it showed in the smiles people exchanged as they went about their business.

Grok had kept his word, maintaining the delicate balance of power while allowing legitimate businesses to flourish.

Mrs. Cooper remained in Switzerland, her influence and fortune considerably diminished, by all accounts.

Garrison hadn’t been heard from since his “relocation,” which suited Malik just fine.

Inside the workshop, the familiar sounds of tools and engines mingled with conversations and occasional laughter.

Malik smiled as he heard Ian explaining something to a customer, his formerly broken arm now fully healed and stronger than ever.

The young mechanic had blossomed in the months since the incident, taking on more responsibility in both the automotive side of the business and Tynan’s paranormal investigations.

Ian still didn’t know the full truth about them - that Malik was a rhino shifter and Tynan a fae - but he understood they were “different” and accepted that without question.

He’d developed an impressive ability to explain away the occasional burst of purple glitter or some of Sparky’s less than discreet comments.

“Just Malik’s special tools,” he’d tell curious customers when something inexplicable happened in the workshop. Or, “Tynan’s trained that bird better than most people train their dogs.” His easy acceptance and quick thinking had proven invaluable.

“That carburetor is running smoother than a baby’s bottom now,” Ian declared, closing the hood of a classic Chevelle with a satisfying thunk, causing Malik to turn around to see. “Mr. Roarke is going to be thrilled.”

“Good work,” Malik nodded. “Why don’t you stop for lunch? Tynan ordered something from that new place down the street.”

“The one with the amazing meatball subs? Count me in.” Ian wiped his hands on a shop rag, his grin widening. “By the way, Hayley’s coming by later. We’re going to that new movie at the Paramount.”

Malik raised an eyebrow. “Hayley, huh? Third date this week.”

Ian’s cheeks flushed beneath his freckles. “Just friends hanging out.”

“Right.” Malik smirked. “Friends who text constantly and make excuses to see each other every day.”

“It’s not…okay, maybe it’s something,” Ian admitted, his blush deepening. “She’s amazing, Boss. Smart and funny and brave, after everything she went through with her mom...”

The romance between Ian and Hayley had developed gradually over the past few months.

After ensuring Mrs. Cooper was no longer a threat, Hayley had cautiously emerged from hiding, maintaining her new identity but slowly building a life that included occasional visits to the workshop.

She and Ian had bonded over their shared experiences with the Cooper/Garrison situation, their friendship eventually blossoming into something more.

“I’m happy for you both,” Malik said sincerely. “You deserve some good things after everything that happened.”

“Speaking of good things,” Ian said, nodding toward the office, “how’s the new business venture going? Tynan seemed excited about the case that came in yesterday.”

“It’s going well. Turns out there’s a surprising demand for investigators who specialize in unusual situations.” That was their careful phrasing for paranormal cases - situations involving shifters, fae, vampires, and other beings who couldn’t seek help through conventional channels.

Word had spread quickly through the local paranormal community that Tynan and Malik could be trusted to handle sensitive matters discreetly.

In the past month alone, they’d helped a family of deer shifters relocate after their forest home was scheduled for development, tracked down a missing vampire’s stolen blood supply, and negotiated a territory dispute between rival wolf shifter packs.

“Still can’t believe you guys have an actual waiting list now,” Ian said. “Remember when Tynan was worried about finding enough clients to stay afloat?”

Malik chuckled. “Things change.”

The office door opened, and Tynan emerged with Sparky perched on his shoulder. The fae’s silver hair was pulled back in a loose bun, and he carried a stack of folders under one arm.

“Are you talking about me?” Tynan asked, his green eyes twinkling. “My ears were burning.”

“Just telling Ian how business is booming,” Malik replied, resisting the urge to pull his mate into an embrace. They did their best to maintain a professional demeanor during business hours, though everyone knew they were inseparable.

“It’s been incredible,” Tynan agreed, setting the folders on a nearby workbench. “And speaking of business, lunch has arrived. I had it delivered to the break room.”

The “break room” was another recent addition - a converted storage space they’d furnished with a table, chairs, and a small refrigerator. It provided a private place for paranormal clients to discuss their cases without curious human customers overhearing.

As they headed toward the break room, Sparky suddenly took flight, soaring across the workshop to the open front door. A female raven had landed on the pavement outside, her glossy feathers catching the sunlight.

“Who’s that?” Ian asked, watching Sparky puff up his chest and strut around the female raven.

“Sparky’s girlfriend,” Tynan explained with a grin. “Her name’s Onyx. They met at the park last month, and he’s been showing off for her ever since.”

“She likes fruitcake too,” Malik added. “We’re going through twice as much now.”

“Girlfriend?” Ian’s eyes widened. “So we might have baby ravens eventually? Little talking birds flying around the shop?”

Tynan laughed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Though Sparky did ask if we could install a bird bath on the roof.”

As they ate lunch, Malik basked in how comfortable and normal everything was. Ian chattering about his date plans with Hayley, Tynan discussing their latest case (with the paranormal details carefully omitted), and the occasional comment from Sparky, who had returned with Onyx to share in the meal.

This was his family now - chosen, unexpected, and perfect in its peculiarity. The rhino inside him hummed with contentment, fully at peace with their territory and the life they’d built.

After lunch, Ian returned to work on the last few details for Mr. Roarke’s car, while Tynan returned to the office to prepare for an afternoon appointment. Malik found himself with a rare quiet moment and stepped outside again to enjoy the unusually warm spring day.

The street was bustling with activity - people walking dogs, shoppers visiting the new boutique across the street, and children riding bikes on the sidewalk. Normal, everyday life continued around them, even as they dealt with the extraordinary hidden beneath the surface.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Tynan’s voice came from behind him as slender arms wrapped around his waist.

Malik leaned back into the embrace. “Just appreciating what we’ve built here. Six months ago, I seriously thought we might have to move.”

“And now look at us,” Tynan said, resting his chin on Malik’s shoulder. “Thriving business, happy Ian, Sparky with a girlfriend... and the streetlights are still working.”

“Miracles never cease.” Malik turned in Tynan’s arms to face him. “Are you happy with how things turned out? The paranormal cases, staying here instead of having a fancier downtown office? We could afford that if you wanted it.”

Tynan’s eyes softened. “Don’t you remember my last office?

” He chuckled. “It’s the fae who are fancy, not me.

I’ve never been happier. For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do with the person I’m meant to be with.

” He glanced around to ensure they were unobserved before letting a few purple sparkles dance from his fingertips. “My magic agrees.”

Malik caught one of the sparkles on his finger, watching it shimmer before dissolving. “Remember when you thought this was a problem?”

“I remember thinking a lot of things were problems that turned out to be blessings,” Tynan replied. “Including being attacked in an alley behind a certain mechanic’s workshop.”

“Best mugging ever,” Malik agreed with a grin.

Tynan laughed, the sound carrying on the spring breeze. “We should get back inside. I have that appointment at two, and you promised Mr. Roarke his car would be ready by three.”

“One more minute,” Malik said, pulling Tynan closer. “I just want to remember this moment.”

“Which moment? Standing on a sidewalk in the middle of a workday?”

“The moment when I realized that everything I’ve ever wanted - everything my rhino has ever needed - is right here.” Malik brushed a strand of silver hair from Tynan’s face. “Home, purpose, family. You.”

Tynan’s expression softened, his glamored ears briefly flickering to reveal their pointed tips before settling back into their human disguise. “When did you get so poetic?”

“Must be your influence,” Malik said. “You and your magical ways.”

“Careful, or I might turn your toolbox into a bouquet of flowers,” Tynan threatened with a playful smile.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me,” Tynan challenged, his green eyes sparkling.

Before Malik could respond, Ian called from inside the workshop. “Boss! Mrs. Bloom is on the phone again – she’s got another issue with her car and wants to talk to you.”

“I think that woman fancies you,” Tynan teased as they went back inside. “She calls you at least a couple of times a month.”

Catching Tynan’s hand, just before he went into the office, Malik gave it a gentle squeeze. “Tonight,” he murmured. “Just us, yeah?”

“Just us,” Tynan agreed, returning the squeeze. “With Sparky’s new relationship, we might actually have the place to ourselves for once.”

Malik laughed. “Now that would be true magic. Purple glitter, pointy ears, and all.”

“I’ll bring the ears and the glitter, you bring your all.”

“I always do.” As Malik went across the workshop to take the phone from Ian, he couldn’t stop grinning. That grin was still there when he closed up for the night after Ian had gone home, and stayed until well into the early hours of the morning.

The End