Page 21

T hree Hours Later

The parking lot overlooking the Canadian side of Niagara Falls was picturesque in the evening light, tourists snapping photos and couples taking romantic strolls along the viewing areas. It was the perfect location for what appeared to be a simple cargo exchange between business partners.

Big Scorcher and Little Sparky pulled up in their custom dragon-scale painted semi, steam rising from the enhanced cooling system. They climbed out wearing expensive suits and expressions of barely contained irritation.

"You're three hours late," Little Sparky snapped as Bullseye and Hazel approached from the Trans Am. "We said sunset for the exchange."

"Had to make a quick detour," Bullseye said with a grin. "Wedding to crash, you understand."

"We don't care about your personal life," Big Scorcher growled. "Where's our cargo?"

"Right there," Bullseye pointed to Snowman's white 18-wheeler parked nearby. The yeti was leaning against the trailer, arms crossed and looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

"Twenty crates of Bond Buster, as ordered," Snowman called out. "Fresh from the California warehouse, delivered to New York within your thirty-six hour timeframe."

"About that," Big Scorcher said, his expression turning sour. "You didn't deliver to our warehouse in New York City as specified. Niagara Falls doesn't count."

"Actually, it does," Bullseye replied calmly. "The contract says 'delivery to New York' within thirty-six hours. Niagara Falls is in New York. Contract fulfilled."

"That's a technicality!" Little Sparky protested.

"The best kind," Hazel said sweetly.

Big Scorcher's jaw worked silently for a moment. "Fine. Technically, you completed the delivery. But since you didn't deliver to our actual warehouse, we're not paying the eighty thousand gold."

"Fair enough," Bullseye said. "But that means you also can't take my Trans Am as specified in the bet."

"WHAT?" Little Sparky shrieked, his scales flashing with indignation. "But I wanted that car! It was going to be perfect in hot pink!"

"Son," Big Scorcher said firmly, "the boy delivered to New York in thirty-six hours. We can't take his car. That was the deal."

Little Sparky looked like he was about to have a tantrum, but his father's stern glare kept him in line.

"I don't understand why we had to meet on the Canadian side anyway," Big Scorcher grumbled as his associates began transferring the crates from Snowman's trailer to their vehicle. "Seems unnecessarily complicated."

Bullseye pulled Hazel against his side, his arm wrapping around her protectively. "We're getting married," he announced with a grin. "Figured we'd celebrate with a view of the falls."

"Congratulations," Big Scorcher said, his expression softening slightly. "Marriage is a good thing. Settles a man down, gives him purpose."

"Thanks," Hazel said, leaning into Bullseye's warmth.

The transfer was completed in minutes, the dragons securing their cargo with practiced efficiency. Big Scorcher climbed back into the driver's seat while Little Sparky took one last longing look at the Trans Am.

"Pleasure doing business with you," Big Scorcher called out. "Don't take any jobs from us again."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Bullseye replied.

The dragon semi pulled out of the parking lot, heading back toward the border crossing. Bullseye, Hazel, and Snowman watched them go, counting to sixty before anyone spoke.

"Think it worked?" Snowman asked.

"Give it another minute," Hazel said, checking her phone.

Right on schedule, the sound of vehicles approaching echoed across the parking lot. A convoy of official-looking SUVs came from the direction the dragons had gone, followed by several cars marked with the distinctive maple leaf insignia of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

In the distance, they could see the dragon semi surrounded by police vehicles, red and blue lights flashing in the growing darkness.

"Big Scorcher and Little Sparky of the Scorcher Dragon Clan," a voice announced over a police megaphone, "you're under arrest for conspiracy to import illegal magical substances across international borders."

"Perfect timing," Hazel said with satisfaction.

"How did you coordinate all this?" Snowman asked, impressed.

"Turns out the Canadian magical authorities have been tracking the Scorcher clan for months," Hazel explained. "They just needed someone to lure them across the border with evidence. Amazing how cooperative international law enforcement can be when you explain the situation properly."

"This isn't over!" Big Scorcher shouted as he was loaded into the back of a police SUV. "The Scorcher Clan doesn't forget!"

"Good luck with that from prison," Snowman called back cheerfully.

As the convoy of police vehicles drove away with their prisoners and the confiscated Bond Buster, the three partners stood together watching the lights disappear into the distance.

"Think they'll actually serve any time?" Hazel asked.

"In Canada? For magical terrorism charges with a trunk full of evidence?" Snowman chuckled. "They'll be lucky if they see freedom again this decade."

"What about the money?" Bullseye asked. "We never got paid."

"Who needs dragon gold?" Hazel said, leaning against his side. "We've got each other, we stopped a magical weapons shipment, and we saved thousands of witch-familiar bonds."

"Plus," Snowman added with a grin, "I may have helped myself to a small finder's fee from their truck before the Mounties showed up. Consider it compensation for services rendered."

"How small?" Bullseye asked suspiciously.

"Small enough not to be missed. Large enough to keep us comfortable while we figure out what to do next."

As they walked back toward their vehicles, Hazel's phone buzzed with a text message. She read it and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Bullseye asked.

"It's from Sage. Apparently Sheriff Lawman just called off the manhunt for us."

"Why?"

"Because Smokie just had his wedding ceremony. He married Mr. Snuggles at the chapel an hour ago, with Sheriff Lawman officiating. The pictures are already going viral on the supernatural social networks."

Bullseye stared at her. "He actually married his teddy bear?"

"Complete with rings, vows, and a first dance," Hazel confirmed, showing him the photos on her phone. "Sheriff Lawman is apparently too embarrassed to continue the pursuit. Something about 'maintaining family dignity in these trying times.'"

"That's..." Snowman struggled for words. "That's actually kind of touching, in a deeply weird way."

"Smokie's happy, Mr. Snuggles is happy, and we're free to start our new life together," Hazel said, tucking her phone away. "I'd call that a perfect ending."

"So what now?" Bullseye asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"Now we disappear into the sunset like proper outlaws," Hazel said with a grin. "Find somewhere to build a life together, maybe get legally married to go with the magical bonding."

"Any ideas about where?"

"I hear the Pacific Northwest is nice. Lots of supernatural-friendly communities, good climate for magical gardens, and probably far enough from any remaining Lawman family drama."

"Sounds perfect," Bullseye said, kissing her forehead. "As long as we're together, I can handle anything."

"Good," Hazel said, standing on her toes to kiss him properly. "Because I have a feeling our life together is going to be one adventure after another."

As the stars began to appear over Niagara Falls, three vehicles pulled out of the parking lot and headed in different directions—Snowman's white 18-wheeler rumbling north toward new adventures, and a black Trans Am heading west toward the Pacific coast.

Inside the Trans Am, a minotaur and a witch drove toward their future together, their mating bond singing with joy and their CB radio crackling with congratulations from truckers across two countries.

And somewhere behind them, in a chapel overlooking the American side of the falls, a young bear in a tuxedo was having his first dance with his teddy bear bride while his father tried to figure out how to explain this to the department.

***

F INAL TRANSCRIPT OF Sheriff Grizzley T. Lawman's Interview

Me: Well, Sheriff, that's quite a story. How did everything turn out in the end?

Grizz: leans back in his chair, sighing heavily Well, nice lady, I reckon it all worked out the way it was supposed to, even if it ain't the way I planned it.

Me: And your son Smokie? How's married life treating him?

Grizz: chuckles, shaking his massive head Boy's happier than a bear in a honey tree. Turns out Mr. Snuggles was exactly the right partner for him all along. They've got themselves a nice little cottage up near the mountains, and Smokie's taken up teddy bear portrait photography. Who knew?

Me: That's... unexpectedly sweet. And what about the fugitives?

Grizz: Bullseye and Hazel? waves a dismissive paw Ah, they disappeared into the Pacific Northwest somewhere. Word is they're running some kind of magical transportation service—completely legal this time. Help folks move their households when they're relocating covens, that sort of thing.

Me: No hard feelings?

Grizz: pauses, considering Truth is, that little witch did my boy a favor. Smokie never would've been happy with someone who didn't love him exactly as he is, teddy bears and all. And she never would've been happy trying to be something she wasn't.

Me: Very philosophical of you, Sheriff.

Grizz: grins, showing sharp teeth Well, when your son's wedding photos include a teddy bear in a wedding dress, you learn to adjust your perspective real quick. Besides, I got bigger fish to fry these days.

Me: Oh?

Grizz: leans forward conspiratorially Let's just say there's a vampire biker gang that's been causing trouble over in the next county, and they ain't met Sheriff Grizzley T. Lawman yet.

Me: Sounds like another story entirely.

Grizz: stands up, adjusting his badge That it is, nice lady. That it is. Now, if you'll excuse me, I got some lawman-ing to do.

End of Interview