Page 11 of Magic on the Prowl

“Careful,” Luna said, “not too much at once.”

“Yeah,” Daisy replied. “No blowing any fuses.”

After a few more minutes, Luna called a stop. “That’s all we can do for now. The shield is up, but it’s not that strong yet. The humans at least won’t be walking in unexpectedly. We’ll have to do another round or two to keep out those with magic abilities. I’ll contact you when we can start again.” Luna slumped and headed for her shop. The strenuous effort was taking a toll on the elderly woman.

“I’ll go with you, Luna,” Celeste said, taking the wrinkly arm. “Daisy, you clean up.” As Celeste said the words, her eyebrows wiggled toward Roarke standing back in the shadows.

Daisy glanced over and caught him watching her with a mix of awe and admiration. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine, a delicious warmth spreading through her veins.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” Roarke murmured, his voice low and filled with a depth of emotion that caught Daisy off guard. “Watching you work, seeing the way you pour your heart and soul into protecting this town... it’s like nothing I’ve ever witnessed. Your dedication, your strength... it’s inspiring.”

Her cheeks flushed, a flutter of butterflies taking flight in her stomach. In that moment, surrounded by the swirling currents of magic and the unwavering support of her friends, she made a decision. Turning to face Roarke fully, her green eyes locking with his, she took a deep breath and spoke the words that had been dancing on the tip of her tongue.

“Roarke, would you like to have dinner with me tonight? I’d like to get to know you better if you think that’s okay with you.”

For a moment, Roarke simply stared at her, his expression unreadable. Her heart hammered in her chest, a small part of her fearing she had misread the situation, that she had overstepped some invisible boundary. But then, slowly, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, a warmth spreading across his chiseled features.

“I’d love to, Daisy. Getting to know you better sounds like a good way to spend my evening.”

With the plans set and the shield stabilized, Daisy stood in the colorful, whimsical interior of the Bewitched Bakery, her best friend Molly Hues grinning at her from across the counter. The air was filled with the mouthwatering scent of freshly baked bread and the gentle tinkling of wind chimes, a soothing backdrop to the excitement buzzing through Daisy’s veins.

“So, a dinner date with the mysterious panther shifter, huh?” Molly teased. “Girl, you don’t waste any time. I’m so proud of you for taking the initiative.”

Daisy laughed, a blush creeping up her neck as she fiddled with a stray lock of her pink hair. “I don’t know what came over me, Molly. He looked so cute with how proud he said he was of me and my heart melted. I had to jump in. It was like the universe was giving me a sign that it was now or never.”

Molly nodded, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “The heart wants what it wants, sweetie. And it sounds like your heart has been doing a little tap dance every time Roarke’s around. It’s about time you listened to it.”

As they chatted, the bakery door chimed, announcing the arrival of Celeste, Tabitha, Ivy, and Luna. The women swept in, their faces alight with excitement and curiosity, a whirlwind of energy and color filling the cozy space with an electric buzz. They converged on Daisy and Molly, their voices rising in a chorus of eager questions.

Celeste, her auburn hair bouncing in soft curls around her shoulders, was the first to reach them, and she pulled Daisy into a warm, enthusiastic hug with her growing baby bump squished between them. “A little birdie told us that our Daisy has a hot date tonight.” She grinned, her voice lilting with a playful, conspiratorial tone. “Spill the beans, girl. We want to know everything.”

A mixture of excitement and bashfulness colored her face as she glanced around at the eager, expectant faces of her friends. “Well, I may have invited Roarke over for dinner tonight,” she admitted, her lips curving into a shy, happy smile. “But it’s not a big deal, really. Just a casual thing.”

Tabitha let out a squeal of excitement, her hands clasping together in front of her chest. “Not a big deal? Daisy, honey, this is huge. You and Roarke, alone, in a romantic dinner setting? The sparks are going to be flying.”

Over the next hour, the bakery transformed into a hub of laughter, advice, and good-natured teasing as the women discussed every aspect of Daisy’s upcoming dinner with Roarke. They huddled together around a small round table, their heads bent close as they pored over fashion magazines and recipe books, each offering their own unique perspective on the perfect date night.

Suggestions for the ideal outfit ranged from the sensible to the downright scandalous, with Tabitha advocating for a daring, form-fitting red dress that would “knock Roarke’s socks off.” She held up a picture of a slinky, satin number as she wiggled her eyebrows.

“Tabitha, I don’t think I have anything like that in my closet.”

Tabitha grinned. “We’re witches. We can make it happen if you want it.”

“Hold that thought.” Daisy laughed.

Luna, ever the voice of ethereal elegance, countered with a flowy, gossamer gown in shades of green and gold, her slender fingers tracing the delicate, leafy patterns embroidered on the bodice. “This would be perfect, Daisy,” she murmured, her voice soft and dreamy. “It’s like wearing a piece of the forest, a reminder of the magic that flows through your veins.”

Ivy, her honey-blonde curls escaping from the loose bun at the nape of her neck, chimed in with her own suggestion, holding up a picture of a vintage, tea-length dress in a soft, buttery yellow. “I think this would suit you beautifully, Daisy. It’s feminine and flirty but still allows for comfort and ease of movement. Plus, the color would look stunning with your hair.”

The menu debate was no less spirited with each woman offering her own unique take on the ideal romantic meal. Molly, ever the mischievous baker, suggested her infamous “Love Potion” cupcakes, a wickedly delicious concoction of dark chocolate, chili, and a secret blend of aphrodisiac herbs. “I guarantee these will ignite passion with every bite,” she winked.

Ivy, the resident herbalist, recommended a selection of aphrodisiac-infused teas and elixirs, each designed to heighten the senses and promote a sense of well-being and connection. “I’ve got a blend of rose, jasmine, and damiana that would be perfect for the occasion,” she said, her voice warm and enthusiastic. “It’s said to open the heart and inspire feelings of love and desire.”

Celeste, ever the romantic, championed a classic, candlelit dinner with all the trimmings. She painted a picture of a beautifully set table complete with fine china, crystal glasses, and a centerpiece of fresh, fragrant flowers. “There’s something so timeless and intimate about a traditional, sit-down dinner,” she sighed, her eyes misty with imagined romance. “The soft glow of the candles, the clink of glasses, the whispered conversations... it’s the perfect setting for falling in love.”

EIGHT

Across town in the sun-dappled office of Sheriff Mallory, Roarke was engaged in a far more somber conversation. The two men went over maps and reports strewn across the large oak desk as they discussed the ongoing threat posed by the Reapers and the effectiveness of the newly reinforced shield. The air in the room was heavy with tension, the weight of their responsibility bearing down on them like a physical presence.

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