Page 2 of A Roar for Magic

“She’s brilliant and so down-to-earth. Has this amazing way with plants, and she makes these incredible magical remedies?—”

“Still no.”

“But she has the most gorgeous green eyes, and she’s completely genuine. No corporate fakery or social climbing, just pure?—”

“Wait.” Lane’s voice carried from the top of the steps where he lounged against a column with his usual casual grace. “Are you talking about who I think you’re talking about?” His eyes narrowed. “Because if you mean the enchanting proprietor of a certain herbal shop downtown, I already called dibs.”

“You can’t call dibs on a person,” Sabine retorted. “Besides, she’s perfect for Rook. They have this whole complementary magic thing going on?—”

“I saw her first!”

“You’re literally a child.”

“I’m twenty-three!”

“My point exactly.”

Rook’s tiger stirred with unexpected interest. Whoever this mystery woman was, she’d managed to spark a genuine argument between his nephew and sister - both of whom usually united in their efforts to meddle in his love life rather than opposing each other.

“Perhaps,” Mrs. Fontain interrupted smoothly, “Mr. Rook would like to settle in before the interrogation about his love life begins?”

“Bless you, Mrs. Fontain.” Rook seized the opportunity to escape inside, Banner’s laughter following him. But he couldn’t quite squash his curiosity about this woman who had both Sabine and Lane so invested.

His tiger, oddly enough, seemed intensely interested in finding out more.

The mansion’s interior remained exactly as he remembered: polished hardwood floors, ancestral portraits with eyes that followed visitors, and the ever-present scent of jasmine and sage from his grandmother’s meditation room. New magical plants had been added to the decor, including a miniature willow tree that played soft music when someone walked beneath its branches.

His tiger relaxed slightly in the familiar environment, even as Rook’s human side remained on guard. He’d learned the hard way that in Mystic Hollow, comfort often preceded chaos.

They found Grandmother Ilaria in the solarium, engaged in what appeared to be a heated game of magical chess with his uncle Justus. Lane had sprawled in a nearby armchair, his dark-blonde hair perpetually tousled, offering unnecessarily colorful commentary on each move.

“Ooh, that bishop’s going to need therapy after that takedown,” Lane quipped as one of Justus’s pieces captured Ilaria’s bishop with particular enthusiasm. The captured piece indeed looked rather traumatized as it was escorted off the board.

“Some of us are trying to concentrate,” Justus growled, his displeasure rippling through the air with a hint of tiger energy.

“Some of us are trying to enjoy life,” Lane shot back with a grin. “Besides, Grandmother’s winning, anyway.”

“Only because she cheats,” the knight on Justus’s side grumbled.

“I prefer to call it creative strategy,” Ilaria replied serenely. She looked up at their entrance, her face lighting with genuine joy. Despite her illness, she maintained the regal bearing that had intimidated generations of shifters. Her snow-white hair was styled in an elegant bun, secured with ornate pins that Rook knew could double as weapons if needed.

“There’s my wandering cub!” She rose with fluid grace, opening her arms. “And Banner! Still keeping my grandson out of trouble?”

“Trying my best, Mrs. K.” Banner accepted her hug with obvious affection. “But you know how he is.”

“Indeed, I do.” Ilaria’s sharp eyes assessed Rook. “Though I hear Sabine might have found a solution to his workaholic tendencies.”

Rook’s tiger perked up again at the reference to their mystery woman, and he silently cursed his own curiosity. “Grandmother?—”

“I’m just saying,” Sabine cut in, having followed them into the solarium. “She’s brilliant with herbs and healing magic. Think of the collaboration potential with your spa project.”

Now that was a tactical approach Rook hadn’t expected. His tiger rumbled with approval at the idea of a genuine businesspartnership rather than another shallow social connection. “The spa plans are already finalized.”

“Plans can be improved,” Ilaria observed. “Especially when the right person brings a fresh perspective.”

“The right person being this paragon of virtue Sabine won’t shut up about?” Lane stretched lazily in his chair. “Because I still think?—”

“You still think nothing,” Sabine interrupted. “You’re just mad because she completely shut down your terrible pickup lines last week.”

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