Page 36 of A Roar for Magic

“Spoilsport.” Romi stole a dumpling from Xabir’s plate. “Though not as bad as Clover banning magical party games after the Great Truth or Dare Incident of 2018.”

“We swore never to speak of that,” Clover warned.

“Oh, now you have to tell us.” Rook’s arm slid along the back of their booth, his fingers brushing her shoulder in a way that made her magic hum.

“Let’s just say it involved a dare, three different transformation spells, and Clover accidentally turning herself into a talking pink bunny for six hours.”

“A bunny?” His eyebrow rose.

“I was trying for a dramatic exit,” Clover muttered. “The magic got a bit... creative.”

“She was so cute! You had to see her hopping around and asking people to pet her,” Romi added gleefully. “I wanted to keep her in that shape, but Thane wouldn’t let me.”

Xabir watched their exchange with a grin. “And somehow you two ended up running successful businesses.”

“Terrifying, isn’t it?” Romi beamed. “Though not as terrifying as the time Clover’s experimental love potion made all the inventory in Spellbound Lights start singing to customers.”

“That was just last week,” Clover protested. “And it wouldn’t have happened if someone hadn’t distracted me.” She nudged Rook with her elbow.

“Are you saying I’m a disruption to your magical focus?” He offered an innocent expression that didn’t match the heat in his eyes.

“You knocked over four displays!”

“Three and a half. The last one was already wobbling.”

“Because you bumped into the shelf while trying to reach that ‘emergency’ tea light.”

“My grandmother needed it.”

“At two in the afternoon?”

“She’s very particular about her lighting needs.”

“You two are very stubborn about admitting being mates,” Romi grinned.

“Speaking of which,” Xabir cut in, his expression turning serious. “Any progress on tracking down whoever’s leaving those scorch marks?”

The playful mood dimmed slightly. Clover shared a look with Rook before explaining what they’d learned from Otis and Madame Zephyrine.

“A ritual to break mate bonds?” Romi’s face paled. “That’s serious dark magic. No wonder the marks felt wrong.”

“We’re working on protection formulas,” Clover assured her. “Combining my magic with Rook’s scientific approach. But...”

“But Hudson won’t stop trying to steal them,” Rook finished. “He’s already leaked one formula. We can’t risk him getting his hands on these.”

“So don’t let him.” Xabir’s tactical mind clicked into gear. “Create a decoy. Something that looks right but won’t work – or better yet, will backfire if he tries to use it.”

“Like those prank potions we used to make in school,” Romi mused. “Remember the one that made people speak backward for an hour?”

A plan began taking shape in Clover’s mind. “We could layer the decoy with detection spells. If anyone tries to corrupt it...”

“We’d know exactly who was involved,” Rook nodded. “And have proof of their interference.”

“Plus,” Romi added, “you two get to spend lots of quality time together creating the real formula. You know, for purely professional reasons.”

Clover tried to ignore how Rook’s fingers had started tracing patterns on her shoulder.

“Absolutely.” His voice carried that rumble that made her magic dance. “Though we should probably work late. To perfect the formulas.”

---