Page 26 of A Roar for Magic

“Okay, but I’m swamped, so it’s going to be a few days,” she breathed. “But if you tell anyone about the hamster comment, all bets are off.”

SIXTEEN

Later that evening, Rook found himself at The Arcane Brewpub with Banner, Xabir, and Thane. The pub’s enchanted lanterns cast a warm glow over their corner booth, and Harry had already supplied them with his latest magical brew – something that sparkled suspiciously and tasted like liquid courage.

“Let me get this straight,” Banner leaned forward, his ice-blue eyes dancing with amusement, “she told them you had five kids?”

“And two dogs,” Rook confirmed, watching his drink shift from gold to midnight blue. “Plus the hamster. Don’t forget the magical hamster.”

“My cousin has lost her mind.” Thane choked on his drink, shoulders shaking with laughter. “Though I have to say, the hamster was unique.”

“The best part is she’s usually so composed,” Xabir added, grinning. “Remember how she lectured Romi last month about maintaining professional boundaries at work?”

“Says the woman who nearly set her own shop on fire when Rook first walked in,” Banner smirked. “Those protection wards went haywire for a solid minute.”

“They did not,” Rook sat up straighter, intrigued. “I would have noticed.”

“You were too busy knocking over displays,” Thane snorted. “But trust me, every magical sensor in that shop lit up like Convergence Night. Romi told me Clover spent three hours afterward ‘recalibrating’ her wards. Something about ‘excessive magical interference.’“

“Interference, huh?” Rook’s grin widened.

“Oh yeah.” Thane’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Apparently your ‘overwhelming alpha energy’ was ‘disrupting her carefully calibrated magical atmosphere.’“

“That’s not what has me worried,” Banner cut in, trying to keep a straight face. “I’m more concerned about these five kids you’ve apparently fathered. Keeping secrets from your best friend, Rook? I’m hurt.”

“Don’t forget the dogs,” Xabir added solemnly. “We should probably start planning a shower for the magical hamster.”

“All of you can go straight to—” Rook’s phone buzzed again, cutting off his retort.

P.S. Poe says to tell you he expects premium treats in exchange for putting up with your “excessive alpha energy” in his shop. His words, not mine. Though he’s not wrong about the treats.

“Oh, this is precious,” Banner crowed, somehow reading over his shoulder despite Rook’s attempt to angle the phone away. “The fearsome alpha, taking orders from a crow.”

“‘Excessive alpha energy,’“ Thane repeated, wheezing with laughter. “That bird’s got your number.”

“You know what this means,” Xabir’s grin turned wicked. “We need to find the most ridiculous premium bird treats in Mystic Hollow.”

“I can think of better ways to spend my evening than shopping for your entertainment,” Rook grumbled, but his tiger rumbled happily at the thought of pleasing their mate’s familiar.

“No, no,” Banner waved off his protest. “This is critical alpha business. Can’t have the local familiars spreading rumors about your stinginess.”

“Besides,” Thane added, “Poe’s approval rating of suitors is legendary. That crow once drove off three different guys just by quoting increasingly ominous prophecies at them.”

“And now he’s only demanding treats,” Xabir nodded sagely. “Practically a blessing.”

“To Poe then,” Banner raised his glass, his drink shifting to a brilliant purple. “The true power behind the throne.”

“To the magical hamster,” Xabir added with a completely straight face.

“To my cousin,” Thane lifted his own glass, “finally meeting her match in stubbornness.”

“To all of you finding something better to do with your time,” Rook muttered, but he was fighting a smile as he joined the toast.

His phone lit up one last time:Also, if you’re still at the pub with my cousin, tell him I WILL find out what he’s saying about me, and I WILL remember.

“How did she—” Rook started.

“Poe,” they all said in unison.

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