Page 58 of A Roar for Magic

His answering smile was like sunrise breaking through clouds. Above them, Poe wheeled through the star-studded sky, keeping watch. And in Clover’s chest, her magic hummed in harmony with Rook’s tiger energy—two pieces of a whole, finally finding their way home.

THIRTY-SIX

Back at Clover’s cottage, Rook fussed over her nonstop, arranging pillows on the couch and wrapping her in the softest blanket she owned.

“I’m not an invalid,” she protested as he tucked the blanket around her feet.

“Humor me.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You used a lot of magic tonight.”

“Worth it to see Hudson’s face.” She grinned at the memory. “Though I still can’t believe he thought he could get away with it.”

“He won’t be trying anything else.” Rook settled beside her, drawing her against his chest. “With him exiled and cut off from the family, his attempts to take over Katz Corp are finished. The board won’t touch him now.”

“Good.” She snuggled closer, enjoying his warmth. “Though I have to admit, part of me hopes he tries something else, just so I can turn his hair rainbow-colored this time.”

A knock interrupted Rook’s chuckle. Xabir stood in the doorway, laden with containers that filled the air with mouth-watering aromas.

“Special delivery from Romi,” he announced. “She said, and I quote, ‘Make sure my cousin actually eats instead of making googly eyes at her tiger all night.’“

“We do not make googly eyes,” Clover protested.

Xabir’s raised eyebrow spoke volumes. “Sure, you don’t. That’s why Rook spent two days straight at your bedside, growling at anyone who came too close.”

“I did not growl.” Rook’s ears had turned pink.

“Bro, you literally snarled at the mailman.”

“He was being suspiciously cheerful.”

“He was whistling.”

“Exactly. Suspicious.”

Clover burst out laughing at their bickering. “Thank you for bringing the food, Xabir. Tell Romi I promise to eat.”

After Xabir left, Rook heated up Romi’s care package while Clover scrolled through streaming options.

“Ooh, perfect!” She clicked play on a new true crime documentary. “I’ve been wanting to watch this one.”

Rook paused in the act of bringing her a plate. “A serial killer documentary? Really?”

“It’s fascinating!”

“It’s disturbing.” But he settled back beside her, passing over her food. “Why do you want to watch people murder each other?”

“For the psychology of it. And the investigation techniques.” She took a bite of Romi’s perfectly seasoned chicken. “Plus, you can learn a lot about disposing of bodies.”

Rook slowly turned to stare at her. “Should I be concerned?”

“Only if you make me mad.” She batted her eyelashes innocently. “I’ve gotten some great ideas from these shows.”

“That’s... very concerning.”

“Relax, tiger. It’s perfectly normal. Most girls love true crime.”

“That’s even more concerning. Why are women so twisted?”

“Says the man who literally turns into a giant predator.”

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