Page 8 of Hex and Scales

The door chimed yet again. A young man with spiky black hair and dancing eyes bounced in, his grin widening at the obvious standoff.

“Cousin!” He clapped Ren on the shoulder. “Making friends, I see.”

Ren’s glare could have melted steel. “Eiji.”

“Don’t mind him,” Eiji stage-whispered to Sabine. “He’s been grumpy for about eight centuries. I’m his much more charming cousin and right hand.” He winked. “Also his impulse control, though that’s clearly not working today.”

“Eight centuries?” Sabine’s eyebrows shot up. “What happened eight hundred years ago?”

A shadow passed over Eiji’s face. “Ah. That’s... complicated. Let’s just say my cousin’s heart took quite a beating. Literally and figuratively. Mate loss. Heartbreak.”

We can heal him.Ah, hell no. She was not a masochist looking to fix anybody.Too late.

“Eiji.” Ren’s voice held warning. “We’re leaving.”

“But I haven’t tried the stress-relief muffins!” Eiji protested. “Also, you promised to be less broody. I distinctly remember a conversation about not terrorizing the local shopkeepers, even if they are unfairly pretty and make your dragon?—”

“Now, Eiji.”

They left in a swirl of barely contained dragon energy, leaving Sabine’s friends practically vibrating with gossip-fueled glee.

“Girl.” Ylan fanned herself. “The way he looked at you...”

“Like he wanted to spirit you away to his dragon lair.” Romi sighed dreamily.

“While simultaneously running away in terror,” Clover added. “Very romantic.”

“You’re all ridiculous.” But Sabine couldn’t quite suppress her smile. “Besides, apparently he had his heart broken eight centuries ago. He’s probably sworn off romance forever.”

“Please.” Ylan snorted. “That man wants you so badly, his dragon practically set my tea on fire. He’s fighting it.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur of customers and minor magical mishaps. More whispers about strange occurrences around town—moving shadows, weird illusions, failing wards. Sabine caught fragments of conversation about “unusual powers” and “drawing trouble,” but she refused to let it bother her.

Much.

At closing time, the bell chimed one final time. Sabine looked up to find Ren filling her doorway again, his expression unreadable.

“I’ll walk you home.”

It wasn’t quite a question. Her tigress preened.

“I’m perfectly capable of walking myself home,” Sabine pointed out.

“Humor me.”

She blamed temporary insanity for what came out of her mouth next. “Only if you agree to get coffee with me tomorrow.”

Ren’s eyes widened fractionally. Behind him, Ylan performed an elaborate victory dance.

“Coffee,” he repeated slowly.

“Yes. You know, that hot beverage humans and supernaturals have consumed for centuries? Often accompanied by conversation.” Sabine’s heart thundered. “My tigress is convinced we should spend more time together. It’s really getting ridiculous. I figured we could either keep having awkward standoffs in my shop, or...”

“Coffee,” he said again like she’d suggested they juggle fire-breathing lemurs.

“If you’re going to keep repeating the word, I’m walking home alone.”

Was that the ghost of a smile? “Coffee. Tomorrow. Fine.”

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