Page 27 of Chasing Stripes

“I should go,” Bartek said after sending his message. “I need to secure Tooth & Claw. If he’s been snooping there too...”

“Wait,” Artemis said, surprising herself. “Those protective spices Tilly mentioned—they’re real. Barriers against intrusion magic. I could... I could show you how to use them.” She hesitated, then added, “And maybe you could show me how you secure your space. Two perspectives might be better than one.”

Their eyes met, understanding passing between them. This wasn’t just about the festival collaboration or even the stolen book. Something was building between them, something neither could fully explain or resist.

“I’d like that,” Bartek agreed, his voice rough. “Meet me at Tooth & Claw anytime.”

She nodded, heart quickening at the thought of spending more time with him despite the circumstances.

“Lock your back door until,” he added, moving toward the exit. “Don’t let anyone in you don’t fully trust.”

“You too,” she replied softly.

Bartek paused with his hand on the door, looking back at her one last time. “For what it’s worth, your cinnamon rolls are exceptional.”

A smile tugged at her lips despite everything. “Even with the magical mishap?”

“Especially with the magical mishap.” The warmth in his eyes made her breath catch. Then he was gone, the door closing firmly behind him.

The warmth at her waist lingered as did the memory of his eyes on hers—protective, intense, and filled with something she wasn’t yet ready to name but couldn’t deny feeling in return.

“Well,” Tilly said, breaking into her thoughts with obvious delight. “That was interesting.”

“Don’t start,” Artemis warned, though without heat.

“I’m just saying, I’ve seen magical reactions to attraction before, but that—” Tilly gestured to the still-glowing remains of the cinnamon roll, “—that’s something special. And did you notice how quickly he positioned himself between you and Thaddeus? Classic alpha protection instinct.”

“He’d do that for anyone,” Artemis muttered, though her racing heart suggested she hoped otherwise.

“Keep telling yourself that, dear.” Tilly gathered the tray of cooling rolls. “Now, we should prepare for the council meeting you are supposed to go to today. Wear something nicer than that flour-covered apron, won’t you? First impressions with the council are important. And second impressions with certain tiger shifters even more so.”

“Aunt Tilly!” Artemis groaned, but couldn’t suppress the flutter in her stomach at the thought of seeing Bartek again. She turned to head upstairs to her apartment, but Tilly’s voice stopped her.

“Oh, and Artemis? You might want to consider taking some of those protection-infused pastries to the meeting. The council members do love their snacks, and it might give you a reason to stop by Tooth & Claw afterward—to explain the magic behind them.” Her aunt’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Just a suggestion, of course.”

“Of course,” Artemis echoed dryly. “Purely professional considerations.”

“Absolutely,” Tilly agreed with exaggerated seriousness. “Nothing to do with the way that tiger looks at you like you’re the finest delicacy he’s ever laid eyes on.”

Heat rushed to Artemis’s cheeks again. “I’m going to shower now.”

“Good idea. Use that lavender soap I made. Enhances natural magical signatures. Makes them more... noticeable.” Tilly winked.

Artemis escaped up the stairs, her aunt’s laughter following her. As she closed her bedroom door behind her, she leaned against it, pressing her palms to her flushed cheeks.

The council meeting. The missing book. Thaddeus’s threat. All serious concerns that demanded her attention.

Yet her mind kept drifting to golden-brown eyes with amber flecks, to strong hands that had left glowing prints on her skin, to the way Bartek’s presence made her magic surge with inexplicable power.

The handprints pulsed once more with warmth as if responding to her thoughts.

Artemis pushed away from the door with a determined breath. She had a council meeting to prepare for, a family legacy to protect, and a town full of supernatural beings potentially at risk.

And afterward... a certain tiger shifter to meet at Tooth & Claw.

The plants on her windowsill suddenly bloomed despite being nowhere near their flowering season. Each blossom glowed with the same pink hue as the enchanted cinnamon rolls.

“Oh, for fae’s sake,” she muttered, but couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face.

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