Page 45 of Chasing Stripes

“You made it!” Kalyna scooted over to make room. “We were about to send a search party, assuming you’d been kidnapped by a certain tiger.”

“Very funny,” Artemis slid into the booth. “A last-minute customer wanted three dozen enchanted sugar cookies for tomorrow.”

“Agatha Plumthorn?” guessed the blonde woman.

“The very same. She claimed they were for her book club, but her interrogation about Bartek suggested otherwise.”

“That magpie misses nothing,” the dark-haired woman leaned forward. “I’m Thora, by the way. Sabertooth shifter, bounty hunter, and married to that lug over there.” She jerked her thumb toward a tall, broad-shouldered man at the bar.

“And I’m Bryn,” the blonde woman offered. “Bear shifter, Artair’s sister, and, according to my brother, the town busybody.”

“Information facilitator,” Kalyna corrected with a wink.

“So,” Thora fixed Artemis with a direct gaze. “Kalyna says you and Bartek are practically setting the town’s magic detectors on fire whenever you touch.”

“Subtle, Thora,” Bryn rolled her eyes.

“What? We’re all thinking it.”

Artemis felt heat rise to her cheeks. “It’s... complicated.”

“Mate bonds usually are,” Kalyna said matter-of-factly, signaling the waitress. “Especially cross-species ones.”

“We’re not mates,” Artemis protested, though the handprints pulsed beneath her dress as if arguing.

“Honey, those golden marks on your waist say otherwise,” Thora pointed out. “Classic claim-signs.”

“That sounds... possessive.”

“It’s not about possession,” Bryn explained gently. “It’s recognition. Your magic recognizes his and vice versa.”

A waitress—a water nymph whose blue-tinged skin rippled like ocean waves—approached their table. “Evening, ladies! The usual for everyone? And for our newcomer?”

“She’ll have a Fae Fizzer,” Kalyna decided. “And bring an appetizer platter, would you? We’re celebrating.”

“We are?” Artemis questioned as the nymph departed.

“Your first official girls’ night with us. Absolutely cause for celebration.” Kalyna leaned closer. “Besides, we’ve been dying to hear about the dinner at Bartek’s. Gloria texted me that it went ‘splendidly,’ but I need details.”

“Gloria texted you?” Artemis blinked.

“We’re in the same coven,” Kalyna explained. “Well, not coven exactly. More like a book club that occasionally dabbles in minor spellwork.”

Bryn snorted. “That ‘book club’ cleared an entire nest of dark fae last spring.”

“Semantics.” Kalyna waved her hand dismissively. “The point is Gloria was impressively cryptic, which means she’s up to something. So spill. How was the tiger den?”

Artemis found herself describing the evening—the warm welcome, the twins’ antics, even the near-interrogation from Uncle Darius. As she spoke, she realized how thoroughly the Arbor family had charmed her.

“—and then Gloria showed me their pride recipe book,” she concluded. “Apparently that’s a big deal.”

“Huge,” Thora confirmed. “Most shifter families guard those texts like sacred relics.”

Artemis squirmed in seat at the mention of guarding sacred relics. She had let hers be stolen. And it seemed nobody cared enough to take action. She shook her head. All that could wait until tomorrow. Tonight was for developing friendships and life-long acquaintances.

She noted everyone staring at her. “What?” Artemis asked.

“Gloria is officially on the matchmaking warpath,” Bryn declared. “Showing you the pride book is basically announcing her support for you as a potential mate.”

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