Page 16 of Chasing Stripes

“How gallant,” Kalyna purred, her fox nature showing through. “And then?”

“And then nothing. He helped me stabilize the magic, got covered in flour for his trouble, and left.” Artemis deliberately omitted the part about the electrifying touch and glowing handprints. Some things were too strange—and too personal—to share, even with her oldest friend.

But Kalyna’s sharp eyes caught the slight shift in Artemis’s stance, the way she unconsciously touched her waist where Bartek’s hands had been. “Liar,” she accused without heat. “Something happened. The air around you is practically crackling with energy, and you keep touching your waist like it’s sunburned.”

Artemis froze, caught. “It’s not?—”

“Look.” Kalyna pointed to the overhead lights, which dimmed momentarily before brightening again. “That’s been happening since I walked in. Every time you think about him too hard, I’m guessing.”

As if to prove her point, the lights flickered again.

“That’s... that’s probably just old wiring,” Artemis stammered, though she knew better. Magic responded to emotion, and something about her encounter with Bartek had left her magic unusually reactive.

“Sure, blame the wiring.” Kalyna sipped her tea, smirking over the rim. “And I suppose it’s also the wiring that left that handprint glowing on your waist?”

Artemis glanced down in alarm. Through her flour-dusted apron, the golden outline of Bartek’s hands still shimmered faintly. She tugged her apron to cover it better, but the damage was done.

“It’s nothing.”

“Uh-huh,” Kalyna rolled her eyes. “And I’m a hairless cat.” She placed her teacup down with deliberate care. “Artemis Blu, I’ve known you since we were children catching fireflies behind the school. I’ve seen you enchanted, heartbroken, and everything in between. But I’ve never seen you like this.”

FOURTEEN

Artemis sighed, shoulders sagging in defeat. “I don’t know what’s happening, okay? When he touched me, there was this... jolt. Like electricity, but...” She searched for the right words. “Deeper. More significant. My skin is still buzzing hours later.”

“And?” Kalyna prompted, eyes gleaming.

“And my magic went haywire,” Artemis admitted reluctantly. “The lights flickering, the glowing handprints. It’s like my fae side recognized something in him, which makes absolutely no sense because he’s a tiger shifter and I’m fae and those energies don’t typically?—”

“Unless it’s a mate bond,” Kalyna interrupted, her expression suddenly serious.

Artemis choked on air. “That’s ridiculous. Mate bonds between different species are incredibly rare.”

“Rare, not impossible. My great-uncle Finley, a fox shifter, mated with a selkie. Caused quite the scandal in 1897.” Kalyna leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “The signs are all there. Physical reaction to proximity, magical resonance, energy fluctuations. Did time seem to slow down when he touched you?”

The uncomfortable accuracy of the question made Artemis squirm. “Maybe a little.”

“Did you notice his scent more than you should have? Feel drawn to him physically? Experience inappropriate thoughts about someone you just met?”

Each question hit closer to home. Artemis groaned, dropping her forehead to the counter. “This can’t be happening.”

“Oh, but it is,” Kalyna’s voice lilted with delight. “My best friend and the brooding tiger alpha from across the street. It’s like something out of those romance novels Gloria Arbor keeps recommending to everyone.”

Artemis’s head snapped up. “Gloria Arbor?”

“Bartek’s mother. Lovely woman, but relentless when it comes to her son’s love life. She’s convinced his dedication to the pride has left him emotionally stunted.” Kalyna chuckled. “She’d be over the moon to know a pretty fae baker sent his alpha senses into overdrive.”

“We don’t know that’s what happened,” Artemis protested weakly. “Maybe it was just... chemistry. Normal, everyday attraction.”

“Normal attraction doesn’t make handprints glow, sweetie.” Kalyna’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “So, when are you going to make a move on him?”

“What?” Artemis squawked, causing several customers to look up. She lowered her voice. “I’m not making any ‘moves.’ I barely know him!”

“Details, details.” Kalyna waved dismissively. “The universe clearly wants you to jump his bones. Who are you to argue with cosmic forces?”

“Kalyna!”

“What?” Kalyna batted her eyelashes innocently. “I’m just saying if a hunky tiger shifter left magical handprints on my waist, I’d be across the street faster than you can say ‘mating season.’“ She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. “Though I suppose Rust might object. Lions can be so territorial.”

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