Page 22 of Magic and Muffins

“This directly violates the treaty,” he said. “End this, or I won’t use words to stop you.”

“You have so much pent-up desire,” a fae said. “We were trying to help.”

“You were trying to feed,” Anchor said angrily.

The one who’d groped my ass stepped forward.

“If that were true, we would have taken the females from you for ourselves. We were truly trying to help.”

I picked up Anchor’s shirt and tossed it to him.

“Where are your other customers? Why isn’t this place filled?”

“We believe it’s a spillover from the werewolf protests. Our numbers were lower yesterday as well, but not like this,” one of the fae said. “It could also be because a fae was murdered yesterday. It didn’t happen here, but people become afraid of what they don’t understand. Customers might be leery of fae establishments.”

“And it’s early,” another said. “People who eat at this hour are usually only here to experience the novelty of dining here. Our regulars typically come at the normal dining hour.”

I glanced at the time on my phone. It wasn’t yet five.

“We’re leaving,” I said.

“Stay, and we can help you,” a fae said. “I can feel her desire. She’s willing.”

I glanced at Vena, who, in her current position, was lovingly stroking and fluffing Anchor’s butt.

“She’s not the problem,” Anchor said. “I am. I was cursed by one of your kind. It needs to wear off.”

“Only 775 more tries,” Vena murmured.

“We could help lift the curse.”

She lifted her head to look at the fae who said it.

“How?”

“I know someone.” He reached into his suit jacket and withdrew a business card to hand her. “Call the number. Let her know a server from Enticed said she could help.”

“Thanks.”

I couldn’t tell if Vena was seriously considering it or just playing along. Concerned it was the former, I glanced at Anchor. He nodded toward the door. With the bottle still in my grip and ready, I edged around the fae and then power-walked to the exit. Anchor was right behind me.

When I reached the sidewalk and sunshine, I stopped and waited for Anchor to set Vena down and put on his shirt.

“What the heck was that?” I asked.

“I think it might have been just what they said,” Anchor said. “They’re not getting the sexual feedings they need but were trying to help.”

“Seriously?”

He blushed as he nodded. “If you haven’t noticed from your time at Blur, we’re not usually affected by them.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“And what about you?” I asked, looking at Vena.

She lifted her gaze from the business card she’d been staring at.

“I’m so damn horny that it barely took any nudge from them to make me want to climb Anchor like a tree. I think they might be telling the truth. They had no other guests, and he and I were willing.”

---