Page 17 of Magic and Muffins

“You’ve got about ten minutes before she forgets her promise,” I said to Cross as he hugged me.

“Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. And you keep me updated. Shepard hasn’t messaged me back yet, and I’m worried.”

Cross kissed my forehead and blurred out the door.

“What’s going on?” Vena asked.

I showed her the video that Cross had shown me. Anchor frowned when the video ended and stepped away to call someone.

“Orphia’s actually doing what she said, isn’t she?” Vena said.

“Seems like it.”

“If I were Effora, I’d start worrying,” Vena said, smiling. “Maybe she’ll cooperate now. I overheard Shepard talking to Hugh about her yesterday. She’s been ghosting both of them. According to her little underlings, it’s because she’s sick. Hugh seemed to buy it. I don’t.

“Now, about Beaver. It’s spelled out. An acronym. B.E.A.V.E.R. Get it?”

Anchor shot her a look from across the room as he spoke quietly into the phone.

It took me a second to figure it out. “We’re not naming this place Brodier, Everly, and Vena’s eating retreat,” I said. “Ever. We need something classy yet catchy that will embody what we’re trying to do: bring all the races together.”

Vena nodded slowly.

“What about Bites and Delights? Vampires and werewolves bite. Fae and a few other otherworlders delight. Plus, humans will be delighted with a bite of your creations.”

“I actually like it,” I said.

Vena grinned. “Don’t sound so surprised. I have amazing ideas all the time.”

“Our opinions often differ on what’s amazing,” I said dryly as I pulled out my phone and quickly searched for any businesses in the area with that name. “It looks like we can actually use it. When Cross gets back, we’ll see what he thinks.”

“He’ll go with it if you want it.”

“What I want is a thriving business. The wrong name could end that dream before it becomes a reality. Cross won’t set us up for failure by agreeing to an awful name.”

She picked up her phone and sent a message. Hers pinged a second later, and she lifted it to show me she’d messaged the name suggestion to Cross. He’d already agreed it was fitting.

“Done. Now let’s go shopping for ‘Bites and Delights’ decor,” she said, hopping off her stool.

“Cross said he would get it.”

“Cross is busy dealing with stuff we can’t. So let’s deal with stuff we can so he doesn’t have to.”

“Ugh, you’re making all sorts of sense today,” I said.

“Again, you shouldn’t be so surprised.”

Anchor hung up and hurried over to set his hands on Vena’s shoulders.

“We’re not going anywhere.”

“Why not?” she asked.

“Cross said to stay here.”

“No, he didn’t. He said to watch over Everly. He also asked if you needed backup. At no point did he say the human he adored more than his immortal life was under house arrest. Also, stating facts doesn’t mean I’m misbehaving.”

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