Page 7 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

He peeks his head around and tiptoes out. “Never been to one of these sanctuary towns. Just never felt the need, you know?”

I do know. But right now I’m on a mission. We join the line and Ryan keeps eyeballing the windows as if I told him a lie. He finally relaxes when we get to the counter.

A pretty Fae with white hair pulled into a high ponytail to reveal an undercut greets us. “Welcome to Wick’s. What can I get started for you?” He grins wide.

Lars leans towards me to ask, “Are all Hex residents hot as fuck?” He spins slowly, taking in the room.

“Dunno, been a few decades since I’ve been here. This used to be a cobbler.” And what a fine cobbler he was.

The Fae grins. “Honestly, yeah. Should be called Hottie, Indiana, because everyone is good looking in their own way.” He leans over and crooks his finger to Lars. “None of you would look out of place in Hex.” He winks, then throws his hand toward the menu on the wall behind him. “There are tons to try. Let me know if you need a few minutes.”

I tap my bottom lip. “Anything you suggest?”

“All of it!” Someone coming through the door says. I don’t know how they heard me with the headphones on, but I suspect they are not as human as they appear.

A pink haired Fae snorts and pulls their friend close. “Beau won’t steer you wrong, but he loves everything here.”

I suck in a breath. Sparkle.

His eyes go wide when he sees me. “You!”

Everyone snaps their attention to me. “Me?” I press a hand to my chest and look around.

“Yes, you! You’re stalking me.”

The pretty white-haired Fae behind the counter stiffens and looks to me. His hand goes under the counter and there’s a tiny beep in a back room.

I hold up my hands. There’s a roar from the back room and before I know it, I’m on my back with a clawed hand wrapped around my throat. The griffin barely contains their shift.

“I believe there’s a misunderstanding,” I croak out.

Lars and Ryan can’t even stifle their laughs.

“Wait. Wait,” Lars starts between snorts. “He’s really not stalking you.”

Sparkle cocks out his hip and crosses his arms. “He claimed me as his last night. I rejected him and now he’s here. How else am I supposed to interpret this?” He flings his hand towards me.

“Uh, can someone get the griffin off me?” I ask.

“No. Why are you here?” The griffin pressing me to the floor says.

“To try out the pastries.”

“Bullshit!” Sparkle says.

“You were right last night. I shouldn’t have said you were mine without even trying to have a conversation. I saw something I wanted and my instincts took over. But you aren’t a thing to be possessed.”

Sparkle blinks a few times. He drops his arms and just stares at me. I can get away from the griffin with just a thought, but I don’t want Sparkle to think I’m a threat.

He taps the griffin on the shoulder. “Let him go, Talon.”

I suck in a good breath when the man releases me. Ryan and Lars help me to my feet, even though I don’t need the help. I brush the nonexistent dust from my jacket. That floor is immaculate. I can probably eat off it.

“What’s all the commotion about?” A lesser demon walks out from the back room. They throw a dishtowel over their shoulder and their eyes go wide. “Your highness! What can we do for you?”

“You’re royalty?” Sparkle whispers. His eyes dart from me to the demon behind the counter.

Ryan and Lars snicker again. It’s Lars that spills the beans, “Lucien’s a higher demon, but he’s sure as fuck not royalty.”