Page 20 of Impawssible Magic

She yanks her hand back. “Right. So. Was there anything else, or...”

“I’ll be around.”

“Fantastic. A large, silent shadow following me everywhere. Every witch’s dream.”

“You won’t always see me.”

“Somehow that’s creepier.”

I turn to leave. Stop at the door. “The scones.”

“What?”

“Sunny at Moonpetal Bakery sent scones.” I hold up the paper bag. “They’re supposed to improve your mood.”

“And you’re... giving them to me?”

“You seem like you could use mood improvement.”

“Wow.” She takes the bag, looking at me like I’ve grown a second head. “That’s... unexpectedly thoughtful. For a professional lurker.”

“Security professional.”

“Right. That.” She opens the bag, sniffs. “They smell like butter and happiness.”

“Sunny’s specialty.”

“Tell her thank you.”

She waves the bag at me. “But these scones help. So. Thank you. For the borderline creepy protection detail and the pastry delivery.”

“You’re welcome.”

I leave before I get myself into trouble and acknowledge the spark that’s still tingling in my fingers where we touched.

The bell chimes behind me. The morning sun catches the shop windows, throwing rainbows across the square.

And the beast, the traitor, is practically purring.

Elio Frostheart finds me in the square that afternoon, appearing at my shoulder with the particular silence of someone who has spent decades practicing it.

“Grandmother Peach knows about the symbol.”

His silver-gray eyes are fixed on the shop across the square. His expression reveals nothing. It never does.

“What does she know?”

“She called it a Preserver mark. Refused to elaborate.” His voice carries carefully measured frustration. “Said it wasn’t time yet. Gave me cobbler and somehow I ended up telling her about my childhood fear of butterflies.”

“Butterflies.”

“Don’t ask.” He pauses. “The witch. She’s significant somehow. Grandmother Peach gets that look when she talks about her. The one she had before the Thornback situation. And the Stillwater incident. And⁠—”

“Every time the Registry starts ringing more than usual.”

“Yes.”

We stand in silence.