A Roar for Magic (Mystic Hollow #2)

Chapter 32

THIRTY-TWO

“ B anner’s tracking the vial.” Rook stroked her cheek, needing the contact to ground himself. “But we need your magic to prove Hudson has it.”

“Doesn’t matter who took it,” Neve said sharply as Clover started to push herself up. “You’re not touching any tracking spells until this corruption is purged.”

“But—”

“No buts.” Madame Zephyrine pressed glowing hands to the worst of the burns. “Hudson won’t risk using or moving the formula until he’s sure he wasn’t followed. We have time.”

Clover’s fingers found Rook’s, squeezing weakly. “Stay?”

“Try getting rid of me.” He pressed his lips to her knuckles. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“None of us are,” Romi declared, still unpacking supplies. “Though some of us managed to arrive without property damage.”

“The shop needed updating anyway,” Sabine added. “I’m thinking a more open floor plan. Less shelving to knock over during dramatic tiger moments.”

“I will end you both,” Rook growled.

“You can’t fire me; I’m your sister.”

“And I don’t actually work for you.” Romi arranged pastries on the bedside table. “I’m just here to document my cousin’s heroic battle and your subsequent destruction of innocent vegetation.”

Another pained laugh escaped Clover. “You can avenge the orchids later. After we catch Hudson.”

“See?” Sabine grinned. “This is why she’s perfect for you. Already planning revenge before she’s even healed.”

Before Rook could respond, Neve approached with her potion. “Ready?”

The moment the liquid touched Clover’s lips, she convulsed. Dark magic rose to the surface of her skin like poison being drawn from a wound. Each wave of corruption brought fresh pain, and Rook gathered her closer, letting his tiger energy wrap around her like a shield.

“Easy,” he murmured against her hair. “I’ve got you. Just breathe.”

“Hurts,” she gasped.

“I know, sweetheart.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Focus on me. Only me.”

“Tell me—” She broke off as another tremor hit. “Tell me about the renovation plans.”

He blinked. “What?”

“For the shop.” Her fingers twisted in his shirt. “Since you have such strong opinions about the shelving.”

Even now, racked with pain and fighting dark magic, she tried to comfort him. His heart swelled impossibly fuller.

“Well,” he stroked her back as she shuddered, “the west wall definitely needs restructuring.”

“Because you remodeled it with your face?”

“That was Hudson’s face.”

“Of course, it was.” She burrowed closer as more corruption surfaced. “Keep talking.”

So he did. He spun ridiculous plans for shop improvements while she trembled in his arms. Romi and Sabine chimed in with increasingly outrageous suggestions, from self-sorting ingredients to enchanted display cases that complimented customers’ outfit choices.

Slowly, the darkness receded. Clover’s breathing eased, and her natural magic began to shine through again.

“The worst is over,” Madame Zephyrine announced, sitting back. “But she needs rest before attempting any serious magic.”

“I’ll monitor the tracking spell’s anchor points,” Neve added. “Make sure they stay stable until she’s strong enough to trace them.”

“And we’ll bring food,” Romi promised. “Real food, not just pastries. Though also pastries.”

“And contractor estimates,” Sabine said cheerfully. “For the shop’s new open concept design.”

“Out,” Rook growled, but his lips twitched.

They left laughing, but not before extracting promises to keep them updated on Clover’s condition. Madame Zephyrine and Neve followed after giving detailed instructions that Rook committed to memory with military precision.

Finally alone, he gathered Clover closer, breathing in her wildflower scent beneath the lingering traces of medicinal herbs. Her magic sparkled against his, weak but pure again.

“Stop thinking so loud,” she mumbled into his chest.

“I’m not?—”

“You are.” She pulled back enough to meet his gaze. “Hudson won’t get away. The tracking spell will work.”

“I don’t care about Hudson right now.”

“Liar.” But she smiled. “Your tiger is practically vibrating with the need to hunt him down.”

“My tiger is more concerned with you.”

“I’m fine.” She yawned. “Or I will be. Just need some rest.”

“Sleep then.” He pressed soft kisses to her forehead, her cheeks, finally claiming her mouth in a gentle caress. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Promise?”

“Always.” He settled them more comfortably, his tiger finally calming as she drifted off in his arms. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Let Hudson run. Let him think he had time to cover his tracks. Once Clover recovered, they would end this – together.

Right after he replaced those orchids.