"Oh, honey," Jacinth chuckled, a hint of mischief in her voice. "You have no idea what a determined Djinn can do. Just try to relax for now. We've got your back."
As Harper ended the call, she felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. Still, her nerves remained frayed as she navigated through the rest of her workday. The constant fear of exposure gnawed at her, making each passing minute feel like an eternity. When the clock finally struck five, she bolted from the bank, her heart racing as she rushed home.
As she fumbled with her keys at the apartment door, a familiar scent wafted through the air. Harper paused, her fox senses tingling. It wasn't just Jacinth's usual aroma of exotic spices and magic. There was something else... a warm,comforting scent that made her pulse quicken for an entirely different reason.
She pushed open the door to find Jacinth lounging on an armchair in her living room, a mischievous glint in her eyes. But it was the figure on the couch that made Harper's breath catch in her throat. Nathan.
"I hope you don't mind," Jacinth said, her voice light and teasing. "I thought you could use some moral support."
Before Harper could respond, Nathan was on his feet, crossing the room in long strides. He enveloped her in a tight embrace, his strong arms wrapping around her like a protective cocoon. Harper melted into his warmth, burying her face in his chest and inhaling deeply. The tension that had coiled in her muscles all day began to unravel.
"It's going to be okay," Nathan murmured into her hair, his voice a soothing rumble against her cheek.
After a moment, they settled onto the sofa together, Nathan's arm still draped protectively around Harper's shoulders. Jacinth leaned forward, her expression growing serious.
"I'm going to put a spell over your apartment," she explained. "The best way to describe it is a 'look-away' spell. Even if that nosy reporter sees this place, he won't recognize it as yours."
Harper's brow furrowed in confusion. "But how does that work exactly? He'd still see my apartment number on the door, wouldn't he?" She chewed her lower lip, struggling to grasp the concept of magical concealment.
Nathan nodded, his expression mirroring Harper's bewilderment. He ran a hand through his tousled sandy hair, brow creasing as he tried to wrap his mind around the idea. "Yeah, I'm with Harper on this one. How would that actually help in keeping her place hidden?"
A slow, impish grin spread across Jacinth's face, her mahogany eyes twinkling with barely contained mirth. Thepetite Djinn leaned forward, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. "Oh, he might see the number, alright," she drawled, her voice laced with amusement, "but he won't recognize it as the one he's looking for. It's a bit like... a magical sleight of hand. Trust me, darlings. This spell has fooled far craftier beings than a nosy reporter."
Harper blinked, and she glanced at Nathan, seeing her own bewilderment mirrored in his warm brown eyes.
Nathan looked curious as curious as she felt. "How does it work exactly?"
"Well, it's quite clever, if I do say so myself." Jacinth's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "The spell is specifically tailored to that nosy reporter. You see, he gave his business card to Angus at the inn. I stopped by earlier to pick it up."
Nathan's brow furrowed slightly. "How does a business card help?"
"That's the beauty of it," Jacinth explained, her eyes twinkling. "The card carries a trace of his personal essence. I've tied the spell directly to that. He won't be able to recognize this place as Harper's, even if he's standing in front of the door staring right at it."
Harper felt a wave of relief wash over her. But then a new worry surfaced, and she turned to Nathan in concern.
Jacinth, ever perceptive, caught the unspoken worry. "Actually, Nathan, I was hoping you'd allow me to cast the same spell on your house. Just to be safe."
Nathan's expression turned shocked as understanding dawned, and he jerked straight up from his lounging position. Harper observed his features grow ashen, as the gravity of the situation hit him.
"Jill," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Exactly," Jacinth said softly. "We can't risk anyone stumbling across her."
Without hesitation, Nathan locked eyes with Jacinth. "Do it," he said firmly. "Whatever you need to do to protect both Harper and Jill, do it."
The Djinn's eyes sparkled with determination as she spoke, her voice filled with confidence. "I've already contacted Jake. Since he works security at Carter's Bank, he's in the perfect position to help."
Harper's brow furrowed slightly. "How can Jake help?"
Jacinth's lips curved into a knowing smile. "I gave him the reporter's name. Jake will be able to get a picture of him from the internet, and pass it along to the bank's security staff. They'll make sure that nosy fellow doesn't set foot inside the building."
Nathan nodded approvingly, his arm tightening slightly around Harper's shoulders. "That's smart thinking," he said.
"There's one more thing," Jacinth added, her gaze fixed on Harper. "You should inform Lydia as soon as you get to work in the morning. As the bank manager, she needs to be aware of the situation."
"I didn't think of that," Harper confessed. "Of course she needs to know, in case he attempts to contact me at the bank. I'll talk to her first thing tomorrow."
Jacinth nodded decisively. "Excellent. Between the magical protection, Jake's help, and Lydia being informed, there's no way he'll be able to get near you."
