She turned to face her husband, his blue eyes filled with concern. "It's that reporter sniffing around Harper," she said with a troubled frown. "He can't get to her, I've seen to that, but I need to figure out how to stop him from publishing anything about her, once he gives up on trying for an interview."
Douglas nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "What are you thinking?"
Jacinth thought a minute, tucking her tongue into her cheek, her brow furrowed. "My mother might have some ideas. You think I should call her?"
At Douglas's encouraging nod, Jacinth closed her eyes and reached out with her mind, focusing her thoughts. A faint crackle of energy seemed to hum around her as she sought the mental connection. "Mother? I need your advice," she said, her voice tinged with a note of urgency. Jacinth waited with bated breath, hoping her mother would answer the call.
A shimmer of golden light filled the room, illuminating the space with an otherworldly glow. Zahra materialized before them, her long, dark red hair cascading in rippling waves to her waist. Her emerald eyes twinkled with a hint of concern as she gazed at her daughter.
"What troubles you, dear one?" Zahra asked, her face softening with affection as she embraced her daughter. Her mother's arms enveloped her in warmth, carrying the familiar scent of jasmine and desert winds. The comfort of her presence soothed Jacinth, although anxiety still coiled in her stomach.
Jacinth quickly explained the situation with Harper and the reporter.
"I've put a look-away spell on Harper and her apartment, and Nathan's home as well," she continued, her mahogany eyes dark with worry, "but I'm worried about the information he's already gathered. This reporter seems particularly determined, and Jake says he's still been seen sniffing around the neighborhood outside the bank and around Harper's apartment building. Although, we've kept that from Harper. But I'm pretty sure if he can't get hold of Harper in person, eventually he's going to simply publish whatever he has."
Zahra listened intently, a small smile playing on her lips. When Jacinth finished, she raised an elegant eyebrow. "The solution seems obvious, doesn't it?"
Jacinth blinked, confused. "It does?"
"Of course," Zahra said, her voice warm with amusement. "Put a reverse look-away spell on the reporter himself. Make him forget he's chasing this story at all."
Jacinth's eyes widened, excitement bubbling up inside her. "Of course! Why didn't I think of that?" She laughed, relief washing over her. "It's so simple, yet so effective."
Zahra's smile widened, pride evident in her gaze. "Sometimes the simplest solutions elude us when we're too close to the problem."
Jacinth nodded, her mind racing with the beginnings of a plan. "I'll track down the reporter tomorrow and cast the spell." She turned to Zahra, a grateful smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Mother. You're brilliant as always."
Zahra returned Jacinth's smile, the warmth in her emerald eyes reassuring. "I'm glad I could be of assistance, my dearest." She reached out and gave Jacinth's hand a gentle squeeze. "Now go, and may your plan unfold smoothly."
As Zahra's figure flickered and disappeared, Jacinth felt a surge of relief and excitement, and her jaw set in resolve. She grinned at Douglas, her mahogany eyes gleaming with determination and a touch of playfulness.
Douglas nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Go ahead. I'll start dinner." He moved towards the kitchen, his footsteps fading as Jacinth settled onto their leather sofa.
Jacinth pulled up Jake's number, drumming her fingers as she waited for him to pick up. The rhythmic tapping echoed her racing thoughts.
"Hey, Jacinth," Jake's deep voice rumbled through the speaker. "What's up?"
"Jake, Mother had an idea to handle our journalist dilemma," Jacinth announced, her tone overflowing with enthusiasm. "You know I set a look-away spell on Harper? I'm going to set a reverse look-away spell on the reporter. He'll forget about Harper, and lose all interest in pursuing the article; in fact, he won't be able to figure out why he's been chasing her. At least," she added with devastating honesty, "that's the hope."
Jake's eyebrows rose, a hint of amusement coloring his reply. "I like that. Harper's been quiet on the subject, but I know her. No way is she not fretting that he may still reveal her identity."
Jacinth nodded vigorously, belatedly aware that Jake couldn't see her through the phone. "Exactly. But here's the thing - this kind of spell is very personal. I need to be actually touching the reporter to cast it." She bit her lip, considering the logistics of her plan.
Jake chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "So, what? You're going to walk up and tap him on the shoulder?"
"Something like that," Jacinth replied, grinning. Her mind raced with possibilities. "I was hoping you could help me out. If he shows up at the bank, could you let me know? I need to get close enough to place the spell on him."
"Oh, this is going to be fun," Jake said, his voice filled with mirth. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out for him. If he shows up, you'll be the first to know." The eagerness in his voice matched Jacinth's own excitement.
"Thanks, Jake," Jacinth said, relief evident in her voice. "I appreciate it."
"No problem," Jake replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "I can't wait to see how this plays out. It's not every day I get to be part of a magical caper." He paused, a grin spreading across his face. "Good luck, Jacinth."
Jacinth ended the call, a satisfied smile spreading across her face as she tucked her phone into her pocket. They had a solid plan now - one that would keep Harper safe and protect her privacy.
Rising from the sofa, she followed the enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen. Douglas stood at the stove, stirring something that smelled divine. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back. The solid warmth of him grounded her, as it always did.
"Everything sorted?" Douglas asked, his free hand coming to rest over hers where they clasped around his waist.
