"Yes," Jacinth murmured, squeezing him gently. "Mother had the perfect solution. We'll make the reporter forget all about Harper."
Douglas turned in her embrace, his blue eyes warm as they met hers. He cupped her face in his hands, thumbs stroking her cheekbones with infinite tenderness. "You're amazing, you know that?"
Jacinth's heart fluttered as he leaned down, capturing her lips in a soft, sweet kiss. She melted into him, savoring the gentle press of his mouth against hers, the familiar taste of him, the way his arms felt like home.
Jacinth's phonebuzzed just before noon the next day. Jake's name flashed on the screen, sending a jolt of anticipation through her.
"He's here," Jake's voice crackled through the speaker, tinged with a mixture of concern and determination. "Across the street from the bank. Got his camera ready, probably waiting for Harper's lunch break. The creep hasn't moved for the last twenty minutes."
Jacinth's heart raced, adrenaline surging through her veins. The sense of eager anticipation flooded her, as well as a surge of mischief. She was a Djinn, after all. Her magic tingled beneath her skin, ready to be at her command.
"I'm on my way." She sprang into action, unfolding her legs from beneath her on the settee she'd been lounging on. With a deep breath, Jacinth closed her eyes and focused. Her form shimmered, fading from view until she vanished completely. In the blink of an eye, she teleported to the small alley to one side ofthe bank. She made her way to the sidewalk, and stood looking up and down.
The intrepid reporter stood on the opposite side of the street, leaning casually against a phone pole. His camera poised, clearly ready to capture Harper exiting the bank. Jacinth glided towards him, her invisible form moving silently through the bustling street. The cacophony of car horns and chattering pedestrians faded into the background as she focused on her target. She reached out, her fingertips barely grazing his cheek, leaving a ghostly trail of warmth in their wake. To him, it was nothing more than a wisp of smoke, easily dismissed as a trick of the light or a sudden breeze.
As she concentrated on weaving the magical strands of the spell, Jacinth felt the zing of her magic, the pulsing energy, as she wove the reverse look-away spell with practiced precision. As the enchantment settled over the unsuspecting reporter, she retreated, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Mission accomplished.
The reporter blinked rapidly, his brow furrowing in sudden confusion. He glanced around, bewildered by his unremarkable surroundings. The bustling street seemed alien, as if he'd been dropped there without warning. Why on earth was he standing on this nondescript corner in some kind of small town? He fumbled for his phone, his fingers clumsy as he scrolled through his notes.
The name "Harper O'Neill" leapt out at him from the screen, but for the life of him, he couldn't fathom why it had seemed so crucial mere moments ago.
"A banker?" he muttered aloud, shaking his head in disbelief. His voice carried a mix of frustration and embarrassment. What was wrong with him, chasing after a banker? There wasn't anything remotely interesting about that. He pocketed his phone with a sigh, shoulders slumping as he melted into the crowd,all thoughts of his mysterious quarry slipping away like sand through an hourglass.
With each step, the urgency that had propelled him here faded, replaced by a gnawing sense of foolishness. He couldn't shake the feeling he'd been chasing shadows, led astray by some cosmic practical joke. As he trudged along, the once-burning questions about Harper O'Neill cooled to embers, destined to be forgotten by the time he reached the next corner.
Heading back to his hotel, he pondered his options. There had to be a more exciting story out there, something actually worth pursuing. As he packed his bags, the memory of Harper and the Yosemite fox faded like mist in the morning sun.
Jacinth trailedthe reporter at a safe distance, her invisible form gliding effortlessly through the crowded streets. She watched as he entered his hotel, muttering to himself about wasted time and dead-end stories. A wave of relief washed over her as she observed him packing up his belongings.
Satisfied that the threat had passed, Jacinth teleported herself back to her home. Heading to the kitchen to pour herself a well-deserved, celebratory glass of wine, she pulled out her phone and dialed Harper's number.
"Harper? It's Jacinth. Good news," she announced in a bright tone. "The reporter's forgotten all about you. He's packing up and leaving town as we speak. I watched him myself, muttering about bankers being boring. You're safe now."
Harper's sigh of relief crackled through the phone. "Thank goodness," she breathed, her words tinged with a mixture of exhaustion and gratitude. "I can't tell you how worried I've been. It's like this weight has been lifted off my chest." Her fingerscurled tighter around the phone, as if clinging to the lifeline of good news Jacinth had thrown her.
"No need to worry anymore," Jacinth assured her, her voice a soothing balm to Harper's frayed nerves.
"Oh, and by the way, those look-away spells I put on your apartment and Nathan's home? They're not just for that nosy reporter. They'll work on anyone with ill intentions." Jacinth's words carried a hint of pride, as if she were sharing a particularly clever secret. She paused, allowing the full weight of her magical protection to sink in. "I'll be adding in another bit to the spell, though. I got the idea from the enchantment I put on the reporter. Anyone who means you or Nathan… or Jill… harm will suddenly find themselves forgetting why they came, their minds clouded with an irresistible urge to be elsewhere. It's quite effective, if I do say so myself."
Harper chuckled, a hint of mischief dancing in her amber eyes. "That's a relief," she said, her foxy-red hair catching the light as she tilted her head.
"But what about door-to-door salesmen and missionaries? Are we protected from them too?" A playful smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth, her freckled nose crinkling slightly as she imagined pushy salespeople suddenly forgetting their rehearsed pitches and wandering away in confusion.
Jacinth burst into peals of melodious laughter, her mahogany eyes twinkling with mirth. She shook her head, causing her silky black hair to cascade over her shoulders. "Sorry, my friend," she said, her voice still lilting with amusement. "You're on your own with those particular nuisances. I'm afraid you'll have to get rid of them the usual way - with a polite but firm 'no thank you' at the door."
"Darn," Harper replied, her tone playful. A mischievous glint sparkled in her amber eyes as she leaned forward, elbows propped on her desk. "And here I thought magic would solve allmy problems." She chuckled softly, her foxy-red hair catching the light as she shook her head. "I guess even supernatural powers have their limits when it comes to dealing with pushy salespeople."
Chapter 33
Harper steppedinto the West Side Inn's dining room, immediately enveloped by the warmth of conversation and laughter. The space had been transformed, with tables arranged in a horseshoe pattern to encourage mingling. Finger foods, pastries, and desserts covered every surface, their enticing aromas filling the air.
Angus stood near the fireplace, deep in conversation with Nathan and Troy. His rich laugh carried across the room as Troy gestured animatedly. Nathan caught Harper's eye and smiled, making her heart skip a beat.
"There you are!" Katerina bounded over, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you see the latest poll numbers? Support for shifter rights has jumped fifteen points since the interview!"
Harper hugged her friend, marveling at how much had changed in such a short time. "You were amazing on that show. So poised and natural."
