"Now that, I won't refuse." Maroulla's eyes crinkled with warmth. "Your pastitsio is almost as good as mine these days."
Harper felt a pang of sympathy for Katerina. The cat shifter clearly adored her grandmother and had been looking forward to spending more time with her.
Maroulla pulled off her glasses, rubbing her eyes for a moment, then replaced them. Her movements were precise and deliberate, reminding Harper of a queen preparing to address her court.
"As stressful as I know this has all been, I must admit, I'm rather glad it's finally happened. So many years worrying and wondering when it will happen, how it will happen. It's finally here, and we can begin to move forward." The elderly Warden's voice carried a mix of weariness and relief that resonated through the room. "So far, I think, it's gone better than any of us had dared to hope, thanks to the revelation of our existencebeing due to a daring, heroic rescue. The public response has been encouraging, more sympathetic than we anticipated."
Maroulla's gaze rested on Harper, a faint smile on her face softening the usual brisk authority in her expression. "This was a good thing, Harper, and you need to stop beating yourself up about it. This would have happened soon, regardless, and it could have been worse. Much worse."
The elderly Warden's words offered a measure of comfort, though Harper's stomach still churned with anxiety over her inadvertent role in exposing their secret world. She shifted in her chair, fingers twisting in her lap as she absorbed the weight of Maroulla's reassurance.
Maroulla gathered her belongings, tucking papers into her leather briefcase with practiced efficiency.
"Katerina, dear, would you mind accompanying me to the car? I have some gifts from your parents for you and Troy."
"Of course, YiaYia." Katerina rose from her chair.
The group broke apart like scattered leaves in a gentle breeze. Alyssa disappeared - literally vanished in a whisper of smoke that made Harper blink in surprise, then giggle because, honestly, that was simply so amazing. Jacinth hugged everyone goodbye before poofing home as well, while Liam and Joe simply nodded their farewells, and strode out the front door.
As the last footsteps faded and the front door clicked shut, Harper found herself alone in the dining room. The quiet settled around her like a comfortable blanket. She breathed in the lingering scents of coffee and pastries, mixed with the subtle traces of supernatural beings - the smoke-and-spice of Djinn, and the slight zing of shifter magic.
Reyna stretched contentedly in her mind, radiating warmth and satisfaction through their shared consciousness. They had found their den, their pack - different as it might be from anything they'd known before, with its blend of shapeshiftersand magical beings. The apprehension and fear of the last weeks fell away, replaced by a deep-rooted sense of community, and safety... belonging. Her inner fox purred with contentment, and Harper couldn't help but smile. And she found she was loving it, every unexpected, wonderful moment of it.
Chapter 8
Harper was already upand dressed the next morning before she remembered the offering she’d left in front of her small fireplace. Peering over to where she'd left the small bowl on the hook rug before the fireplace, she saw with a thrill of glee that the cookie was gone, and the saucer was empty.
Oh, my God. She rocked back on her heels, trying not to hyperventilate. Brownies were real! It wasn't that she'd disbelieved Becca and Renee... well, okay, she kind of had. But now, seeing the empty saucer, there was no other explanation. The cookie crumbs scattered around the rim provided irrefutable evidence of the magical creature's midnight snack.
This was just... wow! She shoved her hand through her hair, still staring at the saucer. Her heart raced with equal parts excitement and disbelief as she imagined the tiny being sneaking into her room while she slept and consuming the offering she'd left.
A glance at her phone showed she had plenty of time before work. She'd need to stop at the grocery store tonight to pick up proper cream for future offerings. The brownie had accepted milk, but she wanted to do this right.
In the bathroom, she brushed her teeth and ran a comb through her foxy-red hair, studying her reflection. Amber eyes gazed back at her, bright with excitement despite her usual morning grogginess. A spattering of freckles crossed her nose, matching her hair color.
"Can you believe it, Reyna?" she whispered to her fox self as she applied minimal makeup. "Actual brownies!" Her inner fox radiated curiosity and delight, equally fascinated by this new discovery.
Exiting her room, the sound of breakfast preparations drifted up from downstairs - pots clanking, the sizzle of bacon, Renee humming as she cooked. Harper's stomach growled in response. She gathered her purse and laptop bag, along with the empty saucer, taking one last look around the room. Her eyes drifted to the hearth where she'd placed yesterday's tribute, and she shook her head, caught between amazement and the remaining wisps of disbelief. A brownie!
For the first time since fleeing California, Harper felt truly at home. She had a safe place to live, a new job, and she was surrounded by people who understood and accepted her true nature. And now, incredibly, she was sharing her space with magical creatures straight out of folklore.
A small smile played across her lips as she headed downstairs for breakfast. What other wonders might this new life hold?
Harper stepped onto the wide front porch of the West Side Inn, her purse and laptop bag slung over one shoulder. The morning air carried a hint of autumn crispness, perfect for sitting in one of the cushioned rocking chairs while she waited for Jake.
She'd kept breakfast light - just a slice of toast and fresh fruit from Renee's generous spread. First-day jitters always wreaked havoc with her appetite. The toast sat like a lump in her stomachas she perched on the edge of the rocker, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her charcoal pencil skirt.
"You're up early." Renee emerged from the front door, carrying two steaming mugs. She handed one to Harper. "Chamomile tea. It'll help settle those nerves I see dancing in your eyes."
"Thanks." Harper wrapped her fingers around the warm ceramic. "Jake's giving me a ride until I can get my own car sorted out."
"He's reliable as sunrise." Renee settled into the neighboring rocker, her long skirt swishing. "And Carter's Bank is a good place to work. Lydia, the manager, is well-known to me, a shifter herself."
Harper blew across her tea. "I know. Still, it feels strange though, having humans know what we are."
"Strange good or strange bad?"
"Both? Neither?" Harper shrugged. "I spent so long hiding what I was… as all of us have done… it's hard to wrap my head around being open about it. Not that I plan to come out, but still, it's just… I'm not sure what to do with these feelings."
