Katerina chuckled, shaking her head. "It's a brave new world we're stepping into, that's for sure." She turned to Harper and Nathan her expression softening. "How are you feeling about all of this?"
Nathan replied honestly, "I'm hanging in there. I mean, I'd just gotten used to shifters, and jackalopes, but… vampires? And now a demoness?"
Harper agreed. "I'm a little overwhelmed, too, but mostly excited. I feel like I can really make a difference here."
Jacinth smiled warmly. "That's the spirit. We're all in this together, after all."
As they made their way to the door, Katerina fished out a set of keys from her pocket. "I just need to lock up," she explained, ushering them out into the cool night air. Harper watched as Katerina secured the building, the click of the lock sounding oddly final in the quiet evening.
"Well, it's been a pleasure as always," Jacinth said with a quick, charming smile. "But I think it's time I head home to my darling husband and our little monsters."
In a blink, the Djinn vanished in a swirl of sparkling mist, leaving behind only the faintest scent of jasmine on the night air.
Harper shook her head in amazement. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that," she murmured, still staring at the spot where Jacinth had stood moments before.
"Same," Nathan said, but he wore a wide grin. "That's wild."
Katerina chuckled, fishing her car keys out of her pocket. "Trust me, even after all this time, it still catches me off guard sometimes."
They made their way across the parking lot, their footsteps crunching on the gravel. Harper felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling in her chest as she thought about the days ahead. So much was changing, so quickly.
As they reached their cars, Katerina turned to Harper, her golden eyes warm in the dim light of the parking lot. "You did great in there, you know," she said, giving Harper's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "We're lucky to have you on the team."
Harper felt a flush of pride at the compliment. "Thanks, Katerina. I just hope I can live up to everyone's expectations."
"You will," Katerina assured her with a smile. "Just remember, we're all in this together."
A shout echoed across the parking lot. Harper turned to see Remi sprinting toward them, his spiky black hair disheveled.
"Wait! Wait up!" he called, skidding to a stop beside them. He bent over, hands on his knees, dramatically catching his breath. "Could one of you give me a ride to the inn?"
Katerina raised an eyebrow. "Can't you just... poof yourself there?"
Remi straightened up, his face scrunching in distaste. "I could, but with all the extra security measures now, I'm worried Angus and Renee's magic might zap me." He shuddered. "And trust me, being zapped is not fun. At all."
Harper couldn't help but giggle at his expression, and Katerina joined in. The mental image of a magical Djinn getting zapped like a bug in a light trap was too amusing.
"We'll take you," Nathan offered, fishing his out car keys. "I have to drop Harper off at her apartment, and it's not out of the way at all."
"You're a lifesaver!" Remi beamed at him.
They said their goodbyes to Katerina, and with a final wave, Katerina slipped into her car, the engine purring to life.
Nathan unlocked his car, and they all got in, Remi in the back seat.
Harper watched in amusement as Remi clicked his seatbelt into place. The sight struck her as delightfully absurd - here was an immortal being, capable of vanishing and reappearing at will, following modern car safety rules like any ordinary person. She couldn't help but smile at the incongruity of it all.
The young Djinn caught her watching and flashed a mischievous grin. "What? Safety first, right?"
Harper shook her head, still smiling. "It just seems funny. I mean, you're what - several centuries old? Immortal? And here you are, buckling up like a kid on his way to soccer practice."
"Hey, I might be immortal, but that doesn't mean I want to go flying through the windshield," Remi protested, though his eyes sparkled with humor. "Besides, it's the principle of the thing. When in Rome, right?"
Nathan chuckled as he pulled out of the parking lot. "I appreciate the compliance," he said, glancing at Remi in the rearview mirror. "Even if you probably could just poof yourself to safety in case of an accident."
"Exactly!" Remi exclaimed. "But that would blow my cover if anyone saw. And, you know, traffic cams. It's a thing. So, seatbelt it is."
Harper settled back in her seat, still grinning at the situation. There was something oddly comforting about it - how even supernatural beings adapted to mundane human conventions. It made the extraordinary seem a little more ordinary, a little more manageable.
