The air in the coffee shop instantly shifted. The buzz of conversation died. Use spell-books were hastily closed.
Officer Stone walked in.
If Jax was sleek, dangerous elegance, Jason Stone was blunt force trauma. He was huge—broad-shouldered and thick-chested, filling out his grey Enforcer uniform until the seams strained. His buzz-cut hair was the color of sand, and his amber eyes scanned the room with the predatory focus of a wolf on the hunt.
He spotted Ivy instantly.
Ivy froze mid-stride. "Oh, come on."
He walked toward the counter, his heavy boots thudding on the wooden floor. The crowd parted for him like the Red Sea. He stopped right next to Ivy, looming over her by a good foot.
"Miss Hollow," he rumbled. His voice was deep, gravelly, and entirely devoid of humor. "We meet again."
Ivy bristled, tilting her chin up to glare at him. "Officer Stone. Here to arrest a muffin? Or are you just intimidating the pastries?"
Stone’s jaw twitched. "I'm here for coffee. And to ensure compliance with the new curfew regulations."
"It's 2:00 PM," Ivy pointed out.
"It pays to be vigilant," Stone said. He turned his gaze to Jax, who was leaning against the back counter, watching the exchange with amusement. "And to check on... local businesses. Ensuring all imports are legal. No contraband."
The tension spiked. This wasn't just a coffee run. Stone was sniffing around. He suspected Jax.
Jax smiled, revealing the tips of his fangs. "Officer. A pleasure as always. Can I interest you in a 'Law & Order' Latte? It’s plain black coffee with a shot of bitterness. On the house."
Stone narrowed his eyes. "I prefer tea. Earl Grey. Hot."
"How predictable," Ivy muttered.
Stone turned back to her, his gaze dropping to her boots. "I see you're still grounded, Miss Hollow. Walking suits you. Less... aerial wreckage."
"My broom is innocent!" Ivy snapped. "And for your information, I look great in the air. Majestic, even."
"You looked like a hazard," Stone corrected. "A colorful, vibrant, highly illegal hazard."
"You think I'm vibrant?" Ivy blinked, caught off guard.
Stone paused. A faint flush crept up his neck, clashing with his stoic expression. "I think you are... noticeable. Hard to miss."
"Is that a compliment?" Jax asked smoothly, leaning over the counter. " careful, Officer. You sound dangerously close to expressing an emotion."
"Back off, Leech," Stone growled, his wolf rising to the surface.
"Play nice, Fido," Jax retorted, his eyes flashing red.
Both men were now glaring at each other, posturing. The Wolf vs. The Vampire. Ancient enemies.
And standing between them, vibrating with energy, was Ivy.
She looked from Stone (The Law) to Jax (The Rebel). Her eyes widened. A slow, delighted smile spread across her face.
"Wait," she whispered. "Are you two fighting? Overme?"
"No," both men said in unison.
"You totally are!" Ivy clapped her hands. "This is amazing. It’s like a romance novel cover, but with more sexual repression! Keep going. Who wants to arrest me first?"
"Ivy," I hissed, emerging from behind the fern. "Maybe don't antagonize the Law Enforcementandthe Black Market Contact simultaneously?"
