Page 29 of Cat’s Guide To Romance

LUCIEN

My ass hurts from sitting on the roof. As soon as Sparkle told me to leave, I technically left. I just didn’t leave the vicinity of his house. Instead, I teleported to the roof of his family home because I had to know why his father was so rude to my sweet, darling kitty cat. I needed to be there in case something happened. Not that Sparkle needed me. My sassy kitty can hold his own, apparently.

When everyone went inside, I had to get creative, which is how a higher demon of the second ring ended up lying on his stomach with his head hanging over the side of a roof so he could spy through a window. Dignified? No. Necessary? Absolutely. I used enough magic to mostly hide myself. Someone powerful enough could probably spot me, but they’d have to know to look. No one knows to look. Except maybe that griffin from the bakery. I wouldn’t put anything past him.

I watched Sparkle walk through the house and into his bedroom. I could still hear him talking to his little brother, and any humor I found in my predicament disappeared. The poor boy was terrified his father wouldn’t love him because he likes boys. But Sparkle didn’t hesitate. He made sure his brother knew he was loved. He listened. He comforted him. He was exactly the person that little boy needed.

That’s my kitty. Not my kitty. We’ve established Sparkle doesn’t appreciate that. My hopefully someday kitty.

Then Sparkle’s father decided to make everything worse. I nearly teleported into the house when the asshole tried to kick Sparkle out. I probably would have if his mother hadn’t finally lost her shit. Sparkle’s mama is terrifying. I like her.

Watching her rip that pendant off her husband’s neck was almost worth the ache in my ass. Almost. Then the ears popped out. And the tail.

Oh. Oh.

The hypocritical little shit.

Sparkle’s father has spent all these years making him feel bad about something they fucking share. There are so many delightful ways I can make that man regret ever making Sparkle feel like there’s something wrong with him. Nothing permanent, of course. Probably. But Sparkle’s mama seems to have the situation handled. She even told the asshole he could leave if he couldn’t get his fucking attitude adjusted.

I really like that woman.

Then things got even more interesting. Sparkle is moving out. My kitty is moving out! I nearly cheered before remembering I was spying on a private family conversation while lying on their roof. Celebrating might give me away.

And now he has the pendant that glamoured away his father’s ears and tail. Which means Sparkle can go anywhere. He won’t need temporary charms or have to wait until Halloween to explore the human world. I can take him to New York for dinner. Paris for dessert. Tokyo just because we can. I can show him places he’s only ever seen in pictures.

Fuck. I’m not supposed to know any of this.

I can’t exactly show up tomorrow and say, Congratulations on moving out, darling. Also, where would you like me to teleport you now that you have your father’s magical pendant? He’d know I was spying. Which I was. For his protection. Mostly.

I already knew he works at Flutter and Fangs, though. He told me that himself. That information was obtained through completely respectable means. And I have been meaning to visit the club.

Okay, I haven’t, but that doesn’t matter.

I pull my phone from my pocket and text Ryan and Lars.

Lucien: Wanna go to a strip joint with me?

The answers come quickly, thank goodness. I don’t have the patience to wait.

Ryan: Yes.

Lars: No.

I stare at my screen. No?

Ryan: Why the fuck did you say no?

Lars: Absolutely fucking not.

Lucien: Why?

Lars: Did Sparkle invite you?

Lucien: No.

Lars: Did he tell you where he works?

Lucien: Yes.