Aero squawks behind Tobias’s head, and he spreads his wing so that he can read a message. Then he catches my eye. “Hey Lace, want to come with me to help me choose some snacks for the team?”

“Oh, uh, sure,” I say. Ashley and Kai make room for me to exit the booth, and Slick jumps up onto my sleeve before I follow Tobias toward the back of the café. The sweet, sharp smell of spun sugar and lemon icing makes my mouth water as we approach the glass-covered counter, staring at the little desserts all made up to look like different bakus. There’s a fondant black cat that reminds me of Jinx, and I smile.

But the smile is nothing compared to the blush that rises in my cheeks as Tobias touches the back of my arm, his fingers lingering on my skin. “Are you really okay? How are you feeling being out of the hospital?”

“I feel…pretty normal to be honest with you. But today has been strange. And even though my memory has been coming back in bits and pieces, I still don’t really understand what happened to me after we were separated.”

“Okay, well, take it easy. It was scary to see you like that. And I feel like…” He pauses, his breath hitching. “Well, before all the stuff with the baku battles happened, there was something I’d been meaning to ask you. I wondered if maybe you wanted to hang out with me sometime?” He smiles. “Without the rest of the team.”

Now it’s my turn for my breath to catch, but the answer is obvious—to me and him. I just need to say it…

“I thought I saw you come in here,” says another voice.

I close my eyes for a beat, hoping I’ve imagined it. But I haven’t, because Tobias addresses him first.

“Carter, we’re kind of in the middle of something,” he says, his tone laced with annoyance. I finally look over at the guy who tried to steal Jinx from me.

Son of Moncha’s cofounder.

Carter Smith.

The expression on his pale face is especially smug today, even for him. His boar baku, Hunter, is at his feet, tusks glinting under the café spotlights. Such a menacing baku, especially compared to all the fluffy kittens and bunnies jumping around the café. “Oh, I’m not staying long. My order is ready.” The lady behind the counter hands him the black cat fondant cake that reminded me of Jinx. He takes a deliberate bite of his head.

I wish I was strong enough not to react, but I wince. He grins at me, dark chocolate sponge smeared all over his teeth.

“It’s not over, Carter,” I blurt out.

“What do you mean?” His eyes open wide in mock concern.

“You tried to steal Jinx from me. I won’t forget that.”