Jo thought her lunch break would be simple. Garlic focaccia, a side of peace, and maybe a nap.

She was wrong.

Though it still didn’t have a date, Matteo was perfecting his focaccia recipe for the Blood Orange Brew Bash, and the freshly baked batch came with a special ingredient, a pinch of enchanted garlic meant to ward off unwelcome spirits and unwanted vampire glamor. What he and no one expected was how reactive it would be.

Within minutes of the first bite, Mira’s tea started smelling like a vampire’s nightmare. Several vampires sneezed simultaneously causing mild chaos and a dust storm of ancient cobwebs. The Queen of the Hollow Moon glared at the bread like it personally insulted her eternal existence. Clorvex’s fur spontaneously sparked like static electricity, and a mysterious food critic arrived, immediately breaking out in hives and dramatically declaring, “This is an act of war.”

Chaos erupted with vampires fleeing in all directions and trying to avoid the garlic but somehow still managing to bump into tables, seats, and anything else in their paths.

Jo grabbed her mop and ran interference, slipping and sliding on focaccia crumbs as spells bounced unpredictably.

Matteo brewed a counter spell espresso that was bitter, sharp, and surprisingly decaffeinated. Mira brewed a calming lavender tea to soothe the masses and Clorvex tried to herd escaping customers like a very frustrated sheepdog.

The day ended with a truce and a vow to never touch garlic again.

Wiping her brow, Jo collapsed onto a chair. “I just wanted a peaceful lunch.”

Matteo offered a cup of caffeinated espresso. “Next time, no enchanted ingredients.”

Jo eyed the cup. “Next time, no lunch. Maybe.”