Juniper let out a sigh, feeling the weight of it all pressing on him. “Trust me, I’ll keep it professional.” But in his mind, the twisted claw image remained, a haunting reminder that he was stepping into a darker realm of mysteries—one that he wasn’t sure even Percy could fully explain.

Juniper paused, glancing over his shoulder as Penny leaned against the doorframe, her eyes still flickering with a mischievous spark. He set the claw carefully in a small case and gave her a smirk, closing the distance between them. “Don’t get too comfortable without me,” he murmured, brushing a stray hair from her cheek.

She tilted her head with a playful smile. “You always know how to make an exit,” she teased before he leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both gentle and lingering, a brief escape from the weight he carried.

As he pulled back, she raised an eyebrow. “Bring me back something interesting. Maybe a few more mysteries to solve.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” he replied, flashing her a last smile before making his way down the hall. His smile fading.

Once in the parking garage, he opened the car door, dropping into the driver’s seat. But as he shifted into position, he glanced down and saw the plush vampire bunny slippers still on his feet, looking absurd against the polished interior of the car. With a heavy sigh, he reached down, slipped them off, and tossed them onto the backseat. Beneath the passenger seat lay his old black shoes, well-worn but sturdy the first pair he had when he became an executive. They’d seen a lot over the years, and despite his reluctance, he slipped them on, feeling the familiar creases under his heels. This was not a visit he was looking forward to.

As he pulled out of the parking lot, his mind drifted back to the day he’d first met Percy, the memory coming in waves like a dark tide.

"Shit..."