Magical Mistakes(2)

Notice me, she willed. Want me.

He inclined his head to her before turning his eyes back to the dancing revelers in the bar.

Mikayla fought the urge to slump in defeat.

When they’d first met months ago things had played out quite differently. It’d been here, in this very bar. Mikayla had come alone in an effort to relieve some stress and had been happy to dance the night away. Then she’d looked across the floor and seen Ciar for the first time.

New to town, he’d looked like he was aching for a fight. There hadn’t been anything soft or inviting about the man, but in Mikayla’s mind that only added to his appeal.

The demon had raked the dance floor with his shimmering gaze and the moment their eyes had met, her breath had frozen in her chest. Heat had flared in his gaze before he’d given her a thorough once-over. Oh yes, he had liked what he’d seen. Mikayla could still remember the desire flashing through her, the way the club around them seemed to disappear. He hadn’t found her lacking that night.

But her cell had gone off and she’d headed outside in an effort to hear Tamsyn better. She’d taken the side exit, stepping into the dark alley. Unfortunately, she hadn’t been alone.

A barfly too drunk to know better followed her, and a demon with lust in his eyes had followed him. Ciar had no doubt intended to play knight in shining armor to her damsel in distress.

Too bad she’d never made a good damsel.

The second the barfly had made a grab for her she’d snapped her fingers and pinned the bastard to the wall. Unaware of her audience, she’d slammed the hapless man with a sleep spell that would leave him with one hell of a hangover. Content with her defense, she’d been about to call her sister back when she’d spied Ciar watching everything.

The lust in his eyes had turned hostile.

“Looks like you can handle yourself, witch,” he’d said. The first words they’d ever shared. Before she could reply, he’d disappeared back into the bar.

Honestly, how was she to know the man of her dreams had a thing against her kind?

Unfortunately his rejection had the opposite effect than he’d no doubt hoped for. There was no forgetting the alluring man. Time and again she’d seen him over the months. She’d flirted, teased and, every now and then, seen that spark of warmth in his eyes. The sight was an addicting one. Mikayla never backed down from a challenge and she swore one day she’d crack him. He’d look at her and she’d see only the desire and none of the distrust. He had wanted her, she reminded herself for the hundredth time. The hot lust in his eyes still featured prominently in her dreams. She just had to get him to admit it.

“Maybe we can set you up with someone in the bar,” Tamsyn said, oblivious to Mikayla’s mood. “I swear every magical being within the city limits is here tonight. A nice warlock is exactly what you need.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Mikayla glanced behind her sisters and sighed. “I don’t mean to be alarmist, but there’s a werewolf stalking us.”

“Henry,” Tamsyn piped up, excitement lighting her eyes as she spotted the large man moving through the crowd toward them. “You girls don’t mind if I disappear for a bit, do you?”

“Don’t let the dog give you fleas,” Wyn replied.

Sticking her tongue out at her sister, Tamsyn hopped down from the bar. A smile curved her lips as she strode forward to meet the wolf.

Mikayla watched her go with a twinge of jealousy. Her sisters never had any trouble with their men. They would never pine over some unrequited lust. She tapped her fingers against the bar as she fought back the desire to give in to self-pity. It wasn’t like her. She fought for what she wanted. Even if that meant her pride took a beating or two in the process. Ciar, she had no doubt, would be worth the wait.

“And then there were two,” Wyn said, drinking her beer.

Mikayla glanced at Ciar again. Surely not even he was immune to the excitement and energy in the air tonight.

“You know, Wyn,” she said, her eyes on Ciar, “maybe Tam has a point. There have to be some decent prospects here, what with the holiday and all. Why don’t you do a little reconnaissance? I promise to meet the warlock of your choosing.”

Wyn lit up at her words. “Really?” she asked, eying the crowd. “You’ll be all right by yourself for a few minutes?”

“Hey, I’ll have both your beers to finish. Don’t worry about me.”

“All right, sis. I’m sure I can round up something to take your mind off Ciar.” She winked. “For a night, at least.”

Mikayla grinned as she watched Wyn disappear into the crowd. Free at last.