When Mikayla stepped from the stairs she saw the little white dog curled up on the window seat looking out the only window in the attic. All it took was a single step toward him for magic to activate. Black smoke coiled around his small form in an instant.
Ciar shook his head as the smoke dissipated, looking down at his natural body.
“Attraction, huh?” he murmured to himself.
Mikayla gripped the banister, not wanting another fight.
There was nothing welcoming in Ciar’s eyes as he regarded her. “One place,” he said. “I just wanted one place free of you.”
“Spell books,” she replied, pointing toward the clutter. “I was going to do some research.”
“Even though you know very well what’s happening.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m hoping there’s another way to break the curse. Something I can achieve in three days.”
Ciar remained silent but waved her on with a regal swipe of his hand.
Mikayla drifted forward, not wanting to turn her back on a demon. Even one who knew her intimately.
Ciar must have noticed her hesitation, for a cynical smile twisted his lips. “Ah,” he said, tilting his head back against the wall. “Now you’re scared.”
The words froze her in place. Slowly she turned to him, her eyes narrowed. “Am not.”
“And here I was hoping you’d finally wised up.” He lifted his hand and tiny sparks danced from fingertip to fingertip. Mikayla shivered as the temperature of the attic dropped in the presence of his demonic magic.
“You don’t scare me.”
The slight smile widened into a grin. “I do.”
She knew he had reason to be angry, that she should take whatever he threw her way without complaint, but this was one accusation she couldn’t let stand. Demons only took strong lovers and with Alina here, she needed to be stronger now than ever.
Mikayla strode to his side and fisted a hand in his shirt. Though she pulled him up she knew the only reason she got him on his feet was because he let her. Her eyes locked on his, ignoring the cold fire playing around his fingers. He wouldn’t let it touch her. She wasn’t sure of much, but she was sure of that.
“I fear what I’ve done to you,” she said, her voice rough. “I fear the mess I’ve made of my life. But nothing you could possibly do would ever make me fear you.”
Her mouth closed over his before he could protest. She took possession of him, kissing him with molten need. Their teeth scraped as she pushed closer, desperate to make every second count. But he didn’t push her away as she’d thought he would. Instead, he kissed her back. He tangled his hand in her brown locks, holding her steady as his mouth plundered hers. She had no complaints. Despite their differences, there was no denying the passion that ignited between them with a single touch.
“Damn you,” Ciar swore, pulling his mouth from hers. He cupped her face as if he couldn’t bear not to touch her. “Why can’t you ever be smart when it comes to me?”
She had no answer for him. Instead she turned her head to press her lips against his palm.
“No,” he hissed, pushing away from her. “You will not soften me with kisses.”
“It wasn’t my intention.”
Ciar rubbed the back of his neck as he paced away from her. “Tell me why she’s here,” he said. “Tell me and we can continue right were we left off. I’ll have you naked in seconds. Think how good we could be.”
She looked away from him even though her body begged her to give in. “We had this conversation already.”
His low growl was the only response.
Mikayla hesitated for a moment before taking a step closer. “Ciar,” she started but stopped. There were no words for what she wanted to say.
He waited, watching her with hooded eyes from the shadows.
After a moment she shook her head and turned back to the spell books.
“What were you going to say?” he demanded.
“It doesn’t matter.” She grabbed a book from the pile and thumbed through the worn pages.
Silence stretched as she rooted through the tomes. His gaze was like a brand on her, raising all the hairs on the back of her neck, but she didn’t give in to the urge to scurry away. Opening one of the books, she stared blindly at the writing within. Even if the answer had been right under her nose she’d never be able to concentrate on it with Ciar in the room. Mikayla gathered an armful of the most useful texts and stood. She’d make a start with these and come back when she needed more.
Turning, she came face-to-face with Ciar. His shadowed eyes gave nothing away as he watched her from the window seat.
She should go to the stairs. It wouldn’t do either of them any good to have the same argument.