Chapter 2

CIRRUS

Sitting here with Arsen and Astor is just what the doctor ordered. The beer helps too. Work has been beyond crazy, and my mother will not stop bothering me about some big social event coming up in the Fae community.

Can't she see that I'm happy in the mortal realm pretending that I'm not fae royalty? I know that I am sworn to the throne and I will attend to my duties, but for right now I'm pleasantly pleased by being Rus, contractor extraordinaire.

"So boys, tell me, are we going to sing a little ka-r-a-oke tonight?" I ask, exaggerating the word. Arsen scowls, crossing his tattooed arms, and Astor gives me a wink. These twins are trouble with a capital T, but you would never know it.

Arsen is one kickass high school guidance counselor, and Astor is one of the best attorneys Texas has to offer. They work hard and they play even harder, but they deserve it.

"I am not going up there, but I'll sit back here in the shadows and watch you dumbasses," Sin says, and I roll my eyes.

"Such a sourpuss," I mumble, and he scoffs into his beer bottle. His eyes catch on someone in the crowd, and I watch as he seems to freeze. Following his eyes, I spot one spicy tuna roll. Curves for days showcased in a tight leather skirt and black crop top. She has a gold chain around her waist and fuck me, black high heeled boots.

I can't see her face since she's in the shadows by the bathroom, but she does seem to have my bestie caught in her delicious web. "Soooo, who is that?" I say, leaning in.

Astor looks over his shoulder and winces when he spots my beautiful turnip. "Fuck," he hisses, and Sin looks away, dropping his gaze to the table, seeming extremely interested in the damp napkin his beer was resting on.

"Do you think she's noticed us?" he mumbles softly to his brother, and now I'm even more intrigued about their story.

Deciding that he's not going to offer any more details, I stand and give a little bow before striding over to the temptress vixen.

I know when she spots me because she places her hands over her luscious hips and scowls. Oh, I just had shivers run down my spine and my cock perked up as well. That's nice. He's been asleep for way too long. But first I must inquire if my boy has a past with her. Because bros before snows and all that. I won't say that H word. It's just not proper.

"Oh, my little viper, retract the fangs. I won't bite… hard," I joke, and she purses her lips giving me a once over.

"No thanks," she snarks, then spins and flips her fragrant dark blue hair, smelling like the sweetest candy, whipping me in the face, and…

Yup, it's official.

I think I'm in love.

WYNTER

Tonight has been unexpected to say the least. I never fucking thought I would see the Murphy twins again in my life. I mean I warded this place only a hundred times to keep my past out.

They are supposed to feel like hurling if they come within ten feet of my bar. So why in the hell are they here, flirting with Halee, and enjoying my food? I'm ready to storm over there and confront them when their eccentric friend comes peacocking over to me like he's God's gift to womankind.

I give him a scowl thinking it will detract him from my presence, but that only seems to egg him on.

"Oh, my little viper, retract the fangs, I won't bite… hard," he says with a big grin, biting his plump bottom lip. He isn't serious. I mean. What? He almost makes me laugh and I'm not in the mood for a playmate tonight. Even if he is attractive and my body is drawn to him.

I can smell the magic in his blood and that's just not the kind of drama I need right now.

"No thanks."

I spin to leave him, and I swear he moans as I walk away. I leave the bar floor and move over to the stairs.

I must be lost in my head because I certainly never expected to be followed. Once again the wards I have placed seem to be weakened. Is my magic on the fritz?

"Can I at least know your name, my little spitecake?" the man asks, and I pause next to one of the couches I have for readers to relax on, while enjoying one of the many books I have stocked.

I give him another look and can admit his body is doing things to me downstairs. Loosening the cobwebs between my thighs so to speak. Hmmm, maybe I will play with him for a few minutes.

"Wynter. Wynter Nefari, the owner of this fine establishment that you have seemed to make your own and disregarded any of my rules or restrictions," I mumble and take a step back forgetting that the love seat is behind me.

My ass falls onto the leather cushion and my already short skirt rises higher up my thighs, giving him a peek of my thong.

"Oh, Miss Wynter, you are a naughty little minx aren't you?" he growls, leaning closer to me, his lilac eyes turning violet as I smell the lust in the air.

What the fuck is happening right now?

"Yes, well I am a grown woman and if I choose to flash my panties at random men that is my prerogative, but I don't believe I gave you permission to move closer to me, sir," I snap, placing my palm against his chest and pushing him away from me.

There is a haze in the air and though I am trying to fight it, I seem to now be clenching his soft shirt in my fist and dragging his mouth closer to mine, breathing in his vanilla and musk scent.

God, my mouth is watering for just a taste of him. No, Wyn this isn't right!

Shaking my head, I gain some self control and shove him away, catching him off guard he goes flying into the recliner I have set nearby. Blinking, he seems to be just as lust-drunk as me.

"What are you?" he asks in a dreamy tone while I pant, restraining myself from crawling to him on my knees like some kind of submissive simp.

"A witch, but I've never had a reaction to someone of the Fae realm before," I whisper and he sits up, staring me down. His eyes are now a kaleidoscope of colors, and I can't fight the pull to him any longer.

"Please," I whimper, and he rushes over to me as we collide in an explosion of heat and magic and something else but I just can't put my finger on it. When his lips touch mine, I moan and dig my nails into the back of his neck, my teeth into his bottom lip.

My body is pulsating and my mind is spinning.

I'm standing in a deserted town but my lawn is green and lucious. There is a huge mansion behind me where three men stand, one of them familiar to me, the other two hazy. A little girl with violet eyes and dark blue hair smiles at me, waving.

"Mommy, come play with us," she calls and tries to run to me, but one of the men is holding her in his arms, keeping her from me. But why? She called me Mommy .

I try to fight the vision but the more this man devours my mouth the harder I'm thrust into the… It can't be the future… Can it?

A scene of the past is shown to me of a beautiful witch fighting for love and in the end being the cause of all of her lovers and their descendents cursed.

I'm cursed.

I mean I have always wondered… but I think maybe there is a way to break it. At least I believe that's what she was trying to show me.

A whirl of shadows covers me, showing me things that are terrifying and cruel to hope for. A sign flashes through my mind of the small town of Spells Hollow and it's calling to me.

The man moves away, blinking at me and looking confused. The haze in the room is gone now, and I find myself topless and his pants thrown on the other side of the room. Shoving him off of me, I stand and cover my naked breasts.

"I don't know what the fuck you just did to me, but you need to leave. Now!" I growl, mumbling a spell under my breath to keep him away from me. Far far away.

He tries to explain, but I need air. I feel like I can't breathe, the room is closing in on me and my chest is so tight. My mind is throbbing and a voice whispers to me.

"Go to Spells Hollow. All will be explained. But you must leave now!"