“Wynn!” he snarled, his fingers brushing her arm just as the magic snapped into place and she was jerked through the darkness, hurtling to...
Hell, she didn’t know.
* * * *
Tia clicked her tongue as she stood in front of the Witch’s Brew. Really. The place might delight the local humans, they seemed to adore all things cutesy-cute and downright sappy, but how could any self-respecting mage create such a travesty? From the glowing neon light above the door to the front windows painted with bright flowers and butterflies to the smell of blueberry muffins, it screamed with a cloying sweetness.
In contrast, her own lair near Pike’s Peak in Colorado was an imposing castle surrounded by towering mountains and thick woods, not to mention guarded by a dozen demons.
She was one of the most powerful mages in the world, who ran a multimillion-dollar empire. She expected her lair to reflect the status she’d earned in blood, sweat, and tears.
It was a shame that Maya didn’t share her appreciation for creating the proper image. Her one-time friend could be living in a mansion or a penthouse suite. Especially now that she’d mated with a nasty leech. Instead she continued to run a coffee shop and live in the basement like a savage. If she’d stayed with Tia all those years ago, they could be ruling the world. Or at least the parts of the world worth ruling.
With another click of her tongue, Tia laid her hand on the door and used her powers to smash through the protective layers of magic. Over the past year she’d started the painful process of forgiving Maya for abandoning her just days after they’d defeated the monster who’d held them captive for decades. And they’d started the tentative process of rebuilding a friendship.
Tonight, however, she was in a hurry and in no mood to play nice.
Stepping inside, she closed the door, glancing around the shadowed shop. She hadn’t really expected to find the male she was searching for sitting at one of the tiny tables sipping a cappuccino and nibbling on a pastry, although she wouldn’t put it past him. He was the most aggravating, unpredictable, elusive creature she’d ever encountered. It would be just like him to fall off the face of the earth and then reappear, eating a blueberry muffin as if nothing had happened.
Focused on her dark thoughts, Tia abruptly cursed as an unseen magic brushed over her. The touch was as light as a feather, but she wasn’t fooled. She knew a snare when she idiotically stepped into one.
“What the hell?” Tia stood stiffly in the center of the tiled floor, refusing to embarrass herself further by struggling against the tentacles of magic wrapping around her. Instead she sent a silent command to Maya. “Release me. Immediately.”
Seconds later the steel door at the back of the room was shoved open. Tia’s talent as a dream teller meant that she could easily create a mental connection with anyone, although it made it easier if she was familiar with them. At one time she and Maya had often communicated without speaking.
The younger woman moved toward Tia, wearing a pair of white slacks and a yellow silk shirt despite the late hour. Her black hair was silky smooth as it framed her pale face, brushing against the scars that marred her jawline.
Scars Maya had received saving Tia’s life.
“Tia.” Maya arched her brows in surprise, although it was obvious by her clothing and the powerful snare that she’d been expecting company. “What are you doing sneaking around my coffee shop?”
“Clearly I’m here to see you,” Tia said in cold tones.
“Have you heard of knocking? Or better yet, sending me a text to warn me that you’re about to break-and-enter my lair?”
“Just release me.”
Maya ran a suspicious gaze over Tia, lingering on the white tunic dress that hugged her tall, slender body and the priceless pearl choker around her neck before lifting to study Tia’s narrow face dominated by dark eyes and stern features emphasized by her silver-gray hair pulled into a tight bun.
As if satisfied this wasn’t some sort of trick, Maya waved her hand in an impatient motion, releasing the snare.
“Fine. Now tell me why you’re here.”
“That exasperating male,” Tia muttered.
Maya arched a brow. “Ravyr is currently in Greece, so I assume you’re referring to some other exasperating male?”
“Joe.”
“The Watcher slash Benefactor slash pain-in-my-ass Joe?” Maya demanded.
Tia sniffed. Joe was a pain in the ass, but it bothered her that he’d been a pain in the ass to Maya first. It wasn’t jealousy. It was... Well, she wasn’t sure what it was, but she didn’t like it.
“That’s the one,” she said between clenched teeth.
Maya shrugged. “He left here after Ravyr moved in. The place wasn’t big enough for both their egos.”
“No crap.”
