Demon's Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 2 by D. L. Harrison Page B

in the past. 
    She put down the book and shivered.  Despite all these risks,
there were elementals following her around, that had a mistress, and that she
could see without the aide of magic.  It both piqued her curiosity, and scared
her a little.  Maybe she should have asked Joe if shifters can see elementals,
it was possible she supposed.  She didn’t see any other possibility but…
    She was thoughtful as she put her books back, when she
suddenly heard a crash downstairs.  She cursed heartily under her breath as she
raced down the stairs.  She pulled up short when she saw a mess in the back
room and a sheepish look on Ed’s face.
    She frowned as she fought down the adrenaline, “What
happened?”
    Ed waved helplessly, “I was trying a new spell, guess I
should have umm…”
    She snickered, which turned into full blown laughter, and
started to help him straighten up.
    “What does it do… or supposed to do?”
    He blushed, “I’m trying to work out a spell that acts like telekinesis,
thought it might come in handy when we fight the demon since regular spells and
elemental abilities don’t work at all.  The table was supposed to rise gently…
but it jumped and shook violently, it was like an earthquake.”
    She couldn’t help it, the mirth came back and she burst into
giggles.  He looked hurt but she waved that away in apology.
    She smiled brightly “Sorry, I’m just relieved.  When I heard
the noise, I thought it was another assassin.”
    Their gazes caught and she froze at what she saw in his
eyes.  He hadn’t given up on her at all, she’d just chosen to believe that when
she didn’t return his interest.  That plus his tendency to be annoyed all the
time, she just hadn’t seen it.  Not until this moment anyway.  She blushed when
neither of them spoke for a very long moment, and she couldn’t seem to look
away.
    He was attractive, she’d always thought so since the first
day he walked in the store that first time.  In her mind she always thought the
sparks between her and Paul meant she liked him more, but as time went by these
last few days without Paul around she was starting to change that belief. 
    Her and Paul’s intense attraction was more about both of
them being tiger shifters, and the chemistry was off the scale, but that had
nothing to do with caring about him, it was merely animal magnetism.  Which was
perfect for a one night stand, or a doomed relationship with a long honeymoon
phase, but past that?
    What she felt growing between her and Ed was much more
natural, she was attracted, but didn’t feel overwhelmed by it, and it seemed to
grow as they spent time together.  She wanted… but could control herself, and
the connection seemed to be deeper in nature.  She was still conflicted, was
she trying to talk herself into it, or out of it… or what?
    She retreated internally, and felt a little frustrated with
herself and her body, which still eluded her understanding.  It almost felt
like puberty all over again, having to deal with new feelings, much deeper and
earthy with her new nature, along with everything else that had changed in her
life it was overwhelming.
    Her voice came out a little breathy, “Be right back, forgot
to take my bag down in the excitement.”
    He nodded but didn’t look away, his eyes were intense.
    She cleared her throat and finally turned away, and went
upstairs to get the bag she’d gotten ready.
     
    Mia frowned, “But I can stay and lock up at nine.  Why close
early?  Neither the demon nor the assassins are after me.  Hell, I’ll probably
be safer here once you and Ed are gone.”
    She looked at Mia thoughtfully, she was just as stubborn as
Berny now that they knew each other better, but there was no way she was going
to allow it.
    “No, what happens if the demon decides you’d make a good
hostage?  Or maybe just a good juicy snack before he attacks the coven house
again.  Who knows what the assassins might do, they could use you as