Fire

Chapter 5

*Ciara’s POV*

“You can’t keep refusing to let her work her shifts!” I yell at Eric for the umpteenth time.

“You can’t tell me how to run my bar!” he yells throwing the cups in the sink. “She needs to be safe, and apparently I can’t guarantee that here.” Frustration hitching his voice.

“It’s not your fault Eric” I sigh coming behind him to place my hand on his shoulder. He jumps at the connection. I feel it too. He turns around and embraces me in a hug. Sniffing my head his body slowly relaxes.

“Stop denying this Ciara.”

“Stop changing the subject.” He knows I’m still overcoming my demons. My prior pack was decimated by a rogue faction. Being the sole survivor messed me up for a while. He has been patient with me, but I’m not quite there yet. He’s really turned around from showing off. He’s trying to prove his worthiness, but that’s not what the hang up is.

I pull my phone out once my text notification goes off. Since Eric won’t let me work, I’m going to the Nickel for karaoke. Dare to join?

Let me call in real quick. I text back and turn to Eric. “Since she’s not working, I’m not either. You should call someone to pick up my shift.”

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“Or I can tell Dean her plans and he can order me to go with her, leaving you in the same situation anyway.” I say casually.

“Go.” I place a peck on his cheek and walk out.

Omw. Be there in 5.

*Emma POV*

Ciara has been chatting my head off about her arguments with Eric all week. I’ve spent the last 20 minutes trying to tame my curls and sag my shoulders in defeat.

“This is as good as it’s going to get.” I say aloud.

“What?”

“Oh sorry, talking to myself. I just wanted to look like I gave a damn about my appearance for this excursion. It’s not often I get to go out, let alone with company.” I trail off.

“Girl your hair is amazing. I wish mine wasn’t stick straight, and I mean look at me, I didn’t get all dolled up.” She’s wearing a halter with short shorts and gladiator sandals. Her makeup is of course perfect.

Rolling my eyes I simply state “if that’s you slumming it I have got to try harder.” She laughs.

“Let me help you.” She expertly applies eye shadow and liner to my bare face. I hold still until she is finished and apply mascara as she rummages through my clothes. “Heads up” she states as she tosses some clothes and shoes at me. A dark green t-shirt dress and some black flats. I change and turn to the mirror.

“Whatever you did to my face looks amazing! And forgot all about this dress.”

“It’s made for you. Let’s go!” she drags out the door as I follow her out the house and to her car. We arrive at the bar within minutes and walk in just after 9.

“2 bud lights” I order and hand over my card to start a tab. We get our drinks and grab a table towards the back.

“Why are we sitting this far away?” Ciara asks.

“I’m not drunk enough yet. And the point of this was so you would tell Eric that I do have a life and can corrupt his other best worker if he doesn’t let up.” Her laugh cuts across the bar turning a few heads.

“If I knew you could be this fun, I would’ve pushed harder for this to happen.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I am a bit of a recluse.”

“Like I said before. We all have a story and a path, it’s your decision who to bring into it.” She downs the rest of her drink and heads back up to the bar.

“Make sure to put it on mine!” I call after her. The DJ is trying to get people to sign up. Glancing around the bar I space out waiting for her return.

“Hey! You look new to Icky Nickel, haven’t seen you before.” The DJ states walking towards me.

“I’m normally working. My night is free, so I figured I’d try something new. Name’s Emma.”

“Have any requests?”

“Not yet.” I state and finish my beer. Ciara still hasn’t returned, she’s chatting up the bartender.

“I’m Reagan. DJ Prez, I know not very original, but come up when you are ready and I’ll make sure to get you in the rotation.” His smile reaches his eyes. He seems friendly enough, I know I need to ease up on my cool demeanor.

“Will do thank you” laughing as Ciara comes back to the table. She nods and exchanges pleasantries, declines her being added to the list. Turning to me she states, “he’s a good guy. We dated briefly when I first came to town. My date I mean f****d. By briefly I mean a lot.”

My laugh made the current singer stumble on their words. I make an apologetic face in their direction, hoping they know I wasn’t laughing at them. Taking a beer from Ciara, I take a sip trying to cool down from the outburst.

“Well, now I have to ask, how was it?”

“He’s hung like a horse and knows how to work it. It was good while it lasted, then he met his wife. She’s a sweetheart, don’t get me wrong they really are perfect for each other, but it hurts. Seeing other people so happy and you just trying to make it to the next day. Anyways, it was years ago, and I’m just waiting for my turn.”

“Ciara… I’m not stupid, and neither are you.” I give her the look. She just rolls her eyes.

“I’m figuring things out still.” I just nod and stand up.

“I’ll be right back, think I’m gonna sign up now.” Making my way over to the DJ booth I feel nervous. I haven’t sang in years. Trying to shake it off, I review some choices and decide against it.

“Let me pick for you. We call it Karaoke Roulette. I know you want to sing, but that scared look isn’t doing either of us any favors. I’ll call you up when I pick out something good.”

“You don’t even know if I can sing.” I eye him warily.

“That’s the fun of it” he winks and turns to his screen dismissing me.

“Guys and gals, welcome a newcomer to the stage. This is Emma and she’s voluntold to be our next roulette contestant! I’ve decided to go nice and easy, don’t wanna scare them off too badly. Plus, this one is a looker! Let’s put those hands together!” He announced getting some laughs from the crowd.

My face is flushed. I know it. My heart is in my chest. Why did I agree to this. The whole bar is quiet and I feel hot all of a sudden. The song starts and I’m relieved to know it.

“You’ve been on my mind… I grow fonder every day. Lose myself in time, just thinking of your face.” I start to sing. I’m focused on the monitor in front of me as I belt out the highs and sing softly the lows. Before I know it, the song ends, and it’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop. My eyes start to water as I rush off the stage. All of a sudden the thunderous sound of clapping and a few whistles thrown in stamps out the silence.

“What the hell was that?” Ciara looks stupefied.

“Shots now, I was so nervous and this doesn’t help.” I drag her to the bar and order a couple shots of tequila “do you want any?”

Ciara laughs, “I’ll take one.”

“Make it three please.” I say and the bartender nods.

Shots are poured and I hurry and slam my two, Ciara takes hers. “Now, why the panic mode?”

“Crippling stage fright.” I sigh.

“There’s no reason for that, you killed it.”

“I’ll have to agree with the other beautiful lady here. That was the best I’ve heard in weeks here! Have you ever thought of joining the musical theatre in town here?” Ciara straightens up and becomes tense.

“No, I’m pretty booked with work, and stuff. Thanks though.” I say.

“How about I give you my number, and you think it over. Or just hang onto it and reach out if you’re ever lonely.” Something doesn’t sit right with the way he is eyeing me.

“I’m not interested. This is my girlfriend and I really don’t appreciate you hitting on me in front of her.” I say and take her hand.

“It’s funny I don’t believe a word you say. You don’t smell of her, and frankly there is no mark to show either.” His words confuse me. But the way he wont back off, I do the next best thing.

I grab Ciara and glue my lips to hers. She’s shocked at first, but goes with the show. Moving my tongue on her lip, she grants access, and the duel of dominance starts. Her hand snakes to the nape of my hair, while mine grab her hips closer to me. She’s a good four inches taller than me, but we managed to put on a show. She broke the kiss first and turned toward him pulling me behind her. I’m not sure what happened in the next moment, but he looked frightened and ran.

“Lets just go to Blue Moon. At least we get respect there.” She says turning to me.

“What did he mean about a mark and my smell?” I ask her as we walked out toward the car.

“He’s drunk, and you are drunk. I wouldn’t worry about it.” She said, eyebrows looking strained.

“Ciara. Try again.”

“I don’t know why its hard to circumnavigate things around you. You are intuitive to things, yet completely blind to others. There are some things I literally cannot tell you about, but you make me want to tell you. Something about you screams for the truth. I want to sit here and tell you he means a hickey, like people still do that gross s**t, and that we are wearing two different perfumes, but I physically cannot lie to you. Never have been able to.”

Her words do nothing but cause more confusion. Maybe I drank too much.

“You want a fun night out, so do I. Lets go have fun, where we know the place and the increased security will help keep us both more relaxed. Plus, you won’t have to sing anymore with that debilitating stage fright that is totally unfounded with that level of talent.” She says changing the subject. “You’d think you were a siren with those good looks and that voice.”

I laugh at her absurdity.  “If I’m a siren then you are a succubus. All temptation, ramping up the desires of men.” She flinched. I swear I seen her do it.

“Definitely not a succubus.” She states simply.

“It was a joke. All I mean is you are like a walking s*x machine with your grace and everything, and that kiss was a lot more than what I expected.” We laugh.

“I was trying to sell your little act. Don’t fall in love with me.” Tears blurred my eyes from the laughter. I needed this.

“Thank you” I say sighing and wiping under my eyes.

The rest of the night was uneventful, minus drinking until they cut me off. I may have fallen off the stool a time or two. Ciara brought me home and tucked me in and it was a night off and a success.

*Dean’s POV*

“Incubus. Felt low tier, but we weren’t on neutral ground, and we weren’t in pack territory.” Eric and I are being debriefed by Ciara.

“Why did you bring her out there?” I ask.

“She wanted to go. Reagan was there for a show too, we weren’t there completely alone. Your orders were to keep an eye on her, not to run her life. She has no where but home and work, and Eric took work away.” She shifts under my glare. “The situation was handled. He backed off and we left. So we came here afterward as to not let her night be over.”

“She was completely wasted. She should have been cut off long before I seen.” Eric states.

“She wanted to unwind, and frankly, what else is there to do in this town for a human. She was kept safe, and nothing happened.” Ciara quickly defends.

“There’s a perimeter around her house, and she was seen safely home. Ciara is right, she isn’t her babysitter, and she looked happy.” I state.

“There’s more. I can’t lie to her. Eventually she’s not going to let me side-step her questions.” She maintains eye contact for a few moments before averting her gaze.

“What do you mean you can’t lie? You want her to know everything?” I’m holding my breath waiting for her answer.

“No, I mean I have a perfect response to her question, but I can’t physically get the words out. At all. My body pushes for the truth. So, I have to dance around it, without actually lying. She told the incubus we were dating so he would leave her alone, and he basically retorted with her being unclaimed. She isn’t stupid Dean, she asked what it ‘scent and mark’ means, and I had to evade the whole question.” She looks to the right of me. She can feel my wolf is on edge.

“I will take that under advisement.” I growl between gritted teeth. She’s the beta female, and deserves respect, well will be beta female once she accepts Eric.

“She sings. Captured the whole audience. We weren’t enthralled, like a siren can, but she seemed to have made everyone stop and take notice. Reagan will tell you the same thing. I think that’s how the incubus was intrigued.” She blurts out.

“So, the only things we know about her is no magic in her blood, she can sing, and she may be a walking lie detector?” thinking aloud.

“Lie preventer would be more correct.” Ciara states deadpan. Eric laughs as I roll my eyes.

Curiouser and curiouser. I think.

Claim. Protect. My wolf urges again. It’s going to be another long night.