A slight breeze caused the candle’s flame to dance, tendrils of potent incense smoke twirling upward.

Callie gripped my hand tighter, staring down at my palm with all the concentration she could muster. The tip of her tongue peeked out between her lips, and it was hard to take her seriously.

“So what do you see, oh powerful swami?” I asked, barely containing my amusement. The annual spring equinox festival was in full swing, and the cold weather didn’t deter people from attending in the slightest. It was as if the promise of spring hung heavy around us—blinding us from the presence of residual snow with whisperings of sunshine and warmth.

Havenwood Falls loved to celebrate, and Eloise always organized an incredible Into the Mystic New Age & Psychic Fair. It was one of those opportunities to bring the supernatural community members together with the human ones, and for one day, rejoice in the differences and share gifts otherwise hidden. They said that Halloween was when the veil between the dead and the living was the thinnest, but for me, it was this time of year that held its own brand of mystique.

Usually we had to be careful not to give away our secrets and reveal our true identities. Tonight, however, it was all in jest and for entertainment. It was amazing how humans could suspend disbelief for a few hours in the name of community and charity.

Callie cleared her throat and leaned over closer, her finger tracing over a line on my palm. “You have quite an adventure coming your way.” Pausing for a dramatic sigh that was meant to convince me of her authenticity, her voice lowered to a soft rasp. “You will fall madly in love with . . . a carnival ride operator, who will sweep you off your feet. He will win your heart at the top of the Ferris wheel.”

I burst into laughter and withdrew my hand. “Impossible. I’m scared of heights.”

Rolling my eyes, I crossed my legs and sat back in the chair. If there was anyone in town that I felt I could be close friends with, it was Callie. She ran the local consignment store, a place that I regularly got lost in as I sorted through the many treasures she had. I always teased her that I was tapping into my inner dragon because all I wanted to do was buy everything that caught my eye. Unfortunately, my bank account didn’t agree.

Spoilsport.

“You can’t argue with me,” Callie countered, waving her hand before her like she was beckoning the spirits of her ancestors. “Perhaps I should gaze deep into the crystal ball and see what truths lurk there.”

Her long brown hair fell like a curtain over her eyes, and she tucked it behind her ears. Her style was a little more eclectic than mine, but tonight Callie’s outfit screamed gypsy fortune teller. Despite the weather, she wore a full-length skirt with assorted beads sewn into patterns in the fabric. Her jade-colored peasant shirt matched her skirt and brought out the green in her eyes. She was such a striking woman, but that wasn’t what I liked about her. She had the same quirky personality and sense of humor as I did. She never failed to leave me laughing or smiling.

“Ahhhh, I see it now,” she whispered in hushed tones. She waved me to join her peering into the ball. “There is someone. Oh, he’s tall, dark, and handsome.” Callie fanned herself, all part of the show. “Girl, you’re going to fall so hard for this one.”

Playing along, I grinned. “Does this stranger come with a name?” In the back of my mind, Micah’s name floated to the surface. It brought a hint of sadness that I pushed back down. “How will I recognize him?”

Her gaze flickered over my shoulder to where the festivities were still happening. Each vendor was given a large space to set up in, and she’d chosen to have a canopy-like tent that would keep in the warmth from the portable heater by her feet. What humans didn’t know was that the coven had also placed a spell over the fair so that the elements wouldn’t ruin the event. So while we all donned our favorite coats and boots and walked around with rosy cheeks, no one completely froze.

It was another perk of living in a supernatural town like Havenwood Falls.

“Something tells me he has a sweet tooth for snow cones.” Callie’s smirk told me that she was being a little too specific for a reading on my future.

“What?” I asked, already turning about in my seat. My eyes instantly found the meaning behind her comment. Micah was currently talking with Zoey, a resident frost dragon, at her snow cone booth. Most didn’t see it, but Zoey made her treats by blowing her cool breath, and she had a way of making anything taste delicious. Holly was standing to the side of him, happily pointing to the different flavor bottles. My lips formed a silent O.

I’d been looking for him all night, anxiously hoping he’d come, yet here he was, and I had a sudden case of nerves.

“I can’t, Callie,” I confessed, slumping back in my seat as I faced her. “I screwed up and broke his trust. There’s really no point falling for someone who doesn’t even want to talk to you anymore.” A slight quiver filled my voice, and I took a quick breath, praying I wouldn’t cry. It was crazy to cry over a guy—no matter how incredible he looked.

Or kissed, my own thoughts betrayed me.

“I don’t know what happened, but I know there was a spark of something between you. Why don’t you go over and at least try?”

“Did you know a summer on Uranus lasts twenty-one years? Or that it rains diamonds on Jupiter and Saturn?” My cheeks flushed when I realized that instead of sharing how I felt, I’d resorted to my fact-sharing like it was an armor I wore. I rubbed my brow and let out my own sigh. “Sorry, force of habit, I guess.”

Sympathy filled Callie’s features, and she placed her hand gently over mine. “It doesn’t take any kind of magical gift to see that he means a lot to you, Sedona. You can’t hide away with your books forever. If he’s someone you want, sometimes you have to fight for him . . . fight hard.”

“And if he doesn’t want to be won?” I asked, chewing on my bottom lip and staring at Micah again. The lights that were hung around the different booths gave the top of his head an angelic glow. My heart ached to go talk to him, to say hello, to say anything. I just didn’t know how to speak—how to say the right words.

“Why don’t you start with hello, and take it from there.” She squeezed my hand affectionately. “Besides, a gypsy demon doesn’t lie about such matters. It’s not over between you two. Trust me.”

I still wasn’t convinced as I stooped to the side for my purse. As I opened it up, Callie shook her head and pointed outside. “Consider it a freebie.”

Her smile helped banish some of the butterflies causing a ruckus inside my chest.

“I couldn’t,” I uttered.

“How about you name your firstborn after me, and we’ll call it even?” Her teasing remark made me burst out laughing, and Micah looked over to where we were, his gaze searching. When it met with mine, I gulped loudly.

“I can’t do this,” I murmured, willing my feet to work. “I’m not some heroine in a romance book.”

“You’re right, you’re not. You’re Sedona Mathews, badass owner of Shelf Indulgence, and damn it, I’m never wrong about these things, so off you go.”

Micah was still standing, staring at me, while Holly began eating the huge red snow cone he’d purchased for her. I’d expected him to disappear into the crowds, but he hadn’t. It was as if his feet wouldn’t work either, so I threw caution to the wind.

“Wish me luck,” I exhaled. “I might be back later to see if your guides know a way to mend a broken heart.” My smile was weak, and I knew it.

A pfft sound erupted from Callie’s mouth, and I took it as a warning to quickly hustle before she took matters into her own hands. Leaving the safety of the softly perfumed tent, I stiffened momentarily as a chill went through me. I approached Zoey’s snow cone stand and returned her smile when she asked if I was interested in getting one.

“They’re so delicious,” Holly gushed, taking another mouthful that painted her lips and tongue a bright red. “I got one called Dragon’s Blood.”

I could hear her talking, but my gaze hadn’t left Micah’s. Testing the waters, I stepped closer. “Hey.”

For a second I thought he was going to ignore me, but to my great relief, he nodded.

“I wasn’t planning on coming tonight, but this one was going a little stir crazy cooped up in the house.” He gestured to Holly, who was still trying to tackle the large icy dessert. “I also figured certain eyes would be watching for me to attend like a good community member.”

There was a not-so-subtle dig at the coven, my aunt in particular. She was big on participation and looked down on those who chose to live a more reclusive life.

“I think you’re fine,” I murmured, peering up into his eyes. God, I missed him. “So, how are things?” The moment it came out, I could feel the awkwardness between us blossom. “I haven’t seen you in town lately.”

The lines about his eyes crinkled as he gently smiled. “I’ve been busy. I run most of my errands either really early in the morning or late at night.” He glanced about, his eyes scanning the nearby groups of people. “And you?”

How could I possibly sum up everything I was feeling into a few succinct words?

I shrugged, deciding to respond as nonchalantly as possible. “I’ve been okay. Busy, the same as you. The bookstore keeps me occupied.” As if to test the Fates, I quickly turned to Holly. “You’re missed at the store. Austin mourns his study buddy.”

“I’m sure he does,” Micah fired back between clenched teeth, the muscle in his jaw twitching. Obviously, some things didn’t change.

Holly had a different response. Her eyes grew wide with interest, and she perked right up. It had nothing to do with the sugar coursing through her body, and everything to do with mentioning my teenage employee.

“Do you know if he’s here?” Her head whipped back and forth. She craned her neck to see if she could spot him. “No offense, Uncle, but you suck when it comes to helping me.”

Micah didn’t look upset in the slightest. He was probably gloating over how he’d saved her from the evil clutches of male hormones and lust.

“Holly,” he warned, his tone suddenly stern. He shook his head at her, and it did the trick. She closed up and returned to focusing on her treat.

I hated the awkward silence that fell around us like the choking grip of the Grim Reaper. My own emotions bombarded me—anxiety, loneliness, desire, need, hope, and frustration. All I wanted to do was to reach out and touch him, but Micah felt too far away.

Take a risk, a brave part of my psyche urged. Speak up.

“Micah,” I blurted out roughly. My hand whipped out to take his. I was so terrified of missing the moment—any moment—with him that it felt impossible to hold it all in without screaming. Steadying myself, I briefly closed my eyes. When I opened them back up, Micah was all I could see.

“Please.” I squeezed his fingers with mine and searched his face for any hint to what he was feeling. His mouth softened a fraction before he tugged me toward him. I stumbled against him.

“I can hear you better when you’re closer.” He was staring at me with the intensity of a million suns. Instead of scorching my skin, it warmed me from deep within. “You were saying?”

Staring up into his beautiful blue eyes, I finally found the right words.