In the mayhem that killed the evil Batu, his former slave, the mage Maya, was freed. She was quite sure the vampire Ravyr,seemingly a friend of her captor, was dead as well. Maya hadn’t known Ravyr had been undercover investigating Batu so she’s stifled the disconcerting undercurrent of attraction she had had for Batu’s guest. Forty-five years later Ravyr showed up just as an evil begins to emerge. And the evil smells like Batu. Maya and Ravyr must work together to stop it before it regains full power.

Maya is strong, a survivor. Yes, she’s scarred and vulnerable but she’s a kickass mage now. Along with being in love with Maya since he first saw her, Ravyr is proud of her, he admires her and it doesn’t take away from his Alpha maleness. In fact it makes him more attractive. Oh, and he’s hot! Luckily and most importantly for us readers their sex scenes are fierce and erotic.

Ivy does a brilliant job at world building. We meet mages and vampires and goblins and fairies all living under the radar from humans. She’s got it down perfectly in this, the third in her Magic for Hire series. However it can easily and satisfyingly be read alone. I’m sure folks will pick up the other two after having enjoyed this one!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Maya Rosen, a mage, was held captive for decades, having her magic draining by a vampire. She despises them. Now she owns the Witch’s Brew, where she serves coffee and pastries but also for select clients, magic. Someone is trying to kill her and a man who she thought was dead shows up. Ravyr is a vampire and knew Maya decades ago. Maya thought he’d perished when her master did. Ravyr is following a source of magic that leads right to Maya. He saves her from an explosion and work together to see who is trying to kill her. Maya still doesn’t trust Ravyr but with the past coming back to haunt them, he can help her.

I have no idea what to say about this story. Vampires. Mages. Demons. Secrets. Enemies. A little steamy. Good story. With some action. Enemies to lovers.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *