The Bartender’s Ballerina: a Short Story

Tar City chews people up and spits them out.Sometimes, it swallows.But Jax?He owns it. The bar. The streets. The magic he swore he’d never use again.Until tonight.Because tonight, Sisk isn’t playing fair.She walks into his bar—later than promised—and he’s more than furious.He’s hungry.And when she dares him…he remembers why she’s the reason he stays.The reason he breaks the rules.This is a 2,700‑word short story that’ll hit just right if you’re into: ROMANCE. MAGIC. BAD DECISIONS.Read it slow. Let it stain your fingers like spilled whiskey.And remember—Tar City doesn’t give without taking.