Witch Upon a Star (A Midnight Magic Mystery) (7 page)

“I often have difficulty with it myself,” her companion said in a clipped British accent. He momentarily lifted his eyes from me to my companion. “Hello, Asher.”

“George. Glad to see you are looking well.”

“Never been a problem of mine, old thing,” George said, eyes once again undressing me. “And who is this delectable creature?”

I had the strongest urge to hide behind Asher, but he beat me to it, stepping forward to shield me. “
Mine
,” Asher growled. His head swiveled to Minnie as he reached for my hand once more. “We have business with Lord Richard. Will you please show us to him?”

“Sure man. Right this way. ”

Minnie led us through the foyer and upstairs. Over the psychedelic music and revelry I could still hear the groans and squeals of passion as we passed closed doors. Two men channeling Ziggy Stardust meandered out of one, both zipping their flies. Asher’s grip on my hand tightened. Minnie knocked on the last door in the hallway.

“Yes?” a man asked on the other side.

“Someone’s demanding to see you. Your old new best friend.”

“Enter.”

We entered a small, dark office a far cry from the rest of the house. It was as if we stepped back a century with oil paintings, antique furniture, and only one Tiffany lamp on his desk. The man himself matched the surroundings with burgundy smoking jacket, Von Hapsburg beard, and sandy brown hair.

“Baby, you’re not even dressed!” Minnie admonished.

“I have a few more odds and ends to tie up. I shall be down shortly. Please leave us.” Minnie blew him a kiss before literally skipping back to the party. “Please have a seat.”

“I see you and Byron have reconciled,” Asher said as he sat.

“A recent occurrence. When Minnie learned of our acquaintanceship, she insisted on an introduction. I have failed to shake him since. He has his charms, I suppose. And he keeps Minnie happy and distracted.” I imagined that wouldn’t take much. “Alain is here as well.”

The corner’s of Asher’s mouth twitched involuntarily. “Thank you for warning me.”

“I trust you both will be on your best behavior,” Richard said.

“Of course.
I
have no quarrel with
him.
”

“And on the subject of family,” Richard said before turning his attention to me. “This must be the Anna you have been speaking of so highly. A pleasure to meet you. Finally.”

“You as well, sir,” I said with a gracious smile. “It’s an honor. Thank you for having me in your beautiful home.”

Lord Richard returned my smile. “Beauty and manners. You have chosen you latest consort well.”

“Without question,” Asher said proudly. “We simply need to fill out the required paperwork.”

Richard contemplated this for a moment. “How old are you, dear?”

“Fourteen tonight, sir,” I lied.

He looked to Asher, eyes narrowing. “In all the centuries I have known you, my friend, you have never taken a lover so young.”

“I had never met Anna. There is not an older soul on this green earth than her.”

“Be that as it may,” Richard said, swinging his attention back to me, “I feel it necessary to warn you, girl. This is a large, lifelong commitment. From the moment you sign this contract, you are forever bound by vampiric law. If you break one such law, you and Asher shall both face the consequences. This world of ours that you desire to enter … it is dangerous, amoral, and bloody. There are very few true happy endings. You are all but signing away your soul, dear.”

“I’ve already done that, sir. I did the second I laid eyes on Asher. It, like my heart, is his. I trust him with my everything. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to stay by his side forever and always.”

“You say that now, but what of ten years from now? Twenty?”

“It’s … hard to explain, sir. I don’t know if it’s magic, or just fate but … the moment I met him, I just
knew
no matter what, time, space, even death, I knew that I would always love him. We could be separated for decades and with one look or word, we would be right back where we are now. Devoted. In love. Meant to be. We’re soul mates, sir. Nothing can ever change that, certainly not a piece of paper. It doesn’t matter. We know what we are to one another, and what we will be until death.”

“Such devotion.”

“He’s earned it.”

“And when he does not?” Richard asked with a raised eyebrow.

“That’ll never happen,” I said with absolute certainty. “Never.”

“I hope for your sake, little one, your faith is not misplaced.”

I reached beside me for Asher’s hand. “It isn’t.”

“Then who am I to stand in the way of true love?” He removed a stack of papers. “You must both read and sign these. One copy is for me, the other for you to keep. Present it if asked.”

“Thank you,” I said, scanning the document. It didn’t matter what it included, if it literally required my immortal soul, I would have signed it. Asher took as little time as I did. We scribbled our names, and that was that. I was his consort. As I slid my copy back to Richard, I realized this whole event was rather anticlimactic. At the end of the night, nothing
had
changed. It was just a stupid piece of paper.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Richard said, rising, “I must dress. Please enjoy yourselves.” He grinned at me. “And welcome to the family.”

He ushered us out to the hallway before disappearing into a bedroom. “That was easy,” I said.

“Yes.”

I took his hand again, but he didn’t squeeze back. “This is the best birthday ever.” I pecked his stiff lips. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome,
mo chuisle.
” The moans of ecstasy nearby momentarily drew his attention and a scowl. “We should go down
stairs. Join the others.”

“Whatever you desire.”

His mouth twitched again. “Stay close.”

“Always.” I started down the hall, leading him by the clasped hand. “So, who is Alain? Why did you need warning?”

“We did not part on good terms when we last met. If he approaches you, simply excuse yourself and find me.”

“Okay.”

My nerves began to knot my stomach as we descended the stairs. I had no idea what to expect. I was so excited about the consortship, I didn’t dwell on what came after. That I would be surrounded by creatures who wished to literally bathe in my blood. I’d endured my parents’ constant parties with free-flowing drugs, fights, and even sex, not that I knew what it was at the time. If hippies were that wild, who knew what havoc vampires could wreak? I clutched Asher’s hand tighter as we strolled into the parlor. Thirteen and swimming with sharks. Be careful what you ask for.

Shock almost stopped me dead. Most people just stood around chatting and drinking, but quite a few were half a base from rounding home or gang fanging near comatose half-naked models on the sofas or against the walls. One couple engaged in both. It was as if Caligula were the party planner. Asher pulled me closer to his side. “We
can
leave,” he whispered.

I’d wanted this. This was his world. My world now. “No. Let’s mingle.”

Asher ushered me toward the buffet. I picked at the crab puffs as Asher poured me a glass of water. As I stuffed my face, I noticed Minnie and George whispering and stealing glances at me from the only non-X-rated loveseat. I flashed them a smile, and Minnie blew me a kiss. Asher handed me the goblet as he glared at the pair. He was too busy with his ire to notice the glam rocker wannabe approach. “It is you! Asher! I had heard you had finally returned to the land of the undead. We all missed you!”

“Tobias! It has been far too long!”

The men began catching up, and I was all but forgotten past the intro. As they covered a hundred years of the past, I stood like a lump shoveling appetizers into my mouth. At some point around the 1930s, our hostess meandered over, body bopping in time to the Rolling Stones playing on the record player. She filled her wine glass to the brim, then as she reached for a crab puff, accidently tipped her goblet on Asher.

“Bloody hell! I’m so sorry!”

“It is fine,” Asher said as we all grabbed napkins to wipe his shirt.

“That’s going to stain. Let me show you to the loo to wash it out,” Minnie suggested.

“Very well. Anna?”

I took a step to follow, but Minnie said, “Oh, come on, Ashy. She’ll be fine, ticky mo. She’s among friends. Come on.”

“Stay here,” Asher ordered before he walked away.

The glammer Tobias and I exchanged an uncomfortable half smile. “So, how long have you and Asher been together?” he asked, not hiding his apathy.

“Almost a year.”

“Fascinating,” Tobias muttered as his eyes scanned behind me. “Oh. Please excuse me. I must say hello to someone.” And he walked away as fast as his glittering platform boots would allow. What a wonderful party.

After one more crab puff, I decided to wait for my date in an empty corner. Keep my back against the wall. I barely made it a step before George flanked me. Quite quick on his feet for a man with a limp. “Now, this is a crime against nature.”

“What is?” I asked.

“
A beauty such as yourself should never be left alone. Not for one
moment. You should be worshiped and adored every second of every day. Asher should be whipped.”

“He’ll be right back.”

“Oh, perhaps he would also enjoy meeting David.”

“Who’s David?”

“Bowie. He is in the sitting room holding court.”

My eyes bugged out of my head. Bowie?
The
David Bowie? “I-I-I love him! I have all his records!”

“Then I shall introduce you.” George held out his arm like a gentleman. “Shall we?”

We found Bowie in full Ziggy make-up costume sitting on the sofa, vampires and companions three deep around him as he regaled them with tales of antics in the recording studio. It took all my resolve not to fall on my knees and gush like a groupie at the sight of him. “David,” George said when we were mere inches from the legend, “I bring you another adoring disciple. May I present Anna …”

“Asher,” I finished. He held out his hand, and I actually shook it. I actually touched David Bowie. The memory still brings a smile to my face. “This is beyond an honor, sir.”

My new escort glared at the couple to Bowie’s left, and they immediately rose to give us their coveted spots. I spent the next hour holding a conversation, an actual back and forth conversation, with a legend about music and about his life on the road. He was funny too. Wonderful man. About ten minutes in, Asher appeared through the door, scanning the room with concern. I flashed him a smile, which he reciprocated. Lord Richard tapped his shoulder, and, convinced I was safe, they left once more. I was on such a high I barely cared about George’s occasional caress of my hand or odd leer inside my dress’s slit, complete with seductive grin when I glanced his way. I also chose to ignore the gentleman in the corner who stared at me for a full minute before wandering off, only to return every five minutes to repeat the behavior.
That
is the power of Bowie.

Eventually some man came behind and whispered in the star’s ear that it was time to leave. I almost swooned when the rocker hugged me before departing. It remains a highlight of my life. “He was so nice!” I said to George as we rose from the sofa as well.

“Yes. And he enjoyed you as well, pet,” he replied.

“Really? You think so? I was so nervous. I’ve never met a famous person before.”

“You wound me,” George said with a pout.

“I’m sorry. Why?”

George chuckled. “‘She walks in beauty, like the night, of cloud
less climes and starry skies, and all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes.’ I may as well have written it with you in mind, pet.”

“I don’t …”

Not sure why he was quoting Lord Byron, I peered at the strange
man, but as his grin grew it slowly dawned upon me. When my jaw literally dropped, he chuckled again. “It is nice to know they still teach the classics to impressionable young minds.”

“You’re not …”

He held his finger to his mouth to shush me. “Dare not speak it, pet. The walls have ears. I could be lashed simply for telling you. Though I do enjoy a good whipping on occasion.” His eyes moved to the slit in my dress again. “Especially if one as beautiful as you were touting the whip.” A flush crept from my chest to my face, which pleased Lord Byron to no end. “But pet, you are blushing like a virgin bride. Surely your Asher has indoctrinated you into the pleasures of the flesh.”

“A lady never speaks of such things,” I said as instructed.

Byron’s brown eyes narrowed. After several seconds of uncomfortable silence he said, “You know it is a gift of mine, spotting virgins. I had it even before my turn. You are as pure as you look pet. I could stake my soul on it.” He moved in closer. Too close. Closer than Asher had ever dared get. I could barely breathe. “Well, if your consort is not willing to relieve you of your burden, may I offer my assistance?”

“I am not a virgin,” I protested far too harshly.

“Pet, you must learn to lie better if you wish to survive among us monsters,” he chuckled. “But do not fret, your secret is safe with me. For a price.”

My stomach knotted three times. “What?”

“A kiss.”

“No. I need to find Asher. Excuse me.” I tried to move, but he grabbed my arm. Hard. “Get your hand off me,” I ordered, my heart beating out of my chest in fright. I’d never felt so young, at least not since Sven’s clients snuck into my room, and there was nothing I could do to stop what came next. I wanted to shriek for help, but knew if I did it’d just prove Asher right. That I couldn’t survive in his world. He’d disappear every night, he’d find someone else, and he’d …
no.
“Please let me go. Plea—”

“Would you care to dance?”

Thank the universe for that man. I spun around to find the staring man who stood in the corner staring during Bowie time, stepping beside me. He was even more handsome up close, with Mediterranean skin and wide-set dark brown eyes the same color as his long wavy hair, but with a scar that cut through his eyebrow and cheek. This imperfection did nothing to mar his beauty, if anything it added to his roguish air. He didn’t wait for my response, he just took my arm and guided me away.