Page 10 of Kisses at the Crossroads

Drake pushes to his feet.

“I can do it. Let me do it!” I squeeze my eyes shut and concentrate. Not even a tingle of magic. I’m drained completely from lack of sunlight. No, no no no no! “Glow damn it,” I chant to myself.

The creak of the stage stairs as Drake climbs them sends me into panic. Glow glow glow!

He walks to the back of the stage, where he keeps a few of his whipping supplies attached to the wall. “I’m sorry folks, seems Trick isn’t able to perform tonight. We’ll have to give him a little incentive.” He cracks a whip and I jump. The Hellhound with Pike growls.

“What if…” I cringe as Pike speaks up. “You let me give it a go? I usually get what I want. And I want to see the pretty little Fae light up.”

Drake chuckles. “Be my guest, but he’s stubborn.” Thankfully, he slides the whip back into place.

I cling to the pole as Pike ascends the steps.

“Darling.” Pike’s tail tips my chin up to look him in the eyes. Before, I hadn’t taken him in. I noticed he was handsome, but I didn’t really look. He’s tall, with a strong jawline, two horns, that tail. His coloring is anywhere from tan to deep blood red, depending on where I look. And his eyes, they’re so kind. Deep brown, almost human. “Darling, can you glow for us?”

“I can’t.” I shake my head. “Impossible.”

He tips my chin up again. “Look at me.” His voice softens until I’m probably the only one that can hear him. “I know you think that, sweetheart, but I know you have it in you. There’s still enough to give us a show, isn’t there? You can do it.”

My cheeks heat. Maybe I can do this. I nod and shut my eyes to concentrate. A few deep breaths lets me calm and ground myself better than before. I push my magic, forcing as much as I can tap into towards my wings. My legs shake. It’s so much effort.

“That’s it, keep going, little Fae. Glow for me.”

Gasps and murmurs sound out behind me. My vision goes fuzzy. I can’t tell how bright I glow, but magic thrums through my wing veins. “Sorry,” I whisper as my knees buckle. Pike’s tail wraps around my waist, saving me from crumpling. “Sorry.” I try to step away, but my brain fogs. Pike catches me just as I lose consciousness.

Chapter 6

Pike

I’ve never seen a Fae glow, but it’s brilliant. Now Trick is in my arms and he’s freezing cold. It takes everything in me not to charge at Drake to demand he free Trick of the soul tether. Drake can’t know we know. Can’t know I have a plan.

I chuckle. “Seems we’ve exhausted the poor boy.”

“That’s because he’s weak,” Drake says.

“How unfortunate.” My tail twitches behind me. I’m sure Trick isn’t weak. What he is, is exhausted, and hasn’t had enough sunlight. Everyone knows Fae need the sun every day. It’s part of their magic. I’d ask for a sunlamp, but they don’t work for Fae. Trick needs real sunlight and soon. “When was the last time he had sun?”

The entire crowd looks at Drake. I’d already forgotten I was on stage. He fists a hand as he stomps towards me. “He gets enough sun.”

“Not if you have him perform nightly. Don’t you know how to take care of your pet Fae?”

Drake snarls. We’re toe to toe and he’s not my type. Frankie growls.

“Don’t get too close. Frankie will think you’re trying to flirt with me. She gets jealous.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are?” Drake demands.

I gently place Trick on the floor of the stage and gesture for Frankie to join me. Drake backs off until he realizes I want Frankie’s body heat for Trick. “Be a good girl and keep our new Fae friend warm.” I rub her ears and give her a few pats.

Drake’s eyes nearly bug out of their sockets when I face him again. Probably because red flames lick at my horns and the tip of my tail. “Ever heard of the Soul Catcher?” I ask.

He stumbles back a few feet. That name always scares people that don’t understand the truth. A few of our audience gasps. More push to their feet to scurry away like scared mice. My fellow demons stay put. They know I’m not actually the threat everyone else thinks I am.

One soul and I get a whole ridiculous nickname, but it does the trick. We’re down to an audience of my two friends and about a handful of various other demons.

“What do you want?” Drake crosses his arms, no doubt in an effort to look less terrified, but his fear clouds the air. I breathe it in, savoring the taste.

“To talk.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal. “I’m in the market to invest in a business, and I’ve been watching you.” I drag my eyes over him. “I think we can be good business partners.” I glance around as if contemplating ideas. “We can change up a few things to make this place actually a full house every night, and it won’t depend on forcing a single pathetic Fae to glow.” Not that I think Trick is pathetic in any way, but I’m trying to sell myself to Drake.

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