Page 6 of Moonlit Alexandrite

“You’re supposed to be watching the door,” I replied coolly, turning to see Tase’s smirking face inches from my own.

He waved away my comment. “It’s covered. Besides, I want to be where the action is.”

“Haven’t you had enough action for one day? Don’t think I didn’t notice a certain local who looks like Abby Cadabby took a shit all over his head.”

“Abby who?” Tase asked, momentarily distracted.

“You know... that muppet on Sesame Street. The fairy? Ah, forget it.” I swear I used to be cool.

Tase smirked. “I have no idea what you are talking about, bro.”

My friend was ridiculous. Possibly one of the most dangerous creatures in Moonlit Falls; kelpies fed off the souls of those they seduced into riding their horse forms. After they had dragged them to the bottom of whatever body of water they had made their territory, of course. When a family of selkies invaded his territory, rather than killing them en masse, Tase had turned the entire town into a battlefield for his prank war. The fates only knew who was actually winning at this point, but it definitely was not the locals of Moonlit Falls.

Still, he was a good guy… mostly.

I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to the car crash playing out before me. She was... wait. Was she strutting like a peacock? She flipped her skirt up and down with no care for the fact her panties were on display. I cared. I cared far too much about the glimpses I was getting of those lacy scraps of nothing.

I was, admittedly, entranced.

A low growl behind me registered, barely, and I cast a quick look through the crowd. Some slimy dudebro with slicked-back hair and a white shirt, nearly as unbuttoned as Tase’s, was sidling up behind our girl...

No.

The redhead.

Where the hell had that come from?

At least I wasn’t the only one affected.

“Too close. Motherfucker’s going on my back.”

I caught Tase as he lunged forward, all his usual laid back and teasing gone in that instant.

“No! We do not eat patrons. What’s with you? I thought you weren’t interested?”

Tase shrugged uncomfortably. “Yes? No. I don’t know. I’m not, but the big guy is going ape-shit at me. I’m going to have to let him run tonight.” He rolled his shoulders as though he were wearing a straight-jacket rather than his usual, barely on, billowing shirt.

I sighed. Tase’s kelpie was more of a menace than the man himself. “I’ll close for you, man, just don’t let him eat anyone. Okay?”

Tase grinned as he backed away. “No promis...” He trailed off as his gaze shifted to the dance floor, where dude-bro was now grinding on Red. Her face showed an interesting combination of hope and aversion.

Before I had to deal with an irate kelpie, I slid my body through the onlookers and inserted myself between the two dancers.

Trouble was, as soon as I made the move, I didn't know what to do next.

As my presence registered, Red’s face became incandescent with an emotion that looked uncomfortably close to joy.

I’ll clarify, I was uncomfortable.

My salamander, however, was uttering tiny clicking noises. Honestly, it was a little shocking since I had never heard a noise from him before.

“My dance was irresistible, wasn’t it?” she asked with a grin.

“Your dance was something alright. Now, come with me.” I steered her toward the edge of the crowd with a hand to her lower back.

“Usually, it’s the males of the species that do a mating dance, but I figured I would give it a shot. Did you see my tail fan? I had to improvise. You smell amazing,” she continued, curling into me and burying her nose in my shirt.

“I think your succubus might be a little lust-drunk. I’ll get you some water, then you might need some fresh air. When was the last time you fed her properly?”

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