With a look of pure confusion, Nikki stared around the room and asked, “How did I get back here?” When she looked down and saw her lack of attire, she tried to adjust her clothes unsuccessfully to cover herself in nonexistent material. When her body shivered, so did Devin. He quickly took off his jacket and handed it to her. Nikki accepted the gift appreciatively and covered herself as best she could, while Cupcake crawled back onto her shoulder. The cat’s hair was fluffed out angrily and teeth bared, daring anyone to attempt to get near her charge.
Styx approached the frightened Pixie cautiously and asked, “How about we get you into the office and warm you up?” He turned to Grippin and asked, “Can you throw everyone else out and close up the place?” The large man nodded but, when he went to grab Devin to toss him out first, Styx said, “He and Blade need to stay.”
Grippin changed his target and picked up another man by the back of the neck. As everyone watched a customer being carried to the door with the man’s arms and legs flaying futilely above the ground in protest, the others in the room took the hint and quickly followed under their own power.
While Grippin did as asked, Nikki took the position in the office by the fire where she had been several hours earlier. She instantly began dancing and making her high-pitched chiming bird sounds. Devin had to look away to hide his amusement.
Bee stood beside Nikki and said, “Although very unexpected, I’m thrilled to see you again.” She pointed at the ball of fur on her shoulder and asked, “…and with your pet?”
Nikki pulled Cupcake into her arms and scratched her between her ears in an attempt to stop the constant growl. She announced, “This is my best friend, Cupcake, and she’s the most precious thing in this entire world to me.” Her words made Cupcake lick her hand and she started to purr. Nikki turned to Styx and asked, “Do you want to explain to me what’s going on? Last thing I remember is going to bed. How did I end up back here in Darin’s arms?”
Devin said, “My name is Devin and the last thing I remember is sitting out in the bar, trying to recover from the pain of you attempting to electrocute me.”
Nikki shot back, “I did it because you bit me…and stop staring at my neck!”
Devin was guilty as charged. Now that he knew she was safe, his desperation to taste her again was back.
While the two bickered back and forth, Styx looked to Cassandra and said, “You’ve had your fun. Now fix this.”
Cassandra turned to Nikki and said, “I’m truly sorry that you got tangled up in this mess.”
From the fireplace, Nikki’s soft voice asked, “I got tangled into what?”
Styx answered, “The spell she put on Devin.”
Cassandra explained Styx’s comment. “After Devin bit you and they tried to separate you from him, he announced that you were his. His words triggered a spell. To my deepest regret, you’re now connected to the magic and to my very naughty godson.”
Devin exclaimed, “Come on! I’m not that bad.” Cassandra gave him a look that made him decide to change what he was about to say. Instead he said, “But I didn’t really claim Nikki. We were just playing a game and she was supposed to be a quick snack. I didn’t even pay attention to who I grabbed. She just happened to be the one walking by.”
Styx jumped in and said, “Regardless, we’ll get Nikki out of this in a few minutes.” He turned to Cassandra and said, “Go ahead Cassie. Remove the spell.”
Cassandra stretched her muscles and cleared her throat in preparation for wielding her counter-spell. While staring at Devin, she called on her magic and, as the room filled with the tingle of her power, she began to chant. Devin braced his body, waiting for the shot of pain that he felt earlier. When a thin swirl of smoke shot out at him like a transparent dagger, Devin closed his eyes and everyone held their breath. When the projectile came within an inch of his body, it bounced off his chest with a gentle popping sound and disappeared with a poof.
Devin, not feeling anything, squinted open his eyes and asked, “What’s the delay?”
Cassandra replied, “I did the magic, but it didn’t penetrate the enchantment surrounding you. I was really angry when I cast the spell, so maybe I need to do the magic with a little more gusto.” She repeated her counter-spell with more force, causing everyone to rub their arms and shiver with the level of power in the air.
Devin kept his eyes open this time, spread his arms, and braced for the impact.
The magical dagger shot through the air, but this time it moved with the speed of a bullet. But just before it hit Devin in the chest, it bounced off again. It fell to the floor and melted away with a sizzling sound, resembling cold rain hitting a hot surface.
She tried several more times, but each time the dagger bounced off in a different direction.
Devin asked, “What’s wrong?”
Cassandra replied with her face scrunched in confusion, “The counter-spell refuses to touch you.” She turned to Nikki and said, “You’re part of this mess. Maybe you’re the key to breaking this. Let me try the magic on you.”
Completely outside his control, Devin jumped forward and yelled, “No! I won’t let you hurt her.” Knowing what the original magic felt like, he found that he was unable to stand by and let her feel the same pain.
His sudden movements toward the Pixie made Nikki screech and cower backward. She wanted to put some distance between her and her unwelcomed protector and said to the room as a whole, “Do whatever is necessary to break my connection to this Vampire.”
Devin tried to back away, but his body refused to obey his command. Blade and Grippin jumped in and dragged him forcibly to the side and held him back so that Cassandra could attempt her magic. When she finally sent the magical dagger toward Nikki, the Pixie watched the dagger bounce off.
As it dissolved, Nikki asked, “What does this mean?”
Cassandra sighed. “Like Devin, it didn’t work. I guess that I wanted to make sure the lesson never had to be repeated, so my anger and resolve must have mixed into the magic. I think we may have to let the spell run its course, but have no fear. The magic should fizzle out on its own in a day—two tops. I think only Devin can break it earlier by proving that he has learned his lesson.”
Devin asked, “What lesson am I supposed to learn?”
Cassandra replied, “I’ve known you since the day you were born and watched you spend most of your adult life never considering how your actions cause pain in others. Up until now I’ve turned my back because I love you like a son and care greatly for your mother. Before she left town, I promised her I would watch over you and I’m ashamed to say that I’ve failed at that task. But tonight, I planned to rectify that and do what I should’ve done many years ago.”
Devin asked, “What exactly did you do to me tonight?”
“I used a little bit of magic to help you grow up so that, when your parents return, they won’t see the results of my mistake.”
Styx chuckled. “Little bit of magic? Given both Devin and Nikki’s reactions, the power you wielded tonight is far from trivial.”
Cassandra replied, “Well, I learned that a witch should never wield magic when really angry. As to the spell, the magic may have been complex, but the result was conceptually very simple. Since Devin insists on devouring and tossing out woman like shelling peanuts, the plan was for the next woman that he claimed as his, he would feel her pain. Once he proves that he truly understands the misery that his actions cause in others and thinks of others before himself, the spell will break.”
Devin asked, “Just tell me whatever it is that I have to do and I’ll do it.”
Cassandra replied, “Since Nikki is the spell’s target, I think you need to feel and ease the pain in her heart. And to prove you’ve changed, I think you have to do a selfless act by willingly sacrificing something you truly love for her benefit.”
Devin commented, “Well that doesn’t sound very hard.” He turned to Nikki and asked bluntly, “What’s your pain and what do I have to do
or give you to fix it?”
Nikki scanned the faces that were now all staring and waiting for her to respond. She replied, “What pain? I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m not in pain and I don’t want anything from you, except my freedom.”
Seeing Nikki’s frustration, Styx said, “Don’t worry. We’ll sort this out.” After turning his attention back to Cassandra, he said, “The spell explains Devin’s behavior, but not Nikki’s desperation to get back to him.”
Cassandra looked to Nikki and said, “I have a theory. When we talked earlier, you mentioned that you’ve spent many years trying to find a place to call home. There must have been something about Devin’s sudden desperation for you that inflamed the already present wound in your heart. The magic must have sensed this as additional pain he caused and is forcing the two of you together until he can take the ache away. I have to admit that’s a level of the spell that I didn’t intend or even know was possible.”
To their surprise Nikki announced, “It doesn’t surprise me in the least.” When everyone stared at her for an explanation for her comment, she continued, “I have the worse luck on the planet. If I’m involved and if there’s a chance for something to go wrong, I guarantee it will. There were dozens of women fighting to get to his side but, of course, it was me that fate decided to throw into his arms. I should’ve known that touching the magical world again would somehow backfire on me. Stopping at Mistyx was a stupid idea and I should’ve gone straight home.”
Styx shook his head adamantly and said, “I don’t believe in bad luck and I feel blessed that Mistyx crossed your path. I’m going to stick with a different theory—you were placed into this situation by design, not by bad luck. It might not seem like it now, but wait and see. There’s a perfect explanation for why you were brought to us tonight and the reason will reveal itself in time.”
Nikki said in exasperation, “I wish I believed that. I just can’t see how me—a Pixie—being stuck at Dingbat’s side for even a minute is a good thing. I’m a Vampire smorgasbord.”
When Blade chuckled at the name choice for Devin, Cupcake switched her attention to the white haired Vampire standing at Devin’s side. Although Cupcake already despised Devin, she stared at Blade inquisitively, unsure what to think of him.
Cassandra replied to Nikki, “Based on what we’ve seen so far, I fear that you two are stuck together.”
Devin asked, “Are we talking hours, days, months...?”
His godmother replied honestly, “As I said earlier, it should only last a few days. But, since my counter-spell didn’t respond as expected, I have absolutely no idea.”
Nikki asked, her voice now raised in volume and frustration, “How in the world are we supposed to make this work? I require daylight to live, which would kill him. And he lives in the world of darkness, which would kill me.”
Devin suggested to Nikki, “Maybe the spell isn’t as strong as my godmother thinks. This time I’ll leave the tavern and we’ll see what happens.”
Although Cassandra thought it was a waste of time, everyone else agreed. Devin left the office and Nikki behind. Immediately after his foot touched the sidewalk and the door closed behind him, both he and Nikki were hit by a panic attack. He was forced back into the tavern and neither Devin nor Nikki calmed down until they physically touched.
As they held each other, they said in unison, “Shit.” Before stepping away, Nikki punched Devin hard in the chest, adding a little electric shock to the mix. At the same time Cupcake raked her claws through the material of his shirt, leaving thin trails of blood.
Devin rubbed his wounds while growling back at the cat. He then said, “It’s getting very close to sunrise so I need to get home and under Vampire appropriate cover.” His eyes locked on Nikki and added, “I guess you and your hairball are coming with me.”
Looking at Styx, Nikki asked, “Why do we have to go to Darwin’s house? We could go to my apartment instead.”
Devin shouted back, “My name is Devin!”
Nikki completely ignored his outburst and, rolling her eyes, replied, “Whatever.”
To prevent the argument that was brewing, Styx asked Nikki, “Is your apartment capable of protecting a Vampire? If it isn’t, this whole problem is going to be resolved before breakfast is served.”
Cassandra said to Styx, “Their connection is unlike anything I’ve ever seen and we have no idea what his death before breaking the curse would do to Nikki. We can’t risk it.”
Hearing them talk so nonchalantly about his potential demise, Devin yelled, “Hey!”
Ignoring yet another outburst, Cassandra turned to Nikki and added, “His place is large and protected by some of my best magic. As long as my godson behaves himself, you’ll be safe there and it will give us time to work this all out.”
Nikki replied, “I’ll go, but I guarantee that this isn’t going to end well. Other than forgetting that I’m not his midnight snack, what else could possibly happen that could be any worse?” Nikki looked down at her Hello Kitty pajamas and said, “But I refuse to spend the night at his place in this outfit. Can we stop at my apartment to pick up some clothes?”
Styx replied, “The sun is almost up so there isn’t time. Hopefully this will all be over in the morning and you can return to your separate lives. But for tonight, you can borrow anything you need from me. It won’t fit you, but feel free to take whatever you want. As soon as the sun goes down tomorrow night, if this isn’t over, both of you can go to your apartment and collect a few more of your things.”
Before Bee could lead Nikki to the bedroom to find something to cover herself, to Nikki’s shock, Cupcake crawled over into Styx’s arms. As she snuggled and rubbed against him affectionately, he scratched the one in question under the chin and a loud purr sounded.
Nikki said in surprise, “I’ve never seen Cupcake warm up to someone so quickly. Usually it takes her a very long time to trust anyone. Your race really does have a gift with all forms of nature.”
When Devin came forward to try and make peace with his future furry housemate, the cat bit him. As he jumped back and rubbed another wound, he said sarcastically, “Great. This night just keeps getting better.”
Nikki asked Devin, “Where do you live?”
He pointed to the Vampire at his side and said, “Blade and I live with a few of our friends in a refurbished warehouse about twenty minutes from here. It’s on the northeast side of the city, along the bay.”
Nikki asked apprehensively, “Are all of these friends Vampires?” When he nodded, she added, “How many?”
“There are six regulars. Others come and go.” Seeing the instant fear in her eyes, their odd connection forced him to stop the inner pain he felt building inside her. He quickly added, “Although we share the same building, we live in separate apartments. I currently live alone and I’ll keep the door locked.”
Although Nikki did appreciate his attempt to calm her, his answer didn’t alleviate any of her uneasiness for the situation.
Cassandra said, “Don’t worry Nikki. Until this is over, I’ll be right at your side. If this is resolved in a day or two, great. If not…well if Devin can prove to me he can control himself, I’ll move into the empty apartment on the floor below his.”
Blade and Devin asked as a chorus with their eyes wide in shock, “You’re moving into the building?”
Cassandra replied, “Not right away but, if it becomes necessary, yes. Nikki is an innocent in all this. I may not be able to remove her from the spell but, do you honestly think I would let her walk into that Vampire den of yours unprotected? Being there will allow me to help protect her from not just you and your friends, but also from other magical creatures that will try getting into the building once they learn of her existence. Let’s hope for the best and plan for the worst.”
After Devin muttered profanities to himself, he announced to the room, “I no longer want this magic referred to as a spell. I’m officially cursed.” He looked over at Blade
and asked, “Can this night possibly get any worse?”
Everyone turned to the doorway when they heard a grunt. They found Grippin thumping his chest with a determined look on his face. After a silent exchange that no one could follow, Styx smiled and said, “Thank you, my friend.”
Devin asked, “What are you thanking him for?”
Styx replied, “Looks like you’ll have another addition to the building. Grippin plans to be Nikki’s private guard to make sure you behave.”
While staring at the massive creature who now had a crooked smile on his face, Devin shouted, “You’ve got to be kidding! He hates me.”
Cassandra patted him on the back and said, “Sorry Godson, but Grippin isn’t the only one that won’t be sending you a valentine this year. You’ve been rubbing a lot of people the wrong way lately.”
Devin replied sarcastically with a fake smile plastered on his face, “Fine. The more the merrier.”
Cassandra had an idea and asked, “Grippin, do you think you can cover Nikki tonight and I’ll take over in the morning? I want to work on new counter-spells…just in case.”
While staring down at Devin, Grippin stretched out his muscles like he was preparing for battle and nodded with a grin.
Nikki looked between those in front of her and asked, “I’m very grateful for what you’re all doing to help me, but why would you do this? I’m a stranger that turned her back on the magical world.”
Bee hugged her and replied, “You’re still part of our magical family and we take care of our own. I’ll admit that I’m personally hoping that, when this is all over, you’ll decide to stay and make this your permanent home.”
As Bee and Cassandra led Nikki to collect a few essentials from Styx’s bedroom, Styx leaned toward Devin and whispered, “Just so that it’s perfectly clear, if you hurt one hair on Nikki’s head...” He was interrupted by a nip on his hand and, when he looked down, he nodded and patted the cat. He then looked back up at Devin and continued, “…or a hair on Cupcake’s head you’ll have more than just the curse to worry about.”
Mistyx Sonata (Mistyx Series Book 1) Page 6
