Cassandra stared into Nikki’s eyes and, seeing her pleading expression, she had no choice. She dropped her magic and let Devin crash to the floor. While Nikki raced back to Devin’s side, Cassandra announced, “I’m sorry as well. The guilt associated with inadvertently trapping Nikki in my magic is eating me up inside. I need to do more to help protect her. With that goal in mind, I’m going to spell this apartment so that no other Vampires can come in here.”
Cupcake jumped into Blade’s arms and clung on, making it clear that he needed to be allowed in. Cassandra replied to the cat’s movements, “Okay, Blade has proven himself. He can come in.” When Cupcake put a paw on Kara’s arm, Cassandra said, “And Kara too.”
When the cat jumped to Skye, Nikki stood tall and said, “We can ask Bo to keep all non-approved Vampires out of the building, but I don’t want you to restrict any of the Vampires that live here. They helped protect me last night and saved me today. I need them.”
Cassandra shook her head and said, “They need to stay away. Being near them puts you in further danger.”
Nikki stood her ground and replied, “No, I think they need to spend more time with me so that they can adjust to being near a Pixie. It’s the only way to allow me to stay here and be safe.” Looking down at Devin, she added, “Devin is fighting his draw to me every minute and needs help. Besides, it was Vampires that helped save my life and I’m willing to put my faith in them to not hurt me. There’s no sign of the curse weakening any time soon, so who knows how long I’ll be trapped here. I don’t need just anybody. I need them. They’re Vampires and know how to help Devin. By helping him remain in control, they protect me as well.” As Nikki scanned the group around her and gave them warm smiles of gratitude, she added to Cassandra, Styx and Grippin, “Don’t worry; we’ll make this work. And, until we return to our normal lives, I could use all the help I can get.”
Devin finally got back onto his feet and, taking a seat at Nikki’s side, he said to Cassandra, “You’re right. I was being stupid putting Nikki in danger like I did and I’m going to take better care of her from this day forward. But Nikki is also right. I can’t leave her side and I crave her blood every second of the day and night. I need help that only my kind can offer.”
After a moment to ponder on the situation, the air cleared of Cassandra’s stinging magic and she gave in. “Fine, I may be crazy, but I’m putting a Pixie’s life completely in the hands of Vampires.” She glared at the group warningly, making the room fill again with her power, and said, “But if any of you make me regret this, your futures are not going to be bright.”
Skye changed the subject by saying to the recovering couple, “I hope you’re hungry.” Pointing at the spread of food, she added, “I’ve never seen this kitchen so well stocked before and I may have gotten carried away.”
Devin and Nikki stayed within arm’s reach. While Blade passed Devin some spicy food, Nikki spotted a fruit salad. Her face lit up and her wings started to flutter, letting off a poof of Pixie dust that covered everyone.
As Nikki apologized, Kara giggled, Skye danced in the falling sparkle, Jett tried to catch the glitter in his mouth, Wolfe jumped back, and Cupcake playfully swatted the cloud from on top of Blade’s head.
Devin looked at the scene and said with a crooked smile, “Welcome to my new normal.”
Chapter 15:
Three Little Birds
After everyone left the apartment and the Vampires said they would be back at midnight to continue the construction efforts, Devin escorted Nikki up to the loft. He had been holding her as much as physically possible all day and found it difficult to even release her hand so that she could dress for bed. While she changed, he paced outside the bathroom, waiting anxiously for her to return. She must have felt the same way because, the moment she stepped back into the bedroom, she instantly pinned herself back at his side.
With all of the chaos of the day, this was the first time they had a chance to talk privately, so he guided her to the bed, sat down next to her, and said with her small hand clutched in his, “I know that there’s no love between our two worlds, but I was truly terrified that I had lost you today.”
Nikki replied, “I told the truth earlier. I had no idea that I was so sensitive to the lack of sunlight.”
“I know. As with every other thing related to this ridiculous curse, none of it has gone as expected. But I don’t want you to worry about a thing, because everything is going to be alright. I’m going to find a way to make sure that each morning when you wake, you’ll rise to the sound of birds singing and with a smile on your face. Although we’re both trapped on this magical ride until it decides to let us off, there was one positive side effect from today.”
“What was that?”
“I know that you’re aware just how difficult it has been for me to resist the draw of your blood. Well, although I still crave it and always will, I think I’ve gained the ability to better control my reaction.”
Nikki didn’t believe him and said, “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
“Actually, I would do about anything to make you feel better about almost dying because of a curse my behavior caused, but I’m telling you the truth. Let me prove it to you.” He adjusted his position so that he was facing Nikki and asked, “Do you trust me?”
She chuckled without humor and replied, “We currently live pinned to each other’s side, so I have no choice but to trust you.”
“Then just stay where you are and don’t move.” He reached over and tilted her head to the side. He leaned in and, after tucking his face into her neck, he took in a lung full of her scent.
Guessing what was coming next, Nikki closed her eyes and squeezed his hand, waiting for the nick.
He pricked her skin with a tip of a fang just enough to cause a drop of blood to appear. He then gave her wound a gentle kiss—no bite. To prove his newfound superpower, he gave her sparkling skin a lick. After another more firm kiss, he leaned back. He announced in a strained voice and while holding his breath, but still in complete control, “I told you. No bite.”
She opened her eyes, reached up, and felt her skin to confirm that his statement was true. She asked, “But how and why?”
After putting a little distance between them just to be safe, he said, “I think that something fundamentally changed the moment I held your cold, limp body. Maybe this curse is finally throwing us a bone.”
Nikki countered, “Or it’s preparing us for a nasty storm to come.” They both sighed, knowing that Nikki’s words were most likely true.
Their discussion was interrupted by Nikki’s phone beeping, informing her that she had received a text. Devin picked up the phone from the night stand and, when he saw that it was from Jackie, he handed it to her and said, “I’m going to attempt to go downstairs for a few minutes so that you two can chat privately, but try to keep it short. Remember you almost died today and, as my newly improved protector role, I want you naked and asleep within the hour.”
Nikki wasn’t in any condition to argue so she nodded. She hated to admit that she liked the idea that someone was watching over her night and day...even if her protector was a blood-sucking Vampire that was obsessed with seeing all of her spots.
Devin glanced up at Cupcake, who was perched on a rafter directly above them and said, “I’ll look to you to keep your eyes on her like a hawk and make sure she stays calm. And if she forgets, I want you to swoop down to give her a not-so-gentle reminder.” Cupcake nodded and then took a guard position, glaring down at Nikki as if waiting for an alarm to go off.
Nikki acknowledged them both with an, “Okay, don’t worry. There’s no need for an attack cat-bird. I heard you.” She glared at Devin and added, “But me and all my spots will remain hidden under pajamas.”
After Devin left with an expression of disappointment, Nikki read the text on her phone that said, “You still alive?”
She pressed speed dial for Jackie and, when she answered, Nikki said, �
�Yes, I’m still alive.” Nikki’s stomach turned when she thought about how different the answer to that question would have been if it wasn’t for the rescue.
“When you didn’t text me last night I got worried.”
“I was really under the weather, but I’m feeling much better now.”
“I was actually hoping that you were being nursed by the chicken soup guy. Will I see you at work tomorrow?”
Nikki paused to think about how to answer her. At this point she knew that the curse was nowhere near broken, which meant that she was going to have to say goodbye to yet another attempt at a Human life. But this time, instead of disappearing silently into the night without saying a word to anyone, she wanted to say goodbye to her friend face to face. She looked down at her own hands and called on the magic to attempt to put on her Human camouflage. When she saw almost Human fingers, she said, “I think I need a few more days to rest, but I do want to see you. Today is Monday. How about we get together on Wednesday night? That gives me two days to get my strength back. We could meet for dinner...my treat. There’s something I need to discuss with you anyway.”
“Dinner on you? Sounds ominous. Anything I should be concerned about?”
Nikki had to take another quiet moment to hold back the sudden rush of emotion welling inside her. She took in a deep breath and said, sounding as happy as she could, “I don’t want to discuss it on the phone. We’ll talk on Wednesday.”
The sadness was painfully obvious in her friend’s voice, so Jackie knew that this dinner wasn’t a celebration for recovering from the flu. But she decided that now wasn’t the time to press for details so she replied, “Okay. Where and when?”
Nikki suggested, “You and I have always wanted to give the Roast House on the bay a try. How about meeting there at 8:00?”
Knowing this was an expensive restaurant, Jackie replied, “Wow. You must have something big to announce. I’ll expect full disclosure.”
Nikki replied, “I’ll tell you everything when I see you.”
Sensing Nikki’s emotions, Cupcake jumped down and joined her. The cat nuzzled against the hand holding the phone, informing her it was time to hang up. Nikki took the hint and, after they said their goodbyes, she curled up with her furry friend.
Nikki desperately wanted to confess everything to Jackie and hated the idea that she was going to have to lie to her friend. But to protect her, she had to keep her in the dark as to the realities of who she was and her situation. If lying wasn’t enough, she also needed Devin at her side while she did it since she could hardly go to the bathroom without him. She currently didn’t have the mental energy to discuss it with him so, scratching Cupcake under the chin, she said, “I’ll talk to Devin in the morning. Sorry, but it looks like our lives are going to take yet another turn. I can find a new town and job, but I know I’ll never find a new Jackie. I’m really going to miss her. I’m sorry that you’re stuck with someone so messed up, but I couldn’t do this without you.”
Cupcake crawled onto Nikki’s chest and snuggled in as if giving her a hug. The act was graciously accepted. Scratching her between the ears, Nikki whispered, “Don’t worry about me so much. When lying in the sun today, I saw three little birds and they told me that everything is going to be alright.”
Seeing the lingering doubt in Nikki’s expression, Cupcake knew that her words were said more to convince herself. Even with Nikki’s fears of tomorrow swirling through her mind, Cupcake’s purring caused Nikki’s body to quickly give out and they both were fast asleep within minutes.
After checking on and touching Nikki, Devin went into the kitchen and made himself a strong Bloody Mary. His need to touch his roommate forced him to peek in on her regularly and he was thrilled to, once again, hear her unique bird night sounds. At each check, he was mesmerized by how, even while sleeping, her expression instantly relaxed the moment he touched her skin. Although with each check he was now able to scratch Cupcake without her drawing his blood, she gave him a glare that informed him he was still under close scrutiny.
Devin returned downstairs when he heard voices and found the first of the construction crew arriving. When Cassandra arrived, Devin said, “Nikki’s asleep upstairs. Is there a spell you can do to hide the noise so that we don’t wake her?”
Cassandra liked hearing her godson’s genuine concern for his houseguest. She replied, “I think I can come up with something that might work.” While she headed up the stairs, everyone else arrived and gathered in the living room. Once Cassandra rejoined them and announced that Nikki was in a sound bubble, the construction effort went into high gear.
Hours later when the sun was almost up and everyone left to go to bed, Cassandra came down from the loft and met Devin at the base of the stairs. She said, “I lifted the bubble spell. I’m going down to my apartment and crawl into bed. Call me if you need me.” She gave him an affectionate kiss on the cheek.
Devin then went upstairs and, although he longed to crawl in under the covers to hold Nikki, he had a different surprise for her. He scooped her up into his arms.
When she woke, she asked, “May I ask where you’re taking me?”
“You’ll see.” He then carried her to the platform that they had converted into a sky box and laid her down in a make-shift bed. He said, “The room isn’t done, but it should suffice for now.” He handed her a remote and said, “Press it.”
After she clicked a button, she jumped when a panel above her moved, revealing a sky just starting to glow with an oncoming sunrise. He said, “I’m heading to bed and I expect you to spend as much time as possible up here.” He handed her a cell phone and added, “I’ll text you when I’m getting up so that you can close the panel. If you need me before then, you know where to find me.” As he turned to leave, he teased, “I’ll be the one sleeping naked in our bed so, if you feel the need to touch, just crawl on in. A wide variety of body parts will be happily waiting. And don’t worry. I’ll also have sunglasses ready so that I’m not blinded by your spots.”
The box filled with Nikki’s giggles and then she said, “I’ll keep that in mind.” As Devin was crawling out, she called, “I’ve decided that I’m going to give up my Human life for now. I’m going to quit my job and announce that I’m leaving town. I want to tell Jackie face to face and I told her that I’d meet her for dinner on Wednesday night. Not that I can go anywhere without you, but would you take me?”
“What about your camouflage? Is it working again?”
When the Pixie became part Human, she said, “I’m almost there. I should be fine in a few days.”
He replied, “Assuming you can fully transform, I’ll take you. Where are we meeting her?”
“I picked a restaurant on the bay. It has an outdoor section so the Human scent will be less troublesome for you and you can get yourself a steak that’s good and bloody.” She cringed at the thought. When she caught sight of the tell-tale points of his fangs, she asked, “Can you hide your nature from her and the others in the restaurant?”
He nodded and said, “I have my own form of camouflage and I’m very good at hiding among Humans for short periods of time in order to feed. How will you explain my presence? Will I be your play thing?” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
Nikki chuckled at his expression and said, “I’m not laughing at the idea of you being my sex toy. It’s just you haven’t met Jackie yet. If I claim you as mine, I guarantee that you’ll be interrogated until she knows your every secret. Actually, try not to talk too much. She has an uncanny ability to read voices. I was thinking that I would say that my car died. You could be a neighbor that volunteered to drive me in exchange for a free meal.”
Sensing her inner pain, he asked, “Are you sure you want to say goodbye to her?”
“Honestly no, but I don’t see any other way. She’s a bloodhound and, if she thinks I’m in danger, she’ll find me no matter where I hide. I can’t put her in the middle of this. Even you said it would be risking her life.”
Seeing the sky quickly getting brighter, he said, “We can talk more later. For now, enjoy frying yourself under the sun.” This time he shivered at the thought.
Nikki said, “One more thing, I should warn you about Jackie. When she sees you and thinks you’re available, you’ll be an open target. You think you’re a professional flirt, you haven’t seen anything until you see Jackie in action. She’s lethal.”
“Hmmm. A challenge. This night out is getting more interesting by the minute. But don’t worry. I can handle a Human.”
“We’ll see about that. Just remember I warned you.”
As Devin waved off her concerns and then headed down the stairs, Nikki looked down at Cupcake and said, “I guess he’ll learn the hard way.” Cupcake snickered and wished she could come along to watch.
Once Devin crawled completely under the covers and hugged Nikki’s sparkle covered pillow, his Vampire ears allowed him to hear Nikki’s form of a purr as her body was touched by the morning sunlight.
*~*~*~*
Just after lunch, Nikki received a text from Devin. She pointed the remote toward the skybox and, after she closed the panel, she flittered to the loft and said, “It’s all clear. You can come out now.”
Devin emerged from under the covers and Nikki shrieked. As he walked past her buck naked, he said, “I think I’m going to start calling you my little firefly.”
When she looked down, to her dismay, she found her body giving off a steady glow from bright blue polka dots.
*~*~*~*
For the rest of the day and the next, they repeated the same routine. Nikki sun baked as much as feasibly possible during the day and the construction crew worked throughout the night until the skybox was completed. Early Wednesday morning Nikki called her boss, Susan, to inform her that she wasn’t coming back. They talked for a long time and Nikki made sure that she left on good terms. She was still hoping that somehow this would all blow over and she would be asking for her job back.
Mistyx Sonata (Mistyx Series Book 1) Page 18
