Styx knew they had an even more serious issue than he first thought. Nikki also wasn’t blind to the situation and said, “I know this breaks all rules, but I also know Jackie. We can trust her to keep our secret.”
Jackie shook her head, trying to fight off Devin’s effect, and asked, “Who would believe me even if I were to tell anyone?” Seeing the expressions in everyone’s faces, she quickly added, “…which I would never do.”
Nikki continued to plead her case. “She’s my friend and I could really use her help right now. I’ll take full responsibility for her and any consequences that may happen because of her knowledge.”
Styx said, “I can see how much she means to you and it’s rare for one of our kind to make such a connection to a Human. To have that Humans be able to do what no Human has done before tells me that there’s much more to Jackie than a mere mortal. Since the magic has let her in, I’m forced to consider letting her stay as well. But I think we need the thoughts of someone much wiser than I. Let’s ask Switch.”
Jackie asked, “Who’s Switch?”
Nikki replied, “The magic tree that protects this place.”
Jackie watched in awe as a branch floated down to Styx. After a brief, silent exchange, the branch started to stretch out and, as it grew, it became snake-like. It slithered through the air toward Jackie, who instantly backed away.
Nikki reached out and touched the suspended wood, saying “It’s okay. He’s a friend.”
Watching the wood caress Nikki’s arm affectionately, Jackie nodded nervously and let the branch approach. When Jackie reached out her hand, the smooth wood intertwined between her fingers. Jackie couldn’t stop herself from giggling and said to those around her, “Sorry. It tickles.”
When the wood seemed to find what he was after, he released Jackie and floated back to Styx. After another exchange, the branch returned to its original position. Everyone stared at Styx, waiting for him to say something.
Styx then announced, “Well Switch likes her, but letting her have this knowledge means risking all of us.”
Although Jackie was overwhelmed by the knowledge of this hidden world and she had thousands of questions, she also sensed the urgency in her situation. Now was not the time to show weakness or uncertainty. Instead she sat up straight, reached out to Nikki, and clutched onto her hand. After jumping in shock at the tingling sensation her touch caused, she quickly regrouped and said with every bit of confidence she could project, “Nikki is the most important person in my life and she needs me. I won’t do anything that could risk my best friend’s safety or any of those in her world.”
Nikki was deeply touched by her words and for her quick acceptance of her reality.
Seeing the emotion in Nikki’s eyes and knowing everything she might endure before the curse was finally broken, Styx said to Jackie, “Switch thinks we should trust you, but be warned. There are a lot of dangers in our world for you and many won’t accept your knowledge of us. But I’m forced to put our fate in your hands. Don’t break our trust or I can guarantee that you’ll see the dangers I speak of firsthand.”
Jackie replied humbly, “I understand.”
Nikki thanked Styx and then said, “Jackie and I have a lot to talk about.” Sensing Devin’s need to feed, Nikki added, “Devin and I haven’t stopped in the park yet for him to fully feed, so I need to separate Jackie from him. Do you think it would be safe to take her into the other room so that Devin can return to his table? I promise I won’t let her leave my side and I think it’s a good idea to give Devin some breathing room.”
Styx understood Nikki’s concern and replied, “Sit at the bar where Switch, Grippin, and I can watch over both of you.”
Nikki led Jackie back into the bar. They found a spot at the counter and, after Jackie sat down, she was instantly distracted by the tree based seat attempting to contour itself to match her body. While she argued with the wood for touching her private parts, Devin approached Nikki. He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Keep a close eye on her and, whatever you do, don’t let her go near my table.” He touched Nikki’s cheek to appease the curse and then forced himself to leave the two women behind.
Jackie watched him walk away and teased, “Ouch. That Vampire of yours is as good looking from the back as he is from the front.”
Nikki giggled and said, “I prefer the backside. It doesn’t have fangs.”
Jackie shook her head and said, “I still can’t believe Vampires actually exist.” While looking back at Nikki, she added, “...or Pixie’s. You’re beautiful, by the way. Is this side of you the real secret weapon you have with attracting men?”
Nikki nodded. “When I can’t fully hide who I am, Human men react to the Pixie.”
Jackie asked, while absentmindedly caressing the wood of a branch guarding them, “Is it the same in your magical world?”
“Not completely but, for some ridiculous reason, nature decided to make my kind irresistible to blood-drinker races, such as Vampires. It’s why I had to go into hiding even within the magical world.”
“But we worked together for over six months and I never saw any of this. How in the world did you hide the wings, pointy ears, wine colored eyes, and the fact that you’re blue?”
Nikki explained. “I don’t know my father, but I believe he was a warlock. If true, that makes me part witch. I learned to use the magic inside me to disguise myself. Watch.” Before Jackie’s eyes, Nikki went from Pixie to Human and then back to Pixie. She said, “Right now I can’t seem to hold my disguise for very long. That’s why I haven’t been able to spend more than a couple hours at a time with you. I couldn’t risk my Pixie side popping out unexpectedly. That and I have my Vampire shadow that must be within eye-shot at all times.”
Jackie asked, “But I thought you said Vampires crave your blood? How can you stay so close to him?” After Nikki proceeded to tell her the story of how she and Devin were trapped in a curse, Jackie asked, “And what happens if you’re separated?”
“We both start to panic. And, if I try to ignore it, it becomes excruciatingly painful. It also forces us to touch each other regularly to keep the curse at bay.” Looking over at Devin, she added, “He might be nice to look at, but this has been no dream and I never can forget that he’s Vampire.”
Jackie whispered, “Has he bitten you?”
Nikki nodded and said, “And he still wants to every second that we’re together. Pixie’s are to Vampires as chocolate is to you.”
Hearing more behind her words, Jackie’s smile faded and, after leaning toward Nikki she insisted, “Tell me everything.”
For the next few hours, Nikki shared her story from growing up Pixie, leaving home, and her adventures in the Human world. When she finally got to the part of the curse and her near death experience, Jackie said with tears in her eyes, “I should’ve been there for you.” She pulled Nikki into her arms and hugged her so tightly that Nikki gasped for air and Grippin had to come to her rescue.
To lighten the mood, Nikki took a moment to formally introduce Jackie to Grippin and, when Bee passed by, she also introduced her to Bee. When Jackie learned that Bee was several hundred years old, she exclaimed, “Wow! I want your secret for defying aging. How long have you worked at Mistyx?”
Bee replied, “I’ve lost count, but at least a hundred years.”
Jackie was impressed and said, “I bet you’ve seen a lot of interesting characters walk through the door.”
Bee saw her opening to gossip, so she sat down and instantly started to share funny stories and facts about the wide assortment of creatures that visit the tavern. As the group laughed and got to know each other, Devin and his Vampire clan were getting more and more restless. Having a Human and a Pixie nearby was triggering their need to feed and this thirst needed to be quenched. Sensing the growing urge, Devin decided it was best if he got both Nikki and Jackie out of Vampire striking range.
He walked over to his roommate and, with his fists clenched, said, “I�
�m sorry to interrupt you, but I think it’s time for all of us to leave. We’ll also need to stop for a snack before we go home.”
Nikki knew Devin’s Vampire warning signs well enough now that she instantly replied, “I’ll be ready in two minutes.”
When Devin stepped away, Nikki said to Jackie urgently, “I have to leave and so do you.”
Although Jackie wanted to argue, hearing the seriousness in Nikki’s voice, she nodded and asked, “Do you promise that I’ll get to see your world again and maybe where you and Devin live?”
Nikki nodded and said, “I’ll find a way and, until then, I’ll call you every chance I get.” After a brief pause she added, “And no more secrets. I promise.” She looked to Grippin and then up at Switch and asked, “Will you both escort us out safely?”
Jackie jumped when several branches came down to help her stand. She looked down at the seat she had been sitting on and, patting it, said, “It was very nice sitting with you. When I come back, you’ll be the seat I head for.” When Nikki chuckled, Jackie explained, “I felt obligated to say something to him, since he now knows certain parts of me better than any man does.” With a snicker, she added, “I haven’t been that felt up in years. I can’t wait to come back.”
Jackie turned to her new friends and said, “I thought nothing could top the feeling I had buying my first pair of stilettos, but meeting all of you has been the thrill of my life. I do hope that I’ll see you all again soon, especially that bar seat. I think I’m in love.” While looking over at Styx, she said with complete honesty, “I meant it when I said that your secret is safe with me. I’ll take it to the grave. And Nikki has already warned me not to come back here on my own.”
Styx said, “Don’t take these precautions lightly. The magical world is amazing, but also very dangerous.”
Jackie nodded and said, “I’m not afraid; I’ll take the risk.”
*~*~*~*
Back at the Vampire table, Blade was staring intently at Jackie and, although she was not his normal type, he could feel her strength from across the room. With a smirk, he nodded in approval and hoped that he would get the opportunity to know this unusual Human better in the future.
*~*~*~*
After everyone said their goodbyes, Nikki and Jackie were escorted to the entrance where Devin was waiting. Nikki forced on her Human camouflage and she and Devin walked Jackie to her car.
Just before they left her, Jackie turned toward Devin and said, “As you already know by now, Nikki’s extremely important to me and I won’t let anything happen to her. Knowing that you’re a Vampire doesn’t change that fact. You may have fangs, but I have my shit-kickers, so be warned. These boots may have been made for walking but, if you hurt one hair on Nikki’s head, their spike heels are going to stomp right over your chest.”
Although he admired the strength in her resolve, Devin laughed, looked at Nikki, and asked with amusement, “How in the world did you do it?”
Nikki asked in return, “Do what?”
“Become best friends with the one woman on the planet who’s the Human version of Cupcake—attitude and all.”
Jackie replied, “Cupcake? I love that cat. I’ll take that as a compliment.” She got into her car, blew Nikki a kiss, and then drove off into the night.
As they watched her car disappear, Devin said, “This complicates things.”
Nikki replied, “I know, but I’m not sorry she found out the truth. I need her.”
Devin put his arm around Nikki’s shoulder and said, “Your neck is looking mighty tasty so come on, Pixie. My Human snacks are waiting.”
Chapter 21:
Sunshine and Whiskey
Being able to openly share her life with Jackie lifted a heavy weight off of Nikki’s shoulders. So much so that, after a couple of weeks, the curse eased up another notch. At the warehouse, Devin or Nikki could leave the apartment and walk into the elevator, but couldn’t let the elevator move. In public, they could go to the bathroom on their own without flying out in a panic.
These subtle changes helped Nikki embrace the new chapter in her life a little more each day. Although she still wouldn’t agree to Devin’s regular requests to shower naked together for fear of hurting him again, she didn’t try to hide herself either. To his delight, he was allowed to stand at the entrance of the bathroom and talk to her while she danced under the hot streams. Seeing drops of water trail down her sparkling curves was mesmerizing and he longed to join her and follow every path with his fingertips. But he had reluctantly agreed to stay back until they found a way to control Nikki’s unconscious wing attacks. Thinking it was just a hot water issue, they tried to dance together outside of the shower and, although less intense, they had the same bruise inducing results. It seemed that, since Nikki finally admitted to herself that she was attracted to Devin, there was no way for Devin to pull her body close to him without a wing attacking, except when she was asleep.
If they couldn’t dance or shower together, Nikki tried to find other little ways to have fun with Devin. On one of those nights, Nikki asked Devin if they could stay home for the evening and watch a show together. To get comfortable, she put on a pair of shorts and one of Devin’s button down shirts that she had Kara sew slits into for her wings. She then curled up in an overstuffed recliner with a bowl of popcorn sitting on her lap and a tall glass of orange juice in her hand. From her perch, they watched her favorite series about Vampires.
As the story on the screen played out, Devin felt something bounce off his cheek. He looked down and saw a piece of popcorn lying on his lap and then glanced over at Nikki. She was watching the television intently, so he put the projectile on the coffee table in front of him and went back to the show. When he felt a second ping, he again glanced over at Nikki. This time she couldn’t hide a snicker. He decided to play along and tossed the projectile back at her. She turned to look at him just in time to catch the popcorn in her mouth and then giggled triumphantly.
He motioned for her to throw another and, when he caught one in his mouth, he quickly spit it out, exclaiming “That’s awful! How can you eat that stuff? It’s like chewing on fluffy, tasteless paper.”
She laughed and said, “That’s only because of your messed up taste boobs… I mean buds.” She chuckled at her mistake and then hiccupped, letting off a poof of sparkle. She swatted it away in amusement.
Ignoring his roommate’s odd behavior and, seeing that her glass was empty again, he asked, “I’m going to the kitchen. Although you’ve drank enough orange juice tonight your skin should be orange, would you like me to refill your glass?”
She exclaimed, “That would be down-right delightful, Dashing Devin.” She chuckled at her attempt at word humor.
Although she was acting very silly, he enjoyed hearing her laughter so he wasn’t going to complain. When he stood, he staggered, feeling a little lightheaded, and announced, “That dust of yours is potent tonight.” He then made his way into the kitchen. After he pulled out the orange juice from the refrigerator and started to refill her glass, he caught sight of a half empty bottle of vodka tucked in a corner. He sniffed Nikki’s glass and knew the real reason behind her behavior and his fuzzy thoughts.
He whispered, “That little Pixie is drunk.”
With the bottle of liquor in his hand, he walked back into the living room to confront the guilty party. But when he got there, she was gone. He scanned the room and called, “Come on out, you fermented blueberry, and explain yourself.”
Giggles were her response and then a voice said, “Only if you can catch me.”
She wanted to play and he was game. “You do know that as a hunter, I’m at the top of the nighttime food chain. You can’t hide from me.”
“We’ll see about that, you ground dweller.”
Following the voice, he looked up and found Nikki sitting on a rafter waving back at him with a huge grin. He commanded, “Get down here, before you fall.”
She shook her head and said, “Get ready f
or Pixie power, you big bad wolf. This time the little piggy is going huff and puff and blown you down.” To Devin’s shock, Nikki jumped. As he raced to catch her, her wings spread wide. She blew dust in his face just as she pulled up inches from his body. The sudden tingling shot into him like a bullet and burned like fire. The impact caused him to fall backwards and land on his backside.
As she flew away, Cupcake snickered from her perch on the back of the couch and Devin yelled, “Get back here!” He let out a growl, scrambled to his feet, and raced after his prey, who was now standing on top of the kitchen counter with the bottle of vodka in her hand.
As he approached, he commanded, “Put the bottle down.” Ignoring him, she put the bottle to her mouth. When she hesitated, Devin called on his powers of persuasion and warned, “Don’t you dare.”
She laughed off his attempted use of Vampire magic, gave him a big grin, and downed a large swallow.
He had to hold back his snicker when he watched her face scrunch up in a grimace at the taste of straight alcohol. As she coughed and gasped for breath, he said, “Serves you right. Now give me the bottle. You’ve had enough.”
When he walked forward to take the offending liquid away from her and capture his Pixie, Nikki decided she wasn’t ready to call her fun done. When he reached for her, she tossed him the bottle. While his quick instincts focused on catching the projectile before it crashed to the floor, Nikki took off into the air like a dart, leaving a trail of sparkle.
With a low growl, he accepted the challenge and said, “Let the hunt begin.”
For the next hour, Nikki flew around the apartment. Cupcake watched from the rafters, thrilled to hear genuine laughter from her friend and that Nikki and Devin had somehow managed to form a true friendship.
Nikki’s constant giggling and trail of sparkle made her an easy prey to track. In fact, Devin could have caught her in seconds with his eyes closed, but he was enjoying himself so he continued to let her slip through his fingers. Throughout their battle, she repeatedly dive bombed him with balls of Pixie dust and, with each strike, his head spun a little more and his reaction time slowed. When she flew to the bar and downed a shot from a different bottle, he decided it was time to subdue his prey. He underestimated the effects of the sparkle and, when he actually tried to catch her, she managed to get away on her own skills.
Mistyx Sonata (Mistyx Series Book 1) Page 25
