Mistyx Sonata (Mistyx Series Book 1)

by Paulette Miller

  Devin thought it was a great idea and asked, “What would the ladies like?”

  After Nikki declined, Jackie overrode her answer and replied, “Surprise us both. Just make sure that nothing warm and red is in it.” She then turned to Blade and said, “While Devin’s busy, would you show me how to use this remote to turn on some music?”

  Blade stood and, after a quick lesson, the room filled with song. Jackie grabbed Blade’s hand and said, “Come show me your dance moves, Count Dracula. Just keep those fangs of yours retracted.”

  Blade replied, “Well that takes some of the fun out of it, but what about my roaming hands?” He gave her a wink.

  She snickered at his expression and replied, “Just keep it PG-13.” After giving him a devilish smile, she added, “…for now.”

  As they took to the floor, Blade said, “I should warn you. I may not get to see blood from your neck, but I might from your feet. I’m not much of a dancer.”

  To his surprise, she exclaimed, “Excellent! I love a challenge.” She quickly added as a tease, “I’ll be your teacher and you can work on becoming teacher’s pet.”

  Blade found her over the top personality very attractive—almost addictive. He lifted her hand to his mouth and replied, “I put myself in your very capable and lovely hands, Human.” He then gave her knuckles a gentle kiss.

  By the time Devin returned with the drinks, Jackie had Blade dancing around the room with her feet quickly learning to stay out of his way. Devin handed Nikki a martini glass full of a glowing, sky blue, milky liquid. Devin explained, “At first I was going to make you your favorite drink—a Rose Absinthe, but then I realized that I don’t know how to make it. I’ll need to have Styx teach me. So, I decided to make a drink I designed just for you.” When Cupcake sniffed it and then stared at the content, unsure whether to trust it or not, he added, “It’s safe. I named it a Blue Nikki. It’s you...very sweet, silky smooth, and glows blue in the dark. And, by the way, very light on alcohol.”

  Cupcake relaxed and Nikki took a sip, smiling appreciatively.

  When Jackie and Blade spotted their drinks waiting for them, they rejoined their hosts and Blade quickly downed his regular choice—a double of Jack. Devin handed Jackie a glass full of a deep red liquid.

  She stared into it and asked, “No blood, right?”

  Devin chuckled and said, “No blood, but it does have a kick of heat that might make you feverish.”

  Intrigued, she took a sip. After swallowing it down, she coughed, fanned her mouth, and said with her words choppy, “Wow! This... packs a... punch. What is it?”

  Devin replied, “It’s called Dragon’s Breath, but I’ve added a little of my own flare.”

  After the burn had started to dissipate a little, she exclaimed, “I love it! I can feel the heat spreading to my fingertips.” She turned to Blade, offered her glass to him, and asked, “Want to light your fire?”

  He scanned her curves and replied teasingly, “I think mine is already lit, but I’ll give it a try.” He downed a swallow and, nodding approvingly, said, “That does offer a nice lingering burn.” After putting down the glass, he pulled his teacher back into the center of the room and added, “But let’s go back to burning up the dance floor.”

  As Jackie continued to help Blade energetically dance to fast-paced music, Devin stayed at Nikki’s side. Listening to Jackie laugh loud and move without a care that she was in the arms of an extremely lethal killer, Devin asked Nikki, “Why are you and Jackie such good friends? You two are so different.”

  “I think that’s why I like her so much. She’s your ideal woman and everything I wish I could be...strong, independent, confident, and able to embrace herself completely—faults and all. She also accepts others the same way right up until they cross her. You don’t want to get on her bad side. She may be Human, but she has an inner strength that’s unmatched.”

  Devin said with a hint of pride in Nikki’s friend, “What she had to go through to get into this building is proof of that.”

  “I know and I love her for it.”

  As Devin scrutinized Jackie’s appearance, he said, “I agree that someone that looks like Jackie may have been my type in the past, but I think I now prefer short, purple winged, bird calling, flying confetti machines instead.” When he looked into Nikki’s eyes, he added, “By the way, you’re perfect just the way you are.”

  Before she could respond to his unexpected compliment, Jackie called from across the room, “Hey you two couch potatoes. Get off your butts and come dance with us.”

  Devin secretly wanted an excuse to have Nikki in his arms. He stood and, as he swayed to the music, he said, “Come dance with me; make me sway.”

  Nikki stared at his extended hand, shook her head, and said, “I’m still a little lightheaded from the hot tub, so I’m going to sit this out. Go join them. Jackie can dance enough for both of us.”

  Blade stepped to the side and said to Devin, “You can take my place to give Jackie’s poor squished feet a rest. I’ll go refill my drink.”

  After a little more encouragement from Nikki, Devin took to the floor. By the time Blade returned, the dancers were moving together like they had been partners for years. After a couple of dances, Blade warned, “Look out, Human. Here I come. Warn the feet.”

  Devin stood to the side and noticed Nikki watching the dancers with longing in her eyes, so he approached her again and said in his most charming voice, “Please give me at least one dance.” When she remained unmoved, he added, “Others may be on the floor, but my eyes will be locked on only you.”

  She shook her head and said exactly what was on her mind, “Does the word shower and the colors black and blue mean anything to you? And I’m not referring to my hair. And the last time we tried to dance outside the shower, the results weren’t much better.”

  He replied honestly, “But only you have the magic technique that, when we dance together, makes me go weak in the knees.”

  “You only go weak, because one of my wing’s left hook knocked you senseless.”

  Devin pleaded, “Come on. Let’s give it another try, Pixie.”

  When Jackie and Blade joined Devin in offering their encouragements, Nikki grabbed onto the seat cushion. As she clung on prepared to fight, she said, “Devin’s bruises are finally gone from our last dance and none of you are wearing body armor. Everyone is much safer if my butt and temperamental wings stay right where they are.” Seeing the expression on Jackie’s face, Nikki knew that saying ‘No’ just fueled her determination.

  Her fearless friend decided to take charge of the situation and said, “Devin, put on some slower and more sultry music.”

  As Devin did as requested, Jackie knelt in front of Nikki and gently attempted to release her death grip on the couch. Seeing real fear growing in her friend’s eyes, Jackie said, “I know what you’re afraid of, but don’t worry. Just like in my class, we’ll break it down and take it slow. As the Human Nikki, you and I have taken the floor together, so I know that you can dance.”

  “It isn’t the dancing. It’s my wings.”

  “Your wings are gorgeous and, like any other muscle in the body, they just need to be trained to do what you want them to do.” As the marimba rhythms started to play, she added, “Hold him close to you and I’ll have you both swaying slow like lazy ocean waves.”

  “But when I’m close to Devin that way, my wings go nuts. And I’m not a lazy ocean. I’m a tsunami, destroying everything in my path. I don’t want to hurt him or anyone else.”

  Jackie rolled her eyes and replied, “He’ll be fine. He’s a Vampire, for goodness sake. I think he can handle dancing with a Pixie.”

  Nikki knew arguing was doing her no good and Jackie wasn’t going to believe her until she saw it for herself. She stopped fighting her friend and let go of the cushion. But as she entered the dance floor, she warned, “I have a one bruise limit so, the moment I see blue or purple on anyone’s skin other than mine, I’m done.”

/>   Cupcake jumped into Blade’s arms to watch as Jackie guided Nikki into Devin’s waiting arms.

  Their dancing started out stiff and overly cautious, like a young couple at a junior high dance. Then, as soon as Nikki began to relax into the moves, her wings joined in. After Devin swerved to avoid several swipes of silk, Nikki jumped back and exclaimed, “That’s it! I told you it wouldn’t work.” She walked off frustrated and embarrassed.

  Jackie called, “Blade, stop her and bring her back here.” In a flash of speed, Blade grabbed Nikki around the waist. As he carried her back to the floor, he whispered, “So, you were the one that’s beating Devin up?”

  Nikki was shocked that Devin kept her secret and had never told Blade about her wing attacks. She replied, “And I’m trying to prevent it from happening again. Why don’t you just let me go?”

  Blade tightened his hold and said, “No chance, Blueberry. You’ll fly up to the rafters again and it would also make me lose my opportunity to be teacher’s pet. Besides, your punching bag—I mean dance partner—is waiting for you.”

  Once Blade plopped her in front of Devin, Jackie said to Nikki, “No one was hit yet so you can’t quit on me. Actually I have a thought, but I need to see you dance with Devin again.” She nudged Nikki closer to her dancing partner and, after watching them dance through another song, which yielded an even stronger reaction from her wings, Jackie announced, “I think I know the issue.”

  Nikki backed away from Devin and replied, “Yeah, I’m a walking disaster movie.”

  Jackie shook her head and said, “The problem isn’t with you or your wings. It’s with your dance partner.” She turned to the one in question and said, “You’re an exceptional dancer, but you’re trying to dance with Nikki like you would dance with me.”

  Devin’s eyes opened wide and asked, “How else would I dance?”

  Jackie replied, “Instead of avoiding her wings, you need to include them. I’m the farthest thing from an expert on Pixies, but I know a thing or two about body movement. Her wings aren’t like a piece of jewelry that’s admired, but otherwise ignored. I played earlier with that beautiful silk when we were up in the loft and found that they’re a living part of her. They seem to have a personality all of their own. Instead of avoiding them, try integrating them in like an extra pair of arms and hands. Maybe if they’re included, they’ll be less likely to flitter about and whack you for attention. Step aside for a moment and let me confirm my theory.”

  Jackie downed another swallow of her drink, instantly scrunching up her face and stamping a foot until the burn subsided. When she could breathe again, she let out a “Whoa! That’ll put hair on your chest.”

  Once Jackie and Nikki were standing alone in the middle of the floor and a slow, sultry song started, Jackie said, “First, let’s start our ‘Dancing with Nikki’ lesson by taking the floor with me like we do when we go out. I want to watch your wings move when no one is near them.” To help encourage her, Jackie started to dance first.

  Nikki locked her eyes on Jackie’s to give herself courage and then joined in. It didn’t take long for Nikki to drop her guard and give in to the rhythm. As she closed her eyes and swayed to the music, her wings spread and began to twist around her body. The silk moved in waves as if they were floating in water and, as they flowed through the air, they left trails of sparkle in their wake.

  As Nikki added soft sounds to the mix, Jackie stepped to the side so that she could observe. At the same time, Blade walked over to Devin and said, “And I thought seeing a naked Pixie jumping through the rafters was a sight worth you trying to beat the shit out of me.”

  Devin replied, never letting his eyes leave Nikki’s figure, “Now imagine this dance scene in a shower with hot water dripping down those curves.”

  As the images appeared in both of their minds, the Vampires stared at Nikki and got matching crooked smiles on their faces.

  Jackie walked over to Devin and whispered, “Watch how her wings caress the air. I was so wrong. Those aren’t the moves of an ordinary appendage like an arm.” She reached out toward Nikki and added, “Do you feel the heat they’re generating? Those beauties are sensual creatures. When she dances, they become the visual expression of the passions that are hidden within her. When she’s in your arms, you need to start treating them as such.”

  Devin nodded numbly, completely mesmerized by the sight and sounds.

  When the song ended, Jackie approached Nikki and, once she had her friend out of her almost trance-like state, she said, “Now, dance with me. I’ll lead.”

  Nikki asked, “Do I have a choice?”

  “No,” Jackie replied, daring Nikki to challenge her.

  Jackie pulled Nikki into her arms and the Vampires watched as the women began to slow dance together.

  As they moved, Blade leaned toward Devin and said, “Damn. Just when I thought that the show couldn’t get any better.” He let off a low, predatory snarl.

  Once Nikki started to relax into the dance again, her wings began to flitter as if they were unsure what to do with their new dancing partner. But as soon as a wing moved, Jackie reached out and gently combed the silk through her fingers. The wing’s movement calmed and it curled into her touch. She continued her approach and, by the time the next song ended, she and Nikki were dancing without the tornado emerging.

  Jackie explained to both Nikki and those watching, “It’s challenging...like dancing with two people at once.” She looked pointedly at Devin and said, “Are you ready to give it a try again?”

  It took a moment for the men’s minds to return enough to respond. Although they were thoroughly enjoying watching the women twist, turn, and caress each other, Devin stepped forward and said somewhat breathily, “Teach me what to do.”

  As Devin approached, Jackie whispered in his ear, “This time when you dance with her, touch her wings like you would touch a lover.”

  Devin took Nikki back into his arms and he followed Jackie’s every instruction without hesitation but, when Nikki found herself making gentle purring noises as she wiggled into Devin’s touch, she unexpectedly broke away.

  Jackie asked, “What’s wrong? You were both just getting the swing of it and you seemed to be really enjoying yourself. Your auras were pulsing.”

  Her spots and the feelings she was projecting televised her newest condition, so Devin knew exactly what state his touch had put her into. He answered for Nikki. “Lack of enjoyment wasn’t the issue.”

  As both her spots and cheeks glowed brightly, Nikki fanned herself and explained, “As you’ve already discovered, Pixie wings are hyper-sensitive so only those that we trust and care for dearly would be allowed to touch them so intimately. And when Devin touches my wings the way he was, it makes me...” Her voice trailed off, but finishing her statement wasn’t necessary. The deep purr sound she inadvertently made told them all what they needed to know.

  Jackie waved off her concern and said, “So he makes you horny. That just proves that all of your girly parts are working. And if you paid attention, you would have noticed that he was definitely televising that he was thoroughly enjoying himself as well.” Seeing Nikki’s continued resistance, she added, “I’m not one to hide the way I feel so, if it makes you feel any better, I’ll admit that the spiky haired blood sucker standing behind me really trips my trigger. If I had mood ring spots, they would be flashing like strobe lights, telling the world that I’d pounce him in a heartbeat.” While a big grin lit on Blade’s face, Jackie pushed Nikki back toward Devin and said, “Now let’s get back to your lesson.”

  Devin pulled Nikki back into his arms and added, “And you can glow and purr all you want. Trust me. I definitely don’t mind.”

  Nikki finally gave in and, with her body aglow and the room filled with a chorus of gentle sensual sounds, she and Devin danced. Although her wings had to remind him a couple of times to pay more attention to all of her, he was dedicated to getting an ‘A’ on the lesson.

  As they moved toge
ther, Nikki became bolder. While rubbing her hands on his chest, she asked, “My body heat makes my reaction to you obvious, but does my touch light your fire?”

  Devin nodded and, after wrapping her arms around his waist, he said, “When I put my arms around you, I get a fever that’s almost hard to bear. The other night when you kissed me…” He shivered and said, “The heat grew so molten hot that I’m actually shocked I didn’t burst into flames. If you like, I can take my pants off and prove it.”

  When he started to undo his belt, Nikki grabbed his hands to stop him and said with a chuckle, “I believe you.” She knew they could never indulge again but, not to ruin the moment, she added, “But hold that thought for another place and time. For now, let’s just dance.”

  Devin replied, “You have a deal,” and spun her around.

  As Jackie stepped back and admired her handiwork, arms wrapped around her waist from behind. Blade pulled her against his chest and said, “You’re one amazing Human and I hope you’re glowing bright inside, because I could light up the city.”

  Jackie leaned back against his chest, hugged his arms tighter around her, and whispered more seriously, “I know I barely know you and I should be running away in terror, but you’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met. Your aura calls to me. I may be a habitual flirt with outstanding fashion sense, but I really would like to get to know you better. That is, assuming you’re interested and willing to spend time with your food source without your fangs being involved?”

  He kissed her neck gently without a bite to show her and himself that he was able to control his own urges. He then said, “My answer is definitely yes.”

  She smiled and said, staring at the dancing couple, “Let’s get back out on the floor. I’ll even let you lead this time.”

  “I think I would like it better if you were in charge. I’m forever teacher’s pet.”

  As a compromise, Jackie countered, “We’ll take turns, but I get to be in charge first.” She swayed in his arms and then twirled. Once they were again face to face, they started to slow dance.