Witch Upon a Star (A Midnight Magic Mystery) by Jennifer Harlow

quite a few were half a base from rounding home or gang fanging near comatose half-naked models on the sofas or against the walls. One couple engaged in both. It was as if Caligula were the party planner. Asher pulled me closer to his side. “We can leave,” he whispered.
    I’d wanted this. This was his world. My world now. “No. Let’s mingle.”
    Asher ushered me toward the buffet. I picked at the crab puffs as Asher poured me a glass of water. As I stuffed my face, I noticed Minnie and George whispering and stealing glances at me from the only non-X-rated loveseat. I flashed them a smile, and Minnie blew me a kiss. Asher handed me the goblet as he glared at the pair. He was too busy with his ire to notice the glam rocker wannabe approach. “It is you! Asher! I had heard you had finally returned to the land of the undead. We all missed you!”
    “Tobias! It has been far too long!”
    The men began catching up, and I was all but forgotten past the intro. As they covered a hundred years of the past, I stood like a lump shoveling appetizers into my mouth. At some point around the 1930s, our hostess meandered over, body bopping in time to the Rolling Stones playing on the record player. She filled her wine glass to the brim, then as she reached for a crab puff, accidently tipped her goblet on Asher.
    “Bloody hell! I’m so sorry!”
    “It is fine,” Asher said as we all grabbed napkins to wipe his shirt.
    “That’s going to stain. Let me show you to the loo to wash it out,” Minnie suggested.
    “Very well. Anna?”
    I took a step to follow, but Minnie said, “Oh, come on, Ashy. She’ll be fine, ticky mo. She’s among friends. Come on.”
    “Stay here,” Asher ordered before he walked away.
    The glammer Tobias and I exchanged an uncomfortable half smile. “So, how long have you and Asher been together?” he asked, not hiding his apathy.
    “Almost a year.”
    “Fascinating,” Tobias muttered as his eyes scanned behind me. “Oh. Please excuse me. I must say hello to someone.” And he walked away as fast as his glittering platform boots would allow. What a wonderful party.
    After one more crab puff, I decided to wait for my date in an empty corner. Keep my back against the wall. I barely made it a step before George flanked me. Quite quick on his feet for a man with a limp. “Now, this is a crime against nature.”
    “What is?” I asked.
    “ A beauty such as yourself should never be left alone. Not for one moment. You should be worshiped and adored every second of every day. Asher should be whipped.”
    “He’ll be right back.”
    “Oh, perhaps he would also enjoy meeting David.”
    “Who’s David?”
    “Bowie. He is in the sitting room holding court.”
    My eyes bugged out of my head. Bowie? The David Bowie? “I-I-I love him! I have all his records!”
    “Then I shall introduce you.” George held out his arm like a gentleman. “Shall we?”
    We found Bowie in full Ziggy make-up costume sitting on the sofa, vampires and companions three deep around him as he regaled them with tales of antics in the recording studio. It took all my resolve not to fall on my knees and gush like a groupie at the sight of him. “David,” George said when we were mere inches from the legend, “I bring you another adoring disciple. May I present Anna …”
    “Asher,” I finished. He held out his hand, and I actually shook it. I actually touched David Bowie. The memory still brings a smile to my face. “This is beyond an honor, sir.”
    My new escort glared at the couple to Bowie’s left, and they immediately rose to give us their coveted spots. I spent the next hour holding a conversation, an actual back and forth conversation, with a legend about music and about his life on the road. He was funny too. Wonderful man. About ten minutes in, Asher appeared through the door, scanning the room with concern. I flashed him a smile, which he reciprocated. Lord Richard tapped his shoulder, and, convinced I was safe,