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

they left once more. I was on such a high I barely cared about George’s occasional caress of my hand or odd leer inside my dress’s slit, complete with seductive grin when I glanced his way. I also chose to ignore the gentleman in the corner who stared at me for a full minute before wandering off, only to return every five minutes to repeat the behavior. That is the power of Bowie.
    Eventually some man came behind and whispered in the star’s ear that it was time to leave. I almost swooned when the rocker hugged me before departing. It remains a highlight of my life. “He was so nice!” I said to George as we rose from the sofa as well.
    “Yes. And he enjoyed you as well, pet,” he replied.
    “Really? You think so? I was so nervous. I’ve never met a famous person before.”
    “You wound me,” George said with a pout.
    “I’m sorry. Why?”
    George chuckled. “‘She walks in beauty, like the night, of cloud less climes and starry skies, and all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes.’ I may as well have written it with you in mind, pet.”
    “I don’t …”
    Not sure why he was quoting Lord Byron, I peered at the strange man, but as his grin grew it slowly dawned upon me. When my jaw literally dropped, he chuckled again. “It is nice to know they still teach the classics to impressionable young minds.”
    “You’re not …”
    He held his finger to his mouth to shush me. “Dare not speak it, pet. The walls have ears. I could be lashed simply for telling you. Though I do enjoy a good whipping on occasion.” His eyes moved to the slit in my dress again. “Especially if one as beautiful as you were touting the whip.” A flush crept from my chest to my face, which pleased Lord Byron to no end. “But pet, you are blushing like a virgin bride. Surely your Asher has indoctrinated you into the pleasures of the flesh.”
    “A lady never speaks of such things,” I said as instructed.
    Byron’s brown eyes narrowed. After several seconds of uncomfortable silence he said, “You know it is a gift of mine, spotting virgins. I had it even before my turn. You are as pure as you look pet. I could stake my soul on it.” He moved in closer. Too close. Closer than Asher had ever dared get. I could barely breathe. “Well, if your consort is not willing to relieve you of your burden, may I offer my assistance?”
    “I am not a virgin,” I protested far too harshly.
    “Pet, you must learn to lie better if you wish to survive among us monsters,” he chuckled. “But do not fret, your secret is safe with me. For a price.”
    My stomach knotted three times. “What?”
    “A kiss.”
    “No. I need to find Asher. Excuse me.” I tried to move, but he grabbed my arm. Hard. “Get your hand off me,” I ordered, my heart beating out of my chest in fright. I’d never felt so young, at least not since Sven’s clients snuck into my room, and there was nothing I could do to stop what came next. I wanted to shriek for help, but knew if I did it’d just prove Asher right. That I couldn’t survive in his world. He’d disappear every night, he’d find someone else, and he’d … no. “Please let me go. Plea—”
    “Would you care to dance?”
    Thank the universe for that man. I spun around to find the staring man who stood in the corner staring during Bowie time, stepping beside me. He was even more handsome up close, with Mediterranean skin and wide-set dark brown eyes the same color as his long wavy hair, but with a scar that cut through his eyebrow and cheek. This imperfection did nothing to mar his beauty, if anything it added to his roguish air. He didn’t wait for my response, he just took my arm and guided me away.
    “Pardon me, but we were in the middle of—” Byron called.
    “And now it is concluded,” my rescuer called back in French.
    The rogue led me out into the hallway where a man and woman were having sex on an end table, which garnered a disgusted scowl from my