The Calling (45 page)

“Your favorite DJ is on tonight.”

“Pixie Cool?” She loved Fairy Techno and PC was the best.

“Yep. It’ll be fun. Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet a guy.”

Marion shook her head. “I don’t want to meet a guy.”

“You can’t be celibate forever.”

Marion flushed. “I think you’re oversexed.”

Raven laughed. ”You say that like it’s a bad thing. Oh come on, Mar. Come dancing with me. It’ll be fun. We haven’t been out in forever.”

Marion sighed and weighed her options: Spend an evening alone at home trying to figure out where she kept going wrong with the love potion, or go blow off some steam on the dance floor? Considering she didn’t have another potion pot, it really wasn’t much of a choice. “Okay, I’ll go.”

Raven squealed in excitement. “Cool! I’m going to get dressed. We leave in an hour.”

“Yes ma’am.” She saluted her roommate, but Raven had already left.

Raven’s radio blared music through the apartment, shaking the walls with an infectious rhythm. Marion winced hoping the neighbors wouldn’t complain, and then shook off her worries with a shimmy of her hips. Humming under her breath, she went through her closet looking for something too-big to wear.

Chapter Two

Aidan scanned the club trying to keep a pleasant smile on his face. It was an effort-- as he’d never been more angry-- but anger was the not the solution. If he gave into his rage the Queen would never let him back into Fairy. The terms of her curse had been clear: Until he pleased a woman less than perfect, the gates of Fairy were closed to him.

To make it more difficult, she confined his hunt to this night club packed with perfect people. Aidan looked over the crowd once again, assessing the pickings, and sighed. Not a single diamond in the rough to be found.

McAllister materialized next to him with a chuckle. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, my friend.”

Aidan snorted and glared at the pixie. “Where have you been?”

“I stayed to get the latest gossip from court.”

Aidan rolled his eyes and took a sip of his mead beer. Pixies couldn’t resist gossip and McAllister, with his pink fluffy wings, was all pixie, even if he did have the face of a troll. A fact no one mentioned unless they were looking for a fight.

McAllister’s wings twitched in annoyance. “Don’t act like you don’t care, you sod-ass. You want to know what they’re saying.”

“Then tell me.”

“Well, you went wrong with the whole moon thing. No woman wants her ass compared to not one, but two full moons. I think that was what put you over the edge.”

Aidan felt a flush rise in his cheeks. “I meant it to be a compliment.”

“Which is why your fecking head is still attached to your neck. The Lady knew your intent was good, but a lesson was in order just the same.”

“Well, now what? Everyone here is fair. There are none so ugly as to fulfill her requirements.”

“Make the best of it and hope you get lucky,” McAllister said as he flexed his wings, preparing to take off.

“Where are you going?”

McAllister paused. “I’m going to look for a good seat so I can observe.”

“Ahh, I see. You’ll be reporting back to the Queen.”

“Yes, my friend. I’ve been chosen as the executor of this task.” And with that, McAllister flitted off, leaving Aidan to fend for himself.

Aidan downed the last of his mead and made his way to the dance floor. At least the music was good, the same stuff they played at Court. He allowed himself a few dances just to release his pent-up frustration, scanning through the crowd for a potential partner. The shadows from the erratic pulses of strobe lights sometimes gave the illusion of a less-than-pretty face or figure. Once or twice, he thought he might have found someone only to learn, upon closer inspection, they would not qualify.

But then he became aware of the woman next to him dancing like she was possessed, and, once he caught sight of her, he was riveted. Not by her beauty, for her loose hair hid her face. Nor was it her figure that captured his attention for her floor-length skirt topped with a too-big, long-sleeved shirt made it impossible to determine if she was of good form or not. No, it wasn’t her physical appearance at all that demanded his attention, it was the frantic desperation of her movements that called to him. Something was trapped in this woman, fighting to get out, and he found the progression of the battle fascinating.

* * *

Marion grooved in the center of the dance floor and let the music carry her away. She was no longer a failing Potions student or even human; she was music. The bass throbbed through her body while the melody rushed through her veins. All that mattered was moving in time with the music.

Raven nudged Marion. “Don’t look, but someone’s watching you.”

Marion went still. “Where?”

“Behind you. He’s cute. Although I don’t get what he sees in your hobo-purdah look.” Raven did a little spin combined with a hip thrust. “Come on, dance. Try to pretend you’re not a walking fashion disaster.”

Marion shook her head, spooked. People didn’t stare at her. Half the time they didn’t even realize she existed and she liked it that way. She’d worked hard to be unnoticeable and it unnerved her to think someone was immune to her façade. “I’m going to get some fresh air.”

Raven shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She made eyes at the young man next to her who returned her interest and they began to grind into each other.

Marion pushed her way through the crowd to the edge of the dance floor. Moving quickly, she made her way up the stairs to a rooftop patio. The spring night was cool and, with no one else willing to brave the roof, Marion found herself alone. She walked the length of the night-shadowed patio and leaned against the railing, looking at the street below.

A pang went through her at the sight of the couples waiting to get into the club. They cuddled up against each other, hands tucked in their partner’s back pocket. They kissed and giggled, and didn’t care about the cold or the long line. Would she ever let another man get that close again? Suddenly she felt very alone and very small.

“Are you all right?” asked a deep voice behind her.

Marion jumped and turned to find a man with attractively chiseled features smiling at her. The tips of pointed ears poked through his wavy hair, and he was taller than her by a good six inches. Large hands gave the impression of great strength, enough to snap her in two if he wanted. Marion shivered and said nothing.

He took a step toward her, an expression of concern on his face. “You’re cold.”

She edged away from the stranger, eyeing the door. If she ran fast enough she could make it before he caught her. Or at least she hoped so.

“Do you speak?” the man asked. “I was watching you dance and then you just ran away. I had hoped maybe we could…” He trailed off as Marion shook her head.

“No,” she said.

“No?”

“I don’t dance with people I don’t know.” Marion edged toward the door relieved to see the man didn’t move to stop her.

“That’s a shame, because you dance quite well.”

“Thanks.” She had passed him now and was halfway to the door. To safety.

“Before you go, could you tell me your name?”

She froze and looked back at him over her shoulder. He wanted her name? Why?

Sensing her hesitation, he said, “I’m Aidan.”

“Marion.”

“Nice to meet you Marion.” He moved toward her then, hand raised and she bolted, running down the stairs and bursting into the club.

Dodging the crowd of dancers, she located Raven grinding against a muscular blond. Grabbing her friend by the elbow, Marion yanked Raven off the dance floor, ignoring her wails of protest.

“What is your problem?” Raven glared at her. “I had a good thing going there.”

Leaning close, Marion told Raven about Aidan.

Raven shook her head. “You’re freaked out because a guy dared to speak to you? What am I going to do with you?”

When Raven put it like that , Marion did feel a bit stupid. So much so, that she allowed Raven to take her by the arm and lead her back up to the roof.

* * *

Aidan sat in a plastic lounge chair and looked up at the sky. The stars twinkled at him in what he took to be amusement at his predicament. He’d taken the Queen’s curse to mean he was to find an ugly woman and please her. Not that he’d have to pursue a lovely young girl who was obviously terrified of men.

Sex he could handle. It was something he was good at. Coaching someone out of their shell was foreign to him. Women threw themselves at his feet, begging for his attention. They didn’t run away. Strange, very strange.

She’d said her name was Marion. That and the fact she was a good dancer was all he knew. The question was, what could he do to ensure he had the chance to learn more?

A clattering of feet on the stairs interrupted his thoughts and two women stepped onto the roof. One he recognized as the vivacious blonde that had been dominating the dance floor and the men on it for the last hour. Behind her came Marion, protesting loudly and often.

“Really, Raven, I don’t think this is necessary. What do you think you’re going to accomplish?” Frowning, Marion fought her friend’s grip.

Aidan waited, intrigued to see what would happen next.

The blonde spotted him and her face lit up in a smile. Dragging Marion with her, she came to stand in front of him. “Hello.”

“Hello,” he said not missing the way she assessed him. From the appreciative gleam in her eye, he must’ve passed inspection.

“My name is Raven and this…” She thrust her companion in front of her, “Is Marion.”

“We’ve met,” Aidan said with a nod to Marion.

“Yeah, we’ve met already. Actually, we’re done meeting.” Marion finally twisted free of her friend’s grasp and glared at them both while rubbing her arm.

“You were the one watching Marion on the dance floor, weren’t you?” Raven asked.

Aidan nodded. “There’s something unique about the way your friend dances.”

Raven laughed. “Yeah, it’s called sexual frustration.”

Marion gasped and hissed, “Raven.”

Raven ignored her. “You see, Marion’s my roommate and she never goes out. She sits at home and blows up love potions in ratty old sweat pants. I can’t take it anymore. She’s ruining my love life. Since you seem interested, I thought I’d facilitate a conversation.”

“I’m going to hex you the second we get home,” Marion said.

“I’ll double-hex you back,” Raven said with a sigh of exasperation.

“Are you looking for love?” Aidan asked, interrupting the two before their spat escalated.

“No.” But Marion wouldn’t meet his eyes when she said it. There was a troubled expression on her face that made him wonder what her previous romantic experiences had been like.

“I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” Raven edged back toward the door. “I’ll have the bartender send up some mead, okay? My treat.”

Aidan nodded while Marion just glowered at her feet.

Raven shook her head. “Come on, Mar. He’s a perfectly nice elf. It wouldn’t kill you to sit and talk to him.”

“Fine.” Marion stomped over to the chair next to Aidan and plopped down with such force, she started to topple backwards. Aidan reached out and caught her, gently setting her right. She blushed. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“See? Perfectly nice,” Raven said with a pleased smile. “I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit. In the meantime, for the love of the gods, talk.”

Marion stuck out her tongue, but Raven had disappeared into the club.

Aidan laughed at her impudence, a response that earned him a dirty look, which he found doubly amusing. He studied Marion, noting the delicate bone structure of her face, the deep brown eyes which flashed bright when she was upset. Dark hair flowed down her back in a glossy wave. She was pretty enough, but her clothes were so baggy that he had no idea what she looked like aside from her face.

“I won’t bite, you know.”

“No?” she said, doubt threading through her voice.

“No.”

She flushed. “Of course not. I mean, it’s not like you’re a vampire or anything.” She paused. “You aren’t, are you?”

“No. I’m an elf.”

“You look like an elf.”

“I do?”

“Well, you have the pointy ears. Vampires don’t have pointy ears.”

“No, they have pointy teeth.”

She gave a nervous laugh in response.

“Why do you blow up love potions if you’re not trying to fall in love?”

“I’m taking a potions class.”

“You’re in school then?”

“Yes. I’m working toward a magic degree. Only...”

“The love potions keep exploding.” He finished.

“Yes.” Marion sighed. “I don’t understand it. I’m doing everything right, but no matter what I do they just go…kablooey.” She mimed an explosion with her hands.