I look back to the group of Goddess’ Trance musicians and see Amelia heading back to one of the dressing rooms.
Benny follows with his eyes and glances at Taser.
“She’s really something, huh?” he asks.
Taser grins. “Trust me, you’re biting off more than you can chew with that one.”
Benny looks over to me. “A succubus,” he explains with an approving nod.
Taser eyes me and lowers his voice. “I’ve never met a group like you, with both Made and Born fae.”
I stifle a groan. I know Goddess’ Trance is made up of all Born fae—one of the reasons we picked them. It’s better than a bunch of humans hanging out too closely with us—but I forgot how often Born fae can tell I’m not one of them.
“We don’t discriminate,” Benny says with a shrug, and I brace myself for the incoming vitriol of a Born vampire.
But Taser nods in understanding. “I wish the whole of fae society was like that.” He looks at me and smiles. “I’ve never actually met a siren.”
“I take it we’re a bit rare?” I reply, looking at Benny questioningly.
“Oh, so you’re new then too?” Taser guesses.
I chuckle softly. “It’s that obvious?”
Taser grins in response. “I won’t tell,” he says, winking and clapping me on the back. “Listen, I’ve got sound check, but let’s grab beers after the show, yeah?”
Benny and I nod and head off to track down Evan. Wherever you need him to be, is usually where he isn’t.
I turn and bump into a woman who sticks out in the venue worse than a sore thumb.
She’s petite and curvy, wearing light jeans, a pastel pink top, and a white ribbon in her brunette hair that’s tied half up in a bun, the lower half cascading down her back in curls. My eyes fixate on the white ribbon; it’s starting to come loose. And I’ve seen her before, last time we were in town.
“Sorry,” she says, reaching out her hand and lightly resting it on my forearm. “Are you okay?”
As if her five-foot frame could have hurt me. She looks seriously at me and I suddenly find I can’t speak straight.
“Ye— Erm, er— Good. I’m good,” I finally manage to get out, and I wish so badly I’d already put my mask on because I can feel my ears turning pink.
“Good,” she says with a smile. Her lips part as if she’s going to say something else, but her hair falls into loose waves around her face. Behind her, the white ribbon floats to the ground. “Oh!” she exclaims.
I maneuver around her, bending over and picking it up. It’s smooth and satiny and I can’t help but liken it to her skin. I offer it to her, hand outstretched, palm open.
She breaks out into a grin. “Thanks.” She takes the ribbon from me and ties her hair up again, pulling a couple strands loose to frame her face. “Does it look okay?” she asks. “Do I have any of those weird hair bumps?” She points at the top of her hair.
My gaze glosses over her hair and sticks on her eyes, looking from one to the other. She cocks her head to the side when I don’t immediately answer. Heat races up my neck again. Wordsstick in my throat. “No, it looks good.” The words come out thick and quiet. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to think of something else to say. I’ve never been good at talking much, but there’s something so bubbly about her. Her energy is soft, welcoming, inviting, and I find I want to be around it.
She smiles softly at me. “Thanks. I’m Bliss. What’s your name?”
Before I can answer, a man calls out to her, his voice sounding annoyed. “Bliss! Get over here!”
She rolls her eyes, even though he can’t see it since her back is turned to him. “Sorry, that’s my boyfriend. It was nice to meet you,” she says with another smile, then heads his way.
“Bliss, that guy’s a Made fae. Why were you talking to him?”
She turns over her shoulder and looks at me, her eyes going a bit wide. I can’t tell if it’s from confusion or revulsion, and I can’t hear what she says back to him.
The heat from my earlier embarrassment evaporates, leaving me feeling a bit deflated. I wish I could have spoken to her more.
Evan slings an arm around my shoulder. I didn’t hear him approach, but I could smell the air around me getting slightly more smoky, replacing Benny’s more earthy scent. “That girl looks lost.”
