Page 4 of Hunger & Harmony

“Check the note later, c’mon, hurry up!”

Ignoring the dull liquid, I snatch a pouch labeled AB. It’s only when we’re crossing into the rehearsal studio again that I realize a little straw is attached to the side. Adorable.

I’m too busy noticing that detail to see Lorelai stop walking. Only after I bump into her and fumble to keep the blood pouch from hitting the floor do I realize, gasping when I secure it in my hands and immediately bump into someone else.

“Shit!” I squeak, immediately straightening up.

When I spot dyed red hair hanging limp over tired, gunmetal eyes, I internally cringe at my luck. If Selene has a reputation, Ryel Thorne’s is even worse. Unsure of what to do, I stammer ‌an apology to Arteria’s rhythm guitarist.

“I-I . . .!”

Before I can even get a proper word out, he turns his back to me. Feeling equal parts grateful and dismissed, I rub my arm sheepishly as he joins Selene and Ezren on the platform.

“Everyone ready to go?”

A man finishes plugging in one amp and pushes his glasses up. While I can’t be certain, he gives off the energy of a human. Brown hair is tucked into his hoodie, the details of his face obscured. Must be a sound technician, judging by his preparing the equipment.

“Just waiting on my drink, Cass,” Ezren says to him before flashing me a mischievous smile.

Cass turns enough to glance at me, not a hint of care or interest in his brown eyes. He gestures for me to hurry.

Delivering Ezren’s drink, I back off to find safety on the couch. It’s nice to blend into the background and take it all in. Cass works with each member and their instruments, with Lorelai directing, too.

Selene’s arctic white bass is fittingly elegant in her hands. It’s a sharp contrast with Ryel’s all-black guitar, with Ezren’s drums the same color. I’m merely a bystander in this world of music. It’s fascinating.

Kind of like watching Ezren poke the straw into the pouch to begin sipping. My eyebrows knit together. Don’t vampires drink through their fangs? Or does it just puncture the skin? Is this something I should look into?

I’m about to pull out my work phone to skim through all that data when a singular guitar note stops me in my tracks.

It’s sharp and immediate, and it’s no surprise it’s coming from Ryel. Still, that single punch hits me right in the chest. I’m breathless as the sustained note rings out, full and reverberating, until it fades seconds later.

Some people say music is magic. That’s my belief. Who cares that I’m a die-hard pop fan? My voice cracks glass, and every instrument I try to play somehow breaks. It’s not about me or what I prefer. I just want this. Putting in earbuds, and streaming on MeTube, and hearing real, live music will finally be normal.

I’m done being an obedient daughter. I'm done accepting that music is poison. I’m done running from the only thing that makes me feel alive.

“Where the hell is His Majesty?” Ezren asks, eyes focused on Selene.

“The Archduchess called,” she replies.

“Ew, she never wants anything good.”

“Cut the shit, Ez,” Ryel says gruffly.

“What? An ex-regent shouldn’t waste a king’s time,” he retorts, his right knee bouncing impatiently. “A king who needs to be singing right about now.”

Come to think of it, Arteria’s lead singer and guitarist is the only one I haven’t seen. At least, in person. You can’t know about them without seeing him front and center. I can appreciate a pretty face. His dark, unruly hair and elegant jawline are certainly dreamy. I’m just not into brooding playboys.

My heart has always been for charming pop singers. The type that will sing, sweep you off your feet, and be hopelessly devoted.

That description seems pretty contrary to Niklaus Vane.

Which isn’t a bad thing. The last thing I need is a messy attraction to my boss.

“There’s a juice box in my studio.”

I snap my head up, confusion twisting my features.

It’s only when I turn, and I’m lost in garnet irises, that I realize that comment was directed at me.