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- Chapter Twelve -

Bach

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She sang with raw skill;

power that hadn't been drained of its rough edges and enticing flaws that didn't come off as mistakes, but character. Amina was impressing every set of ears at the gala. Stealing their attention... their admiration.

I wasn't immune.

Did she get my note?I wondered, focusing on how stunning she was as she swayed imperceptibly in her plum and gold dress. I’d watched the terror take hold of her on stage. I’d worried, for a fleeting second, that my efforts were wasted.

Cupping the mic, she leaned to one side as if a gentle breeze had touched her. The song she sang wasn’t one I knew. Halfway through it, I had the inkling it was one she’d written herself. With only time for one song, I’d figured she’d perform a cover of something the crowd would know.

But now... now, I was sure this was the right choice.

All too soon, the song ended.

I held my breath as the silence descended. I didn’t wait long before the whole room exploded in applause. I was so overwhelmed I forgot to clap, too. I quickly joined in, lifting my arms over my head and roaring with support. Amina went pink. Someone motioned for her to get off the stage, but it took Violet going out, scooping her up by the elbow, to get Amina to move her feet. She stumbled behind the curtains.

It’s over,I thought, amazed.She did it.

“Wow!” someone said, clasping my shoulder. “She’s one of yours, Bach? What was her name again?”

“Amina Richards,” I said, blinking at the man I didn’t know. Others joined him, crowding me, asking for information on my new star. They wanted to know when her first single was coming out, when they could hear more.

I slid into business mode and answered as well as I could.

Considering my heart was still caught up in the memory of her song, I did pretty well.

“Excuse me,” I said after a few minutes of networking. “I need to check on Amina.” The group was disappointed, but I slipped around their flashing cameras and offered handshakes until I got to the stage. The security guards by the stairs took one glance at me before letting me through.

“Bach!” Amina’s eyes locked on mine. She was sparkling with glee, red-cheeked and grinning. There was no hesitance as she ran at me, laughing. “Did you see me?” she asked, grabbing me in a hug.

The warmth of the embrace was surprising. I wanted to wrap my arms around her body and hold her tight, to feel her pulse through the soft dress. Before I could react, she pulled away, shaking me by my shoulders like I was a friend she’d known her whole life. “What am I saying?” she laughed. “Of course you saw! I just—I can’t believe I did that! It was crazy, I’m still shaking! Feel!”