Page 55 of A Taste of Bliss

Amelia smiles softly at the Phantoms. “It’s been a long day already,” she says, letting just a bit of her succubus charm loose. It’s probably unnoticeable to anyone but me.

“Of course, we get it,” Grim responds, grinning even wider at us. “You must be Amelia? We’ve been listening to your EP on repeat for a bit.”

“At first we were just stalking Taser, wanting to see what he’s been up to, but we’ve been pretty hooked after hearing ‘You Can Always Reach Me,’” Bell adds, her smile warm and inviting. It’s so hard to imagine how Taser and them got on such bad terms. Maybe it’s Amelia’s powers, but I find myself hoping we can all be friends.

“And you are?” Grim asks, turning his attention to me.

“I’m Bliss,” I say, shaking his hand, my eyes probably wider than saucers. I stare at my hand after he lets go.

Amelia leans in, adding, “She’s our band manager.”

He gives a soft chuckle. Bell shakes my hand next. “He has that effect on people.”

I laugh, slightly embarrassed. “I’m guessing you also have that effect on people,” I add.

She shrugs. “It just comes with the territory of being cool, but you two know all about that. You’re succubi, right?”

I nod.

“And your bassist? She’s human? It’s nice to meet another band that’s mixed like that.”

Amelia nods. “Kindred human. She grew up with us.”

“Awesome,” Bell says. “We’ve got a couple of kindreds with us as well, but otherwise we’re mostly fae.”

Grim motions behind him to Pinkie, introducing us. Now that Taser is gone, Pinkie is flirty and nice, commending me for taking on the role of band manager. He has the canines and scent of a vampire. I fall into a warm conversation with him and Grim as we all make our way into the restaurant. I find myself hoping this festival will prove to be a chance for Taser and the Phantoms to make up.

“So is this your first Alchemy Festival?” Grim asks me as he and I take seats next to each other at a table near to where Taser and Dericia have sat down. I feel a little bad at not joining them, but Amelia would kill me for not taking this opportunity for networking.

“It’s that obvious?” I ask sheepishly.

He grins. “The wide-eyed look does give it away a bit.”

“Oh, that’s for sure because we ran into you guys. I’m a huge fan.”

“Well, good, that means I’ll see you at our sets?” He winks at me.

“Oh, trust me, I will be front row screaming my head off during your show.”

His deep laugh rumbles in my bones and I want to sigh in contentment from that sound. This man is beautiful.

“How about we just settle for you being backstage and then I can find you more easily afterwards?”

Butterflies soar in my abdomen. “Sure, that works too,” I say, putting in quite the effort to sound casual.

Tubbs and Blake have joined Reese and Taser at their table, bringing a round of drinks with them. Amelia excuses herself and goes to sit next to Taser, but not before she stares meaningfully at me, then at Grim. The message is clear. I should eat with them and network. And because it’s Amelia there’s probably also a message in there that I should flirt my way into Grim’s bed.

But I choose to ignore that one.

“So who’s your favorite Phantom?” Bell asks, sitting to my right.

I quickly look at Grim, grinning. “Oh, definitely Stormy. She’s so much fun to watch during your performances.”

Pinkie laughs and Grim shakes his head, chuckling. “The keyboardists always get all the love.”

“It’s my favorite instrument, actually,” I respond.

“Do you play?” Bell asks.