Page 57 of A Taste of Bliss

Simon gives a small chuckle and scratches the back of his head. “Uh—erm, no, just some of the crew we travel with.”

Amelia and I exchange glances. Simon isrealbad at lying. Damn, I should have paid more attention to who was in that booth. I try to think back to the moment I sat down, but I wasso embarrassed at what I’d done that I wasn’t able to meet any of their eyes. What if I’d sat down right next to Wrath? I want to both cry and laugh at the same time.

It’s not like I could have pulled off whatever theft the wraith wanted me to do in a restaurant booth. I didn’t even know yet what I was supposed to steal. Part of me also wasn’t sure I could even go through with it.

But also, what if I had sat down next to Wrath and all he saw was a super embarrassed, red-faced random crazy girl?

I let out a sigh. Is that really what my brain thinks is most important? That I might have embarrassed myself in front of my favorite musician of all time?

Well, actually, when I put it that way, my cheeks start to redden all over again.

“I was hoping we could go over your set list, if possible?” Simon interjects, putting a stop to my spiral. “Just want to know what the vibe of your show will be.”

“Does it matter?” I ask.

Simon shrugs. “Not really, just curious at what the crowd will be feeling already when the boys get on stage.”

“Probably lust,” Dericia chimes in. We all laugh.

Except Simon, who looks around at us, plainly confused.

Amelia puts a hand on her chest. “I’m a succubus, so the crowd will be lusting after me especially by the time I’m done, and then Wrath will get on stage with those pants, you know the ones—” She looks over at me as if I’m not getting it. “Bliss, you know the ones, the flowy ones that showeverything.”

I put a hand over her mouth to shut her up, as my face threatens to turn red for a third or fourth time—I’ve lost count. “I’ll send over the set list for you, okay?”

Simon looks between us and nods, seeming a bit amused but also still confused. “If you’re not busy tomorrow, there’s that scavenger hunt for fans to win free stuff and backstage passesand all that. We could use some more volunteers, and it’s a great way for you to connect with fans. If you haven’t already signed up?”

“We’re all signed up for that,” I respond.

Amelia groans. “Don’t we have to be there super early?” she laments. I just chuckle and pat her on the back.

Simon’s eyes roam over Amelia, squinting a bit. “So can succubi seduce anyone?”

Amelia raises her eyebrows. “Not exactly. If someone isn’t attracted to us, we can increase their lust, but it would just make them lust after the type of person they like. We can usually coax out the type of feelings someone might experience after a good orgasm—” Simon’s cheeks flush to the same shade as mine, “—happiness, contentment, peacefulness—you get the picture.”

“So you can’t, like, mind-control someone?” he asks.

Amelia lets out a laugh. “We have that same fae compulsion all fae have, and we can use our powers to influence people, but nothing as powerful as mind control. You’re safe from us, little human.”

“Oh good,” Simon says, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “I’m pretty newly registered, so I haven’t met a succubus before. And this is my first fae festival.” He lowers his voice as he says the last part. Amelia and I both laugh.

“You don’t have to worry about non-kindreds hearing you. Fae have a natural compulsion ability that makes it so most humans forget anything weird they see or hear about us, except for kindreds, of course. That’s why you get that rune.” Amelia points to his wrist, where a rune matching Dericia’s glows. His is extra bright, showing how new he is. It takes a few years for the rune’s glow to fade.

“Really?” Simon asks, eyes widening. “That’s super fucking cool.”

Dericia slings her arm around me, frowning at Simon’s rune. “Didn’t your sponsor go over that with you?”

Simon shakes his head. “My sponsor, well, he’s… unique, I’ll say.” He laughs but seems to really brighten up at seeing Reese. “So you’re a fellow kindred?” he asks.

Reese holds out her arm, showing him her rune, which has faded to a pretty unnoticeable scar. But as she concentrates on it, it flares to life, flashing a bright golden white light and fading again. Simon’s eyes go so wide they’re at risk of falling out. “Teach me how to do that,” he breathes out excitedly.

“Sure,” she says, giving him a smile. “But then we’re really going to need to talk to your sponsor. He should have taught you this.”

Simon nods excitedly, and they keep chatting about all things kindred.

Something pricks at the back of my vision and I close my eyes, trying to clear the sensation. When I open my eyes, I find a pair of blue violet eyes watching me.

I excuse myself with a lie about wanting to get a look at one of the stages that’s being built on the festival grounds across the street. I leave before anyone can volunteer to go with me, seeing the wraith kick off the wall he was leaning on and walking over to a little grassy area behind one of the stages. Lots of people are already out making the most of the sun and warm temperature.