5. Lark

Chapter 5

Lark

Pike is here. My heart pounds so hard in my chest I'm sure everyone can tell. Usually, I don't get so worked up during a set. I just come out, do my thing, and go back. But tonight, with my demon in the audience, I have to put on the performance of my life. What if he changes his mind about helping me?

The only problem is I'm low on sunshine reserves again and I'm not sure how I'll be able to glow for the crowd tonight. But I have to try. Hopefully, I don't get beaten in front of Pike.

I thought Drake would get bored and let me out of the basement so I can shine for him, but he continued the punishment until about an hour ago where he told me to shower and get ready.

Sweat beads on my forehead. I swipe it away with the back of my hand before it can drip into my eyes.

" Trick ," Drake bellows out my name from his corner. He's surrounded by some of his coven members. I know all of their faces, but not their names. They always watch.

I spin and shake my ass. My wings may cover my bottom, but it's the tease of the action that gets people excited.

There's a whistle I don't recognize, spurring me on. I lift the left wing, revealing one covered butt cheek. My wing gives a little wave hello and I flitter it completely open. Then it's time for the other wing to rise. It takes so much concentration to move my wings separately; it wasn't a skill I learned at home. At court we didn't dance to arouse, just entertain. Or perhaps I was na?ve to think that?

I continue my movements. Shaking my ass, fluttering my wings. But Drake's irritation is palpable. My coin isn't with me and I wish I slid it down my boot, but it's too late now. I take a deep breath and push my magic, but nothing happens. No warmth, no fizz or pop. My heart pounds harder as I grip the pole in front of me until my knuckles go white. This can't be happening.

Drake pushes to his feet.

"I can do it. Let me do it!" I squeeze my eyes shut and concentrate. Not even a tingle of magic. I'm drained completely from lack of sunlight. No, no no no no ! "Glow damn it," I chant to myself.

The creak of the stage stairs as Drake climbs them sends me into panic. Glow glow glow !

He walks to the back of the stage, where he keeps a few of his whipping supplies attached to the wall. "I'm sorry folks, seems Trick isn't able to perform tonight. We'll have to give him a little incentive." He cracks a whip and I jump. The Hellhound with Pike growls.

"What if…" I cringe as Pike speaks up. "You let me give it a go? I usually get what I want. And I want to see the pretty little Fae light up."

Drake chuckles. "Be my guest, but he's stubborn." Thankfully, he slides the whip back into place.

I cling to the pole as Pike ascends the steps.

"Darling." Pike's tail tips my chin up to look him in the eyes. Before, I hadn't taken him in. I noticed he was handsome, but I didn't really look . He's tall, with a strong jawline, two horns, that tail. His coloring is anywhere from tan to deep blood red, depending on where I look. And his eyes, they're so kind. Deep brown, almost human. "Darling, can you glow for us?"

"I can't." I shake my head. "Impossible."

He tips my chin up again. "Look at me." His voice softens until I'm probably the only one that can hear him. "I know you think that, sweetheart, but I know you have it in you. There's still enough to give us a show, isn't there? You can do it."

My cheeks heat. Maybe I can do this. I nod and shut my eyes to concentrate. A few deep breaths lets me calm and ground myself better than before. I push my magic, forcing as much as I can tap into towards my wings. My legs shake. It's so much effort.

"That's it, keep going, little Fae. Glow for me."

Gasps and murmurs sound out behind me. My vision goes fuzzy. I can't tell how bright I glow, but magic thrums through my wing veins. "Sorry," I whisper as my knees buckle. Pike's tail wraps around my waist, saving me from crumpling. "Sorry." I try to step away, but my brain fogs. Pike catches me just as I lose consciousness.