The expression on her face suggested Chuck didn’t believe him, so he moved around her and approached the confused and overwhelmed Marla. “Hello, Marla,” he practically purred.
“Y-you c-can’t be in here!” she protested nervously, her fingers fluttering and twisting the hem of her blouse. “This is the w-women’s room.”
“I know. And you are a woman. A beautiful one.” He nodded, pleased that she nodded along with him as his influence wrapped around her. “But Marla, do you know what makes me sad?”
She mechanically shook her head side to side, eyes widening, mesmerized by his voice.
Sliding behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face the mirror. He slipped a finger under her chin and lifted her face towards her reflection. “Look at yourself,” he commanded softly. “See that gorgeous creature staring back at you?”
Her eyes filled, and she shook her head again. “I don’t,” she whimpered.
“That. That’s what makes me sad. Such beauty, and you don’t even know it. Marla,” he breathed on her neck and lifted her hair from her shoulders. “Pull this hair back from your face. Quit hiding behind it.” He twisted the hair around and formed a clip from the ether, securing the thick locks of her mahogany tresses in a pretty up-do. “There, now we can see that strong jaw, the pert nose, thosegorgeous amber eyes.”
Marla stared at herself now, intrigued despite her shyness.
“Now, pull those shoulders back, show the world you are Marla, and you mean business. You are gorgeous, self-assured, and aware of your appeal.” He nudged her arms to move behind her, and she transformed before their eyes into a confident, alluring woman. She perked her breasts up and raised her chin. Her eyes filled with a certainty that she was desirable. Malachi tapered off his charm, leaving the confidence he’d been pushing into her. “You won’t remember me, but you’ll remember Chuck brought you in here and gave you a pep-talk. She encouraged you to talk to Jaxon. He’s lonely; he needs someone who wants him. That someone should be you.” He pulled a tube of lipstick from the ether and handed it to her, watching with satisfaction as she slicked the deep crimson across her lips.
Chuck stared in awed silence now. Watching the way her co-worker changed, with the right kind of belief in herself. She jerked her gaze to Malachi as he stepped back into the shadows and swirled towards the door, releasing the seal.
“Kelly,” Marla called, her voice lacking its usual timid tremble and whispery quality. Now her tone was warm, assured, and confident. “Thank you for the pep-talk and the fashion tips.” She patted her hair and preened in the mirror. “I never would have worn this color. I’m grateful you suggested it.”
Nodding quickly, Chuck replied, “You’re welcome, Marla. It looks great on you. The color really warms up your skin.”
Tilting her head to the side and studying her reflection, Marla’s mouth curved into a wicked bow. “It does. And now, I’m going to make Jaxon buy me a drink.”
“Good for you!” Chuck declared excitedly, squeezing the other woman’s shoulder. “Go get him!”
Marla spun on her heel and marched determinedly to the door, flinging it open before continuing her forceful approach towards their table.
Chuck followed quickly, Malachi on her heels. “That was impressive,” she called over her shoulder.
“It didn’t take much. I just made her see what was true about her. She did the rest.” He put a hand on Chuck’s waist and spun her back to him. “Dance with me,” he murmured, pulling her close.
Dancing with Chuck was something he would cherish forever. Well, as long as his forever lasted, considering he expected to be dead in a few days. Another couple joined them, and his smile grew larger at Chuck’s excited squeal, seeing it was Marla and Jaxon.
“I really like what you’ve done with your hair, Marla,” Jaxon shouted over the music.
Chuck leaned her head against Malachi’s chest. “Thank you,” she murmured. “That was a really nice thing you did.”
Grunting, Malachi waggled one hand. “That remains to be seen. Sometimes when there’s smoke, it doesn’t always flash to a fire. Sometimes, those sparks fade out, and there’s nothing but cold, lonely ash in their place.” He glanced down and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, I know that’s a little morbid.”
“Morbid,” she agreed, “but poetic and accurate.” A gleam filled her eyes, now hearing his fake name being called to the front. “Go on, Evan, it’s your time to shine!” Shoving him forward, she hurried to their table, starting a raucous cheer with her friends, chanting his ‘name’.
Rolling his eyes, Malachi approached the stage, confirmed his song choice with the man running the sound, and stepped up to the microphone. The opening notes sounded, and he let some of his incubus power swirl through the room, enhancing everyone’s desires and awareness into a dream-like state. Everyone except for Chuck. He wrapped her in a protective layer to keep her from feeling his magic. His lips parted, and the firstdark, intriguing line ofWicked Game,by Chris Isaak floated through the room.
Women began to fan themselves, men started draining their drinks, and many couples took to the dance floor. Chuck sat, mesmerized by his voice, and it filled him with pride, knowing it wasn’t his magic that kept her rapt attention. He continued his skillful yet seductive rendering of the song, letting his voice rise and fall with the intensity of the lyrics to the delight of those in the bar. His vocals tantalized the back of their necks, like fingers teasing just above their skin. Stroking and strumming their awareness of each other into a near frenzy.
As the final outro played, his voice lingered in the smoky room, resting like a physical layer on everyone’s bodies. There was silence for a heartbeat. Then another. Then every pair of hands came together with thunderous applause. Shouts, whistles, and marriage proposals followed Malachi back to the table.
Standing in front of Chuck, he said nothing. Simply gazing into her eyes as she stared, unblinking at him. Finally, he pulled his hands from his pockets and held his palms up in question.
“Incredible,” she said. “Was that really you? Or magic?”
“That was me.” He smiled. “I used my power to enhance how people responded, but not on you. I kept it off you. But the singing, that was all my true voice.”
“Your voice is perfect. You know, I just realized, you sound exactly the same out loud as you do in my head when you’re… you know.”
Laughing, he leaned down. “Woof.”
