Free Witch Upon a Star (A Midnight Magic Mystery) by Jennifer Harlow Page B

tonight, sir,” I lied.
    He looked to Asher, eyes narrowing. “In all the centuries I have known you, my friend, you have never taken a lover so young.”
    “I had never met Anna. There is not an older soul on this green earth than her.”
    “Be that as it may,” Richard said, swinging his attention back to me, “I feel it necessary to warn you, girl. This is a large, lifelong commitment. From the moment you sign this contract, you are forever bound by vampiric law. If you break one such law, you and Asher shall both face the consequences. This world of ours that you desire to enter … it is dangerous, amoral, and bloody. There are very few true happy endings. You are all but signing away your soul, dear.”
    “I’ve already done that, sir. I did the second I laid eyes on Asher. It, like my heart, is his. I trust him with my everything. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to stay by his side forever and always.”
    “You say that now, but what of ten years from now? Twenty?”
    “It’s … hard to explain, sir. I don’t know if it’s magic, or just fate but … the moment I met him, I just knew no matter what, time, space, even death, I knew that I would always love him. We could be separated for decades and with one look or word, we would be right back where we are now. Devoted. In love. Meant to be. We’re soul mates, sir. Nothing can ever change that, certainly not a piece of paper. It doesn’t matter. We know what we are to one another, and what we will be until death.”
    “Such devotion.”
    “He’s earned it.”
    “And when he does not?” Richard asked with a raised eyebrow.
    “That’ll never happen,” I said with absolute certainty. “Never.”
    “I hope for your sake, little one, your faith is not misplaced.”
    I reached beside me for Asher’s hand. “It isn’t.”
    “Then who am I to stand in the way of true love?” He removed a stack of papers. “You must both read and sign these. One copy is for me, the other for you to keep. Present it if asked.”
    “Thank you,” I said, scanning the document. It didn’t matter what it included, if it literally required my immortal soul, I would have signed it. Asher took as little time as I did. We scribbled our names, and that was that. I was his consort. As I slid my copy back to Richard, I realized this whole event was rather anticlimactic. At the end of the night, nothing had changed. It was just a stupid piece of paper.
    “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Richard said, rising, “I must dress. Please enjoy yourselves.” He grinned at me. “And welcome to the family.”
    He ushered us out to the hallway before disappearing into a bedroom. “That was easy,” I said.
    “Yes.”
    I took his hand again, but he didn’t squeeze back. “This is the best birthday ever.” I pecked his stiff lips. “Thank you.”
    “You are welcome, mo chuisle. ” The moans of ecstasy nearby momentarily drew his attention and a scowl. “We should go down stairs. Join the others.”
    “Whatever you desire.”
    His mouth twitched again. “Stay close.”
    “Always.” I started down the hall, leading him by the clasped hand. “So, who is Alain? Why did you need warning?”
    “We did not part on good terms when we last met. If he approaches you, simply excuse yourself and find me.”
    “Okay.”
    My nerves began to knot my stomach as we descended the stairs. I had no idea what to expect. I was so excited about the consortship, I didn’t dwell on what came after. That I would be surrounded by creatures who wished to literally bathe in my blood. I’d endured my parents’ constant parties with free-flowing drugs, fights, and even sex, not that I knew what it was at the time. If hippies were that wild, who knew what havoc vampires could wreak? I clutched Asher’s hand tighter as we strolled into the parlor. Thirteen and swimming with sharks. Be careful what you ask for.
    Shock almost stopped me dead. Most people just stood around chatting and drinking, but