Free The Origin by Wilette Youkey Page A

problems.
    As he was thinking of ways to identify the men who had tried to take his life, the curtain onstage rose and thus began the very first ballet he had ever attended. He found it highly amusing that he, Daniel Johnson, was at a ballet on his own volition, and without a date at that. Olivia King, dancer and quiet seducer extraordinaire, definitely had his balls in a firm grip.
     
    The moment Olivia took her first steps into the light, she felt her muscle memory take over and she lost herself completely to the music. Her body had been conditioned to move in such a way that she no longer needed to think of her next move, leaving her mind free to focus on infusing emotion into the role of Odette. And though her friend Michael was dancing as Prince Siegfried, she imagined it was actually Daniel who saw her turn from a swan into a beautiful princess at dusk, the man whose love could free her from the evil sorcerer’s spell.
    For Olivia, nowhere else could make her as comfortable as a brightly lit stage as she danced in front of the world. She could feel the bright lights on her skin, as warm and nourishing as sunshine, and the music coursing through her veins. When she danced, she was light and delicate as a snowflake, a unique beauty to behold, a sweet-tempered force of nature.
     
    “This is the nicest gift anyone has ever given me,” Natasha whispered to John Mathers as they sat in the audience for the opening performance of Swan Lake. “I’ve never even been to the ballet before. I’ve always passed by this building and wondered what it’s like. And now, here I am!”
    “Uh-huh.” John nodded absently, unable to take his eyes off the woman dancing onstage. She was all fluid limbs, grace manifest. “I never knew ballet could be so… I mean, how can the human body move like that?” he said more to himself. He held his breath as the woman onstage performed a series of leaps with the elegance of a silk ribbon blowing in the breeze.
    He heard a soft rustling of pages and a moment later, Natasha said, “Says here she’s been dancing all her life. Olivia King has been with New York City Ballet for seven years. Wow, that is dedication.”
    John nodded, only vaguely hearing his girlfriend’s murmurings, as she had the annoying tendency to talk during times like these. Then a small detail caught his attention. “What did you say her name was?” he said, glancing down at the program in her hands.
    “ Ssh !” their neighbor hissed.
    Natasha mouthed an apology then turned back to her boyfriend. “Olivia King. Why, do you know her?”
    John stared at the program. “No,” he said, hoping wildly that the face that peered up at him in black and white was not that of Richard King’s much-lauded only daughter. Still, he needed to make sure. He needed to meet this Olivia King.

8   |   BURIED TREASURE
     
     
    The hall exploded with applause and whistles as the company of Swan Lake took their final, ecstatic bows. The opening performance had been flawless.
    “You were so good!” Olivia exclaimed to the muscular man who played Prince Siegfried. She embraced her dance partner and an elated laugh bubbled from her chest.
    Michael lifted her and spun around once. “So were you! Are you coming to celebrate at Mia’s?”
    She nodded as they headed to the dressing rooms, feeling as if walking on air. “I just have to find my date first.”
    After she had removed all traces of her heavy stage makeup and changed out of her costume into the slightly more comfortable jeans and a loose cashmere sweater, Olivia ventured out of the dressing room in search of Daniel. Halfway down the hall, she was intercepted by an impossibly tall Swede with short blond hair, piercing blue eyes and an impeccable grey suit.
    “Can I get an autograph?” he said with a flirtatious smile.
    “Alex!” Without a second thought, Olivia threw her arms around his neck.
    He kissed her cheek and chuckled. “Good to see you, Mei,” he said in his