Page 51 of Malice in e minor

I stuck my head back in and sat down with my note pad when the house lights dimmed. The stage manager did their announcements about no cell phones or filming and added a cute little note about how if you needed to take a lozenge, do it now.

Finally, we were off. The show was starting. I was in the pit and not on a raised platform like Klaus, so I couldn’t see the stage. I’d seen the dancers dozens of times by now. Instead, I focused on the orchestra.

Now that he’d been pointed out to me, Dante had the cello solo in the Adagio with Cullen and Rue that I’d played with Meadow. He was good. Meadow was better, but he was good. I could see why Orion kept saying he had the talent to float Isobel. I’d like to say it was hard to believe someone who played the cello that well could be planning on hurting me, but I knew better.

Cullen and Rue bought the house down. Klaus had to pause because they got a standing ovation and I was just so happy for them. They were stunning in rehearsal, but I was guessing they fed off the audience and gave them back something amazing.

Every time we got on stage, it was magical, but there was just something about opening night. That first time in front of an audience always got me. And when it was a packed house who was into what you were giving out, it just felt fantastic. I wasn’t even playing tonight, and I felt it.

The show wrapped up, and the audience let everyone know how much they loved the show. I missed this. I hadn’t realized how much when I dropped out of undergrad and started waiting tables.

The dancers and orchestra went out to mingle with the audience except for Orion, Misha, and Azriel. I knew a lot of people were expecting them out there and they were only here because of me. They all laughed when I said something.

“If we go out there, they are going to fawn over us. I had one battle in the first act and Azriel just mugged in drag. They need to be talking to Cullen and Rue or anyone else who nailed their solos tonight. We’re a distraction.”

That made sense.

“Plus, I know you’re running so you don’t have to stay with us tonight,” Azriel said, getting really close to my ear.

God damn it, why did these men have to be so hot?

“Uh huh, your room is meant for maybe a really rich married couple. You’ve already got three people in there. Where are you going to put a fourth?”

“We can sleep on the floor,” Orion said.

“Or, we can sleep in a big puppy pile on the bed. I’ve been told I give excellent cuddles.”

“He does.”

“Not you too!” Orion snapped at Misha. “We have a bed and the couch. If you don’t want to put us out of our bed, you can sleep on the couch. It’s a comfy couch. You won’t even be in the puppy pile, Azriel. You’ll be on Isobel duty.”

“Gross. Way to pour ice cold hot dog water someone pissed in all over my cock.”

“Excuse me, who said anything about your cock coming anywhere near me?” I asked.

“You got me a stuffed platypus, love. We have inside jokes now. All my friends with inside jokes get to go near my cock.”

Yeah, if I wasn’t fucking Topher so no one could say I slept my way to the top, I wasn’t fucking these guys either. Even if they were pretty and I kind of liked having them around.

I knew they weren’t gay and were into women too, but I also knew the three of them were super tight. I could catch feelings for them now that I’ve gotten to know them and I didn’t think they were really interested in inviting anyone else to their relationship.

“If you wanted her to run screaming back to her dorm room where we can’t protect her, just threaten to whip out your dick again, Azriel.”

Azriel gave me this stricken look.

“I wouldn’t. I only take my cock out when everyone enthusiastically wants to see it. If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, but it’s different for me. Isobel is already spreading rumors I’m only here because I slept with someone. I’m pretty sure Dante is helping.”

“He is,” Misha confirmed. “You’ve also got several dancers, us, and Topher who can just whip out our phones and show anyone who repeats that nonsense your viral video and shut them up. Isobel is spreading that because she’s jealous and Dante is helping her because he’s in love with someone who doesn’t love him back.”

“You’re right,” Orion said. “We don’t have that problem as men and it’s stupid you even have to worry about it. Here’s what you aren’t realizing. I heard your music, and I wanted to play with you. Meadow and a good bit of people in the practice rooms join in when you’re goofing off.

“Azriel made a copy of the music from your video and has been listening to it while he paints. He’d probably love the recordings in your cloud drive for inspiration and he pretty much never does that. You can shut most people up by just playing your violin. The ones you can’t don’t matter. If they focused on their own craft, they wouldn’t need to slander you to get ahead.”

Well, fuck. That was one of the best pep talks I’d ever gotten and Orion delivered it in this low, growly voice like I shouldn’t let it get to me, but he was going to personally destroy anyone who said anything like that about me.

Was it hot in here? No. Down girl. Maybe someone needed to pour ice cold hot dog water someone pissed in on me too. It was more than just the rumors with these guys. Topher too.