She smiles. “Let’s go with what I like to call… midnight lilac with a touch of seduction.”
Deep concentration falls across her features, and her fingertips glow with soft silver light as she draws her hands slowly across the air. The material around my waist tugs inward, becoming snug, the sleeves vanish, and my shorts morph before my eyes. Within seconds, I’m covered in a wash of silver light, and when it falls away…
My jaw drops.
It feels like I just slipped between satin sheets. Layers of a deep violet skirt fall from my waist, a high slit revealing itself as soon as I move my left leg. The waist is wrapped from the curve above my hips to the height of my ribs, clinging to my shape. The bodice above it is lined with light-as-air mesh covered in a wash of intricate flowers that cover my breasts and form narrow straps over each of my shoulders. A violet belt sits around my waistline with a delicate glittering buckle made from tiny diamonds, and the flowers continue to cascade across my hips before they trail down the skirt. The bodice is incredibly supportive, and the cleavage I’m revealing right now would be enough to make any hustle a breeze.
Checking out my feet, I find I’m wearing high heels in the same deep violet color as the dress with straps across the toes and around my ankles, the buckles are also made of clusters of tiny diamonds.
My hair is the same as I had it and I’m not unhappy about that. At least I managed to do one beautiful thing for myself.
Sarah looks pleased with her handiwork.
“How long will it last?” I ask, hoping I’m not going to turn into a pumpkin at some point tonight.
“As long as you remain on this ship,” she says. “Don’t worry. As soon as you leave, you’ll find yourself wearing your own clothes again.”
“Hah! You can keep my clothes.”
“Good luck, Olivia,” she murmurs. “But always remember, you’re beautiful no matter what you’re wearing.”
I don’t remember telling her my name, but I allow my smile to grow—with gratitude this time. As she glides away, I’m nearly too late to call after her. “I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.”
She half turns again. “Me, too,” she says.
The dress hugs my curves like nothing I’ve ever worn before. As I exit the alcove and find my way back to the dancefloor, my skin is overwhelmed with sensations, either from the fabric or Sarah’s magic or maybe even both. Whatever it is, I’m in euphoria and don’t ever want to leave. Which also freaks me the hell out. There is some serious magic going on in this place.
I head to the bar, and this time, I catch the eye of more than a few supernaturals, but all I want now is to grab a drink and enjoy this new sensation of bliss. My happiness levels reduce a little when I consider that my beauty tail still hasn’t appeared, despite the dress.
Each tail adds a new addition to the magical tattoo that wraps around my right bicep, and when I shift, that same design is replicated on the tip of the corresponding white tail. When the light hits my tattoo just right, it shimmers to the supernatural eye, showing off the magic and bringing the swirls further to life with varying colors.
The friendship design is a crimson color and consists of one continuous line that loops in the middle like a figure eight and finishes with identical flourishes on the ends. It intertwines with the sapphire of my strength mark in a way that has my fingers gently moving over the interconnected line that forms infinity knots. I wish I didn’t have to be so ashamed that there are only two.
I normally keep my tattoo hidden, but this dress has it on full display. Nothing has changed, but something does feel different inside me, and I hope it’s only a matter of time before the indigo of the beauty marks appear within the intricate swirls.
I squash any threatening self-doubt as I catch sight of the coffins at the bar holding an array of liquor. The shelves are lined with red velvet—a favorite material around here from what I’ve seen—and the outside is some sort of ebony wood.
Hovering in front of the bar, I eye the alcohol, unsure what I might want. While I might be feeling and looking fabulous at the moment, I’m still tense and crave something potent to loosen me up.
There are two supernaturals tending the bar: a woman who oozes sexuality so strong I can already tell she’s a succubus and a man who gives off a crazy strong, fiery vibe and I’m thinking is a shifter. The woman keeps one eye on the men in front of her and the other on the burlesque dancers on the tabletops scattered throughout the room.
The sexy beast of a man has a massive tattoo that travels across his left shoulder and down his arm. He’s wearing a leather harness that crosses over a grey tank top. His dark distressed jeans leave nothing to the imagination, and I take a seat at the bar, watching him work effortlessly with the crowd that has gathered.
Dropping my elbow on the bar and resting my chin on my hand, I consider him more closely; he has an arm full of scales, wears a leather harness, and makes me think fire.
He has to be a dragon shifter.
I’m ready to test my theory when his green eyes land on me. “What can I get you, Kitty?”
He uses a common nickname for kitsune, but I let it slide. “What do you recommend, Dragon?” I lean in, going for seductive on instinct, even though I probably don’t have to hustle anything out of him.
He moves in closer, glancing around as if he’s about to tell me the greatest secret ever. “Well, I have a specialty drink, but I think you need something a little stronger. Am I right?” He strokes his golden beard, and I’m already glad I chose this bar as my first stop in my new dress.
“I believe you would be.” I wink at him, matching the flirtatious mood he’s provided. The fact that he hasn’t corrected my assumption about his supernatural status gives me confidence.
“Give me just a minute, and I’ll make you a drink that will set your night on fire.”
As he walks to the coffin cabinets, I turn to scan the room and enjoy the burlesque show. The women are tantalizing, and I wish I had their confidence. Even in the fine material I’m wearing now, I doubt I’ll attract much attention.
Across the room, a man in a suit with several buttons undone on his dress shirt catches my attention. His bright emerald eyes meet mine for the briefest of moments, but by the time I blink and focus, his back is already to me and I lose him in the swarm of people.
A woman with dyed pink hair slides up next to me at the bar with a sexy shifter right behind her. She’s wearing a stunning red gown with a thigh-high slit like mine, but hers makes her seem more sassy than anything. The man behind her, in a sleek black tux and his hair in a surprisingly stylish man-bun, keeps his eyes focused on her. Their chemistry is off the charts.
She eyes me. “See something you like?”
“Excuse me?” I’m not sure if she’s offended that I gave them a once over or what she’s talking about.
“The guy in the crowd. I saw you watching him. Don’t be so afraid to take what you want. You should go find him.”
“Uh, thanks?” Considering I’ve never met her before, I’m surprised by her directness.
“I’m Talia. This is Lynch,” she adds.
I give her a smile. “Liv. Nice to meet you guys.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” she says, and I eye Lynch behind her, hoping for clarification.