Witch Upon a Star (A Midnight Magic Mystery) by Jennifer Harlow Read Free Book Online

that woman. I loathed her gorgeous full lips, her decade on me, her talent, but especially her effortless flirting directed at my Asher. Every time I watched her demure smiles and the light touches of his chest whenever they spoke, I cringed. It was a dagger to my heart, especially when he matched her smile for smile, touch for saccharine touch. I could almost tolerate that, almost, but her quick temper, her cruel words whenever I failed, and the chip on her shoulder about my seeming wealth and privileged upbringing gave me a sense she had similar roots to mine. I’d thought of getting her fired, but with Asher’s concerns of letting too many people into our inner circle and her credentials, I knew it’d be an all but impossible sell. The only other option was ceasing the lessons, and I just couldn’t. Ballet was my favorite activity even before fencing and magic lessons. I loved how my body stretched, how I could interpret music into a physical entity with my body, how graceful I felt not only while dancing, but even as I walked.
    I just hated Mademoiselle Collette. The only blight in my otherwise picture perfect new life. The only threat.
    “You …” Her mouth shut and for a moment I believed I’d won the round, that is until a cruel grin formed. “Well, your Papa does not think me past my prime or pathetic. He proved as much last night. In my bed.”
    “He’s not my—” I caught myself. I was under strict orders not to dispel the misconception Asher was my father. Fewer questions and prying eyes that way. I almost forgot in my anger. “You lie.”
    But I knew she hadn’t. It was as plain as the bruise on her neck barely concealed by make-up. After our fencing lesson, Asher claimed he had to call on an old friend, which was odd, because Asher went out of his way to avoid his own kind those early years. It was dangerous for us both. I had to learn vampiric law in those first days in Toronto. While there was no law expressly against children, save for not turning them before age thirteen, I lacked the protection afforded consorts and familiars. The mere fact I even knew about the existence of vampires could result in a death sentence for us both in some territories. I was fair game. So if we ever did run into an old friend at the opera or theater, I’d be introduced as my governess Clifton’s granddaughter. He’d been with us since Cairo when it was decided I needed a daytime guardian. I was expecting Sherlock’s Mrs. Hudson or even an older Jane Eyre, and instead got a portly, dandy, fifty-something Englishman. Asher knew Clifton during his tenure with some vampire Lord, wrote the dandy, and a week later I had a new male governess. Not only did Clifton run the household, he instructed me in Latin and English, did all our shopping, escorted me around town, and taught Asher to cook. Having lived almost eight hundred years, Asher had mastered almost every skill imaginable but never cooking. It took almost a month before he created something edible, but by Paris he’d surpassed his tutor. If not for the dancing and fencing I’d have weighed two hundred pounds. As I stared at the usurper of my Asher’s attention and love, I wondered if he cooked for her as well.
    “We’ve been lovers for a week now,” she said with a triumphant smirk. Asher was in love with her ? This? He deserved better. So much better. I was so angered my stomach and lower back ached harder. “Once we made love in this very room. He took me against the barre you touch now.” My hand involuntarily jerked from the abomination. “And we have no intention of stopping.” The bitch took a step toward me. The agony in my back ratcheted up another notch. “And wouldn’t it be wonderful if I became your new Mama? Of course we’d require some time alone to truly get to know one another. Years perhaps. A Catholic boarding school might be just what you need. They’d whip the brat right out of you. God how I wished to do it myself,