Spark(18)

Which meant going as Spark Jaxley was the perfect disguise.






 
    Nine by Night: A Multi-Author Urban Fantasy Bundle of Kickass Heroines, Adventure,   Magic
    
 


 

CHAPTER SIX


Loud music throbbed through suite 204, along with flashing lights from the temporary dance floor. Spark sipped a glowing cup of VirtuMax-red punch, watched the multicolored lights play over the partygoers, and tried not to stare at the door. Just because Aran said he’d come didn’t mean he would. Or that it meant anything if he did. Being put on the guest list wasn’t the same thing as actually going on a date.
Get it together, she told herself, heading to the refreshment table. It was ridiculous to waste time dreaming over a guy. Even if he was cute, and good company.
She grabbed a plate and put a couple of cookies on it to give herself something to do, then went to lean against the wall again. Luckily, in the semi-dim light, it was hard for people to see that she was the actual Spark Jaxley. So far she’d counted eight other people dressed like her—and not all of them were women.
Vonda joined her, costumed as one of her favorite anime creatures, complete with six purple arms. Three of them held glasses of punch, and Spark hoped the mechanics stayed solid. She didn’t want red glow spilled on her.
“Demos went well today,” Vonda said. “We managed to get more than two-thirds of the line through.”
“That’s a record. I think all of them came and got autographs.”
“How’s the hand?”
“Good enough.” Spark shrugged, glad the low light hid her expression. Aran’s mini-massage had helped. “What did you think of the guy I invited to come early?”
Vonda tilted her head. “Cute. But you knew that already.”
“I meant his gaming.”
Spark took a sip of punch, even though she hated how the glow clung to people’s lips for a moment afterward. If she had infrared vision, she’d probably be able to see people’s whole digestive tracts lit up. Disturbing thought.
“He obviously knew his way around a sim-system. Beyond that, I couldn’t say. I was too busy getting everything else set up. Where’d you meet him?”
“Here, at the con. He’s a volunteer. When he logged out, did you notice anything… off?”
“Hm.” Vonda crossed two of her arms. “Maybe, yeah. I didn’t tag it right away, but after watching hundreds of people come out of Feyland today, his reaction was a little strange. No smiles, no gushing praise. Or even the opposite. He was real quiet when he walked away.”
The confirmation gave Spark a twinge. She’d been right—and she doubly hoped Aran would come to the party tonight. Pointed questions were in order, and she wouldn’t let him distract her this time.
“Is there a problem?” Vonda asked.
“No. Just wondering.”
“You could ask him about his gaming experience yourself. He’s over there by the couches.”
“What?” Spark’s heart gave a thump, then settled back into a faster rhythm. She scanned the clots of people standing at the far end of the room. “Are you sure?”
“Since he’s not in costume, yes. There,” she pointed with yet another arm, “next to the warrior babe.”
“I see him.”
And she wished she hadn’t. The girl he stood by was giving him a possessive look, and she was gorgeous—all lush curves and pouty lips, the way Spark would never be. As she watched, the warrior babe curled her arm around Aran’s.
He wasn’t wearing his glasses, which was why she hadn’t spotted him immediately. Without the dark frames his sharp cheekbones stood out.
“Go talk to him,” Vonda said.
“I don’t—”
“Come on. You’re Spark Jaxley. Here, I’ll take those.” Vonda grabbed her plate and cup of punch, which Spark was happy to give up without a fight.
She tucked her hair behind one ear. Sure, she was a star, but that didn’t mean she was flawlessly self-confident every waking moment.#p#分页标题#e#
“I’m waiting.” Vonda started tapping her foot in a theatrical manner.
“You think being my part-time manager means you can boss me around?”
“Yep.”
“Fine.”
Spark lifted her chin and made her way past a group of gyrating dancers, toward the couches. She almost veered away when Aran’s girlfriend whispered something in his ear. Then he saw her and smiled. A real smile, not a star-struck one. So she kept going until she was standing in front of him.
“Hi,” she said. “Glad you came.” Even if he’d brought his date.