How long had it been since she performed? Since she stood on the stage and let her voice speak to the crowd?

Too long. However long it had been since the Blue Note closed and her close friend left. Where was Sasha? Was she ok? Was she safe?

The need to sing again tugged at her. Memories of the stage, the applause, the knowing she could do something really well surged through her.

The blues club was tucked into an older building and had a sophisticated feeling. It took nothing to talk the owner into letting her perform. A small sample of what her voice could do, the perfect smile and she was in.

Her dress was a fitted black cocktail dress, every woman's dream of the little black dress. Black satin elbow length gloves were on her arms in the old glamorous Hollywood style. Her hair was done in a flattering up do. Makeup was minimal, save for some sexy red lips.

She Hardened her Mask. This was not the Blue Note, this was not a place she felt completely at ease but she was determined.

Stepping onto the stage, she felt the familiar, and welcome flutter in her stomach. It wasn’t nerves. She never got nervous on stage. It was excitement! Her right hand touches the ring on her left hand, drawing strength from it. The heat from the lights warmed her skin, blinding her partially to the crowed tables.

Slender fingers wrap around the microphone as she began to let her voice take over.

Sapphires close as her body sways, her angelic voice hitting each note. Blues was a genre of music her voice fit like glove. She was able to alter her voice to hit the high and low notes. The sultry movements of her swaying body mixed with the sound of her voice had the crowd mesmerized.

But this was strictly her voice, nothing magically added to it. No Wyrd would be used.

When the song came to end, and the applause began, she was reminded of why she loved being on stage. Her pride swelled, her smile widened and the rush of adrenaline couldn’t be topped.

Taking a sweeping bow, offering kisses to the crowd, she knew she’d be performing here more often.