MAHINA.

Minutes into the first performer, I’m convinced they brought me here to be murdered.

Murder via humiliation; don’t call me dramatic.

The first girl on stage, whatever her name was, had a myriad of talents, but she showcased her best. Those were her words, just to be clear.

She was a contortionist, a pretty normal talent, right? No, this bitch was twisting her body to the point I was convinced she was shape-shifting halfway through; being two creatures at once, no way would her bones survive some shapes she was becoming, in a tight spandex leotard, no less.

“oh my god!“, I mutter, fighting between bewilderment, awe or plain disbelief.

“I hope when this shit is aired it’s rated R,” someone murmurs from behind me and I’m glad to know at least someone else thinks the same.

‘Player’ by Tinashe and Chris Brown, ends, and she sits up with a proud smile on her face, and the crowd goes wild, literally.

A surprising choice of music aside, her performance was amazing, for a stripper audition, and no I’m not being judgy.

“Are we allowed to do all that?” I ask Eislyn who is now seated, on a floor cushion beside me.

“you are competing to be someone’s mate and to get the crowd on your side, you need to do extra, everyone loves a good show, just be happy you wouldn’t have to show off your sexual prowess,” she turns her head finally, “or lack thereof.”

The barb hits home and I huff, turning back to the stage as the second girl is introduced.

The performances range from cooking to archery and sword fighting, courtesy of Ciara, and finally, the girl right next to me was called up.

Nerves wreaking havoc, I turn towards Eislyn, “no one danced, can I?”

“you sure?”

“it will have to do.”

“can’t you do anything else?”

I could sing, but something weird happens when I sing, I was great at it, that wasn’t the issue, once I sing, something else takes over and I’m like a spectator watching it all happen.

Everyone listening always appears entranced once I’m done, not in a creepy ass way, but still weird, so no singing.

“nothing else.”

She looks a bit worried, and I let out a chuckle.

“don’t look so glum, I’m pretty decent, I won’t embarrass you don’t worry.

She doesn’t look convinced, “well you can’t dance in that,” she waves a hand from my head to my toes.

A minute later, I feel the change occur and I’m left in a pair of comfy tights that hug my curves to perfection, a sleeveless hooded Henley, and some sneakers.

The outfit was killer but my intricate hairdo made me look ridiculous.

“what music are you going to use so that I can alert the guys early?”

I tell her and I’m quite but pleasantly surprised that she recognizes it a naughty smile sneaking up her face.

“can’t wait,” she says and hurries off.

I turn my attention back to my neighbour on stage, and I must admit the fact that she’s killing it.

She’s cradling the microphone crooning to an unfamiliar song, but judging from the surrounding looks, I would guess the song was pretty popular around here.

Her voice washes over me leaving goosebumps in its wake. Soon I find myself on my feet swaying a stupid grin on my face with no recollection of how that happened.

The rest of the crowd is standing too.

The song rises to a crescendo then she lowers the key dramatically, ending the song in a whisper that sends chills down my back, then I slam back into my chair as if the strings holding me up were snapped.

There’s an awkward silence before the crowd erupts and she smiles shyly, heading back to her seat.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask once she’s seated.

Turning bored eyes towards me the expression from the stage wiped out she answers, “my talent git.”

Before I could talk back; and trust me I was rearing to go; I hear my name mentioned and a smattering of applause is heard like people weren’t sure whether or not to cheer.

Before I make it to the stop someone grabs my hand and I turn to find Eislyn looking frantic.

“bastard said he doesn’t have the song.” She says indicating to a hidden booth where an elven male stands with headphones in his hand looking smug.

“can’t he stream it live then, surely ya’ll have the internet?”

“he’s adamant about not getting it, I think he’s trying to sabotage you.”

“you don’t say, what on earth would make you think that hmm?”

She goes to retort, not liking my sarcasm, but I cut her off, “go get me Ryder, and his phone, if he still has it.”

Turning to the stage I motion for the MC, “can you find something to do for a while? They can’t find my music.”

He turns and stares towards a sectioned-off seating area and I follow his eyes only to lock eyes with the freaking King; I hadn’t even realised he was there, the blinding lights obscuring any view bar the stage.

He must have gotten some approval because he turns to regale the antsy crowd.

That sorted, I stomp to the booth and look down on the now-seated DJ looking all superior and shit until he stands up.

Undeterred, I fix him with my best glare, “you really can’t find my music or are you just being hard-headed?”

“I am under strict orders to not find it, the pri—”

He clams up as if realizing he was about to let something spill.

Flipping asshats!