Apprentice

Struggling singer Sarah Williams enacts her plan to become a legendary chanteuse after tracking down her former adversary at one of his side projects.

Jareth's voice rolled through the lower notes with liquid grace, sending a shiver shimmering just beneath Sarah's skin. The spontaneous ornamentation of each note was rich and effortless, a masterful waxing and waning that pulled emotions like taffy, sculpting them just so.

Whatever his faults - and there were surely many - the man could sing.

Afterwards, she cornered him in the alley behind the club, refusing to let him pass her by. "I want you to teach me to do that."

He raised a mocking eyebrow. "And what might 'that' be?"

"To use your voice like a weapon."

Now there was interest sharp as a scalpel. "Why should I?"

"Because I'm betting you're bored just now, and teaching me would be amusing as all hell to you."

A half-smile flickered at her as he took in the familiar gritty determination in her expression. "What if you haven't the skill?"

"I'm betting I do."

"It's not merely vocal skill you need."

"I'm still betting I have what it takes."

There was a much more thorough scrutiny this time, a peeling away of layers of history and preconception that seemed to take an eternity.

She stood her ground, waiting.

At last, he blinked slowly, reaching a decision. "That you might." A certain unmistakable hunger was in his eyes. "And what would I get in return?"

She smiled. "To never be bored again."

His soft laughter drifted around them both. "A tall order. Never is a long time."

Her lips twitched. "Not long at all. Try me."

"I'm demanding beyond all reason."

"I'd expect nothing less."

He nodded. "Well then, I believe we have a deal, Miss Williams."

She took a deep breath. "Excellent, J-...wait, what do I call you?"

His eyes glittered. "Supreme Lord and Master."

"Too long."

His eyebrows jumped.

"If you insist on it, SLM will have to do, though I'll be the first to admit it does sound rather silly." Her smile widened at his frozen expression. "I did say you'd never be bored."

"Mmm. Perhaps 'sir' will do for now."

She bobbed her head and dropped a quick curtsy. "When do we start, sir?"

"Insolent wench," he muttered, with the barest hint of amusement. "Now's soon enough."

His gloved hand captured hers just before they both disappeared.