Her First Mistake

Chapter Twelve: That Old Cliché . . .

   "Now, picture this." Blue spread his hands for dramatic effect. "It's my own car, but no one else knows that. And I'm circling this highly-expensive, electric car and looking like a damn thief! All of the humans around me were watching me like I was about to whip out a gun and start blasting or something. I tried telling one it was my own car, but they didn't believe me. And then guess what happened?"

   We shook our heads. Blue pinched his nose. "My bloody master pops out of the trunk, absolutely wasted, and starts babbling." Everyone started to laugh and he waved his hands earnestly. "It looked like I'd kidnapped the guy! I mean, he's just some small dude that was obviously out of it. I actually had to stop a guy from calling the cops."

   "Wait!" Winston stared at him. "Weren't you two arrested for public whatever-else around that time?"

   Blue deflated. "Yeah. We still got arrested. I was driving without a license and my master was absolutely wasted in public." He glared at Winston. "I was going to go through the whole story of them having to chase us through the mall, dude. Way to ruin the suspense."

   "Who's your master again, Blue?" Allie inquired.

   "Browning Taylor."

   "Oh, that one." Realization crossed Katelyn's face. Blue's face reddened. She grinned. "Isn't that the guy that showed up to a Council hearing wearing a neon green suit, like the Madd Hatter?"

   Blue's face somehow got darker. I cracked up. "Anyone have a picture? Please tell me there's a picture somewhere."

   "Unfortunately not," remarked Karen dryly. "The Council doesn't allow that kind of use of tech in that room."

   I shook my head and looked back down at my dinner. The afternoon had been enjoyable. Though I was enjoying interacting with kids my own age (finally), I stood out for my ignorance and I knew it. And Karen was using every time I stuttered to pry further into her theory about my master being Alexie. 

   She wasn't just being pushy -- she was being harsh about it. The fifth time she prodded, I finally snapped at her and she backed off for the time being. She was using every chance presented to go after me. Her 'I'm-better-than-you' attitude was wearing on me.

   Finally the silence at the table made me blink awake. I snapped my head up to see everyone looking at me expectantly. I hastily swallowed my food. "What?"

   Karen's eyes narrowed while Katelyn asked, "So who is your master, Roxie?"

   I kept a straight face and waved her off. "Oh, some small, old mage. You wouldn't know him."

   "Just because you might not know any in the magick community doesn't mean we don't," shot Karen.

   I arched an eyebrow at her. "And who's your master again?"

   "Malorie Jones, of course."

   "Who is that again?"

   Harley spat out his water with a snort. Katelyn glowered and dried off her shirt while Allie pinched her nose. Karen scowled. I smirked as the subject was changed because Harley had to get more water. Though I was starting to understand why Alexie wanted me to lie low. Karen's attitude was enough.