The Incandescent | Book 7 | The Fairy arc

Chapter 17 ~ The Sparklitastic Mystery of the Fabric Phantom

Topaz eyes glinted as the Mirage door slid to the side. Casim smiled at the sunshine that brightened the day and lifted his mood.

But the sunshine was brief, and rain clouds darkened the day. Casim stood inside the doorway as it rained, feeling the cold moisture on his skin. It rains too often on this planet, Casim surmised, missing the earlier sunshine.

Butterflies brought him some herbal green tea made with dandelions, bamboo shoots, daisies, and lemon slices. Casim thanked the butterflies, allowing them to enjoy some of the tea, before he lifted the cup and drank, feeling the warm liquid soothe him like nectar.

The butterfly spies were his eyes that kept tabs on the Decuir family. The butterflies stayed out of sight, invisible like a mirage, becoming visible within close proximity of the Glittered Inktraitor.

He knew the butterflies wanted to bond to a new master, one more powerful than Casim could ever hope to become. He patiently waited, knowing the immortal fairy's desire to become mortal was the catalyst that would compel her to agree with his intention.

Casim knew that hope would send her his way. He would use that hope to his advantage, convincing Ireyna that using her power would benefit them both.

In truth, Casim wasn't sure if the endeavor would allow Ireyna to become mortal, but he knew for certain it would ensure the success of his scheme. All he needed was the immortal fairy's cooperation, her willingness for the endeavor.

Soon, Casim thought confidently as he glanced at the butterfly communicator. He smirked as he finished the rest of his tea, looking forward to the call.

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It was the day off work for Killian and Ireyna, so they decided to enjoy the day together as a family, bringing Killian's children and Erasmo to the fairy city, going "anywhere but the library" upon Killian's orders, averse to his family being anywhere near the Glittered Inktraitor.

Incongruously, it was also the Glittered Inktraitor's day off work. He relaxed outside a café, sitting on a white chair with his legs crossed, drinking a dulce latte while wearing dark sunglasses and reading a newspaper.

Drave replenished the family's tea supply, careful not to select any mango. Erasmo inspected the tea, giving his personal approval before allowing Drave to purchase it. Erasmo hated mango and citrus, despising the sight of anything orange.

Such abhorrent hate would manifest his former thieving skills when Erasmo saw bath towels at a store that sold home goods. How vile! Erasmo thought, taking down the orange bath towel on display. He looked around for a trash can, but he couldn't find one anywhere.

Frustrated, holding the towel at length, as though he was holding a stinky rag, Erasmo flew out of the store, ignoring the storekeeper exclaim, "Hey! Come back with my towel!"

When Erasmo persisted in search of a trash can, or better yet a fire to burn it, the storekeeper yelled, "The fabric phantom stole my bath towel!"

Fabric phantom? That's new. Erasmo accelerated speed to escape the vengeful storekeeper.

As he turned around a sharp corner, the towel wrapped itself around Erasmo, trying to unwrap himself from the clutches of the atrocious orange towel.

The Decuir family was alarmed when they heard the storekeeper cry about a thief. Their attention turned towards the orange clad Erasmo, not recognizing him since he was completely wrapped in the towel, appearing exactly like a fabric phantom or an orange ghost creature.

People freaked out, shrieking in alarm. It didn't help that the storekeeper was screaming like a banshee, paranoid over the stolen towel.

Ireyna lifted Killian and took flight. Killian guided Ireyna, exclaiming, "Over there!" and "Above that lamppost!" as they chased the fabric phantom. Mara and Drave continued the pursuit on foot, racing each other through the city streets.