The Spellbound State of the Universe

Chapter 9

The day of operation 'hors d'oeuvres' or so Sheera liked to call it had arrived, and with a few hours left until the mission, she and Luke made their final preparations on the terrace.

He placed two flutes of champagne on her tray and turned her around. "Now glide into the 'ballroom' like you've done this a million times."

Sheera did her best to embody his suggestion but she knocked over both glasses on the seventh step, adding to the sharp-edged carnage that was already littering the ground.

"I think I've already broken two dozen," she said, plopping onto the nearest chair. "Can't you just execute this mission by yourself?"

"A Kindred never walks into a room without an ally," he said firmly.

"Even a Kindred that hasn't learned any magic?"

"I also couldn't memorize every detail of the evening if I didn't have your brain to help me," he said sheepishly.

She managed a smile. "Well at least I know I have a purpose."

"Wait here," he said, before disappearing inside. He emerged back onto the terrace in short order, armed with a broom and dustpan. "Once we arrive," he said while sweeping up the shards of glass, "maybe you can stick to the hors d'oeuvres and uhh...avoid the champagne at all costs."

"Affirmative," she said nodding. "But wait..." she suddenly added, "what if Gabriel Asher or one of his harbingers of doom asks for champagne, and you and Clement are busy flirting with the sexy female Shadowers?" She shrugged. "Or something."

He put his hand over his heart. "I hereby declare that I would never flirt with a Shadower. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Well if you hit on men who are gay, what would stop you from getting fresh with a Shadower?"

She covered her face in embarrassment but laughed. Luke had a way of always easing her mind whenever she was feeling uncertain. A second later she remembered his people skills were merely a part of his job as her unofficial 'handler.' She sighed.

"Don't tell me your tired," he said, misinterpreting her sigh by one hundred percent. "We've got a big night ahead, buck up!"

She stretched her arms to keep up the 'tired' ruse. "I'm bucked, I'm bucked...believe me."

He shook his head. "I don't believe you, so maybe this'll grab your attention." He closed his eyes, breathed deep, and when he opened them again he extended his hand; somehow, the remaining shards of glass scooped themselves up and floated into the bag.

"Wow..." she uttered, overcome by amazement at the most potent magic she'd seen yet. She emerged from her trance when she noticed him glaring.

"Now wow!" he snapped. "Your reaction is supposed to be nothing; a whole lotta nothing."

She smacked herself on the forehead. "Right, right, can't let the Shadowers find out I see magic 'cause I'm secretly a Kindred." She seemed worried. "I'm gonna get us killed aren't I..."

"Not if you focus a little harder." He closed his eyes again and raised both hands. A few seconds later, smooth little pebbles from a potted plant started zipping their way past her head. She instinctively ducked and he did it again. And again. After the tenth round of flying pebbles, she managed to stay calm, even bored. "Would you like a another oyster canapé sir?" she said calmly as the pebbles whizzed past. "More champagne?" she added as another pebble flew towards her eye before making a sudden sharp turn. "Yes, I'll have my colleague bring it out to you right away," she went on.