Chapter 17: Vasek

There wasn't the briefest glimmer of recognition from Vasek, but I wasn't surprised. I'm certain he'd spotted me long before I dragged Kate forward, since we were in the front row the entire time.

"Excellent," he said, gesturing us to join him. I watched as Stella handed out roses from the conjured bouquet to a dozen or so delighted ladies before returning to stand at our right, sandwiching us between herself and her boss. I felt a sudden thrill of excitement and just a little fear. After all, hadn't I been kidnapped by this pair only the night before?

And yet, I felt no threat from them, only the need to speak to Vasek. I had to tell him Jack was in trouble again and, like it or not, required our help.

"My lady," the magician bowed over Kate's hand first. "May I have the pleasure of your name?"

She could barely speak she was so flustered, cheeks bright red, but she beamed so I knew I'd done right by her.

"K-katherine," she whispered, barely audible. "Katherine Brindle."

He acknowledged her with a flourish of his cape. "Lady Katherine," he said in his velvet voice. "And you?" Dark eyes met mine without hesitation.

"Auburdeen Hayle." I fixed him with my best smile which he returned, also kissing my hand.

"Delightful, Lady Auburdeen," he said. Vasek turned to the crowd. "And now, some magic."

The next ten minutes or so were enlightening if nothing else. I tried several times to whisper to Vasek, but he ignored me completely, whether because he was wrapped up in what he was doing or very much on purpose. I wasn't sure. Though I naturally leaned toward the latter.

Which stirred my temper again. And yet, I couldn't help but admire the dramatic flair the man had, the subtle and flowing movements of his hands, not to mention Stella's. They were both polished, perfectly practiced as if they performed real magic and not illusion, mere slight of hand with the occasional thread of real power behind it. I found that part intriguing. I'd never heard of a latent talent having access to power. Usually the poor souls were stuck with the need, an unspoken, unknown desire for something they were unable to fulfill. Waking a latent was next to impossible without serious damage. So the very fact Vasek was able to use his thin talent fascinated me.

Kate was enraptured for another reason, taken to clapping her hands and squealing in delight every time Vasek performed a trick. From disappearing and reappearing coins to silk scarves by the score, Kate soaked it all up as if she had no idea real magic existed.

I needed to have a long and detailed conversation with the girl. She obviously had a skewed view of the world.

For example, she slipped far too easily under his influence when he used his magic to place her under hypnosis.

I felt his power touch her, a whisper of it sliding over her own, as he gestured in her face, fingers brushing her cheek.

"Voila," he said.

She was his from that moment. And while he didn't use his power over her to harm or embarrass her, he did show sufficient control, having her do simple arm and body movements at his suggestion.

I have to admit, by the time Vasek released a pair of snow white doves from the small golden cage in Kate's now awake and aware hands, I was very impressed with the magician and his skilled helper. Trickster or not, fake with a hint of real or not, the amount of skill required to enchant the crowd while fooling their minds and eyes was remarkable.

Their showmanship almost had me drawn in. But the most important detail was how carefully Vasek manipulated the slim slice of power he did have, using it to his very best advantage. I'd been surrounded by witches my entire life, lived with magic as a day-to-day experience, but never had I witnessed such finesse, as if he knew exactly how much he could push himself, the exact boundaries of his power and had designed his show accordingly.

Bloody brilliant.

Vasek bowed to the thundering applause filling the salon before turning and kissing Kate's hand again. Stella gently guided the girl back into the crowd as the magician turned to me.

"Well played," I whispered.

His eyebrows arched, handsome face showing a hint of pride. "Coming from you," he said as he kissed my hand, "I'll take it as a compliment."

"We have to talk." I dropped my hand as he straightened.

"Not here." He stepped back with a showman's smile, white teeth sparkling. "Lords, ladies, my show is done." He bowed low with a swirl of his cape. "For now, adieu."

I saw him leave, but only because I was watching with my magic. He saved just enough of his power to fool their eyes into thinking he had gone. As his cloak dropped to the floor, he slid behind a folding screen and out of sight.

The crowd gasped in appreciation, offering more warm applause before beginning to break up.

I hung back, trying to catch Stella's eye as she began to gather the magician's tools. She refused to meet my eye, a fact I found frustrating beyond belief. Finally out of patience, I moved to approach her only to be cornered by my new friends, the handsome young lords, with Kate among them.

"Delightful." David eagerly kissed my hand while Philip tried to jockey his own position next to me. "You were both charming and the perfect volunteers."

Kate flushed again, poor thing. Even more so when her not-friend Abriella poked her nose in and sniffed her annoyance.

"Adequate," she said.

I had no time to wrangle the brattish girl. Stella had already finished and was donning a cloak, Vasek nowhere in sight. I risked reaching out with my power to find him, but from what I could tell, he was already gone.

Bollocks.

"Now, Abrie," Philip murmured, "they shone like stars, my dear."

"Heaven forbid," she snapped back. "The magician was just talented enough to make them appear that way. Unfortunate he had such poor taste in subjects."

Her small herd of followers tittered their amusement. I, however, was not amused.

Knowing I sealed my fate in every social circle by reacting, but not caring even a shard, I pushed David and Philip aside and towered over the snotty little countess.

"Good thing he didn't choose you," I said. "Who knows what he may have made disappear? Oh wait. You're already missing your heart and anything resembling etiquette. I see the magician has been at work after all."

The herd laughed while she scowled at me. Even the lords chuckled, though I could see they tried to hide it.

"Popularity is so fickle, isn't it?" I looked away from her, pasting on my very best bored expression. "Kate, if you would? There must be something better to do and more interesting people to do it with."

She was at my side instantly. "I think you're right."

Her voice wobbled slightly, but I was so proud of her I could have hugged her. And would, later. No use in ruining the moment.

Together, Lady Katherine and I swept from the salon, barely making it past the doorway before we burst into giggles.

***