Stolen Magic by J.A. Culican

Author:J.A. Culican [Culican, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragon Realm Press
Published: 2019-01-15T06:00:00+00:00

For a while after we arrive, Talon and I accompany Birka as she swirls around the room greeting a hundred people by name, asking about their eight-year-old son or how their favorite dog's surgery went last week. How she remembers all that is a mystery. During each greeting, she introduces us, too. She says I'm her "friend and most recent project," earning snooty approval each time, and my stock goes up in their eyes. I can see it. Between Talon on my arm and Birka by my side, I can't imagine what they must think. Who is this mystery woman? Ha, me, a mystery woman. I can't say that I hate it, either.

In this way, though, I'm meeting so many Wraiths and powerful mortals that I can't begin to remember names. But that's not what's important to me. This is a grand opportunity I'm taking full advantage of, so each time I meet someone new, I focus on seeing their deaths. I'll never get a better chance to practice than this.

Slowly, I start to feel like I'm getting visions more often. My success ratio, so to speak, is rising, and with it, both my ability and confidence grow, too. It's hard work, mentally, but that's not surprising. What is surprising is how hard it has been not to let so many visions of death ruin my mood, and by the end of Birka's "rounds," as she calls them, I need a drink.

Almost like he read my mind, Talon says to her, "I'm taking Ella to get a drink. I think she's had enough of being your show pony for one night, but do have fun tonight, mother. I know how much you love these bashes. Don't neglect your plus-one for the evening."

"I won't tell him you called him that," Birka replies, smirking. "Fine, I suppose I've shown her off enough to get the rumors started, anyway."

Talon actually chuckles. "Your method of entertaining yourself at these things? I suppose we all need one. Mine is Scotch."

Birka frowns, but Talon adds, "Just kidding. We'll see you later in the evening, okay?"

She waves and turns to another arriving guest, our departure forgotten.

Talon and I go to a long table stretching along one wall, laden with shrimp and crackers and cheeses and a few foods I can't identify, but once I see a bar at one end complete with a well-dressed bartender, I veer toward it and Talon has little choice but to follow.

"You sure you want to drink tonight? You aren't much of a drinker."

"You did say you were taking me to get a drink. You should keep your word," I say, squeezing his arm and smirking up at him. While it's true I don't drink often, after seeing a couple dozen sometimes grisly deaths, I need a drink.

"Wine, please," I tell the bartender, and he gives me a crystal goblet full of white, sparkling wine. One thing I learned from Talon since being in Mortals Landing is that champagne is merely sparkling white wine from the Champagne region of France.

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