Familiar with the Warlock - Viola Grace Page 0,10
in here?”
Alice smiled and gushed. “This is so much fun. Please let Mr. Reckon know how thankful I am for the opportunity to go.”
Argo turned his green gaze toward Maven. “Oh, are you attending on Alice’s extra ticket?”
Maven looked at him and watched the green gaze flicker to grey. “No. I am not attending.”
Alice blushed.
Maven returned to the change room and put on her street clothes. She handed the fabric to the clerk and smiled. “Thanks for letting me play for a while. The boots are in the changeroom.”
Alice grabbed her arm. “I was going to ask you, but you are so busy.”
Maven looked down at her friend’s arm. “You are right. I am busy. Good evening.”
She walked out of the building, concrete confirmation that her friend was trying to keep her from anything regarding socialization. It was one thing to suspect but another entirely to know. She was off to get herself some fucking ice cream.
Chapter Five
Maven sat at home until it was time for bed, and then, she crawled between the sheets with her t-shirt and panties. Nothing like knowing your best friend resented you to put you into a state of depression.
She grabbed the pillow that Argo had slept on and pressed her face into it. It smelled like dust, sunshine, and a bit of male.
* * * *
Olmin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Well, that backfired. I thought I was being so clever.”
Argo finished making dinner and set the table. “You couldn’t have known that Alice was that devious. It now explains why she wouldn’t bring anyone to any of the publisher events. She can’t stand to be outshone.”
“So, how did Maven take it?”
“According to the clerk, she simply thanked her, handed back the costume, and left.”
Olmin poured a glass of wine. “Was she upset?”
“She was polite.”
Olmin winced. “We both know what that means.”
“Yes. Maven is upset.” Argo sat with him, and they ate. He paused and looked up. “I think I know how to salvage this.”
He smiled and said to Olmin, “When is the last time you played fairy godmother?”
* * * *
Halloween was a fun day at work. She finished early and headed home. The black limo outside of her workplace was new. Her name on a whiteboard was a little surprising.
She walked toward the limo, and the driver smiled. “Welcome, Miss Hoarding.”
He opened the door and held her hand as she eased inside. There was a bottle that was labeled as a drink me potion, and an orb that said hold me.
She bit her lip and sniffed at the contents of the bottle. It smelled like nothing. She tipped the bottle back, and a tablespoon of fluid ran down her throat. Hmm. Nothing.
The orb was warm, and when she picked it up, the red colour ran up and over her, dissolving her clothing as it went. She was left in a very elegant and very risqué version of the red riding hood costume. The corset fit, so that was something. She touched her face, and the mask was in place. She hoped this lasted past midnight, or she was going to get cold.
The driver began moving, and they were on the way to their next stop. It was Halloween, so she was socially acceptable anywhere she went.
They pulled up outside the publishing house, and Olmin and Argo walked toward the limo, their coats folded over their arms, cuffs turned back, and ties loose.
The driver opened the door, and Olmin slid inside, pausing to take her in. “Hello, Maven.”
She grabbed him by his tie and pulled him toward her. “Thanks for the costume, Olmin.”
She kissed him sweetly, and he was surprised. When she leaned back, he whispered, “You look...”
“In danger of falling out of this corset? Trapped in the autumn without underwear?” She grinned at Argo as he settled in across from her. “And thank you for thinking of this.”
Olmin muttered, “How did you know it was his idea?”
“Because you didn’t rummage through my costume collection while I was asleep.” She stroked his cheek.
Argo chuckled.
She smiled. “So, what are you two going to dress up as tonight?”
They looked at each other and grinned. “Wolves.”
She blinked. “What?”
Olmin smiled. “If we are to indulge your penchant for costumes, we are to be the wolves. We have to return to the manor to change, of course.”
Argo nodded. “Of course.”
She knew that they wanted her to give a bit of a fashion show, but she was still rather nervous about returning to the manor. “I think I