Chapter Sixteen

Melusine clapped as the Chinese pole dancers left the stage. “Quintin, I am so glad you came with me.”

“Well, you're such enchanting company.”

“That silver tongue of yours is going to get me into trouble one day,” Melusine said.

Quintin grinned. “If only I could be that lucky.”

Three young women came onto the stage, they each held sticks with a length of rope attaching the sticks together at one end. The women moved the rope which made an hourglass figure twirl, bounce, and spin into the air. Quintin clapped as they began to toss the hourglass figure back and forth to each other. The girls bowed as the music changed, and Sapphire and a young man walked onto the stage.

“Oh,” said Melusine. “They're stunning.”

The male performer held his arms straight over his head and Sapphire held his hands and moved slowly until she held a handstand above him.

Quintin focused on the young woman from the party. “Yes, they are. Most extraordinary.”

Melusine chanted a spell under her breath while they clapped for the statue performers. Quintin sat next to her with his plain, boring, and completely human aura around him. Scanning the crowd, she saw a few auras that sparkled with faint traces of magic, but nothing strong enough to bother with the expense of a kidnapping.

Her head began to ache as the spell faded. The hula-hooper bowed as two silks fell from the ceiling and two young men walked onto the stage. Melusine gasped at the brightness of their auras. They sparkled like sunlight on newly fallen snow. Melusine fought to hold onto the spell, but the pain became too sharp. Exhaling, she released the spell, her eyes watering after being forced to see auras.

With their magic I can be free and powerful, Melusine thought. “I must meet them,” she spoke aloud to Quintin.

“If that is what you want, then that’s what will happen,” Quintin said.

Melusine smiled. “I’m so glad you understand how things work.”

* * *

“We’ll miss our reservation if we don’t hurry,” Quintin said, looking at his watch.

Melusine smiled. “You worry too much. Look, the crowd is thinning out.” She walked to the table where the two aerial silk artists stood greeting people and avoiding the grabby hands of horny admirers. The one with the white hair kept looking at the end of the table, as if he expected help.

“You both were magnificent,” Melusine said, looking over the young men for some clue as to what kind of mythical beings they were.

“Thank you,” said one with a Russian accent.

“I have a gift for finding talent and helping those who are truly gifted become famous and respected in their field. You should give me a call.” She handed each of them a pale turquoise business card with silver gray writing.

The pale one raised a white eyebrow, and his forehead wrinkled. “Thank you but I don’t think either of us is thinking of leaving Cirque du Feu Magique.”

“One never knows.” She smiled and reached out to touch the pale young man.

“Melusine, would you like me to call the restaurant?”

“Oh, Quintin, you do fuss so. Okay, come along.” She pulled her hand back and took his arm. “Good evening, gentleman.”

“Mr. Monroe?”

“Oh, Miss Rayner, good evening, you were just lovely,” Quintin said. “You remember Melusine, our hostess at the gala.”

“Yes, it’s very nice to see you again,” Sapphire said.

“And you my dear. I’m afraid I don’t recognize you with the make-up on. You must have made quite an impression on Quintin for him to remember you,” Melusine said.

“Well, I didn’t step on his toes when we danced.”

Melusine laughed and pulled another card out of her purse. “You and your partner should come and talk to me. I could make you rich and famous.”

Melusine placed the card in Sapphire’s hand, her finger grazing the girl’s palm. Warm fire sparked then she was pulled away.

“Quintin.”

“I’m so sorry. Someone bumped into me and I was so enamored being near two such beautiful woman that I fear I lost my balance,” Quintin said. “You're all right, my dear, aren’t you?”

Melusine looked down at him and smiled. “I’m quite all right. Come along, we do have a reservation to keep.”

Quintin looked back at Sapphire, she rubbed her hand frowning. Oh well, at least he’d tried.