Page 47 of Stone Temptation
He scowled, menacing energy warning me to spare him my questions.
“Okay.” I followed him to a huge bathroom of gray stone. None of the ballroom’s glamour had spread into here, only a couple of vases filled with white orchids.
A couple of human men washed their hands, chatting about football.
Seth handed me his flip phone. “Could you check something for me, honey?”
I took it while he spoke with the men about some London team, the whole sport alien to me.
There was a message for me on screen:
Go into a stall. Put on your gloves. Don’t be alarmed when there’s two of you. The candy is mote-infused and will create a decoy Luke and hide your sounds, but I can’t guarantee it will hide your fingerprints.
Activate your power, follow your decoy out. Once I have left with the other you, get the ring. Leave the tower after, then meet at the helipad when you’re done.
You can do this, Mr. Invisible
Before I passed out from shock, Seth took his phone back. “Did you manage to fix it, honey?”
Recovering, I played along. “All done.” I even kissed his cheek. “Excuse me.”
I went to a stall, locking the door.
My heart skipped several beats. I slipped on the white gloves and kept a lid on my composure.
A decoy. A whole magical production. My God! This candy must be from the hands of one super mote enchanter. I made a mental note to get their number, see if they’d help me.
An invisible force gently pushed me away from the door. The back of my legs bumped the toilet, wisps of blue mist drifting from my mouth. The mist sunk to the floor in a slowly turning circle.
Thank God there wasn’t a gap at the bottom of the door.
In less than twenty seconds, the mist became another white-suited me. I swallowed a “Pickles!” and took a seat on the loo.
The other me blinked, then turned to open the door. I jumped up, switching on my invisibility.
This was it.
No panic. No fear. Only adrenaline. Fear broke my power, which would lead to broken legs—or whatever punishment Seth dished out for messing this up. Because nice Seth was dead. Long live this arsewipe.
Other Me left the stall, going to wash his hands. I followed myself out, hanging back.
Never give up.
I could do this.
A toilet flushed, then Seth joined Other Me at the sink, going through the motions, walking out arm in arm.
No. Not creepy at all.
I followed until they went left into the ballroom.
With a deep breath, I turned right, the heist officially on.
TEN
Asher
Ipassed Seth and Luke as they returned to the party. I nodded, but got nothing in response from either of them.