“We did, David. Don’t you remember?” This from Travis, who was standing with his arms crossed, leaning back against the counter.
“No,” he hesitantly replied, still rubbing his head. “I have a bad headache. I don’t remember doing anything after lunch. It’s all blank.” Panic was beginning to seep into his voice by the end. Kait stepped forward to rest his fingertips on David’s temples.
“There. I healed your headache. Don’t worry about what happened during training, after dinner we are going to discuss the plan of attack for tomorrow.”
“Okay.” David picked up his sandwich and took a bite. When he finished chewing, he said suspiciously, “Did something happen during training? Is that why I have a headache?”
“Nothing happened. Don’t worry about it.” Kait winced when he turned back around to me.
I wracked my brain for something to say. Because I’m so good at this, what came out of my mouth was, “Kait, if you are over two hundred, and are practically immortal, what’s going to happen when I grow old and die and you stay young?”
He stared at me with his mouth hanging open. Oh shit. I didn’t mean to ask that. The question had been hanging around the back of my brain for a while, but I never planned on saying it. Then, I began to giggle insanely. I had effectively rendered Kait speechless, which I never thought I’d be able to do, with an asinine question that I really didn’t want to know the answer to.
Eventually, he took a deep breath, and turned away from me. “David, do you mind if I look into your memories to see what happened during training?”
“I don’t mind, but you said nothing happened. I can sense that you all are keeping something from me, just tell me already.”
Again, my mouth outran my brain. “You attacked me, and Travis had to knock you out before you killed me.”
Kait glared daggers at me. I stuffed my sandwich in my mouth to attempt the stupid from falling out of it again. Travis just shook his head.
“Ignore her, David. Can I look?” Kait’s voice was firm.
“If I attacked her and didn’t stop, hell, yes, you need to look! I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me!” He closed his eyes.
Kait stepped back behind him, placing his fingers on David’s temples again. “Relax, and think about lunch. Where did you go after?”
David mumbled something, and Kait went silent. After a few moments of watching their unmoving forms, I said, “Well, this is boring.” I got up, and went in to the living room. I stared at the wall until everyone else came in. David seemed slightly woozy, wobbling off-balance while Kait guided him by the elbow. I glanced at Kait, but he shook his head. He either didn’t pick anything up or wasn’t going to tell me if he did. Wonderful.
“Okay, the plan for tomorrow night is simple. We are going to infiltrate the gathering, and then, once everyone is there, we will make the arrests. It will most likely be messy, as I doubt any of the Svikari are going to surrender. So, I want us all in knife-proof clothing as well as covered in bounce spells. Evalia, you will have a special knife-proof gown to wear, and I have a hairdresser coming in to do your hair and makeup. Travis, David, you will have tuxes. They are specially sewn, with hidden pockets for knives, and the fabric is knife-proof. How are you in heels, Princess?”
“Not good. In case you haven’t noticed, I am kinda clumsy.”
He smiled. “That’s okay. We have just the heels for you.”
There was something in his voice that made me glance at him. He was watching me with a bland look, but his eyes were dancing. I had a feeling that he knew something I didn’t.
I squinted at him, but he didn’t give me anything. Shrugging, I said, “Alright, I will try them. But, why do we have to dress up?”
“The gathering is more of a black-tie party. For us to fit in, we have to be dressed like them.”
“I feel like you have an ulterior motive, Kait.” He just smiled a little bigger at me. I shook my head and gave up. “Alright, moving on. Once we get to the party, what’s the plan?”
“The three of you will need to mark the major targets with magical targets. When the signal is given, soldiers will sniper the main players, then you will need to incapacitate as many of the rest as you can.”
“What will you be doing?”
“I will be placed as a waiter, so I can direct the attack. My soldiers will be watching the exits.”
We spent another hour or so going over the details. Kait gave us our specific assignments, as well as coached me, mainly, on how to act and walk. I swear he made me walk across the room a thousand times, criticizing my posture, the size of my steps, how much my arms swing and even the way my feet hit the floor. David and Travis left quickly once that part began. When we were done, I was extremely frustrated and pissed at Kait.
“I’m sorry I’m unrefined, and uncouth.”
He pulled a hand down his face. “I never said that. Don’t put words in my mouth. I want you to be safe, so I want to make sure you don’t give yourself away.”
“Whatever, Kait. You don’t think I can handle myself in high society.”
“Fine. Do you think you can? Do you think you can have small talk with kings, princes, and people who are trying to kill you without freaking out? Without giving yourself away by the slightest look or a wrong word?”
My anxiety kicked up a notch. “Damn it, Kait! Why would you do that?” He came over to run his hands down my arms.
“I want you to be aware of the danger you will be
