Raya hastily reached for the light switch. Light flooded the room, revealing Phoenix, who cocked a haughty eyebrow at Raya’s reflection in the mirror.
“I’m sorry—did you have somewhere else in mind?”
Phoenix’s mouth went slightly agape. “No—”
“Then don’t criticize.” Raya slid past him and out of the bathroom.
He followed, folding his dark red wings away. “You smell like a magic forest fire.” He wrinkled his nose and fanned the air. “What did you do out there? I could feel the blast all the way from here.”
“I got more magic.”
“That’s it? That’s all you have to say about it?”
“It is until I get something to eat. A steak, preferably. My treat.”
“Your treat? Are you ill?”
“No, I’m just hungry.”
“Well, I don’t eat. So that’s not much of a treat.” Phoenix sat on the bed and crossed his arms.
Raya took her jacket from the closet and put it on. “No? You drink, though. Like a fish, as I recall.”
Phoenix sprang up. “Now you’re talking. How about abrasserie?”
“I don’t need a bra, Phoenix. I need a steak.”
He rolled his eyes. “Not a brassiere, you philistine. Abrasserie: a restaurant that serves beer, bread, steak, and fries.”
Raya laughed. “Oh! In that case, lead the way.”
Mirrors covered nearly every wall of the neighborhoodbrasserie, making it almost impossible to judge the size of the restaurant at a glance. Brass fixtures, white tablecloths, and dark wood completed the old-school Parisian look.
Raya slid into a seat on the leather banquette, while Phoenix took a chair across the table.
The waiter delivered the printed menus and left them to examine the choices.
Phoenix tossed his menu on the table.
Raya peered at the French words. “Which one is a steak?”
Phoenix smirked. “You’ll never guess.”
She shook the menu as if airing a sheet. “Yes, I will. Let’s see—oh.” Her finger landed on the French word for steak.
It was “steak.”
He chortled as the realization hit her.
Raya picked up her napkin and whipped him with it. “Very funny.”
When the waiter returned, she orderedsteak fritesand a glass of champagne.
Phoenix ordered only abière.
“Why don’t you order some food? I know you can eat.”
“Eating is weird.” Phoenix waved his hand negligently. “And human.”
