“It is earlier than I normally wake up,” Amelia says, echoing Reese’s yawn.
Simon looks at his clipboard, his finger skimming down some list. “Okay, well, we do not have much time left before things start. Some of you will be hidden in the maze, handing out prizes to anyone who finds you. And others will be helping anyone who gets lost. If that is your role, you will roam around looking for lost kids or adults. Also, anyone who looks like they’re going in there to fornicate, please escort them out.” He chuckles a little. “I wouldn’t think that would be an issue, but apparently it’s happened before.”
“Gross,” Amelia and I both say at the same time.
“Indeed.” Simon points to Taser and Blake. “You both will be using your vampire senses to maneuver around the maze.”
Taser and Blake fist bump in a show of vampire superiority and take off in a showy burst of speed into the maze, probably mapping it out real quick.
Simon hands out maps to the rest of us lesser beings.
“Amelia, you and Shaun—” He motions for one of his guys to come over. “You’ll be partnered up for this to hand out prizes. Take one of those boxes with you and find your spot on the map.”
Simon looks over at Reese, who is still ordering her coffee, makes a little adjustment on his clipboard, and sends Tubbs off with a redheaded woman. He points out a tall brunette fae whose hair is hanging slightly into his eyes. “Bliss, you’ll be paired with Pisces. He’s one of our guitar techs. You’ll also be handing out prizes.” He points to a spot on the map marked with a gold star that has “Bliss and Pisces” written on it.
“Pisces?” I say, making a bit of a face.
“You can bond over your parents’ questionable baby-naming skills,” Simon quips, grinning at me.
Here it is. A potential opportunity to put my plan into action. “I was actually hoping I’d get paired with you.” I put just the right amount of flirtiness into my voice and draw on a hint of my power. I don’t have much to pull on after my little hookup with Taser, but it should do the trick.
His grin widens. But not in a flirty way. It’s almost as if it had no affect on him whatsoever. Odd. It worked last time. I use a bit more of my power, sending it out in a soft wave at him. I rest my fingers lightly on his forearm; physical contact sometimes helps my powers have a better effect. It’s a tip I learned from Amelia years ago.
Nothing.
“Unfortunately, I have to be stationed at that booth over there, giving out backstage passes to anyone who finds all the scavenger hunt prizes.” Right. Some of which are hidden in themaze somewhere. “You and Pisces are deeper into the maze. Best get going.”
I nod, and when I’m out of earshot I sigh. “I can’t believe that didn’t work.” Now my magic is even lower and I can feel my headache from this morning starting to come back.
I watch Simon make his way over to a large booth with a banner that reads “Scavenger Hunt” in a very metal-esque font.
“Bliss?” a quiet but deep voice asks from behind me. The speaker has a British accent very similar to Simon’s. I turn around, looking at the guitar tech Simon pointed out. “I think we were paired together for the maze?” Pisces regards me with a careful expression, almost as if I’m some sort of bunny that he might scare off.
I glance back at Simon and turn to face Pisces. “Yeah, I guess so.”
He hoists the box of prizes up into his arms and I notice the very end of a tattoo peeking out above the collar of his shirt. “Lead the way,” he says, using his chin to point to the map in my hands.
“Oh right,” I say, my head spinning with thoughts. When I first talked to Simon outside the restaurant, he said the guys he’d been sitting with in the booth were just some of the band’s crew. He was obviously lying, and it makes me wonder if Pisces might be Wrath? He’s tall enough and lean enough to be.
I take as inconspicuous a sniff as I can from Wrath’s hoodie that I’m wearing and discreetly sniff the air around Pisces by pretending I need to stop and tie my shoe. He walks past me and waits. Since we’re outside I can’t smell him very well, but I detect enough of a difference to know it’s not him. He must really be the guitar tech.
I need to get another chance with Simon, because without him how the hell am I ever going to get enough time with Wrath?Maybe go to their townhouse and pretend I’m there to give the hoodie back, and then catch a glimpse of him?
“Bliss?” Pisces asks, interrupting my planning.
I look up and realize I’ve walked us straight into a dead end.
“Is this where we’re suppose to be?” he asks.
“No, I don’t think so. Sorry,” I mutter, turning around the way we came. “We need to take a left and then a right, and then another right and—wow, this is more complicated than I thought.”
We continue on. I focus on the map this time so I don’t lead us straight into a wall of hay.
We’re nearly there when Pisces drops the box to the ground and lets out a sneeze. And then another. And then another.
“Sorry,” he says, looking around at all the hay.
“There’s a reason you brits call it hay fever,” I say with a shrug. “Bless you,” I add, internally cringing. I should have said that first. I should also ask him about being a guitar tech. I should also ask him some questions about Wrath. Maybe he’ll let something slip that’ll give me some clues.
