As we ate, I looked around for any stupid guards that might harass us about the dumbno sharing foodrule, but none of them paid attention to us. They didn’t even look Charlie’s way. I guess the fight club really did provide perks.
Ivy’s laugh trickled over the cafeteria. He was here, hanging on Chancey’s arm. Those two went everywhere together. Chancey said something loud, and Ivy laughed harder.
“Who’s that guy Chancey has with him? He’s always around whenever we train,” Charlie asked.
My eyebrow twitched at mention of the fight club again, but I brushed it off. “He didn’t give me his real name,” I said. Hardly anyone did, around here. “He has a stage name, though. Ivy.”
“Ivy? As in,Black Ivy? Like nightshade, the magical drug?”
I hadn’t thought of it that way. “Maybe. But he’s clean now. He said he’s off it.”
Charlie didn’t seem convinced. “Chancey hangs out with some shady people.”
Irritation edged at my tone. “Ivy isnotshady.”
He nodded thoughtfully. “Just be careful, pidge. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Yeah, well, that went both ways, but he was clearly ignoring my wishes to keep his face intact.
When we were done eating, Opal popped by our table. “Marcus and Kallie are in the Villain’s Den. They want to talk to you,” she said. “It seemed pretty important.”
Charlie brushed my hand, which I took as a sign that it must be about the prophecy. “Thanks, Opal. We’ll check in with them,” I said.
The Villain’s Den was crowded when we got there. Kallie and Marcus lounged on the couch, surrounded by a bunch of people. I wanted to ask what they’d called us up for, but it was probably best to wait until all these people weren’t around.
I didn’t understand what the crowd was for, until I saw that Kallie was sitting on top of Marcus, bent over him so their faces were close together. I thought they were kissing, until I realized Kallie was carefully applying a strip of wax to Marcus’ forehead. Rishi perched on the edge of the couch and mewed.
I giggled. “She’s waxing Marcus’ eyebrows.”
“What? How?” Charlie laughed.
“Kallie knows how to steal honey, sugar and lemon juice from the cafeteria. It’s all you need for a sugar wax. She gets me my supplies when I need them,” I said with a shrug.
“Marcus sounds nervous,” Charlie said. We could hear his protests from here.
“I’ll say.” I sighed. "This is about as nerve-wracking as the first time I gave myself a Brazilian wax."
Charlie went rigid. "You… wax your…”
"Vag-area, yeah. Just breathe in, breathe out, and pull. And now it’s silky smooth. Wanna feel?”
He was temporarily speechless. I grinned and left him with the thought of my perfect pussy as I romped to the edge of the couch.
“Why’d I let you talk me into this?” Marcus whined, looking up at Kallie.
“Yousaidthey were too bushy! I’m just cleaning them up!” Kallie insisted. “I promise it won’t hurt.”
“Let Ava do it! She’s a certified cosmetologist!” Marcus whimpered, giving a desperate glance at me.
“I can do it just fine,” Kallie insisted, and she grabbed the strip. “Hold still, okay?”
I was about to tell Kallie to stop, because I’d seen her apply the wax wrong. But as I opened my mouth, I knew it was already too late. Marcus yelped as a giant chunk of hair was pulled off his face. Kallie held up the strip in victory, but her face fell when she realized her mistake. Marcus slapped a hand to his forehead, horrified as he felt bare skin.
“Dude, she took off yourentire eyebrow!” a guy roared. The crowd died with laughter.
“I can fix it!” Kallie insisted, flapping her hands. She cast a spell, and a new eyebrow formed on Marcus’ face. She put her hands on her hips and said, “There. The illusion will hold until your eyebrow grows back.”
“Gee, thanks,” Marcus said sourly.
