Page 28 of Trapped By Clocks and Hearts

“There.” She nodded after a moment, tilting her head to appraise my appearance. “You almost look like a regular, powerless guy—and much less likely to get us both killed.” With her grasp firm on my arm, Allie half-dragged me toward the boarding platform. “Now come on before we miss the boat.”

The whistle blew, signaling cast off just as we walked past the ramp to come on board.

As we headed straight into the parlor, I was hoping the colorful, likely highly inebriated crowds would lend to our disguises.

The blustery draft shoving us through the doorway blew Allie’s hair across her face. In an almost futile effort, she tucked it back behind her ear before glancing back at me. “This place is amazing.” She marveled at the lavish interior of plush velvet furnishings, polished wood paneling, and brass fittings.

Her forehead creased as her eyes kept catching on the people milling around us. “Are…they all animals?” Her question was full of wonder as we walked past a gentleman with horns like a rhino wearing a three-piece suit and boutonniere. On the small red-velvet curtained stage off to the left, three ladies in pink sashes with long thin legs and slender, curved beaks in place of mouths, were dancing the Can-Can to a merry tune.

I didn’t bother answering her ridiculous question. Of course, they were all animals. On the river with no magic, certain creatures of Wünder could opt to mimic the human form. How else would they be able to gamble?

Allie wasn’t waiting for my response. Distracted by something else, she surged forward through the main deck.

I followed in her wake, glancing past the open doors to one side that led to the casino.

Despite it being midday, the air in the casino was thick with cigar smoke, the clinking of poker chips and shuffling of cards on polished mahogany tables, and the constant hum of conversation.

“Ooh…can we check out the casino later?” Her eyes widened again when her gaze landed on a set of long tables laden with food—fresh, shiny fruits and vegetables, glistening silver platters, and decadent cakes. “Oh my gosh, there’s a snack bar! Look!” She made a beeline for the buffet and before I could even remind her that we were supposed to keep a low profile, she was already helping herself and loading a plate.

I had to roll my eyes as Allie made a face to pick out some tomatoes from her plate. What was she even doing? She’d said everything in this world tasted like waffles anyway. I didn’t understand her urge to be picky. But I didn’t bother to ask.

“Hello.”

The soft purr at my elbow made me turn.

A woman dressed in bird feathers was gazing up at me with doe eyes behind her lory mask. Her smile glistened as she cooed, her voice dripping with honey. “Darling, would you like to buy me a drink?”

I blew out a tired breath. “No, thank you.”

I certainly didn’t mean for my voice to be husky or inviting at all but just then two more women in aviary costumes behind Miss Lory turned at the sound and two more breathy hellos came my way.

This.

This was what was supposed to happen.

I didn’t even have any magic. I’d barely even done anything. And I was already about to be mobbed by women on this friggin’ boat.

Another woman dressed all in canary yellow from clear across the room caught my eye and she began to walk over, prompting several other women to turn to look—at me.

Holding her plate under her chin so as not to spill, Allie’s face was crumpled up as she watched the oddity happening around us. “What the hell is going on?” she mumbled through her mouthful.

“I think if we would like to remain incognito, you’d better put that plate down.” I pulled on her arm to hurry away.

“Mm—!” She moaned in protest as I led her away but not before grabbing a few muffins to stuff in her pockets.

Fast-walking down the aisle, we headed down the stairs and turned into a narrow corridor near the cabins below deck before I glanced back to check if we were still being followed. Usually, once I’d moved out of immediate vicinity, the haze on these women would be lifted. It wasn’t always a guarantee but it was as much as I could do on a moving boat.

Allie couldn’t stifle her laughter any longer. Her hand propped against the wall to steady herself, she bent over to crack up. “What—the hell was that?”

I scoffed. I couldn’t think how to explain it to her since she wasn’t in the least affected by my influence. “Never mind,” I dismissed. “We just have to lay low until the boat docks. Avoid The Dodo and his men. And avoid any women.”

“That’s just great.” Allie frowned, casting a glance around the cramped, dark hallways below deck. “This is going to be one exciting boat ride.”

A cackle of female laughter rang out from quite close by and I stiffened in wariness but the corridor was still deserted.

Allie craned her neck to look around. “Must be coming from the people in these cabins.” She moved down the hall, running her fingers across the polished wood.

A click from the next door made her freeze in her tracks.