“Thank you.”
Leshing stepped up and received a matching folder but no explanation.
Instead, Ms. Liu simply said, “Welcome back, Mr. Leshing, and good luck.”
With that, Edward took my arm and led me through a golden door.
Chapter Nineteen
Leshing and I entered a room of gold and red. Both colors held significance for the Chinese. Red was considered lucky and gold represented wealth. In short, it was the perfect color scheme for an auction. Despite the nod to Chinese beliefs, the décor wasn't traditional. It matched the house itself—minimal and modern. Leshing led me across a floor carpeted in blood red to one of eight glossy black tables set before a podium. All but two of the tables were occupied with well-dressed men and women. A man in jeans and a leather jacket sat at one of the remaining tables—the only casually dressed person in the room. The final table was ours; we were the last to arrive. I angled my hand to get a good shot of each of the buyers. I wasn't certain, but I think I saw the cupcake heiress, Eileen Harris.
Behind the podium, a flat screen monitor hung on the wall. Videos of the supes whose powers were on offer ran continuously, showcasing their magic. Some of it was grainy, and some had time stamps—security camera footage. Other shots appeared to be taken in a prison.
Leshing held a chair out for me and I slid into it, laying my folder on the table. The seat was plush despite the minimal look and the warm air was gently scented with white ginger. Above me, golden globes hung, light shining through them in delicate patterns. No mercenaries stood against the fabric-draped walls, and only two waitresses worked the room.
Edward sat down and opened his folder, spreading out the sheets on each supe. He tapped one, “Are you sure you want weather magic, sweetheart? This one can see through walls.”
“What on earth would I want to see through walls for?” I drawled, slipping into our act.
We'd decided that Leshing was treating me to a supe ability instead of purchasing one for himself. He had run it by the sellers first, and they'd been fine with it. I was surprised by that. I would have thought that they'd be more discerning in who received their goods. But then again, with so many supes in the world, it didn't matter who got the magic or how they used it. Even if I blabbed, I had no information more than a trip to Beijing and a house I had no idea how to find. In addition to that, I'm sure they had investigated me.
But not nearly enough. If they had, Leshing and I would have had an entirely different car ride.
I unhooked my comm unit from the ring and slid it into my ear. I feigned interest in the supes on the screen while I leaned my chin in my hand, giving the team a good look around the room.
“Is your comm device in, Spectra?” Alex's voice came through my earpiece.
“Yes,” I paused and tapped the picture of the supe with weather ability. “I definitely want that one.”
A waitress stepped up to our table and asked, “Can I take your drink order?”
“I'll have a whiskey and soda,” Leshing said.
“Nothing for me,” I murmured absently.
“Not even a glass of water?” the waitress pushed. “It will be a long auction. Or perhaps something to eat?”
“No, thank you.” I looked up at her, suspicious.
“But...” the woman looked flustered.
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Why are you so insistent on getting me something to drink?”
“I'm not, I just...”
“Is there a problem here?” Chen asked as he hurried over to our table.
“No, Sir,” the waitress said. “I was just trying to offer the lady a beverage, but she declined.”
“If she doesn't want anything, leave her be.” Chen scowled at the girl.
“Yes, Sir,” she hurried off.
“My apologies, Ms. Redding,” Chen said as he laid a hand on my shoulder. “We tell them to make sure that everyone has a drink, and it seems that she has taken the order as law.” He rolled his eyes.
“It's quite all right,” I assured him.
“If you change your mind, just wave and she'll come back.”
