Chapter 35
We followed her into the room and discovered her abode was as gaudy as the clothes under her robe. Random, brightly colored rolls of fabric covered the walls and swept onto the floor, creating a dozen different tripping hazards. Pillows with beads, abstract flower designs, and foot-long tassels were strewn about the place. A dozen portraits and sketches of our hostess hung on the walls, all crafted in flattering poses and with more than a few years docked from her face.
The portrait frames, pillows, and fabric were all decked out in rhinestones. The dull surfaces were a mockery of the true gemstones, and many of the pebbles had been so poorly glued that they dotted the ground like a riverbed.
Dolios dropped into a cushioned chair in front of a huge mirror. The mirror sat atop a long, deep vanity, and its top was covered in dozens of different bottles and canisters. A faint dusting of white powder covered much of the surface, even the half dozen brushes, tweezers, and mud masks.
She spun around to face us and waved her hand at me. “You may start whenever you please.”
I cleared my throat and sang one of Tim’s gentler tunes, a lullaby of sorts from one lover to another. My voice caused the loose rhinestones to float up all around us. I focused my attention on them, and they slowly began to turn. Their smoothed surfaces glistened in the light from the chandelier above our heads, casting their wondrous light over the walls.
Theo gaped at the illuminations. “How magnificent.”
Dolios cast a more severe eye at my creations. “That’s enough.” I ceased my song, and the rhinestones softly dropped onto the fabric. The professional singer looked me up and down. “You have a very rare gift, girl. I’ve only ever heard of someone who could move objects just with their voice.”
“So I’ve heard,” I replied as I clasped my hands in front of me. “But I prefer to move people than objects.”
She fell back in her chair and scoffed. “Whatever moves the money, darling, otherwise, why do it?”
“For the love of the song, Miss Dolios,” Theo reminded her.
She cast an ugly look at the simping man at her side. “Nonsense. Without the coin, there wouldn’t be any point to this life.”
‘But your fans-”
“-are very nice, and very generous,” she mused as a smile curled onto her face. Her good humor faltered a little as she returned her focus to me. “But it’s a wonder I’ve never heard of you. Where did you train?”
I grasped my hands in front of myself and blushed. “Oh, um, I didn’t really get any formal training, but I have practiced a lot. My brother’s a musician, and he’d help me when my notes went astray.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “I see. Then it’s raw talent. You should get a coach.”
“I’m sure Miss Dolios would be glad to give you some advice,” Theo spoke up.
The aforementioned Miss Dolios didn’t look thrilled with that suggestion. “I have a very busy schedule, Theo, and don’t have time to take on proteges. This meeting itself has taken long enough.”
“Of course,” he agreed as he turned to us and gestured to the door. “If you’ll follow me.”
Theo led us out into the hall and gingerly closed the door behind our small group. He was all smiles as he faced us and clasped his hands in front of him. “Well? What do you think? Isn’t he magnificent?”
I leaned to one side to look past him and at the door. “She’s certainly something.”
“Something to be avoided. . .” Ramaro grumbled.
He bobbed his head. “Most definitely! Now, if you’ll allow me, I’ll lead you out.” He moved down the hall in the direction we had come.
“Why not the rear exit?” Marc wondered as he nodded at where the throat specialist had gone.
Theo’s face lost a bit of its color, and his clasped hands tightened their grip on one another. “Well, that is, that way is rather grotesque, and the door is locked. I wouldn’t want to accidentally leave it open and have Miss Dolios placed into danger by an overzealous fan.”
“I would like to see the hall again,” I spoke up.
Marc smiled at me, but there was a look in that bright blue eye that told me something was amiss. “Very well, but first let me change.” He took out his bottle of disguise juice and ingested. His appearance changed in a trice.
Theo squinted at him. “My goodness. Even the handkerchief is invisible. How do you make that one piece visible?”
“By touching it to water,” Marc explained.
Theo’s eyes widened. “Truly? May I see a demonstration?”
