But beneath the heaviness, I feel it. The sparkles tucked into my core don’t let the spell get its hooks in me. That’s good to know, but we still have tolookas though it’s working.
I let my body droop and sink lower in the chair.
Across the room Donovan’s head lolls to one side, his eyes crossed.
I can’t look at him anymore without laughing so I surreptitiously turn my attention to Theo. She’s flopped forward on the desk and isn’t moving at all.
—How’s our acting look, Cos?—
—Ridiculous, but convincing I guess—
“Stop now,” I hear Cosmo command. “They are Elites after all.”
—She’s undoing the spell, so sit up in…five, four, three, two…—
I straighten and blink several times.
“Holy fuck,” Donovan yells. “That was weird.”
Theo hasn’t moved. I reach out an arm and touch her back. “Theo?”
“She’ll take longer to come out of it,” Gimble smirks. “And will have quite the headache for a couple of days.”
What a fucking bitch.
“Well, this has all been illuminating,” Cosmo says, getting to his feet, “but our time is up. No meeting next week, I’ll bepreparing for my party.” He turns to Gimble. “You received your invitation?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she simpers.
He doesn’t reply, just does his Drakeward thing of striding out without a backwards glance. At her desk, Theo shifts a little and groans.
That gives me an idea. “I’ll take her to the sickbay next door, get her checked over.”
“There’s absolutely no need.”
“Eh, I’d better. Cosmo’s dad wants us to keep a close eye on her wellbeing.”
—Do some groaning, Sparkles—
Theo immediately coughs and retches like she’s going to puke.
“Fine, go ahead.”
“I’ll help,” Donovan says hurriedly.
“No, Mr. Hart. Stay here and help me with the chairs. No need for two of our Elite to drag around that dud.”
Ha-ha. Snooze you lose, Hart!
I gather Theo up into my arms, fucking loving the press of her body against mine, then sweep out.
François de Vaux even holds the door for me.
“Here to see the healer,” I bark at the guard.
“He’s not here, take her to the main infirmary.”
I stare down my nose at him and channel Cosmo. “Are you mad, man? Take an Elite to the standard infirmary. Absolutely not. When is the healer scheduled to be back?”
