“They’re meant to be finger food,” Zack replied. “You know, one bite so you don’t have a chance to get it on your clothes or have your hands full while making introductions.”
Kit clutched Carver’s arm and looked to Roger. “Can we check it out?”
“Stay together,” Roger said. “I don’t want any of you on our own unless necessary.”
“Yes, master,” Kit and Carver said before zooming off toward the buffet.
“You’re not going with them?” Takashi asked Zack.
“I’m trying to convince my stomach that I didn’t make a mistake having the snack I just ate, master,” Zack said quietly.
Roger put a hand in the center of his back and leaned in to kiss his temple. “You look fantastic.”
“So does everyone else,” Zack whispered.
“My God, itisyou,” a man with a nasally voice said. He was a white guy on the older side, though Zack was pretty sure he wasn’t elderly yet. With a broad grin, he angled into their cluster. “Nicholas Snyder. It has been decades since I’ve seen you. Of course, you haven’t changed, but alas, time takes its toll on us mere mortals.”
“Ah, how true,” Roger said politely. “Excuse me for not recognizing you. It has been ages. How have you been?”
“Married. Kids, they’re grown,” Snyder replied. “Have you seen Elias around? Elias Coldwell? He’s a Magus on the Council these days.”
“You don’t say,” Roger said.
“There he is. Come along, you must talk to him again. Elias, Elias, look who I found.Roger.”
Caught in the current, Zack followed along behind Roger. He muttered, “Who the hell are these guys?”
“Mages I used to party with,” Roger murmured to him.
Roger made a show of acknowledging Elias, who was an older guy as well. Conversation bubbled and brewed between them. Others joined in, and soon, Roger had a tight knot of people around him. Takashi was clever and charming, and the little gathering seemed to take them as a couple and completely disregard Zack. Despite his best attempt, he was soon on the outside of the group.
Not like I had anything to say anyway.Zack began doing what he’d been doing for the last few months. He made mental notes and correlated what data he already had with the new facts. Most of what was spoken was entirely gossip, but that could be useful down the line. The mages seemed entirely unimpressed with warlocks. They kept poking Roger for his opinions on what side Seamus would take when the “inevitable conflict” occurred.
“It’s bullshit, you know,” Dryden whispered.
Zack had seen him approaching but had decided not to turn toward him. He kept his focus forward, which apparently encouraged Dryden to invade his personal space.
Dryden’s long, auburn hair was in an extravagant braid, and he wore a forest-green suit with silver accents. He had an impish grin as he stood at Zack’s shoulder, mouth close to Zack’s ear. “Aren’t you going to ask ‘what’s bullshit?’”
“I already know,” Zack replied in a low voice. “The mages have been worried the warlocks are going to strike for a decade. They never do.”
“Oh, they’re worried about more than that. The warlocks are the ones actually bothering to push magic these days,” Dryden said. “Witches, too, and the odd sorcerer, but their magic has different roots than the mage and warlock. Want to know the difference between them?”
“Between mages and warlocks, it’s the acceptance into a secret society or independent learning,” Zack said.
“Clever boy.”
“You don’t get to call me that.”
“I do when I’m fifty years older than you.” When Zack frowned at him, Dryden smiled at him. “I’m fey, remember?”
“Right,” Zack replied.
Dryden held out his hand. “Dance with me?”
Turning someone down would be rude, and Zack was standing around, attempting to invent some reason to pay attention. He caught Roger’s gaze for a moment and motioned to Dryden. After signaling that he would be going with Dryden, he took his hand and let Dryden lead him out onto the dance floor.
As a new song began, Dryden stepped into the pattern of the dance and drew Zack along with him. The waltz had a lighthearted air to it, and Zack easily stayed in pace with him. Dryden’s smile was probably how he charmed people so he wouldn’t get in trouble. With delight, he said, “You have no problem following.”
