Page 115 of My Pleasure

Meryn looked back at Ryuu. “The good stuff,” she said.

“Of course, denka,” he went to the kitchen.

Meryn slid a box of brownies over to the councilwoman like she was sliding contraband over to a drug dealer. “I believe you will be satisfied, Councilwoman Rosewyn.”

The woman smiled and opened the box. Her eyes lit up when she saw the brownies. “Call me Daia please, or this conversation will become cumbersome, Your Highness.”

“Then no Highness stuff. You can call me Meryn.”

With impeccable manners, Daia picked up a brownie and placed it on the small plate in front of her. She took a small bite and hummed happily. After she swallowed, she beamed at Meryn. “Truly decadent.”

“You ain’t tasted nothin yet,” Meryn said.

Ryuu came in from the kitchen, a white ceramic mug on his tray. He placed it in front of Daia. “A cafe mocha. The syrup is actually from a bakery in Éire Danu. He created it just to spoil my denka. He called it his Dark Chocolate Truffle syrup.”

Daia took a sip and shuddered. “Gods above,” she whispered.

“Yeah. When I can have unlimited coffee and chocolate after nugget is born, I’m getting one of those beer hats that hold liters and filling it with that stuff,” Meryn said, glaring down at her stomach.

“Denka, I’m not sure supporting the weight of two liters with your neck is advisable. I’ll bring you fresh cups as you run out.”

“Oh yeah, good idea. Fresh is always better.”

Daia looked around and nodded at Caiden, Kendrick, then Aiden. “What did you find?” she asked, finally broaching the topic she was called in for.

Kiera took a deep breath. “It’s for me Councilwoman.”

Daia was just about to take another bite, then lowered the brownies back to the plate. “That’s impossible. You tested…” She looked at Meryn and remembered what she said on the phone. “I suppose a demonstration is out of the question?”

Kendrick exhaled loudly, eyes narrowing at Meryn as if daring her to suggest something.

Meryn chuckled nervously. “We accidentally created a fire tornado last time. I think Kendrick needs a break before we try something again.”

“Truly!” Daia looked at Kiera with excitement. “You carry dual elements?”

Caiden shook his head. “Not exactly. She was able to pull my air magic from me to create the tornado and fire magic from Kendrick.”

“She can also negate magic as well,” Kendrick added.

Daia blinked, then blinked again. “Extraordinary.” She then sat back. “And the Academy didn’t catch this?”

Meryn pulled the brownie box back toward her. “They got Zoe wrong too.”

Daia shook her head. “She is unstable.”

“She’s powerful. She just needed practice,” Meryn corrected.

Daia frowned. “They advised us that she would never be able to control her magic.”

Meryn shoved a brownie in her mouth, chewed, then washed the whole thing down with her coffee. “Wanna know what my empathy saw when I met you?”

“Meryn,” Kendrick started, about to stand.

Meryn held up her hand. He sat back down.

“I saw actors on a stage, with masks changing constantly. In the eaves, I saw mirrors reflecting a third truth.”

Daia’s eyes widened. “For your empathy to present itself not just in visualization but also using symbology…”