Page 28 of Grimoire Omens

“The chateau it is,” Flo exclaimed with excitement, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier being on the upscale side.

I glanced at my dusty clothes. “I doubt the doormen will let us inside the door given we look like we just crawled out of a dirt pit.”

“They will provide accommodation.” Ulseere spoke with firm confidence.

Guess we’d soon see.

Flo pulled the car up front, and I had to wonder what the valet thought as he came to grab our keys to park it. A brightly smiling Flo grabbed the tag the valet offered and dropped my keychain in his hands with a chirped, “Thanks.”

Before heading for the main doors, Ulseere held up his hand. “A moment please while I cast a glamour.”

I opened my mouth to ask what he meant, only to end up speechless because suddenly we no longer looked out of place. Ulseere went from being dressed as if he were about to set off on a larping quest to wearing a proper suit, and his gray-hued flesh turned tan. Flo, who’d not had time to change from her comfy sleep clothes suddenly appeared in a matronly dress that went midcalf.

A glance down at myself showed me still in my very dirty and dusty hot-biker-girl outfit with a bulging leather jacket. “No disguise for me?”

Ulseere’s lips pursed. “For some reason, my spell is having difficulty changing your outward appearance.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning you and Cedric need to remain close together, as I’m sure felines aren’t common in such an establishment.”

“I’m sure the pair of us walking in together won’t look strange at all,” I drawled.

“You won’t because no one will notice either of you,” Ulseere muttered as the air in front of me blurred.

“What did you do?” I could see a haze, no matter where I turned my head.

“The prince put us in a mirror bubble, basically making us invisible,” Cedric replied.

“Since it doesn’t touch you, it appears to be working,” Ulseere added. “But we should quickly secure our accommodations, as I don’t know how well or how long it will hold. Be sure to avoid people too, as touch might shatter the illusion as well.”

We strode in through the main doors and, despite the people milling in the lobby, only a few gazes slewed our way, or should I say stared at Flo and Ulseere. They did make an attractive couple, a thought that clenched my fists. Cedric, who strode by my side, tail held high, muttered, “Calm down, you’re agitating your magic.”

What? I almost asked what he meant until he added in a low tone, “And don’t talk. The mirroring only hides us from view. It doesn’t erase sound.”

I zipped my lips tight but made a note to interrogate him later.

Ulseere strode to the reception desk with the confidence of a man used to giving orders and getting his way. “We have a reservation.”

The woman glanced at him and offered a fake smile until she got a good look. “Evening, sir. Could I get your name and number?”

Rather than give her what she asked, Ulseere leaned slightly forward, and I’d have sworn he glowed a bit as he purred, “You know who I am. You’ve been expecting me because I am very important.”

“So glad you could make it, sir,” the woman murmured, her expression slightly dazed.

“Our reservation is for the largest available room. It has been prepaid with instructions to give us extreme privacy.”

“Of course. The presidential suite is ready for you.” The receptionist immediately began typing on her computer.

“If anyone inquires about our presence, you will say nothing because we were never here.” Ulseere still glowed a bit, and it occurred to me he used some kind of mental power, the kind that had the woman not asking for identification or payment. Useful. I wondered if I could do anything similar. Wouldn’t that be cool? I’d never have to pay for drinks at the bar again!

“Never here,” the receptionist repeated in a monotone before handing over two coded cards. “Here’s your keys.”

Ulseere frowned at them, and Flo leaned close to whisper, “They’re electronic.”

His brows lifted. Guess he’d never seen that kind of technology before.

We hightailed it to the elevators, with Ulseere hesitating before getting inside. Flo punched in our floor, and when the cubicle lurched, his fists clenched. Ah, look at him enjoying his first elevator ride.