Chapter 155 Dinner
Alessia’s POV
Leaning back in my chair I face the fire once more. My mind is filled with several possible scenarios.
\-Being caught
\-My face rippling in the middle of a conversation
\-Running in to the real person that I will be borrowing his identity
I am aware of my limitations when it comes to glamour and I can work may way around it but sometimes shit happens.
Dios mio please let everything come together without a hitch I pray silently
I remember Frederic’s words during the glamour lesson “You cannot mimic a person's exact behaviours all the time.” So keeping the La Geneva members at arms length will be paramount to my success
The sooner I get them Alex into the coven the better, If I am discovered before they are in. We will have a big problem
“We have to be in and out of La Geneva within seventy two hours tops that does not give us a lot of time but it should be sufficient to - “
Mcgregor clears his throat again cutting through my thoughts of strategy and execution. I turn to the old ornery Man giving him a sweet smile , he leans back in his rocking chair like a king on his throne
Which he is anyway
It's his house, his rules after all
“Since that is all out of the way, you should all eat, there is food on the dining” he says firmly “And you must rest for a few hours.” pausing he adds “You cannot plan something of this magnitude successfully without full stomachs and a clear head.”
“But Mr Mcgregor I -” I am about to protest when Angelica beats me to it "Alessia, our host is right” she chides me gently giving me a knowing look as she rises from the sofa “A clear head is needed “ I swallow my retort biting my cheek in despair.
Lucy agrees with her nodding once “makes for a more steady hand when casting magic.”
I turn to Alex hoping him at least will protest in my favour but instead he says “Of course we should eat and rest.”
Traitors all of them
Mccgrfor stands gesturing towards the doorway “Hugh lead the way”
Hugh gives him a small salute “ Yes sir.” we slowly follow them as we enter into the cozy dining room. The table is set with stews, fresh bread and a bowl of salad. Home comfy food nothing extravagant by any means.
I pick a seat and slide into it listening to the hum of conversation around me. Filling my plate silently I start toying with my food. Not contributing because I am still very much in my own thoughts about our plan
Luca and Hugh whisper lowly about the eastern ridge and the terrain we will be encountering
Lucy asks McGregor if he has a study room or library where she can work on some scripts. Angelica keeps sneaking looks at me
Alex turns to me “Alessia eat your food” he murmurs in my ear
“Aren't I eating?” I ask even though I know the answer.
He shakes his head undaunted by my surly attitude. “You have been toying with your food for the past five minutes.”
I sigh and take a spoonful of the venison stew. The burst of flavor spreads through my tongue, my stomach warning up instantly chasing the residual chill that has been lingering since we arrived.
Mc Gregor watches us eat sharply, without missing a beat.
“You are a fire elemental” he whispers suddenly, looking at me
I freeze for a moment “How did you -” I ask surprised he is that intuitive for a Man so old
Your eyes flashed gold earlier when we were talking about the plans” he supplies
“I have a gift that serves a purpose” I reply evenly
He grunts sitting up straighter “Your purpose burns hotter than any regular fire.”
The room falls into silence for a moment as everyone ponders over his words.
I know my power is deadly though I do not need it being pointed out this way.
I hold on to my spoon tightly, biting my inner lip until I taste blood to prevent myself from saying something rude to the nosy old man.
Tension simmers subtly in the room. My pulse misses a few beats as Alex stiffens beside me reaching for my thigh and giving it a squeeze.
Narrowing my eyes I turn to him, glaring at him my anger quite evident he stares at me for a few minutes then shakes his head once
as if to say “Do not engage”.I understand what he is saying and it doesn't make me feel better even though I had not planned to talk back.
Lucy clearly feeling the escalating tension in the room clears her throat lightly “We should discuss how we will communicate once you are in Alessia” Breaking eye contact reluctantly I turn to her. Tilting my head I consider her suggestion as Luca chips in “I agree, you can go in with a burner phone and send a phrase, no real names.”
Angelica nods “We can coin a phrase, something light and harmless.”
Leaning back in my chair I consider it,Anything that will help us stay connected is good
“Nothing direct like item located time for phase two” I suggest quietly “The lemon tree is blooming, if I say that then it means I have located it and we quickly move to phase two..”
I like the use of the lemon tree phrase ,It's like an adieu to my mother. After all I owe her this retrieval she was the original guardian of la Rosa.
Alex catches my gaze giving me a tight smile
“That sound poetic, and if things are going downhill you say?
“The lemons are rotting” Lucy chimes “It means we need to abort mission “
There is a murmur of agreement around the table as nobody can find a fault in the phrases and it gives nothing away. With that out of the way I continue to eat my stew in silent contemplation...