Electromancer

by Daco

  Luckily, there was a loud clatter in the kitchen, followed by a string of expletives in three different languages.

  “Oh my, Chef Yurdlemon is on the warpath,” Alexa said. “I’m the only one who can calm him down. I have to go.” She waved to The Mayor and said, “Have to tend to the chef, dear.”

  He frowned.

  She made her way to the kitchen, only to find Gladys standing at the door.

  “Do I need to go in there and talk him down?” Alexa asked.

  “No, I managed to do it. A problem with the vichyssoise, which he flung at the sous-chef. It’s fixed.” She took Alexa’s left hand and pointed to the ring. “How are you, dear?”

  “No ill effects so far.”

  “I’ll be right by your side,” Gladys said. “Now stop your worrying. It could be far worse. You could be engaged to Stumpy Stellar.”

  “Oh, Gladys, the very thought of it. I have to get back in there,” Alexa said, sighing. “Saving The City of Angels wasn’t as unpleasant as this.”

  Alexa returned to the gathering room only to be stopped—not just stopped, accosted—by Professor Tender Todds, a professor of Britannic History at Kensington College. He was a tall, suavely dressed man in his late fifties who always held a meerschaum pipe in his hand and occasionally puffed on it even if it wasn’t lit. He took hold of Alexa’s hand and wouldn’t let go.

  “So you’re engaged to Bobby Baumgartner,” he said. “I remember him when he was just a college sophomore. He failed my World War II seminar. A real slacker. Couldn’t trust him then, and you can’t trust him now, if you ask me.”

  She hadn’t asked him and was tempted to tell him so, but only replied, “That’s a very harsh judgment on The Mayor, Professor Todds.”

  “Do call me Tender. Not the most felicitous name, I’ll admit, but from the lips of a beautiful, educated woman like you, it would sound positively poetic.” For one horrifying moment, Alexa thought that he was going to bend over and kiss her on the lips. She wasn’t far wrong, because he lowered his head, kissed her hand, and said, “Milady, fair!”

  She resisted the temptation to wipe her hand. First Stumpy Stellar and now Professor Todds? Stumpy had drunk too much champagne, but Todds seemed to be stone-cold sober, and he’d been a family friend, more her father’s friend than her own.

  Professor Todds leaned over and whispered in her ear. “So wise so young, they say, do never live long.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Shakespeare. You see, true love.” He drew in air from his unlit pipe and slowly exhaled as if he were blowing the most elegant smoke rings. “You should be marrying me, not that slippery Baumgartner.”

  Alexa drew back in horror. “I beg your pardon!”

  He took another fake draw on his pipe and said, “I do love the taste of pipe tobacco.”

  “But Professor, your pipe is unlit, and I thank you for that, because I only allow smoking in the side garden.”

  “‘When the smoke clears, love is a fire burning in your lover’s eyes.’ Romeo and Juliet, and apropos of Tender’s tender feelings for you.”

  Fortunately, Sigfred appeared out of nowhere and came to her rescue. “Mayor Baumgartner is looking for you, Ms. Manchester,” he said.

  “Tell him I’ll be right there. Meanwhile, Professor Todds, if you’ll excuse me, I have to make a quick stop in the kitchen to confer with my chef.”

  She didn’t go to the kitchen but instead retreated to a small study off the main corridor and sat down on a fainting couch that her grandmother had brought home from Parisia a half century earlier. She had to gather herself. She realized that it wasn’t simply Stellar and Todds who’d acted strangely. A number of men who’d never given her a second thought had virtually leered at her. It was as if she’d unknowingly transformed into Electromancer and had been prancing around naked. For a brief moment, she feared that this had actually happened. But that was preposterous. The ring hadn’t bewitched her; it had hypnotized the men around her, particularly those who’d come near her.

  She stood up. She really should check on Chef Yurdlemon. The man was a genius, but so fragile that his ego needed constant stroking, especially during a large dinner party. As Alexa neared the kitchen, she heard the distinctive sound of Sigfred’s footsteps. Now what?

  Sigfred walked up to her and got down on one knee. “You have to end the engagement.”

  “Don’t say another word!” Alexa said.

  “Alexa, I ...”

  “So, it’s Alexa, now? It’s too late, Sigfred. Whether I stay engaged to The Mayor or not is my business, not yours.”

  He took her hand. “Your welfare, your very life, is my only business.”

  Her face flushed hot. She’d seen that look of devotion—not just devotion, but love perhaps—once before, but when she stood before him as Electromancer. Now, as Alexa, she understood the full import of his gaze. “What’s changed between us, Sigfred?”

  “Nothing and everything. I’ve felt this way about you since I picked you up from college after your freshman year. You were no longer only Mickey Manchester’s daughter. You were a beautiful, brilliant young woman. But it wasn’t my place, or so I thought. In recent days, the world has changed, and so have we. I can’t stand by any longer and act as if I’m just your employee. The world is too fragile not to live life. Besides, only I understand who you really are.”

  It was true—on the night she’d fallen into The Magpie, she’d revealed herself to Sigfred not only physically, but spiritually. Now, she wanted to fall into his arms again, but it was impossible.

  “There’s too much happening,” she said. “It would be cruel to break off the engagement in front of all these people. It would ruin his standing in society, his career. How could I do that?”

  “Whatever your future intentions, you’re toying with Baumgartner, leading him to believe that you’re in love him. Tonight is nothing but a farce. That’s what’s cruel. I’ve never understood the wealthy’s sacrifice of the truth for so-called propriety and nicety.”

  Then Alexa spoke words that almost seemed to come from someone else, words diametrically opposed to her true feelings and what she had intended to do after this party was behind her. “I was attracted to Bobby Baumgartner as a girl of sixteen. Of course, he didn’t know I was alive. When he finally noticed me, I had outgrown that crush. I was shocked when he proposed. I intended to break it off with him after tonight. But in the past few days, he’s risked his political career—and that means everything to him—just to support me. When I think of what he did, I feel affection for him.” The words fell dully, robotically from her lips.

  Sigfred placed his hands on her shoulders firmly but, at the same time, gently. He looked at her beseechingly. “You can’t possibly mean this. You should follow what’s in your heart, not what society expects.”

  Though it was the last thing she wanted to do, she drew away from him. It took all her willpower. “You talk of society and its values,” she said. “I know you can’t understand it, maybe even abhor the idea, but there is something to be said for alliances of powerful families, especially when they want to do good works for humanity. Bobby wants that and I want that, and as a team, we’d be unstoppable. There aren’t very many men you can say that about.”

  Sigfred’s lips tightened. “Funny, I thought I could say that about us.” He drew in a deep breath. “You seem to have failed to notice, Alex ... madame. But I can help you in ways that no one else can.” He abruptly turned and disappeared into the crowd.

  She wanted to call out to him, but for some reason, the words caught in her throat. She looked at her engagement ring. She knew what Gladys would say about what had just happened. But it wasn’t the ring. It was the truth. She did have affection for Bobby Baumgartner, and he would make a good alliance. And given his elevated station in life, she could have greater cover when she transformed into Electromancer. Would Bobby understand?

  “Alexa, darling,” Bobby said, announcing his presence
from down the hallway. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  She stood, watching him approach. She expected him to take her into his arms, but he only leaned down and gave her a peck on the check. As a girl, she’d fantasized about her fiancé, but had never envisioned this type of kiss from him. She’d have to get used to this because this was the path that she’d chosen for the greater good.

  “Come now, Alexa,” he said. “The guests are being seated for dinner, and we really shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

  He took her hand and escorted her back to the party. For the first time ever, she understood her role with Bobby Baumgartner.

  As they rounded the corner on the way to the main dining hall, they ran into the Dowdy twins. The women shot them identical frowns of disapproval. Poor girls, Alexa thought.

  Bobby and Alexa sat at opposite ends of the long dining table. As soon as Alexa took her seat, Bonnie Blalock, one of her closest friends since childhood, walked up and draped an arm on Alexa’s shoulder. “Alexa, you’ve been my best friend for as long as we’ve been in nappies, and I find you keeping secrets from me. How long has this affair been going on between you and Bobby?”

  “For only a few days.” She sighed. “Or perhaps for years. It’s all very complicated. You know that Bobby and I have known one another for so long.”

  “When is the wedding?” Bonnie asked, smiling conspiratorially.

  Alexa hadn’t even considered the wedding. The very idea of bridesmaids and a matron of honor seemed foreign to her. She always thought she’d marry the man she loved. Maybe one day her affection for Bobby would turn to love.

  Laughter erupted from across the table. Dani Dowdy had slipped her arm through Bobby’s right arm, and Della had done the same to his left. They both snuggled up to him.

  “We’ve made a mayoral sandwich,” Della announced gleefully, which resulted in more peals of laughter.

  “You’d better watch those two,” Bonnie said.

  “I intend to,” Alexa said, trying to suppress her growing annoyance of the twins’ flirtations.

  When everyone was seated, Alexa found herself between Bonnie and Professor Todds, who continually quoted more Shakespeare. On the far side of the table, the Dowdy twins were flanking The Mayor. The more flirtatious the twins got, the more jealous Alexa became, until she feared that Electromancer might be an unexpected guest at the party. The only thing that calmed her down was glancing at Sigfred, who was manning his station at the door and directing servants. He appeared more doleful than she’d ever seen him.

  “I understand you have a superhero advocate,” Bonnie said. “I saw it on the news.”

  “Yes, yes,” Professor Todds said. “Your good name was cleared by this Electromancer person. Brilliant, I must say.”

  Alexa forced a smile.

  From across the room, Della called out, “Alexa, dear, I understand that you signed off on Conroy Corn and Henrietta Hensinger’s renovation request for the Sugar Express Train Depot. I wonder if you consulted your fiancé before placing his political career in jeopardy. That old train depot is an eyesore. It should have been torn down years ago.”

  The room fell silent.

  “I know Bobby wants to put the Sugar Express Train Depot up for sale,” Alexa said quietly. “He has the city’s best interests at heart. Meanwhile, the city is under an obligation not to let it fall into further ruin and infestation. It was my duty to act.”

  The Mayor’s expression hardened.

  “I looked up the ordinance myself,” District Attorney Stellar said authoritatively. “I could hardly believe that I’d missed a law on the books. Sometimes these old regulations just seem to get lost because of the need to prosecute dangerous criminals.”

  “I’m sure my lovely fiancée meant well,” The Mayor said. “Although, laws can be interpreted in many ways.”

  “It is a historic landmark,” Alexa said. “As primary trustee of the city’s Trust Fund, I found myself obligated to grant approval for reparative action. How could I not?”

  “Nevertheless,” The Mayor said. “It’s always best to leave politics to the more capable and experienced hands.”

  Alexa’s jaw dropped. She was a capable businesswoman, not some naive schoolgirl. However, this was no time for an argument, and so she remained silent, forcing a loving smile. Would this really be the lot of a politician’s wife?

  Just as the main course was about to be served, Sigfred appeared at Alexa’s side and handed her a note. He was again all business, stiff, formal, and deferent.

  “Are you quite sure, Sigfred?”

  “Positive.”

  Alexa stood up, her legs seemingly unable to support her weight. Sigfred steadied her in his strong arms.

  “Ladies and Gentleman, it seems we have an unexpected guest joining us for dinner tonight. My uncle, Mr. Montgomery Manchester, is here.”

  There was a collective gasp from the more knowledgeable guests—Montgomery Manchester hadn’t been seen in decades.

  Uncle Montgomery entered the dining room. He was a powerfully built man with mysterious dark eyes—the very opposite of her father’s lean and wiry build and transparent blue eyes. But they had the same warm, welcoming smile.

  It was a miracle that her uncle Montgomery, who had long been presumed dead, had returned to his home. Alexa had never met him—he’d left home as a young man, long before she was born. Her father, usually a forthright man, spoke little about Montgomery. Gladys said only that Mickey and Montgomery had wanted different things out of life but that Montgomery was charming and charismatic. Alexa had been too young to ask her mother about Montgomery.

  “I heard through the grapevine that my dear brother’s daughter—my niece—is getting married, and I wouldn’t miss this happy occasion for all the money in the world.” He threw his bearlike arm around her and embraced her paternally. Then four messengers walked in, carrying a veritable bower of yellow and pink roses that would put Miss Henrietta Hensinger’s garden to shame.

  “I have so much to tell you, Uncle Monty,” Alexa whispered. “So much has happened. I need your help.”

  “Of course, Alexa,” he said. “As soon as we have a moment alone. You may put your mind at ease. You needn’t worry about anything because your Uncle Monty has come home. But now, we have much to celebrate.”

  As the night went on, he charmed everyone with his stories about her father and grandfather and his tales about the Manchester art collection. Only Bobby failed to warm up to Uncle Montgomery for some reason. Before leaving the mansion, Bobby took Alexa aside and said, “I know you’re happy to see your uncle, but you don’t know him like I do. I’ll explain later.”

  She pressed him for an explanation, but he said that it was too complicated to explain with so many people around.

  When the party ended, Uncle Montgomery wanted to return to his room at the Kensington Royal Arms Hotel, but Alexa had insisted that he stay at the mansion as her guest.

  “You’re an important member of my family,” she said as they stood in the foyer. “The only one left. I wouldn’t think of your staying in a hotel.”

  Her uncle embraced her, his eyes glistening. “Earlier, you said you needed to tell me something, Alexa. What is it?”

  “You’ve heard of The Magpie and its failure?”

  He nodded.

  “When I went down to investigate, something strange happened. I was—” She stopped herself, recalling Bobby’s words about how she didn’t truly know her uncle. It was too soon to tell her secrets. Even Gladys, who knew her better than anyone, had failed to believe her when she revealed she was Electromancer. Why would her uncle, a stranger, believe her? She decided to keep mum about that and Momo, at least for the time being.

  “Something strange?” Her uncle prompted, curiosity alight in those dark eyes.

  “Yes. Yes, I was, uh,”— she racked her brain for a cover story, but decided to simply stick with the truth —“quite overwhelmed.” Alexa blew out a deep b
reath and impulsively threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re here, Uncle.”

  As he returned the hug, enfolding her in his solid embrace, Alexa felt a frisson of hope for the first time since her transformation.

  Chapter 15

  At the crack of dawn ...

  Flushed with newfound joy over her uncle’s arrival, Alexa awoke early and set out on her daily run. Gladys had suggested that Electromancer didn’t need to work out, but she sensed that it was just the opposite. She should be in peak condition for all that flying and fighting.

  It occurred to her again that Uncle Montgomery might have insights into her plight. He seemed so gentle and kindhearted. Throughout the previous night, he’d reminded her of her father again and again—in the way they both became so excited and animated when telling a story, the way Uncle Montgomery spoke as much with his arms as his voice. Yet, Bobby’s warning still lingered in the back of her mind. It wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

  She rounded the pathway inside the lily garden in a full sprint and crashed into Sigfred. As she was falling to the ground, all she could think was, my God, this man is solidly built! Not only that, but he also had lightning-fast reflexes, because he caught her before she hit the ground.

  “I’m sorry, Sigfred,” she said stiffly, trying not to relish the feeling of his arms around her. She straightened, moving out of his grasp. “I didn’t think anyone would be here. I’m going to continue my run, now.” She took a half step forward, but he didn’t move off the path. “Is there something I can do for you, Sigfred?”

  “I took the liberty of calling upon a colleague for a rather quick favor, and he very graciously accommodated me.” He reached into his top pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. “I’ve had another ring made for you.”

  She raised her hands as if to fend off his words. “Sigfred, you’re not seriously intending to—”

  “No, Alexa. The ring is a duplicate of your engagement ring. Gladys kindly provided me with a photo. You shouldn’t wear the ring if it is contaminated. Your mind should be clear at all times.”