Page 31 of Enchanted Hero

“Are you scared of a little chick?” Everleigh teased, softly bumping into him. “Afraid you won’t be able to charm it?”

His eyes danced with bemusement. “I charm everyone, remember?” He reached into the basket, and suddenly the chicks stopped squawking and wiggling. Everleigh stared as two chicks calmly walked into his hand. He lifted them, even as they remained perfectly still, content in his large hand.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Believe what?”

“You actually charmed them. Ow!” Her little chick, apparently feeling not so charmed, pecked at her hand. Then it took a flying leap… straight into Alexander’s hand. “What the–”

“I’ve never seen them act this way.” The girl gaped at Alexander. “They really like you.”

“I guess Icancharm anybody.” Alexander winked at Everleigh.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

He laughed. “Thank you.” He held out his hand, and the chicks walked back into the basket, as if disembarking from a cruise. She almost expected them to turn around and give him a wings up.

Everleigh took the lead as they strolled away from thecharmedchicks. “You are extraordinary.”

“Just because I charm chicks?”

“No. Because you charm–” She clamped her mouth shut, but it was too late.

“You?” His eyes twinkled. “Were you going to say I charmed you?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Really? Because right now you seem pretty charmed.”

“You could charm a python before you’d charm me.”

“There’s one in the reptiles tent–”

“No!”

This time, they both laughed.

They wandered through the aisles, admiring handsome roosters, preening peacocks and snow white bunnies. Like with the chicks, Alexander showed an uncanny connection with the animals, even though he’d spent little time with Earth’s tiny creatures. They finished their tour and approached the exit, when Alexander suddenly halted. His expression darkened.

Everleigh’s breath caught. When he was charming, it was easy to forget the authority he wielded. Right now, he was pure power. “Is everything okay?” she asked in a low voice.

He didn’t answer, instead turning back toward the horses. He stared at one in the back, a thin and skittish foal hugging the wall.

Everleigh frowned. “She looks sick.”

“It’s not the horse that’s sick,” Alexander growled. He slowly scanned the area, stopping on a teenager with black spikey hair, a ripped shirt and a sharp grimace.

Alexander walked to the boy. “Come here.”

The boy looked ready to rebel, yet after a brief hesitation, he obeyed the command.

“Your family owns that horse?”

The boy nodded curtly.

“Get your dad.”

The boy appeared about to refuse, but at Alexander’s hard glare, he drew back. “Yes, sir.” He ran off.