Page 13 of Enchanted Hero (The Secret Enchanters #1)

They walked through a fair filled with fascinating people, displays and shows, yet nothing could distract Everleigh from Alexander and his mysterious secret.

The silence remained unbroken, at least between them, as Alexander greeted countless fans.

Everyone wanted a part of the famous man, and he graciously gave out dozens of autographs.

Everleigh managed not to say anything when a buxom blonde asked for a signature on her shirt – the front part.

And although Alexander signed her program instead, by the time they reached the next item on their schedule, she was as hot as the fried donuts sizzling in oil.

“Here we are.” Alexander stopped in front of a gleaming white building, where a ten-foot sign advertised the fair’s main show. “Max Sage: Magic as You’ve Never Seen Before.”

Everleigh shielded her eyes against the purple glitter, neon lights and gaudy photographs. “Are you sure about this? I saw some racing cockroaches by the deep-fried donuts.”

He chuckled. “You’re the one who claims magic is real.”

“This isn’t magic.” She grimaced, even as she allowed him to lead her forward. The unexplained may intrigue her, but there was nothing mysterious about hidden wires and well-placed mirrors. No doubt this show possessed copious amounts of both.

They stepped through a door framed by paper maché flames, entering a sea of magician’s assistants dressed in fishnet tights, short skirts and tops that showed a nearly magical amount of skin.

Lit by electric torches, the room was dim and dank and carried the scent of electrical wiring.

Haunting music thumped through hidden speakers, and people spoke in hushed whispers, as if not to disturb the mystical spirits.

They headed toward the standing-only room in the back when an official stopped them. “Mr. Stone, I’m Kevin Jones, the festival director. We have a seat for you and your guest up front. Would you be interested in introducing the performer?”

Alexander nodded. “Certainly.”

“Wonderful. You can meet Mr. Sage now.”

They followed Mr. Jones through a doorway shielded by gold foil curtains, then down a short hallway. The director knocked on a door with a bright golden star. At the call to enter, they walked into a spacious dressing room.

Handsome did not fully describe the tall man with midnight hair and cerulean eyes.

Dressed entirely in black, he had an allure to him, yet like everything else in the glittery arena, it seemed a facade with little substance.

No doubt women gushed over him, yet there was no spark, no zing, nothing beyond a rather objective assessment of the man’s attractive features.

Unlike a certain authoritative businessman.

“Mr. Stone, thank you for coming.” The magician gave Alexander a quick glance and an even quicker handshake, then turned to her. “Who do we have here?” His megawatt smile could melt a thousand hearts, yet it was too bright, like the gaudy lights outside.

“This is Ms. Lacey.” Something sharp edged Alexander’s voice, protectiveness, possessiveness . “She’s my guest.”

“Is that so?” The magician stepped forward. “It’s fantastic to meet you, Miss Lacey. Please call me Max. Tell me, do you believe in magic?”

Alexander’s scowl returned, yet she ignored it. “I own a business called New Age Treasures. Among other things, we sell supernatural relics.”

Max’s gaze lit up. “How fascinating. Perhaps sometime you could show me your treasures.”

The air suddenly seemed charged, as if electricity crackled. Everleigh rubbed her arms, as Alexander’s voice emerged deep, dark and powerful. “Actually, I own New Age Treasures and its–” He placed a hand on Everleigh’s arm. “Assets.”

Fury sparked. Did he think he owned her? She wasn’t his employee, but a consultant. She turned to the magician and smiled. Widely. “I’d love to meet anytime.”

“Great.” His expression sobered as he turned to Alexander. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t believe in magic?”

When Alexander inclined his head, his smile returned. “I’ll just have to convince you.” Before he could respond, an assistant gestured to them. “It’s time for the show. I’ll see you soon.” Then, Max put a hand on her shoulder.

Alexander growled .

An assistant led them back down the hallway to a pair of reserved front row seats.

While Everleigh sat on one of the hardback chairs, Alexander followed the official to the stage.

Even more people entered the already full room, gushing over the magician’s accolades, including success on a popular television talent show.

Perhaps he would surprise her, after all.

A loud boom made her jump, from a massive drum bearing a ten-foot image of the magician. Faster and louder beats followed, set to beams of multicolored light. In an instant it stopped, and a single spotlight focused on Alexander. The crowd cheered.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!” Alexander’s voice boomed, and the applause grew even louder. “Do you believe in magic?”

The crowd hooted and hollered as Alexander launched into the script.

He was a natural orator, captivating them with ease.

After a brief biography and a few parting words, he left to hearty applause.

As he sat down next to her, Everleigh leaned in.

“You’d think you were the main attraction by how they cheered. ”

“I’ll leave the magic to someone else.”

The music rose once more, vibrating the chairs, the ground and her as white mist blanketed the stage.

It twirled and twisted under the purple lights, tinting the air with coolness and eliciting goosebumps her skin.

In a blinding flash, the mist dissipated, and Mr. Sage stood, tall, dark and handsome in the bright lights. The crowd roared.

Next to her, Alexander shifted. Everleigh forced her attention to the stage, yet six-foot-three of muscle next to her stole her attention.

Likely she wouldn’t notice if the magician performed actual magic.

Perhaps a little retribution was in order for the distraction – and for earlier.

“I understand why they’re excited. He’s quite handsome. ”

Alexander frowned. “If you like mysterious men.”

She did. Yet it wasn’t the man on stage who drew her. “Of course, I do.”

His frown deepened.

“Welcome.” The chairs vibrated with the sound system. “I’m Max Sage, the world’s only true wielder of magic. Who believes in enchantment, not tricks and ruses by amateurs, but actual true-to-life magic?”

Most of the audience raised their hands, including Everleigh. Of course, Alexander remained still and stoic.

“I’ll make believers out of each and every one of you,” Sage promised. “After today, other magic shows will seem like preschooler fare. Now who wants to be cut in half?”

The crowd clapped its approval. Max’s gaze lingered on Alexander, but he passed over him to choose a woman frantically gesturing from the third row.

It was a standard magic show trick, but true to his boast, he performed it with meticulous expertise.

People gasped as he sawed the box with a gleaming metal sword, looming over the cringing volunteer.

There was no obvious trick as the woman, whole and hale, rose from the table.

She accepted a rose he pulled from his hat.

Sage moved on right away. “For my next trick, I’m going to make people soar through the sky. Who wants to fly?”

Like before, numerous volunteers raised their hands, excluding Alexander, of course. Only this time Max pointed straight at him. “How about our guest of honor, Alexander Stone, and his lovely business associate, Everleigh Lacey?”

Everleigh smiled and stood up, but Alexander remained seated, even as the crowd chanted his name. “Come on, Alexander,” she whispered. “Are you afraid of a little magic?”

“Magic can be dangerous.” Yet he stood and took her hand, leading her to the stage.

“And how about you?” Max pointed to a teenage girl jumping up and down and waving. Her friends cheered as she galloped to the front. “Thank you to our brave volunteers. Tell me, have you ever flown?” He held out the microphone to Everleigh.

She grinned. “Only domestic.”

Max sported a matching smile. “Saucy! I like it.” He turned to Alexander and shoved the microphone in his face. “What about you, Mr. Stone?”

“Not today,” Alexander replied dryly.

“Not me!” the teen exclaimed.

Max stepped forward. “You’re in for a real treat. Everyone look to the stage. Do you see any hidden wires?” The audience was quiet for a second, then shouted a chorus of nos. Alexander squinted, then shook his head ever-so-slightly. Did he see something?

“There are no hidden wires, because this is not a trick. It’s an authentic true to life demonstration of actual magic. These people will soar through the sky as if they had real magical powers. Let’s begin!”

Everleigh, Alexander and the teen followed Max to three slabs with short rails on the sides. The magician lowered the rails and indicated for them to lie down. Everleigh and the girl did so immediately; after a brief hesitation, Alexander joined them.

“First, our lovely lady.” Soft music strummed as the lights flashed. Max spent a moment lifting and arranging the rails. “This is very important,” he murmured. “You mustn’t move, and above all, only look up. Anything else could disturb the magic.”

He moved back, and suddenly, the slab beneath her rose from the table, lifted as if by an invisible force. She ascended, first a few inches, then several feet and then more. Below her, the crowd cheered and hollered.

“Now our illustrious guest,” Max shouted. A few moments later, Alexander rose beside her, his face hard and unrevealing. He stopped just as the music reached a crescendo. Finally, the teen girl joined them.

“I give you true magic!” the magician shouted from down below.

It was unlike anything she’d ever seen… until she glanced at Alexander.

At the instant the spotlight beamed just right, the wires became visible.

When Max touched her, he must have been attaching wires to the rails, which were nearly invisible in the dim light.

With a small smile, she relaxed. She wouldn’t expose the magician, but he was now relegated to complete trickster.

“Ready to return to Earth, Miss Lacey?” Max boomed from below. She gave a thumbs up as she slowly descended. When she reached the table, Max once more ran his hands down the rails, to lift the wires no doubt. “Now you may rise!” he announced triumphantly. She waved and bowed.

“Now for Mr. Stone.” Max’s voice turned mischievous.

Surely he wouldn’t jest when Alexander was so high above the ground.

The music played, and Max waved his hands, but nothing happened.

The magician rubbed his palms together. “Mr. Stone, the magical forces are insulted you don’t believe in them.

” He made a comical face for the audience. “They’re reluctant to bring you down.”

Up above Alexander stayed still. His face was expressionless, yet she could sense the thunder raging behind it.

“In order to appease the magic, you have to do something dramatic,” Mr. Sage chuckled. “Perhaps barking like a dog will do.”

The crowd roared in laughter, and her frown deepened. The trick was rapidly spiraling from ill-advised to dangerous. “Let him down,” she hissed.

Max ignored her. “When the magical forces get angry, they play tricks.” Suddenly Alexander lurched down a few feet, then shot back up. Everleigh gasped as he teetered like a fish on a string. “Hurry!” the magician called. “The magical forces are impatient!”

Her heart lurched in synchrony to Alexander’s airborne ride. This had gone too far.

Yet as she opened her mouth to yell…

A crack pierced the air.