Page 136 of House of Malice
Her long platinum hair was a dark cherry color, and even from where Blaze sat, he noticed the icy blue of her eyes was missing. Instead, they were deep brown.
Even her body wasn’t her own, with her hips and breasts being much plumper. She was still as stunning as ever, but she wasn’thisAlecto.
She was somebody else.
Blaze spent the whole play focused on her. He didn’t see anyone else, he barely even paid attention to Gael, who played Seville.
All he cared about was her.
Her voice and her facial expressions made him feel alive, and he was mesmerized by how deeply she seemed to feel her character.
When the play was over, Blaze was the first to get up. He didn’t think he had ever clapped as hard as he did then.
Before Alecto got off the stage, a witch quickly ran up the stage and handed her a massive bouquet of black roses. She blinked, surprised, and accepted the flowers.
Little did she know that another few hundred of the same roses awaited her backstage in the changing room. And another few hundred in her room.
There weren’t enough flowers in all three realms Blaze could give her. But he promised himself that he would make it his mission to give her all the flowers he could.
After she left the stage, Blaze was eager to follow her. But then Madame Raquel and the new secretary took the stage.
The madame had a bouquet of flowers on her own.
“Madame Raquel has once again blown everyone’s minds at Venefica with a wonderful play about Seville and Carmen,” the secretary said, her voice booming through the whole auditorium. “Let’s show some appreciation with ovation!”
The whole auditorium roared once more, this time all the excitement focused on Madame Raquel, who waved and thanked everyone, soaking in the attention.
“Madame Raquel has been with us for a long time,” the secretary said. “And she’s one of the most prominent alumni in Venefica’s history. Sadly, this is the last play she will direct.”
A few awed gasps and murmurs went around the crowd. Blaze frowned.
“That’s weird,” Andro murmured next to him.
“Madame Raquel has been a wonderful acting professor, but it is time for her to retire from acting and move on to bigger, better things,” the secretary said. “It is my honor to announce that Madame Raquel will be taking the position as the Dean here at the Venefica.”
Blaze was taken aback for a second. Another round of applause rose in the crowd, and Madame Raquel once more thanked everyone.
“It is an honor to even be considered for this position, let alone actually receive it,” the madame said, smiling. “Our dear Dean who tragically passed away, Eliot Gondalez, will be missed greatly, for he made Venefica a wonderful and powerful place for young witches to find their footing in the world.”
Blaze snorted and rolled his eyes.
“I am humbled and honored to be able to take his place and lead Venefica into its future,” Madame Raquel said and then curtsied.
“Do you think our alumni had something to do with this?” Andro said, getting to his feet.
Blaze shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Blaze stiffened the moment he entered their brownstone and spotted a detective and a lawyer in their hallway. Both witches regarded him and Alecto with serious eyes.
“Miss Black,” the lawyer said and inclined his head.
“Mister Rogers, hello,” Alecto greeted the man. “Did something happen? Have you found my father yet?”
Blaze held Alecto’s hand tight. His pulse was racing, but he tried to appear calm.
“We’re here to talk with you about that, Miss Black,” the detective said. “Could we have some privacy?”
Alecto glanced at Blaze and then back at the men. She nodded and led them to their home library. It was empty, and they took a seat on the sofas.
