Free Strangers and Shadows by John Kowalsky Page B

didn’t seem like the rest of the guests he’d met tonight.  He was more intense, but less serious at the same time.
    “I took the liberty of canceling your order.  My son is good at a great many things, but ordering drinks for strangers is not one of them.  Here,” he said, again extending the glass.  “Try this.  I’m almost certain you’ll like it better than your last.”
    Asher took the drink from the man’s hand.  “Your son?”
    “Dorian.”
    He nearly choked on his surprise.  “ Dorian is your son ?”  
    “Don’t look so surprised.”  The man held out his hand, now that it was free.  “My name is Ander, but most folks just call me Wizard, and you may do the same.”
    Asher shook his hand.  “Asher.  Nice to meet you… Wizard ?”
    Wizard laughed.  “It’s an odd name to be called, I’ll give you that.  It began as a joke a long time ago.  I’m good with tech and machines… a wizard as it were.  Hence, the name.  It caught on, and over the years it seems to be the only thing anybody calls me anymore… Aside from the curse words, of course.”
    “I see…”  Asher tasted his drink, as the old man chuckled at his own joke, and felt his mouth explode with flavors. He was so shocked, he nearly spit it out.
    “It’s not that bad, is it?”  Wizard laughed.
    “No! Not at all.  It’s delicious!  I just wasn’t expecting it.”  Asher could swear that his tongue was vibrating.  “What’s it called?”
    “Why, The Wizard, of course.  After all, it’s of my own invention.”
    “Well, it’s very good.  Thank you.”  Asher made his way to rejoin Ava with her now growing crowd of conversationalists.
    Wizard reached out and grabbed Asher’s arm with the quickness of a much younger man and held him in place.  “Pardon my rudeness,” he said, “but I was wondering if my son had explained to you the reason that you are here.”
    “Uh…” Asher stammered, caught off guard by the sudden change of topic.
    “Hmmm…” Wizard mused.  “So you haven’t made it that far yet, I see.”  He pulled Asher in close and lowered his voice.  “They want something—no, need something from you.  Something they cannot do themselves.  Which says something right there, as their power is considerable.  What they want, I can only guess at, but it can’t be good.  You can’t trust them, Asher, they will—”
    “I see you’ve met my father,” Dorian interrupted, clapping Asher on the shoulder like they were old school chums.
    “Yes, a most interesting man, your father,” Asher replied, his heart racing now.  He felt like he had been caught stealing test answers from the teacher’s desk at the academy.
    “Father, I wasn’t aware that you would be attending this evening,” Dorian said.  His mouth barely opened as he spoke.
    “How could I miss the chance to meet our young guests from the Fourth?” Wizard replied.  “It’s the chance of a lifetime.  First contact with members of the Fourth Verse.  It’s all so exciting.”
    “Yes, it is, isn’t it?”  Dorian turned to Asher.  “Ava was asking after you.  Why don’t you rejoin her, and I’ll see to my father.  It would appear he has had a bit too much to drink.”
    Asher, glad to be out of the awkward situation, excused himself and made his way across the room to where Ava was still surrounded by a small group of people fawning over her.  Halfway there, he turned back over his shoulder and saw two large men on either side of Wizard escorting him out.  He hadn’t thought the old man was that drunk, but maybe he’d been wrong.  Or maybe… No, it was best not to entertain such thoughts.  The old man had just been talking craziness in his cups.
    He rejoined Ava and nursed his cocktail as the night wore on.  Just before Asher finished his drink, Lady White and Dorian took them aside.
    “If you’re up to it, there is something that I’d like to discuss with you, before the hour grows too late.