Revenge

Chapter 5

Puma took a quick scanning of her surroundings before locating him and hurrying over. He smiled, deep in conversation with some Russians. He sipped at a wine glass. Puma did a double take before remembering he was twenty-one. She shrugged before walking up and whispering in his ear. He paused as her words registered and he raised his eyebrows.

“Panther’s got a date?” he looked quite humored.

“Yup, I set her up,” Puma said proudly.

Crow snickered, “I guess I’ll find myself a date then.”

“Her?” Puma said, pointing at a German girl. Her blond hair went just past her shoulder. Curious blue eyes took in all her surroundings. She was short, but pretty. She talked animatedly with a Vietnamese girl, language differences making them fumble with words once in a while. “Or would you prefer red.” Puma pointed at another girl, but Crow was still examining the blond. “Stop undressing her with your eyes.”

Crow raised his eyebrows, “Not bad.”

“Oh, I can’t believe you didn’t deny! Ugh! You pervert!” Puma made a retching motion.

Crow rolled his eyes and walked over to the girl. He paused at a distance, examining her again.

“Was wollen Sie?” she asked annoyed as she turned to Crow.

“Ich spreche Englisch. Könnten Sie .. so ist es einfacher,” Crow replied.

She sniffed, “Ich kann Englisch sprechen, aber du hast meine Frage nicht beantwortet.”

“Ich möchte Ihnen auf den alten Stil Ball bitten,” Crow sighed.

“I see. I don’t know you though. I’m Ansgard. Who are you?” she smiled, her accent strongly pronounced.

He blushed a little, “I’m Crow.”

She frowned, “Odd name for it isn’t a... gutaussehend bird.”

“The word is handsome. So is that implying you find me attractive?” Crow smiled.

She blushed a little, “Ein bisschen.”

“Well then, come with me to the ball. Once you get to know me, I think you’ll find me charmant,” Crow said, winking before slowly walking away.

“Wir sehen uns dort American boy!” she called.

Crow smiled and waved slightly before continuing to walk back to Puma. Puma had question written all over her face, but with one smile she gave him a thumbs up.

“Not bad,” she said, nodding.

Crow sighed, “It’s too good to be true.”

“Stop while you’re ahead,” Puma said.

Edgar stood on a chair to give him height over everyone and he clapped his hands. “Если я, возможно, ваше внимание, заседание начнется,” he said, waving his hands to indicate to people who didn’t speak Russian.

They nodded and everyone sat around the room. Crow and Puma slunk to were Desta sat on an over stuffed peach blossom decorated old style French chair with fine imported Indian gold silk tasseling. She pulled out a notebook and smiled to her guards before motioning with her eyes for them to sit before her. Puma sat, but couldn’t help feeling like a Lowchen at the feet of the queen of France. Crow watched faces and made note of minor movements for the first hour. Puma copied him, examining suspicious people and keeping an ear open to what was happening in the modern world. After two hours she had a headache and was slouching. Desta gave her a kick with her flats and Puma sat up. Crow whispered something to Desta from time to time. Desta was writing like a mad woman the whole time, her pen never paused. This gave Puma a new impression. The poor woman’s hand must have ached after the third hour. Now Puma was worrying about Panther. Did it take that long to go dress shopping? Did she get mugged and have no money for a return cab? Then she had a new thought, Crow couldn’t just show up in jeans and a shirt. He needed a tux for old style. Puma was about to go mad with her own thoughts when Panther poked her head around the corner and slipped in the room. Edgar who was keeping guard just outside the room didn’t let her in at first... until she mentioned they were taking shifts. She soundlessly made her way around the back and slid in front of Desta who didn’t notice a thing as Puma scurried out of the room.