Isolde stood stock still as she noticed two couples heading into a well- lit restaurant. So shocked was she that the magic that had cloaked her melted away. Isolde was revealed, standing still as a stone with an open mouthed white face.  Feeling as if someone had sucker punched her in the gut, Isolde gasped for air that was not available. Her fingers curled around the paper in her hand until her fingernails cut into her palm. Even the pain did nothing to make her heart start beating again. She batted her eyes as if trying to clear the image of Erlind with a beautiful woman. She swallowed hard<br/><br/>He had every right to be with another woman. Never had he hinted that there was a true intimate aspect to their association. She had conjured him and he had entered into a business contract with her. Said contract seemed to be null and void on his part and she had lost her soul to him for nothing.<br/><br/>“Shit,” she exhaled and that seemed to revive her a little. Glancing at the crumpled note in her hand, she held it up to the glow of the street light to double check the address.  “Hellfire and damnation,” she swore again when she realized she would have to go through the same doors that Erlind and the Advocate were going with their dinner dates. She also realized that she would be meeting in the private rooms of this “ally” but would have to be cordial as she went through the dining room to the lobby.<br/><br/>Finally taking a deep breath, she stepped off the curb and went to the hotel.<br/><br/>“Never let anyone see you sweat, Izzy D.” she said to herself using the old  magik school term that Malachai had called her in one of her lives. “Chin up. Smile, be polite and do not blow up the room.”<br/><br/>Feeling the need for the protection of beauty, Isolde slipped off the old coat she wore over her magnificent new clothes with the extraordinary colors. The suit hugged her curves and lit up her unique coloring in such a way as to make her features so lovely that heads began to turn the minute she draped the coat over her arm. With a lofty air, she handed her coat to the doorman, telling him to check it and she would come for it later. The poor man was flapping his mouth open and closed in an attempt to refuse but her regal air seemed to take him by surprise.<br/><br/>“Yes, Fraulein. What room are you staying in?”<br/><br/>“414,” came her curt answer as she glided past him.<br/><br/>Isolde knew when Erlind saw her but she acted as if he meant only a passing acquaintance to her, no more than the Advocate. As a matter of fact, she was openly cordial to the Advocate.<br/>“Kristoff, so good to see you tonight.” Isolde gushed, in both a friendly but poised manner. “Erlind.” She nodded. “Ladies, I’m Fraulein Devereaux, I run the clinic  south of here. You both look so lovely. I hope you enjoy your evening.” She smiled, made polite eye contact and managed to not look as if she were screaming on the inside, which she was,<br/><br/>“He’s just gonna stand there and watch me burn<br/>but I guess that's alright because I must like the way it hurts.<br/>I won’t ever let him hear me cry<br/>I must love the way he lies<br/>Really, fool. He didn’t tell you anything but the truth. He made no promises. Now, walk away with your head high. You are going to meet an ally. Finally, someone who will help<br/><br/>Aloud she said,<br/>“Well, I have an engagement this evening. Enough your meal. Such a pleasure to make your acquaintance, ladies. Gentelmen..” Isolde said graciously as she turned to go.<br/>Head high, she turned on her heel, just in time to hide the tears that spilled over, burning her cheeks with regret.