A Farewell to Charms by Lindsey Leavitt Page B

people—”
    “Façade does not mess with people. And people happen to be a hundred times more magical than anything else. So stop asking about that. It’s a brick wall, darling.”
    I ran my hand along the adorable chair. Okay, so I had to use the bubble to get to this job. And this job was somehow going to teach me more about subbing or myself or this agency. And once I learned…whatever it was I was going to learn, then I could go back to Façade and…uh…better mankind. So using this bubble now was just a means to an end. I’d make up for it later. Besides, the fur on the chair was really soft.
    Meredith leaned down and air-kissed my cheeks. “Make sure you put on your rouge. When you’re done, type in home and the bubble will know where to go. Hit the bubble button on your manual and it will suck back in. I’ll be in touch with information about your Match when we have it. Now, I have to get back for my first meeting on the council. Are you ready for this job?”
    Even the beauty of the bubble couldn’t erase the horror of the BEST requirements or the fear of my impending gig. Could I fake a stomachache? Send another girl while I hung out in my bubble, maybe twirl around in the chair more? “This place I’m going now. Meredith, am I really going to be okay?”
    “You have your manual for emergencies. You have your bubble for catastrophes. And, Desi, you have your magic.”
    I didn’t feel completely assured, but I opted to go through with it, my drive to figure out the inner workings of Façade stronger than my fear. The bubble rose the moment Meredith stepped out, tilting me back in my seat. It was true, the ride wasn’t as seamless as Meredith’s, but not nearly as jarring as emergency bubbles. There was a constant, airplanelike hum.
    I used my time to master stealth. Which means I tried to catch the fly that had somehow buzzed into my vehicle. But then it accidentally flew through the permeable part of the bubble wall. I hoped he liked his new home over Russia, or wherever we were.
    “Please ensure that you are properly fastened,” said a chipper electronic voice. “We’re beginning our initial descent.” Five minutes later, the bubble sank to the ground. “Thank you for flying with me, Desi. I look forward to transporting you upon completion of your job.”
    “Thanks?” I said out loud. Was I supposed to talk back to my bubble? Should I name her. I was thinking Daisy. She looked like a Daisy.
    “Please exit, Desi.”
    “Okay, Daisy.”
    “I thought your name is Desi.”
    Hey! She really was talking directly to me; she wasn’t just programmed. “I am Desi. But I just decided that you should be called Daisy. Daisy, the bubble.”
    The bubble didn’t answer. She was probably too overjoyed to speak.
    “Well, ta-ta, darling!” I made a grand bow before taking a step backward, hoping I’d at least have a chance to get my bearings before the royal ninjas attacked.

T he view in front of me was so acutely beautiful, it felt like I was in a perfectly staged movie scene. The royal fountain was like something out of The King and I, with blazing red trees dripping leaves into the water. Koi fish glittered under the surface, and crickets chirped behind me. Lacy gray flowers kissed the cool air with sage. Through a break in the grove, I could just make out the castle, but not the kind you see at Disneyland. The architectural Asian wonder had a jade-green roof sloping upward on each of the castle’s many, many tiers. I hoped Vanna’s vacation was a long one. I could use a little tranquility.
    Well, as tranquil as I could be, with instructions like “stay alive” on the profile.
    I sat on a stone bench in the palace gardens while I waited for the Royal Rouge to literally work its magic. One quick swipe from my gold compact resulted in a transformation about fifteen minutes later, and it was always fascinating taking on the new princess’s identity.
    Vanna’s arms and calves were fiercely