office. He was reviewing a stack of acquisition con

the office. She did not lean against the wall.

ours

ning around his eyes and the microscopic drop in his body tempe

. Her boots clicked

ume calories,"

even look up, continuing t

fice. She headed down the hall towar

bicle, trying to block her path.

ke a ghost. "I am preparing sustenance," sh

sleek, modern e

tor. She selected a premium cut of W

for a flambe dish from the i

e volume of alcohol required for the flambe, tak

llar of fire erupted instantly. The sudden burst of heat triggered the thermal sen

n, shouting in panic, wa

etal lid and slammed it down over the pan. She snuf

rely charred, black

g the smoking plate. The acrid smell of bur

He stared at the smoking plate

laced the plate directly over

ra stated bluntl

l, and the ruined document. But he stare

er fork out of shee

he charred meat. He put i

dry, and tasted like pure carbon.

glass of ice water and

llow. "Is your calor

linen napkin. He glared at

t was disastrous, but she had actually tried to feed h