Chapter 14

New York City, USA
December

The following days after the visit to the museum had been uneventful in the Sanctum. Strange had immediately canceled all of Cleo's lessons, giving her independent work while he continued to study the Book of Wadjet.

"How do you even understand the ancient text?" Cleo called out, with her mouth full of cereal. The duo were sitting on the emerald kitchen table, noticeable bags under Strange's eyes as he continued to scan the Book.

"I learned demotic two nights ago." He responded, eyes never leaving the book as he continued to sip his coffee.

"Oh," Cleo whispered. She knew of Strange's intelligence, hell he was a doctor! But often times the man in front of her did not live up to the image that she had conjured that night he came to the House. She imagined him to be more confident and outgoing, but she was met with a nervous and humble man. "How confident are you that we will find Mordo, Strange?" Cleo asked.

"I cannot quantify my confidence right now, but the Book is proving a challenge to implement." Strange spoke as he flicked his hand towards the sink and all the dirty dishes from the table followed.

"Hmm, why not have me have a go with the Book of Wadjet? I could maybe understand the archaic symbolism?" Cleo offered, standing behind her chair, hoping that Strange will accept her help.

"No," Strange responded, still not looking at her, "stick to the subjects I have chosen for you." Cleo looked away from Strange, not knowing how to feel.

"Very well, I will continue to read the book Merit gave me, Absorbing Magic VOL. 5999. You would think they would have come out with volume 6000 by now." Cleo attempting to joke, to which Strange did not acknowledge, eyebrows drawn in concentration.

Sighing, Cleo made her way to the library, where she had taken residence in.

The following week went by uneventfully. Strange remained transfixed by the Book of Wadjet and did not interact with Cleopatra unless he was asking her to make him a cup of tea or to clean up after herself in the library.

Cleo began to grow more frustrated by her book. Slouching in an armchair in the library, Cleo had gotten through the dense book, cover to cover, and it had provided her with minimal information about the implications of her Mother's magic. Mainly concerned with the absorption of magic from magical items or relics, not living people. It only said

When one sorcerer absorbs the magic of a powerful sorcerer that individual may become victim to heightened senses, interactions with the spiritual plane or parish from the overload. Should the individual survive the transfer, they must work on maintaining their connection with themselves, as the absorption of magic will lead to split personalities and aggressive behaviour.

"Great, so now we know why Mordo is off his rocker." Cleo whispered as she yawned. Looking around at her table, she had completed all of Strange's required lessons: gravitational charms, floating projections and kinetic dispersion. She had no trouble conjuring spells anymore, being able to lift objects and turn them from one thing to another. She had particularly enjoyed turning a trash can into a swarm of butterflies. But she was bored. Even her physical training with her newly acquired Khopesh became dull with nothing new to do. She had attempted to fight with the sickle sword but there was only so much air she could slice through before it became tedious.

Getting to her feet, she surveyed the disaster she had caused in the library. Mugs that were once full of hot chocolate littered the table tops and various books left on the furniture. Sighing, she snapped her fingers and the objects began to float to their proper places, the mugs floating into the door of the library, seeking exit. Pushing the door, Cleo made her way up to the top floor of the Sanctum, the mugs floating into the kitchen.

Looking out of the circular window, Cleo took a seat and examined the New York Skyline. Looking at the people coming and going, with no consequence to their lives. "Ignorance is bliss," Cleo says as she looks at a couple holding hands, kissing each other on the cheek.

In an instance, Cleo stood from her spot and exclaimed "I need to get out."

Locating Strange in the training room, Book of Wadjet still in hand. He was sitting crossed legged on the floor, seeming to be in his astral projection, trying to comprehend the book. "Strange…" Cleo spoke from the door. No response. "Strange, let's change scenery a bit, it isn't good to be staring at that book for so long."

Still no response.

"Fine." Cleo spat, frustration and determination flaring within her, marching to her room. He is able to stay in the Sanctum staring at a Book for days on end, then more power to him. But I cannot. Cleo thought as she tugged on a pair of black jeans and a grey hoodie, making sure the bracelet was still securely around her upper arm. I feel so agitated, I just need some fresh air. Packing some money in her handbag, Cleo slowly crept into Strange's room. Locating the Sanctum's keys in his coat pocket. As soon as she closed the door behind her, she felt a heavy weight in her stomach. Don't worry, she told herself, just going to go out for some fresh air, maybe get a hot chocolate and head back. Ten minute max!

Climbing back up to the top floor while putting her coat on, Cleo peered into the training room, seeing that Strange was still in the same position as she last saw him. As she moved back in front of the large window, she felt something tug at her wrist. Looking down, the Cloak was attempting to wrap itself around her, as though saying, "Please don't go."

"Stop it," Cleo mutters, hoping to not make any sounds that would alert Strange to her plan. The Cloak simply wrapped itself tighter around her. "Stop it or I'll set you on fire," she threatened.

Immediately the Cloak removed itself from her and floated at a distance. Looking back at the training room door, making sure no movement from Strange, Cleo held her hand out in front of her.

He won't even notice.

With that final thought, Cleo opened a portal to the street below.

Stepping out of the portal in the alleyway behind the Sanctum, Cleo immediately brought her hands up and looked around. Nothing but garbage bins and a couple of parked cars. Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Cleo touched her left jean pocket, making sure the key to the Sanctum was still there. Taking off the sling ring as she walked to the mouth of the alley, Cleo peered out, still paranoid that Mordo may find her, made her way to the front door of the Sanctum.

Walking past different people, Cleo looked at Sanctum's address: 177a Bleecker street. "Okay…" Cleo whispered to herself as a group of school kids ran past her, "stay near the Sanctum and come back in 10 minutes." Looking around her, Cleo took in a big gulp of fresh air. Getting a high from the NYC street fumes and the noise of people and cars around her.

Noticing a café sign just 2 blocks away, Cleo clutched her handbag and marched towards the café, Manhattan Madhouse. Eyes as big as the moon.

Opening the glass door with a dingle of bells, Cleo waited in the queue, squinting trying to read the handwritten menu.

"Miss?" A voice called from the cash register.

Looking down, Cleo had not realized that the line was moving and that it was her turn.

"Oh, sorry, sire!" She spoke as she rushed to the cashier.

"No sweat," the barista responded, his baby blue eyes seemed to twinkle, a soft smile on his face, "what can I get you?"

"oh... um a hot chocolate, please and thank you, sire." Cleo responded in a sheepish voice, never ordering or buying something before in her life.

"What size?" he asked, to which Cleo responded brightly with, "What about size, does it matter?"

The barista broke out in a fit of giggles, dark hair covering his eyes as he put his hand to his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter. Cleo scrunched her eyebrows, confused. "What is so funny?" she demanded.

"Nothing, oohh I am sorry. Sorry, I'm just so immature." He responded well meaning, baby blue eyes locking into dark ones. "I am asking what cup size you want, we have small, medium and large." He explained as he showed Cleo each cup.

"Oh, well I really like hot chocolate, so I will take a large cup of it please." Cleo spoke, looking behind her to make sure she isn't holding up the line. But no one was after her.

"You really like hot chocolate, eh? We have white hot chocolate and peppermint Christmas edition if you wanted something specialty." He responded.

"Um… I'm not really familiar with the different types." Cleo spoke, glancing at the clock behind the counter on the wall. Not wanting to push her luck.

"Hmm, well let's see," he spoke as he scanned Cleo up and down with his eyes, Cleo crossing her arms across her chest, "what are you doing?"

"Peppermint it is!" he deemed, as his eyes landed back on Cleo's eyes. "Is that okay?" he asked sheepishly.

Cleo smiled, "Sure! Um, how much?" she asked as she fumbled with her purse, but the barista vanished behind the wooden counter. Cleo glanced around the café in the meantime and saw the hung tinsel and Christmas trees. No one was in the store expect for herself and the barista.

"Our finest peppermint hot chocolate for our finest guest." He snapped Cleo from her thoughts as he placed a red mug in front of her. A smile once again on her face, "thank you! How much again?"

"It's on the house!" he spoke brightly, eyes still twinkling.

"Oh no, I need to pay for this, I have money," Cleo tried to reason with him, taking out a five dollar bill and holding it out for him to take.

"No, please," he placed his hands on top of Cleo's, pushing back slightly a smile also on his face. "You were a pleasure to serve, what's one cup in this corporate empire?"

"Are you sure, sire?" Cleo asked once more, pushing the money back towards him, his warm hands holding her cold ones.

"Yes."

Retracting her money, Cleo felt warm in the face. "Thank you, sire." She said as she picked up the hot cup, smelling the peppermint, excited for her first sip.

"Marcus."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"My name isn't 'sire', its Marcus."

Dark eyes meeting baby blue ones once again.

"Thank you, Marcus." Cleo corrected herself, allowing herself to smile again, God she hasn't smiled this much in a long time.

"So, what brings you to the Big Apple, stranger?" Marcus asked, leaning on the counter, an easy aura about him. Cleo took a timid sip, remember how hot hot chocolate could be, "Mmm, this is very good! Oh um… school." She responded, not wanting to give him too much information.

"Nice! I'm making my way through my Masters of History. What do you study, stranger?" Marcus spoke, eyes never leaving Cleo. Taking a longer sip, Cleo allowed herself to be entertained by their conversation, "Ancient Egyptian history."

"No way! My thesis is about the role of symbolize in Ancient Egypt until the Roman Empire!" He spoke enthusiastically.

Cleo giggled, What a coincidence! Downing the last bit of her hot chocolate, she gave the mug to Marcus who offered to take the mug back. Glancing back at the clock on the wall, Cleo let out a gasp, had it already been 15 minute, she had said only 10?!

"I need to leave now, Marcus." She said as she made her way towards the glass door of Manhattan Madhouse.

"Wait," Marcus called out from behind the counter, "at least tell me your name, stranger."

Cleo propped the door open a little, looking between the street and him, debating if she should make up a name, "Cleopatra."

Marcus giggled again, "Nice one, stranger." Leaning on the counter again, "Until next time, 'Cleopatra'." He said with a wink.

Blowing air from her nose, Cleo waved and stepped out onto the street, b-lining to the Sanctum. Once at the front door she pulled out the key from her jean pocket and prayed that Strange did not realize her absence.

Putting the key into the hole and turning, she could hear the clicking of the mechanisms. Looking to make sure the coast was clear, she pushed into the Sanctum and locked the door. Letting out a deep sigh, Cleo rushed to Strange's room to return the key and to change into lounge wear.

The short thrill of excitement began to creep up her spin as she made her way to the top floor and seeing Strange just as she left him. Stepping into the room, she sat in front of Strange and the Book of Wadjet. Closing her eyes, she forced her astral form from her body and was met with the sight of Strange intently reading, eyebrows still drawn in tight. Leaning forwards, she placed her hand on top of the page he was reading, finally gaining his attention.

"Cleo!" Strange said in surprise, eyes wide. "You are in your astral form!" a smile wide on his face.

"Well I am a fast learner," Cleo responded coyly as they both returned to their physical bodies, "But I am the first to say that I do not like being in my Astral form. Also, I have completed all of the subjects you had instructed me to complete."

Strange stood and stretched, his joints cracking from lack of movement, "Is that so? I need to have you begin Level 8 subjects then. Come on, let's make dinner together. " following him down the stairs, they chatted about her accomplishment of finishing level 7 of Kamar-Taji's 10 levels. As they stood in the kitchen, cooking dinner, Strange leaned in closer to Cleo's face, sniffing. "You smell like peppermint."