Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Formalities

Be as you wish seen. - Socrates

Vlad's hand lightly taps my leg under the table. He picks up the spoon attached to the silver clam-shaped bowl and hands it to me. I shake my head. He softly squeezes my thigh.

Sighing, I take the spoon from his hand and dip it into the thick, red milky-mixture adorned with worm-like creatures sticking out of it. To be more exact, they're mopane worms. Glaring at him, I touch the tip of the spoon to my open mouth and gag.

The smell is pungent, and the taste is earthy. Placing the spoon in the bowl, I shove the dish away from me.

The man sitting across the table watches me with keen eyes, appraising every move I make. When he lifts his glass, everyone mimics his movements. Picking up the glass, I pretend to take a sip. The man motions with his hand for me to drink, and I shake my head.