Industrial Magic
Page 4
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No big
Yes, it is. I know it is. However, Im equally certain that, given the right circumstances and timing, youll eventually find yourself in a position where the number of witches clamoring to join your Coven will far exceed your requirements.
In other words, give it time and Ill need to beat em off with a stick?
A soft chuckle floated down the line. I get even less coherent after a day in court, dont I?
If you didnt talk like that once in a while, Id miss it. Kind of like Im missing you. Got an ETA for me yet?
Three days at most. Its hardly a murder trial. He cleared his throat. Speaking of which, another case was brought to my attention today. A half-demon killed in Nevada, apparently mistaken for another who was under Cabal warrant for execution.
Whoops.
Exactly. The Boyd Cabal isnt admitting their mistake, let alone conducting a proper investigation and procedural review. I thought perhaps you might be able to assist me. That is, if you arent busy
When can we leave?
Sunday. Savannah could spend the night at Michelles, and wed return Monday evening.
Sounds I stopped. Savannah has an orthodontic appointment Monday afternoon. Id reschedule, but
It took six weeks to get it, I know. Yes, I have it marked right here. Three oclock with Doctor Schwab. I should have checked before I asked. He paused. Perhaps you could still come along and leave early Monday morning?
Sure. That sounds good.
The words came out empty, the elation that surged only a moment ago drained by this sudden glimpse of my future, calendar pages crammed with orthodontic appointments, Saturday morning art classes, and PTAmeetings stretching into eternity.
On the heels of that thought came another. How dare I complain? Id taken on this responsibility. Id wanted it. Id fought for it. Only a few months ago, Id seen the same snapshot of my future and Id been happy. Now, as much as I loved Savannah, I couldnt deny the occasional twinges of resentment.
Well work something out, Lucas said. In the meantime, I should mention that I took advantage of a brief recess today to visit some of Chicagos lesser-known shopping venues, and found something that might cheer you up. A necklace.
I grinned. An amulet?
No, I believe its what they call a Celtic knot. Silver. A simple design, but quite elegant.
Sure. Goodgreat.
Liar.
No really, I I paused. Its not a necklace, is it?
Ive been told, on good authority, that jewelry is the proper token of affection. I must admit I had my doubts. One could argue that youd prefer a rare spell,but the jewelry store clerk assured me that all women prefer necklaces to musty scrolls.
I rolled onto my stomach and grinned. You bought me a spell? What kind? Witch? Sorcerer?
Its a surprise.
What? I shot upright. No way! Dont you dare
Itll give you something to look forward to when I get home.
Well, thats good, Cortez, cause God knows, I wasnt looking forward to anything else.
A soft laugh. Liar.
I thumped back onto the bed. How about a deal? You tell me what the spell does and Ill give you something to look forward to.
Tempting.
Ill make it more than tempting.
That I dont doubt.
Good. Now heres the deal. I give you a list of options. If you like one, then you can have it when you get home if you tell me about the spell tonight.
Before you begin, I really should warn you, Im quite resolved to secrecy. Breaking that resolve requires more than a laundry list of options, however creative. Detail will be the key.
I grinned. You alone?
That goes without saying. If youre asking whether Im in my hotel room, the answer is yes.
My grin broadened. Good, then youll get all the detail you can handle.
I never did find out what the spell was, probably because, five minutes into the conversation, we both forgot what had started it and, by the time we signed off, I crawled under the covers, forgetting even the most basic nighttime toiletry routines, and promptly fell asleep, my curiosity the only thing left unsatisfied.
Death before Dishonor
COME MORNING, I BOUNDED OUT OF BED, READY TO TAKE on the world. This would have been a positive sign had I not done the same thing every morning for the past two weeks. I awoke, refreshed, determined this would be the day Id haul my ass out of the pit. Id cook breakfast for Savannah. Id leave a cheerful message of support on Lucass cell phone. Id jog two miles. Id dive into my Web site projects with renewed vigor and imagination. Id take time out in the afternoon to hunt down season-end tomatoes at the market. Id cook up a vat of spaghetti sauce that would fill our tiny freezer. The list went on. I usually derailed somewhere between leaving the message for Lucas and starting my workdayroughly around nine A.M.
That morning, I sailed into my jog still pumped. I knew I wouldnt hit two miles, considering Id never exceeded one mile in my entire running career, which was now in its fifth week. Over the last eighteen months it had come to my attention, on multiple occasions, that my level of physical fitness was inadequate. Before now, a good game of pool was as active as I got. Ask me to flee for my life, and we could be talking imminent heart failure.
Yes, it is. I know it is. However, Im equally certain that, given the right circumstances and timing, youll eventually find yourself in a position where the number of witches clamoring to join your Coven will far exceed your requirements.
In other words, give it time and Ill need to beat em off with a stick?
A soft chuckle floated down the line. I get even less coherent after a day in court, dont I?
If you didnt talk like that once in a while, Id miss it. Kind of like Im missing you. Got an ETA for me yet?
Three days at most. Its hardly a murder trial. He cleared his throat. Speaking of which, another case was brought to my attention today. A half-demon killed in Nevada, apparently mistaken for another who was under Cabal warrant for execution.
Whoops.
Exactly. The Boyd Cabal isnt admitting their mistake, let alone conducting a proper investigation and procedural review. I thought perhaps you might be able to assist me. That is, if you arent busy
When can we leave?
Sunday. Savannah could spend the night at Michelles, and wed return Monday evening.
Sounds I stopped. Savannah has an orthodontic appointment Monday afternoon. Id reschedule, but
It took six weeks to get it, I know. Yes, I have it marked right here. Three oclock with Doctor Schwab. I should have checked before I asked. He paused. Perhaps you could still come along and leave early Monday morning?
Sure. That sounds good.
The words came out empty, the elation that surged only a moment ago drained by this sudden glimpse of my future, calendar pages crammed with orthodontic appointments, Saturday morning art classes, and PTAmeetings stretching into eternity.
On the heels of that thought came another. How dare I complain? Id taken on this responsibility. Id wanted it. Id fought for it. Only a few months ago, Id seen the same snapshot of my future and Id been happy. Now, as much as I loved Savannah, I couldnt deny the occasional twinges of resentment.
Well work something out, Lucas said. In the meantime, I should mention that I took advantage of a brief recess today to visit some of Chicagos lesser-known shopping venues, and found something that might cheer you up. A necklace.
I grinned. An amulet?
No, I believe its what they call a Celtic knot. Silver. A simple design, but quite elegant.
Sure. Goodgreat.
Liar.
No really, I I paused. Its not a necklace, is it?
Ive been told, on good authority, that jewelry is the proper token of affection. I must admit I had my doubts. One could argue that youd prefer a rare spell,but the jewelry store clerk assured me that all women prefer necklaces to musty scrolls.
I rolled onto my stomach and grinned. You bought me a spell? What kind? Witch? Sorcerer?
Its a surprise.
What? I shot upright. No way! Dont you dare
Itll give you something to look forward to when I get home.
Well, thats good, Cortez, cause God knows, I wasnt looking forward to anything else.
A soft laugh. Liar.
I thumped back onto the bed. How about a deal? You tell me what the spell does and Ill give you something to look forward to.
Tempting.
Ill make it more than tempting.
That I dont doubt.
Good. Now heres the deal. I give you a list of options. If you like one, then you can have it when you get home if you tell me about the spell tonight.
Before you begin, I really should warn you, Im quite resolved to secrecy. Breaking that resolve requires more than a laundry list of options, however creative. Detail will be the key.
I grinned. You alone?
That goes without saying. If youre asking whether Im in my hotel room, the answer is yes.
My grin broadened. Good, then youll get all the detail you can handle.
I never did find out what the spell was, probably because, five minutes into the conversation, we both forgot what had started it and, by the time we signed off, I crawled under the covers, forgetting even the most basic nighttime toiletry routines, and promptly fell asleep, my curiosity the only thing left unsatisfied.
Death before Dishonor
COME MORNING, I BOUNDED OUT OF BED, READY TO TAKE on the world. This would have been a positive sign had I not done the same thing every morning for the past two weeks. I awoke, refreshed, determined this would be the day Id haul my ass out of the pit. Id cook breakfast for Savannah. Id leave a cheerful message of support on Lucass cell phone. Id jog two miles. Id dive into my Web site projects with renewed vigor and imagination. Id take time out in the afternoon to hunt down season-end tomatoes at the market. Id cook up a vat of spaghetti sauce that would fill our tiny freezer. The list went on. I usually derailed somewhere between leaving the message for Lucas and starting my workdayroughly around nine A.M.
That morning, I sailed into my jog still pumped. I knew I wouldnt hit two miles, considering Id never exceeded one mile in my entire running career, which was now in its fifth week. Over the last eighteen months it had come to my attention, on multiple occasions, that my level of physical fitness was inadequate. Before now, a good game of pool was as active as I got. Ask me to flee for my life, and we could be talking imminent heart failure.
