Eye of the Beholder

not brisk. They had come to the Plaza to buy books, not suits of armor and Egyptian tomb jewelry. Between them, Alexa and her assistant, Kerry, sold only a set of gargoyle bookends and a Crusader's shield.
    Shortly before the end of Webster's appearance at Spheres, Alexa decided business was not going to pick up any time soon. She left Kerry in charge of Elegant Relic and went to fetch two iced green teas from Cafe Solstice.
    Dylan Fenn stuck his head out of the doorway of Spheres and crooked a finger at her as she went past. His angelic platinum hair shone in the sun. He looked very pleased with himself.
    "You're in luck, Alexa. Webster is still here and I've got some copies of Living the Dimensions Way left."
    "That's not fair, Dylan. When was the last time I coerced you into buying a gargoyle?"
    "Let me see." He pretended to ponder the matter for a brief moment. "Last December twenty-ninth, I think it was, when you realized that you were going to get stuck with all those little gargoyles dressed in Santa Claus outfits."
    "Okay, okay, I'll buy a book. But I've got to tell you, living the
Dimensions Way
    is not really my thing."
    "So you keep telling me, but I'm not giving up. One of these days the positive energy vortices will start to exert their influence. You can't resist them forever. This is Avalon, after all."
    "Meaning I'm doomed to think positive?" Dylan grinned.
    "Something like that." There was a blaze of silver and turquoise as Webster appeared in the doorway behind Dylan. He gave Alexa his charismatic smile. His eyes, brimming with a patented expression of insight and understanding, were the color of ancient amber.
    "Don't push her." Webster clamped a fatherly hand around Dylan's shoulder. "Those who are destined to find their way to Dimensions must do so in their own time. How are you, Alexa?"
    "Fine." She felt herself turn red. "Of course I'd love an autographed copy of your book, Webster." He chuckled. The sound was almost musical, dark and rich. "Please, don't feel you have to buy one just because you know the author."
    "No, no, I want one. Really, I do."
    Dylan stood aside. "Come on in. I'll get a copy for you. Webster can sign it."
    "Great." Alexa tried to infuse some genuine enthusiasm into her voice. She smiled brightly at Webster. "It looked like you had a great crowd."
    "It was a gratifying turnout, thanks to Dylan."
    "All I do is sell the books." Dylan picked up a copy of Living the Dimensions Way from the small stack of books that was left from the signing. "You're the one who brings in the crowds, Webster."
    "This one does seem to be doing quite well." Webster glanced at the cover of his book. "Let's hope it changes a few lives."
    Changes a few lives? Compared to that goal, her own career aspirations seemed downright mundane, Alexa thought.
    Webster opened the book and removed an expensively worked silver and turquoise pen from his pocket. He scrawled a short message and his name across the inside page.
    "There you go." He handed the book to Alexa.
    "Thank you." She would put the book on the shelf in her living room, she decided. No one would ever have to know that she was one of probably no more than three people in Avalon who hadn't actually read a Webster Bell book all the way through.
    A couple walked through the door. The woman asked Dylan for a guide to the metaphysical "hot spots" in the surrounding desert Dylan drew her and her friend to a shelf of books at the far end of the room.
    Alexa found herself alone with Webster. She thought about edging back out the door but paused when it occurred to her that she had not yet paid for Living the Dimensions Way .
    "I hope you find my book useful," Webster said very quietly. "The
Dimensions Way
    is the way of peace and serenity. Most of us lead lives that are filled with too much stress. The key to fulfilling our true potential is to resist the negative forces that surround us."
    Something in his voice made her look at him more closely. The intensity with which he was watching her made her uneasy.
    "Right," she said. "Peace and serenity."
    "Alexa, I hesitate to make a personal comment." Webster glanced at the far end of the store, where Dylan was still occupied with his customers. Then he lowered his voice slightly. "After all, we aren't close. But I know that you and Joanna are friends. May I be blunt?"
    "Uh—"
    "I sense a severe disturbance in your personal aura."
    "Dang. Funny you should mention that. I've been worried about my aura