Hexed

strongest protective wards, and of course there were more wards around my entire shop.
    The priest and rabbi strolled over there, hands clasped behind their backs, to peruse what I had on display. They would most likely be disappointed. Writers of spell books do not emblazon the spines with easy-to-read titles. Granuaile caught my eye as I moved to follow them, and I put a finger to my lips and then mouthed at her, » Later. «
    Perry had already lost interest and was back to restocking the shelves.
    » What sorts of books do you have here, Mr. O’Sullivan? « Father Gregory asked when I came to a stop beside him, regarding the cabinet.
    » Oh, all sorts, « I said.
    » Can you give me an example of what I might be looking at? « the priest asked, gesturing toward a volume bound in the gray skin of cats. It was an Egyptian text written by Bast cultists, which I’d saved from Alexandria. If I waved that in front of a museum curator, he’d promptly lose control of his salivary glands.
    » It’s really not a section open for browsing, « I replied.
    » My dear boy, « the priest chortled in an avuncular manner, » how do you expect to sell any of it if you won’t let customers peruse your catalog? «
    I shrugged. » Most of it’s not for sale. « I sold one purely historical work per year at auction, and that gave Third Eye a healthy balance sheet even if I lost money on the bulk of the store’s business. » I look at myself as more of a caretaker. «
    » I see. And how did you come to take care of such a collection? «
    » Inherited it from my family, « I said. » If there’s a certain title you’re looking for, I can see if I have it, or maybe I can get it for you. «
    The priest looked at the rabbi and the rabbi shook his head briefly. I could see they were getting ready to make excuses and leave, but I wanted to know a little more about them. I slipped in between them and the cabinet, uncomfortably close. They took a step back and I crossed my arms in front of my chest.
    » Why did you come here today, gentlemen? « I said, a challenge in my tone. I let the vapid college kid slough away just a wee bit, and they noticed.
    Father Gregory looked flustered and began to stammer. The rabbi was not so easily rattled. He glared at me and said coolly in English with a telltale Russian accent, » You can hardly expect us to be candid with you when you have not been candid with us. «
    » You haven’t earned it. You’re strangers and you refuse to answer my questions. «
    » You answer ours with lies, « the rabbi hissed. Such an affable fellow.
    » Perhaps I’d tell you what you want to hear if I knew you didn’t mean me any harm. «
    Father Gregory tried to be avuncular again. » My dear boy, we are both men of the cloth— «
    » Who have wandered into a New Age bookstore asking strange personal questions, « I interrupted. » And look, you could’ve gotten those costumes anywhere right after Halloween. «
    Both of them registered shock at the suggestion they were not truly clergymen—so that was one question answered. I should be able to find them on the Internet somewhere if they were legit.
    Father Gregory clasped his hands together in a prayerful attitude. » I do apologize, Mr. O’Sullivan. It appears we have started off on the wrong foot. My colleague and I represent certain interests who believe you may be able to advance their agenda. «
    I crinkled my brow in confusion. » Advance their agenda? Well, I have a website. I could put up a banner or something, if they’re looking for publicity. «
    » No, no, you misunderstand— «
    » Purposely misunderstand, you mean, « the rabbi spat. » Come on, Gregory, this is a waste of time. « He pulled at the priest’s arm and stalked off toward the exit. Father Gregory shot me an apologetic look and followed the rabbi, looking defeated. I let them go, because I had research to do. They clearly knew more about me than I knew about them, and that’s an extremely uncomfortable feeling for an old Druid.
    » What was that all about? « Granuaile asked as I rejoined her behind the apothecary counter.
    » Don’t know. « I shook my head. » But I’m going to find out soon. «
    I brooded and busied myself with preparing tea blends until it was time for interviews. The first two candidates were semi-sentient boys who stared at me with their mouths open whenever I was talking. Their eyes were dead and never lit up until I asked them if they liked video games.