Book Read Free

The Book of Lies

Page 20

by Melissa McShane


  “I don’t know how many there are. More than a few.”

  “What can they do? Other than kill monsters that look like dogs.”

  “Um…” The drink was making me feel fuzzy, on top of the wine they’d served with the salmon. “Move things with their minds, set things on fire, stuff like that.”

  “Do they use magic words, like Harry Potter?”

  “No. They just think it and it happens.”

  “That’s so cool! Do you have to be born a magi? Could I be one?”

  “No, they’re not born, they undergo a ritual that turns them into a magus. But it’s very dangerous and you have to be the right sort of person.”

  “You don’t know I’m not the right sort.”

  “I don’t know anything about it. But no, I’m not going to ask for you.”

  The smile vanished. “I think I deserve a little consideration, since I nearly got killed by those things last night.”

  “Kevin, I didn’t mean—”

  “I have to help this guy.” He walked away toward the same elderly gentleman I’d seen the other night, the one who’d ordered a martini. The man noticed me watching and smiled pleasantly, but didn’t invite me to join him. That was a relief. Custodian or not, he had to be well over sixty and had no business picking up young women in bars. Or maybe he did. Who was I to dictate who people could be attracted to?

  I sipped my drink and let my thoughts float free. Hopefully, Malcolm would come to me tonight. I could really use the company, even if there was no sex. What was the Board looking for, anyway? Maybe tomorrow they’d find out the truth, and nothing else would matter. I hoped they didn’t. As stressful as keeping this secret was, it beat whatever punishment the Board might inflict on me.

  “So,” Kevin said, startling me, “you don’t have to be born a magi—”

  “Magus is singular. Magi is plural.”

  “Got it. You don’t have to be born a magus, and there’s a ritual that makes you one. Why aren’t you a magus?”

  I glanced around. There wasn’t anyone close enough to hear our conversation, not even the custodian with his martini, but Kevin had pitched his voice low anyway, and I matched him. “For what I do, you’re not allowed to be a magus.”

  “Selling magic books.”

  “Sort of. You ask a question, and I find you a book that contains the answer.”

  “I can’t believe that’s even possible. I’m not calling you a liar, it’s just a really big thing to believe.”

  “I know what you mean. That’s how I felt when I found out about it.”

  “You haven’t done this your whole life?”

  “No, just over a year.”

  Kevin began polishing the bar. “I don’t get why you can’t be a magus for that.”

  “It’s so I won’t be swayed to use the auguries for myself. I have to be impartial.”

  “You’ve never bought a book?”

  “No.”

  “That sucks. What if you wanted to know something important? Like if you should dump your mysterious, absent boyfriend for a charming, hot bartender?”

  His gorgeous smile charmed one out of me. “I’d just have to make that decision for myself.”

  He made a piteous face, and I laughed. “And I’m afraid you’re out of luck,” I added.

  “I know. I’m just teasing. You want another drink? Though I’m not trying to get you drunk.”

  I realized my glass was almost empty. “No, I think I’ve reached my limit. Thanks anyway.”

  “No problem. Hey, Helena? Can I come by your store sometime? Just to say hi.”

  That can’t make things worse than they already are, right? “Sure, why not?” I gave him the address and let him kiss my cheek in farewell.

  In the elevator, I kicked off my shoes and rubbed one foot against my shin. If I was truly lucky, Malcolm would be waiting in my room. The thought made me nervous and excited all at once. I still didn’t think forbidden sex was better when you were surrounded by people who could have you fired for it, or worse, but having him near always thrilled me. Mostly I just wanted to see him, to snuggle up in his arms and rejoice in the fact that I wasn’t moving to London. I wanted to be able to talk to him as I’d done for so many nights on the phone, or curl up together and watch a movie. I wasn’t a very exciting person, was I?

  My suite was empty when I reached it, dangling my shoes in one hand and my little clutch in the other. Disappointed, I hung up my dress and sweater and put on my pajamas, washed my face and brushed my teeth and did all the other little bedtime rituals. It was almost ten, a little too early for bed but not early enough for a movie. Well, morning would come soon enough, and I had to work tomorrow.

  I exited the bathroom and stopped, stunned. Malcolm lay in my bed, his arms casually behind his head, completely naked. He smiled at my reaction, a slow, wicked smile, and said, “I think your wardrobe is inappropriate for what I have in mind.”

  I climbed into bed and put my arms around him. “If that’s so,” I said, “maybe you should show me what I ought to be wearing.”

  He rolled me onto my back and began unbuttoning my pajama shirt. “Pay attention,” he whispered. “There might be a test.”

  17

  I rolled my luggage down the hall toward the elevator. I’d said goodbye to Malcolm sometime just before dawn. It had been the most glorious night, sex and cuddling and a lot of talking, and I’d probably only gotten four hours of sleep, but it had been worth it. And I could nap this afternoon, after the Board was finished with their assessment of my rigorous attention to the Accords, or whatever they had in mind.

  I felt cheerful overall. I’d spent the night with the man I loved, I didn’t have to uproot my life to follow the store across the Atlantic, and it was Christmas Eve day and I was getting off work early. I said “Merry Christmas” to the nice lady at the registration desk when I handed her my key cards and suppressed the urge to warn her there was a bypass to the locks. I checked the bar, but of course Kevin wasn’t in yet. I was too cheerful to feel guilty about having told him things about magery. Besides, who would believe him if he said anything?

  I saw Carlos coming out of the elevator and went to greet him. “You’re leaving now?”

  “My flight leaves in seven hours, but I intend to do my waiting at the airport. Too many memories here.”

  That killed my cheerfulness dead. “I’m so sorry. I liked Elisabeta a lot.”

  “So did everyone. Her node will be so different without her.”

  “I heard her husband is the new custodian. Will that…”

  Carlos smiled. “Will it be a problem for me? Perhaps. But Andrei is a good man, and I hope to remember our shared affection rather than any potential awkwardness.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Farewell, Helena Davies, and I look forward to seeing you in three years.”

  I waved as he left the hotel, then wheeled my luggage toward the door. Someone called my name, and I looked through the door of the restaurant to see Claude, Iakkhos, Diane, and Nimisha seated at a table. “Come, join us,” Claude said.

  “I was going to have something at home. I have to open the store at ten.”

  “Your work ethic shames me,” Claude said. “Sit and eat a muffin. The store is not going to disappear.”

  I checked the time—still early—and decided I could afford time for breakfast. The waffle lady served me a waffle heaped high with strawberries in syrup, and I sat in the chair Diane dragged away from a nearby table and poured myself a cup of coffee.

  “Iakkhos, you look better,” I said, taking a bite.

  “I’m still weak, but I survive,” Iakkhos said. “But I have to fly back to Crete. Ward-stepping is too hard on my heart.”

  “I’m sorry.” At that moment I felt slightly guilty at being so happy the oracle was staying in Portland; a flight from London to Crete wouldn’t be nearly so taxing.

  Iakkhos shrugged. “It is what it is. I fly first class, at least, and have plenty of flight attendants
to meet my every whim. I have the hardest time not calling them stewardesses, you know.”

  “You’re old enough to be allowed a little slip,” Diane said. “I wish this weren’t the only time we all can get together. I miss these conversations.”

  “I will likely not see you again,” Nimisha said. “Samudra chooses a different representative every time.”

  “That’s too bad,” I said, and meant it. Nimisha’s prickliness had grown on me. “What will you do when you return to the Sanctuary?”

  “Teach Wardens how to meditate. Guide them through the process of gaining a vision. Learn in the hopes of someday taking Samudra’s place—not that anyone wishes him ill, but being the custodian of the Sanctuary is worth aspiring to.”

  “I understand.”

  “I’ll have a lot to do when I get back,” Diane said. “I can’t believe they’re making us fly out on Christmas Eve. The airport’s going to be a nightmare. But I’m going to put all my responsibilities off until Monday. You’re way more responsible than I am, Helena, if you’re not just closing Abernathy’s for the day.”

  “The Board is coming to review my compliance with the Accords. I don’t think I should close up shop when that happens.”

  Diane and Claude exchanged glances. “That’s…sudden,” Diane said. “Did they say why so soon?”

  “No, but all the Board members are in town, and I imagine it seemed like a waste of time to leave and then come back again. I don’t mind. I’d rather get it over with.”

  “I am certain you have nothing to fear,” Claude said, patting my hand. “I only wish the Board could be clearer about what it is they are looking for. As it is, it feels like they do not trust us.”

  That had been my feeling, as well. “Mr. Ragsdale seemed casual about it when he spoke to me last night,” I said. “Maybe they’re just checking on certain provisions of the Accords that people always let slip.”

  “Or they’ve got a few questions that will test our impartiality,” Iakkhos said. “What’s the saying—the innocent have nothing to fear from the police? I’m not sure how true that is, but it’s a comforting idea.”

  “If you’re innocent,” Diane said. She looked out the window and frowned. “I’m never going to be able to look at dogs like that again.”

  I followed her gaze to where a tiny woman was walking a Doberman pinscher in front of the hotel restaurant. “That’s right, they all looked like dogs to you. Be glad you can’t see the real thing.”

  “You were wearing your monocle that night? I took mine off,” said Diane.

  “No, Helena can see through illusions. It is her gift as custodian of Abernathy’s,” Claude said.

  “Huh,” Diane said. “Are you sure about that? Nathaniel couldn’t see through illusions.”

  I blinked. “How do you know that?”

  “Because he needed the monocle last conference, and it didn’t give him that headache or whatever it was you had that first night.”

  I looked at Claude, who seemed as baffled as I was. “Well, I’m sure I couldn’t see through illusions before,” I said, “so what else could it be?” But I wasn’t so sure. When would I have had the chance to test that theory?

  “I’m sure it’s something to do with Abernathy’s,” Diane said. “It’s just strange, that’s all.”

  More than strange. I took a final bite of waffle and stood. “I have to be going. It was so nice to meet you all—there really should be a way to keep in touch—”

  “Email,” said Iakkhos. “Here, I’ll text mine to you. What, you think because I’m a hundred and two I don’t keep up with technology trends?”

  There was a flurry of texting, then I hugged everyone, reserving a specially long one for Iakkhos, who looked at me as if he knew why. Then I waved goodbye and hauled my suitcase out of the restaurant. As I left, I saw Lucia at the front desk, flanked by Dave Henry and Martin Maxwell. I carefully didn’t meet anyone’s eye. Lucia and Dave and Martin were all grownups, and if they were satisfied with their unorthodox relationship, I wasn’t going to criticize. It just made me feel uncomfortable.

  The day was crisply cold and bright the way the sun gets before a storm. I drove east, taking the surface streets even though the freeway wouldn’t be terribly congested on a Saturday morning. A Saturday Christmas Eve morning, on the other hand, might be a problem. I hummed along with the radio and ran over my plans in my head. Judy and I needed to discuss the new Ambrosite-Nicollien policy—specifically, our two holdouts Malcolm and Jeremiah needed to know they now had to abide by the faction leaders’ guidelines. I should deal with the mail-in auguries that had piled up over the last couple of days. I had Judy’s gift to give her, and it wasn’t something she could take home. Then the Board, ugh, but when they were gone, I was free to go to my parents’ house for Christmas. This was going to be a great day.

  I reached the store right around 9:30 and parked in back, hauling my luggage up the flight of stairs to my apartment. It still smelled of cinnamon and pine from the wreath I’d hung on the door. The scent followed me all the way back down the stairs and into the store, where it competed with the smell of fresh apples Abernathy’s had chosen for the day. Judy wasn’t in yet, so I sorted through the pile of the previous days’ mail on my desk. All auguries—looked like Judy had gone through it for payments and junk mail first. I decided to get an early start on the day and picked up the first envelope.

  Judy arrived at ten ‘til and went straight to the break room to shed her coat and hat. “Harry’s going to be all right,” she called out. “They’re not sure if he’s still a magus, because he’s not allowed to use magic while he’s recovering. But he says he’s just happy to be alive.”

  “You spoke to him?”

  “Last night. They want us to come to dinner after the first of the year, when he’s allowed visitors again. Lucas isn’t taking any chances.” She came to stand in the office doorway. “So, how was your first conference?”

  “Interesting. Overwhelming. Almost disastrous. I doubt it was normal, as conferences go. I made some friends and a couple of enemies.”

  “Rebecca Greenough, huh? Lucia always spits when she says her name.”

  “She lost, though.”

  Judy came into the office. “Lost, how?”

  “She wanted them to move Abernathy’s to London.”

  Judy’s mouth fell open. “They—why didn’t you tell me?”

  “There was a lot going on. And by the time I wasn’t busy or fighting off familiars trying to rip my throat out, it would have just worried you for nothing. I’m sorry.”

  “You’re sorry.” Judy scowled, but her heart wasn’t in it. “So I take it we’re not moving.”

  “It might not have been us. She also wanted them to appoint a Londoner as custodian.”

  “Helena, stop keeping things from me!”

  “I’m sorry! Look, I have your present here. Will that be enough of an apology?”

  Judy shrugged. “Depends on the present.”

  “I hope you like it.”

  I opened the bottom drawer of my desk and removed a sheet of paper, folded in thirds. “I was going to wrap it, but that would just have looked stupid…here.”

  Judy took it from me and unfolded it. She went very still. “This is an employment agreement,” she said. “For Abernathy’s.”

  “It took me a while to find the green ink. And I’m sorry it’s not pretty. My handwriting sucks.” I took a pen out of the top drawer and offered it to her. “You should read it. And then you sign here and here.”

  Judy held the paper loosely, her eyes focused on something beyond it. “You want me to be your successor.”

  “Well…yeah. Of course. And after what I’ve been through…I mean, I planned it a few weeks ago, but with all those custodians dying, I realized how important it was that the oracle pass from me to someone else as smoothly as possible. If that became necessary. And I want the someone to be you.”

  Judy blinked. Something sparkled on her
long eyelashes. “All right,” she said, and laid it flat on the desk top, leaning over it. She held out her hand for the pen, and signed swiftly in both places.

  I countersigned on the line below her signature and folded the paper, put it away in the desk, and let out a deep breath. “I hope that wasn’t a dumb present. I mean, you don’t exactly get to take it home with you.”

  “It’s not a dumb present. It’s a great present.” Judy swiped at her eyes. “I just got you those earrings you liked.”

  “That’s a great present too,” I said, and hugged her. Judy hugged me back. She was getting better at displaying affection.

  Someone knocked on the front door, and we broke apart, laughing. “I’ll go let them in, while you finish sorting through those augury requests,” Judy said. “Here’s hoping everyone stays home today.”

  There were only a few Nicolliens that morning, and I flew through their auguries in no time, leaving me free to work through the mail. The fifth one I opened made me laugh. “Look at this,” I said to Judy. The augury request was simple, written in a powerful, blocky hand: When will my sister come to visit? Next to it was a stick figure drawing of a woman with an enormous pregnant belly. I’ve got two months to go and already I feel like I’m going to pop, Cynthia had written below it. No augury request, just wishing you a Merry Christmas, and I’ll talk to you Sunday.

  “I wish I could visit,” I said. “I love this job, but it has limitations.”

  “I understand.” Judy put the ledger away under the antique cash register. “She’ll just have to come to you.”

  “Someday. I want to see my niece in person.”

  Snow began falling around 12:30, completing the picture of a perfect Christmas. Viv texted me just after that: BRINGING FOOD YOU GET THE DRINKS, so I sent Judy to the market for Cokes and settled in on the stool behind the counter, admiring our Munchkin Christmas tree and how the snow gathered in the corners of the windows.

  We ate Chinese takeout at the counter, which was smooth and clear without a single chip—my Christmas present to Abernathy’s. “So what exactly does the Board want?” Viv said.

 

‹ Prev