Jim finished dusting the books when the door opened. A gaggle of schoolkids walked in, goth girls by their dress, with two goth young men following behind, looking like they’d be anywhere but here.
Turning to face them, he walked over to the cash register and hit the button to turn on the shoplifting prevention hardware in the doorway. He also brushed against a ward that he had put up, with Caroline’s permission. This would activate wards in the doorway as well, but it would hurt whoever was trying to shoplift something, no matter how minute. Well, the rolled gems that were a quarter a piece didn’t count.
“Looking for anything?” he asked.
“A love spell,” one of the girls said proudly.
“We don’t have that here,” Jim said solemnly.
“No,” said one of the guys, “to get -rid- of someone.”
“A repulsion spell.” Jim thought about it. If he sold this person a modified protection spell, that would turn off the other person. What if the other person got so depressed he committed suicide?
“I have that,” said a voice in the doorway.
They all turned, and a man with long white hair tied up in a pony tail, a rock t-shirt and blue jeans stood in the doorway. Jim knew from looking at him he wasn’t just an aged hippie – he was a true wizard. Jim straightened up. The man bowed his head to Jim, saying, “I know Caroline, and she would never sell these kids what you’re thinking of selling them.”
“I’m not thinking of selling it,” Jim said, a little miffed at this man’s assumption. “I fact, I was going to say I don’t have anything like that.”
“Ah, but I do.” And the man took out a four-inch long black candle from the pocket of his coat. It looked used. “Light this, and then burn something of his or hers with a flame. She’ll leave you alone. Permanently.”
The girl went to take it, and the boy, who had been quiet all this time, said, “I wouldn’t do that.”
Said the girl, “Come on, Collin, don’t be a pussy.”
Collin crosses his arms. “I’ll be outside, and I don’t want to be around you when you do that.” He left the store, the only sound being a tinkle of the doorbell as he walked out.
The wizard, though, took it back. “It’s going to cost you.”
“How much?” the girl asked.
“Oh, not money,” the wizard said. “Just a bit of your energy. I could use it to power my spells.”
The kids looked at each other, and then looked at the old man. The old man went from beneficial wizard to creepy in short order, and the kids fell over themselves getting outside.
Jim shook his head, holding back laughter but showing his amusement with a smile. “Scorpio, you never cease to amaze me with your ability to work with people.”
“I’m a sociopath, says so right in my medical record.” He leaned up against the counter. “Shut off the wards, boy, you’re making my skin crawl.”
Jim did, and the man rolled his shoulders. “There, much better.”
“What can I do for you, Scorpio?”
“Caroline left me a package back there.”
Jim nodded and went to the back. Wizards, witches, and self-stylized “warlocks” were always getting special supplies from her. For all he knew, there was real eye-of-newt and dragon’s blood in these packages. He found a wine box with his name on it, picked it up. It wasn’t very heavy, so he carried it to the front and set it on the counter. “One hundred fifteen dollars,” Jim said, reading the top.
Scorpio whistled. “A hundred probably for the finder’s fee,” he said, and handed over a credit card. “How do you like working here, Jim?”
“It’s fine,” he said. Though he would have liked to be more of a party of where she was getting her stuff.
“I was thinking, maybe, if you wanted to come study with me…”
Jim smiled, “No, I don’t mind being solitary.” Besides, you wouldn’t want me to outstrip you with my power on the first day, would you?
“Not too many solitary male witches around.” He took the box off the counter and with a grunt set it on the floor. It wasn’t that heavy, Jim thought. Unless he was getting stronger from his exercising with Valentin. He knew his legs were. He smiled again, thinking about that particular exercise.
“You’re agreeing with me,” said Scorpio, misreading the smile.
“Let’s just say that I like being a solitary better than being part of a group.” He looked up at Scorpio. “I was at another group’s esbat, and although I didn’t find it amusing then, I do now.”
Scorpio shrugged. “Suit yourself, but the offer still stands. And I don’t ask for apprentices lightly.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”
Scorpio picked up the box again. “Get the door for me?” he grunted, and Jim went around to the front of the store, holding the door open.
The alarm beeped. Jim tilted his head and gave Scorpio a look.
Scorpio sighed, “I thought you shut it off.”
“Not the alarm. Where is it.”
“Inside jacket pocket.”
Jim tucked his hand inside and came out with a book.
“I was going to return it.”
“This isn’t a library, Scorpio. Is that all?”
“That’s all.”
Jim could tell he was lying, but he wasn’t about to pat the man down to see. He’d tell Caroline instead, and see how she wanted to handle it. Unless she already knew about it and overcharged him on whatever he was buying. He nodded to himself as he let Scorpio go. He could totally see that.