Chapter 3 #2
The address I’d been given was that of a pub.
Did he live above the pub? I scratched my chin as I stepped within, greeted by the sound of raucous laughter. It was overly full of people, all tables stuffed to capacity, the bar crowded with thirsty patrons trying to signal a bearded man who looked out of his depth.
A man in the corner played the piano, a jaunty beat adding to the lively atmosphere. Servers darted through the crowd, carrying flagons of golden mead. I wouldn’t have minded one myself, but I couldn’t afford to be distracted. What if my charge would only be here for a short while?
You’ll know Augustus when you see him, Lucifer had assured me, wrinkling his nose. He positively reeks of righteousness and goodwill. He will receive word that he must travel to America tomorrow. Make sure you are along for that journey.
Righteousness and goodwill? An odd sentiment, given this was a man who’d sold his soul to Lucifer, but that was hardly my concern. My concern was seeing him to his destination and having my debt to the Devil cleared.
I traversed the room, scanning the groups at tables. The only area of interest was a corner booth, where a small crowd had gathered. Curious, I approached, noting two women sitting in the booth where several powders were laid out in small porcelain bowls.
“What does this one do?” a bony woman in the crowd asked, gesturing to a small pill that sat before a yellow powder. She squinted. “Isn’t that turmeric?”
I nodded to myself, having recognized the spice immediately. A few potions required its inclusion.
One of the women at the table, a blonde, looked uncertainly toward a man at the edge of the booth. “Yes, that pill contains turmeric. It can ease pain.”
She didn’t sound terribly certain, and the man she’d spoken to cleared his throat, leaning over. “If anyone is suffering from arthritis or stomach issues, they will find some relief with this pill. Its effects can be quite miraculous. It has been enhanced with prayer magic.”
“And what about this one?” a man asked, pointing to what was clearly ginger.
I tuned the answer out as I sidled up to the young man who’d clarified what the pill containing turmeric was capable of.
He was perhaps seventeen, Latino, with wavy black hair cut short on the sides.
He was also perhaps the most handsome boy I’d ever seen.
He even gave Lucifer a run for his money, with a strong jawline.
But it was really his eyes that drew my attention.
There was something about them, warm and inviting.
“You seem to know a lot about herbs and spices.”
The boy glanced at me, eyes lingering on my mouth for a moment before turning back toward the table. “I try.”
“And the prayers? Some would call what you are producing alchemy.”
The boy’s eyes snapped back to mine, wide with alarm. He gently pushed me away from the table, a discreet distance away. He lowered his voice. “Are you trying to get me in trouble?”
I smiled. “Because alchemy is a forbidden practice?”
His brow furrowed. “It’s not…. These are just natural ingredients. Witches don’t have claim over everything that grows wild in the world, even if the Council of Witches would want you to believe so.”
I considered. The Council of Witches would have some choice words for this young man.
“Humans trying to harness powers innate to witches isn’t safe. Magic doesn’t come naturally to—”
“No,” the man put a hand on my shoulder, which I found distracting.
He looked me directly in the eyes and my mouth momentarily went dry.
He had such dark brown eyes and lovely eyelashes surrounding them.
“It’s science. It’s the most natural thing in the world, and it’s all around us.
The witches need their magic to create their spells and potions, but these”—he swept a hand back toward the table—“these work without witch intervention. Simple prayer any human has the ability to recite activates them. They may not have the instantaneous effect that a witch’s tincture has, but it’s something. ”
“But … why would you bother? If you need to alleviate pain, you can merely seek a witch.”
“Ha!” the man barked. “You think a witch’s services are free? That they’ll help us humans out of the kindness of their hearts? That would be something. No, we want people to have access to medicine and … and knowledge without having to be so reliant on witches.”
I nodded slowly. He clearly didn’t have a very high opinion of witches, but he was a fool if he thought chomping on some ginger was going to cure menstrual cramps as easily as a witch’s brew. Sometimes a little payment was worth the extra benefits.
“Auggie?” the blonde at the table called over to us.
I blinked as the boy turned toward the table. Auggie. As in Augustus. Of course. This would be my charge then. I looked him over. At least this wouldn’t be the worst person to watch for a fortnight and change.
“Pardon me,” Auggie said. He returned to the table and answered the question posed to him.
I considered the best way to insinuate myself into this boy’s travel plans.
He seemed an amiable enough fellow. Perhaps something not so subtle would do the trick.
I rejoined Auggie at the table and smiled.
“This is truly fascinating. I would love to hear more about these wonders you’ve managed to uncover.
If only I wasn’t leaving for America in the morning. ”
“Oh?” Auggie glanced at me. “You’re venturing to America?”
I nodded. “Yes, I have some … business to attend to there. But I’ll be back in due time. I can perhaps meet up with you then.”
Auggie smirked, shaking his head. “That’s a strange coincidence. I’m also going to America. I was going to the docks tomorrow to secure passage.”
I feigned surprise and delight. “And where are you going?”
“New York.”
I sputtered. “Well, that’s excellent news. That’s my destination as well. The Gods must be watching over you. You should join me. I have a carriage secured for the morning, and I would love to have a fascinating companion to talk to on the voyage. And traveling together would be much safer.”
Auggie smiled and nodded slowly as he mulled over my proposal. “Very well. I would be in your debt.”
I grinned and accepted a hand he reached out for me to shake. “I can be by with the carriage at seven sharp.”
“Perfect.”
It was perfect. And too easy. Auggie was a little too trusting, but that could be to my advantage.
“I didn’t catch your name,” Auggie said, watching me.
“Callum. Callum Chartreuse. And you are?”
“I’m Augustus Sanderson. But my friends call me Auggie.”
“Auggie it is then,” I said, smiling shyly at him.
I didn’t know what it was about the stare he leveled at me—at once intense and playful—but it left me flustered, like he could see right through me.
I wasn’t sure I liked the feeling, but I also felt like we were sharing a secret, although I couldn’t fathom what such a secret could be.
Auggie seemed to realize the effect he was having on me and leaned back against the wall with a knowing grin. “You have strange eyes, Callum. But I rather like them.”
My heart skipped at his praise. “I … thank you. I like your eyes as well.” I almost told him how I’d been admiring his eyelashes, but managed to hold that embarrassing tidbit back, at least. “They’re like … soil after a long day’s rain. Deep and rich.”
“Oh? Are you a poet, Callum?”
I sputtered. “Hardly. You’re just inspiring.
” I cringed. Gods, had I really just said that out loud?
What was wrong with me? “Or your eyes are, really. And don’t get me started on your eyelashes.
” I had to refrain from smacking my own face.
I just couldn’t resist bringing up his eyelashes, could I?
Traitorous mouth. Why did I feel so nervous around this human?
But rather than be mortified by my praise, Auggie laughed. It was a sound like sunshine. Musical and sweet. It made me brighten significantly, and I hoped I would have occasion to hear more of it.
Auggie shook his head. “It’s refreshing to meet someone who speaks their mind.”
I smiled. “You clearly have that effect.”
He inclined his head.
“This is magic, pure and simple,” a pig-nosed man in a tweed coat said loudly, drawing our attention. He was staring down at the herbs and spices with suspicious eyes. “We don’t care for witches around these parts, I’ll have you know.”
The blonde woman straightened in her seat. “Then it’s a good thing we aren’t witches. We’re just humans trying to get by.”
“It’s science,” Auggie broke in, leaning into the booth. “There are natural remedies in the wild. You just need to know where to look.”
“And I suppose it came to you in a vision?” a lanky man beside the pig-nosed man said, leering. “We have a regular alchemist here, Pip. I suppose God has whispered to you in your dreams, telling you how to make these little pills and what prayers you must say over them?”
Pip snorted. “As if God didn’t abandon us long ago. The Devil is the only one who hears your prayers, little witch. These are his creations.”
“Oh, put a pie in it,” Auggie sighed. “Your ignorance is truly egregious.”
I noticed the forced mirth in his voice. There was a storm gathering in his brown eyes, and I couldn’t help but admire his tenacity. He clearly had a lean build, which wasn’t nothing, but the men he was addressing outweighed him significantly and could likely do damage if it came to a fight.
Pip blinked lazily, looking Auggie up and down. “You know, I don’t think I like your attitude.”
The lanky man beside him was choking back laughter, as was another short man with a pinched face. “Maybe we ought to take this outside,” the lanky man suggested, voice slightly slurred. “We can rearrange the witch’s face and see how well his herbs help with that.”
“Perhaps we ought to,” Pip agreed, staring Auggie in the eye, as if daring him. “If you want us to be moving on, that is.”
Auggie puffed out his chest and gestured to the back exit. “Follow me this way,” he said, adding a mocking “gentlemen.”
The men shared menacing grins as they followed Auggie out the exit.
I ran a hand down my face. Of course this wasn’t going to be easy. My first run-in with my charge, and he was begging to be beaten to a pulp by a group of disorderly drunk men. Just my luck.
I gave them a minute and left the pub via the front door, circling around back to avoid notice. I rounded the back wall and stuck to the shadows. I entered a dark alley. The potion I’d consumed to see better was still in effect, however, and compensated for the thick shadows.
Auggie received a punch to the stomach from Pip that took the air out of him, driving him to his knees. I winced. Three against one wasn’t good odds. As much as I disliked humans, Auggie showed a little backbone, at least. And I hated bullies with a passion.
Auggie sputtered, hand to his stomach, but I saw determination in his set jaw. The brave fool. What did he truly expect to accomplish here? Being beaten to within an inch of his life wouldn’t do anything to humble these unsavory blokes.
As Auggie grunted and stumbled back to his feet, the lanky man yanked a wooden plank from a pile leaning against the trash, hefting it in his hand twice to measure its weight.
I narrowed my eyes. Oh, no you don’t.
I removed a vial of dragon scales and a packet of dried harpy egg from my cloak.
Emptying them onto my hand, I whispered “Quae enim seminaverit homo, haec et metet” before blowing the powder and scales into the alley.
The pod around my neck depleted by nearly half.
I would have to meditate in the forest for hours tonight to refill my magic reserves, but it would be worth it.
As the lanky man lifted the plank to swing it directly into Auggie’s face, Auggie’s eyes widened.
Pip laughed expectantly, until the plank slammed into the short man’s head, sending their friend reeling to the ground, whereupon he landed unconscious.
“What the hell, man?” Pip wheeled on the lanky man.
The lanky man looked confused as he lifted the plank again, aiming to drive it into Auggie’s temple.
Once again, the plank, rather than swing at Auggie, targeted the lanky man’s ally. The momentum from the lanky man’s swing changed direction and smacked Pip squarely along his jaw.
The lanky man looked horrified. “Pip! I’m so sorry! I don’t know how that happened.”
Pip spit out a bloody tooth that rolled along the ground and came to a stop near the unconscious short man. “Just mess him up,” he said, pointing to Auggie, blood dribbling down his lips and over his chin.
The lanky man obeyed, but the plank rounded on Pip again, smacking the back of his head with a blow that knocked him out cold.
Auggie stared at the lanky man, very still, then smiled, unsure. “Thank you,” he said.
The lanky man gritted his teeth and prepared for another swing of the plank. This time, the plank swung itself into the side of the lanky man’s own face. But he wasn’t done. As he tried for another hit, the plank slammed into his head again, and again. Until he joined his friends on the ground.
Auggie stared down at the three unconscious men for a minute, looking utterly baffled by what had occurred. I could hardly blame him. Hopefully the poor lighting had been enough to muddle the events.
After another moment, Auggie ducked back into the bar, shutting the door firmly behind him.
I smiled as I waltzed over to the three men who’d beaten themselves bloody with their own ill intentions. It was quite poetic, if I did say so myself.
On my way out of the alley, I reached down and scooped up Pip’s discarded tooth, reveling as it was ground to pieces beneath my own.