Page 68 of Morning's Light

“Babe.” The single syllable was said with finesse. A smooth–rough finesse that used to go straight to her core. Now, she just wished he’d get to the point.

“Yes, what?” she asked.

“I was walking past your store and realized I have something to give you. A present.”

“What…a present?”

“Yeah. How ’bout you come down here and meet me?”

“You’re at my shop? I don’t understand. You’ve never been big on surprises.”

“All this talk and I’m standing out here looking like a vagrant. Can you please just come down? People are staring at me like I’m a burglar casing the joint.”

“Wait… How do I know it’s really you?”

He snorted. “Are you deaf?” he asked in agitation. “Aisanna, I’m going to return this gift to the store if you aren’t down here in thirty minutes.”

The line clicked dead and she stood silent for a long moment, staring down at the phone, wondering what to do. It could be a trick. Some kind of subterfuge attempt to take her under. But if Israel were really standing outside her shop, she didn’t want some well-meaning person on the street to call the police.

“Fine,” she told the empty screen. “I’m coming. But I’m coming prepared.”

She drew on her defenses. Her earth magic. Drew symbol after symbol around her heart to protect her from whatever may come to pass. Then she slipped the piece of agate Astix had given her around her neck and dressed for a chilly night.

Aisanna realized, walking to the car, that she was very much like her mother. They both hated surprises.

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