Page 90 of The Witching Hours

“I see. And you’ve successfully run off everybody who’s tried to live in the house before?”

He grinned. “Yes.”

“Ok. In review, there’s a gateway to other realities in this room because the house was built in a place where anegress occurs. And people living here is an encumbrance to your activity.”

He nodded. “Yes. Tell them to leave. Now. We’re not interested in hurting innocents. We even like…” He turned his head again as if listening except this time I heard a whisper. “The little girl. Alexandria.”

“We appreciate that you want to avoid harm. But we have a problem.”

“What?”

“The family used all their financial resources to get this house. They can’t sell it because of the market. And they don’t have any place else to go.” Aeskilas frowned. “Do you understand how money works here?”

The creature threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, indeed. I understand very well how money works. Root of evil and all that.”

“Yes. That’s been said. Are you up to evil?”

He wagged his finger. “You’re itching for me to provide a label, aren’t you? Angel? Demon? Alien? Warlock? What difference does it make?”

“I’d like to be precise when I record this event in my journal.”

“Well. Pick one. All would be true. None would be true.”

The old riddling standby. Why am I not surprised? “I will. Which one will depend on your answer to my proposal.”

He lifted his chin. “You think you’re in a bargaining position?”

I shook my head. “Oh no. I know I’m not. There’s no question that you have the power here. But maybe you could use a story about a good deed in your profile.”

He laughed. “You areveryfunny. And now I’m curious. Let me hear this proposal.”

“Sure. Perhaps you could share the house with the Campbells. What if they moved the dining room furniture out permanently and agreed to stay out of the room except for cleaning or maintenance? Perhaps then everyone who uses the egress could show appreciation by leaving a monetary token?” So far as I could tell, he was neither offended nor bored, so I pressed on. “It would be a good symbiotic resolution. The Campbells would better be able to keep up with the expenses of the house and you would benefit by knowing your use would be undisturbed for as long as they live here.”

For a time, he sat motionless, staring in a way that indicated he was assessing me. My degree of discomfort was growing by the second as I waited for him to indicate how he’d taken my thoughts on the matter.

Finally, he said, “Money.” I nodded. He laughed. “Like a toll.”

Yes. That’s it.“Exactly. Except that it’s a voluntary toll.”

“Money doesn’t mean anything to us. So, in practical terms there’d be no cost on our end.” With a thoughtful look he said, “How much?”

“Well, since it’s a non-issue for you, the more the better.”

He nodded slowly. “Very well. We agree. The house will be under our protection. The occupants will not even need to lock doors unless they want to. And we’ll leave protection money.”

That sounded too much like the mob to me. “I liked the term toll better.”

He smiled. “Very well. You bargain like a demon. Do we have a deal?”

I didn’t know if bargaining like a demon was a compliment or a slam, but I let it go. “Ninety-nine percent sure. It’s up to David and Molly. They’re the mom and dad who live here.”

“I know who they are.” A regal gesture of his hand told me he was accustomed to being in a position of authority and accustomed to not having his authority questioned. “Okay. Have them come.”

“I’ll have to call. On my phone. Later, after I’ve taken this circle down.”

Aeskilas looked up down and around as if my cylinder was completely visible to him.

He got to his feet, walked over to where I’d left my purse and retrieved my phone. Perhaps I should’ve felt alarmed, but I didn’t think my wallet held anything of interest to a creature who could travel between realities as easily as I drive to the Circle K.

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