Marin looked over, a slow smile finding her lips. “George,” she greeted. “I was wondering about you. I read for you again after you left the other night and it was not very encouraging.”
“I should’ve gone home like you said,” I agreed. “But it ended up okay for the most part.”
“Come to ask about that job?” She raised a brow, catching me off guard.
“Would you really hire me?” The thought sidetracked me, and I made my way to her, accepting the box that she held out for me.
“Part time,” she agreed. “I could use another witch to help me run the shop. Especially if you’d agree to read for my customers. I know quite a few people that would come in for a summoner’s tarot skills.”
“I could do that.” She took a crystal from the box, adding it to her display.
“But it was not your motivation for coming to see me tonight,” she smiled. “I would think by now you wouldn’t be wandering the Quarter in the dark. At least, not alone.”
I hadn’t thought to bring anyone else. Aveline was working. Would Indra or Akiva have come with me if I’d asked? I figured Cian was much too busy with Vampire King Things to take the time out of his day for me.
“Are you and your cards fighting again?”
“No. I haven’t read for myself today,” I admitted. “I wanted to ask you something, if I could.” I hesitated, watching her finish with the display and giving her the box when she reached for it.
“Ask,” the witch invited, beckoning me to the back alcove once more and taking a seat.
I sat across from her comfortably, leaning back in the chair. I saw her eyes find the words on my shirt-Bihexual, scrolled under a multicolored witch hat-and her mouth quirked into a half smile.
“There’s a vampire trying to kill me. Well. A vampire, her vampire friends, a wendigo, and I really hope no one else,” I began, trying to figure out the most succinct way to explain the situation.
“Because you helped Cian overthrow Gavin out in the bayou and he was beloved by his vampires,” Marin supplied. “I can’t say I’m completely unaware. But if you’re here to ask me to help you with them, then you’re going to be disappointed.”
“Because you don’t want to get in the middle of it?” I assumed.
Her small smirk grew. “Because this is not at a point where I feel I should need to intervene. I’d prefer you didn’t let it get that far, George.”
What did that mean? Surely she wasn’t so powerful that her magic had those kinds of repercussions. Wouldn’t she be doing something else, like running a coven, if she were that strong?
My face must’ve shown my confusion, because Marin chuckled.
“I’m not here to ask you for that, though now I wonder if maybe I should be trying to get more on your good side by bringing you baked goods,” I laughed, only half joking.
Her eyes still sparkled and she crossed her legs gracefully. Zahir jumped into her lap, prompting Marin to smooth her hands along his fur. “Then what do you need from me?”
“I’m looking for a fox,” I said, and immediately her smile fell. “That bad? I thought for sure there would be kitsune in New Orleans. We need the help of one.”
“Have you scried for kitsune?” Marin inquired.
I nodded. “I found one, too. He was nice. Younger than me, and that’s saying something. He said he’d help, but…” I shook my head when Merric’s smile flashed in the forefront of my mind. “I was hoping for someone who could keep themselves safe, if things went sideways. I don’t want anyone getting hurt because of me.”
Marin reached out, black-polished nails running along a large, jagged crystal that sat on the table. When she pressed her finger against it, light flared from within, drawing my attention.
“I don’t think you should look for the help of a kitsune,” she said at last. “There are other solutions to your problem. Is your vampire not looking for such resources?” her dark eyes flicked upwards to meet mine and I sat back with a huff.
That hit a bit close to home, and my voice was cold when I said, “I don’t need him to come up with something else. The kitsune was my idea.”
“And you think if your idea doesn’t work then you will be less to him?” she assumed.
I hated that she was right.
“Take the blow to your pride and move on,” she advised. “Kitsune aren’t good to rely on.”
“That’s prejudiced,” I argued. “They’re just like the rest of us. I’m part werewolf; does that mean you should be afraid of me when the full moon pops up?” My temper rose slightly, eyes burning bright.
She held my gaze, not impressed.
“I will take being prejudiced over being outsmarted by a fox,” she said at last. “What kind of kitsune is the one you spoke to?”
“What?” I thought back to our conversation. “I don’t know. I didn’t ask.“
“Why not? Do you even know what to look for? Which kitsune are all right to trust and which should be avoided?” When I didn’t speak, she went on. “Call off his help and swallow your pride, George. A kitsune’s help is not the avenue you should seek.”
Well obviously she was going to be no help at all.
When I looked down, hair falling around my face, and swallowed my angry words, Marin’s gaze softened. “I’m not trying to hurt your feelings,” she promised. “Nor am I trying to undermine you. You’re young, idealistic, and you haven’t yet been burned enough to know better. Please do me a favor and let your vampire handle whatever it is you need the kitsune for, all right?”
That was not alright, but I nodded once. “Fine. I’ll talk to him and see what he suggests.” That wouldn’t hurt, I supposed. Though I wouldn’t tell him everything Marin had said.
“Thanks” I sighed, getting to my feet.
