Page 17 of Grimoire Omens

Cedric groaned, and Ulseere lost patience. “If you’re done nattering inanities, we should proceed.”

He indicated the open passage, and with a deep breath, I walked in and shivered. It seemed darker in this part of the tunnel. Probably because it lacked any stringed bulbs. The moment we all passed through, it turned pitch-black because the brick wall closed behind us.

Eep.

“I don’t like this,” I huffed in mild panic, imagining the walls closing in and monsters lurking.

Whoosh.

A sudden flickering light had me blinking, not just because of the sudden brightness. The ball of twitching fire hovered over Ulseere’s outstretched hand. A hand holding no lighter or candle or flashlight, so how to explain the floating orb of flame?

“Ooh. Magic.” I know, not very mature of me, but come on, how cool was that?

Apparently, not very, because Ulseere rolled his eyes. “A basic trick even a witch should be able to accomplish.”

That felt like a jab. “What you’re saying is I could make light too.” I held out my hand, but before I could even think of trying, Ulseere slapped it down.

“No,” he barked

“What do you mean, no? You’re the one that basically dared me to.”

“Now is not the time for you to be playing with your power. Or do you want to advertise your presence to demons?”

“Fine.” I wouldn’t play with fire right yet, but soon as the demon problem was handled, I’d be seeing if I could pyro. Wouldn’t that make for an interesting meet-cute? I mean guy goes to light his cigarette—or doobie—I flick my fingers and instant conversation starter.

As we began walking again, Flo sidled close and, of a similar mindset, murmured, “I see a weekend gig as a fire-breathing belly dancer in your future. Imagine the tips if you shot flames from your cooch.”

I’d have sworn I heard Ulseere choke.

To my delight—which came with an easing of my fear of the dark—Ulseere could throw the rippling ball of fire ahead of us to light our path. Not that we needed it for long. Our first sign we approached our destination appeared. A set of twinkling, multicolored Christmas lights. They’d been strung from the ceiling and remained overhead as we entered a wider section of the tunnel. Much wider. A vast cavern filled not only with people and noise, but also thousands of suspended lights. Despite using electricity, the effect proved magical.

As for the market, first off, it should have been called bazaar, given the stalls had been built with varied colored fabric and scraps of wood painted vivid shades. Tables sat out in front of most, with their wares displayed atop or behind. Jars, many like the ones in Grams’ basement, layered the tabletops and shelves behind. Other vendors sold implements, of which many I recognized from Grams’ basement, plus some that I didn’t—unless they were in the locked cabinets. A few drew the gaze and held it, their shape and purpose mysterious and intriguing. Smells assailed me, a few quite savory and mouthwatering. I glanced at the nearest food vendor, who roasted hunks of meat over a barbecue fabricated out of a shopping cart.

“Mmm. That smells so good,” I murmured.

“Jim knows how to cook a rat to perfection,” Cedric stated.

“Fuck off, no way that’s rat,” I exclaimed, only to spot the cages in the shadowy back corner of the stall containing squirming furry bodies with beady red eyes.

“Don’t be so judgy. Meat is meat,” Cedric declared. “If you want dessert afterwards, you should try Lester’s chocolate.”

“Which contains what, ants? Crickets?”

“Both. How’d you guess?”

I lost my appetite. Mock me for my North American sensibilities all you want. To me, some things shouldn’t be eaten. Vermin and bugs topped that list.

As we strolled, I took note of the people—and non-people. While Cedric had warned me, it still jolted to see the man with tufted ears and dog-like nose. Or the lady with hooves for feet. Where did they come from, would it be rude to ask?

When Flo nudged me and whispered, “Look up. I think that’s a mythical Caladrius,” I peeked overhead to see a large white bird perched overhead. I walked faster, lest it drop a shit on my head. With the way my luck had been running these past twenty-four hours, it would happen.

“So what are we supposed to do? Window shop endlessly?” I asked as we reached the end of the stalls.

“We’re going to check in with Beatrice. She more or less runs the place. With any luck, she’ll allow us to stay with her until dawn,” Cedric stated.

“What happens at dawn?” I asked.

“The demons go into hiding.” Ulseere surprisingly answered.