Page 155 of Jinxes and Drumsticks

“Damien, I need you to look at this packing list and make sure we got everything you need for the East Coast and Midwest stops. If not, I need to call your sponsors and see what we can get done,” Roxie says.

Damien nods, walking over to them as they open up an iPad and start tapping on the screen. They look a little frazzled. Their usually tidy hair is still styled, but looks a little frizzy and thrown together. I listen for a bit before Fletcher approaches the counter with an item that surprises me.

“Is this for sale?” he asks in his chipper Irish accent.

The question is even stranger than the item he grabbed. It’s something I keep in the shop for customers from The Buried City. The small bottle of white, iridescent scales comes from a fish found in the ponds and rivers underground. It’s a powerful ingredient when used in glamour magic.

To most people, it’s just an odd trinket. I bespelled it to look unappealing, or even neutral, to anyone who isn’t seeking it. So... Why did Fletcher grab it?

“It... is...” I say cautiously.

He shrinks under my gaze. “They’re just kind of cool,” he says stiffly.

I look down at the scales and...well yeah they are kind of cool. They look like they’re made of opal but are just as delicate as flower petals. Maybe my magic is waning because of the ichor, or maybe I need to redo some of my workings, since I technically died recently. Maybe the spells I’ve done around the shop have guttered out because of that.

I suppose it would keep me busy while Damien’s gone.

“Yeah, but you know what? You could just have them, Fletcher,” I say with a smile.

“No. I insist. I have to give you something in exchange,” he says.

“I really don’t need it,” I say.

He shifts between his feet, looking mildly uncomfortable.

I huff a laugh and shake my head. “Listen. Just make sure Damien’s alright while you guys are away, and we’ll call it even. Okay?”

“A-alright,” he says. “Deal.” He picks up the jar and slips it into his pocket. “Thanks, Lillith. I’ll make sure he behaves.”

Somehow, I believe that he really will.

Fletcher leaves the shop to join Satoshi and Oren. Aemon and Wren have gone off somewhere. Then it’s just Damien and Roxie. I listen in on their conversation, getting a bit of a thrill listening to Damien talking shop.

“Yeah. Going to need a resonance head for the snare, and honestly, the crash is feeling a little weak. It’s starting to crack at the edge, so maybe we could have them send a backup of that one too.”

“And they’re sending a drum tech. Are you going to be alright with training him?” Roxie says.

“Yeah, that sounds alright,” he says with a nod. “Man, what a trip. Getting real techs?”

“I know. You guys are really doing this thing now.”

I smile as they wrap up a few final loose ends. Finally, Roxie gives me a quick hug over the counter. “I’ll give you guys a sec to say bye. You been feeling okay?”

“Yeah,” I say smiling as I squeeze them. “Thank you.”

“Okay, good. I promise we won’t keep you guys apart for too long,” they say.

I nod and Roxie hurries out, looking like they have eight hundred things going on in their mind. Damien comes up to the counter then, taking both my hands in one of his. He squeezes them and cups my face with his free hand.

“I’m gonna miss you like hell,” he says.

“Me too,” I say.

He leans down and kisses my lips, still raw and sore from the night before. “Be good while I’m gone, alright? I’ll give you a heads up each day of what we’re up to and let you know when I can call.”

“I’ll do my best to be available,” I promise him.

He smiles and kisses me again, this one a little more lingering than the first. Our tongues meet briefly before he deepens the kiss. He captures my lower lip between his teeth and tugs for just a moment before he parts. “I love you,” he says.