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“He said you’d do that. Tommy is a fine scryer.”
Scryer is a fancy word for fortune-teller. They use their hoodoo to get glimpses of the future. All Augurs are scryers. It makes the Sub Rosa rabble feel more secure.
“Did he see that you’d call me and I’d come?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Why does he think that would work?”
“Because it’s me asking you. Not him. This is an anxious time for everyone, and Saragossa was always sorry that you were so estranged from the Sub Rosa family. He would have wanted you to give the new Augur a chance. I’d like that too. And remember: you’re responsible for me.”
“How’s that?”
“You saved my life. Remember? That makes you responsible for me. Isn’t that how the old saying goes?”
“And if I say no, he’ll send someone less pleasant to ask next time.”
“That’s not how he works,” she says. “But it would do you and everyone else a great favor if you met him.”
“You’re very sweet, Ms. Fortune, but however you put it, this is still an order from on high, isn’t it?”
“Yes, dear. I’m afraid it is.”
I want to tell her to fuck off. I want to tell the Augur too. But I don’t need trouble right now. I have a new job and the store is just getting back on its feet. And I’m not as strong as I once was. Just a few weeks ago, I could walk anywhere I wanted, to Lucifer’s palace or the Augur’s office, and put a knife to their throat. I can’t do that anymore. I’m vulnerable, which makes Candy and everyone else vulnerable. I need to figure out how to get around without the Room. I don’t like feeling weak and I don’t like driving a Crown Vic.
“All right. When does he want to see me?”
“Right now, dear.”
“Give me the address.”
She does. I put it into a map app. The address is all the way across town. It will take an hour to get there driving.
“It was a nasty trick, him sending you to talk me into seeing him.”
“Not really. It was how things were always going to happen. Just as it was fated that you’d say yes.”
“How did you know?”
“Tommy told me you’d agree. As I said, he’s a clever Augur. See you soon, my dear.”
“Not that soon. I’m stuck in a car these days.”
“How charming for you,” she says, and hangs up.
I look at Candy—she’s deep in her own phone conversation. After another minute, she finishes and hangs up.
“Who was your call?” she says.
“The Augur. Who was yours?”
“How fancy. Julie called. She wants me to come in and go over some of the photos with her. She thinks I caught some interesting stuff.”
“When does she want you?”
“Now. How about the Augur?”
“Now.”
