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“On that note, I found more evidence of my family’s failed efforts. They were committed to the cause; I’ll say that for them.”
“Dare I ask what?”
She shook her head. “You really don’t want to know. The only thing I’ll say is that I’m glad I didn’t live here at the time.”
I decided to cut to the chase. “Did you happen to find any cages for fattening up children during your purge?”
She offered a wry smile. “Not that kind of witch.”
“I’m kidding, but I’m serious about the cage.”
“Are you getting a dog or something? I don’t blame you in that big house of yours. I’ve been thinking about adopting one or two for the farm. Even with magic, I feel a little too isolated sometimes.”
“I’d be a terrible pet owner.” I was barely capable of handling the two ghosts in my house, and they didn’t require any care at all.
“I think many of us underestimate our capacity to love and care for another living being,” Phaedra said. “My family wasn’t exactly thriving in that department.”
I didn’t want to discuss the subject of families. I had no interest in disclosing anything too personal about mine. “I need a warded containment cell,” I said.
Her eyebrows inched up. “Not the request I expected. Mind if I ask what you intend to keep in it?”
An ethical witch. Phaedra was a rare find. “There are animals terrorizing the town, and if I get my hands on one or more of them, I’m going to need a place to keep them.”
She opened the lid of a jar and tossed a handful of herbs into the cauldron. The pungent smell of rosemary filled the air. “Why not kill them if they’re holy terrors?”
“Because I don’t know what I’m dealing with yet.”
Phaedra smiled. “See? Pragmatic.”
True, I wasn’t reckless, not usually. Pops had taught me better than that. Survival meant thought and careful consideration when the situation allowed for it.
She nodded. “I’ve got something that will work.”
“How much and how long will it take?”
She quoted me a price.
“That’s too low,” I said. “You should be charging more.”
She arched an eyebrow. “You’re my boss now?”
“No, but I don’t want to see you undervaluing your work.”
“Fine. How about ten percent more?”
“Done.” Inwardly I cursed myself for putting Phaedra’s needs ahead of my own. I was hardly swimming in a moat of money.
She sealed the jar and placed it back on the shelf. “What are the specs?”
I considered the range of animals. “Big enough and strong enough to house a large lion and contain his powers.”
Her eyebrows inched up her forehead. “A magical lion? Are you sure?”
“It’s a lion, but I don’t know anything about the magic, other than he seems able to make people combust.”
She grimaced. “Not a circus I’d want to attend. One zoo enclosure coming right up. I’m guessing this is urgent.” She regarded me for a moment.
“Fine. I’ll pay a rush fee.”
