“Magical pop star. Weird.”

            “Apparently he’s a Greek god,” Azura said.

            “That good looking, huh?”

            “No.  I mean, he claims to be one of the original Titans. There’s a lot of controversy around him.” Alice wracked her brain, trying to recall the small amount she knew about Greek mythology but nothing came to her.

            “Refresh my memory on the whole Titan thing?”

            “The Titans were the so-called ‘Elder Gods’ - there were six of them, descended from Ouranos, God of the Sky, and Gaia, Goddess of Earth.. They ruled during the Golden Age but were eventually overthrown by their own children, the Olympians. I can’t tell you much more about it, since I’ve never cared for Greek Mythology, but for Ambrose to claim to be a Titan is pretty cheeky - that would make him centuries older than anyone in New York, or the world, actually…and very powerful.”

            “Why would an ancient Greek deity decide to hang out on earth and be a pop star?” Alice shook her head. “Sounds fishy to me.”

            “Whatever the case, it makes for good publicity,” Gabriel commented.  “He’s gotten rich and famous off of his image.”

            “He sounds interesting.”

            Azura shrugged and turned back to the till, dismissing the subject. Alice looked over at Gabriel, who was busy filling the empty spaces on the Magical Compact display.

            “Thanks for filling in this morning, Gabriel. You can go relax now that Azura’s back. It’s your day off, remember?”

            “Oh right.” Gabriel put the last compact on the stand and picked up the empty box. “You…er…don’t mind if I just sit by the fire with Shakra for a bit, do you? It’s just kind of more interesting down here.”

            Alice smiled. “Of course I don’t mind.” Gabriel disappeared into the back room, and a second later they heard the gurgle of the coffee maker.

            “We should see about getting a third apartment put on as soon as possible,” Azura said. “I suspect that Gabriel is finding the guest room slightly cramped.”

            “I think you’re right. I told him to feel free to watch TV in the living room and make himself at home, but he pretty much just stays in the bedroom while he’s up there.”

            “I think he finds his attractive boss an intimidating roommate.”

            Alice blushed. “How soon can your magical building guy put another suite in?”

            “I’ll call him tonight.”

            “Sounds good.”

            The bell tinkled again, and a woman entered. She was tall and Alice could tell she was painfully thin under the vast, black robes she wore.  Her hair was silver grey, kept in a tight bun atop her head, through which two steel chop sticks were thrust. Alice thought she was the most severe looking woman she’d ever seen. When she spoke her voice was flinty and shrill.

“Good day.”

            Azura smiled thinly. “Good to see you, Germaine. How is Christianna?”

            “Christianna is precisely why I am here.” 

            “Not bad news I hope.”

            “The worst.” The Witch Germaine paced forward, a dull “clunk” sounding with each step; Alice noticed the Witch had a cane in her right hand, the whole of it nearly obscured by the lengthy black sleeves of her robes when she stood still. “Christianna, the foolish girl, never could get a summoning spell right. The foolish creature broke the circle and the beast killed her.”

            Azura’s face froze. It was probably the closest to her being angry that Alice had ever seen. Her voice was frigid. “That’s very sad.”

            “It’s very stupid,” Germaine snapped. “Now I must search for a new apprentice.”

Azura’s voice could have frozen hot coffee. “That must be a dreadful inconvenience for you.”

            “Is this the girl?” Germaine gestured at Alice with the top of her cane. “The one who inherited Ruby’s shop?”

            “I am,” Alice said. She abhorred being talked about as if she wasn’t there.

            “Come closer, girl.” Germaine leaned in and looked at Alice’s face, examining her closely. Alice stepped back, not enjoying being looked over like a horse at auction.

            “She must have promise,” Germaine muttered. “…or Ruby wouldn’t have picked her at such a young age.”

            “Great Aunt Ruby told you?” Alice cringed as the woman glared at her.

            “Of course she did, young snip! Ruby and I were great friends, until the old coot went and died.”

Germaine suddenly turned on Azura. “I would have her for an apprentice.”

            Azura’s smooth mask slipped for a moment and her eyes flashed with anger.

 “She’s quite occupied, I assure you.”

            “She can run the shop on the weekends. I’m sure you’re quite capable on your own, Azura.”

            “She is the owner. And I am capable of teaching her magic, thank you.”

            Germaine couldn’t argue this without gravely insulting Azura; as crusty as she was, Germaine didn’t appear willing to make an enemy of the other woman. “I only ask because…”

            “You didn’t ask,” Alice said heatedly. “I’m right here, and you’ve only looked at me once, to examine me like a slave at a market.”

            Germaine viewed Alice more thoughtfully. “Perhaps you’re right. I can offer you gold…and power beyond your wildest dreams.”

            “We do not practice the same brand of magic.” Azura glowered.

            “Ah yes, I forgot you disdain me so.” Germaine brought herself up taller. “You think my work evil.”

            “Not evil - merely distasteful.”

            Germaine turned to Alice again and, licking her lips, she said, “I would see your dreams fulfilled.”

            Azura struck the counter with her fist, making Alice jump. “She would see you discarded without thought, as her last apprentice was.”

            Alice paused for a moment. “I like it here, Germaine.” It was the first time she’d said the other Witch’s name, and it seemed to give the old woman pause. Germaine looked at her intently.

“Very well,” she said. Alice watched in surprise as she spun on her heel and walked away, her cane striking the floor. She turned around to face them, one hand on the door knob.

“If I have heard of your return, and of Alice, than so have others.  Be cautious.”

And then she was gone.

            “That was strange.” Alice stared as the bell above the door swung gently back and forth.

            “Germaine always loved her drama,” Azura muttered. “I never understood why Ruby enjoyed her company. The woman infuriates me.”

            “What did you mean - her magic isn’t the same?”

            “Germaine summons demons and spirits.” Azura’s face was disapproving. “Most of us see this as dabbling in things forbidden.”

            “Why? Are all spirits evil? And what do you mean demons? Like, horns and pitchforks?”

            “Close to that, yes. The spirits are simply ones that have gone on, and hence, should not be called back. That’s why many people think it’s wrong. As for summoning demons, well, you can hear how well that went for her last apprentice.”

            Alice frowned. “That’s horrible. Why would you want to do that?”

            “Germaine wasn’t joking when she said she could make your dreams come true, and make you rich. Demon magic is very old and powerful. It can make you extremely strong and cunning, but it rots you from the inside. Germaine’s body is already wasting away. The only reason she lives on still is because she also touches the threads.”

            “She does both kinds? That doesn’t make sense.  Isn’t one bad and one good?”

            “Anything is possible, Alice. It’s the decisions you make for yourself.  You could summon spirits and do nothing but good with them. It’s when you start summoning beings with

minds of their own, that you run into trouble. That can twist you; make you into someone you never wanted to be.”

            “I’ll never summon,” shivered Alice.

            “It’s a good general rule to have.”

            “Do you think Germaine was right?  Other people know I’m here?”

            “Gossip is rife in the magical communities of big cities,” Azura said dryly. “No doubt they are inflating you into something entirely new.  You’ll probably be a great and terrible Sorceress who eats men for breakfast by the time the giant game of “telephone” - the magical grapevine of New York - gets through with you.”

            “I can hardly wait.” Alice grinned. “And just so you know, I like my men with ketchup.”

            “Charming aren’t you?” Azura gave her an affectionate grin. “But believe it or not, we will probably be turning down a few more offers of apprenticeships before the week is out.”