T.A. Pratt - Marla Mason 04 by Spell Games

Author:Spell Games
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-02-08T15:04:50+00:00

Rondeau followed Jason into the living room and sat down in the nice armchair Cam-Cam had used in their last meeting. Jason had instructed Rondeau to act arrogant and entitled, and Rondeau was willing to give it a shot. Jason took the far end of the couch, leaving Cam-Cam with no choice but to sit between them, glancing nervously from one to the other. Cam-Cam looked older than Rondeau had first supposed—in the window-light his crow’s-feet were visible, as were the frown lines around his mouth.

There were several chains around his neck—silver, gold, and baser metals, all disappearing into the collar of his tailored shirt. Rondeau suspected the poor bastard was wearing a bunch of amulets, always a favorite fake artifact for charlatans to sell to the credulous.

“Gentlemen,” Cam-Cam began, “I have some concerns—”

“I’m afraid I have some bad news, Mr. Campion.” Jason played disappointment tinged with embarrassment perfectly “My sister says we can’t involve you in this.”

Cam-Cam blinked, straightened, and said, “The money’s not a problem. I can—”

“It’s not the money, it’s you,” Rondeau said. “You’re an outsider. Them’s the breaks. I’m annoyed, too. Now we have to shake some other trees and hope money falls from the branches.”

“This is ridiculous! I assure you, I’m perfectly trustworthy”

“It’s not even that,” Jason said. “It’s just… this is dangerous and delicate business, confidentially trafficking a highly sought-after commodity, and some people—”

“And things that aren’t people,” Rondeau chimed in.

“—are going to be interested in stealing it,” Jason went on. “Marla doesn’t want your demise on her conscience.”

“Sorcerers worry about karma,” Rondeau said. “Because karma pays extra-close attention to them.”

“Marla says sorcerers know what they’re getting into, and they’re prepared to deal with stuff that would drive most people insane. I’m sorry, Mr. Campion. You’re just, well, a mundane. A muggle.”

“An ordinary,” Rondeau said.

Cam-Cam clenched his fists. “I may not be an initiate, but I’ve studied magic, from Paracelsus to Grant Morrison, sacred rites to profane rituals and points in between. I’m ready for this.”

“A theoretical grounding isn’t much comfort when things from behind the stars try to suck your mind out through your face.” Rondeau tried on a look of contempt. “Shit, you’ve got no idea.”

“But I want an idea. I want to know. I’ve been trying my whole life to pierce the veil, to see the true reality beyond the illusions of the known world. Can’t anything be done?”

“Like I said, it’s out of our hands,” Jason said. “It’s Marla’s call.”

“Can I—can I talk to her?” Cam-Cam asked. “Plead my case?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Jason held up his hands.

Cam-Cam narrowed his eyes. “Would a cash donation help grease the wheels?”

“Oh, this guy,” Rondeau said. “You think we’re fishing for a bribe? We’re sorcerers. Money is not, generally speaking, a problem. I can walk up to an ATM and whisper sweet nothings in its card slot and have it spitting bills at me until I can’t close my wallet.” Rondeau enjoyed the speech, even more because it was mostly true. That was

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