Read Online Oculus (Oculus #1) by J. L. Mac, L. G. Pace III - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J. L. Mac, L. G. Pace III
Ads: Link
from behind a lock of hair and the smile she turns on me is the warmest I have ever seen.
“Welcome, to Mirabelle’s Book Emporium. How can I assist you this fine day?” Somewhat taken aback at her boisterous greeting, I pull the bag from my back.
“I have some books here that I would like to sell.” Taking the volumes from me, she examines a few of them before fixing me with a stern look.
“And where, young man, did you come by these books?” Meeting her gaze, I feel a lump form in my throat. The loss of Anna is still raw in my mind. Having to talk about her twice in one day is something I hadn’t considered when I planned my trip here. Swallowing hard, I mentally berate myself for my hesitation and weakness. When I answer her, my voice is level and firm.
“They were partial payment for work that I did. They were collected by my friend and partner. She died from the virus The Corp sprayed. What will you give me for them?” My abrupt tone seems to put her off balance. She glances down at the books, turning them over in her hands. When she finally speaks, her voice is shaking.
“Anna…Anna is dead?” Looking at her tear-filled eyes, I can’t even trust myself to answer, so I nod. She wipes her face and bows her head. For a moment, I think she’s going to be sick, and then I hear her say ‘amen’ and realize she was praying. When she looks up, her hand snakes over to pat mine. “Anna was a good friend as well as a steady customer. You must be Sic, she talked about you with pride.”
I’m not sure why, but that simple sentence steals away a lot of the pain swirling in my chest, at least for a moment. Gesturing to the books, I repeat my earlier question. “So, how much will you give me?
“Anna did say you were a man of few words. Give me a moment to go through them and I’ll get you a total.” While she works, I scan the crowd around us. The girl who had been helping her moved off to another stall and is having an animated conversation with a man there. He’s older, with white hair, and is watching my interaction with Mirabelle with far too much interest for my liking. Catching sight of me watching them, he gives me a nod, then takes the girl by the arm and leads her away through the crowd. Mirabelle sets down a book with a thump, drawing my attention back to her.
“Well, I don’t recommend you carrying these around in a bag like you have been, but they all are still in pretty good condition. Tell you what, I can trade you all new titles if you like. Or would you prefer gold?” Part of me wants to look through the stacks of books behind her in the tent, but I know I’m not going to have the time to read.
Having a place to call home, even when we had to move every so often, had allowed us to store things. When I went out on assignments Anna was able to keep an eye on anything I left behind. With Anna gone it’s better to travel light. “Gold.” I answer her and she nods.
“I thought as much,” Mirabelle replies. Pulling a lockbox out of the tent she unlocks it. Counting out twenty bars, she places them on the counter before me. I do a quick calculation in my head and realize there’s a problem. The amount is almost double the value of the books I’m selling.
“It’s too much,” I say shortly. I didn’t need anyone’s charity, or sympathy. I could earn my own damn way without one of Anna’s old friends thinking she needed to give me a hand out. Mirabelle looked at my face and sighed.
“It’s not too much. Anna and I had an accounting of everything. She had me keep back a reserve, just in case things ever slowed down. She wanted to make sure you always had something to read so you wouldn’t drive her crazy.” She gave me a sad smile and nudged the gold to me. “Take it, and put it away before anyone sees. You don’t want people trying to rob you for it as soon as you leave here.”
Searching her eyes and examining her body language I don’t see any deception in what she has
“Welcome, to Mirabelle’s Book Emporium. How can I assist you this fine day?” Somewhat taken aback at her boisterous greeting, I pull the bag from my back.
“I have some books here that I would like to sell.” Taking the volumes from me, she examines a few of them before fixing me with a stern look.
“And where, young man, did you come by these books?” Meeting her gaze, I feel a lump form in my throat. The loss of Anna is still raw in my mind. Having to talk about her twice in one day is something I hadn’t considered when I planned my trip here. Swallowing hard, I mentally berate myself for my hesitation and weakness. When I answer her, my voice is level and firm.
“They were partial payment for work that I did. They were collected by my friend and partner. She died from the virus The Corp sprayed. What will you give me for them?” My abrupt tone seems to put her off balance. She glances down at the books, turning them over in her hands. When she finally speaks, her voice is shaking.
“Anna…Anna is dead?” Looking at her tear-filled eyes, I can’t even trust myself to answer, so I nod. She wipes her face and bows her head. For a moment, I think she’s going to be sick, and then I hear her say ‘amen’ and realize she was praying. When she looks up, her hand snakes over to pat mine. “Anna was a good friend as well as a steady customer. You must be Sic, she talked about you with pride.”
I’m not sure why, but that simple sentence steals away a lot of the pain swirling in my chest, at least for a moment. Gesturing to the books, I repeat my earlier question. “So, how much will you give me?
“Anna did say you were a man of few words. Give me a moment to go through them and I’ll get you a total.” While she works, I scan the crowd around us. The girl who had been helping her moved off to another stall and is having an animated conversation with a man there. He’s older, with white hair, and is watching my interaction with Mirabelle with far too much interest for my liking. Catching sight of me watching them, he gives me a nod, then takes the girl by the arm and leads her away through the crowd. Mirabelle sets down a book with a thump, drawing my attention back to her.
“Well, I don’t recommend you carrying these around in a bag like you have been, but they all are still in pretty good condition. Tell you what, I can trade you all new titles if you like. Or would you prefer gold?” Part of me wants to look through the stacks of books behind her in the tent, but I know I’m not going to have the time to read.
Having a place to call home, even when we had to move every so often, had allowed us to store things. When I went out on assignments Anna was able to keep an eye on anything I left behind. With Anna gone it’s better to travel light. “Gold.” I answer her and she nods.
“I thought as much,” Mirabelle replies. Pulling a lockbox out of the tent she unlocks it. Counting out twenty bars, she places them on the counter before me. I do a quick calculation in my head and realize there’s a problem. The amount is almost double the value of the books I’m selling.
“It’s too much,” I say shortly. I didn’t need anyone’s charity, or sympathy. I could earn my own damn way without one of Anna’s old friends thinking she needed to give me a hand out. Mirabelle looked at my face and sighed.
“It’s not too much. Anna and I had an accounting of everything. She had me keep back a reserve, just in case things ever slowed down. She wanted to make sure you always had something to read so you wouldn’t drive her crazy.” She gave me a sad smile and nudged the gold to me. “Take it, and put it away before anyone sees. You don’t want people trying to rob you for it as soon as you leave here.”
Searching her eyes and examining her body language I don’t see any deception in what she has
Similar Books
