Even during the good days, Olectra gave me a hard time. Occasionally, I’d wake up to find cuss words and death threats scribbled in lipstick on my bathroom mirror. That wasn’t even the worst she had done back then…
I brush a lock of hair out of my face and straighten up. I didn’t nearly choke to death from flowers growing inside my lungs a few hours ago only to cower from my ex-girlfriend’s sister. Returning the wad of bills to my satchel, I ask, “What’s it going to take for you to help me?”
Olectra opens her mouth as if to say something, but stops. She drops one hand to her hip, the other to the amulet nestled between her breasts. She runs her eyes over my body, scoffing once she takes in the crusted blood stains. “Blast me with a chainsaw, you’re really in a pickle aren’t you, Delphi?” She purses her lips and turns to the open doorway of the shop. “Allow me a moment with my sisters. Perhaps there’s an arrangement we can make.”
She steps inside the gloom of the Three Blind Mice before I can thank her, or question why she’s suddenly had a change of heart. If anything, I’m more on edge now than I was before.
She appears at the door moments later and gestures me inside, locking it behind me as I pass through.
The scent of incense hits me hard and I sneeze. I’ve never been able to get used to that smell. At times in the past where I’ve practiced rituals and spells I’ve done my best to tailor them to avoid using the aromatic spice at all costs. Even sage toys with my sinuses.
My eyes scan the shop as they adjust to the dim. It is exactly as I remember it from when Electra and I dated. The Three Blind Mice is an arcane treasure trove full of statues, powders, and potions. A mage’s wet dream. Candles drip from bookcases stacked with grimoires and textbooks. Tarot cards and various animal skulls are on display. On the ceiling, painted in red, is a protection circle. Hieroglyphs are carved into the walls.
Olectra takes me to one of the back rooms hidden from view by a velvet curtain. Inside is a round table and two chairs in one corner, a bust of Hecate surrounded by candles in the other. It’s quiet.
“Take a seat,” Olectra says, pulling out the chair nearest to the entrance for me to sit.
I do as I’m told, and drop the satchel to my lap. Opening it once again, I pull out Copper-Eye’s envelope. I put my bag on the carpet.
“Is smoking still allowed in here?” I ask.
“No,” Olectra says. With her back to me, she lights the ring of candles around Hecate, then sits down at the opposite end of the table. She flicks a piece of lint off her sleeve. “You look like shit.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you dress like the Olson twins?” I blurt out without thinking. I don’t mean it as an insult, or a compliment for that matter, but judging by Olectra’s expression I have a feeling she’s taken it as the former.
She purses her lips and sits up straight. “Electra, Alectra and I have agreed to help you under one condition, Chen.” She rests her hands on the table, her palms faced up. “After this, you walk out of here and never return to the Three Blind Mice again.”
I place the envelope on the table and push it toward Olectra. I’ve been buying and bartering products in Chinatown and the black market since my break-up with Electra. The Three Blind Mice won’t be missed. And yet, I still feel a twinge between my chest upon hearing Olectra’s words.
“Can I at least get to see Electra before I leave?” I ask, knowing deep down that the answer will be “no.”
What spills out of Olectra’s mouth is far worse. “Why, Chen? So you can apologize for sleeping with Alectra behind Electra’s back?” She leans forward and snatches the envelope from the table. “Make no mistake, gutterbug. She doesn’t want to see you ever again.”
“I thought…” I begin, but my voice trails off when Olectra lifts the flap of the envelope and digs inside. It’s no use trying to justify what I did. It will only fall on deaf ears. I thought she was Electra.
Olectra plucks the pressed flower from the envelope and leaves it on the table. Her forehead creases. “What am I looking at?”