The other women, the sheet music score of what Eunice was, or could be, faded away, like a chorus going silent.
“You wouldn’t guess it,” Eunice said, looking much more relaxed. “But I never have any trouble talking people into listening to me. The whole multiple-me thing is very impressive.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and waited.
That made her cackle. “Okay, so you might guess it. You are a man with clear eyes, Brogan. Few who walk the world can say the same, though, yes, there are some. So. Here is the truth: I need you to find something for me. In return, I’m going to guide you, warn you, meddle in your knowledge of your future so that you generally end up better for it.”
“I don’t find things for people.”
She chuckled. “You most certainly do. You always have. Lula does too. It’s why you’re here, well, certainly part of the reason. She is going to call that collector. Headwaters? Or maybe she already has. She’s going to offer that collector an item, something that fits in her pocket, and Headwaters is going to tell her something…something she won’t like. Or something that will worry her.”
“Anyone could guess those things,” I said. “Just like anyone could find whatever you’re looking for. Ask someone else. We don’t have time to take on more.”
She nodded, and the beads dangling at her ears rattled like dry beans in a cup.
“You do not. For perhaps the first time in your life, you don’t have time, Brogan Gauge.”
I shouldn’t respond, I shouldn’t bite, because I knew what this was. This was her drawing me in, wanting me to ask about a future she might or might not be seeing.
“You can’t even tell me what’s in Lu’s pocket.”
“Harmonica.”
I stared at her for a minute. She stared right back.
“You can’t even tell me what Headwaters’ is going to say.”
“We can find another source. Your services, while being exemplary, are no longer needed. This last transaction will be the final transaction.”
Chills rolled up and down my arms. She had recited that easily, in a flat tone devoid of her usual voice. It could be a trick.
She could be a trick.
But my gut said she was not lying.
“What do you want found?”
“You agree to find it for me?”
“No. I want to know what you’ve lost.”
She winced. “It’s not lost. It’s been stolen.”
I waited.
“A long time ago. It’s not a needle in a haystack, but close. Very close to that.” She looked away, over my shoulder, then back to me, stalling.
“I’d rather you agree first,” she said. “It’s…easiest, no…cleanest? Yes, it’s the most successful future if you agree. Because past this moment things will happen, choices will be made, and then, well, it all changes then.”
“I can’t agree to find something for you. We’re committed to other things.”
“Yes, yes. The spell book of the gods. I know.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “No one tells you vision is exhausting, did you know that? No one explains how difficult it is to sort through all the grains of sand pouring through the hourglass of time, how hard it is to spot the correct grain that is the inevitable future. It’s like trying to catch a handful of wind, or plucking the right drop of water out of the ocean.
“Hard,” she said, letting her hands drop. “I’m telling you.” She dug fingers into her lower back, leaned backward in a stiff stretch. A couple bones popped. “This future stuff is not for the weak willed. So, let’s compromise. That way neither of us gets exactly what we want, but both of us are better off in some manner.
“I need something the god has stolen. It’s an ancient item, and it belongs to me and mine. In the god’s hands…” She shook her head. “Not good. The god will destroy the world and then use it against decent people. Against a decent world. I am putting my wager that you’re a good man and won’t want that to happen.
“So. I’m going to tell you something very true and very real. If you still want nothing to do with me, that’s fine, that’s fine. But if you want me to help you, or even if you just want to help the world, then you’ll need to help me.
