Without a word, Raxx dug his hand into his pocket and grabbed the fortune crystal. He threw it across to Tabitha.
The witch’s eyes lit up as she watched the stone, still glowing, bounce across the wooden desk towards her. She licked her bottom lip thoughtfully.
Tabitha stared at the crystal for a long moment before yellow irises flickered up to meet Raxx. A devilish grin stretched across the woman’s face.
“I take it there has been an interesting development?” Tabitha waved a palm and the crystal rose to hover mid-air between them. She flicked her fingers, spinning it slowly, as her eyes took in every detail.
“That’s one way to put it.”
“I’m flattered you kept it all this time. I didn’t take you as the sentimental type, Raxx. I’m sure most of the gifts I give you end up being thrown away.”
“Not most – all, but in my defence your ‘gifts’ are usually trying to kill or dismember me in some way,” Raxx argued.
“All but one, it seems,” Tabitha cooed.
Raxx held up a hand, grasping a chair at the opposite side of the room with his majick and jerked it towards him. Once it had come to a stop beside him, he lifted a pile of books from the seat and lowered himself into it.
“How much do you already know?” the shadow demon asked.
“Oh, scant titbits of gossip here and there from the underworld. The spirits tell me she’s exceedingly difficult for their delicate eyes to observe in the daylight – equally as difficult as you are for them to track in the darkness.” Tabitha sighed. “I do so love mystical romantic symmetry.”
A shiver shot down Raxx’s spine, but he suppressed it and fashioned his expression into stony disapproval.
“How many times do I have to tell you to stop sending ghosts to spy on me?” He grumbled.
Tabitha rolled her eyes and sat forwards eagerly. “As always, at least once more, my darling demon. Now, tell me about her.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, do you?”
“How do you mean?” the witch asked.
Raxx didn’t reply, just gestured to the floating crystal.
“I still don’t follow.”
“Give it up, Tab. I know you’ve had something to do with this. It’s too coincidental. What is all this really? A cursed object? An elaborate binding spell or some sort of warped destiny enchantment?”
“So distrusting, Raxx.” Tabitha held a hand to her chest, feigning surprise. “I would be insulted if I hadn’t given you many,manyreasons to be suspicious of me.”
“I’ll give it to you; you’ve got a serious talent at inflicting misery on others. How did you find her? She’s got to be one in a million.”
“You’re such a charmer, but I’m afraid I can’t help you. I haven’t done anything to this crystal. Truthfully.”
Raxx’s stomach dropped and his blood ran cold. “Don’t lie to me, Tabitha.”
The air crackled with majick and the witch’s yellow eyes darkened angrily.
“I’m many things, Del’Raxxin, but a liar is not one of them. You would do well to remember that,” she hissed.
As the air grew steadily more charged, the hairs on Raxx’s nape stood on end. He shook himself.
“Forgive me, no offence meant.”
As quickly as it had flared, Tabitha’s temper dispersed and the air grew warm and damp once more.
“None taken, dearest.” The witch sat back in her chair once more and shot him a sunny smile. “But please believe me when I tell you, I have not tampered with your fortune crystal.”
Raxx sat in stunned silence for a moment.
