“Oh?” Auggie glanced at me. “You’re venturing to America?”
I nodded. “Yes, I have some … business to attend to there. But I’ll be back in due time. I can perhaps meet up with you then.”
Auggie smirked, shaking his head. “That’s a strange coincidence. I’m also going to America. I was going to the docks tomorrow to secure passage.”
I feigned surprise and delight. “And where are you going?”
“New York.”
I sputtered. “Well, that’s excellent news. That’s my destination as well. The Gods must be watching over you. You should join me. I have a carriage secured for the morning, and I would love to have a fascinating companion to talk to on the voyage. And traveling together would be much safer.”
Auggie smiled and nodded slowly as he mulled over my proposal. “Very well. I would be in your debt.”
I grinned and accepted a hand he reached out for me to shake. “I can be by with the carriage at seven sharp.”
“Perfect.”
Itwasperfect. And too easy. Auggie was a little too trusting, but that could be to my advantage.
“I didn’t catch your name,” Auggie said, watching me.
“Callum. Callum Chartreuse. And you are?”
“I’m Augustus Sanderson. But my friends call me Auggie.”
“Auggie it is then,” I said, smiling shyly at him. I didn’t know what it was about the stare he leveled at me—at once intense and playful—but it left me flustered, like he could see right through me. I wasn’t sure I liked the feeling, but I also felt like we were sharing a secret, although I couldn’t fathom what such a secret could be.
Auggie seemed to realize the effect he was having on me and leaned back against the wall with a knowing grin. “You have strange eyes, Callum. But I rather like them.”
My heart skipped at his praise. “I … thank you. I like your eyes as well.” I almost told him how I’d been admiring his eyelashes, but managed to hold that embarrassing tidbit back, at least. “They’re like … soil after a long day’s rain. Deep and rich.”
“Oh? Are you a poet, Callum?”
I sputtered. “Hardly. You’re just inspiring.” I cringed. Gods, had I really just said that out loud? What was wrong with me? “Or your eyes are, really. And don’t get me started on your eyelashes.” I had to refrain from smacking my own face. I just couldn’t resist bringing up his eyelashes, could I? Traitorous mouth. Why did I feel so nervous around this human?
But rather than be mortified by my praise, Auggie laughed. It was a sound like sunshine. Musical and sweet. It made me brighten significantly, and I hoped I would have occasion to hear more of it.
Auggie shook his head. “It’s refreshing to meet someone who speaks their mind.”
I smiled. “You clearly have that effect.”
He inclined his head.
“This is magic, pure and simple,” a pig-nosed man in a tweed coat said loudly, drawing our attention. He was staring down at the herbs and spices with suspicious eyes. “We don’t care for witches around these parts, I’ll have you know.”
The blonde woman straightened in her seat. “Then it’s a good thing we aren’t witches. We’re just humans trying to get by.”
“It’s science,” Auggie broke in, leaning into the booth. “There are natural remedies in the wild. You just need to know where to look.”
“And I suppose it came to you in a vision?” a lanky man beside the pig-nosed man said, leering. “We have a regular alchemist here, Pip. I suppose God has whispered to you in your dreams, telling you how to make these little pills and what prayers you must say over them?”
Pip snorted. “As if God didn’t abandon us long ago. The Devil is the only one who hears your prayers, little witch. These are his creations.”
“Oh, put a pie in it,” Auggie sighed. “Your ignorance is truly egregious.”
I noticed the forced mirth in his voice. There was a storm gathering in his brown eyes, and I couldn’t help but admire his tenacity. He clearly had a lean build, which wasn’t nothing, but the men he was addressing outweighed him significantly and could likely do damage if it came to a fight.
Pip blinked lazily, looking Auggie up and down. “You know, I don’t think I like your attitude.”
