“Even the color changing ones?” I found this section interesting. There were charms listed that not only changed hair color, but fur and feather color as well. I could only guess there were charms that could change scales or any other type of body covering.
Niki’s nod was slow. “It’s possible, although most of the damage would be more psychological than physical. The results would be an embarrassment not only to the purchaser but to me as well. It would be a very visual example of my supposed incompetence.”
“Hmm…” I could see how that might be true. “If not deadly, then perhaps we move those to the bottom of the contact list.”
“A reasonable consideration,” Niki agreed.
Another charm caught my eye. “An antiaging charm?” I shifted around so I could see the list better. If Niki could make something like that, then why was he so worried about his son? “Why don’t you give one of these to Erasmus. If it will stop his aging, then?—”
“It doesn’t stop the aging process, only the outward signs. It is a cosmetic charm.” Regret laced Niki’s voice. “If I could truly stop the effects of time, then I would not hesitate to do so.”
I tilted my head with consideration. “And if Bailor tweaked it so that it sped up the appearance of aging…”
Niki harshly inhaled. “Then that would be very upsetting to the client. For obvious reasons, most who purchase such charms are already aged and have underlying health concerns. The stress of suddenly appearing much older could be enough to worsen their underlying condition.”
“I see. Let’s move that one to the top of the list then.”
“Cilla, can you please give me a pen.”
“Sure thing.” Cilla quickly procured a pen and Niki began making marks. On and on he went through the list. Niki sent Cilla home while he and I stayed. Together we tried to think ofworst-case scenarios regarding the purchased charms, assigning them different levels of importance. It was near one o’clock before we finished.
“I’m hungry.”
“You’re always hungry,” Niki said by way of dismissal.
“True, but sometimes I’m hungrier than other times. This is one of those times. In fact, it might be a feeding emergency.” My stomach grumbled its displeasure.
Niki gave my abdomen an incredulous look. “It’s not that late.”
I shrugged. “My stomach feels differently.” Honestly, I didn’t know what he expected me to do to take care of the problem beyond eating. “Besides, we’re done going over the list and both of us need a break.”
I wondered how Niki avoided getting his hair caught in the myriad of rings encircling those digits as he ran his fingers through his thick hair. “We should start calling the customers. Someone could activate one of these charms any minute and?—”
“And I might pass out any minute from hunger. I can’t make a lot of phone calls if I’m passed out from hypoglycemia.” We both knew I was being dramatic. What we also both knew was that I was getting hangry, and no one wanted to deal with a hangry kitsune.
“Fine. Order something.”
Every one of my tails perked. “I can order?”Oh, the possibilities.
Niki’s eyes narrowed. “Within reason.”
“Pfft, I don’t even know what that means.”
“Gaia save me.” Niki stared at the ceiling, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. I noticed he tended to do that a lot when he was around me. “I believe Cilla keeps a folder of local restaurants in the drawer below you.”
“Oh, I’m beginning to like Cilla more and more.” It didn’t take me long to find the folder. It was easy to see she simply added menus as she collected them. There wasn’t a particular rhyme or reason to their order that I could tell. Clearly, Cilla could teach Niki a thing or two. It was good he had both of us.
Humming happily, I scrolled through the menus, settling on a local pizza joint that Cilla had scribbled happy faces on. Quickly dialing, I ordered three large pizzas, four orders of breadsticks, and some cinnamon dessert thing that Cilla had placed three exclamation points behind. Conveniently, the restaurant already had Niki’s information and said they’d charge it to his account.
When I hung up, Niki’s narrowed eyes glared down on me. “There is no physical way you can eat that much food.”
“Of course not. I would never order only for me. I was thinking of you too.” I mean, really? Niki should know better by now.
His eyebrows shot skyward. “There is no way the two of us combined can eat that much food.”
Oh, how I loved a challenge.My feral grin spread so wide it physically hurt. “Watch me.” Niki had no idea what he’d started.
Nineteen
