Page 66 of The Little Shop of Curiosities, The Music Box Part 2

“I don’t know.” Grumps rubs his jaw thoughtfully.

“Grumps,” I say quietly, “what if it gets let out? I’ve seen what it did under Cordelia’s control. If it’s released with no restraints binding it, there’ll be widespread carnage.”

“That’s what we’re trying to avoid.” Grumps blows out a breath. “We really need those friends of yours to figure out who the killer is and stop them before they can open the trap, but I think we need to be prepared for every eventuality.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too, but I haven’t come up with any sort of plan for if it’s released. I just don’t think either of us would stand a chance against an actual demon, let alone a demon lord.”

“No, you’re right. We wouldn’t. The only thing I’ve thought of is somehow finding a way to entreat Shiva to shove him headfirst back into Naraka, where he was banished the first time around.”

“How on earth do we contact an ancient and all-powerful deity? It’s not like we can just email them.”

Grumps shrugs. “Beats me. On the plus side, we’re in one of the most comprehensive occult archives in the world. I don’t suppose you know what happened to that book of Cordelia’s, do you?”

“The Book of Lala Khal? Not a clue.”

“We’ll have to ask the custodians if they have any information on it.”

“Yes, sir, how may I help?”

Grumps yelps and falls back in his chair, patting his chest as the custodian from earlier suddenly appears next to him.

“Bloody hell, Anselm, do we need to put a bloody bell on you? You’re lucky I don’t have a heart condition.”

“My apologies, Mr Ames, but I’m Aldred. Anselm is my brother.”

We both stare at the man, who is absolutely indistinguishable from his sibling, right down to his beige cardigan and boring tie.

“Um, we were wondering if you had any information on an ancient book of magic. We know it as The Book of Lala Khal,” I explain. “It was found in the Lala Khal region of India in the early part of the nineteenth century.”

“Hmm, I see. Would it be known by any other name?” Aldred asks.

“Possibly, but I have no idea what.”

“That will make things more difficult, but not impossible.” He gives a single decisive nod. “I will ask my brother Audren. His speciality is books on magic. One moment, please.”

He disappears behind a nearby bookcase, only to reappear several minutes later with a small stack of two or three books.

“I’m afraid we have no reference of a book with Lala Khal in its title, but I suspect that is not its true name, merely the location where it was found.” He sets the books down between us. “Perhaps you should start with these volumes. They detail books of magic that are considered lost or destroyed.”

Grumps stares at the man contemplatively. “Audren?”

“Yes, Mr Ames.”

I thought he was Aldred; this man is identical to both his brothers. “Triplets?” I murmur.

“Yes, Master Ames,” he replies politely.

“And it didn’t occur to you to wear different clothes so that people can tell you apart?”

“Why would we want that?” he says, his expression genuinely confused.

“Never mind.” Grumps shakes his head. “Thank you.”

“Very good, sir. Please call if you require further assistance.”

“Oh, I will, but please don’t sneak up on me. It can’t be good for my blood pressure.”

His lips twitch slightly, then he excuses himself and disappears behind a different bookcase.