Evelyn Disgrace

Chapter Twenty - Ira of Sar

Erine and of the Mysticism is a peculiar little shop on the corner of Hazelborough Street, which is quite the whimsical name for Camden. One can purchase cigars that conceal the voice, drops that enhance the eye, and dreams that tell the most likely future.

Curtains drape across the window, concealing the interior while giving a haunting appeal to the shop. The rugged sign adds an enhancement of the gothic, black lines twisting like rotten tree limbs and white lines curling like bent bones.

I notice Nat's swallow as he clears his throat. He glances at Vena. "We're in the East Quarter, Vena." The boy twists his hands together, then brushes them on his shirt and places them at his side.

"Yes," Vena answers. "I'm glad you're observing." Then she moves closer to the shop door.

Nat takes her hand, pulling Vena back. His eyes are intense and fiery. "The East Quarter." Then he looks around, as if paranoid. "Zalia's parents live here, Vena."

Vena stops right at the door. "Zalia?"

"The girl I..." Nat twists his head to the side, and then looks down. "Kidnapped."

Vena hoists her lips up into a half-smirk. "And I suppose that they still want you dead."

Nat shrugs. "I suppose so. I haven't been in the East Quarter in a while." He turns to Vena, noticing her smile. "Are you happy that this is happening?"

Vena shakes her head. "No, it's just funny that you haven't read the newspapers." She jogs over to a stand on the shop corner and takes one. Flipping to the crime section, she reads one of the ads. "Looking for Nat Rookwood, teenage boy, brown hair, poor, orphaned. Ideal sketch below." Then she returns to Nat and shoves the paper into his hand. "You weren't careful about your identity, were you?"

Nat shakes his head and takes the paper. "Who's Nat Rookwood?" He grins. But then he frowns. "To be shot on sight? That's harsh."

Vena snatches the newspaper out of Nat's hand and returns it the stand. As they walk toward the shop door, she says, "Well, this is Camden after all."

Inside the shop, everything is quiet and peculiar. It reminds me far too much of the Piper's. The shadows here are much stealthier. But I see their wisps of darkness as they attempt to hide in any possible crevice.

This woman, Erine, is fearful. Timid. But much too powerful for a mere human. The shadows give off some essence of her personality.

Erine comes out, for the bell had alarmed her of customers. Vivid tattoos wind up her arms, showing artwork of terror and abuse. Showing her story. Reflecting her past. Everything about her appears anxious and awaiting, as if her soul was screaming to be let free from harsh chains.

The girl's face is covered in colorful paint, giving me a façade of happiness and contentment. But her tattoos show a different story compared to her bright purple lips and dazzling, pierced nose. A velvet hood covers her dark black curls, which carry magnificent, colorful feathers.

She smiles, young and prettily, as if the caged lips tattoo on her neck had disappeared into her skin. Erine's eyes shine with interest as she looks upon her customers. Then her smooth, elegant voice says, "Good day, and welcome to my shop of mysticism. How may I help you? I can give you a seeing for twenty currents, or perhaps some feathers for two. This glitter will make your lover dazzled by your appearance. Would you like that?"

Vena looks at Nat, and then back at the colorful young woman. "I've come here for knowledge. What can you give me on—"

"Ah!" the girl exclaims. "Knowledge, one of my favorite topics. It's a wonderful thing what people can do with knowledge. I've read plenty of books, and gathered plenty of knowledge. But, unfortunately, we don't have a library here. All I can give you is a seeing or a dream or a vision. Would you like that?" Her chatter is so fast that the two can hardly keep track.