Reaper's Pet

Chapter 15

The narrow alleyway stretched before them, leading Jack and Willow toward the storefront with a hanging sign saying, 'The Crow Lair.'

"So, we're meeting a witch."

"For the tenth time yes," Jack chuckled, guiding Willow down a small alleyway. "Darlia wants something picked up, and I thought it would be good opportunity for you to meet some of the other supernatural species, so I volunteered." He explained, their arms occasionally brushing against each other, while Willow twisted a lock of hair.

"A witch," she mused, chewing on the word before glancing up at him. "Is it a Crídose and if yes, who? Crowford? Midnightrose?" She knew Crídose was the old language name for full-blood and that was the two clans of full-blood witches that existed from what the chronicle told her. Maès, was half-blood witches, not nearly as powerful but still powerful enough for Willow to be nervous.

"Crowford, now be quiet so he doesn't turn you into a toad." He opened the door and walked in with a broad smile, while Willow wondered if he joked or not. "Amida! have you gotten what we asked for?"

He strode towards the cashier at the end with a door to the back where a scrawny dark-haired man stood. Willow felt his monolid eyes on her for a second as she scurried in behind Jack before he turned to Jack with a pleasant smile.

"Absolutely, though we managed to procure fewer this time around, about twelve, to be precise. Allow me a moment to retrieve them," He walked out back, and Jack leaned on the desk while Willow looked around amazed. Weeks ago, Willow would have said witches belonged in fairytales and movies, but here she was, and it was undeniably real.

The shelves were filled with strange things like dried frog legs, batwings and an array of herbs that gave the store a special, yet not an unpleasant smell. Unusual objects adorned on the wall or from the ceiling or stood on the shelves like an old music box and a porcelain doll with red eyes she swore followed her every move. A purple smoke hung thick in the air, making her slightly woozy. It truly looked like a witch's store making Willow realize why it was tucked away in some corner in Romania. A few jewelry pieces hung on one of the walls and she curiously walked closer but was stopped by Jack voice.

"If you don't want to be cursed or worse, I suggest you don't touch anything." She quickly pulled her hand away from a necklace with an amethyst and looked back at him.

Amida emerged from behind a swaying purple curtain. He set a black box onto the table, the thud reverberating in the room.

"It's the finest Mercuchilite on the market these was made from, straight from Hell's mines." Willow's curiosity was immediately piqued, and she took a few steps closer. The box unveiled two rows of black crystals, their shapes resembling kites and each adorned with a small white crystal on either side. "But I gotta ask, why is a reaper in need of so many?" He raised a brow questioningly.

Jack responded with a playful shake of his finger.

"Ah ah ah, you know the deal, you supply without questions. And I pay you more than you would get from anyone else." He pulled out a big pouch from the darkness of his leather jacket and put it on the desk with a loud thud. The jingle of coins within the pouch hinted at its weight, and Willow's curiosity only deepened. She watched as Amida extracted a golden coin from the pouch, its surface intricately engraved with the image of a tree with a pleased smile while she wondered what country had that kind of coins.

"Pleasure to do business with you as always." He pulled the pouch towards him before he looked at Willow. "are you with the reaper or can I help you?" He looked her up and down, squinting slightly and Willow guessed he was looking at her soul to determine what she was.