Blue

Two.

It was a slow evening at the bookshop, though I did everything I could to keep myself busy. I'd only had one customer the whole two hours I'd been there, which really wasn't all that unusual for a weekday.

I was trying to obsessive compulsively alphabetize an already perfect row of books when I heard the little bells hanging over the door jingle delicately.

The automatic, "Hello! Welcome to Angie's Vintage Books, how can I help you?" flew out of my mouth before I'd even seen who'd entered.

"Hello dear one," came the response, "I do hope you can help me."

There was something about her voice that was ageless, though when I laid eyes on her, I saw a small and frail elderly woman. There was a sparkle in her deep blue eyes that belied the wrinkles in her skin. She held tightly to an old leather bound book.

"What can I do for you ma'am?" I asked her, trying for a genuine smile.

A fond and intimate smile spread across her lips before she answered, "I hope there is much that you can do for me. But first, let's start with this book."

Okay, that was a little odd.

She walked up to the counter and handed the book to me. I took it with a faint smile, glancing down at it.

Working at the book store, I'd gained a wealth of knowledge about books. I could tell about how old they were, where they were made, how much they were worth by how they were fashioned. I could tell if they were phony or worthless imitations of real vintage books.

I'd turned around to place it on what I liked to call the inspections desk, as it was where I authenticated and priced books.

I spoke over my shoulder, "Are you looking to price or sell?"

When she didn't respond, I turned around.

The old woman was gone. All that lingered was the distant smell of a clean sea breeze. 

Why would she just leave? And how'd she leave so fast? I didn't even hear the door bell jingle.

Frowning, I turned back to the book. Seared into the front of the brown leather cover was an image of an ocean wave. I flipped through some of the pages which were obviously ancient, as was the way the book was bound. The book was looking to be valuable.

I paused on a random page and at the top read "Thalassa's Blessing." Drawn around the text were intricate filigree designs that kind of resembled rippling waters. Something compelled me to read it aloud.

Ancient water goddess
Controller of the Moon and tides
Ocean Mother

Hear my call
Answer my prayers
I look to your guidance

Send your blessings down like the dewfall
Wash your magical light through me
Enchant my life so that I can be closer to you

So I have pled, so mote it be

And immediately, all I see is black.