Mana Mutation Menace (Journey to Chaos Book 3) by Brian Wilkerson Page B

ruby is flawless, other than a mark where it seems like someone threw
it to the ground.” Pilaocv retracted her hand. “It's not something just anyone
could afford. This is the sort of thing fat cats give to ladies they want to
impress. Where did you get it?"
    With his patented trickster grin, Eric replied,
"Prince Lunas gave it to Her Majesty as a token of his hopeless love for
her. As the love is unrequited, she gave it to me instead of throwing it into
the garbage. She found it to be ‘tacky.’ "
    Pilaocv shook her head. "Whatever you say,
Trickster's Choice. What happens if this thing causes trouble for my business?”
    Eric glowered. “You think I’m part of his prank? I hate
him more than anyone because he bothers me more than anyone.”
    “True, but I’d like you to sign this agreement to reverse
any deal we make if it becomes a problem anyway.”
    Eric’s eyes slitted.
    “I gotta look out for my business.”
    Pilaocv placed a sheet of paper next to the choker. With
the contract in front of him, Eric only saw squiggly lines. He couldn’t read it
nor could he remember how to sign his name.
    “What’s wrong? There’s nothing sneaky in here. It just
says ‘negate the deal and reverse the transaction if criminal or tricksterish
action results from it.’”
    “…Right. Just checking.”
    Eric took the pen and made squiggly lines that he hoped
could pass for cursive.
    “Okay. How much do you want?"
    "How much will you give me?"
    "Normally, I'd give you fifty percent market value,
but for something of this level, even that would tie up too much money. Few
people outside of 'Prince Lunas' could afford something like this, so I'll give
you twenty percent of its market value, but this one is damaged, so the repair
costs mean I can’t even give you that much.”
    She talked solid numbers, percentages, mint condition
value, the value of this damaged one, and the ways she could make money off it.
All of it went over Eric’s head. He couldn’t follow it despite his memories
telling him that he’d done this sort of thing before.
    It’ll pass…It’ll pass. I’m human, not a grendel.
    Eric looked about the store and his eyes fell on the
jewelry case. Inside was a choker in a different style from the one on the counter.
It had black velvet straps with a silver clasp in the back and held an amber
stone set in gold. It reminded him of a certain special someone.
    "How about a trade?"
    "What do you have in mind?"
    "That necklace there with the amber stone.” Pilaocv opened
the case and pulled it out. "Yes, that one."
    "Deal. Is it a Torch Day gift?"
    Eric nodded and Pilaocv gift-wrapped it. With the box in
his pocket, Eric walked out happy. Dragon’s Lair Rule Number 7 led him to a
quick score. Then he paused. Dragon’s Lair! Mia! He ran down the street
with grendel legs.
    The door dinged as he stepped through, but Mia didn’t
greet him. Nor did she see him. A thick, dark curtain hung around the front
desk. Eric tapped out the ending of “Shave and a Haircut” and called for the pink
princess.
    The curtain parted in the middle and retracted into the
floor along with a cot. When the transformation was complete, Mia was sitting
at her desk. Her hair was out of its pigtails and falling loose down to her
feet. She wore a long pink nightgown and clutched a teddy bear under her arm.
She rubbed her eyes and they lit up in recognition.
    "Eric, oh my gosh!" She jumped over the desk and
glomped him. "I was so worried... Only a handful...Oh, I'm so glad you're safe!"
    Flat on his back, Eric shrugged. "I'm lucky, I
guess."
    Mia leaned away and gave him a sly look. "As the chaotic
book says, 'Those who live in The Trickster's favor are both blessed and
cursed, for their lives are both long and interesting.'"
    "In other words, Tasio takes good care of his toys,"
Eric said dryly.
    Mia giggled.
    "Thanks for checking in." She stood up and
helped him to his feet. “Is there anything I can do for you while you're
here?"
    "Have