Page 65 of Hex and the City
“The Quartz Spider,” Vera said sadly. “Brendan Shum. Never did know why he left the field. Why he’s become so fascinated by time magic, I may never know, either. Quite the talent at sniffing out secrets, sensing motion and tension at the end of every thread.”
Leon exhaled and rubbed a spot on his chest. “And quite the talent at kicking ass, too.”
“Ah, yes. Very limber and fast on his feet.” Vera chuckled, took another sip, shaking her head fondly. “We started out in the spidering business about the same time too, you know? He left so young.”
I blinked at Vera, well aware that everyone at the table had the same question in mind. This Brendan person, the Quartz Spider? He had graying hair, not at all unusual, but a very youthful face. Vera herself liked to play to the fantasy that she was an old, old soul, a living relic from a bygone era.
“How old are you really, Vera?” Roscoe asked, his head tilted, as lopsided as his grin. “You always try to convince everyone you’re so much older than you really are, when you clearly aren’t. We’re all very curious if it’s all down to immortality, or maybe there’s some twelve-step skincare ritual we should know about.”
Somehow he managed to ask the question in a diplomatic, almost complimentary way, phrasing it as more of a matter of intellectual curiosity. Vera flipped her hair, laughing in delight.
“Actually, Roscoe, it’s the secrets that keep me so young.”
Johnny rolled his eyes. “Here she goes again with the bullshit.”
“It’s true.” Vera turned to Leon, maybe because he was the most innocent, or at least the most impressionable of the group. “Listen here. Some secrets, the truly juicy ones? They make you gasp, do they not? That sharp intake of breath delivers more oxygen to your body. Keeps you soft and supple.”
Leon gasped, a hand on his cheek. “Really?”
Vera covered her mouth, gasping herself. “See? It’s already working.”
Another figured strode in through the doorway. I waved her over to our table, relieved that she’d get to have a proper moment with Leon that wouldn’t involve nearly decapitating him in a back alley. Tina joined our table as well, giving me a quick smile, greeting the others with a curt nod and a wordless grumble.
Johnny clucked his tongue, pointing at her with finger guns. “A cerveza for the lady? Dark and cold, just like her soul?”
Tina chuckled. “You know me so well, Slivers.”
“I’ll help you fetch it,” Vera said, looping her fingers around Roscoe’s wrist. “Come, Roscoe. I’ll show you a wonderful cocktail recipe that uses wolfberries. Excellent for longevity.”
“You’re so full of it, Vera. Wait up. Don’t you dare touch anything at my bar.” Johnny groaned as he slid out of his chair. “Be back in a minute with your beer, Guillotina. You just sit tight with Witch Boy and Rich Boy.”
“Nope,” I said, shaking my head. “Don’t like that nickname at all.”
Johnny chuckled. “The other option is Maxy Millions. Pick one.”
The others left. Leon stared at Tina like she’d just grown an extra head.
“Whoa. Your real name is Guillotina?”
“You saw the day turn into night.” She narrowed her eyes as she leaned across the table, leather jacket squeaking menacingly. “You got stuck in baby’s first time loop. Really? It’s my name that surprises you?”
“Honestly,” Leon said, eyes cutting toward me. “I’m just surprised you exist.”
“This shit again,” I grumbled.
“I don’t exist,” Guillotina said. “I’m a shadow. I was born in darkness, and I’ll die in darkness, too.”
“Badass,” Leon cooed.
“Stop that,” I told Tina. “You were born in San Diego.”
Guillotina stared daggers into my eyes. I decided to let the matter drop.
“So how did you get the name Guillotina?” Leon asked.
Tina squinted at him. “What?”
“Like, is it because you really like decapitating your enemies?”
