God is Dead!

Ash breezed into Ariel's store. She wore an outfit that got her several lustful stares from a few patrons, stares she responded to with a steely gaze that sent them back to their books. Since she couldn't move from the doorway, she leaned against the doorframe to wait. He'd come eventually.

Ariel walked into the back door of his shop, the Sefer Raziel under his arm. He'd begun to translate the book, and only four pages in already felt like he'd been working for years. Marietta Turner had helped him get more sleep, but at the same time he still felt exhausted. He'd get through today at the shop by himself, then take the evening off.

He came into the main room, and set his things down. Only belatedly did he catch a glimpse of the woman sitting cross-legged within the devil's trap at the main door.