Where You Go ― Jason Grace

xiii. three ghosts in a department store

"But, Coach Hedge!" Piper said, gesturing at the canary cages. "We've got to get down there!"

A voice asked, "May I help you find something?"

All four of them jumped back.

A woman had just appeared in front of them, though Ophelia knew in an instant she wasn't a ghost like the three she'd seen. She was definitely solid, and tall, her body adorned with gold jewelry and an elegant black dress that swept the floor as she moved. She looked older, her face gorgeous like that of a retired supermodel, but it didn't look entirely... human. Even her fingers, with their long red nails, looked more like talons.

Ophelia was already on edge from the ghosts, and the strange woman just sealed the deal. They needed to get out of there—now.

The woman smiled. "I'm so happy to see new customers. How may I help you?"

"Um," Jason started, "is this your store?" 

The woman nodded. "I found it abandoned, you know. I understand so many stores are, these days. I decided it would make the perfect place. I love collecting tasteful objects, helping people, and offering quality goods at a reasonable price. So this seemed a good... how do you say... first acquisition in this country." 

Her voice was nice to listen to, rich and exotic in a way Ophelia couldn't explain. Despite everything that was telling her the woman was dangerous, her voice made the sharpest edges of Ophelia's worry soften, as if the woman's words were a lullaby.

"So, you're new to America?" Jason asked. 

"I am... new," the woman agreed. "I am the Princess of Colchis. My friends call me Your Highness. Now, what are you looking for?"

Jason nodded slowly. "Um, right. Actually, Your Highness—" he pointed to the gilded cage on the first floor "—that's our friend down there, Gleeson Hedge. The satyr. Could we... have him back, please?"

"Of course!" the princess agreed instantly. "I would love to show you my inventory. First, may I know your names?"

Piper started to say, "Jason, I wouldn't—"

"This is Piper," Jason said. "And this is Ophelia and Leo. I'm Jason."

His name seemed to trigger something in the woman. For a split second, her face glowed, blazing with white-hot anger. Ophelia tensed, feeling as if she was coming out of a daze. But the woman's face went back to normal in an instant, her smile cordial and voice soothing. "Jason. What an... interesting name," she said, her eyes now inexplicably cold. "I think we'll have to make a special deal for you. Come, children. Let's go shopping."

Ophelia blinked. Shopping... Did they have time to shop? They had a job to do, they had to... 

Ophelia shook her head slightly. They were on a quest, and their deadline was fast-approaching. 

But... surely a few minutes of shopping wouldn't hurt them that much, right?

"Shall we start with the potions?" the woman asked.

"Cool," Jason said.

"Guys," Piper interrupted, "we're here to get the storm spirits and Coach Hedge. If this—princess—is really our friend—"

"Oh, I'm better than a friend, my dear," Her Highness said. "I'm a saleswoman. Don't worry. We'll work our way to the first floor, eh?"

Leo nodded eagerly. "Sure, yeah! That sounds okay. Right, guys?"

Piper glared daggers at him, as if to say, No, it is not okay!

"Of course it's okay." Her Highness put her hands on Leo's and Jason's shoulders and steered them toward the cosmetics. "Come along, boys."