Reckonings by Carla Jablonski Read Free Book Online Page A

artistic about hypnotizing people while they’re cats,” he argued. “Or locking them up in birdcages or taking their clothes.”
    â€œI didn’t take your clothes,” the Body Artist countered with a grin. “You didn’t bring them with you on your little cat-capade.”
    Tim opened his mouth, then shut it again. She had him there. His jeans, his T-shirt, his sneakers, and his glasses must all still be at the fence behind Molly’s house where he had worked the transformation. “Whatever. There’s still no excuse for—”
    The Body Artist interrupted him. “You heard what Molly said in the park. She found out that you might grow up to be someone who would do terrible things. Not just to her but also to the world. I brought you here to stop that from happening.”
    Tim stared at her. “Is that possible?”
    She gave a rueful laugh. “Well, the problem is that all my theories were wrong. I’m a pretty decent witch, but you are one unique individual. So the technique I’d planned to use won’t work.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œSeveral reasons.” The Body Artist sat back in the chair and placed her feet up on one of the tables, crossing one booted ankle over the other. “For one, I may have dubious scruples, but I do have a code. I’d never alter a nondemon without his consent.”
    Her posture made Tim realize who she reminded him of: John Constantine. John had been one of the trench-coated strangers who had first introduced Tim to the world of magic. Tim had liked John a lot, and this woman’s tough demeanor, gray-area mentality, and general arrogance were a lot like John’s.
    â€œWhen I discovered you weren’t innately evil,” she continued, “I thought maybe it was an inner animal problem.”
    â€œHuh?” Tim’s eyebrows rose.
    â€œLots of people have some kind of animal inside,” the Body Artist explained. “Don’t ask me why. For most, it’s part of their soul or heart, and it doesn’t have to be bad. But in others, their beasts have consumed their humanity—crept up on it while it wasn’t looking and eaten it, making them dangerous. I thought that if I could find yourbeast, I could force you to face it. And tame it.”
    â€œWhat would have happened if I wasn’t tamable?”
    â€œI would have pulled out your fangs or declawed you,” the Body Artist replied. “But it doesn’t matter. There’s no animal in you.”
    Tim’s heart sank. “So that evil future me might still happen.” And Molly is still in danger.
    â€œWhat you will become is based on the choices that you make and on the ways in which you use your magic,” the Body Artist told him. “And since you have no inner evil, I can’t alter any aspect of you without your consent.”
    She sighed a long, frustrated sigh. “So look around the shop, find yourself something to wear, and I’ll give you directions home. And cab fare if you need it.”
    â€œIsn’t there something you can do? To make sure I never hurt Molly?” Tim asked.
    â€œAny number of things,” the woman said flatly. “None of them pleasant.”
    â€œThen do it,” Tim declared. “I consent. As long as I get to stay alive, that is, and stay myself. Do whatever magic you have to do to keep her safe from me.”
    The Body Artist’s eyebrows rose. “Are you sure?”
    â€œAm I sure that I want some morally ambiguouswitch to fiddle with me magically? No. Am I sure I’d rather die than hurt Molly? Yes. Only make sure it doesn’t go that far, okay?” he added hastily.
    â€œIt’s not easy,” the Body Artist warned. “It’s painful, and the pain continues.”
    â€œWhy am I not surprised?” Tim commented.
    â€œJust giving you full disclosure.”
    Tim nodded. “I’ve decided.”
    The woman