Jacob now found himself studying the small shop at the farthest part of the mall. "No way! This can't be it!"
It seemed impossible that this non descript store in the open part of the mall would contain anything other than cheap props and magic tricks. Still, Jim had never been wrong. According to his sources this was the place.
"So what are you thinking?"
Jacob glanced down at his coat pocket. Spark was barely poking her head out, the fairies antenna twitching ever so slightly. "Not sure," he whispered, rubbing his chin. "Place seems kinda..."
"Cheap," Spark finished. "You were going to say cheap."
"Plain," Jacob countered with a smirk. "Still Jim's never wrong. His sources told him Merlin had a Magic Shop around these parts."
"You give bonehead alot of credit," Spark stated as she gazed at the Magic Shop.
"Well he does have a good reputation at these kinda things," Jacob stated. The hunter now began to weigh his options. He had no desire to just burst in the front door and start asking questions. Caleb's intel had been useful for sure, he just hadn't expected that many wizards, let alone a second generation. The Moreland history with magicians wasn't the greatest and the last thing he needed was a fight without knowing their strengths and weaknesses. "You ready for this Spark?"
The fairy now cracked her knuckles, stretching before zooming out of Jacobs pocket and fluttering around his head. "I'll have the place scoped out in minutes no problem."
Just be careful."
"Hey," she smirked. "Its me. When have I ever gotten caught?:
"The cyclops."
"That was one time," Spark exclaimed.
"Twice," Jacob countered causing the green fairy to frown. "Just be careful okay."
Spark huffed, sailing towards the front of the Magic Shop. At first glance the shop didn't look like anything special, but Spark knew better. The place reeked of magic both light and dark. Whatever was in there could pose a problem. Fortunately, even the most well guarded places had weaknesses and in the case of the Magic Shop it was its ventilation system. Seeing a small vent the fairy slid inside as she made her way through the ducts.
After wandering for a few moments Spark finally found what she was looking for. The vent she now positioned herself above had a direct view of the cashier. Turning on the tiny headset radio she had the fairy now began to watch.
"What do you see Spark," Jacob asked over the radio.
"Just some teenage girl," Spark replied in a whisper. "She looks about Calebs age. Pretty cute too."
"Any sign of Merlin?"
Spark now scanned the store, for a moment she saw nothing. Maybe Jim had been wrong. As she was about answer she gasped as she observed an elderly man dressed in robes approach the girl. "Holy shit its him," she gasped. "I didn't think he actually existed."
"Me either," Jacob replied. "What are they doing?"
"Talking," Spark said. "I think the girl is his apprentice or something." Spark now strained her ears to listen, hoping to pick up some bit of information. The fairies silence though was beginning to worry Jacob.
"Best to get out of their Spark."
"Relax," Spark replied. "They don't even know I'm here." Sparks over confidence quickly turned to terror as she noticed Merlin now pause before looking directly at her location. Cursing under her breath the fairy tried to make a quick getaway only to find herself encased in a golden ball of light.
Gloria had been peppering Merlin with questions. Since starting the job the elderly wizard had shown her many different spells and enchanted items. The teenage girl gushed as she thanked Merlin, the elderly wizard giving her a warm smile. In only a moment though it changed. Merlins expression seemed to falter, the elderly wizard looking perplexed before glancing at a small vent cover in the ceiling. Gloria was curious, about to ask what was going on when Merlin simply flicked his wrist. Gloria gasped in fright as a golden ball of light flew out of the vent, crashing to the register below.
"Oh my God Merlin whats going on," Gloria exclaimed.
The elderly wizard narrowed his brow, pointing to the orb. Gloria followed his gaze, noticing a tiny ball of green light bouncing against its sides. As the green blur stopped, Gloria's jaw dropped as she beheld a tiny nude green figure with gossamer wings. "Is that a fairy."
The sound of the doors being kicked in now drew Gloria and Merlins attention. A man in his 50s had burst in. Dressed in a leather duster and cowboy hat, Gloria at first thought him to be a bull rider. Perplexed she watched as he somersaulted, landing on his feet before throwing something. The ball of light seemed to pop, the fairy quickly fleeing to the cowboys side as he drew his silver six shooter and aimed it at Gloria and Merlin.
"Fraid I'm gonna need my friend back," Jacob said in a gruff voice. Gloria was still dumbfounded, her hands instinctively rising into the air as Merlin simply studied the man.
"Who...who are you," Gloria stammered.
"You must be the Moreland," Merlin answered. "I must say your reputation proceeds you. What is a demon hunter doing in my place of business?"
"Demon hunter," Gloria exclaimed. Merlin simply nodded as he now glanced between Gloria and Jacob. "Yes Gloria," he said. "A demon hunter. Humans who protect humanity from the supernatural. It appears our magic has drawn their attention."
Gloria simply gawked as her head swiveled between Jacob and Merlin. It seemed things were about to get interesting around town.