Old Habits

The Mediterranean sun lazed across the sky, shimmering off the crests of the water and shining off white cliffs, filling the air with light. The only shade in sight rested under a small collection of broad umbrellas standing guard over small tables on a wooden balcony overlooking the sea. Most of the tables were empty, the tourists having left for now, leaving two women at one table alone with their discussion. One of them was tall and dark, with sharp features and sharper eyes that made the waiter feel like prey when they paused on him for a moment too long. The other was shorter, with a lighter complexion hidden under a wide hat and large sunglasses that hid everything but her perfectly sculpted body and invitingly warm lips. Both of them wore light, airy fabrics, in light shades; though the taller woman was showing less of her legs than the other. The waiter brought them their drinks, trying not to look directly at either of them for different reasons, then slipped back inside.

“He seems nice,” the shorter woman said, slowly running her finger down the side of the goblet and down its stem. “Do you want this one?”

“I have more important work than that this afternoon, Babylon.” Babylon huffed and delicately lifted her goblet to take a sip.

“You’re so much less fun since you stopped being a demon.”

“I didn’t want to be a demon in the first place. I was a goddess.”

“Yes, yes. Weren’t we all, in some way or another. The way my old priests and priestesses used to scream my name, I still get a rush just thinking about it. But you seemed fine with it while you were the Devil at the Crossroads.”

“Speaking of priests. How’s that son of yours doing?” Babylon sighed and set her drink down.

“He still follows his own path. Which is to be expected, I suppose, if he wasn’t such a little prick about it.”

“This is the problem you run into when you mate with mortals.”

“Don’t go acting like you’re little miss innocent yourself over there. I know all about you and your witches.”

“I don’t bear them little spawn to aggravate me decades later.”

“No, of course not. You like your pets to remain pets. I understand, there’s a certain appeal to it. Of course you know I’ve had my share of toys. On that note!” She turned and lowered her sunglasses to peek over them at the other woman. “I hear you’ve been on the trail of a new Anchor.”

“Where do you hear these things?”

“I have my ways, dear,” Babylon said, waving her hand as she leaned back into her chair. “People like talking to me, especially if they think I’m not really listening. Is he fun? Jules was fun.”

“He’s…stubborn.”

“I thought you usually just broke stubborn and left it in a heap.”

“This one is different.”

“Oh, so he is fun?” The taller woman glared sideways at Babylon, who giggled.

“He isn’t of much interest to you, I’m sure. He made that very clear. But he’s powerful. And there’s something off about him. I can’t place it, but there’s some way he feels…connected, in a more visceral way, to our realm than the others have.”

“You think this is going to be the one? After all these centuries?”

“Yes. He has the power I need, and I already have a witch working on him. He’s getting close.”

“And if you can’t get him to subscribe to your plan?”

“Then I’ll have to make him desperate.” The taller woman grabbed her drink, finally, and finished it in one tilt.

“There she is.”

“Who?” Babylon smiled and picked her goblet back up.

“The demon I started having these drinks with.” The other woman chuckled. “Listen, Hecate. All this stress, it isn’t good for you. What if you finally get to be a Spirit of the People again, but lose sight of what you want out of it?”

“You think I’m working too hard. But you weren’t made second act to a bunch of upstart, petty little kings from another land.”

“I think you’ll find I’ve had many kings try to get one over on me.”

“Were you under them at the time?”

“Sometimes. But the point is, you need to make sure this is the goddess you want to be when you get what you want. Because once those people lock you into whatever you’ve been showing them…”

“I remember.” Babylon nodded, then waved toward the door. Soon the waiter slipped back out, picking up the empty glasses.

“Another for you ladies today?” he asked. Babylon looked to Hecate, who thought for a moment before giving a faint nod.

“That would be delightful, young man,” Babylon said, smiling, as she slid her finger across his arm. “As long as it’s you bringing it.” He smiled, then cleared his throat, nodded briskly, and ran back inside.

“Don’t break him before you get what you want from him,” Hecate said.

“Do you need help with your new pet?”

“I don’t think so. But I’ll remember you offered.” Babylon purred and turned to face the water.

​“Good. I miss Jules. Another Anchor might be nice.”

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