“This wasn’t the deal we made last time,” she said, standing in the display case with her arms crossed, staring down the impish woman. Two years ago, Sophie had heard about this woman who could be summoned by speaking her True Name three times. Sophie had, and there was a deal struck. The unbelievable happened.

The Texas Rangers won the World Series.

“The spell was unexpectedly effective. I’ve adjusted my pricing.” The impish woman said, unperturbed as she stared at Sophie with a grin.

“So, you can guarantee another championship?”

“It’s sports, it’s fate, it’s chance. I can’t guarantee anything.”

“Not even a wild card berth?”

“I can tilt the odds, but that’s all. Look, if you don’t want another chance, I can—”

“No! No, I didn’t say that.” Sophie said, wincing. She had done this before. Become a mannequin in a memorabilia shop, spending a full month on display. Watching the miracle happen on a TV screen she could barely see. She could do it again.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“It’s just…just last time I didn’t have a price tag.”

“Ah. Well, that part, unlike you, is non-negotiable. This is the deal, take it or leave it. I give the Texas Rangers a better chance to make the playoffs and win, and in return you spend the next two months for sale.”

“And then I turn back, even if I’m bought?”

The woman grinned that impish, ravishing way that she did. She always had that sort of seductress bad guy feeling about her. “Well, it would be hardly fair to rob some poor Owner of their rightly purchased property, now would it? Last chance, Sophie, speak now or hold your peace. What will you sacrifice?”

Sophie looked around her box, making sure she had a sight line to the TV that would play the Rangers games. Then, she blew out her breath. “Fine. But could I at least go to the parade this time if they do win?”

“I can make that arrangement,” the woman said, snapping her fingers. In an instant, Sophie went still, frozen, her body turning to hollow plastic. Going from a her to an it, even more so this time. This might work, but it had to try. It had to hope; that’s what being a sports fan was all about. Only that this time, it had to hope it wasn’t bought, too.

But it really wasn’t thinking about all of that. Instead, the only thought left in its mind as it stared at the TV was “Go Rangers!”