"I remember when I was that age. I wrote a great deal of bad poetry and had horrible taste in music but I don't think I did anything quite on this level," Max said with a half-smile. His eyes widened as he took in [i]Die Shriken und Wunder[/i]. And to think he had been proud of getting [i]Tobin's Spirit Guide[/i]- this find completely blew his paltry contribution out of the water. The Holy Grail of demonologists. "[i]Khamsa fi ainek[/i]," he said in surprise, a habit he had picked up in Jerusalem. Seemingly unbidden, his fingers pulled out his Hand of Miriam pendant. Here was a book that was simply [i]unclean[/i]- a profane work that nevertheless held true knowledge, as monstrous and terrible as true knowledge always seems to be. A key to power. "I- I will have to take a few notes, with your permission," he whispered.

Lenya asked about Glory and her possible reaction to the book. Max considered a moment before giving his answer. "Well, Glory is an intelligent young woman. I'm sure she understands that the best way to battle the unholy is to understand it implicitly. The quest for knowledge takes us to uncomfortable and dangerous places- sometimes the only way to quench your thirst is to drink from the deepest wells."

Realizing that the conversation was going to some dark places, Max shifted a little in his seat, straightened his already straight papers. "So, I found an importer in Boston who's shipping some of my favorite beers from abroad up here. Nesher, Staropramen, Baltika- some good memories of my studies." He felt his ears reddening- why were they reddening? "I, uh, also have a case of Gösser zwickel coming up with the load. Got a taste for it while I was in the Czech Republic. Most popular beer in Austria- sorry, you already know that, why am I telling you what you already know?" His ears felt like a blast furnace. "I thought you might, um, like a taste of home. I'd be happy to give you a few bottles of Gösser. Or, you know, maybe, maybe you could come by my home and have a drink sometime. Actually, you know what, I'll just bring them here for you, if you want them." 

Max had no idea where the invitation had come from, or what it meant. It had just spilled out of his mouth. He also had no idea why he felt so embarrassed by making such a simple offer. Max looked down, suddenly very interested in his cufflinks and the notes he had compiled for the meeting.