Zachariah was torn between ignoring the entire incident altogether to try and help the woman save face and apologizing profusely. The latter won out. "Oh Merlin. I do beg your forgiveness. I did not intend to startle you. Would you like some assistance in clearing that away?" His conscience wouldn't allow him to leave the subject unacknowledged.

After a short pause, he did continue, deciding providing her with a reason for his sudden appearance might reassure her he wasn't the sort to take delight in frightening people. "I had been in correspondence with a Mr. Asteroid about a particularly intriguing book he'd come across about an Eastern potioneer. I have reader with a keen interest in such topics." He never called his customers anything but readers. It only cemented the care he took in his job. He gave Jo a friendly sort of smile, completely unaware her brother-in-law no longer walked among the living.

While the stood there, his brows began to furrow. Why did she seem so familiar?