Page 21 of The Witch & the Grizzly

Damn. The black potion seemed as viscous as tar when she swirled it in the vial. At that point, Morgryn rummaged through the tower and brought a belt to Eva.

“Here. These pockets can hold vials. A good potioneer should wear something like this. It’s subtly enchanted,” he said, grinning. “It has a perception filter so that people will not notice you’re wearing it. It’s durable also.” He gave her the belt, and Renath let out a little gasp.

“Isn’t that Master Borgonoth’s belt?”

“Indeed it is,” Morgryn said. “It seems we have found someone suitable to continue his legacy.”

“But… she’s human,” Renath hissed, but Morgryn simply smiled.

“He told me to pass it on to the one I believed would be worthy of it. He didn’t specify whether it had to be Unseelie or human.”

Renath shook his head. “As long as he doesn’t come crawling out of the grave to smite you.”

They continued their discussion, and Eva decided she was done with potion-making for the day. She slid two vials of this new potion into the belt, enjoying the sturdy leather design. (Was it leather? It might be the tanned hide of some weird fae creature.) She left the fae to their own devices but went to check with Z’Hana as to whether the belt was what Morgryn claimed it to be.

It seemed to be, thank goodness. Still, one couldn’t be too careful when it came to the fae.

With no lessons remaining, all that was left for Eva was a quick catch-up with her brother before retreating into her room and sending messages Harriet’s way.

Harriet: You’ve been missing your lessons way too much… girl, we have to meet up soon

Eva: I’m popular, it seems. And I’m being paid to skip classes. Win-win, I’d say.

Harriet: How’s it going with my cousin? Is he being an asshole to you yet?

Eva: He’s a busy asshole. They keep sending him on random missions in the fae realm.

Harriet: Isn’t that really dangerous?

Eva: Yep, but they’re making him use his charm to recruit people. It’s all pretty boring. I thought there’d be more drama and intrigue.

She finished up messaging with Harriet and let out a small sigh, glancing at the near-empty vial of Animal Sense potion. She needed to whip up another batch soon. Hopefully, Professor Valgrur would give her permission to do that.

With nothing better to do, she studied, and then, out of curiosity, she took out one of the vials of the black potion she’d made earlier. She found a slightly wilted apple and put it in a bowl. Hopefully, pouring a single drop of potion wouldn’t explode. She raised the vial over the apple and carefully poured a drop on it.

Immediately, the apple began to hiss and shrivel, turning gray and spreading to the bowl, which started to corrode.

“Shit!” She hastily grabbed the bowl and placed it in her mini cauldron, then rushed to the potion room, where they had proper drainage for dangerous substances. By the time she made it there, the apple had melted into the bowl, which had melted into the cauldron, which, thankfully, did not appear to suffer any corrosion.

The classroom was empty, and Professor Valgrur was nowhere to be seen as Eva went to dispose of the substance in the enchanted basin. Considering some of the accidents that happened in class, the basin was probably the best investment the academy had made.

Luckily, she had a spare bowl but no spare apple. Returning to the dorm room, she paused upon seeing a note taped to the front door.

To Eva.

She didn’t recognize the handwriting, but out of curiosity, she pulled it off the door before entering her room.

With the door closed and the cauldron back in its corner, she tore open the envelope to find a card with a cheery-looking gray bear on the cover and a short but sweet message inside.

Heya. It’s been a while since we saw each other. I promised you another date. If you remember how to reach the south dormitories, go to the door with the rose stuck on the front. Any time you want, but the sooner, the better.

Nathan.

Her heart leaped with excitement. Finally. It took him long enough!

Eva: I got your message.

She figured she’d give him fair warning. She appreciated that he wanted to take things slow, but a part of her pictured turning up at his door, then charging at him when he cracked it open only to have them tumble together into bed amid a glorious mess of kisses and touching.

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