Page 35 of Bright Dark Curses

The woman wrote a few words in curt, no-nonsense movements that reminded me of Sonia.

I bet Sonia knew about Brimstone’s vlog and possible boy band days. What were the chances she’d tell me about them?

Probably about zero. Strike that. Double zeros joined together to signify an infinity of never going to happen.

“Here.” The woman tapped on the pad. “If you please?”

“Of course.” I checked the order—a recall potion. It helped recall your own memories for a short time after ingestion and wasn’t that useful in the real world, so I only made them as needed. This was the first time anyone had asked for one. “I’ll get this done for you right now.”

The woman studied me closely again. “Thank you.”

I went into the kitchen and started getting the ingredients together. A sad reality of the business was that not all clients were going to be the fluffy, cuddly kind. I was bound to get cold, prickly ones from time to time. Just look at Hutton, for example.

“Ah,” Bagley said knowingly. “A recall potion.”

“Yup.” I finished lining up all the amethyst, moonstone, and lapis lazuli on the counter.

“Do you even have enough magic to make it?”

Soft rumbling reverberated through the pipes, and Tiny Kraken’s tentacle peeked out to poke at the locket.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, not again,” Bagley exclaimed. “Stop that, you ghostly beast.”

“Takes one to know one.” Reaching over, I patted the tentacle. “Thank you, Tiny Kraken.”

Happy gurgling came from inside the faucet, and I resumed my potion-making.

After mixing some of the herbs, then placing the rest in a circle with some clear quartz to help my focus, I filled the vial with moon water and the herb mix. I eyed the moon water container. I was running lower than I liked; I’d need to make a new batch soon. Hopefully, the weather would cooperate.

I sat on the kitchen stool, and, touching the vial, I allowed my magic to come out and used the energy emanating from the crystals to sharpen my power. After the spell was done, I allowed my body to sag, glad I’d taken Dru’s advice and gotten a stool for potion making. It did feel a lot safer than risking my legs losing all semblance of solidity after doing my spells.

More happy gurgling came from the pipes, and I patted the wall. “Thank you, Tiny Kraken. I’m proud of myself too.”

“Yes, at least this time you stayed upright,” Bagley commented. “There might be hope for you yet.”

“I wasn’t named Hope for nothing, you know.”

“Please, someone save me.”

“True salvation comes from within ourselves, for we are in charge of directing our fates.”

Speaking of which… I brought out my phone and sent Ian a heart emoji and a hope you’re on the road soon!

If we were in charge of directing our fates, nothing said we couldn’t nudge them along.

After a few fortifying breaths, I closed the vial with a cork stopper and checked my legs would support my weight. Happy with the result, I made to return to the shop.

“You know,” Bagley said in a thoughtful voice, “I bet whoever ordered that wants an immunity potion next.”

I harrumphed. Immunity potions were some of the most powerful and complicated potions a witch shop could legally offer. After drinking it, it reduced the harm of any other ingested potion for a short span of time. Anything above that needed Council approval and an expert in those kinds of wards or potions. Besides, witches tended to craft immunity potions themselves rather than buying them, and there was little use for it outside drinking it before trying new potions on yourself. The chances of anyone wanting one outside that scenario were about nil.

A couple of new customers had come in while I was busy preparing the potion and were now occupying the second table. I nodded in satisfaction while I went behind the counter and presented the vial to the woman.

“Here you go. You’ll get a discount if you return the bottle for the next order.”

She picked up the vial and inspected the contents, swirling the potion this and that way. Taking off the stopper, she took a delicate sniff, then plugged the vial again. “Looks good.”

Pride filled my chest. “I think you’ll be very satisfied.”

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