Page 33 of Queen of Vengeance

“I really am sorry. I wish there were more I could do. I recommend you run that wound under cold spring water and apply a healing salve twice daily.” She bowed her head before turning her back and leaving.

I stood frozen, dumbstruck by the weight of the news. A tightness constricted my chest, making each breath a struggle. My throat burned as if scorched by the words just spoken while my stomach twisted into knots. The reality crashed over me like a relentless wave: we were on the brink of losing our house, our sanctuary. Everything we had built and cherished was slipping through our fingers.

Whatever the debt was, it didn’t matter. We wouldn’t be able to pay it back, and with Mema injured, I would have to be the only one harvesting supplies.

I’d have to forgo school altogether.

My world was crumbling around me; I could not keep it together no matter what I did.

I needed to figure out a way to get us out of this situation before we ended up homeless.

“Don’t worry about it, dear. That’s my job to figure it out. I’m an adult and your legal guardian now. I just need you to continue focusing on your school.” Mema tried to console me, but we both knew what was happening.

I turned to her as a tear dropped out of my eye. “You know that’s not going to work. We will only get out of this if I quit school and start making money. Besides, considering I’m much younger, it would be much easier.”

“But that’s not right. I’m supposed to be able to take care of you.” Her shoulders drooped.

An expression of failure and defeat spread across her face as the realization set in.

“You already care for me, and I don’t mind doing my part to keep our family’s land. This is more important.”

I smiled against my teeth, trying to convince her that this decision didn’t break my heart.

“But what about your dream of becoming a famous potionist? You would have done such a good job.”

I shook my head quickly, mostly because I would cry if I thought about it too long. “Let’s not forget what Mama said, ‘You can never silence true talent.’ We will find a way, as we always do.”

“How did I get so lucky and blessed with a granddaughter like you?” She held my face and pulled me close so our foreheads touched.

“We’ll get through this. Our ancestors are strong; they will guide us.” She sounded so sure in her voice, but I was not so convinced.

I hope you’re right about them, Mema. We could use some divine intervention right now.

14

JAX

Jax sat in his room, engulfed in total darkness.

His mind ran through every possible scenario, weaving another pathetic, far-fetched plan to obtain money and push forward his potion business. It came up short every time.

Anger flooded through Jax’s body as he shot up from his chair, grabbed the edge of his study desk, and threw it across his room.

“What good is being brilliant if I have no money to prove it?” The growl came from deep within his chest as he threw himself back in his chair.

His fingers ran anxiously through his thick hair. “If given the opportunity, I could make something of myself. I want the world to know my name. Am I going to disappear from existence because my family is poor?”

That question caused another idea to cross his mind.

He raised his head slowly, staring out the window at the trees blowing in the distance.

“Not everyone in my family is poor.”

He flirted with the thought a little longer, getting more comfortable with it as time passed. As much as he hated getting caught up in his Uncle Diesel’s business, he hated the thought of blipping into oblivion more.

“It would just be once more anyway. What could one more time hurt?”

Jax dragged himself out of his chair, threw on his coat, and was out the door before he could stop himself.

---