Page 52 of Queen of Wrath

We were very similar in that regard.

“I've lived almost my whole life on the streets. I can say with almost absolute certainty that that is not true.”

“I hope I can prove you wrong.” I smiled, and she went quiet.

After sizing Ravana for some new outfits, I took her to Ransom's Potion company. “Are you ready to put your skills to the test?”

“As ready as I'll ever be, I guess.” She folded her hands in front of her as her eyes nervously danced around the room, seeing all the able-bodied talent waiting to get a position at this company.

I watched in real time as she shrunk into herself. “Hey, you're going to do just fine.”

I was grateful we didn't pass anyone we knew on the way to the lab.

Jax must have been in a meeting. Although, he wasn't my biggest concern.

The one I was really worried about was Diesel.

If he recognizes her, I won't be able to protect her from him. I'll just have to keep her hidden.

I opened the door to my own private lab, which Jax had given me exclusive access to, so I could test prospective Potionists without interruption.

At least I'm in the clear for now.

But the thought had come too soon. As I looked up, I realized there was someone else in my private lab. The air hitched in my throat.

“Emma! There you are. What's going on with you lately? You bailed on the festival and now you're late to work,” Kiyan playfully berated me. Then he held up a glass vial filled with a bubbling yellow liquid. “You'll never believe what I created. I think this one will really knock your shoes off!”

His smile faded as Ravana walked into the lab from behind me.

Damn, there is no going back now. He’s seen her.

I watched in horror as his face went slack. Even the vial slipped from between his fingers, shattering on the floor all around him.

“Kiyan!” I shouted, rushing over to make sure he was alright.

Only Lunaira knows what he had in that vial!

Before I could reach Kiyan, a puff of golden smoke came between us, bursting up from the liquid strewn on the floor.

It smelled faintly sweet but mostly bitter. So much so that I had to cover my nose with my sleeve. “What was in that potion of yours?”

I reached out, trying to pull Kiyan away from the smoke.

My fingers managed to grasp onto some fabric, and I yanked it toward me. Only the person standing in front of me wasn't who I’d expected.

I gasped, releasing him at once. “Diesel?”

A chill ran through my bones, one that shook me to my core.

I glanced back at Ravana, who looked just as horrified.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, the smoke cleared, and Kiyan was all but giggling like a girl from behind Diesel.

“You don't have to worry. He's not really here,” Kiyan explained as he poked at the figure standing before me.

“What do you mean?” I couldn’t mask the terror in my voice.

“It's a body double potion. You pluck the strand of essence from any magical being, and the potion can create a likeness of them. I haven't perfected it yet… It’s not very good unless the body double can speak like the person it’s imitating, but still, it's pretty cool. Don’t you think so?”

---