Page 5 of The Botanist and the Beast

"I assume it's because of its magic but if it's to the left, they look right. If it's right in front of them, they look down and turn back."

"Well then how do people end up in it at all?" She huffed. "It doesn't make sense."

"Practice." A wash of sleepiness washed over Theo, and he squeezed his eyes shut and opened to try and wake up. "My parents practiced and had us going in and out at a young age so it's natural to my family. That said most people end up in it by accident. They're running from something and accidentally crash into it, or they happen to be on the road when the fog comes, and it swallows them. The veil is full of unwilling travelers."

"Our town is so superstitious," she said with a condescending laugh.

"How do you explain the stained if it's all superstition?"

"I assume many paint it on for attention." She glanced at him. "Or for sales, in your case. Like I said, I don't judge it. You should make a living like everyone else."

"Right. My glow has definitely made people flock to my cart." He chuckled. "How do you explain the people that vanish? What about the bodies that are found torn apart by some unknown animal no one's ever seen? Or their grieving families, for that matter? Are they all lying?" He shrugged. "My parents died in the veil, and I assure you, my grief and their deaths were very real."

"I mean no offense, but the bodies and lifelong disappearance are because of regular animals. Wolves with pups, bears waking from hibernation. Hence the increased spring deaths. It's sad, really, but I think if you're careful,you can make it through, but many are unlucky. Nature is unforgiving. There's no magic to it."

"And the ones who come back years later saying they were lost in the fog?" He yawned and regretted taking the job after a night of not sleeping at all.

"What about them? They're runaways who come home." She rolled her eyes. "My mom ran before I was born. At seventeen she left home and a year later she came back. She claimed she was lost in the veil for a long time but eventually stopped speaking of it altogether no matter how much people ask. I still wonder what made her leave home and why she lied. My dad guesses it was lover since she was rumored to be in love with a woman in a town over. I think she's embarrassed young love got the best of her."

Theo remembered the glow on Mrs. Fallon's neck.Poor girl. A year out there must've been terrifying."You know, those who return may not say anything because they don't want to be made fun of or dismissed. It must be isolating to be lost and afraid for so long and then scoffed at when you return. If your mom survived such a thing, you should be proud of her."

"Let's say I believe the veil flows to the west in the spring, the south in the summer, east in fall, and north in winter which, I might add, sounds ridiculous. Why don't magical beings come pouring out into our streets every spring? No one has ever met an enchanted creature. There's been no fae, no strange animals. Nothing comes out."

"Don't know," he said with another yawn. "Perhaps the veil is more interesting than our world. Whether its wolves or the veil, I don't want to run into anything dangerous. All I want is to get you to Beaumont safely and get myself home with no fuss."

"I suppose that's fair." She was quiet for a bit watching the horse ahead of them trudge on. After a while she offered hercanteen again. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have insulted your parents' memory like that regardless of how I feel."

"It's fine." He brought the canteen to his lips and abruptly, the horse reared back as if it saw something in the empty rode. Theo quickly took a gulp and tossed the canteen back so he could wrangle the horse. "Let's agree to disagree tonight. We have a few hours until Red Brook. We'll rest there tonight since it's to the south and out of the path of the veil. We're making good time." He shook his head again to keep himself awake. "I hope we get there quick."

"I should hold the reins while you take a nap. I need you awake to get us a hotel and help me unload."

"You've never traveled there. It's best if I stay...." He was so sleepy he lost his train of thought for a second but did his best to pick it back up. "I was paid to keep you safe. That's what I'm going to do."

"You, know Theo, I am sorry about this, but you're definitely going to fall asleep in about a minute or so."

"No, I just... I just," he blinked slower now.

"You just drink water from strangers when you don't know its contents." She had a smug smile as she set her book aside and effortlessly took the reins from his hands. "You took large gulps, and it was quite potent, so enjoy the slumber. Don't worry, it's harmless. You'll just pass out for a little while."

Panic rose in his chest.You drugged me!He tried to force the words out and reach for the reins, but his arms were heavy, and his lips wouldn't part. All he could do was grunt in frustration.

"I know you're mad. I know you're going to panic because you believe all the stories, but I promise when you wake up, we'll be in Beaumont safe and sound. You'll still get your money, and I won't tell my mom if you don't."

He plunged into sleep, and his last thought was Luna warning him to be wary of people.

Chapter Five

Theo's mind was trying to wake but he kept sliding back into sleep. Then he felt a gentle hand on his cheek and a whisper flowed into his ear.

"Darling, it's time to wake up."

With a jolt, Theo's eyes shot open, and the cloak of sleep was lifted. He was sitting next to Adora under a blanket. The cart bounced along the empty path. The haze from the drugs was slowly wearing off as he took in the sights.

The sky was scorched with an orange and pink sunset flecked with waking stars. His own bioluminescent scars brightened by the second.

His stomach dropped.She passed Red Brook.

"Theo? How did you wake up already?" Adora said in a shaky voice.

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