Page 57 of Kin of the Wolf

“Uhm, do you have one?” I imagined Duncan pinning Augustus to the ground while we forced a potion down his throat. Maybe Jasmine would come with us and hold the camera.

“They are simple to make. They require only three ingredients and an insignificant application of magical talent. They’re in the first chapter of almost every book of formulas that you’ll find. Apprentice alchemists usually make a truth elixir in their first month of training, once they’ve moved from learning to source and gather ingredients to mixing components and applying magic.”

I realized the judgment in her tone might have more to do withthe simplicity of the formula than any condemnation for how it might be used. Apparently, she was a woman who liked challenging elixirs.

“Any chance you have a vial of it?” I asked.

“This isnotwhat I called about, but I could acquire the ingredients and deign to make a truth elixir. You know, however, that my services aren’t cheap.”

I did not, in fact, know that. In addition to finding Rue, Duncan had paid for my sublimation potions. He hadn’t mentioned their cost. Since he’d betrayed me, I hadn’t felt compelled to pay him back for them.

“I charge a minimum of $400 an hour, plus travel expenses for ingredient acquisition.”

“Damn, you cost more than a lawyer.” I rolled out of bed and headed to the kitchen, feeling the need for an espresso to get through the rest of the conversation. Fortunately, my machine came on automatically in the morning, so it was preheated and ready to brew.

Rue sniffed. “Those who are competent in my profession aremuchrarer than lawyers, and I have more than fortyyears of experience.” She lowered her voice to mutter, “As if you can’t find a lawyer on every street corner, plying his wares.”

“They’re not the profession I usually think of as plying from street corners, but I’ll admit they are easier to find than alchemists.”

“Of coursethey are. It requires no magical blood to file paperwork. My kind areexceedinglyrare, and I’m in high demand from those who need my services. I was on the verge of raising my rates to $500 to finance my move.”

“I thought your grandkids were boxing everything up. Won’t they work for pizza?”

“A truck must be rented. And we have not discussed rates at your complex. I had assumed that moving to the suburbs wouldbe more affordable, but it’s possible you charge a premium for an apartment without miscreants constantly leaving graffiti.”

I started to assure her that Shoreline was less expensive than Seattle, and I’d throw in a graffiti-free door at no extra charge, but I didn’t have money budgeted for truth potions. It occurred to me to negotiate.

“Our rent is quite reasonable,” I said, “and I’m authorized to provide discounts to seniors and veterans. Have you ever served in the armed forces?”

“In my homeland in my youth, I attended the Alchemy Academy, which included learning to defend the nearby littoral village in case of an assault on the paranormal beings living there. We learned to fight with staves, explosives, and magical munitions.”

“Wow, sounds exotic.”

“That particular part of the country was, due to more than the typical amount of magic lingering in the earth, yes.”

“Well, if you could give me a deal on a truth elixir, I’d be willing to checkyeson the veteran box. I’ll put you down under Coast Guard.” Littoral meant by the water, didn’t it? “That would give you ten percent off each month.” I hit the button for the coffee grinder and then moved away from the machine so it wouldn’t drown out my voice. “And then I’m guessing you’re over sixty-five. I can give you another ten percent off each month for being a senior.” I remembered that the Sylvans were contemplating selling the property. Hopefully, the next owners would honor the existing leases—and not look too closely at applicants’ veteran status.

“I will bring you four potions. Do you also require an antidote for the poison that the old-world werewolf brought by last night?”

“I— What?” I’d been so distracted by thoughts of truth elixirs that I hadn’t asked why Rue had called. I hurried to pull my shots, needing the bracing caffeine even more now.

“He did not appear to be ailing when he came to my apartment,but it is a slow-acting poison. Likely, he or she who left it wished to avoid being associated with it. He said it came in an edible delectable?”

“Yeah, chocolate-dipped bacon.”

“Interesting. For a werewolf, I would have assumed a haunch of meat. I did not know they craved sweets.”

“I’ve taught him the delights of dark chocolate. He didn’t eat any, so we shouldn’t need antidotes, but maybe I should have you make some in case whoever sent it strikes again.”

I didn’t know why I saidwhoever. I knew exactly who’d done it. The night before, when I’d called Jasmine, I’d known. Nobody else would poison Duncan to get him out of the way.

“You will include three months’ rent-free in exchange for a four-pack of the antidote? To go along with the truth serum?”

I managed to scowl at my phone and swallow a mouthful from my steaming Americano at the same time. “I don’t own this place, Rue. It’s not like I’ll make any more from getting a new tenant.”

Especially a new wheeling-and-dealing tenant who wanted more discounts than a bargain shopper on double-coupon day.

“You do not receive commissions?”

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