Page 48 of Beary In Love

Beatrice leaned against the counter, examining her black-painted nails. The movement made the snakes tattooed on her arms appear to writhe.

Serena's fingers itched to grab her potions bag, but she forced herself to wait. Sometimes the best defense was patience - something Logan had never quite mastered.

"You're going to tell us exactly what you and Silas are planning," Logan growled, his bear nature bleeding through. "And then you're going to undo whatever damage you've done."

Beatrice's smile curled like a cat playing with its prey. "Maybe I did help Silas. Maybe I didn't." She traced one of her tattoos, making the ink shimmer. "What's it to you?"

Serena's frustration mounted as she watched Logan's hands clench into fists. She touched his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. The last thing they needed was for him to lose control and shift right here.

"Those animals will die without treatment," Serena said firmly. "I need to know what potions you used so I can counter them properly."

"Oh sweetie." Beatrice's laugh echoed through the shop. "You think you can counter my work? I've seen your potions. Amateur hour at best."

The words stung more than Serena wanted to admit. Her confidence, already fragile from her divorce, wavered. But then she remembered the sick animals at Logan's sanctuary, and how they trusted her to help them.

"Amateur or not, I'm still going to try," Serena lifted her chin. "Unlike some people, I use my magic to heal, not hurt."

Logan moved closer to her, his presence warm and solid at her back. The protective gesture made her heart skip, even as she tried to focus on the task at hand.

Beatrice's eyes glittered with amusement. "Such conviction. Tell you what - if you want to know what I used, you'll have to prove yourself worthy first."

"This isn't a game," Logan growled, his tone making the hair on Serena's neck stand up.

"Oh, but it is." Beatrice's tattoos seemed to dance across her skin as she moved. "Everything's a game if you look at it right. The question is - are you both ready to play?"

Beatrice's fingers traced patterns on the wooden table, leaving behind glowing purple lines that twisted into complex runes. The air shifted suddenly, becoming thick and heavy with magic.

"Let's see how good you really are." Beatrice's smile turned cruel. "These runes are releasing a toxin. Better figure out how to stop it before things get... unpleasant."

"We're leaving," Logan grabbed Serena's arm, but she shook her head. Her eyes traced the runes, recognizing components for binding and dispersion. The toxin was already circulating in the air.

"We can't leave," Serena muttered, pulling vials from her messenger bag. "It's already affecting us."

She uncorked a neutralizing potion and poured it over the first rune. Instead of dissolving, the purple lines flared brighter. Her stomach clenched as sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Wrong choice," Beatrice sang out.

Serena tried another potion, this one designed to break magical bonds. The runes pulsed, sending waves of nausea through her. She steadied herself against the table, fingers trembling as she reached for a third vial.

The air grew thicker, making it harder to breathe. Logan's presence loomed behind her, his breath coming in short bursts. She could feel his bear nature struggling against the magic.

"Tick tock," Beatrice taunted.

Serena's hands shook as she combined two potions, creating a silvery mixture. The runes seemed to writhe on the table's surface, mocking her efforts. She poured the mixture over them, but it simply ran off like water on glass.

Her vision blurred at the edges as the toxin took hold. The room spun slightly, and she gripped the table harder. She had to figure this out - had to prove she wasn't as amateur as Beatrice claimed. But each failed attempt only made the runes pulse stronger, the toxin grow thicker.

Serena reached for another vial, her movements becoming sluggish. There had to be something she was missing, some combination she hadn't tried yet. The purple glow of the runes seemed to dance before her eyes, taunting her with their complexity.

Doubt crept into Serena’s mind like poison. Her hands shook as she stared at her remaining potions. What if Beatrice was right? What if she really was just an amateur playing at being a real witch?

Logan's ragged breathing behind her made her heart clench. The toxin was affecting him worse now - his bear nature fightingagainst the magical assault with all his effort. She had to protect him, had to get this right, but her mind felt fuzzy.

"I can't..." The words slipped out before she could stop them.

"Yes, you can." Logan's voice was rough but certain. His hand found her shoulder, warm and steady despite everything. "You're the most talented witch I know. Stop overthinking it."

"But every combination I've tried-"

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