Page 4 of A Touch of Madness

“Lara,” I whisper, my voice breaking as I cry out.

I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady the wild pounding of my heart. She’s in danger.

Or worse—she’s become the danger.

One Week Later…

While Lucian isat the school for a full day of teaching, I find myself wandering through downtown Blackthorne, looking for a quaint hole-in-the-wall spot Nicole and Rebecca told me may help with the Lara dilemma. From what I’m being told, getting Lara’s humanity back isn’t going to be easy, and I’ve been warned by several people that we shouldn’t even try—but she’s still my sister. I owe it to her.

I just have to figure out my next steps.

It’s one of those crisp mornings where the air smells faintly of frost, even though winter hasn’t fully taken hold yet. The narrow cobblestone streets are dotted with small shops, their windows dressed in cozy displays of candles, knit scarves, and books.

I’ve been meaning to get out of my head, to do something normal, but the vision I had of Lara the morning after everything went down at Lucian’s house still lingers like a weight pressing firmly on my chest. I’m restless, spiraling, and the thought of everything in front of me feels nearly unendurable. It’s been one full week since Lara woke up without her humanity and left willingly with Amara. One week of an entirely different pain than I’ve ever known before. To know my sister is out there, walking around, willingly trying to destroy people I care about…

It's just too much.

I thought when we found our way around the virgin element to the curse, I’d get my sister back and we could take on the Society together—with Lucian, and Rebecca and Nicole. I was so, so wrong, though. I never even saw it coming. I knew they’d try to bring me down. I knew they’d be pissed at me for ruining their well-thought-out plans. I just didn’t know the price would be Lara’s humanity.

I pass a bookstore that looks like it’s seen better days, and that’s when I see it: Petals and Potions Apothecary. A wrought-iron sign swings gently in the breeze, its golden script lettering catching the light as it sways. The storefront is charming, with ivy curling around the windows and bundles of dried herbs hanging on the door. There’s something about it that draws me in, like the place is calling to me.

I gently open the door, and a chime of bells rings throughout the shop.

Inside, the air is warm and smells of lavender and sage—and something else vaguely floral that I can’t put my finger on. Shelves line the walls, crammed with jars of dried flowers, vials of colorful liquids, and books with titles in languages I can’t read. It’s a witch’s haven, and I feel a peculiar sense of comfort wrap around me when stepping inside.

“Be with you in a moment, dear!” a warm voice calls out.

I wander deeper into the shop, letting my fingers trail over the edges of various sized bottles and jars. Everything here feels alive, humming with energy that’s nearly palpable. It’s cozy and unlike anywhere I’ve ever been before. That sense of familiarity and comfort seeps into my body and I take a deep breath for what feels like the first time in too long.

“Sorry about that,” the voice says again, and I turn to see a woman emerging from a back room. She’s tall and slim, with beautifully braided dark hair streaked with silver, and kind, gray eyes that seem to hold centuries of knowledge. Her presence is compelling, commanding, but warm and inviting in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever known.

“Well, you must be new,” she says, her lips curling into a knowing, genuine smile. “A Blackthorne attendee, no doubt.”

“You’d be right,” I tell her with a small smile of my own. “This is my first year at Blackthorne. I’m Sylvie.”

“Ravenna,” she replies, wiping her hands on a purple cloth peeking out from her apron. “Welcome to my little mystical corner of chaos.” Her bright smile widens. “What brings you in, my dear?”

I hesitate, unsure how to explain everything in a way that won’t make this woman look at me like I’ve gone completely insane—even though it feels like I have, and one half of me truly believes this is all a horrible nightmare.

“I, uh…” I flounder, all words ceasing to exist in my brain. “Well. My friends told me this might be the place I could get some insight on some issues I’ve been having,” I say, feeling like that explains exactly…nothing at all.

Ravenna studies me for a moment, her light gray gaze piercing but not unkind. “Well, you and your friends have good instincts. This place tends to find the people who need it most.”

Before I can respond, the door swings open behind me, and a young, light-haired man walks in, clutching a box. He’s out of breath, his cheeks flushed from the chill of the morning.

“Hey, Ravenna. Sorry to interrupt, he says, glancing my way with a grin and a nod. “Just dropping this off. And... well, also here to say my goodbyes,” he says, setting the box on the counter.

“Goodbye?” Ravenna raises an eyebrow, shifting her focus as she walks closer to the man. “What do you mean, dear?”

“I got the internship I was telling you about. I leave for New York next week.” He shrugs like he’s trying to not be as excited as he wants to be in order to protect Ravenna’s feelings.

Ravenna sighs, walking over to him, but there’s a glimmer of pride in her eyes. “Good for you, Nate. You’ll be missed around here.” She gives him a warm embrace and he wraps his arms tightly around her in return.

They exchange a few more words before the man—Nate—waves and leaves, the bell above the door chiming softly, a bundle of herbs rustling.

“Well,” Ravenna says, turning back to me. “That was rather sudden, wasn’t it?” she says with a half-hearted smile. “I’d love to hear all about exactly how I can help you Sylvie, but also…you wouldn’t happen to be looking for a part-time job, would you?”

The question catches me off guard. “Oh, I don’t know. I mean, I wasn’t planning to...”

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