Page 49 of Potions & Prejudice
“Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?” Adelaide asked. “You’ve gone from wanting to hide away from the world to wanting to attend a ball at the manor of your nemesis?”
“He’s not my nemesis.”
He wasn’t worthy enough to hold that title.
“Uh-huh. Well, promise you won’t get into an argument with him and cause a scene,” Adelaide said. “That’s the last thing we need.”
I scoffed. “Adelaide, I won’t. I told you that Draven and I are okay. So if you want to dance with a certain Elm Kingsley at the ball...”
“Careful, you’re starting to sound like Mama.” Adelaide poked me. “We’ve found my dress. Now what about yours?”
“Where is Prue?” I asked,
“Hiding behind those fabrics.” Adelaide pointed at the corner. “Of course.”
Out the window, Helena was walking down the dirt road, wearing all black today. I remembered the way she’d been studying me and Adelaide at the market the other day, a little too closely for comfort. I bit the inside of my cheek.
“Get Prue and make her try on some dresses,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”
I ran toward the door, and it swung open for me. The air was chilly, and I pulled my thick brown shawl tighter around my shoulders.
“Helena!” I called.
She stopped and turned, tilting her head and flashing me a smile. “Elspeth Moonflower. I’m still thinking about that soup I tasted the other day at your stand.”
“Well, it’s mainly Adelaide. She has a way with flavors.”
We stood in silence, and I twisted my hands together. Why had I run after her? I wasn’t sure what I was hoping to even accomplish. Maybe feel her out, get a sense of whether she knew we didn’t have magic. It was ridiculous to think she would or that she’d even do anything about it. She was a vampire after all. She had no reason to care about something like this.
“What are you doing at Witching Wears?” She pointed to the dressmaker’s shop.
“Trying on dresses,” I said brightly. “For the ball. Are you coming?”
“The ball?” she asked, and I winced.
Maybe she hadn’t been invited, and I’d just stuck my foot in my mouth. “At the Darkstone Manor?”
Her face darkened. “Ah. No.” She peered at me curiously. “AlthoughI’ve heard you and Draven Darkstone have gotten into some heated arguments. I’m surprised you’re going when there’s such contention between you.”
I held back my sigh. Did everyone in this village know about our arguments? We’d only had two, for witch’s sake. Maybe three if you counted game night, but that was just some good, old-fashioned competition.
“If it makes you feel any better, Draven isn’t the easiest to get along with.” Helena placed a hand on my arm, her touch ice cold.
I met her gaze, her red eyes flashing. Maybe I was imagining things, but a bitterness seemed to coat her words.
“What do you mean?” I asked against my better judgment.
“It’s nothing,” Helena said. “Just be careful around him. He’s bad news, Elspeth. Cutthroat. He has power and wealth, and he’ll use both against you if you get on his bad side.”
“Elspeth!” I whirled to see Auggie stomping toward me. “We’re all waiting on you, and I’m almost positive the dressmaker is insulting us in a different language. He has four fabrics picked out for you.”
“Helena, this is my younger sister Augusta. Auggie, this is Helena.” I smiled apologetically at the vampire. “I better get inside before Mama starts yelling. Hopefully we’ll see you sometime at the soup stand?”
Helena flashed her fangs. “Oh yes. I have to leave soon, and I wouldn’t want to go before trying more of your delicious soup.”
With that, I turned and brushed past Auggie, going into the shop and spending the next half an hour getting fussed over and wrapped in different fabrics. But my mind wasn’t on a dress. It was on Helena and what her words about Draven Darkstone could’ve meant.
Twenty-One
