Page 50 of Potions & Prejudice
ELSPETH
Afew horse-drawn carriages rolled past us, weaving through Thistlegrove Forest on the dirt road. We’d passed many cottages, all of them with wooden signs either posted in the ground or nailed to the houses. I’d seen so many of them, I finally marched up to one to see what it said.
“It’s their surname,” Adelaide said from behind me.
I shuddered, not able to imagine something so permanent as making a sign with your last name on it and nailing it to your house.
“Come on.” Adelaide grabbed my hand. “Let’s get back to the road.”
I slipped on a slick spot, but Adelaide kept a firm grip on me. I was used to wearing my boots, not these dainty slippers.
Other witches flew overhead on their brooms. Mama used to fly on a broom, taking us on rides when we were little, but after we got cursed, she stopped. I think she worried about flaunting her magic.
The sun sank in the lavender sky, the faint outline of stars dotting the expanse.
“Wish we had a carriage,” Auggie muttered, stumbling as shetripped over a small rock. Her form-fitting gold dress shimmered as she walked, teeth chattering.
“Well, if we’re making wishes, then I wish we weren’t doing this at all.” Prue pushed her spectacles up her nose, an uncharacteristic sheen on her upper lip. She tugged at her long-sleeve maroon gown, which hugged her curves nicely.
I hoped tonight might encourage her to get out of her shell more.
A horseless carriage creaked by us, slowly rolling to a halt. We all stopped, shooting each other unsure glances.
The door swung open, a witch with corkscrew gray hair sticking her head out. “Need a ride?” she asked.
“No—” I started at the same time Auggie shoved past me and said, “Yes.”
The witch smiled as Auggie stepped into the carriage.
“Auggie,” I whisper-yelled.
“Well, come on,” the witch said. “We’re holding everyone else up.” I looked behind her carriage to see a few horse-drawn ones rolling down the road.
“Let’s go, then,” I said, and we all piled in.
The witch closed the door, and warmth swept over me—none of us were wearing appropriate clothing for the weather. I adjusted the fabric of my pale green dress. The gold skinny straps kept falling over my shoulders, and I had to keep pushing them back up.
“I’m Morty Hallow.” The witch smiled kindly at me, Adelaide and Auggie sitting on either side of her, while Mama, Prue, and me squished onto the other side.
“Nice to meet you.”
We all made our introductions.
“We really appreciate the carriage ride,” I said.
“Oh, it’s no problem. You poor dears looked so cold walking in the dark. And I have this big carriage all to myself.” She gestured to it, then leaned forward. “I’ve heard quite a lot about the Moonflowers.”
I stiffened, my gut immediately clenching. What did she mean by that? Was that why she offered us a ride? So she could figure out our secrets? Or maybe she already knew, and she was about to tell us. Blackmail us.
My mind whirled with all the dire possibilities when Morty said, “About your soups? I’ve heard they’re addictive.” She waggled her eyebrows.
My pounding heart slowed. “Thank you,” I managed, looking at Adelaide. “My sister is a talented cook, and Mama is great at using her potions affinity to create some wonderful flavors.”
“Have any of you visited the Darkstone Manor before?” Morty asked. “It’s quite a sight to behold. One of the most beautifully built manors in the Witchlands.”
I shook my head, Prue’s earlier questions rolling through my mind. I wondered why Draven didn’t stay in his own manor. It didn’t make sense. Unless he’d done something to get himself banned. But then I wasn’t sure how he’d be there tonight.
“Why doesn’t Draven live there?” Prue burst out, her knees bouncing.
