Page 98 of The Demon's Discovery
I glowed, feeling special that I’d been allowed in on her special treat. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Greta. And I mean that. You’re welcome in here to talk, if you need, or to take snacks. Just make a note here if you finish something off so I know to get more.”
“I will.”
She nodded and turned to pull a whistling kettle off the flame. “This is a new special brew. I talked to Lovette while we were at the conclave, and she recommended a few things. Hopefully along with the stone sleep, we can get you set to rights as far as your energy goes.”
I accepted the steaming cup from her, breathing in the crisp citrus smell of the new tea. “I appreciate that you keep trying, Grace, but I don’t know that?—”
She stilled me with a hand on my arm. “I know. But I’m going to try anyhow. Are you feeling better since our little retreat?”
“I think so. The stone sleep helped, but I need to do it again, I’m sure. My wings are working more smoothly.”
“Magnus is so proud of you and thrilled with your progress. He’s told you so, I know, but it bears repeating. I’m happy you’re here, Greta. In case I’ve forgotten to say so lately.”
“I’m happy to be here,” I said, smile wide as the truth of it settled in.
“Good. Go on back to your project. I have a feeling it’s important.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know about that. I’m just practicing so I can keep making more complicated elixirs.”
“Sounds pretty special if you ask me. Back to it then.” Grace winked at me and sent me on my way.
When I got back to the classroom, the elixir had settled even further and was so dark green it was almost black. The smell of burnt metal was lingering again, a strange side effect of only some recipes it seemed.
I separated the elixir into three smaller vials and stored it in a special case that would prevent any damage to the glass even if it was tossed around. My energy was still good, perhaps thanks in part to Grace’s tea, so I went ahead and flipped to some of the pages I hadn’t yet had time to catalog.
There was one that allegedly allowed you to take on a temporary glamour. Hair color or eye color change, even a different face and body shape. I would need some ingredients, so I marked it with one of Vassago’s silver ribbons and moved on. It was the next one that had me sucking in a breath.
I read the whole thing over twice, not understanding exactly how it would work, but that was secondary to actually crafting it successfully.
For the rest of the afternoon, it got my entire focus, and by the time I was done, my eyes heavy and arms were leaden.
The crimson elixir swirled with flakes of black and gray, and I’d used up the last of Vassago’s bloodstone flake stores.
As I gathered up empty vials, my skin prickled like someone was watching me.
“Hello?” I said into the silent room, spinning around and searching the room as I tried to shake off the sensation. There was nothing and nobody there, but I could have sworn I had seen the shadows move out of the corner of my eye.
I turned back to my finished elixir and smiled, watching it swirl in the light. If it worked as reported, Vassago would have his cure.
Magnus and Vassagoreturned just as Grace came to retrieve me for dinner. After storing the flask of elixir in my room, I’d sat onmy sofa and fallen into stone sleep, which surprised both Grace and me.
I wasn’t sure what drew my attention, but when she knocked on my apartment door, I came slowly back to myself, the feeling not unlike when your foot falls asleep, just throughout my whole body.
Magnus ranted out his frustrations over Grace’s delectable roast, and I pitied him the frequent council meetings that seemed only to serve to upset him. “Can you imagine? Gaius being discharged by the council like that because of his injuries? From a battle he was in because he was doing a dutytheyassigned? It’s ludicrous!” His fist pounded the table, making the dishes jump.
“Horrible,” Grace agreed, putting her hand on his arm to still any further outbursts.
Vassago’s features were pensive. “The more I hear about your council, the more I find them to be illogical, at best.”
“That’s being very kind.” Magnus bit the words out. “If I wasn’t required to attend, I’d have quit ages ago.”
“Can you?” Grace asked, hope in her eyes.
“Can I what?”
“Quit.”
