Wild Knight (Midnight Empire: The Tower #1)(51)

“Naturally. She had to bathe in it once a week. I gave her the formula so she could continue to make it on her own. I made sure the ingredients weren’t too scarce. Took a bit of crafting but I managed.”

My mother had done so much to protect me. More than I ever knew.

The crone touched a strand of my hair. “You have no idea how fortunate you are. So very few of you survive to adulthood.”

“She didn’t tell you his identity?”

“No, nor did I ask. Safer that way.”

I agreed.

She gave me an appraising look. “I would very much like to read your fortune.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

“I insist. Someone like you who has overcome many obstacles…I would like to learn more. To see what might be in store.” She held out her wrinkled hands. “Indulge an old woman.”

I relented. Part of me wanted to spend time with someone who’d met my mother, however briefly. It kept the connection alive.

The crone guided me to an area at the back where potions were stored on a shelf. Two cushioned chairs were separated by a small round table.

She motioned to the chair on the left and I sat. She contemplated the bottles before selecting a squat blue one. She thrust the bottle at me.

“Drink this.”

“How very Alice in Wonderland of you.” I unscrewed the cap and sniffed. “You’re not poisoning me, are you?”

“If I wanted you dead, you’d already be on the floor and your blood drained for research purposes.”

I scrunched my nose. “Nice image.”

She pointed to the line on the bottle. “You drink half. I drink the second half.”

I brought the potion to my lips and drank. “Tastes like chicken.” I handed her the bottle and she finished it in one gulp. This obviously wasn’t her first rodeo.

She smacked her lips. “Sometimes the kick comes later.” On cue, she closed her eyes and her body went rigid.

“Marguerite?”

“Fire! Blood!” Her entire body began to convulse.

Was this normal? I didn’t typically let anyone read me. I’d only made an exception because she already knew what I was.

“A building topples.”

Topples or melted? Was she seeing the past or the future? Would there be more destruction at the hands of this wizard?

“What was done becomes undone,” she continued. “The circle of creation. Destruction.” Her eyes opened and fixed on me, growing rounder. “And you at its center. The eye of a coming storm.”

I was at its center, but only because I’d been foolish enough to accept the work. I should’ve said no and walked away when I had the chance. Too late now.

Suddenly her eyes rolled to the back of her head and white foam gathered at the corners of her mouth. Great. My future was so bleak that I managed to kill the witch reading it.

“Marguerite!” I turned her face to the side and slid my fingers in her mouth to keep her from biting her tongue. I checked her pulse. Too strong. I had to calm her.

Gently I patted her cheek and tried to bring her back to reality. “Marguerite, you’re finished. You can leave the vision behind now.”

The crone coughed and bolted upright. Her almond eyes blinked at me. “You’re in grave danger.”

“Yes, we covered that ground. Fire. Blood. Yada yada.”

The crone’s cracked lips formed a thin line. “If you don’t walk away now, great harm will come to you.”

“Define ‘great harm.’” I mean, as long as it didn’t result in death, I figured I could handle it.

She removed a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the corners of her mouth. “You’ve survived this long. Don’t piss it away now.”

I clucked my tongue. “Such language, Marguerite.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with the flower. Perhaps it’s for the best.”

“Perhaps.”

And perhaps I’d have to find another illegal gardener. There had to be more than one in a city this size.

I left the hothouse feeling drained. No matter what the crone said, I knew it was too late to walk away now. Princess Davina. The stone. Erratic dragons. Melting buildings. Waterspouts. Whatever was happening, I had to stop it before the entire city was in danger. If that meant great harm befell me, then so be it.





15





I was pleased to return home and discover new windows had been installed. Thank the gods the menagerie could return.

I opened the window that led to the balcony to test it. Very nice. The owner had spared no expense. Then again, knowing him he’d gotten these windows on the black market, which was why he insisted on changing them all at once.

I noticed a pigeon outside with a note secured to its leg. I whistled and it flew over so I could remove it.

“I assume this message is for me.”

The pigeon fixed me with its absent beady eyes. I unrolled the note and the pigeon flew away.

Come to the library soon. More books.

That was good news. Unfortunately Pedro would have to wait. I needed to bring the animals back from the holiday home before they mutinied.

I gathered my materials and sat cross-legged on the floor. I stared at the chalk circle and chanted.