The Isadora Interviews (The Network Series #1.5)(7)

“What potion did you make?”

“The Forgotten Potion.”

This time Leda looked to judge Isadora’s reaction. The deep lines of her old face shifted.

“Oh? What for?”

“I had planned to sell it for tuition money so that when you came I’d be able to prove that I could go.” Leda could barely choke the words out.

Isadora hummed something under her breath. “I see. What made you decide to do the Forgotten Potion? It’s very difficult.”

“I needed something valuable.”

“There are many valuable potions that aren’t quite so challenging.”

Leda tried to push the embarrassment down, but it moved into her voice instead, making her sound raspy.

“I needed a rare, valuable potion. My family doesn’t have the money to send me to Miss Mabel’s, and I knew this would get me enough.”

Isadora studied her expression.

“Your eyes are two different colors,” Isadora observed. Taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation, Leda simply blinked.

“I—”

Then Isadora smiled.

“So are mine.”

Leda looked closer. So she hadn’t imagined it. Isadora had one eye that was a shade of gold, like a deep amber, while the other was jade green.

“Yes,” Leda whispered, “you do.”

“It’s a rare trait, you know.”

“Does it mean something?”

“It can.”

“Would you like to see my potion?” Leda asked, feeling sick. She just wanted this over with.

“Yes, I’m quite intrigued.”

Leda drew in a deep breath, gave the handle a pull, and let the door swing open. She stifled a gasp of shock.

A melted lump of black had replaced the massive cauldron. The sides curled down like the petals of a dying flower. A rough, jagged layer of sparkling crystals coated every surface, from the floor to the ceiling, in a dark shimmer. Only a few boards were visible in between the coats of black. Isadora’s eyebrows lifted.

“Oh,” she whispered, putting a hand on the doorframe. “Oh my.”

They gaped at the disaster together. Leda wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. Her future had exploded in a mess of shining black shards. Literally exploded. She wasn’t even sure if it would come off the walls, or the jars, or the broom in the corner. Fitz had been right after all.

Domestic tranquility, here I come.

Leda opened her mouth to explain but realized she didn’t know what to say and closed it again.

“Goodness. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a big collection of Leigh crystal,” Isadora said, running her fingertips along the jagged edges nearest her. “Actually, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen this much.”

Leda’s breath caught. Leigh crystal?

“What?”

Isadora shot Leda a look from the corner of her eye.

“Yes. For how valuable it is, very few know the potion. Even fewer are brave enough to attempt making it due to the explosive nature of the process, as you can see. Your big cauldron must have contained the reaction.”

Leigh crystal.

The realization slapped her in the face. Leigh crystal was a magical imitation of black crystal, but it looked so real, and was so much easier to manipulate, that most witches used it instead. Even as an imitation, it was a difficult potion to execute well.

“Leigh crystal. Yes,” Leda murmured. Oh, she wished she hadn’t told Isadora that she was trying the Forgotten Potion! Then she could have pretended like Leigh crystal had been the objective and Isadora would see how clever she could be.

“Well, this was certainly a surprise.” Isadora drew in a deep breath, and looked over at Leda. “One that I would say demonstrates a fair amount of talent . . . and a fair amount of heart.”

“What?” Leda asked, turning to her in shock.

“I’m quite impressed.”

“But why?” Leda asked. “I got it all wrong!”

“Success at Miss Mabel’s is about more than just potions. It’s about working hard for what you want.”

“But I didn’t even get the potion that I wanted.”

“Maybe not, but you tried. I don’t need to see or hear anymore. You are very bright, I can see that. Motivated as well, if not isolating and prone to anger. Those can all be worked with. Welcome to Miss Mabel’s School for Girls, Leda. I’d love to purchase all of this Leigh from you, but I can’t afford it. I know a witch who would be interested in buying all of it, but we can discuss that later.”

Leda just stared at her, frozen and shocked.

“You’re going to let me in?”

“If you will agree.” Isadora cast her eyes around the small hut. “I think you have enough Leigh to pay your way through and possibly a little more.”

Leda hesitated, her mouth open. This had been an accident. Luck wouldn’t help her pass. The Leigh crystal didn’t prove she was talented, or even had heart. All this showed was that she was desperate to escape her life.

“Miss Isadora, I—”

“Will be wonderful, I’m sure.”

“Thank you, but—”

“I’ve been doing this for over fifty years now, Leda.” There was a gentle tone of chiding in Isadora’s tone. “In that time, I’ve met thousands of girls, tens of thousands, probably. All of those I’ve chosen have succeeded in the school. I’ve never made a mistake.”