Dark Secrets - Linsey Hall Page 0,40
her little eyes bright. I’m going to go pay them a visit.
“Don’t eat them,” I said.
Sure, sure. She scampered off, moving quickly around the cottage to the back.
“They can handle themselves against the likes of her.” Michael looked between the two of us. “If you’re here, then you know who I am. Who are you?”
“I’m Eve,” my companion said.
His brows went up as if he recognized the name, and his gaze flicked to Xavier, who still sat behind us. “Nice to meet you, Eve.”
“And I’m Carrow,” I offered.
“Ah, Carrow. The new girl in Guild City?” The words held no hint of dislike. I was impressed. Clearly, he didn’t hold a grudge about not living there or being in a guild.
If they booted me, I doubted I’d be able to say the same.
I nodded. “Yeah. That’s me.”
“Why don’t you come in?” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and strolled into his house.
We followed, leaving Xavier outside.
The interior was far larger than the exterior made it look, with ancient stone walls and a gleaming wooden floor. The main entry room was sparsely decorated, but he led us to a cozy kitchen at the back. A fire burned on the hearth, and herbs hung from the ceiling, drying in the warmth.
It was a cluttered, homey space, with bottles of ingredients lying next to bread and fruit—as if he mixed work and life seamlessly.
“Cup of tea?” he asked.
We were in a hurry, but it would be downright rude to say no. And my bones were cold from the ride over. “That’d be lovely, thanks.”
He nodded and put the kettle on. It boiled almost instantaneously, and I grinned. “Is that magic that makes it go so fast?”
“Best spell I ever learned.” He removed the kettle and made the tea, then brought the mugs over to the table.
The surface was covered with the tools of his trade—everything from silver knives to powdered leaves—and he nodded at the clutter. “Shove some of that over, will you?”
“Sure thing.” Gingerly, I arranged things out of the way, not sure what was dangerous or valuable.
Eve helped, moving more quickly, clearly more comfortable with the items on the table.
Michael put the cups down and sat, and we joined him.
“What is it that you need?” he asked.
“We need some Powderwort,” Eve said. “And as far as I know, you’re the best place to get it in town.”
“The only place.”
“That, too.” She sipped her tea. “Oh, this is good.”
“My own blend.”
“Do you have the Powderwort?” I asked. “Two of our friends have been cursed, and we’re hoping it will help.”
He frowned. “Doesn’t work on people.”
“I know,” Eve said. “The curse is on a wall, but it’s spread to them. We’re hoping that if we fix the wall, there will be a spillover effect.”
“Hmm.” Doubt flashed in his eyes, but he nodded. “All right. I can give you some. But you’ll have to earn it.”
“How?” I asked.
He nodded toward Eve. “I already know what I want from her. Like for like.”
“Potions?” she asked.
“Yes. Fae ones. Ones I cannot make.”
“That’s fine. Which?”
“Heart’s Own Arrow and Believer Draft.”
I looked at Eve, wondering if she knew what those were. From the look in her eyes, she did. And she was curious.
Come on, ask him why he wants them.
She didn’t, unfortunately.
His gaze turned to me, and I stuffed the info aside for later. I wanted to know what those potions did and why he wanted them.
“As for you…” He tapped his chin, clearly thinking.
“I don’t have a ton of control over my magic, but I’m getting better.”
“Yes. I heard what you did for Guild City.”
“I’m afraid I probably can’t save any more cities, if that’s what you’re after.”
He chuckled. “Indeed, no. But I do have a request.” He stood. “Will you follow me?”
I rose with a mournful glance at my tea.
“Bring it with you,” he said.
“Thanks. It’s chilly out there.” I grabbed the tea, and Eve did the same.
We followed him through the house, passing through a cozy room that looked like a small library.
He led us out a back door. Cordelia sat on a stone bench, staring longingly at some chickens. They glared back at her, and I left them to it, my gaze drawn by a beautiful old well.
He gestured to it. “This goes somewhere. Not the Thames, but I don’t know where.”
I walked toward it and leaned over, careful not to touch it as I stared down into the darkness. Magic filtered from the depths, sparkling and strange.
“Has it always been here?” Eve asked.