Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters - Bella Forrest Page 0,80
could hear the cogs whirring in his mind as he processed what I’d just told him. He had to know that Genie felt the same way he did, right? If he didn’t, then perhaps he needed his prescription changed, because he wasn’t seeing what was right in front of him. His features began to relax, and he smiled. I hoped that meant he’d come to some kind of conclusion about what he was going to do, but I didn’t pry. If he had a plan in mind, I didn’t want to know about it… because then I’d have had to tell Genie, and that would ruin the surprise.
“Do you think my kidnapper meant what he said about not meaning to kill anyone?” I changed the subject as I browsed some sparkly cookies that seemed to embody happiness itself. The aroma of sugar and butter and magic that wafted up, mingling with the hypnotic twinkle of crystalline sparkles, inspired memories of a farmhouse kitchen that I’d never been to and lazy summer afternoons on a countryside veranda that I’d only seen in movies.
Nathan’s expression hardened, reflecting my own feelings on the matter. “I imagine so, but that doesn’t change the facts. He launched that blast intending to do harm, at the very least. Whether or not he was in control of what he was doing… it’s a tricky topic. Curses often make people behave violently, taking over their faculties completely, but I still hate him for what he did. Either way, he’s a danger to himself and those around him.”
“I keep wondering who would do that to a person, though.” I attempted to play devil’s advocate for a moment. “Don’t get me wrong, I detest him, but the real root of his evil is whoever put that curse on him in the first place. I’d like to give them a piece of my mind, too.”
“If he doesn’t know, I doubt anyone else will.” Nathan came to a halt in front of an aromatic noodle stall that smelled beyond incredible. Sweet and intense Chinese five-spice mingled with peppery gochujang, along with the rich scent of soy sauce. I sniffed, needing a deeper inhale. Beneath the power players, I smelled the mouthwatering tang of garlic and the subtler hint of young green scallions, plus a sneaky sprig of fresh red chilis to round everything off.
“This is it. This is the healing soup she needs!” I professed, watching as the seller stirred the glistening broth and thick, slippery udon. Genie would love it, and if that hearty creation didn’t fix her cold, I didn’t know what would.
Nathan licked his lips. “I was just thinking the same thing. I might even get some for myself in case she wants some company to eat with.”
“Okay, okay, I get the message. Infirmary date with Nathan and Genie, third-wheels not welcome.” I chuckled to let him know I wasn’t being serious.
“Oh… I can get some for you, too, if you like?” He really needed to read that book on sarcasm again.
I waved him away. “I was joking. You and Genie should spend some quality time together. Who knows, maybe it’ll give you the courage to ask her on a real date. You know, when she’s not in a hospital gown, cursing every medic who comes by to check her temperature.”
“Are you sure?” He sounded guilty.
“I’m positive. Besides, I’m full from the samples.” A chalkboard sign down the aisle caught my eye, claiming to have “bespoke silver jewelry, direct from Denmark.” Maybe the Scandinavians would have the unique gift I was looking for. “I’m just going to head down there for a bit, to see if they’ve got anything Genie might like. Call me back when the noodles are ready.”
Nathan nodded. “Will do.”
I strolled toward the Danish goods at a leisurely pace. The noodle-maker looked like a perfectionist, making sure everything was intricately layered and ladled, so I figured I had some time. Genie would have loved to be here with us now, taking in the sights of the market, pointing out all the tasty treats and pretty things. Resurrection took some time to get over, and Nathan had warned that there’d be aches and pains and weird sensations as the spirit settled in again.
Tears jabbed at my eyes as my brain decided to play a gut-wrenching slideshow of Genie getting hit by the blast and crashing to the ground, clawing at her throat before falling still, her body lifeless. For as long as I lived, I would never