He doesn’t seem to notice my change in demeanor. “It’s just that, Jarron was my hope. He has all the power and influence I could hope for. He could save us. And I think he would. I think I achieved what I set out to do.” He stares down at his hands again. “And then, I lost again because now Jarron is gone. He’s trying to save his own people, his own land. How is he supposed to help me too? He doesn’t have the time to even think about my problems, let alone the resources. He needs them all for the war. I’m back to the drawing board. And no, I will not betray you to save myself. I won’t do it. I swear to you. Make me swear a magical vow if you want. I don’t care. I will not hurt you.”
I swallow. “Okay,” I whisper. “I believe you.”
He sighs. “I just think… I might have to find a new way. And that may require leaving the school.”
“Oh no.” My stomach sinks again. “I get it, though, if you need to. I trust you, okay? We’ll be friends even if you leave.”
He nods.
“Is there no one else at the school who could help you? At least, in the meantime?”
“There’s really only two others that might have some ability to help, and neither of them seem to be big fans of mine. Besides, I don’t have anything to offer them.”
I absently rub my lips. “Maybe I can help.”
His eyes light up. “You think?”
“I don’t know. People are always looking to get on Jarron’s good side, so maybe I could have some pull? It’s worth a shot.” I’m assuming the two in question are Auren and Manuela. Auren is questionable. But Manuela is at least on team-Jarron, and it’ll give me a chance to feel her out a little bit.
“Okay.” Thompson nods eagerly. He’s more desperate than he’s trying to let on.
And suddenly, my purpose shifts. I still have a lot I need to do. Potions are important, and my sister is even more important, but this is something pressing that I can do now.
And I’m going to do everything in my power to help Thompson.
8
I Will Brew Power
I stand in front of the seven bronze doors at the end of the hall, arms crossed and eyes narrowed like the mystery behind them is some kind of adversary.
I stayed up for hours, thinking about what kinds of things could be behind the doors. Does it matter? Nope, not really. But door number three is Jarron’s.
He has a secret room here he never mentioned.
Jarron doesn’t hide a lot from me. Except, you know, the big things he’s technically not allowed to share.
Like who his chosen is.
I bite the inside of my lip. I don’t like not knowing, and something about wondering what’s behind this door gnaws at me.
It’s the kind of uneasiness I shouldn’t dwell on. So, I force myself away from the annoying questions and force myself to enter the chamber made just for me.
In here, I have access to power. I’m able to create, with my own hands, weapons I can use to destroy my enemies.
Today is dedicated to potion making. I’ve been away from my work for far too long, and I have a lot to make up for. So, while everyone else is in classes that I’m no longer allowed to attend, I will brew myself some power.
None of bodyguards have shown up to badger me, so I’m largely left alone.
Another perk of my new workshop.
It doesn’t take me long to make adjustments to my current potions and begin three more. Potion making involves a lot of waiting time, so after an hour, I’ve run out of pressing tasks.
I pick up a book about potions studies to browse in hopes of finding a few others to begin.
A interesting dry potion piques my interest. It will require extra research to ensure it will perform well on demons, but otherwise it’s a winner. I also throw in a more typical paralysis potion.
I also found a strength reducer I like. It’s not the most powerful potion, but it’s easy to reduce down to less than a milliliter, meaning a drop anywhere on the skin will lessen a powerful supernatural’s strength.
