“They’re still draining us?”
I nod. “You might die.” He deserves to know the truth.
“Then let’s have sex.”
I laugh in full then, nearly toppling the cauldron. “You would say that.”
“What are you making over there? It smells dangerous.”
I stir the potion and steam rises, the moisture clinging to my chin and cheeks and likely making my hair frizzy.
“I’m crafting a waking potion for you and the others. It should also serve to protect you in a deeper way than my usual dome. You’re handling the draining far better than some. Rustion, I’m afraid, isn’t looking good at all. Nor is Romulus, who happened to return to town right as the mirror struck. He was headed to Rustion for a report on the storm. Laini is withhim now and Kaya is caring for Rustion and his wife, Nisa. She’s a sprite.”
“Anyone else affected?” I hear the cot squeak. He’s lying down again.
“Yes, but we have a few humans helping them out as well,” I say. “It’s under control, but if this potion doesn’t work, we will have a sad day on our hands for sure.”
“So you weren’t just joking about the whole dying thing.”
“No, sadly, I was not.”
Lady Owl hoots three times.
“She thinks you should stop talking and sleep. Owls know more than you might think, so I’d listen to her advice.”
“I’ll try. It’s not as easy to shut your eyes when you worry you might not open them again.”
“Then just lie back and breathe slowly.”
I sprinkle a pinch of ground mullein into the cauldron and the concoction turns to a bright shade of lavender. I begin to sing quietly. It helps me focus on my work.
“When the fogcomes down and rings the town,
it’s time to grind your mullein down,
When the moon is high and the grasses dry,
you best pick all your blue fungi.
When the wind goes cold and your bones feel old,
find the oak and scrape sooty mold.
When the branches clack and the lightning cracks,
find the ring with the gold filling.”
“What is that song?”Argos’s voice is raspy and quiet.
“My grandwitch used to sing to me. A traditional witchling song.”
“What does it mean by a gold filling?”
Poor thing really is desperate to get that money for his mother and the estate. “It’s speaking of a golden plant that grows inside some fairy mushroom rings. Very valuable stuff. Perhaps we can hunt some down to help with your estate.”
“That would be great,” Argos whispers. He’s obviously about to fall asleep again.
Even though I’m afraid for him, it’s likely better that he gets rest right now. Once I finish this potion, I’ll get him to drink a good dose of it. The stuff still needs a while to cook and blend.
