I adjusted the borrowed skirt that fell too short for my tastes. Each answer only made everything more confusing.
Frank handed the journal to me. “Would you brew this for me? It takes almost two weeks. We’d have to start right away to have it ready for the coming full moon.”
I opened my mouth to decline. Brewing potions wasn’t my forte. In fact, I’d spent most of my life eschewing witchcraft.
He watched me with hopeful eyes. I was likely the only witch—besides Lydia, who was looking increasingly suspicious—who understood he was a werewolf and was able to make the potion before the next full moon. And even though I worried I might ruin everything with my poor brewing skills, I found myself nodding.
That smile that I adored spread across his lips. “I knew I could count on you.” He reached for my hand and squeezed it, his warm, long fingers making my heart race.
I swallowed. I was delving headfirst into witchcraft and death magic, and now I was helping a werewolf evade the law. My life, my beliefs, the light of the sun had been completely turned on its head.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary indeed.
Chapter 6
I enjoyed our little adventure today.
Isatonmybed in my flannel pajamas that Kitty bought for me last Christmas. My pillow was scrunched between my stomach and my arms as I gazed at Frank’s latest message on my phone, enjoying the lightness bouncing in my chest. We’d swapped numbers before leaving our break-in at The Enchanted Teapot. Rain pattered against the windows and Duchess lay curled next to me on the mattress. When nobody was present, I’d tried addressing her and she’d come directly to me and brushed against myleg, purring. Apparently now that I knew her name, we could be friends.
I gripped my phone. There was something about texting that always made me braver than normal.
What did you enjoy about it?
Everything. But I especially enjoyed a certain part.
Oh? What was that?
A sly smiling emoji ended up on the screen. I grinned, holding my phone close as I recalled the fire burning inside me at his gentle touch and claiming kiss.
Perhaps next time we could aim for a more straightforward outing.
My heart flipped at the words ‘next time’.
Doubtful.
A laughing emoji appeared.
I have the supplies for our project.
Before my family had arrived home, I’d gone through our stores and gotten almost everything we’d need for brewing a wolfsbane potion, including an old cauldron I didn’t think anyone would miss. They were now hidden securely under my bed. I held my phone close, loving this private conversation that was just ours.
Clever and efficient.
I don’t have the actual plant we need, though.
No worries. I know where to get some.
Where should we meet to brew the potion?
Somewhere we won’t be disturbed. Your room?
I almost laughed out loud. If I brought Frank Churchill into our home, there wouldn’t be a moment’s peace.
Not unless you want my sisters to find out what we’re doing. How about your place?
Roommates
I rested my head on the headboard, lost in thought. Where could we meet? The potion needed to steep for twelve days, so it would need to be in a spot where nobody might stumble upon it. And with Isabella’s death setting the authorities on alert, even the woods weren’t guaranteed not to have people combing through them.
