Page 66 of Trivium

“Well, Talamalu will have it.”

“Talamalu?”

“The spice shop. Lady shad—I mean, the shopkeeper, Elder Thana, she has every plant, tea, and herb known to Jarrah, plus a couple other interesting things. She’ll have it.” She turned to leave.

“West town?”

“Downtown.”

Zeina swallowed, her throat dry. To get that tea, she would have to go into Jarrah. That meant leaving the Academy and sneaking back in, and her chances of getting caught were high. She would be risking everything she had here. She could lose her ability to practice Alchemy all together.

“I can’t make your potion.” Panicked, she hurried to Lennox’s—now her—dorm door.

“What! Why? Because of the tea?” Loveleena was behind her, hand resting on her arm, “I’ll go with you if you need me to.”

“No.”

“I know the shopkeeper.”

Zeina turned, her honey eyes meeting Loveleena’s sage green. She didn’t want help. Working alone is what kept her safe, kept her agile. Bringing Loveleena, who was arguably one of the most boisterous people in school, threatened that. You couldn’t not notice her. But there was a good chance that even if Zeina found Talamalu, the shopkeeper wouldn’t give her the tea. Why would a shopkeeper give a girl she didn’t know something for free? Zeina certainly didn’t have money, which meant she would have to steal it. Another risk. Another opportunity for her to get caught and never make it back here.

Taking Loveleena was a risk, but…

It would also give her the opportunity to collect any hard-to-come-by ingredients.

After a moment of contemplation, she agreed to Loveleena’s offer. “Fine. Meet back here at half past eight.”

Loveleena smiled. “Deal.”

✧✧✧✧

Loveleena did not come at half past like Zeina requested, and she waited, pacing the room anxiously. They needed to leave while the grounds were still quiet if they wanted to make it out of the school without getting caught.

Finally, the door opened, and in snuck Loveleena, her hair tamed and her face fresh.

“You’re late.”

“I’m right on time.”

“I said half past, it’s been an hour since then.” Zeina crossed her arms, and Loveleena responded with a smile.

“It’s half past the hour. It's just a different hour.”

“That’s late.”

“Well, I’m here now, aren’t I?”

“Let’s go then.”

But before Zeina could reach for the door, Lennox strode in. “Go where?”

“None of your business.” Zeina scowled. Loveleena looked around the room as if finally realizing where they were.

“So, you two finally caved, hey? It’s about time. Although honestly, Ahmina, I didn’t think it would be this soon. You’re so uptight, I can’t imagine you getting naked with Lennox.” Loveleena smirked.

Zeina’s face twisted into disgust as Lennox laughed. “Yeah, Ahmina.” Lennox’s eyes flared as he said the name. “Didn’t think you’d ever give in to your untameable lust for me, but I’m so glad you did because what. A. Night.”

Zeina was grateful that Loveleena didn’t seem to notice the edge of dramatic teasing in his voice. She wanted to jam her elbow into his esophagus. “Shut up or I'll stab you in the leg again.”