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“Doc mentioned her.”
“She’s an herbologist specializing in shifter physiology, obviously.”
“Oh, I would love to meet her.”
“It’s settled then.”
Chapter Seven
As soon as Brinnah stepped inside the apothecary, she knew she was where was meant to be. Earthy scents of mugwort, burdock root, hibiscus, and ginger wrapped around her. She spotted pelargonium plants, echinacea, and raw honey. Everywhere she looked was something new and exciting. Plants she knew, ones she didn’t. An entire wall holding glass canisters with herbs she’d never heard of inside them. She made more than one three-sixty rotation trying to see everything.
“Hello,” a woman greeted them. Her warm smile crinkled little lines at the corner of her eyes. “Hi, Everett.”
“Hey, Savannah,” he replied. “This is Brinnah, my mate.”
Brinnah smiled and gave her a little wave, too overwhelmed with excitement to say anything.
“What brings you two by?” Savannah asked.
“Well, Brinnah is from packs up north, in Canada, and she mentioned she used herbs to help take care of the unmated females. I thought she’d love to come here and pick your brain.”
Savannah tilted her head. “Of course!”
“This is amazing,” Brinnah said, looking up at the hanging dried plants. “This is my dream come true. I know only a fraction of what everything is but I want to know it all.”
Everett’s phone rang and he moved away to answer.
Brinnah smiled at Savannah. “Do you recommend any books for me to read? Which ones have the best knowledge?”
“Slow down,” Savannah replied with a laugh. “I love your enthusiasm. Not many want to learn the beautiful world of herbology.”
“My foraging started out of necessity, but I found that I really enjoyed discovering new plants and turning them into medicinal potions.”
“I have just the thing.” Savannah walked over to a bookcase and took a few down. “There are lots of books on the subject, but reading about herbology is just the tip of the iceberg. Many factors go into account when constructing something medicinal. Like includingthe species and variety of the plant, the plant’s habitat, how it was stored and processed, and whether there are contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides. Plus, learning which ones complement each other. People hear herbology and think it’s just about drinking tea, but there’s so much more to learn.”
“Oh, I would love to learn it all,” Brinnah said wistfully. “Maybe one day.”
Everett came back. “Are you ready, Brinnah? Jericho wants to see the mountain lion.”
“Oh, of course,” she replied, trying hard not to sound disappointed.
“Everett,” Savannah interrupted. “Why don’t you go and do what you need to do, and then come back to pick Brinnah up?”
Excitement and disbelief bubbled through her. “Really? Oh, my goodness!”
She looked pleadingly at him.
He chuckled. “How can I say no to that?”
She squealed and hugged him tightly around the waist. “Thank you.”
He squeezed her back and kissed the tip of her nose. “Be good.”
She nodded, smiling. Then he was gone and she turned back to Savannah. For the rest of the afternoon, she followed the herbologist around, listening as clients came in to talk about their aliments. Everyone smiled at her, especially once Savannah told them she was interning. She asked questions, absorbing it all. When Everett came back to pick her up, she was sad to have the day end.
“I can’t thank you enough for letting me follow you around today.”
Savannah tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. Then she nodded, as if coming to a decision. “I would love to have you as an apprentice, Brinnah.”
