5. Lea
5
LEA
M an, that run last night was everything I needed. I feel so refreshed!
I had worried about the dangers of shifting and going out, for the ever-present possibility the mission would be compromised if I drew too much attention to myself had been even greater last night. A full Lunair not only marked the time all wolves’ could shift easier than any other day of the month, but it also meant that our senses and instincts would be dialed up to the max.
I let out a groan. Of all people, why did I have to run into Zane?
It sure had seemed as if he might’ve recognized me for an instant, but I’d been able to run off before he could get too close. I had to be more careful next full Lunair.
“It's not good enough!” The furious words poured from Jax's office, dragging my thoughts back to the present. “If you don't find someone by the end of the week, consider your job null and void!”
I swear, this guy’s moods are as fragile as a porcelain teacup.
My heart quickened in my chest.
I would have preferred to avoid him completely, but I had no choice in the matter. I had a mission to see through. Not only did I have appearances to keep up, but I also had to ensure I became his go-to person, earn his trust, and discover all his secrets.
I stood before his office door, staring down at the handle as if it were made of snakes. But then, anger began to boil in my stomach.
On the other side of this door was the person who had destroyed my entire life, and I’d be damned if I allowed a single part of me to hesitate facing him—and making sure he got what he deserved!
Akil had warned me about allowing my anger to take over, but what did he expect?
I sucked in a deep breath and held it, slapping on my calm and collected face before opening the door. “Good morning, sir .”
The honorific felt like a bee sting against my tongue. The last thing I wanted to do was show this monster any semblance of respect.
“Thank Lunaira you’re here! I've gone through fifty different Potionist candidates today, and each one has been worse than the last. Please tell me you have some leads.” His eyes burned into me with a desperation, which I found kind of delicious.
I’d never been the sort who enjoyed watching someone else suffer, but seeing him in any amount of anguish sure had its appeal. “I'm getting very close. You needn't worry about me, I take my job very seriously.”
That was a lie. I was nowhere near close to finding the talent he was looking for.
And if he had already turned away fifty other Potionists, then something told me he wasn’t just looking for good ones, he was holding out for a miracle…
“Damn it,” was all he blurted before lowering his attention back to the file before him on the desk, completely dismissing me.
The boiling in my stomach now blazed with fire and brimstone. “Is there anything else I can do for you in the meantime?”
His head remained down, but he glanced up at me through his long lashes.
I waited for him to respond, but no words left his lips.
His eyes then moved up and down the length of my body, all but undressing me. “Did you have something in mind, Miss Mirth?”
He really is a pig!
“Not at all. I'll be back very soon with a promising prospect.” I gave him a wiry smile and nodded before leaving his office. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
There was practically air between my feet and the floor, I moved so quickly. It was either that or I would have lunged over his desk and stabbed him through the eye with that stupid gold pen of his.
Stay focused. The sooner I can find his next protege, the sooner I can get back to my mission.
I stood outside of his office, looking to my left.
There was nothing of note except for a small janitorial closet.
I hadn't even given it a second of thought until now…now that I knew about the basement. I mashed my lips together, stifling down the frustration tightening my throat.
If I don't find a miracle for Jax soon, he'll fire me before I get a chance to do any more exploring.
I turned on my heel toward the direction of the entrance.
The question is, where am I supposed to find a talent that Jax hasn't already been introduced to? I'm sure all of Theskin has been picked clean of Potionists already… I guess that means I have to explore my options elsewhere.
I made my way to the next closest city, which was Andor. Like its neighbor, it was one of the wealthiest cities in the land, its inhabitants just as unfriendly, but unlike Theskin, it was quiet and not so business-oriented.
Now, where does one go in search of an undiscovered Potionist around here?
I figured the first place to check would be the library, but if I was being honest, I didn't have the slightest hope I was going to find anyone there. But it was worth a?—
“Look out!” I heard being cried out from the skies. I glanced up but couldn't see anything beyond the thin canopies hanging off of the sandstone buildings.
Suddenly, one of the canopies ripped right in the middle and something fell right through to the ground.
Panic and instinct overtook my body as I flung myself aside, narrowly escaping the falling object. I scrambled to see what it was, only to find that it wasn't a thing at all.
No way!
It was the boy I had met at the pier the other night.
“I know you!” I shouted, stabbing my finger at him.
He sat up and clutched his head tightly. “Sorry about—gah!” He flinched and pressed his hand onto what had to have been a sore spot on his head from the fall.
A flood of sympathy came over me and I moved closer, pulling my pouch from my side.
“Don't touch it. Let me take a look.” I always carried around an emergency kit, but this was the first time I actually made use of it.
I pulled his hand away and spread his hair apart, seeing a huge gash marring his scalp. Blood was gushing from it, already caking in his thick, jet-black hair.
“You got yourself pretty good, huh?” I hissed at him with disapproval as I pulled out a small glass vial for cauterization. “You need to be more careful. What were you doing up there anyway?”
“Flying,” he declared with a cheeky smile, showing off his pearly whites. “It’s the latest potion I've been working on.”
“That's pretty impressive for a kid your age.” I gave him a genuine smile back, and he seemed surprised. “What's wrong?”
“Adults don't normally take my work seriously. I just wasn't expecting a compliment.” He shrugged casually but quickly looked away from me, almost as if he was embarrassed about something.
“Well, if I was your mother, I might have reprimanded you for being so careless, but I'd be glad you’re not seriously injured at least.”
I poured the gold liquid over his head wound, and watched as his skin began to bubble before reforming together.
He grumbled that it was painful, but he managed to keep his composure.
I closed up the empty vial and placed it back in my satchel while grabbing the bigger one next to it, filled with a blue potion. “Here, now drink this. It'll help with the blood loss. You should feel right as rain tomorrow.”
His brows furrowed at me, but he complied and drank until the very last drop. As soon as he was done, he recapped the potion bottle and looked at me. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
The question seemed ridiculous to me. “Why wouldn't I be?”
“Never mind,” he pouted, turning away from me again.
That was when an idea hit me. It was crazy, of course, but I went with it.
“You say no grown-up ever takes you seriously? How about I change that? I would like to offer you an internship at a widely known potion-making company. I believe under the right tutelage your talent can really shine.” This was perfect. I didn't even have to fake someone having talent.
This kid was writing flying potions all by himself. He was a natural!
“Really?” His face lit up as he turned back to me. “You would do that?”
“If I'm being honest with you, I'm in a bit of a pickle and you'd be helping me out immensely, too.” I rolled my eyes up to the sky before standing up and offering my hand out to him. “My name is Uremma, but you can call me Emma. What's your name?”
He grabbed my hand and I helped him up to his feet. “Kiyan.”
“Well, Kiyan. Interested in making a deal to help each other out?”
The light lit up in his eyes, and it was the first time I noticed they were just as striking a green as another werewolf I knew.
“Are your parents okay with you leaving Andor without telling them?” I thought to ask this question far too late, as we had already arrived in Theskin.
Kiyan looked over at me and scoffed, “The better question is: Did my parents even realize I went to Andor for a whole day? I live here in Theskin, actually.”
“Oh.” It sounded like he and his family weren't very close. That saddened my heart to hear.
Every child deserved a close-knit family like what I had.
“Don't look so glum about it. I like having my freedom. I can go wherever I want and learn whatever I want. Don't mistake me either. My parents care for me, they're just caught up in their own things.” Kiyan was quick to cheer me up.
“I’m glad to hear that.” I forced a smile and a nod before changing the subject. There was something in his eyes that told me there was more to that story, but I didn't want to push him. It wasn't any of my business anyhow.
My focus had to be on preparing Kiyan to make potions in front of Jax.
We walked through the city, and even had a nice conversation, until we reached Jax’s company building.
He stopped dead in his tracks and twisted his head in an unnatural way toward me. “This is where you work?”
“Yes, why? Is something wrong?” I couldn't help getting excited thinking he might have some dirt on Jax that made him unwilling to want to work here.
“Nothing is wrong. I just think it would be really weird to work here…since Jaricn Ransom is my brother.”
My breath hitched in my lungs, static currents assaulted my thoughts.
I was even sure that my heart stopped beating for a few moments.
“I'm sorry, what? I don't—” I hesitated, trying to hide the hitch in my voice. “You’re a Ransom?”
I guess it explains the green eyes and raven locks if nothing else.
He looked disheartened at my reaction. “Yeah… Diesel Ransom is my father.”
It took all the willpower in me not to fall over from the shock.
I shook my head three whole times trying to restart my brain.
My teeth gritted together loudly as I tried to form a sentence.
All I could hear was my own voice screaming in my head.
The only words I could manage were, “That is very interesting information.”