46. Zeina
ZEINA
There were two ingredients Zeina needed for the truth serum that she didn’t have at the Academy.
The first, a rare flower that only bloomed after extensive rain, which, luckily, she located in the forest during the assessment.
The second was a luxury tea brewed in northern Jarrah. A tea she had no idea how to find.
She had scoured the kitchens early in the morning before the cooks rose but found nothing, and on her way back to her and Lennox’s dorm, she ran into Loveleena.
“Oh, Ahmina, hi,” Loveleena said, yawning as she carefully closed the dorm door across the hall from Lennox’s. Her hair was a curly nest, her lip stain rebelliously smudged off her lower lip.
Zeina’s eyes flickered to the door, and Loveleena followed her gaze. “I needed a distraction… a six-foot-four, tattooed, highly skilled with female anatomy kind of distraction.”
“I didn’t ask.”
Loveleena smiled. “Right, well…” She put on the large sweater she was holding and turned to leave.
“Wait,” Zeina said, and Loveleena turned.
“I need a special tea for your potion.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t know where to find it. It’s not here in the school.”
“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.”
Loveleena’s mouth shot open. “You stabbed him in the leg!? I gotta see that. Bravo, girl.” She clapped. “Where’s the wound? Let me see!” She pulled at Lennox’s pants.
“Are you well?” Lennox said sarcastically, raising a hand up to Loveleena’s forehead. “What kind of nasty shit are you into?”
“You’ll have to check in with your hot tattooed neighbour across the hall.”
“Roman?” He rubbed his jaw. “That tracks, honestly. Anyway, it’s already healed; the Alchemists fixed me up late last night. Gotta love their quick healing balms. The best remedy for stab wounds, I swear.”
“We have to go,” Zeina snapped, annoyed.
“Where?” Lennox crossed his arms.
“Talamalu,” Loveleena said before Zeina could dodge his question.
“The tea and spice shop? Downtown?”
Loveleena nodded, and Lennox looked at Zeina, inquisitive.
“I’ll come.”
“No.” It was bad enough she had gotten Loveleena involved; she didn’t need another liability stacked on.
“Too bad.” Lennox sheathed an extra dagger and put on his leather jacket. “You two? Sneaking out of the Academy and going all the way downtown? There’s no way you’ll make it without getting caught.” He nudged his shoulder in Loveleena’s direction. “Especially not with this one’s loud mouth.”
“And you’re going to help us how exactly?” Loveleena said, arms crossed in defense.
“I have my ways. Come on.”