Shadows and Sinners | A Striker x Reader Story

Herbs

The walk to Lena's felt a little less perilous with Striker walking beside me. The imp's presence seemed to make every sinner with ill intentions think twice about approaching me. I found myself wondering why I hadn't thought to get something as equally intimidating, maybe a big dog, before. 

Even Lena was surprised by Striker's presence, giving him an odd wary look before asking me what I needed. Most of what I needed was for a cleansing bath; olive leaf, pine, and lavender. As Lena moved from jar to jar gathering what I asked for, I watched Striker peer about the dimly lit room.

"What is all this?" He asked, tracing the outline of the label on the jar of dandelion root. 

"Herbs." I replied, idly wondering how much dandelion root if I had at home, "Some of it is medicinal, some is ceremonial. Some are both."

"(Y/N)," Lena said from the doorway to a back room, "Come here for a second, I've got something to show you."

I followed her to a small back room that held jars and boxes of more rare herbs. When we were alone, Lena turned to me and hissed, "Do you know who you brought here?"

"Yes, I do." I said defensively. I had no idea why she was acting like this. 

Lena peeked over my shoulder at the open doorway and handed me the herbs before saying flatly, "Here. Don't bring that killer back into my shop."