The Garden Witch

Chapter Eight

Back at the hiding spot, I set up my cauldron over the portable stove. I slowly added the ingredients in the order specified in the instructions. First the holy water as a base. Next came the Bloodstone. That needed twenty minutes to form an elixir. I stretched my legs and went to find Alex.

He was in the next room, hunched over. I stepped closer.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly. He turned to face me and nodded.

"Just fixing myself up," he said. "I took some of your herbs. I hope you don't mind.

I went to sit beside him. He had his shirt off and was patting herbs into a cut.

"It doesn't..." I began, and sighed. "It doesn't work like that. I mean, you'll get some use out of it. But it's better if I do it."

I moved his hand away and reapplied the poultice, infusing it with just a touch of my will. I felt Alex grow less tense under my hands.

"How's that?" I asked after a moment.

"Better. Thank you."

"Good." I let go and removed the poultice, staring at him with wonder. He was already healing. "You're incredible."

"Thank you."

I blushed and moved my hand, folding them in my lap. I watched as Alex stood, stretched, and pulled his shirt back on. He stood over me for a moment.

"How's the potion coming?"

I checked my watch. "It has another ten minutes before I add the carnation and verbena. Then the Wolfsbane. Avery was right, it's simple. It should be finished in another hour."

"Good, good." He rubbed his hands together.

"Alex?"

"Yeah?"

"Myrna said something. That I shouldn't trust you. What did she mean?"

"What did she say, exactly?"

I tried to remember. "She just said you were dangerous and that I shouldn't be helping you."

He frowned. "I don't know what she meant, Tabitha. She's a new wolf, which means she'll be fiercely loyal to her Alpha. It's how they control us at first."

"She did say that she wouldn't let us hurt her Alpha."

"You see? She's blinded by the new blood rushing through her veins."

"She was going to let that warlock kill me," I whispered. "Who was he?"

"I don't know. Someone working with Stephen. Maybe that's how he's controlling the Lycans."

"Is that even possible?"

He shook his head. "I don't know." His eyes were dark, unreadable. "I don't have all the answers. I'm just trying to do the best I can with what I've got." He sat down beside me. Slowly, I set a hand on his leg. He didn't move away.

"It's going to be okay," I promised. "We've got the potion almost done. We can do this."

He nodded. "Right."

"Maybe you should get some rest." I checked my watch. "We've got another hour before the potion is done, then I can wake you up."

"Might be a good idea." He set a hand on top of mine. "Thank you, for all that you've done. I couldn't have made it this far without you." He squeezed my hand.

I let myself smile and then stood up. "You should get some rest."

I returned to the room with the potion and checked my watch. Time for the carnation and verbena.