Once Upon a Wolf

Chapter 42

 CHAPTER 42

I slowed my walking once I reached the market a good distance away from Alice and Poppy. Strolling with my hands resting in my back jeans pockets, I glanced at the stall that sold spices and mysterious relics. Market stalls lined the narrow paths, selling handmade crafts, unique clothing, and whimsical trinkets I've never seen before.

I wandered deeper into the market. The scent of incense hung in the air, mingled with the distant strains of music played by an old violin. The murmur of animated conversations grew fainter behind me.

"Hello, lovely," a voice croaked. "Would you like some crocodile tears?" I scrunched my eyes looking at the old lady. Her wrinkled hands extended a small jar of pale-yellow liquid.

I forced out a smile. "No, thanks." And moved along quickly. Crocodile tears, for real. Yeah, right? For all I know, that could've been her pee!

I stopped and trailed my eyes at the market that grew darker, like the night sky, moving further away from the festival's lights. My eyes unexpectedly stopped and stared down the lane in curiosity.

Under a striped awning at the edge of the market, a weathered tent stood silent and alone. I don't know why my eyes froze at that tent, but I couldn't rip my eyes off it.

It was as if it was beckoning me.

Whispering to me in a hushed noise I couldn't decipher.

Drawn to it, my sneakers inched closer.

Its entrance was decorated with swaying beads that whispered secrets to those who dared to enter — whispering secrets to me.

Drawn by a magnetic curiosity, I found myself standing before the tent. No sign appeared above as I stepped into the dimly lit place. Inside the large and hoarded tent, the sides were draped with fabric and mysterious symbols. The air was heavy with the scent of burning herbs as incandescent orbs floated around with a soft glow.

"Shit," I breathed, noticing the floating orbs. Feeling a little freaked out that I just probably entered a witch's tent. About to leave, I knocked against a table brimming with trinkets. One fell down. I picked it up. It was a brass needle. Thick and long, that looked like a mini dagger. It must've been a hundred years old with a little red rust grazing it.

My eyes scrutinized the strange artefact between my fingers.

"Ah, welcome, dear seeker," a lingering voice startled me from behind. I spun around and saw a beautiful figure emerge from the other side of the tent. A woman cloaked in a flowing gold dress with her eyes, shadowed by the brim of a wide flappy sunhat.

"I see you are drawn to the mysteries of this tent." Her voice carried an unsettling yet captivating tone.

My heart fluttered nervously as I nodded. "Yes, I guess I am."

"I'm Madame Zilda," she said coolly. "What brings you to my humble tent? Would you like to purchase anything? A love potion, perhaps?" Her purple eyes twinkled knowingly. The same eyes as Serafina, as she gestured for me to take a stand opposite her overstocked counter that bristled with old books and more trinkets.

Hesitantly, I shook my head. "Oh, no." I forced out an uneasy chuckle. "I'm just browsing. I'm heading out, anyway. Thanks." I wanted to turn and leave, but the witch stopped me by waving her hand, and softly the flap of the tent at the entrance fell down.

"Wait!" Madame Zilda said. "Let me see what you have in your hand."

My gaze dropped to the big ass needle still gripped in my left hand. Shit! I almost took the thing outside with me, forgotten I had it. This witch probably thought I'm fucking stealing.