The Blazing Fate

Chapter Fourteen

Astrid was having a hard time remembering how to hate this lady. Her voice was so soothing. Her smile was almost inviting.

The princess gestured toward the Cosmetics counter. 'Shall we start with the potions?'

'Cool,' Jason said.

'Guys,' Piper interrupted, 'we're here to get the storm spirits and Coach Hedge. If this—princess—is really our friend—'

'Oh, I'm better than a friend, my dear,' Her Highness said. 'I'm a saleswoman. Don't worry. We'll work our way down to the first floor, eh?'

Leo nodded, eagerly. 'Sure, yeah! That sounds okay. Right, Piper?'

Astrid was beginning to question all of this even more. She couldn't remember why. She felt so relaxed. She wanted to see more.

'Of course, it's okay.' Her Highness put her hands on Leo and Jason's shoulders and steered them toward the Cosmetics. 'Come along, boys.'

Piper stopped Astrid before she could follow.

'What's going on?' Piper asked.

Astrid felt her senses clear. 'I think... I don't know she's some kind of witch. I remember her story a little, but I can't think of any specifics. Her voice is so soothing. I miss it. Come on. We gotta follow the boys.'

Astrid walked almost aimlessly after the boys and Her Highness. She knew she was supposed to be thinking about something. There were important matters at hand. What were they?

'And here,' the princess said, 'is the finest assortment of magical mixtures anywhere.'

The counter was crammed with bubbling beakers and smoking vials on tripods. Lining the display shelves were crystal flasks—some shaped like swans or honeybee dispensers. The liquids inside were every color, from glowing white to polka dotted. And the smells—ugh! Some were pleasant, like fresh-baked cookies or roses, but they were mixed with scents of burning tires, skunk spray, and gym lockers.

The princess pointed to a blood red vial—a simple test tube with a cork stopper. 'This one will heal any disease.'

'Even cancer?' Leo asked. 'Leprosy? Hangnails?'

'Any disease, sweet boy. And this vial—' she pointed to a swan-shaped container with blue liquid inside, '—will kill you very painfully.'

'Awesome,' Astrid said, feeling like she was caught in a dream.

'Jason,' Piper said. 'We've got a job to do. Remember?'

'Job to do,' Jason muttered. 'Sure. But shopping first, okay?'

The princess beamed at him. 'Then we have potions for resisting fire—'

'Got that covered,' Leo said.

'Indeed?' The princess studied Leo's face more closely. 'You don't appear to be wearing my trademark sunscreen... but no matter. We also have potions that cause blindness, insanity, sleep, or—'

'Wait,' Piper said, staring at the red vial. 'Could that potion cure lost memory?'

The princess narrowed her eyes. 'Possibly. Yes. Quite possibly. Why, my dear? Have you forgotten something important?'

Astrid knew that Piper was thinking of Jason. She couldn't understand how Piper was thinking of anything. She felt like she was brainwashed... but she was aware of it. Astrid was very confused.

'How much?' Piper asked.

The princess got a faraway look in her eyes. 'Well, now...The price is always tricky. I love helping people. Honestly, I do. And I always keep my bargains, but sometimes people try to cheat me.' Her gaze drifted to Jason. 'Once, for instance, I met a handsome young man who wanted a treasure from my father's kingdom. We made a bargain, and I promised to help him steal it.'