If they booted me, I doubted I’d be able to say the same.
I nodded. “Yeah. That’s me.”
“Why don’t you come in?” Without waiting for an answer, he turned and strolled into his house.
We followed, leaving Xavier outside.
The interior was far larger than the exterior made it look, with ancient stone walls and a gleaming wooden floor. The main entry room was sparsely decorated, but he led us to a cozy kitchen at the back. A fire burned on the hearth, and herbs hung from the ceiling, drying in the warmth.
It was a cluttered, homey space, with bottles of ingredients lying next to bread and fruit—as if he mixed work and life seamlessly.
“Cup of tea?” he asked.
We were in a hurry, but it would be downright rude to say no. And my bones were cold from the ride over. “That’d be lovely, thanks.”
He nodded and put the kettle on. It boiled almost instantaneously, and I grinned. “Is that magic that makes it go so fast?”
“Best spell I ever learned.” He removed the kettle and made the tea, then brought the mugs over to the table.
The surface was covered with the tools of his trade—everything from silver knives to powdered leaves—and he nodded at the clutter. “Shove some of that over, will you?”
“Sure thing.” Gingerly, I arranged things out of the way, not sure what was dangerous or valuable.
Eve helped, moving more quickly, clearly more comfortable with the items on the table.
Michael put the cups down and sat, and we joined him.
“What is it that you need?” he asked.
“We need some Powderwort,” Eve said. “And as far as I know, you’re the best place to get it in town.”
“The only place.”
“That, too.” She sipped her tea. “Oh, this is good.”
“My own blend.”
“Do you have the Powderwort?” I asked. “Two of our friends have been cursed, and we’re hoping it will help.”
He frowned. “Doesn’t work on people.”
“I know,” Eve said. “The curse is on a wall, but it’s spread to them. We’re hoping that if we fix the wall, there will be a spillover effect.”
“Hmm.” Doubt flashed in his eyes, but he nodded. “All right. I can give you some. But you’ll have to earn it.”
“How?” I asked.
He nodded toward Eve. “I already know what I want from her. Like for like.”
“Potions?” she asked.
“Yes. Fae ones. Ones I cannot make.”
“That’s fine. Which?”
“Heart’s Own Arrow and Believer Draft.”
I looked at Eve, wondering if she knew what those were. From the look in her eyes, she did. And she was curious.
Come on, ask him why he wants them.
She didn’t, unfortunately.
His gaze turned to me, and I stuffed the info aside for later. I wanted to know what those potions did and why he wanted them.
“As for you…” He tapped his chin, clearly thinking.
“I don’t have a ton of control over my magic, but I’m getting better.”
“Yes. I heard what you did for Guild City.”
“I’m afraid I probably can’t save any more cities, if that’s what you’re after.”
He chuckled. “Indeed, no. But I do have a request.” He stood. “Will you follow me?”
I rose with a mournful glance at my tea.
“Bring it with you,” he said.
“Thanks. It’s chilly out there.” I grabbed the tea, and Eve did the same.
We followed him through the house, passing through a cozy room that looked like a small library.
He led us out a back door. Cordelia sat on a stone bench, staring longingly at some chickens. They glared back at her, and I left them to it, my gaze drawn by a beautiful old well.
He gestured to it. “This goes somewhere. Not the Thames, but I don’t know where.”
I walked toward it and leaned over, careful not to touch it as I stared down into the darkness. Magic filtered from the depths, sparkling and strange.
“Has it always been here?” Eve asked. “Or did it suddenly appear?”
“Came with the property.” Michael joined me, leaning over to look down into the darkness. “I’d like you to see if you can tell me where it goes.”
“I don’t have to go in there, do I?” I shivered.
“I wouldn’t advise it, no. The magical signature changes from day to day. Right now, it’s all right. Sometimes, though, it’s bloody awful. Other times, it takes all I’ve got not to jump right in.”
“Jump in?”
“It’s like there are sirens down there, calling me or something.”
“That’s freaking dangerous,” I said.
“You’re telling me. Can you do it?”
“I can try.”
“Thank you.” He nodded and stepped back.
I handed my teacup to Eve, and she and Michael joined Cordelia on the bench. The raccoon seemed annoyed at the interruption of her private time with the chickens but kept her snout shut.
I turned my attention to the well. Drawing in a deep breath, I hovered my hands over the stone wall surrounding it.
I’d been practicing lately and was a hell of a lot better. This was totally doable.
And no pressure. It wasn’t like my friends’ lives were hanging in the balance or anything.
Show me where you go.
Magic sparked through me, and I drew it to the surface as Grey had shown me. As my power flowed through my veins, I pressed my hands to the stone wall.
Show me where you go.
Power blasted into me, and I was nearly blown backward. I stiffened my spine and held on tight. Gasping, I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to see what the well was trying to show me.
All was darkness.
Come on.
Something beckoned from the blackness behind my eyelids. I sent my consciousness toward it and, suddenly, I was falling. The wind tore at my hair, and my scream was lost on the wind.
Down I went, farther and farther.
Horrified, I realized that I was falling into the well. I hadn’t moved a muscle, but my magic was pulling me into the depths of the dark hole and whatever waited there.
The wind slowed as gravity weakened, and I began to float. I found my footing. Head spinning, I opened my eyes.
Fields stretched before me, massive hills and valleys that spanned hundreds of miles. I spun in a circle, searching for anything recognizable.
Was I really here?
At my feet, a brilliant pink wildflower wobbled in the breeze. I bent to touch it, to test my theory.
My hand passed through it.
“Bloody hell.” I stood, spinning again.
In the distance, I spotted a stone circle, stark amongst the green hills. Beyond the circle was a blue ocean, sparkling and bright, but there was no one here, and not a hint of what this place could be. It was almost too beautiful, too pure to be real.
I could explore, but that would take time I didn’t have. And who knew what I would find? What if I lost my way, lost my connection with my body?
It was too risky. I’d bring back what information I could and hope it was enough. I tried to get my mobile out of my pocket to snap a picture, but the device didn’t work.
Carefully, I counted the stones in the stone circle, memorizing their shapes and patterns. I memorized the flowers around me, the number of hills, the scent on the air, and the sound of the birds calling in the distance.
When I’d collected as much data as I could, I closed my eyes and envisioned being in my body. It took a few tries—enough that fear began to drive my heartbeat—but eventually, I felt myself flying upward, the wind tearing at my hair once more.
I returned to consciousness in my body with a sensation like I was being weighed down by a ton of bricks. To my relief, the heavy feeling disappeared, and I felt…normal.
I opened my eyes.
“Well?” Eve said. “Did you see anything?”
“Did you see me fall into the well?” I asked.
“Nope. You stood there like a statue.”
I nodded. “Good. Can we go inside? Do you have pen and paper?”
“Yes.” Michael hopped up, eagerness on his face.
I followed him into the kitchen, where he furnished me with writing implements. Quickly, I sketched everything I’d seen, describing it all as I went.
“Did you see a woman there?” he asked, leaning forward, his gaze intense.
“I didn’t.” I frowned. “Should I have?”
“Um…” He shook his head, leaning back. “I heard her, but it could have been my imagination.”
Oh, that was interesting. This was a mystery I’d like to know more about. And it had been good practice. I’d sent my consciousness somewhere else. It hadn’t been a vision. This time, I’d gone there. A bit like when I’d used my power in the hotel room in Romania and zoomed around through the vision of Mariketta’s tomb, but more intense.
I was getting stronger, and this might be the perfect place to practice. “I need to go help my friends, but I could come back and look again, if you like. See if I can find her without you having to go into the well.”
He nodded. “That would be lovely, thank you. I’m quite keen to go in, but everyone knows that enchanted wells are dangerous.”
“Of course.” I nodded as if I’d known that all along.
He rose. “Thank you for the help. Give me a moment, and I’ll have that Powderwort for you.”
He left the room, and Eve leaned toward me. “Your magic did something different, didn’t it?”
“I’m getting more powerful. I think I might have projected my consciousness somewhere else.”
Her brow rose. “Astral projection? That’s rare, even for supernaturals.”
“That’s what it felt like.”
“Nicely done.”
Michael returned with a small bag and handed it to Eve. “Best of luck with your friends.”