by Amy Alward
We invite Miss Samantha Kemi to a ceremony confirming this pronouncement at Castle Nova on the 31 July this year. Please note that Samantha Kemi cannot practise as a Master Alchemist until she has attended this ceremony with you, and pledged her vow of safe practice in front of the Guild.
Our sincere congratulations, and welcome to the Guild of Alchemists, to Samantha.
Mme Slainte
The rest of the papers are the returned evidence that my grandfather sent in.
My hands shake as I put the paper down on the white hospital bed sheets. When I think about all the times I doubted myself – all the times I thought I would never get to practise this profession that I knew and loved . . . All the times I agonised over the decision making of my future. And here it is, handed to me on a silver platter . . . or, rather, an aged piece of vellum. Grandad covers my hand with his own. ‘Well done, my girl,’ he says. I think I spy a little tear in his eye.
‘Grandad?’ I swallow hard. The next words are not going to come easily.
‘Yes? What is it?’
‘After Emilia took your memories . . . your mind became unstable. You were unconscious.’
His eyes don’t leave mine for a moment. I take a deep breath and go on. ‘Don’t blame Mum or Dad, it was my decision. But, the truth is, I authorised the use of a synth as part of your medication to help you get better. And it worked.’
His lips purse in a thin line. ‘Well, as long as nobody knows . . .’ he manages to say.
That’s when things get worse. I grip his hand. ‘ZA are going to put out a press release, saying they helped cure you. And they did. They just – aren’t going to keep quiet about it. So to make it easier on us, I’ve made a decision about what I’m going to do next year. I’m going to join the ZA Synth-Natural Potions Studies team they’re putting together. I want to work on cures that will help everyone, no matter what their circumstances.’
For a moment, my heart stops as Grandad lowers his eyes. I’m sure that any pride he had in me has now evaporated.
I stand up and shuffle slowly to the door.
‘The Kemi-ZA Synth-Natural Potions Studies programme,’ he says, and I spin around on my heels. ‘Make sure Kemi is first.’
I run back to the bed and throw my arms around him. Grandad’s back. And I’m never letting him go again.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
www.WildeHuntTheories.com/forums/THEKEMIFAMILY
*A MESSAGE TO ALL HUNT-OBSESSED*
Unfortunately, owing to the misinformation disseminated via this forum about the whereabouts of Miss Samantha Kemi following her kidnapping, leading to the false arrest of an innocent citizen in New Nova and the storming of a home in Runustan, these forums have been shut down permanently.
It’s been fun while it lasted.
Your WHT Moderators
EPILOGUE
Samantha
‘I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS happening to you!’ Zain says, squeezing my hand tight. He’s come with me to the room in the Grand Alchemist’s Lodge where I’m being held until I’m called up for the ceremony – and to take the oath that all alchemists must abide by.
‘What, you can’t believe I’m being made a Master Alchemist before you even graduated university?’ I joke, lightly punching his shoulder.
‘No, that I can believe. You’re the youngest Master Alchemist that the Guild has ever known. You’ve beaten your own grandfather’s record. And now, you’re going to be the bridge between our two worlds.’
‘I’m glad you have faith in me.’
‘I’m not the only one,’ Zain says, jumping to his feet.
‘What do you mean?’ I frown and spin around, following his gaze.
‘Samantha! Here you are!’
Princess Evelyn walks into the room, looking radiant. She sweeps me up in a warm embrace and kisses me on both cheeks.
‘Evelyn! You came!’ I can’t keep the squeak of excitement out of my voice. ‘I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for days . . .’
‘I know – I’ve practically been in exile since what happened at the Laville Ball! I am so glad you’re okay!’
‘I need to talk to you urgently.’
‘Can’t it wait until after the ceremony – you’re about to go on!’ She winks at me, and spins in her long floaty dress. ‘I’d better go out and watch you! I hope you don’t mind that I brought some of the media with me. I have to be very present now to reassure the nation that everything is okay.’
‘Evelyn, I . . .’ I reach out and grab her hand.
‘Sam, we’ll talk when you’re finished and ordained, or instated or whatever it is they do to you alchemists.’ She shakes free of me and turns to walk out of the door.
‘Please,’ I say, unable to keep the desperation out of my voice. ‘I just need to tell you one thing. I’ve figured it out. I’ve worked out a system so you can store your excess power! Turns out there were magic-storing potions left in the Visir School. You don’t have to get married after all!’
Evelyn’s jaw drops. ‘But Sam . . . you’re too late.’
‘What? What do you mean I’m too late?’
‘Your forty-eight hours were up over a week ago. I couldn’t wait any longer.’
My eyes open wide. I look at Zain, who looks as confused as I do.
‘Are you engaged?’ I ask. An engagement can still be undone.
‘It’s a long story,’ she says, then she stumbles. ‘Oh, forgive me, I’m feeling a little weak. Maybe I’m coming down with something.’ We rush over to her side, helping her regain her balance. As I grab her hand, I feel something new on her fingers. Not just one ring. But two. My heart stops. ‘I’m fine,’ she says with a smile.
She coughs, and a powdery white substance leaves a trail on her sleeve. I gulp. I’ve seen this once before. The Gergon illness has entered Nova. And I think Evelyn may have caught it from her new husband.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
From fire-breathing dragons to bioluminescent algae . . . this book has been incredibly fun to write and has been inspired by so many cool real-life places, creatures and experiences. As always, I owe a huge debt of thanks to so many people who allow me to live my dream of writing and adventuring.
Rachel Mann of S&S UK and Zareen Jaffrey of S&S BFYR are my intrepid editors, with me every step of the way of this book’s journey. Their endless patience and insightful comments make them the perfect companions on the road to publication! Thanks to the Simon & Schuster teams in all corners of the globe for bringing my books to life – especially Liz Binks and Hannah Cooper in the UK and Shannon Vaughan and Adria Iwasutiak in Canada who have all worked so hard on my behalf. Emma Young, my copyeditor, never misses a beat. And Juliet Mushens, my agent, whom I trust implicitly and who never ceases to amaze me with her publishing prowess – she’s my guardian angel (and also one of my best friends).
Outside of the business of publishing, huge thanks to Kim Curran and Laura Lam, for their close reads and unwavering support! Speaking of support both near and far, I have to thank Juno Dawson, Laure Eve, Sarah J. Maas, James Smythe and Zoe Sugg for being the most inspiring friends a writer could ask for. Your books and talent keep making me want to up my writing game! Sarah Woodward, Sophie McCulloch, Angus McCulloch and Maria McCulloch, thank you for reading and encouraging me when I doubted myself. I can’t express to you how much your enthusiasm and belief in me helps keep me going through the good times and the tough.
Lastly, I have to thank Lofty – every day of our lives is a grand adventure, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
ABOUT AMY ALWARD
© Marte L Rekaa
Amy Alward is a Canadian author and freelance editor who divides her time between the UK and Canada. In 2013, she was listed as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars. Her debut fantasy adventure novel, The Oathbreaker’s Shadow, was published in 2013 under the name Amy McCulloch and was longlisted for the 2014 Branford Boase Award for best UK debut children’s book. Her first book written as Amy Alwa
rd, The Potion Diaries, was an international success. She is currently travelling the world, researching more extraordinary settings and intriguing potions for the next book in the series. She lives life in a continual search for adventure, coffee and really great books.
Visit her at www.amyalward.co.uk or on Twitter @amy_alward.
Also by Amy Alward
The Potion Diaries
First published in Great Britain in 2016 by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd
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Copyright © 2016 Amy Alward Ltd
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PB ISBN 978-1-4711-4358-8
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