by Holly Evans
Wispy was a tiny blue orb then. He was barely bigger than a cherry. I couldn’t leave him there in the darkness, alone. He was flickering and whining as he fluttered back and forth, desperately searching for his family. I had crouched down and explained to him in calm terms that he was alone and couldn’t stay there anymore. He sank down towards the bog, but I caught him and told him I was taking him home with me. We’d been inseparable since.
I stripped down to my underwear and ate my fill without pausing to consider the wonderful tastes and textures. Exhaustion sat in my bones, and I had to be up early in the morning to do it all again.
“At least I’ll have someone to help tomorrow,” I said to Wispy as I sank into the divinely comfortable bed.
Tomorrow would be a better day.
11
The following morning was chaotic to say the least. I didn’t even make it down to the lab before Tyn found me and said that I was being moved to my apartment. He didn’t stick around to help me pack or move. That was left to Isla and an air magician that may as well have been mute. He refused to speak a single word to me as I jogged behind him down the street towards the large white building that would be my new home. He didn’t even look at me when he set my luggage down in the middle of the living space. Instead, he turned and walked out.
“Your assistant is at the lab, hurry up,” Isla said.
I didn’t even have a chance to look at my new bedroom or the kitchen before I was once again jogging down the road. Isla moved at a quick pace and didn’t so much as glance back to make sure I was keeping up.
“Do you know my working hours?” I asked as we stepped back inside Fein’s house.
“No,” Isla said curtly.
I really should have asked a few more questions before I jumped on the air transport, but it had sounded like such a good opportunity.
We continued down the hallways in silence. At least I was beginning to remember my way back to the lab. I still looked for the little purple arrows, but I hadn’t been there very long. Isla held out another long list for me before she muttered something and vanished down a hallway. I blinked and looked around, trying to figure out how on Earth she’d managed to vanish like that. I couldn’t make out any trail or edge of an illusion.
Shaking my head, I looked down at the list and was disappointed to find it just as hectic and complicated as the one the previous day had been. I wasn’t shy around hard work, but it really wasn’t too much to ask for a little breathing room. I became aware of someone else being in the room when I heard the soft footsteps. Looking up I saw who I had to assume was my new assistant.
When Fein had said that I’d have a new assistant, I’d expected… well, I’m not entirely sure what. Perhaps a well-worn alchemist with singe marks from years of perfecting the craft. What I got was possibly the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on.
I saw her bright caramel eyes first. They shone with a fire that I desperately wanted to experience. Her silky-smooth skin was a rich golden copper. My fingertips cried out to stroke along her razor-sharp cheekbones and down her elegant throat. Pale rose lips quirked into a shy smile that resulted in a soft blush spreading across her cheeks. I took a step forward and noted that her hair, cut in a fashionably scruffy style, was barely long enough for me to grab onto. The deep auburn roots framed her face and made her eyes even more stunning. The way the hue slowly shifted down to the flame-coloured tips enchanted me. I wanted to explore every inch of her, to see how deep that fire ran. Fein cleared his throat and broke the spell, leaving me flustered. I hadn’t realised I’d been staring.
“Miss Felis, this is your assistant, Erin,” Fein said, amusement running through his words.
I tried to compose myself, and failed. My cheeks burned.
“I can’t say I’ve had an assistant before,” I said, looking between Erin and Fein.
“I’m sure you’ll put her to good use,” Fein said with a smirk.
My blush deepened.
“Kindly have the list completed by 10pm, then you will be free to do as you please for four days. Erin will be sharing your apartment; I trust you’ll treat her well,” the elf said with a smile that showed his sharp teeth.
I swallowed down my thoughts of slowly stripping Erin down and treating her very well, indeed, and gave Fein what I hoped was a polite smile.
“Of course,” I said.
Fein’s smile widened and he laughed, a gentle laugh that made my insides squirm.
“So, Erin, tell me, what’s your alchemical experience?” I asked.
She chewed on her bottom lip and I found myself mirroring the motion. Gods be with me, I was in over my head.
12
Erin had very little inherent magic and no real experience with alchemy, but she proved to be a dedicated student. I was torn between taking my time showing her the ropes, taking the opportunities to brush my fingers over hers, and trying to get everything done in a timely manner. She blushed furiously at every stolen touch and didn’t speak much. Her subtle magic sparked like wild fire while feeling silky like fresh petals. It was exquisite. When we reached 8pm, I had to stop fluttering around her and trust that she could grind the ingredients and measure them out without my help. She was supposed to be my assistant. I scolded myself and threw myself into the work at hand. Once again, the list was complicated and intricate, but even with my spending too much time fussing over Erin, we completed it with a minute to spare.
Fein inspected the powders, liquids, and stones with precise motions and a look of great concentration on his face. His gaze seemed to pierce whatever lay between him and the magic, where he checked its inner workings. He turned that same gaze on me, and I felt as though he could see my very essence for one agonising moment. A smile spread across his pretty mouth, and I relaxed, finding that I could breathe again.
“Go and enjoy your time away from work. Enjoy the finer things in this city. Be here at 8am sharp on Tuesday,” he said.
I withheld the small squee that bubbled up within me. I was a professional, and I knew to conduct myself better than that. I didn’t know what had gotten into me. I was usually far more composed, but Fein put me on edge and Erin would be my undoing.
I hadn’t had a chance to stock the cupboards in the new apartment, so Erin was treated to a tour of the grocery stores in the area. Fortunately, she knew Prague better than I did, so we didn’t get entirely lost. The shops in the non-magical part of the city closed at about 10pm, so we wandered down the streets of the magical area. Everything about it was stunning. The buildings were covered in pale sigils that marked them as belonging to, well, whomever they belonged to. I hadn’t been around long enough to recognise who used what symbol. The trees on the main food section were bone white with narrow limbs and pale blue leaves. I could see the soft ripples of magic that ran through the bark and went to run my fingers over it. Erin grabbed my hand and gently pulled me away with a smile.
“Do you not have bone trees in England?” she asked.
Her fingers lingered on mine, soft and comforting.
I glanced between her beautiful amber eyes and the white tree and said, “…no?”
Her fingers left mine and she hooked her arm through mine before she led me towards a brightly coloured shop.
“Bone trees are beautiful, but deadly.”
Like so many wonderful things, I thought to myself.
“They were once normal trees, but a fungus took hold of them, turning the tree bone white. The blue protrusions aren’t leaves, they’re the fungus. If you touch the ‘leaves’ it will slowly drain your lifeforce and leave you as nothing but a husk,” she said calmly.
I paused. “And they allow them to grow along the road?”
She laughed, a tinkling sound that made me smile despite my horror.
“They still have many magical uses, as I’m sure you noticed. And they’re rather beautiful.”
I looked back at the trees. They certainly were striking. The pure white stood in stark contrast
to the dark cream pavement and slate coloured buildings. The only colour on the street came from the shop fronts. They were framed in neon blue and blood red. You could see them from a long distance away, which I supposed was the point.
“I’ll give it that, they’re quite striking,” I said with a rueful smile.
Erin led me past the brightly coloured shops and down onto a wider street with broad buildings with small penned-in gardens in front of each. I had the good sense to ignore my curiosity to touch the plants infused with magic that filled each garden.
“Tell me about yourself,” I told Erin as we approached a street market.
She chewed on her bottom lip, and I fought to look away and focus on the market stalls. She was going to think I was creepy and desperate if I carried on.
“Well, my mother was half nymph, half puka. My father was a fire elemental, so I’m something of a mongrel. As you’ve seen, I have no real magic of my own, but alchemy fascinates me,” she said before she fell quiet.
She focused intently on the large deep red fruits before us, picking them up in turn and rolling them around her palm before she placed them down again. I frowned and tried to figure out what had gone wrong.
“You think I’ll judge you because of your heritage?” I asked, horrified at the thought.
She narrowed her eyes and looked at me, daring me to say otherwise. I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t even realise I was doing it. I ran my thumb along her bottom lip and smiled.
“I couldn’t give a damn if you came from six different lineages.”
She blushed furiously and looked away. I cleared my throat as I realised what I’d done.
“I’ll, erm, I’ll go and get some food,” I said as I walked away, aiming for the furthest stall.
Oh gods, I was making such a complete fool of myself. What happened to my usual charm? I was acting like a giddy school girl. I’d taken hundreds of beings to bed, and yet there I was with my heart pounding in my chest. Taking a calming breath, I focused on the food before me. I was a treasure hunter. I wasn’t going to lose my mind over a girl. Albeit a beautiful, charming, talented girl.
Gods be with me, I was so screwed.
13
I admit that I had no idea what a good two thirds of the foods I bought were. There was a nice selection of fruit, vegetables, pastries, and meat. Life would be horribly boring if we never tried new things, so I wasn’t going to let the fact that I didn’t know what these things were stop me. Of course, I was assuming that the sellers wouldn’t have sold me something that would kill me, which after the bone trees may have been a little too trusting. Oh well, we only live once.
Erin was waiting for me at the end of the market, about where we’d parted ways. I calmed myself and moved the bags around so they were more comfortable in my hands. I may have bought a little too much. I smiled at Erin.
“I hope you remember the way back to the apartment, because I have no idea,” I said.
She laughed and nodded in the direction we’d come.
“I do, it’s only ten minutes from here. Fein was good to us.”
She led the way down the ornate streets and through an alleyway. We walked in something close to a comfortable silence. I calmed myself and brushed aside the foolish thoughts. I wasn’t like that. I wasn’t going to allow myself to continue acting the fool.
Wispy shot out of the darkness when we stepped into the apartment and buzzed around Erin’s head, checking her out. She must have gotten his seal of approval, as he settled down on her shoulder.
“I apologise for him, he’s not usually so… friendly,” I said as I looked around for a light switch.
“It’s cute,” she said.
I admit I felt a slight stab of jealousy seeing her walk through our apartment with my wisp on her shoulder. Not that it lasted long, Wispy returned to whizzing around the apartment at high speed the moment the lights were turned on.
“I know you’re starving, wasting away,” I said to the wisp.
He shrank himself down as small as he’d go and slowly floated over to me. If he had a face I’m sure he’d have the most impressive puppy eyes in that moment. I laughed and stroked him, his cool magic soothing me. The long day was sinking into my bones, and the exhaustion was hitting me hard.
I put my bags down next to Erin’s in the spacious kitchen and pulled out Wispy’s food, a selection of twigs, cuttings, and leaves. He chittered and pressed himself to my cheek, his version of a kiss, as I filled a plate for him.
Erin and I worked around each other as we filled the cupboards and fridge with our findings. She picked up one of the meats I’d procured.
“You eat drake?” she asked, creases formed between her eyebrows.
“I, erm… I had no idea what I was buying. It looked interesting and was a good price,” I said with a sheepish grin.
She laughed. “Is that how you approach everything?”
I shrugged and put the meat in the fridge.
“Yes. I enjoy adventures,” I said a little more defensively than I’d intended.
“It sounds like a wonderful way of being to me,” she said quietly.
I worried my bottom lip and calmed myself before I turned to face her again.
“I enjoy it,” I said.
“I don’t know about you, but I don’t have it in me to cook tonight. I have some cold meats we can share, and some potato dumplings that only take a minute on the fire.”
“That sounds fantastic,” I said as I sank down into the closest chair by the kitchen table.
“It’s a mix of ham, wild boar, and some spiced meats from Germany, is that ok?”
“I’ll eat anything once,” I said.
She blushed and set about putting dinner together.
I was too tired to do anything but gaze out the window and take in the view. The red rooftops were bleeding rose while the wild magic lazily dripped along the rooves’ edges and fluttered around the many chimneys and spires. It was a beautiful late summer, and I was filled with a sense of contentment and peace.
“Tell me about yourself.”
Erin startled me as she placed a plate full of food in front of me, quickly accompanied by a tall glass full of lilac liquid.
“Lavender lemonade,” she said when I frowned at it.
“Thank you, it smells wonderful.”
I took a long drink and found the drink to be sweet and refreshing with a mild citrus aftertaste. In short, it was absolutely divine.
“What would you like to know?” I asked.
It was hard restraining myself from flirting. I’d already pushed too hard. She was my assistant and roommate; I wasn’t going to fuck that up with my libido.
“Everything,” she said with a devilish smile.
Well, there went my calm and restraint.
14
I can’t say I liked being asked about myself. I much preferred talking about other things. Anything, really. The way Erin was watching me with rapt attention only made it worse.
I began by explaining that I’d never met my parents. They had put me in a private boarding school aged four, and I stayed with my uncle when the school closed for holidays. The years before then were a blur, but I was quite sure my uncle raised me. I wasn’t entirely sure who my parents were, but I did know they didn’t want me, and that was fine with me. They made sure I had more than enough money. I’d never wanted for anything.
“What about your treasure hunting?” she asked.
I took a deep breath and told the story I’d told what felt like a million times.
“I’ve always been very competitive, and adventurous. Someone talked about the salamander fire amulet in school. I was sixteen. They had said how there were rumours about it having been found, and buyers were very excited about that prospect. My best friend, Logan, bet me that he could retrieve the amulet first. I’m not one to turn down a challenge, so I agreed. Logan followed a lead to China, whereas I followed one to South America. Mine was the better lead. I’ll never
forget the moment I tracked down the amulet.
“We weren’t the only ones looking for it. A local man managed to get his hands on the amulet before me. Unfortunately for him, he hadn’t done his research.”
The memory felt so real, I could picture every detail. The heat pressed against my skin.
“It felt as if the whole world fell silent. The entire jungle froze, all eyes on the man before me. His face split into a sharp-edged grin as he lifted the necklace over his head. A voice somewhere within me screamed at him to stop, but my curiosity got the better of me. The gaudy necklace, with its thick gold chain and bright orange jewel, held within it a form of fire magic that I’d never heard of before. Some said it was a weaver’s construct gone rogue, others said it was a fire elemental that lost themselves to the fire. All I knew was that it gave the wearer the ability to wield fire like a tier one elemental. Of course, that came at a price.
It started in the man’s eyes. They shifted from a deep chocolate brown to a bright ember burning against his rich copper skin. His grin widened as fire sprang from the palms of his upturned hands and slowly spread up his bare arms. His foot paused mid-step when his grin faltered and his breathing hitched. It all happened so quickly. The elemental was supposed to slowly devour him, breath by breath. Instead, it tore him apart in a blazing inferno that burst from his chest. He didn’t even have time to scream.
