Page 45 of Freed Wolfsbane

I just have to hope I can make her as proud to call me hers. After my parents died and Briar left, I stopped caring what happened to me. I started drinking too much, picking fights, street racing, getting involved with some pretty bad people, and doing stupid shit I shouldn’t. I did a lot of things I still regret.

My actions didn’t just hurt me, they also hurt the people left that still cared about me. I know nothing I can do can really make up for all the heartache and worry I caused Nan and the Wards over the years, but I’m trying to make amends. And I’m trying to put all of that behind me to be the man that Briar deserves.

When we reach the table, Nan opens the book, its old spine creaking in protest at the movement. Leaning over to see it better, I realize the book isn’t written in English. I can’t see exactly what language it’s in, but if I had to hazard a guess, I’d say it’s in Latin.

“This book has been passed down through the generations in our family,” Nan tells us. “It’s a detailed history of the McAlister family witches, the villages and towns we’ve lived in, including Hawthorne Grove, and mages as a whole. Mages didn’t used to have a ruling council like what we have now. Because of the council, much of our history and traditions have been lost.”

“Wait. I thought the council dated back to the time of the first mage village?” At least that’s what the council tells us. Every young mage knows our founding story by heart. The first mage was outcast from her town for being different, so she created a mage village with a council to rule it.

Nan gives me a sad smile and shakes her head. “As you both know, the first mage was born different from all those around her. She couldn’t turn into an animal, nor could she absorb power through blood. She didn’t get power through bargains, nor did she have features of the other magical species that roamed the earth. Instead, her power was fueled by her innate, pure magic, something no one had seen before. Because she was different, the first mage was cruelly cast out from her village. She spent many years wandering from place to place, plagued by loneliness, until she heard reports of children like her being born all over.

“Not wanting those children to suffer the same fate she had, the first mage began collecting the unwanted children to raise herself. Peace between the mages she raised persisted while she was alive. But her death ushered in an era of war, destruction, and near extinction for mages due to the infighting. What the council wants you to believe is that it was created to control this violence. The truth is that they were the cause of it all.”

I see Briar’s eyes widen in surprise as she gapes at Nan. I’m sure mine are just as huge as I try to process everything she just said.

“How were they the cause of it all?” I ask. I’ve always been fascinated with history, but I never thought there was much to learn about mages. It always seemed so dull and almost too perfect. It makes sense that the council was hiding all of this behind a boring founding story.

“A select few of her adopted children grew jealous of the power of others. While they all had the ability to shape raw magic, some of them needed rituals and implements to focus their power. Those that required assistance couldn’t stand the thought of anyone being ‘better’ than them. So, some of them banded together and used their combined power to overtake and rule mages. While their shared power was considerable, it wasn’t an easy fight, stretching throughout the millennia. Up until a thousand or so years ago, the mage council was still fighting for control.”

“How did they finally get control?” I interject.

“With the same type of dark magic they’ve forbidden anyone else from using. The forbidden magic is much like the type of magic some mages used to possess. It works without any phrase to focus your power. Instead, it relies on only your power and how committed you are,” Nan explains.

Briar’s gaze lights with understanding as she says, “So they used this potion to strip the more powerful mages the council was fighting of their magic?”

Nan shakes her head. “No, because none of them were willing to die for their cause. However, they considered it.”

With everything Nan is telling us, I can’t help but wonder why I’ve never heard it before and how she seems to be so well-versed in it. “How do you know all this, Nan?”

Pursing her lips, Nan looks down for a moment before flicking her gaze back to us. “I know it because our family was on the side of the council throughout their fight. It was only your many times great-grandmother who finally stood up to them and used this potion to strip her father of his magic. Her journal has been passed down through the women in our family and added to in order to keep the history and knowledge alive. I hope you understand that neither of you can breathe a word of this to another mage.”

I’ve never particularly liked the council, and they’ve never bothered me. But every mage knows the consequences of defying the council. A mage who is deemed in violation of the laws they create is always sentenced to death. If word got out that we knew the real history and had a forbidden potion, the mage council wouldn’t stop coming for us until they killed us.

I nod solemnly. “We understand, Nan. If this is a family potion recipe, how did it end up in a crypt in France?”

“It is not unique to the McAlister family.” Nan closes the old book gently and pushes it to the center of the table. “It is a general recipe from the times before the council. Many mages once knew how to make this potion, but few ever thought using it was worth the sacrifice.”

We stand in silence for a long moment, absorbing everything Nan told us. Briar seems to shake herself out of her thoughts and looks at Nan with determination. “Will you make the potion for us?”

I clench my jaw at Briar’s request. Whoever uses it has to give up their life for it. I’d rather let the Knights win and find another way to break the curse than Briar use the potion. My world revolves around her, and nothing else really matters if she isn’t here. I’d burn down the entire world with a smile on my face if that’s what it took to keep her safe.

Nan vehemently shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I will not have either of my grandchildren using this potion. Nothing could ever be worth the price.”

Briar’s cheeks flush at Nan calling her one of her grandchildren. She dips her head in embarrassment, but I don’t know why she’s so surprised. Nan has always loved her like her own.

Scrubbing a hand over her face, Briar looks back up at Nan pleadingly. “I don’t plan to use it, even as a last resort. But there has to be a reason it was included in the crypt only I could find. Maybe the diary entry says we’re supposed to trick Ryker into using it. Or maybe the potion is a component that opens a secret door. There are tons of reasons for that potion that don’t involve any of us dying.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Nan protests, but I can see her resolve weakening at hearing Briar’s reasoning.

“It’s too dangerous to be unprepared and not have every tool we need when we confront Ryker. I could make this potion, but who knows if I’ll make it right. We could need it and have it not work because I’m not an expert like you.” Briar gives Nan her best puppy dog eyes, which are really damn good. I’m glad she doesn’t bust those out often, because I would cave to her every demand.

But let’s be real here. I already cave to pretty much anything she wants. I always have. When we were kids, I’d always get Briar whatever stuffed animals, treats, or books she wanted. We’re adults now, but my instinctual need to get her whatever she wants hasn’t really changed.

Nan huffs a laugh. “No need for flattery, dearie. I’ve already decided to help you. You make a compelling point. Do not make me regret trusting your word, Briar Rose.”

Briar’s face breaks into a huge grin. It fades from her breathtakingly beautiful face as she nods somberly. “I won’t, Nan, I swear it.”

CHAPTER22

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