Page 19 of Quest of the Wolf

Before dawn,my phone rang. I’d already been up, making espresso and quaffing a protein shake, but I hadn’t expected any calls that early and jumped.

Figuring it might be Jasmine asking when I would pick her up, I trotted into the living room to answer. Rue was my caller, her name finally programmed into my phone.

“The potion?” I asked without preamble, though I hadn’t expected her to finish it so quickly. “For finding Duncan?” I added with hope.

If the address didn’t pan out, the potion could be handy. Since my half-brother had apparently sensed Duncan out in the wilds, I wasn’t sure this Deming location would lead us to him.

“I’ve created an Elixir of Locus for him, yes,” Rue said, “and also the motorcycle brute who assailed me.”

“Didn’t you technically assailhim? That was one of Duncan’s magnets, wasn’t it?” As a wolf, I hadn’t recognized it, but the memory of her hurling a cylinder on a rope had stuck with me after I changed back into human form.

“I believe it was a magnet, yes. I only assailed him because he attempted to assailmefirst.”

“That is true. I’m not sure I want to hunt those guys down, but…” I paused. Being able to find them might be useful. I needed to rescue Duncan first, but the convenience-store ownershadrequested that I do something about crime in the neighborhood. Duncan had even suggested I use my werewolf powers, and possibly the sword and a cape, to become a superhero crime fighter. Normally, that wouldn’t have appealed, but Shorelinewasan extension of my territory, one could argue. If the crime was organized and I could figure out a way to drive out the leaders, I would try. Later. “I take it back. I need both potions.”

“I thought you might. I’ll bring them over with your invoice.”

“You’re not going to forget to bill anyone, are you?”

“What kind of businesswoman wouldn’tbillsomeone? Don’t forget the travel fee I’ll be adding on.”

“Oh, I haven’t.” Maybe I should have objected further to paying a fee for travel to theparking lot, but I remembered that she’d had to delve into the innards of the composting toilet.

After grabbing my pack, the sword, and more substantial food to have for lunch—and dessert after lunch—I headed for my truck. Rue met me there, holding a cloth bag tied closed with a gold ribbon.

“The elixir for Duncan has the gray label,” she said. “The color of wolf fur. You need to be within ten miles of him when you imbibe it. If he’s out of range, you won’t feel anything.”

“Imbibe?” Even though logic suggested that was what one typically did with potions, I hadn’t imagined drinking anything. Especially not anything that had been made with samples derived from the composting toilet.

“Imbibe.” Rue nodded firmly. “The whole thing at once. Chug it like a frosty beer on a hot August night with no air-conditioning present.”

I made a face.

She must have guessed which ingredient I objected to imbibing.

“Will it help if I tell you I strained and filtered the liquid before pouring it into the vial?” she asked.

“It would help if you promised intense sanitation and irradiation was involved.”

“Oh, yes. I do that with all potions.” She smiled.

“Liar.”

Her smile widened. “Ten miles. Then chug, chug.”

“All right, thanks.” After tucking my gear into the truck, I accepted the bag and her invoice.

“I gave you a ten-percent discount since you’re a repeat customer.”

Words that didn’t keep me from choking over the price. I would have to take work on the side if I continued to need the services of the alchemist.

“Generous,” I managed to murmur as I delved into my purse for my labeled budgeting envelopes.

“Naturally. Do you want me to start a stamp card? When you order nine potions, the tenth of equal or lesser value is free.”

“I’d like to say that’s not necessary, but…”

“Your life is most chaotic and dangerous. I suspect you’ll continue to order from me.”

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