Page 47 of When Storms Ruin

“I guess it’s time to take this glamour,” I said, investigating the contents of the tiny vial with suspicion. “You go first.”

“Why me?” Tess splayed her hand over her chest, feigning offense.

“Because this was your idea,” I reminded her.

“Yeah, yeah.” She rolled her eyes, un-corking the glass vial and holding it out. “Cheers.”

She clinked her vial against mine and downed the bright red liquid in one gulp.

“Well?” I asked.

“It’s surprisingly…sweet,” she replied as her features began to change.

At first it was subtle, but as I blinked and refocused, I couldn’t recognize her any longer. Her hair, which was once a rich chocolate color, turned black, her eyes turned a muted shade of brown. Her warm complexion turned porcelain, and her features almost…blurred. As if you couldn’t focus on any one feature too closely.

“Well…that worked,” I replied hopefully, inclining my head. “I definitely cannot tell that it’s you.”

I un-corked my own vial and downed the liquid, surprised at the sweet, tart flavor. To be honest, I had expected it to taste terrible. I didn’t feel anything, but by the widening of Tess’ eyes I could tell the glamour had already taken effect.

“Well?” I asked, doing an exaggerated spin for Tess.

“Unrecognizable,” Tess replied resolutely with a nod of her head.

I pulled a lock of hair forwards and was surprised to see the shock of auburn faded to an ashy blonde, the curls falling in straight strands.

“And nobody will recognize Kenna or Saanvi?” I asked, grabbing my bag and moving towards the door.

I unconsciously ran my fingers along my thighs to ensure Stormslayer was safely sheathed there along with the throwing knives Warrick had gifted me.

“Nobody knows whoweare,” Saanvi replied with a raised eyebrow.

“Good point.”

Kenna and Saanvi kept a safe distance away from us as we made our way through the cobblestone streets of Dragon’s Hollow and past Alastir’s charm shop towards the shopping district. I told Tess about the dream I’d had and how we desperately needed to prepare ourselves. I had no idea what those creatures were capable of, and we needed to be ready.

Tess and I ducked into a shop that sold clothes similar to what you would find in the mortal realm.

“This is absolutely your color.” Tess laughed as she pulled a leopard print blouse out from the rack of clothes.

“Ha, Ha. Very funny.” I smiled, giving her a gentle nudge back.

It had been so long since we had time together, only the two of us. In this moment I felt lighter. As if maybe the fate of the realm of Istmere didn’t rest on mine and my friend’s shoulders. As if Donika wasn’t searching for me and creating armies of mutilated monsters and deranged witches to fight us.

It was just me and Tess.

“Are we going to talk about this morning?” Tess asked, watching my expression out of the corner of her eye.

“What about this morning?” I asked, feigning confusion.

I thumbed through the rack of clothes, not meeting her gaze. Tess could always see right through me.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe how I found Nik in your bed?” she asked, her tone light as she glanced at me from under her eyelashes.

I shot her a deadpan glare. “We were clothed.”

“Yes, clothed. But he was still in your bed,” she pointed out.

“And?”

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