Page 22 of Poison Nights & Twilight Alchemy

“I need to find this witch myself. To make her reverse her spell.”

“Ah, you have heard of theenforcers,” he drawled. “Why don’t you ask them? It would help us both out, wouldn’t it, Highness?”

Dulce laughed without humor, her panic rising. This was a waste of time. He knew nothing of magic. Just as most in Moonglade didn’t. Sometimes she didn’t understand why she needed to keep her being a witch a secret, yet after reading her mother’s letter, she knew why.To keep the Tree of Life safe.

“Powerful witches can be capable of terrible things if they wield their spells in a way that goes against the laws of magic. The enforcers would be no better than Cornelius within mere moments, useless against her.”

“Mm-hmm.” Reed nodded, but she could see he still thought her mad. “Describe thiswitchto me—maybe I’ve heard of her.”

Dulce narrowed her eyes. “She’s incredibly tall, strikingly beautiful, her hair is the shade of rubies, and she rides a white stallion.”

Reed’s lips curled up at the edges, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Youknowher?” She bit the inside of her cheek, hope filling her chest.

“Not personally, no.” Reed tsked. “She’s not from around here, but I saw her once in the Glen, outside the apothecary. Not a woman to be trifled with, if you believe the stories. They say she works for the Duke, a woman most fear. The apothecary unquestionably did. I’m fairly certain he pissed himself when she arrived. She has a reputation for making those who cross the Duke disappear. They call her La Bisou Morte.”

“Death’s Kiss?”

“Is that what that means?” Reed chuckled. “She’s rumored to be the Duke’s personal assassin, though you can’t believe most of what drunks say, especially after they’ve lost a bet. No one knows her real name, and I hear she likes to keep it that way.” He let out a low whistle. “One thing’s for certain. Whatever she does, the Duke is behind it.”

The Duke? He resided farther north in Alder Bay,only a few days journey by carriage. “Would you happen to know where she lives, this Death’s Kiss assassin?”

He shook his head. “Other than possibly in the Duke’s town? No.”

Dulce nearly threw her arms around Reed in gratitude for returning to her home.

Straightening, she folded her hands in front of her and said aloud to herself, “We’ll need to travel to Alder Bay. I can’t take my carriage or horses—they’re too recognizable….”

Reed cocked his head and folded his arms once more. “What exactly do you meanwe?”

“Someone has to stay here to look after the manor and the Tree of Life,” Dulce said. “And, though it pains me to admit it, it would be unwise for me to travel alone. My task would benefit from the assistance of one more, a guard in a sense … daring and more worldly than myself—it would be utter foolishness to deny this fact.” Before he could say anything, Dulce hurried on, “You say you have nowhere to go. I’ll pay you.Handsomely.”

“Did you not hear me?” Reed frowned. “La Bisou Morte works for theDuke.”

“The Duke is a pompous ass who responds to wealth.” Dulce waved a hand. “Greed and prestige drive him. These are obstacles we can work with if we must.”

The sound of carriages approaching along the road filled the air, and Reed stilled. Company was drawing nearer to her manor with each passing second.

“The enforcers know it was your things I stole.” Reed winced. “I should’ve realized they would want to discuss the robbery with the grieving widower. I suppose this won’t go well, seeing as he’s now lying in your grave.”

There was no time to formulate an elaborate plan, so Dulce went with the first desperate idea that came into her head. “Come with me.” She grasped Reed’s arm and pulled him in the direction of the cemetery where her staff stood staring at her in surprise.

“Take Reed into the manor and hide him,” she instructed Vesta, before the woman could say a word. She hurried to replace the flowers atop her grave. “He’s the man who saved me.”

That got their attention.

“Yes, Reed Hawthorne at your service.” He bowed with a smirk even though they were running out of time.

“Mr. Hawthorne,” Dulce continued. “This is Vesta.” She then turned to the other two. “Sylvan and Lucas, since you’re finished here, continue to pick weeds and look busy gardening.”

“And you?” Sylvan furrowed his brow, appearing worried as the bell was rung, the sounds of horses at the gate. “Where will you be?”

“Ensuring that Cornelius makes an appearance shortly.”

Reed glanced over his shoulder at her, his immaculate obsidian brow raised again as he followed Vesta, but she ignored him. Darting toward the conservatory, her fingers fumbled with the padlock, but she finally ripped it free. She leapt through the door and yanked open a cabinet, glass clinking against glass, until she found the jar she wanted. Tipping it back against her lips, Dulce swallowed the bitter potion.

“Come on,” Dulce begged, her gaze trained on her hands as she focused on molding them. “Work faster.”

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