Page 5 of Poison Nights & Twilight Alchemy

He turned to leave, waving at the trio.

“I’ll think about it,” Reed lied.

He knew what he had to do. The solution to all his problems had been given to him not long ago. A bride lay buried in jewels only two short leagues away. Her house would be in mourning, black drapes drawn across every window. Nightfall was nearing.

It was a hanging offense, graverobbing, this was true enough. But Philip was dead if he did nothing, as good as dead if he began working for the Leper, his dreams crushed to ashes.

There was no choice.

Reed had a grave to rob.

CHAPTER THREE

DULCE

“Observe the four teacups in front of you, duckling,” Mama said softly. “See them as north, south, east, and west.”

Dulce studied her mother as she placed four porcelain teacups in a square formation along the dining table, their sides painted in delicate pink roses, their borders shining swirls of gold. The curtains were drawn back, morning sunlight spilling into the room. It reflected off the liquid within the cups and sent glowing images across the crystal candelabras above them.

Ever since Dulce’s fifth birthday two years ago, her mother had made her play the Tea Game each morning after breakfast.

“You will take a sip from the cups and tell me which of the four tastes different.” A mischievous smile playing across her lips, Mamadropped a mint leaf into the steaming cups before propping her hands beneath her chin, watching Dulce. “Are you ready?”

Dulce rubbed her tiny hands together and sat up straight in her chair, frowning as she concentrated on the teacups.

“Will I get a chocolate again if I guess right?”

Mama always surprised her when she won the game, and chocolates were Dulce’s favorite.

“Mr. Fox might allow you two this time if you choose correctly.” Mama winked and slid the jar of chocolates closer to the teacups. “I have it on good authority that he thinks you’re gifted.”

Dulce bit her lip, wanting desperately to win those two chocolates. Lifting the doll beside her into her lap, she peered down at Mr. Fox and whispered into his furry triangular ear, “I might need your help.” She hovered her doll above the steaming brews, letting Mr. Fox inspect them one by one. The liquid within each cup was generally the same color every morning, just as they were now. Mr. Fox sniffed each one, but he told her nothing. North was where she decided to begin.

Dulce brought the first teacup to her lips, taking a slow and steady sip, finding it floral though slightly bitter, with hints of earthy apple and smooth sweet undertones. Tasty.

“Chamomile,” she declared matter-of-factly, resting the cup back against the table. “With honey.”

Mama remained silent as she always did, waiting until Dulce completed her guesses.

Dulce lifted the southern teacup and found it held a flavor that matched the northern one exactly. Pursing her lips, she tried the western one next. Flowery and sweet, yet not completely. A hint, albeit small, of something sharper coated her tongue, a new kind of bitterness, not belonging to the daisy-like family of Asteraceae at all. Dulce was almost certain this was the brew she would choose, but just to be precise and thorough, she brought the final teacup to herlips and took a sip, only to find no sign of bitterness or anything out of the ordinary from the first two.

“The western tea is different,” she answered proudly and tapped the porcelain with her forefinger.

“How certain are you?” Mama hedged, always attempting to make Dulce think further, to second-guess her decision.

Dulce knew she wasn’t wrong. “I would wager Mr. Fox’s life on it.”

“Ah, that must mean you’re incredibly sure of your choice.”

“I am.”

Mama sat in silence, contemplating the cups for an agonizing moment, and then grinning, she grasped the jar of chocolates and dropped two glorious squares into Dulce’s tiny, awaiting palms.

“You did well, duckling,” she said. “You are much better at this game than I expected for someone of such a young age. I’m proud of you.”

Dulce beamed with pride at her mother’s words as she chewed happily, savoring the first of the two chocolates. She rested the second in Mr. Fox’s lap and planned to savor it. “Can we play in the garden now?”

“Of course,” Mama replied. “But first, while you eat your chocolates, I have something to ask you. I think you’re old enough to learn more about our little morning Tea Game.”

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