Page 59 of Triumph of the Wolf
The glow intensified, and I backed further away. Duncan did too. We ended up half in the trees, torn between squinting toward the case to see what would happen and wanting to look away.
As it had in the vision, the mushroom floated up out of the case. Several strong pulses came from it, the usual glow limned with purple, creating circular waves that spread outward in all directions over the forest. After a few minutes, they faded, and the mushroom slowly descended to the ground.
The cliff appeared to be made from solid rock, but magic surged from the artifact’s stem, and snaps sounded and smoke wafted. It was drilling a hole, one that it nestled itself securely into. The light grew less intense, but I continued to sense the artifact emanating magic. Its cap also glowed a soft purple.
The lid on the casethunkedshut, surprising me. The mushroom remained outside of it, planted in the cliff, the purple cap a beacon in the dim light.
“People are going to be able to see that from a ways off,” I muttered.
Though maybe that wasn’t true. It might be hard to see once we got down from the cliff. I couldsensethe artifact and its power, however.
Duncan growled, looking like he wanted to stalk over and punt the caseandthe artifact off the cliff.
I rested a hand on his taut arm. “I think it’s doing something to help our people.”
He made a grunt of inquiry.
“I’m not sure exactly what, but would a vision in a weird cave that manipulated us into having sex lead us astray?”
He tilted his furry head.
I laughed softly and shrugged. “Mom thought it wouldn’t. We’ll have to see.”
Despite the drizzle and clouds, the clifftop perch offered an appealing view of the brightening forest. On a sunny day, or maybe a moonlit night, sometime after I found Jasmine and Izzy, I would return and enjoy the vista more thoroughly.
Another text from Bolin reached me.Rue said she’ll make the potion. Also, Ivan MacGregor is here, looking for you.
I grimaced, again feeling guilty that I wasn’t actively searching for his sister. But if Izzy was with Jasmine, Rue’s potion ought to lead us to them. Remembering how awful the dreadful things tasted, I said, “I hope I can talk Bolin into taking this one.”
Duncan grunted.
“Can you change back into you? It’s time to go back to the city, and I need a driver.”
A second grunt may have been agreement, but some critter rustled down the slope, and he loped off in that direction.
I picked up the case and gathered his clothes, glad his car keys jangled in the pants pocket. “Looks likeImight be the driver.”
Before following him down the slope, I once more looked back at the view, the mushroom cap glowing a soft purple near the edge of the cliff, the forest stretching away beyond it. It felt like placing it had been a funeral of sorts, as if, in carrying out Mom’s last wish, I was saying goodbye to her. I hoped the artifact did indeed offer some protection for our people and that this had been worth it.
20
By the timeI reached the van, Duncan had finished his quick hunt and met me there, returning to his human form. I handed him his keys, and he dressed and took the wheel. Weary from being up all night, I dozed off a few times on the way back, only waking when updates from Bolin came in. He had to be standing on Rue’s doorstep, pacing as she worked on the potion. That belief was verified whenshecalled and complained about him.
“Youare kind enough to leave me in peace when I work,” she said. “Your intern is insufferable.”
“He’s in love.”
“Insufferable. I had no idea that you were an ideal client, at least in comparison to this one.”
“Does that mean you’ll give me a discount on future potions?”
“My ingredients are expensive. I cannot givediscountsif I wish to remain in business as a successful entrepreneur. I will, however, give you double stamps on your card the next time you purchase a potion.”
“Thoughtful.”
“Yes. I am not giving your intern a stamp card at all. No freebies for him.” Rue made a disgruntledharrumph, then informed me that the order would be completed by the time we arrived.
Duncan took the freeway exit for Shoreline. “Are you going to be able to convince Bolin to consume that potion?”
