Page 91 of House of Ruin
“Do you remember this plant from our Herbalism textbook?” Blaze asked, pointing a finger at the windowsill. “What was it called…? Poisonous Widow, I think.”
A shrug. “Why does it matter, Leveau? Congratulations on memorizing all the plants that grow around Inathis. Want a medal for it?”
Blaze ignored the bite in her words.
He walked over to where Alecto stood.
“I’m not trying to show off my wonderful academic skills here, Black,” Blaze said. “The reason I bring it up is because this plant right there is an extremely rare one. And poisonous at that.”
Now Blaze had Alecto’s attention. “Why would Professor Namiad have a plant like that in her office? She’s not a herbalist.”
“That’s the question, Black.”
Blaze whirled on his heel and walked back towards the plant, leaning in to inspect it closer. There was not a single sign of greenery in the whole office except for the Poisonous Widow.
It couldn’t be a coincidence.
“This is suspicious,” Blaze said finally.
“It might be, sure. But that’s not much, Leveau,” Alecto said from over his shoulder. “It might be just that Professor Namiad has a taste for weird and dangerous plants.”
“Poisonous Widows bloom once a year, around the end of November,” Blaze said, more to himself than to Alecto. “And its blooms are used to make poison that can cause a lot of nasty side effects until it finally kills the victim.”
Alecto sucked on her teeth. “Nowhe has all the herbalism knowledge. But when it was time to grow our fucking plant, you were as useful as a brick.”
Over his shoulder Blaze glanced at Alecto with her arms crossed, her eyes shooting daggers at him, and smirked. “I think this is much more important than growing an ivy plant.”
“Yeah. Whatever.”
Blaze went over to Alecto, standing so close to her, their chests were almost touching.
He’d just had her, mere moments ago.
And yet he was hungry for her all over again.
Slowly, Blaze leaned in closer. But before he could do what he intended to do, something caught his attention behind Alecto’s back.
On the desk where they’d just had sex lay a pile of papers that had shifted in the middle of their heated moment.
Blaze hadn’t noticed it before, but underneath the pile lay a thick envelope. Open. Bloodred waterdrop-shaped petals spilled on the desk.
“She harvested the blooms,” Blaze said, rushing towards the desk. “Which means the professor intended to use them.”
“That could be evidence,” Alecto said, coming to inspect the envelope as well. “We need to find out if any of the victims were poisoned before the murder.”
“I’m sure Leigh can find that out for us.”
“But if that’s the case, then…” Alecto frowned. “Why would Professor Namiad kill students and try to frame the Snakes?”
“She’s from which House…? Ah, the House of Dragons,” Blaze said. He took a bunch of dried petals, stuffing them into the inner pocket of his suit jacket. “Our parents have created a fuss amongst the alumni. I’m sure it’s no secret by now that they’re trying to get rid of Gondalez and put someone from the House of Snakes in his place. That could be enough.”
“Might be.”
“Let’s go back to Val and the rest.” Blaze was already making his way towards the door. “We’ve already used up enough of our luck tonight.”
Before opening the door, Blaze paused. One last time he took in Alecto with his eyes, devouring.
He would have liked nothing more than to spend the rest of his night with her tangled between his sheets.
