Page 38 of Locked
"When Mother was killing my seedlings yesterday, how did she look to you? Did she look like she knew what she was doing or did she looked panicked?"
"Panicked," he replied. "Everything she did yesterday was out of panic. Why?"
"Because why would she kill all my veggie plants in a panic? They're just vegetables."
"I dunno. Maybe she doesn't want you to eat healthy foods? She's jealous of your figure?"
He was joking. Trying to lighten the mood. Likely because I had that look in my eye.
"Nope. She did it because she thought they were something else."
"What else would they be?"
"Perisage," I replied. "She thought they were perisage. Which means, apparently, that plants can be disguised as other plants and there is no way for her to tell the difference unless she kills them."
"And she thought that's what you were doing."
"She knows what I'm using the perisage for, but she can't prove it."
"She knows," Basil echoed.
I nodded to myself. This information opened a lot of doors. It meant that there were a lot of things I didn't know about being a green witch. And I'd have to learn all the tricks. And soon if Basil and I were going to make it out of this tower alive.
Secret internet searches to trick her into bringing me an herb were one thing. But I had no idea where to look to start becoming a better witch. That wasn't something you learned on your own. You were taught. Usually by another witch with similar skills.
But the only witch I knew was determined to keep me in the dark about most of my abilities. So that meant I had to find someone else to help me.
Likeanotherwitch. Or a mage.
Mages were basically encyclopedias when it came to magical studies.
Luckily, I knew a mage really well.
Reallywell.
I pulled out my phone, deciding to strike while the cauldron was hot. I could video chat with Kinden and pick his brain a little. It'd be better if he was here in person, but this was a little short notice for that. Video chat would work until we could figure out a way to get him up here for one-on-one visits.
However, once I opened up the chat-app, I noted with disappointment that Kinden wasn't online. A quick glance at the sun determined that he was still at work. And would be for hours.
Rifyrwasonline, though.
He might not be magically inclined, but he was a warm body that I could rant to before my head exploded.
I tapped on his name, pulling up his chat and tapping immediately on the video chat icon. I hoped he wasn't busy.
"Zelle?" Rifyr asked, panting slightly as he accepted the chat. He was sweating. And judging by the the room he was in, he was working out. He had a mini-gym in his apartment.
My mouth went dry. It seemed like the mere sight of him could tamp down the fires of my rage. They weren't out completely, because I was still upset. But I wasn't screamy-ragey-perisagey anymore. I exhaled soundly. "Hi."
"Everything okay?" he asked, eyebrows raised as he stared into the phone. "You look upset..."
I bit my lip, nodding. "Yeah…"
"Aww, Kitten. What's wrong? Did your guardian do something?"
None of my guys called Mother by her name. They always said 'guardian'. I never liked the term. I especially didn't like it now. Guardian implied someone who was watching over me. Keeping me safe.
She wasn't keeping me safe. She was keeping me imprisoned.
