Free Web NovelChapter 21: Going To Blackwood.
I took a bus straight to Blackwood. The ride felt longer than it should have. Every stop made my leg bounce harder. Every time the bus slowed down, I thought about getting off and running the rest of the way.
When I got there, I saw an old woman standing in front of the shop I was supposed to get the wolfsbane from.
Fuck. She was already closing.
The metal shutter was halfway down. Her back was slightly bent as she adjusted the lock. freёwebnovel.com
I do not know how much time it took me to get here and since I did not have my phone, the time was a mystery to me. The sky was darker now. The air felt heavier. It pressed against my skin.
I quickly walked to the lady.
"Come back tomorrow. We have closed for today," she said. She did not even let me say a word.
Her voice was firm and final.
"Please, I need to get wolfsbane tonight. I will pay double if I have to," I said.
The words came out too fast. I sounded desperate. I could hear it.
"What does a young teenage wolf like you need aconitum for?" she asked, looking at me. Her keys were still in her hand and I heard the loud noise as they dangled. She stared into my eyes like she could see something I could not, and it freaked me out.
Her gaze did not move away.
"I know you can still get in there and give me what I want. You might be wondering why but please, I promise I am not trying to get blood on my hands," I whispered gently, trying to pull out a bit of emotion from deep down.
My throat tightened as I said it.
I looked around, putting my hands inside my pocket. Blackwood felt colder even if the degrees were higher than Redwood. The street was quieter. Too quiet.
"You are trying to kill little innocent pups. I’m sorry, I have closed for the day. You can try tomorrow," the old lady said, facing her door and inserting the keys into the lock. The metal clicked.
I can’t believe I came all the way here for nothing. It feels like the universe is against me. Why?
I was about to leave when a young middle-aged lady approached the old woman. She was dressed in full black leather. The material made a soft sound as she moved.
"Are you still open? I need to get these materials written on this list. It’s urgent, please. My son needs to take his medicine and if he misses today he is not going to make it," the lady said.
Her voice shook at the end. Without hesitation, the old woman opened her door for the woman.
Just like that. No argument. No lecture. I can’t believe this. She just agreed to her with no fuss.
But this was my opportunity.
I followed them inside before the door could close again.
The bell above the door made a sharp sound when I entered.
I stood inside the shop waiting for the old lady to bring me my order. I silently watched the lady. Her hair was long and ginger, falling over her shoulders. She looked young and beautiful. Even if she was middle-aged, she still looked like someone in her twenties.
There was something sharp in her eyes.
She was busy picking some strange items and placing them into the basket. Dried roots. Small wrapped bundles. Bottles with dark liquid. She took her time studying the list before choosing what she needed.
I do not know why but I began to feel a bit nauseous and uneasy. My stomach turned.
This place felt worse than Uncle PP’s shop. The air was thicker here. Heavier. Like it carried secrets.
I know there are werewolves who practice dark magic and witchcraft. But seeing all these voodoos made me twitch. The symbols carved into wood. The signs drawn in chalk. Candles half burned down to melted wax. Small jars filled with things I did not want to identify.
I rubbed my arms without thinking. I kept looking around.
"First time being in a were-witch shop?" the lady asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.
Her voice was softer now.
"Yes," I nodded as she dropped the basket on the counter.
The items made dull sounds as they hit the wood.
"I heard you wanted wolfsbane. Trying to kill a little one, I see," she said. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
I forced myself not to look at her. I focused on the counter instead. On the small cracks in the wood.
I did not want a conversation. I did not want a change of mind, which I felt was already happening.
"I can’t imagine it. One is here to save a life, and the other is here to take a life. How ironic," she said.
The words slid into me slowly. I tried my best not to say a word. My jaw tightened.
But I replied.
"Well, sometimes people are given what they don’t want. I never asked for it. I am not ready. I am not like you. I am still fucking young. I have so many things I want to achieve and I haven’t. I want to bring a smile to my brother and not make it worse by adding more to his daily life of pups he needs to take care of."
The words came out rough. Uneven. My chest rose and fell quickly.
"Why should you depend on your brother for a child that it’s your s..." she said quietly. Just that. Then she continued.
"My son is my world. When I heard I was carrying him, at first I was furious and angry that my whole life was going to be taken by a mere child. But still I kept and nurtured him. The moment I held my son in my arms, the anger, regret, and hate transformed into love for my son. From that day on I wanted to protect him. Any danger or curse I was ready to take for him. He is smile. My joy. My little sunshine," she said, sounding both sad and happy at the same time. "For my son, I will trade my life just so he could live another day."
Her voice softened at the end. Now she was the one lost in her thoughts.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter. Her eyes were not in the shop anymore.
I do not know why but her voice lingered longer than it should have. It stayed in my ears.
The old lady finally came out. In her hand was a small red bottle. It looked ordinary. Wow I thought I was getting a plant.
"Here. Put this liquid in some tea or any liquid and finish it all. The rest will be done," the old woman said.
I stared at the bottle. The glass reflected the dim light. It looked small. Too small to carry so much weight.
Then the question popped into my head.
"Will it be painful?" I asked in a low voice.
My throat felt dry.
"What do you think?" The woman gave me a cold look like she hated the question.
I swallowed hard. "That will be 500 dollars."
"That is fucking expensive. I only brought 100 bucks," I said.
My voice rose without meaning to.
"It costs 250. You said you were going to pay double. This is a very rare plant. The crushing process costs me my time and you get it fresh."
"Are you fucking kidding me? Why do I feel like you are doing this on purpose? You don’t want me to buy it," I said.
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
"Here is your 500. Give her the potion," the ginger lady said, handing the old woman the money.
She did not hesitate. The old woman shook her head like she was defeated. She had no choice but to give me the bottle. I collected it from her. It felt warm from her hand.
The old woman proceeded to calculate what the ginger lady was buying.
"Thank you. I don’t know how I am going to pay you back," I said, holding out the 100 bucks to her. My hand hovered in the air.
"No, no. Keep it. It should be your decision. No one but you should decide," the lady said.
Her eyes held mine this time. Then she turned to the old woman.
"Is Lane here? I need his blood for the final concoction."
"No, he is on probation. That lad of mine will get me in trouble with his little mischief," the old woman said.
"But I need his omega blood. Without it I can’t do the mixture," the ginger lady said, her voice breaking slightly.
The desperation was clear now.
"I’m sorry. Lane is not close by and I don’t know any omega around, it’s late in the night. I wish I could help," the old woman replied.
Help. The word echoed in my head. I am an omega.The realization felt heavy.
She was kind enough to pay for me knowing what I was going to do. And I do not like owing people..Maybe this is how I repay her. Maybe this balances something.
"I am an omega. I can give you my blood so you can save your boy."
The words left my mouth before I could rethink them.
Her eyes widened. Relief flooded her face.
"Thank you so much. I will never forget your generosity. My boy will get to live another day," she said, overwhelmed.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"No. I should be thanking you. You helped me pay. You are the one who is generous," I replied.
