Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder (Practical Potions Mysteries Book 1), page 13
“Calm mind, my dear, calm mind…” A small figure, about half of Sella’s size, and limbs so thin they looked like threads of glass, appeared in the threshold. What exactly it was, Sella could not discern.
It appeared genderless, androgynous in all of their features, with glassy skin, fine wrinkles at the forehead, and smile lines revealing what looked like several rows of sharp teeth when it grinned at her. Silver, pupilless eyes squinted into the grin and the creature raised a small hand to show no malintent. In the other hand, it held a steaming mug of what appeared to be a dark green herbal tea. The smell of stone in rain filled the space between them as white steam rose from the surface. It was familiar to Sella in a way she could almost access in her memories. So close, and yet, intangible as the steam itself.
Her heartbeat was still racing; the cold in her stomach and heat in her hands battled for her attention. “Who are you?” Sella asked, voice vibrating with fear though she tried her best to sound brave. She drew in a shaking breath, inhaling more steam. The silver steam seemed to be gravitating toward her like a spell. “What are you doing in my mother’s house?”
“Who I am is a difficult question to answer, isn’t it? Who are you, for instance, when you are with strangers? Who are you alone? With Lohrna? Who are you truly?” the creature asked. It waddled toward her and held the mug out. “Tea?”
“No, thank you,” Sella said cautiously. She was surprised at her own politeness, given the situation, but the creature seemed to have a quick way of disarming her that confounded her. Her eyes flicked to the steam in the mug. It was so familiar… A calming spell, perhaps? One her mother used to make her? She took a step back and relaxed her hands to her side. As she felt its effects kicking in, her heartbeat slowed and her breathing returned to normal. The ice in her core began to melt. “I’m confused… I’ll ask again: Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“My name is too difficult for most to say,” the creature said kindly. “Your mother called me ‘Seaglass.’ A nickname. How she gave it to me is a story for another day.” Seaglass began their waddle again toward the table and hoisted themselves onto a chair with the steaming mug held precariously in their hand. They tapped the table, indicating for Sella to sit.
Sella followed to the table, but stayed standing, watching Seaglass’s face for any change in expression or shift that could cue her into the creature’s inner thoughts or intent. But they conveyed nothing except what seemed to be genuine contentment. Seaglass patted the table again and gestured to the open seat across the table. “This only works if you stay relaxed. I tried brewing your mother’s specialty blend. But I’m afraid I’m not as skilled as she was. The proportions are off… Sitting will help.”
Sella’s lips pulled into a hard line. She sat, unblinking at the small creature in front of her. Patches of colorful light from the windows illuminated the back of Seaglass’s head with an otherworldly glow.
Seaglass blinked and lifted the tea into a ‘cheers’ motion before they took another long sip.
Sella waited, but her frustration was growing, clawing at her chest and fingers. She bit her bottom lip. Under the table, her hands balled into fists. “Can you tell me why you’re in my mother’s house?” she said as calmly as she could muster.
Seaglass swallowed loudly. “Certainly.”
Sella waited. And waited. Her impatience grew. Anxiety tingled at the edges of her scalp. “Will you please tell me?”
“Yes.” Seaglass sipped at their tea.
Sella began to wonder if this was an exercise in futility. Or perhaps a final test her mother set. How would she handle a fright, then confusion, then utter frustration? One final test to see if she could push Sella into dangerous action.
But Seaglass nodded as if empathizing with her. They began to speak again, “I thought it would take you longer to open the door. My apologies if you perceived my absence when you came in as deceitful. I’ve been here since your Tria went away.”
Sella cocked her head. ‘Went away’ sounded much more peaceful than ‘dying early.’ She waited for Seaglass to continue.
“She asked me to keep charge of the house, continue its protective magic in her place… and I have. There’s a lot of knowledge in here that she didn’t want falling into the wrong hands.”
“Including mine,” Sella whispered.
“Yes, of course. But, you’re not the only witch in this town.” Seaglass waved their hand and took another drink.
“What?” Sella leaned closer. “There’s another witch here? Since when?”
“Oh, yes, another witch. But they’re not fully in control of their gifts like you. She wields your mother’s wand–”
A flare of heat flashed through Sella’s cheeks. Her nails pinched into her palms. “She has my mother’s wand?” Her words dripped from her lips like poison.
“But that shouldn’t upset you; it’s not really why you’re here. And you don’t need it.” Seaglass swirled the tea in their cup carefully. “Your mother always knew you’d find your way back here, Sella. I would meditate on the reason Tria gave her wand away to a lesser witch rather than her own daughter.”
Sella didn’t need to think on it. She blurted out, “Because I’m dangerous.” Tears needled the edges of her eyes. She blinked them away. Her mother, her own mother, gave her wand away to another witch. Who it was hardly mattered. Her mother thought she was too dangerous with it. She had to be right. Too dangerous. Too in tune with fire. Too careless.
Seaglass shook their head, as though reading her mind. “It’s not for me to say. The little witch needed guidance, that’s all I know for now.”
Sella had to stop herself from biting her tongue too hard. Already, blooms of cuts began to form within her mouth as her teeth found cheek. Even in death, her mother found a way to tear her down.
She took a deep breath to calm herself and push away the thoughts weaving deeply through her mind. Could she even trust anything Seaglass had to say? A witch here was nearly impossible… She tried to cut it, and the news of the wand’s whereabouts, from her mind for now. “How long did you know my mother?”
Seaglass smiled a grin full of shark teeth. “Oh, I’ve known Tria for a very long time. Since she was a child.”
“She never mentioned you.” Sella’s back straightened as she did her best to lean away from the steam that followed her.
“No.” The creature shook their head. “I can’t imagine she would have. It’s considered a dangerous thing to know a Niminé. But I promise, it’s not all you have heard.”
“A Niminé?” Her eyes scanned the creature now more closely. She bit the inside of her cheek again and winced. The taste of iron filled her mouth but the wound healed nearly instantly.
She felt so foolish. She should have noticed it before. She had only ever read about Niminé; her mother never spoke of them. But she knew them. How could she sit across from one and not see it?
They were a close relative of sirens, as far as anyone who got close enough to study them could tell. A deadly ocean dweller, responsible for unnatural sea storms, shipwrecks in sight of shorelines, and the eerie teal glow that surrounded some small islands and trapped those who landed in their sands. They were thought to be immortal, and known to use witch’s magic… Apparently, they could also come ashore.
“Some stories are true, some are not.” Seaglass seemed to be uncannily following Sella’s thoughts. “But yes, we can come to land. I promised your mother I would tend to the home when she left. I have grown quite fond of it here. It’s been so long, the sea feels like a memory.”
“You can stay,” Sella said cautiously. Suddenly, any position of power she felt she had fled her limbs, dispersed through the air like smoke. She was strong, even without a wand. But she was no match for a Niminé. “I have my own place,” she continued as though that justified it.
“The flat above the storefront… Indeed.” The creature nodded slowly. “There may come a time when you use that as storage for your other needs, as your mother did. Should you need a place to stay, this door will always be open to you as long as you can open it. I want you to know this. However, I do not want anyone else knowing I am here.” Seaglass smiled and finished the tea in a few long gulps. A bony finger pointed to a large wooden chest on the far wall by the fire. “The scrolls you seek are within. There is no magic needed; it will open for you.”
Sella followed their finger to the chest. She let out a heavy breath, and with it, let go of all the tension trapped in her body. Her back relaxed into the seat just as she pushed herself up. She stretched her toes in her boot and rolled her neck. “This other witch, who are they?” Sella reached her full height at last. The calming spell took hold but her skin still felt electric with restlessness.
“Have they not relieved themselves to you since your return?”
Sella shook her head. “No…”
“Perhaps the witch worries.” Seaglass cocked their head. “You are very strong, my dear. It must be harrowing to know they have the wand your mother meant to give to you once. Now, to the chest, child. I’m going to make myself another cup of tea.”
Sella’s fingers curled. She wasn’t done with this conversation, but it seemed Seaglass was. “Thank you,” was all she could manage to say.
“Of course. It’s good to finally meet you, or at least, this you that I see now, Sella. I hope you come visit again. Bring your familiar when he can speak. I am sure he is full of words.”
Sella tried to smile but only the corners of her lips cooperated. The confusion still lingered in her mind. She wanted to get the scrolls and race away from the house like it was filling with water. She tipped her head to the Niminé graciously and opened the chest. It was stuffed with papers: some folded, some rolled, all worn and delicate-looking.
“You want the one with the teal wax seal,” Seaglass said. “And maybe the one folded into a rose. Just in case.”
Sella glanced back at Seaglass but they were already sauntering off into the kitchen with the empty mug clutched in two small hands.
She felt the crease between her brows begin to fade when she heard the sound of a kettle being placed on the stove. She turned back to the chest and found the two spells. They were small enough to place into her pockets, and she did so before shutting the chest and swiftly walking to the door. With her hand on the knob, she turned to the kitchen and called, “Seaglass, thank you.”
Of course, my dear witch, a voice in her head whispered.
Sella took a deep breath and crossed the threshold back out into the lavender garden. The door closed behind her and she heard the faint sound of crackling behind her. The surge of magic made the hair on her arms stand up and she knew the house was once again enchanted to only open for her.
“How’d it go?” Cali asked once Sella had crossed the path back to her and Beejee.
Sella looked back at the house. She sucked in air and scratched her ear. “Very oddly, in a way I can’t really explain right now…” She pulled the two spells from her pocket and examined them. The first was a simple rolled parchment, sealed with a teal green wax at the crease. The second, an intricately folded parchment that resembled a rose. She turned it over in her hand, looking at it curiously.
“What’s that one?” Beejee asked, sticking his nose in the air to get a better look.
“I’m not sure. A Niminé in there told me to grab it.”
“A Niminé?” Beejee and Cali both asked. Beejee’s tone was grave; Cali’s curious.
Sella ignored them for now. She put both scrolls back into her pocket. “Let’s see if we can find any signs of Rorin.” She looked out into the treeline. “I’ll explain everything when we’re with Lohrna… For now, I need to let my legs do some work.”
Beejee grumbled at her response but trotted off ahead toward the forest.
“I guess it’s time to move.” Cali shrugged and followed him away from the house.
Sella looked back at the house once again. It was strange to think that all this time, there was someone in there, tending to its upkeep and taking care of it. She couldn’t help but smile a little.
“You didn’t find anything in the woods at all?” Lohrna asked. She deflated in the doorway and Sella had to hold her by her arm to lead her inside the upstairs room above the shop.
It was a weird detail to focus on, Sella thought. Lohrna hadn’t mentioned Seaglass, the witch, or even the impressive feat of Sella calming the magic.
Sella locked the door to the loft behind them and ushered her friend to the couch. She lit the fireplace with a swish of her hand and ignited little fires overhead. The room grew warm and inviting as rain began to patter on the large circle window.
“We found some footprints!” Cali said, though Lohrna could not hear.
Sella repeated her words, went to the kitchen and began preparing tea. The clinking of ceramic cups filled the space. “But that was basically all.” Sella spooned a little honey into each mug. “It’s not nothing, but it’s inconclusive.”
“You didn’t follow the tracks all the way to the end?” Lohrna flopped dramatically on the couch. “Why?”
“It was getting dark.” Sella looked up from her work with gravity in her eyes. She wanted to finish with, You remember what happened when we were kids? But instead she held Lohrna’s gaze. “I didn’t want to run into a bear, or a group of pixies. You know how they get after dark.”
Lohrna draped herself over the back of the couch and sighed. “But a few tracks sounds like it could be a promising lead.”
“Or a hiker.” Sella shrugged.
“Maybe Nicte’s not clever enough to think of framing Rorin? Or has no reason to... Do you think Nicte’s eyes were playing tricks on him?” Lohrna looked hopeful.
“Can we focus on the real issue? When are you making my potion?” Beejee yowled from the edge of Sella’s bed.
Sella removed the two scrolls from her pocket and placed them on the slab of wood in her kitchen. “It’s hard to know for sure,” she said to Lohrna, ignoring Beejee for now. “There wasn’t really anything to go off of.” The tea was finished and she set the mugs on the table, but Lohrna didn’t move.
“We’ll have to start asking around… We can go to Hazen’s tomorrow morning. He’s doing breakfast,” Lohrna said. Her round eyes drifted around the room. “Is Cali here?”
Sella pointed to the corner of the kitchen where Cali stood. Cali winked and hoisted herself onto the counter. She let her legs swing under her like she was enjoying a carefree spring day.
Sella smiled back and got to work on unrolling the sealed scroll.
“Wait– We can worry about Rorin later. Did you say that there’s a Niminé living in your old house?” Lohrna gasped. “A real, live Niminé?”
“The weirdest part is that they said they knew my mother from childhood,” Sella explained to the group as she read the spell to herself. She busied herself with gathering the ingredients scattered in cupboards, drawers, and even small wooden boxes on the counter. Beejee joined her on the counter, inspecting each item as she placed them in a row.
“So wait, I thought they were just a legend?” Lohrna continued as Sella moved about. “And your mom knew one? Personally? That’s… wild.”
“I’m still trying to sort through that too.” Sella laid out all the ingredients and then leaned in closer to the parchment and squinted at it. “I’m not sure I got the code perfectly,” she said to Beejee quietly. “She was always writing these spells all secretive…”
He looked at her, then back to the scroll. “I think it’s worth a try.”
“Do you need help?” Lohrna asked from the couch.
Sella glared at her over the parchment.
“Right, right…” Lohrna looked in Cali’s direction but not quite in the right spot. “The last time I ‘helped’ with a recipe, it… let’s say it backfired.”
“Horribly. And Beejee will never forgive you,” Sella added.
Cali laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “What happened?”
“We were trying to make a stinky bomb,” Lohrna said, almost proudly. “We wanted to clear out the hotel, see what guests were there… and have a good laugh.”
“I’ll never forget or forgive,” Beejee said.
Sella stood straighter, hands resting on the counter as if to contain herself. It was mostly a show to up the theatrics of the story. She looked at Cali with a pained expression. “It was an experiment, and it failed terribly. The bomb went off in our faces and we smelled like rotten eggs for weeks.”
“Weeks!” Lohrna loudly repeated.
“Oh no, I’m sorry for laughing,” Cali spoke through her fingers, laughter concealing most of her words.
Lohrna joined in with laughter she couldn’t hear. “Yeah, so I was basically banned from the kitchen ever since.”
Beejee bared his teeth. “She shouldn’t be here at all. She could contaminate it. What if you all start speaking cat?”
Sella glanced at him and started adding ingredients to a mortar. “I don’t think we will all start speaking cat,” she said, loud enough for Lohrna and Cali to hear.
“Ooh!” Lohrna pointed to the familiar. “That would be neat! Then we could speak to you in a code, Beejee!”
Beejee hissed, but under his breath, he added, “That actually would be useful.”
Sella closed her eyes and focused on infusing magic into the mixture. She whispered the incantation written on the scroll quietly while she imagined fire, red sparks, coming from her fingers to heat the herbs and spices. No fire was released. Just heat, as the spell indicated. She opened her eyes and gave it three quick stirs. She closed her eyes again and focused on the intention of sharing, communication, and thought morphing into words. She gave it another three stirs and waited until she felt the stone warm under the pads of her fingers.
The room was quiet, but if Lohrna or Cali were talking still, she could not tell. She was hyper-focused on the task at hand, infusing her intention with the recipe. When the heat became unbearable, she removed her fingers and opened her eyes. Her fingertips were red and burned, but the mixture smelled of hope and strength.
