Chapter 33

As I pushed the heavy brown door open, a little bell above me tingled, announcing my arrival. The soapy smell of freshly made soap bars filled my nostrils along with the many scents of the various herbs and spices that filled large wicker baskets. Shelves filled with bottles and jars of potions and lotions lined the walls while a towering pile of dusty tomes sat in one corner. A door above me creaked open and as I looked up, a smile crept over my face happily. I watched as a short, heavy busted lady with long curly black hair, quickly made her way down the winding staircase before coming to an abrupt stop in front of me. Instantly, her face, broke into a wide smile as she threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly.

“Oh, Elena,” the woman cried ecstatically. “How good it is to see you again, my wee cherub! I didn’t think I’d ever see you again after being selected.”

“It’s a long story, Hattie,” I breathed loudly. “How are you doing, now that I’m gone?”

“Oh, I’m still struggling on as you do. The arthritis is getting worse slowly but the Cat’s Claw is helping keep things at bay for now,” smiled Hattie softly. “Since you’ve left, I’ve got a new helper. I’m slowly training her up but she isn’t as good as you were. I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother by the way.”

“Thank you. It was a shock,” I nodded, “But this is why me and my friends have come here actually.”

Hattie looked up and scanned Brooke and Hollie over in wonder before extending her hand graciously. Beckoning us to follow her, we followed Hattie into a tiny back room behind the counter. Hattie pointed to four squashy armchairs before making her way over to her teapot.

“Sit. Take a load off,” she ordered. “I’ll make us some tea. Who are your friends, Elena?”

“They are called Brooke and Hollie,” I began slowly. “They were selected from the city, just as I was. We have formed a close friendship since we joined the Palace, and now they are going to help me in my quest.”

“The Prince’s doesn’t normally let their girls back down into the city,” frowned Hattie curiously, placing a steaming hot teapot full of hot tea down in front of us. “Unless the girls have been given their freedom back. Have you been given your freedom back? You know the selection is a sacrifice, essentially.”

“About that,” I faltered, shooting Brooke and Hollie a warning look. “I’m just a little bit more than a tribute now. You see, the Alpha Prince has chosen me for his Official Royal bedmaiden and Brooke and Hollie are my official servants.”

“Well isn’t that surprising? You have Royal status. A far shout from where you come from,” murmured Hattie, filling up four cups with tea. “Normally, the Shadow Wolf has a bloodthirsty appetite for fresh, young girls. Not many survive the first week!”

“He doesn’t live at the Palace anymore,” blurted out Hollie suddenly, who furiously blushed at her honesty. “The Alpha Prince kind of threw him out to the Black Diamond Palace.”

“Did he really?” gasped Hattie loudly. “I always knew that there was animosity between those two. Everyone around here knows it.”

“Really?” I replied astonished, taking a small sip of tea. “Mmmm, this tastes lovely. Thank you. Anyway, I knew they had their problems. It was clear to see living in the Palace, but I didn’t know it was noticeable down here.”

“Ah, yes. They never got on as kids,” Hattie reminisced. “Their mother mollycoddled the Alpha Prince, while their father worshipped the ground Carlton stood on. Their rivalry became worse after their mother died, however. Anyway, less of them. Tell me more about you. You say you are now the Alpha Prince’s Official Bedmaiden. Do I sense love blossoming between you two?”

“Look, I trust you, Hattie. You know that,” I whispered looking at Hattie seriously. “But if I tell you something, then you must keep it to yourself. Otherwise, my life could be in danger.”

“I promise not to tell a soul,” insisted Hattie. “What’s going on, Elena?”

“I’m pregnant with the Alpha Prince’s baby, but I need your help,” I began, biting my lip. “Someone killed my grandmother with Deadly Nightshade. They left a note at the house saying that it was revenge for me stealing the Prince and that I was next. Please, Hattie. Tell me where Deadly Nightshade is stocked so I can find out who killed my grandmother and who wants me dead.”

“I knew it!” yelped Hattie excitedly while clapping her hands before turning serious once more. “I knew I could sense something was different about you. You are like a daughter to me. I promise I won’t tell a soul. Your secret doesn’t leave this shop.”

“Thank you, Hattie. I appreciate it,” I beamed gladly. “And what about the Deadly Nightshade? You must know something!”

“I do. Deadly nightshade is only available to buy in three Apothecaries in the entire city. One shop was called Brenda’s blooms. But she shut her shop about four months ago after the death of her husband drove her crazy.”

“And what about the other two places?” I replied, making a mental note of information Hattie was saying. “Where are they located?”

“Okay, well you’ve got Greta’s Grasses down by the square. She only normally specialises in beauty and health ailments but she is known to stock the darker ingredients if specially ordered in, such as Deadly nightshade,” continued Hattie thoughtfully. “I don’t think you’d have much luck at hers, but check it out just to be safe. Otherwise, the only other place you can get such an ingredient would be from Walter’s Weedery.”

“Walters Weedery?” I repeated, slowly. “Isn’t that the rundown, ramshackle building right on the edge of the Black river? I thought that place shut down years ago.”

“That’s what many people think,” hummed Hattie knowledgeably. “But no, he is still running his business. Hopefully into the ground, may I add. He doesn’t attract many city folk anymore but he does attract plenty of the criminal types. Walter is very fond of selling anything that is considered dark and illegal. I hope this information helps you in finding your grandmother’s killer and getting her justice!”

“Hattie, Thank you, ” I beamed, standing up and extending her a hand to shake. “You’ve been extremely helpful. Thank you for the tea and for a nice chat, but I’m afraid I really must be going. I don’t have a lot of time left in the city and I really must be going to check out these two shops. But please don’t be a stranger at the Palace. Do come and visit me soon!”

Before anyone could say another word or move another muscle, the whole shop shook as if an earthquake had happened outside. The shop filled with the loudest bang I had ever heard and a bright flash made me cover my eyes before I quickly fell to the floor. Coughing loudly on thick smoky air, I opened my eyes to see that the shop had now become filled with thick purple smoke. Everywhere I looked was just smoke and I could no longer see Brooke, Hollie or Hattie. I tried to shout out their names, but nothing more than a tiny croak escaped my lips. Feeling my head become heavy and my body achy, I felt myself fall back down to the floor with a loud thump.

The last thing I saw, was a pair of black heeled boots walking towards me, as I finally succumbed to the smoke and the darkness.