Coincidence
“You're selling those for real?” Arabelle asked the vendor.
“Yes, of course! I also have the essence of a firefly.” the old lady offered.
“I just need the tears of an ant and the sweat of a grasshopper. How much for those?” she asked, feeling hopeful that she can complete the ingredients of the spell.
“I'm not selling them for money but to get some favors.” the old lady replied.
“What do you want from them?” she asked.
“How important are they to you?” the old lady asked back.
“I need them to find someone.” She tried not to give away so much information.
The old lady looks at her as if trying to see if those things will be used for something important. She gathers those stuff to be sold for a favor. Depending on how important those ingredients are from the person, that's how much it will cost. Although she can't seem to read the young woman's mind. How important is that person to her? She got intrigued on the tasks the young woman might have. It's not a usual thing for her to just give away those things without getting something out of it. However, she feels generous with the young woman in front of her.
“I'll give them to you for free!” the vendor said and took the two vials and handed it to her.
“Whoa, are you sure?” Arabelle can't believe it.
“Of course I'm sure. I also know that you will need me again. That’s the time I'll ask you for a favor.” the old lady replied to her.
“You might be right about that. How can I find you again?” she answered honestly and asked.
“You don't. Just go here and I'll find you instead.” the old lady said and left.
Arabelle wanted to ask the old lady more but she had already vanished from the flood of people. She wasn't even able to ask for her name. Although she doesn’t have any idea if she should ask. Sometimes it's better not to know the name of the person. Especially if that someone asks for favors as a mode of payment. She decided to also leave the market once she got the animal blood she bought. It was an exciting and unexpected day for her. Her boss might also feel amazed when she told him about the old lady with the impossible ingredients.
When she arrived at the castle, she went directly to the kitchen. She needs to put away the food she bought and cook for her lunch. The animal's blood was still in its liquid form and still warm. She wanted to bring it to her boss but she's afraid she might offend him. Although she knows that his supply might already be gone by now. She can't let a vampire starve or she might be his next meal. That thought gave her some courage to offer him animal blood. She didn't ask what animal it was from though.
“Boss, I have something you might like.” She tried to tell him with confidence.
“What is it?” he asked but smelled the blood before she could say anything.
Ralph smelled a familiar scent of blood which was on her hand. He can't help himself but to feel his thirst catching up on him. As if he suddenly transforms into something more monstrous than himself. He tried to stop himself but the scent of the blood seemed to make his mind go wild. Arabelle saw that he's having a hard time stopping himself from snatching away the bags of blood from her. Although she feels scared, she walks past him and places the bags on the nearest table she could find in his room.
“Enjoy!” That's all she can say before running away from that room and down the stairs.
She can't believe how the animal blood affects Ralph. At least next time she knows that she should not give it to him like that. She will bring a cooler for the animal blood so that he will not smell the scent right away. Good thing he was able to stop himself from attacking her. She can see it in his eyes earlier that he's fighting himself. At least the hard part is over so she can start cooking her lunch. Since she had some animal blood, she took a small amount for her stew. She then realized both of them ate blood. Although she cooks hers before eating it.
After eating lunch, Arabelle went back to the living room and looked at her checklist. She checks the ingredients she just got from the market. Looks like she only needs some skills to do the spell. Her boss already added other things they need. She suddenly feels worried about him. What if animal blood doesn't suit his taste? The only way to find out is to ask him but it's better to wait for him instead. She can't go up there again and see him change. The best thing to do for now is to practice the chant for the spell. It seems easy enough but she doesn't know the tone.
“Ahem..How's the spell going on?” Ralph asked her but seems to feel embarrassed.
“I've found the impossible ingredients from the market!” she exclaimed, excited to see him.
“Have you? That's great!” he replied.
“I've met an old lady who's selling them. Although she gave them to me for free.” she informed him.
“Really? That's suspicious.” he replied.
“Well, she told me that she will ask for the payment the next time I need something from her. She wants favors, not money. Can you believe that?” She told him what the old lady told her.
“That's odd. Why would she want favors instead of money?” he also can't believe it.
“I don't know. I didn’t have a chance to ask her.” she replied and also wondered.
“Let's just hope that she's not a black witch,” he said.
“I hope not! Hey, do you like what I gave you?” she can't help but ask him about it.
“The animal blood? It's a bold move from you but I liked it. At least I don't have to starve.” he replied in a straightforward manner.
“Thank God! Of course, I don't want you to go hungry. I still have a lot of things to do.” she giggled after.
“Don't worry, I'm not going to attack you. I know how to manage my hunger.” he replied, assuring her.
“That's good to know! But I can get animal blood for you whenever you want more.” she informed him.
Ralph can't believe that aside from Cassie, he has another human who's not afraid of him. Arabelle seems to be able to adapt quickly. She doesn't have any qualms about anything. It's a good thing that he met her during the modern times. At least she will not be burned at stake for being intelligent or a witch. He decided to help her in any ways he could to save her mom. It's the least he can do for someone who can understand him. His thoughts got interrupted when one of the books caught fire.