GEMMA'S POV
I stood behind the wooden counter cluttered with potion vials and enchanted trinkets. Not a single customer since I arrived here. I was exhausted. There was a small mirror in front of me, I gazed into it out of boredom. I could see bits of my curly red hair, dark green eyes and a heavily freckled face staring back at me. I was wearing a black hoodie that covered most of my hair and my body too, I was a bit cold and the hoodie added to the air of mystery that matched the shop's aura.
That chilly evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the shop's creaky door swung open, allowing a gust of wind to sweep in, carrying with it a tall figure cloaked in shadows. His presence was intimidating, a palpable darkness emanating from him like a shroud. My brows furrowed as I eyed the newcomer suspiciously. I didn't like people with energy like his.
"Welcome to Wild West Enchantments or Gemma's enchantments, whichever tickles your fancy I guess," I greeted cautiously, my voice carrying a blend of curiosity and wariness.
The man's lips curved into a smile that seemed to hold secrets of its own. I couldn't see his face and something about that bothered me.
"I've heard you're the one to see for... special requests."
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Depends on what you're seeking, stranger."
His gaze bore into mine. "A love potion."
My heart skipped a beat, and a mixture of concern and skepticism filled my gaze. "A love potion, you say? Love potions can be delicate and complex. They're not that easy to make."
The man's voice grew cold, his dark energy intensifying. "I'm well aware of that. I'll pay handsomely for the potion. Money is no issue."
My curiosity got the better of me, and my tone turned inquisitive. "Who is this potion for? What drives you to want such magic?"
The man's eyes flashed with irritation. "Are you a witch or a busybody?"
Finally a question I could answer happily, my lips curled into a sly smile. "A bit of both, perhaps. I have my reasons. You see, my magic has a way of weaving destinies, and I want to make sure this potion finds its mark for the right reasons."
He sighed, his patience waning. "Fine, if it matters that much to you, it's for a woman. A woman I want much more than anything in this world. Is that detailed enough for your curiosity?"
My grin widened, even though he had given me an answer, it only unnerved me even more, I didn't make love potions, I didn't even like making them. There were a lot of potions and magic spells that I simply wouldn't make if they endangered lives. "Ah, the depths of the human heart, a complete puzzle to even the most skilled of witches. But there's more to this than meets the eye, isn't there?"
The man clenched his fists, his facade of composure starting to crack. "Look, I'll pay you triple your price. Just make the damn potion."
My persistence only grew stronger. His desperation was a serious concern to me, I wondered what poor woman he was trying to deceive.
"Triple, you say? She must be a truly captivating woman to warrant such desperation."
His patience snapped, and his hand shot out, fingers curling into a fist aimed at my face. Reacting with uncanny swiftness, I raised my hand, my fingers dancing in the air as if tracing invisible patterns. A sudden burst of magical energy enveloped the man, and before his eyes, he found himself transformed into a small, startled toad.
A gasp echoed through the room, and my apprentice, Lou, appeared in the doorway, her eyes widening at the bizarre sight before her. She was going to go off on a rant about why I shouldn't turn men into toads.
"What in the world, Gemma?" Lou exclaimed.
My gaze met Lou's, my expression a mix of surprise and mischief. "Well, Lou, it seems our customer here had a change of heart, or perhaps a change of form."
Lou's shock slowly turned into a chuckle. "You've turned him into a toad?"
My lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Seems fitting, doesn't it?"
As we both shared a moment of amusement, the toad let out a croak of protest, its tiny eyes glaring in frustration.
Lou turned to me, a more serious expression crossing her face. "Gemma, you need to turn him back. What if the officers start looking for him?"
My stubborn resolve wavered slightly, but I remained defiant. "Why should I? Honestly I think I'm doing a good deed ridding the world of this kind of man."
Lou's pleading gaze intensified. "Gemma! You know you have bad history with the law already! Don't make things worse! Just change him back quickly and we'll apologise and no one will know that you did this."
I let out a heavy sigh, my fingers tracing another intricate pattern in the air. The toad's form wavered, and in a burst of magical energy, the man stood before us once again, his expression a mix of shock and gratitude.
Before any words could be exchanged, the man darted for the exit, fleeing the shop with newfound haste.
"Fucking idiot!" I cursed as he ran out of the shop. Lou sighed as she massaged her temple.
"Well let's hope he's not going to report it."
I shrugged.
"I doubt he will. He was probably scared and ran away."
..........
A few moments later, footsteps echoed through the shop, and the room was flooded with the presence of Azov's officers. My heart raced as the guards started ransacking my shop.
"What the hell are you doing?" I demanded, my voice laced with annoyance.
Their boss walked in during that moment and I sighed as she saw the familiar face of Thomas Hoodville.
His gaze was unwavering as he glared at me. He must be sick of me at this point.
"You again?!"
He asked as he shook his head. He opened a piece of paper and read it out.
"Gemma Bracken, you're under arrest for using magic to harm another individual, which is in direct violation of the Azov laws on magic. You're also under arrest for practicing magic without a license. If I remember correctly, you lost your license five months ago."
My eyes widened in disbelief. "Harm? You don't understand. I was just making sure he wasn't up to something dangerous!"
"And, and, I didn't even sell him any potion! So why would you arrest me for practicing magic?!"
Thomas looked at me with a bored expression.
"Gemma you turned him into a toad."
The officers continued their search, ignoring my protests as they bound my wrists with sturdy deritium cuffs to stop me from using magic.
"You're always tangled up in these kinds of charges, Gemma," he retorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "I always knew that one of these days, you'll find yourself behind bars for good."
"Looks like today is the day."
Thomas said as he looked at me again.
The customer, now back to his original form, sneered at me, he looked very proud of himself. "Lock her up, officers. She's a menace to society."
As I was led away from my shop, my heart weighed heavy with a mix of anger and regret. I cast a final glance at my apprentice Lou, who stood by, helplessly watching the scene unfold.
"I'll be back Lou! Keep the shop open!"