Chapter 189
Chapter 189
Mattie
“If that is what they are calling themselves now. I’m a little out of touch with the human world these days.” She responded through a sarcastic but light laugh. There was a quiet moment as we both examine the objects of our curiosity. When I’d had my fill of the Bat-thorn for now, I turned toward the woman. She leaned over and sniffed the air above the plant. With a scrunched nose she stated, “There is something in that minty smell that repels them. It burns their sinuses. It just smells like toothpaste to me.”
“I’ve never heard of this plant.” I said mainly to myself.
“I think the blood suckers changed the myth a while ago to garlic; so people would stop growing Bat-thorn. However my line’s knowledge pre-dates most of the modern era.” The woman moved to sit on the small but comfy looking garden chair a few feet from where I’m kneeling in the dirt. I hadn’t seen the elegant table and matching chairs until that moment. I’d also not noticed the small greenhouse that sat behind her. It’s frame made of the same cherry-stained wood as the garden boxes held up clear panes that caught and scattered sunlight. Another place for me to explore and uncover the mysteries in there. Would there be another new plant I had no knowledge of? A woman appeared with a wooden serving tray. She quickly placed items that seemed to be for a tea party. When the server left the woman continued speaking, “Shifters live long lives, but our pack’s memory lives longer. We have knowledge that dates back to the origins of our kind.”
Was she hinting that she knew about the blood curse and possibly know how to solve it? I nibbled on my bottom lip and studied the plant. A surge of excitement is bouncing around in my chest. A whole plant that very few people knew much about. I wondered if it has any other properties besides repelling vampires. It didn’t smell strongly in my opinion but I was anxious to learn more. Did it have medicinal properties or food enhancement? Could it be used as a toothpaste? What other supernatural properties did it possess? I wanted to study this more. I glanced at the woman, who was watching me with a tilted head and a blank expression. My next words came out with a hint of nervousness, “Do you by chance have a book or other materials that give you information on this plant?”
Her brown toned lips ticked up in the corners, “Yes.”
It wasn’t quite a smile so I wasn’t sure how to interpret her expression. I was asking for something that seemed precious to her family by asking for information about this new plant. I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs, and fumbled for words, “would… would I be able to, um, review them? Or maybe I could get a copy of the material?”
“Yes. You may review what i have on Bat-thorn,” The woman narrowed her eyebrows when I blew out a relieved breath, “For a price.”
My heart dropped like a stone, sinking deep into the pit of my stomach. Disappointment washed over me in a slow, heavy wave—thick and unrelenting. I slowly stand up, dusting off the dirt from my pants and joining the woman on the other side of the round mosaic stone table.From this spot I could peer through the translucent panes of the greenhouse. The woman’s eyes lit with amusement when my gaze rejoined her.
“Don’t let the car out front fool you, my wallet is on a very strict diet.” I put my hand in front of my mouth like I was revealing a secret, but my voice remained my usual pitch, “Between you and me that bitch has always been a size 0. No matter how much I feed her she remains at a 0—empty, nothing, fat old goose egg.”
One side of her mouth lifted a little higher than the other, and her brows drew together ever so slightly. My eyes widened at the uncertain smile she was suppressing. It forced the corners of her lips upward even as she fights it, as if she were still deciding whether it was safe to let her genuine emotions show. Instantly her blank mask fell back into place and she let out an offended scoff, “How scandalous of your wallet.”
My eyebrows tugged down in confusion but she continued the act of outrage, “To keep such a precious secret to herself. It’s not like you are asking for her surgeon’s number.”
I plopped my chin into my palm and landed on the table with a mock sigh, “This never would have happened if I’d just splurged for the Hermes.”
“Fortunately your wallet can keep her secrets. I only require your name, and maybe your friendship in the future.” She meets my eyes through her good-natured laugh, but I averted mine instantly to stare at the greenhouse again. Rows of seedlings in terracotta pots and gridded square bins line simple shelves. A watering system sprayed mist over different sections at timed intervals. From here I identified budding purple sage, lemon thyme, broad leaved thyme, bronze fennel, chives, French tarragon, cilantro and many more just starting to unfurl. Every herb I could think of seemed to be in the perfect position to grow properly. My gaze kept returning to the Bat-thorn. It’s thin stems and bunched flowering lured my obsessive tendencies to the surface. A longing so deep I couldn’t ignore it fueled my brain with recklessness. Fuck it. She can’t do much with just my name, right?
“Mattie.” My voice shyly wavered when I responded.
“I’m Evie. Please to meet you, Mattie.” Evie smiled. Her face lighting up with a triumphant glow. The sudden radiance of her expression caught me off guard, filling my chest with a swell of pride. A fierce thrill that I had caused her hard mask to drop long enough for such a sincere smile.
Call her Great Luna. Wolfie’s growl was one of warning. That positive feeling her smile had blanketed over me instantly dissipated. I sighed. Irritation settled in but I bowed my head slightly toward her, “If its alright with you, I’d rather call you Great Luna. Wolfie might eat my mind if I don’t.”
“Wolfie?” Great Luna’s eyes dance with amusement.
The unexpected thought that maybe shifters don’t name their wolf-half sent panic through my chest. I choose my words carefully, “That’s what I call him, because he said that was fine.”
“A very fitting name.” Great Luna studied my features and I can see the wheels turning to power the massive intelligence behind her pale eyes. I tried to place where I’d seen eyes like that before. It would keep me up all night until I remembered. One thing I knew at this point was I am safe and lying to the Great Luna was a waste of time. Whatever conclusion she came to, she only asked, “You were not born a shifter?”
“Nope. I’ve been the lucky recipient of a blood curse.” I shot a cheeky half smile with a thumbs up in her direction. There was a flash of recognition in the soft look she gave me. It was subtle but impossible for me to miss as if she’d already seen how this conversation would unfold. I’m reminded of numerous interactions with Lux that gave a similar feeling. I eyed her with suspicion, “But you knew that already?”
“I assumed based off our interactions.” Great Luna replies without giving away anything more. Her face is unreadable and it forced me to realize this woman earned her title of Great Luna. Her battle mask was perfection which leaves me envious. I wished that I could hide my thoughts and feelings that well. I might’ve saved myself a few beatings. She patted my knee before standing up. She smoothed down her already flawless hair and smiled politely, “I must take my leave for today. You may take a small sample of the Bat-thorn on your way out.”
“Wait—“ Before I can even process the abrupt end of the conversation, the Great Luna is walking back inside. This whole interaction was as mysterious as the last one, yet I didn’t feel like this woman would harm me. Wolfie held Great Luna in the highest regard which stirred up a longing for her approval deep in my soul. I didn’t move, but inside, it felt like all the air had been pulled from my lungs, replaced by the quiet weight of an unspoken sigh. When I’d had enough of staring off blankly, my feet carried me around the mansion to Lux’s car. I left the Bat-thorn as it was because I wanted a valid reason to come back. I opened the driver side door and took one last look at the mansion. I would find more answers here than anywhere else. This would not be the last time I’m here. Whatever I had to do to keep coming back I would.