Page 100 (1/2)

Okay, folks, here it goes, our third trial, I thought, and my animal, thankfully, didn’t reply She knew the stakes

“What’s the matter?” Maryanne asked softly

“She is wondering if that elixir will heal or kill,” Hannon replied

“Then I better give it to…whatever poor sap needs it” Hadriel reached out “I am a master at shit jobs I literally shoveled horse shit before the previous butlers werewas elevated This is a job for me”

“I’ll do it I knohat to look for” Hannon held out his hand for the“How far is the house? Should we pour the water there, since this particular elixir is…touchier?”

“Probably One of the bad cases is right next door, but…” I grabbed a potholder and pulled on th

“Whoa,” Maryanne said as I picked up the pot and followed Hannon out the door

“She has access to her animal,” Hadriel said “Which is a secret, love Let’s keep that—maybe all of this—between us, what do you say?”

I gave two knocks on the house next door, where the man had been alone in his bed, on death’s doorstep I startled when the door opened A woaunt features This wasn’t sickness, it was a crushed soul, helplessly watching a loved one die

“I’ the backs of le

“Who are…” She glanced down my front “Who are you?”

“I’ people I have soer for the man in this house I’d like to talk to you about it”

“The…potion?” She glanced down at the pot in my hand

“Yes I a that will help…your husband?” She nodded, picking at her nail “There are three options The first is a very potent elixir—potion—that could cure him I’ve tried it on two others, and it seems to have cured the sickness One of them was htly However, it is also incredibly dangerous If it doesn’t work, it’ll kill him immediately That’s option one”

Tears came to her eyes She nodded without comment

“Option two is the normal elixir—potion It is weaker It will help hi It’s not a cure It’ll essentially give you a chance to say goodbye to hi, and he’ll die quite soon, I would think Those are your choices”