Neve gathered the pre-blended gum mix. “Because Mr. MacGregor is the best chemist in the empire and they know it.”
“Well, we’re going to follow the official rules.” Aini crossed her arms. “The king could shut us down and you know it.”
Neve opened her mouth and closed it again. She hurried to the mixer and dropped her bundle into the metal bowl.
Aini chewed the inside of her cheek. She didn’t want to be hard on Neve, but the rules were the rules.
“The Campbells and the king have the same goal, don’t they?” Thane frowned. “What difference does fussing about with royal seals make?”
“If my father skirts the law like the Campbells want him to do, the Campbells might get away with it, but I seriously doubt he will.”
An image flashed through her memory—an executed sixth-senser.
The woman had been about her mother’s age. Aini remembered the lady’s wispy, auburn hair. The black band across her eyes. Her body jerking as the bullet hit her chest. The red blood against her striped dress. Her clothing said native Edinburgh, the style Aini tried to imitate. But even fitting in hadn’t saved her.
If Aini was found out, the Campbells would assume Father knew about her ability, which he didn’t. She squeezed her hands together. She couldn’t even think about him rotting in a dark cell.
When the gum was mixed and cooled, Thane cut the ropes into small pieces and Aini called her father back up to the lab. It was time to see if the gum really worked.
The light through the lab’s windows cast a net of gold around Aini’s father as he peered at his watch. He handed Aini the clipboard of notes they’d destroy as soon as the trial was complete. They couldn’t let anyone outside of Enliven get a hold of the information. The competition would leap at the chance to outdo them. Because of this, Aini and the rest had become very, very good at remembering recipes.
Neve and Aini found seats and Thane took a stool, ready to try the gum.
“Where is Myles anyway?” Neve asked.
Aini was actually glad Father’s second male apprentice wasn’t here. “Buying new paints for his adverts.” Myles was great fun, but he could really be a distraction during tests like this.
Father stared at Thane. “I want to know the very minute—the exact moment—you see something.” He started the timer on his watch.
“Aye,” Thane popped the gum between his lips and chewed, rubbing a hand over his sharp chin.
“How’s it taste, then?” Neve scooted forward on her stool.
“A bit fiery.”
“Fiery?” Aini asked, pen poised over the clipboard. “Be more specific. We need details for the investors.”
“Any visions yet?” Father inched closer to Thane.
Stumbling back, Thane’s mouth dropped open, the gum on his tongue.
Aini laughed.
Father practically hopped on Thane. “What do you see, lad?” He normally hid his accent, wanting to please his many English clients, but excitement drew it right out of him.
Staring at the ceiling beams, Thane paled. “Translucent wings. About ten feet long. He’s...he’s...” The uni student ducked and laughed once, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “He’s breathing fire.” He shoved his hands through his hair and knocked his glasses to the floor.
Neve hugged herself. “A dragon.”
Father lifted his feet in a little jig and grabbed Aini’s arm, pulling her into his dance. Heart light, she did a spin, then squeezed him, feeling safe and loved, as if everything was going to be okay.
“I can’t believe it,” Thane whispered.
Neve grinned. “I knew that white pepper would do the trick.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, my wee squirrel,” Father said to Aini. “The king will reward us handsomely, what with his birthday celebration coming up. We might get a tax exemption.”
“And the elite will want it at their parties if the king has it at his,” she said.
Father shouted, “Huzzah!” and zipped over to his desk to write something up.
Aini couldn’t stop smiling. Another candy for their impressive inventory. Another building block for Father’s beloved business. Somehow, she had to thank the apprentices for all their hard work. Maybe a special dinner or a big night out. This vision-inducing gum was another reason she loved having all of them here, a part of the family.
Neve peppered Thane with questions about the formula. Over Neve’s head, Thane met Aini’s gaze. A shadow passed over his face. He was a melancholy sort, but this was more. Something…darker. Aini’s smile faded. He had nothing to be upset about today. What could be bothering him? Surely not all this stuff about the Campbells. It would pass. Wouldn’t it?
Father tugged Aini into another jubilant hug, and her smile returned. She could maintain this happiness. She would maintain it. No matter what. She just had to keep her sixth sense concealed. Because visions prompted by chewing gum earned money, but visions of another sort only led to death.
~If you’d like to check out the complete trilogy, it’s FREE in Kindle Unlimited and on sale today!~
Fae Spell Yew Queen Book Three
Copyright © 2020 by Eve A. Hunt
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Foreword
Hello Fabulous Readers,
For over ten years, I’ve wanted to write a story about a man from the distant past who controls the forest. Not only do I obsess over all things history, I adore the woods and am enchanted every time I hike under swaying pines or stroll past a stand of regal oaks.
A little gossip for
