His witch

Chapter 6

Marianna’s POV

Yesterday evening was so strange. Firstly, I always tolerated alcohol really well and my drinks were mixed by Dawn. Dawn definitely knows what she is doing when it comes to alcohol. So I shouldn’t feel dizzy or anything. But there wasn’t any other way to justify the strange feeling I had in the club. It simply had to be due to the drink I had.

Secondly, that thug that attacked me. He said really strange things. Like this line about my mom. I didn’t even remember my parents, only some shattered pieces, like the smell of cologne or the sound of laughter and sometimes the warm arms embracing me and long hair tingling my skin. But that was all. Granny told me we had to run from Forest Hide, where we lived before, in hurry, so she couldn’t take any photos of my parents, but I had my mom’s features and dad’s stubbornness. It didn’t help much with preserving my childhood memories.

Then, the man who saved me. I couldn’t understand the strange sensation I had when he touched me. I only knew I panicked. I probably shouldn’t have hit him.

And there was another thing. I had the dream again, but this time it was different, more realistic and I was closer to the source of howling. When I woke up, I felt strange, as if there was only a part of me present and something was missing. I felt dizzy and generally unwell. Tea should help me. Granny’s tea always helps with all sorts of problems, so I went downstairs.

It was already past 10, so granny was up. This time she made breakfast. The weather wasn’t as good as yesterday, so we sat in the kitchen.

“How was yesterday? You came back earlier than usual.”

“I felt unwell.” I didn’t want to elaborate. I had a feeling that there was more to it than it seemed. And that granny would like to dismiss it, like the last time.

“Too many drinks?” She smiled. “I have something that should help.”

She fetched a few boxes with herbs and started brewing them. The thing with witches is that we mostly use common ingredients, so no, we do not need the menstrual blood of a virgin or anything of that sort. What really matters are the intentions of a brewer. The ingredients are used only to canalize our inner magic. At least in most cases, there are some powerful magical substances crucial for some potions, but they are rare exceptions. And in other cases, we are simply creating plain herbal medicine and cosmetics amplified by magic.

“Better?” Granny asked as I sipped the tea.

“Yes, thank you.” I didn’t lie, the tea soothed my stomach a bit, so I could eat a piece of toast.

“Any plans for today?”

“Not really. I guess I will stay at home with a book.” Normally, on Sundays, I used to go to the Market District of Silver City. This is the oldest district in the city, with small shops and cozy cafes. No skyscrapers, mostly wooden architecture. But the rainy weather made me change my routine.

I jumped under the snuggly blanket on our old but comfy couch and began reading a book. I didn’t have luck in love. So I read many romances. They all ended well, the lovers got together and evil was punished. In the meantime, I discovered a series of hasty messages Dawn left on my mobile. I appeased her by writing that I felt ill and went back home.

I knew that granny had already prepared all the products for the week, so we could laze all day. Well, at least I could. Granny was always busy. This time she was doing something in the basement. I was thinking about what we should have for lunch when I heard a doorbell.

“Marianna, will you open?” Granny shouted from the basement.

“ OK,” I shouted back.

Two men were standing on our porch. Both tall and looking very official. One blonde, one brunette.

“Good morning, is this the house of Ms. Ludvica Chant?” asked the brunette.

“Yes,” I replied blankly.

“And who are you?”

“I may ask you the same.” I was getting pissed. No introduction, rude questions. The blonde smiled slightly.

“Indeed, that was unfortunate. I’m Detective Marshall and this is Detective Lozano from Silver City Police Department.” They both showed me the badges. They looked real, but I’m not really able to tell if something is counterfeit. Police asking for granny?

“Wait here please.”

I went to the basement.

“Granny, some guys from the police are looking for you.”

“Police? Let’s see.” She wasn’t afraid or even surprised. We went upstairs.

“Ms. Ludvica Chant?” asked the blonde.

“Yes.”

“You are under arrest.”

“WHAT?” I exclaimed.

“Excuse my granddaughter.” Granny was very composed. “But I would also like to know what the charges are against me?”

“You are accused of the murder of Mr. Elliot Ness.”

“Mr. Ness? He is our customer.” I said. “But he only bought some potions for hair grow.”

“Well, his fiance found him with his head burned to the bone. Ms. Chant, you’d better come with us.”

“Easy, I will.” Granny turned to me. “Sweetheart, I’m positive this is a mistake. But in my room, there is a box with a notebook. There is a phone number. Call this number if I won’t be back till evening.”

“Better find a good lawyer, Miss. We all know how your magic works. It may seem like a harmless potion, but it is a lethal poison. You may visit her tomorrow at the arrest.” Said the brunette, and they took granny out.

I stood there speechless for a while and then rushed to granny’s bedroom.