"It’s for protection," Miles said with a knowing look. “You sprinkle it on your enemies, but honestly, it’s best if you can get them to eat it. So, if Gregg gets weird, shove this stuff down his wing hole. It will at least buy you some time.”
“What the hell, Miles?” Roam shook his head.
Miles chortled sheepishly. “I’m not kidding, it works. It’s like a dose of kindness magnified by infinity. It should turn him into a baby kitten. At least for a while. It won’t last forever.”
“My question is, where the hell did you get this, Miles?” Honey asked.
“I really shouldn’t reveal my sources.” He took a deep inhale. “but you’ve both shared your case with me. So, I’ll make an exception. My supplier is a little old witch named Granny Franny. She bikes through here every so often, with a gnome called Gnomelder.”
Honey and Roam stared at Miles. The blank looks on their faces giving away their disbelief.
“Fine. Don’t believe me. But that’s the whole truth.” Miles flipped his hand in their direction and sauntered back to the front of the greenhouse. “You two better go catch your bad guy. And bring back that dust if you don’t use it. It’s not easy to get.”
The Wandmaker
Greggansweredthedoor,looking disheveled. His wild red hair was crazier than ever, his eyes abandoned and his movements agitated. Before they could even speak, he erupted. "Did you arrest that old kook, Dr. Simpleton? Bumblin’ fool."
"Simmer down, Gregg," Roam said evenly. "We just want to ask you a few questions. Do you mind if we come in?
“I guess I don’t’ have any choice.” He flung the door to his wand shop wide open. “What’s this about anyhow?” He was practically yelling.
“About your argument with Lily, just before she was poisoned." Honey kept her tone even, and her voice small. She could feel the anger radiating off of Roam already.
Gregg flushed crimson. "We fought. That's none of your business!" he spluttered.
"It is if it relates to her murder," Roam countered. "We know you wanted access to her orchard."
Trapped, Gregg lashed out. "Those trees were wasted on her! Their wood could have been used for wands, the greatest wands in history. But she refused to share. Even the stupid dead limbs."
Honey's eyes widened, realizing Gregg's obsession with the apple wands was his motive for murder. She had to find some evidence, and quickly, before the energy between Roam and Gregg got completely out of control.
Roam stared down Gregg with an intimidating glare, his muscles tense and poised to restrain the agitated man if needed. "So, you admit you were after the apple trees in Lily's orchard, and that she refused you access to them."
Gregg's face twitched as he realized he had revealed too much. "I...I was just upset. I didn't mean..." he stammered.
"Upset enough to kill her?" Honey interjected, her voice ringing with accusation.
Gregg's wild eyes darted around the room like a trapped animal. "No. I mean, I was angry, but I would never..."
Before he could finish the sentence, Roam sprang forward and grabbed Gregg's arms, pinning them behind his back. Gregg let out a strangled yell, struggling in vain against Roam's superior strength.
"It's over, Gregg," Roam growled. "We know you poisoned Lily and the two wolf Shifters who got in your way. And we can prove it."
While Roam held him, Honey quietly searched the shop, trusting her witch senses. Under a pile of clothes, she discovered several sealed containers identical to the ones in the woods, full of water.
"What are these?" she demanded, whirling to face Gregg.
He stammered lies about collecting samples, but Honey silenced him with a glare as she peeled off one of the lids.
"This is water from the falls that you perverted into dark magic, combined with apple seeds, which mutated the cyanide," she accused. "You used that to kill Lily. "
With Gregg restrained, Roam's eyes bored into his hazel eyes. "You still haven't told us why you killed the two wolf shifters before going after Lily."
Gregg snarled, struggling against the bindings Roam has strapped to his wrists. "They were meddling, interfering with my plans."
Roam crossed his arms. "How exactly?"
Letting out a frustrated huff, Gregg glared venomously. "I was testing my poison compounds, trying to find the right mixture. I didn’t plan to test it on anything but plants. Those mutts caught me boiling the water and seeds in the woods."
