“We’re at her place already?!” I squeaked.
You’ve got this. You’ve got this. You’ve got this.
I chanted the phrase in my head like a mantra.
“We are,” Morgan replied. “Gather your wits, loves. This woman is something else.”
She knocked, and footsteps sounded right away. When the door flew open, a stout, dough-faced woman was on the other side. She wore bright blue, indicating that her dress was costly.
As she took us in, her hand landed on her hip, and her thin lips curled up in a crafty smile. “I wasn’t sure if you’d actually show.”
I repressed a shudder at her voice, oily with darkness. In fact, the longer she stood there, the more it became obvious to me that La Voisin was unlike any other witch I’d known.
Even without placing a finger on her, I could feel the evil wafting off of her in a way that I couldn’t discern on myself or Eva. I had a feeling this was because, unlike us, the poisonerhad embraced her darkness. Just standing in her presence made my scar burn a little, and her voice grated like sandpaper running down my back.
Evil to the core. We must be careful.
“I said I would return, and here we are,” Morgan responded to the witch’s remark and gestured behind her. “Your pupils.”
“Only if you pay half first,” La Voisin said. “This is no ordinary black mass or plea for contraceptives. For this consultation, you pay half of what we discussed up front. Only then will I let you inside to negotiate specifics and discuss my additional fees.”
“I would expect nothing less.” Morgan reached into a bag she carried and pulled out a small gold amulet.
I squinted at it, trying to discern the details of the piece.
But La Voisin’s snarky expression vanished, and she grabbed for the trinket. “It’s Roman? Of Juno’s cult?”
Morgan nodded. “Authentic in provenance, and imbued with magic from a powerful witch of that era.”
For the first time, La Voisin looked impressed. “The woman coming here for fertility healing will eat this up. Come in. We shall discuss what you need.”
I’d expected to be led into a shared hallway before reaching an apartment, so when the witch revealed that the entire building was her home, I was impressed.
“Business must be good.” I gestured to an elaborate painting as we passed.
Historically, homes were smaller than in modern day, particularly for people of lesser means. That La Voisin had so much space to herself, and was able to fill it with non-essentials like art, spoke volumes about her talents as a businesswoman.
“It’s why you’ve come to me, isn’t it?”
“Of course,” I replied, reminding myself of our temporary cover.
We were young women who wished to be trained by the witch so we might start similar businesses in Lyon and Marseilles.
We arrived in a large sitting room capable of entertaining at least fifteen people. It was plush too. A space filled with furniture and decor that I would expect to see in a royal household. Not only did the notorious poisoner make a good deal of money, I suspected that she wanted her wealthier patrons to feel at home here.
Diana had informed me that much of the French court and aristocracy sought La Voisin out for spells, specialized poisons, abortions, contraceptives, and other dark deeds.
“Have a seat.” The witch gestured to a couch, on which we all sat. She took the seat across from us, a design that reminded me much of a throne. “What do you wish for them to learn?”
“Many things,” Morgan replied. “But first, I have a request.”
La Voisin nodded.
“Do you mind if I supplement your ward with one of my own? My girls are coming to you in good faith, and I wish for them to be secure.”
The famed poisoner chuckled. “Youaremore skilled than most. As long as you do not damage those enchantments I have set up, you may do as you wish.”
Morgan stood and spread her hands. Fuchsia magic poured from them as easily as water from a pitcher. It flew about the living area, climbing the walls, obscuring the windows, sealing us safely in this space.
