Rune’s lips curved into a breathtaking smile. “I wouldloveto try some potions, Professor Grimsworn.”
I waved her off. “Call me Drecken. I am curious if you could use potions the same way you do your venoms and poisons.”
“We can find out,” she gushed, her eyes widening in pure excitement.
Sabine gagged. “Absolutely not. Drecken, do remember she is my daughter.”
Lake grimaced. “Drecken, she’s in her first year of this academy. And you’re…ancient.”
I frowned. “So? Her knowledge is extensive. Her venom is unparalleled. That’s all that matters.”
Rune nodded eagerly. “Exactly, and I’m twenty-two. What’s that have to do with anything?”
Sabine facepalmed.
“Could I donate some of my venom to you?” Rune asked, eyes wide with excitement. “Maybe you can tell me some things about it.”
I inhaled sharply. “Only if I can observe the process. I’ve never seen lip-based secretion in a basilisk.”
“I can actually excrete venom fromanywhere,” she told me.
My lips parted in surprise.
Sabine groaned.“No. Fates. No.”
Lake cleared his throat. “I’ll keep an eye on Darian. Sabine will have her agents track him. If anything happens again, let us know immediately.”
“I promise,” Rune said.
Energy buzzed in the space between us. I realized too late that my magic was pulsing wildly again, streaks of light flickering around my fingertips.
She stared at them, fascinated in the same way I found myself with her.
Lake caught her gaze. “First years are house-bound unless in class. Rune, go study.”
She pouted. “But I want to help Drecken.”
“Drecken,” Sabine said dryly, “go experiment.”
I smiled. “Gladly.”
I met Rune’s gaze. She looked so…excited. Curious and magnetic, too. “I’ll see you soon, viperling,” I murmured, letting the nickname roll off my tongue like silk.
I’d never given anyone a nickname before.
With a flick of my fingers, I opened a portal beneath my feet and vanished into my lab beneath my home in Cursinia.
The moment I landed, the air in the room bent with my magic. I pulled the vial out of my bag with Sabine’s venom. It was once the pinnacle of my ambitions.
After learning of Rune’s venom capabilities, this one felt...insufficient.
I placed it on the desk next to a faded photo of me and my parents. My magic flared again. I rubbed the back of my neck.
Why couldn’t I stop thinking about Rune Bloodwyne?
Her voice. Hersmile.
Why did I want to bottle the way she made me feel so bad?
