“Oh, I know that you are,” Bane said before turning his attention to Eva. “And so is your friend.” He reached over, gripping the top of Eva’s arm tightly. “You wouldn’t want Kyra to be punished for not obeying? Do you?”
“Please leave her out of this,” Kyra hissed. “I’ll do anything you want.”
“You’ll do that anyway,” Bane said, head snapping back to her. “But this way will make you more agreeable.”
* * *
Eva pulled up on the curb beside a flower shop, the entrance a welcoming paradise with large green plants and seasonal flowers creating an enticing arch. Pots and baskets hung from the upper floors, large enough to shadow the pavement below.
“Deadly Petal, this is the place,” Bane said, opening the car door. “Come on, get out.”
Kyra immediately followed, checking out the typical florist. “Who am I meeting?”
Bane ignored her question, instead turning to knock his fist against the top of Eva’s car.
“She can stay here,” Kyra said. “We won’t be long.”
“Are we really going to do this the hard way?” Bane grunted. “I’m starting to lose patience.”
Eva calmly climbed out of the car, anger evident in the lines of her body. “Touch my dad’s car again and I’ll cut your hand off,” she warned.
Bane paused, a smile slowly creeping across his face. “For such a pretty bauble you have some fire. I wonder how long it will last before you break?”
Kyra tugged Eva’s hand, wanting her away from Bane, his gaze turning predatory as he followed them through the door. The inside of the florist was just as green and colourful as outside, with every inch of the shop covered in plants, flowers and anything related to horticulture.
The assistant at the desk glanced up from the register, eyebrow raised before he walked them towards the back of the shop, the blossoms darkening and becoming more carnivorous. Venus flytraps, monkey cups and butterworts took over the space, along with foxglove and monkshood.
“Don’t touch anything,” Kyra whispered as Eva took an interest in a large white plant that looked suspiciously like hemlock.
“Through here,” the assistant said, expression almost bored. “My grandmother said only one may go up.” He flared his chi, usually a greeting amongst witches, except Kyra suspected he wanted to feel their auras.
She met his eyes, his chi dark, as toxic as the plants they grew. He was a practicing black witch, just not a very powerful one.
“Don’t worry, my friend and I will stay downstairs,” Bane said as he pressed open the door, his hand snaking out to encircle Eva’s arm.
Eva turned rigid, but she walked after Bane with Kyra tight on her heels. There were more dangerous plants growing in the back room, two walls covered in pots. Oleander,
snakeroot as well as deadly nightshade, the berries already darkened to black and collected in glass jars on the table in the centre.
An old leather sofa was pushed against the back, well used and worn. A wooden box sat beside it, full of unlabelled vials and potions.
A man at the table looked up from the vial in his palm, his smile wide enough to reveal his large, pale fangs. “Why, hello there,” he purred, getting up. “Care to join me for a taste?”
“They’re here for grandmother,” the assistant said, closing the door behind him. “Why don’t you entertain these two while I show our guest up to her room?”
“With pleasure,” the vampire snickered. “I’m sure we’ll find something interesting to do.”
“Go,” Eva whispered when Kyra looked in her direction. “I’ll be fine.”
Kyra paused, stomach twisted. “I won’t be long.”
The stairs creaked beneath her boots, old and wooden with unfamiliar symbols carved into each step. The assistant stopped after ascending two floors, the door at the top partially open.
“My grandmother’s expecting you,” he said before producing a china cup. Handing it over to Kyra before he turned and descended.
Kyra stared at the tea, the cup hot in her palms before she gently pushed the door all the way open.
“Place it on this nightstand, dear,” the woman who sat in an old armchair said. “That’s it, right there.” She gestured beside her, a lit cigarette held between two fingers.
