“I’ll help,” I offered.
“Fine. You wash this flask,” Zafir told me, thrusting a wide-bottomed bottle with a narrow neck into my hands.
“Are you trying to get rid of me so I don’t get in your way?”
“Yes.”
“Will it make you work faster?”
Zafir’s eye twitched. “Yes.”
“Fine, then.”
CHAPTER 21
Even though he said it would be quick, it still took more than three hours for Zafir to prepare the potion. I couldn’t stop myself from occasionally leaning over his shoulder, trying to guess which step of the process he was on. Each time I did that, Zafir would let out an irritated huff and push me back.
Just when I thought I may as well fall asleep since he was taking so long, Zafir announced, “It’s ready.”
Instantly, I snapped to attention and came over to examine the potion. It was a light pink color that bubbled faintly but remained cool to the touch.
“How exactly does it work?”
“It will cause the drinker to become infatuated with the first woman he sees, and the effect lasts for about two hours then slowly wears off.”
“When should I give it to Julian?”
“Hypothetically, and if I were to condone such a highly illegal course of action, which I’m not, I would say about an hour before you leave his company. Then he wouldassociate those feelings with your company and continue to think about you after you parted.”
“I’ll take it with me to the Emberlight Revelry in two days,” I said, reaching out for the bottle, but Zafir blocked me.
“It has to be tested.”
“Oh, right. Well, go on and drink some then.”
Zafir hesitated. “I can’t say what will happen if I do. You must remember that whatever?—”
“Yes, yes, whatever you say or do is off the record. It isn’t you talking; it’s the potion. I know you hate me otherwise.”
“Just so we’re clear. I’m not to be held accountable for any of my actions while under the influence of a potion thatyouinsisted I make and?—”
“Fine! Just drink it already!”
Zafir picked up the bottle like he was bracing himself to go through some dreadful ordeal, then hesitated. “I can’t drink it with you staring at me like a tiger about to pounce on her next meal.”
I growled in frustration and turned my back. After a moment, there was a slight sloshing sound, followed by a swallow. I pivoted back to face him. “How do you feel?”
He wiped a drop of the pink liquid from the corner of his mouth. “Exactly the same.”
“Do you need to drink more?”
“Most potions don’t work instantly. They need at least a few minutes to settle into the system.”
“So…we wait?”
“We wait.” Zafir cast a bemused eye over me. “You don’t have to stare at me while we wait. If it works, we’ll know.”
He settled back into his chair and went back to his notes.
