Moon Flower

He rolled his shoulders inward, attempting to appear smaller so as not to be detected, even though his fears were probably unfounded. He definitely felt a bit more protected under Madam Langley’s watch than he’d had when alone.

For her part, the madam only paused briefly upon the constable’s arrival before continuing to assist the last of the customers, but her form had turned a dark, swirling green. Azriel stood motionless behind her, stiff as a board. His face was impassive, but his aura was a tornado of fiery greens and blues and reds. Worry and sadness and anger. Was it because they’d seen the harm the constable could inflict, or was it something more immediate?

Despite his hesitation, he still felt the urge to offer Azriel reassurance. He tried to convey exactly that as their eyes met, and Azriel’s cheeks burned red. He likely remembered that Galen could read him, and he nearly lamented his confession. He hoped it didn’t mean Azriel would be even more reserved around him.

“What in the world?” he muttered to Oscar.

“Not now.” Galen did not have to see Oscar’s aura, only his narrowed eyes, to know he did not like the man either.

“Constable, what can we assist you with this morning?” Madam Langley asked in a clipped tone. The store had emptied of customers, at least momentarily, possibly because of the now tense energy inside it.

“You know very well why I’ve come.” His voice was deep and imposing, his moustache lifting at the corners. “Is it ready?”

She cleared her throat. “Azriel, will you hand me the package?”

“Yes, of course.” Azriel snapped to attention and reached for something wrapped in brown butcher paper, his fingers trembling slightly as he gave it to Madam Langley. Galen noted how the constable watched Azriel closely, but Azriel refused to meet his gaze. Instead, he lifted the pestle and mortar nearest him and began grinding herbs, as if to give his hands something to do.

Madam Langley’s arm stretched across the counter with the package. “I will again warn you that it will not wor—”

“Nonsense.” The constable snatched it from her hand. “And if not, you will create one that does.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And if I refuse to continue to do your bidding?”

“You know very well.” He motioned with his hand. “It would be a shame to see this establishment boarded up.”

Anyone listening in might’ve thought he meant the apothecary, but somehow Galen knew he was referring to the activities that took place upstairs. He was essentially blackmailing her, and it made Galen shiver.

What else might happen if she did not comply?

Her shoulders dropped a fraction as she motioned to the package. “You should not take too much at once. It might kill you.”

“You’re only saying that to sow doubt.”

“Suit yourself.” She balled her fists, and Galen could feel her desperation.

Two new customers bustled through the door and greeted the constable before requesting help from the madam. When he took his leave, the gray storm clouds went with him, along with the suffocating energy, and everyone in the store released a collective breath. Even Azriel’s voice had grown a tad more animated as he directed a customer toward a salve to soothe her baby’s rash.

Oscar got to work opening a new box that contained tinctures for all types of maladies.

“Whatever was that about?” Galen asked, though he wondered if it was more advisable to remain uninformed. Except he would be on his own again in a matter of days, and it might help to know why it was even more pressing to steer clear of the man.

“The constable is convinced that a love potion will change his preferences—to women.”

Galen was breathless with disbelief and ire and uneasiness. He could only imagine what his own aura looked like in that moment. The constable was inclined toward men but wished to change that part of himself using magic?

Oscar continued, “Madam Langley has explained repeatedly that you are born just as you were meant to be. Therefore, any sort of concoction will be ineffective.”

You are born just as you were meant to be. Galen felt lighthearted at the sentiment.

“He obviously doesn’t believe her.” Oscar frowned. “To the detriment of anyone in the path of his brutish behavior.”

Galen winced, the memory of the baton surfacing again. “Is there such a thing as a love potion?”

“Madam Langley says there is, but only to enhance the seedlings of love that already exist. Not to trick anyone away from the future they are fated.”

Fate. There was that word again.

“And she placates him because…” Galen trailed off, attempting to piece together the answer in his head.

“Because with one stroke of a pen he can close this place—or worse.”

Galen cringed, imagining Moon Flower being raided. He did not wish that on anyone. “Has the constable been upstairs?”

“Yes, he has occasionally graced us with his presence.” He scoffed as his gaze swung toward the madam and Azriel. “Unfortunately.”