The Potion Diaries by Amy Alward Read Free Book Online Page A

it could be a chance for us to prove ourselves to the whole world? At least it would be free publicity for the business! We could actually get the till ringing again!’
    ‘If your grandfather says no, he has a good reason,’ says my dad.
    ‘Plus, Emilia Thoth? She’s what nightmares are made of. I don’t want you anywhere near her warpath,’ Mum says.
    ‘So I’m just supposed to let the Princess go steadily insane even if I have the chance to cure her?’
    ‘Someone else will help her, honey.’
    ‘But
I
could help her! You keep telling me I have this gift but now that I actually have the chance to use it, you’re not letting me!’ My cheeks prickle with heat. All I can think about is the silent till in the store. The empty jars on the shelves that will never be filled. The years of pinching pennies, just so that Molly and I can have an education. Grandad taught me to be a proud Kemi, but how can I be proud? We’ve been offered a chance to prove ourselves, and we’re just going to throw it away. It’s typical. ‘I’m going to my room.’
    ‘Sam—’ Mum tries to call me back to the table, but I’m already up the stairs, my eyes blurring with tears.
    I throw myself onto the bed. I don’t know why my family is being so difficult about this.
    There’s one other family I know who must be going through the same thing. I drag my laptop off my nightstand and onto the duvet. As soon as I log on, Anita pops up on the video chat, her face flushed with excitement. Her dark hair is tied back into a ponytail, and I can see the thick straps of a backpack over her shoulders.
    ‘I’ve been waiting for you all evening, Sam, what took you so long? Dad said he saw you at the Palace! We don’t have much time to get to—’
    She must register the look on my face, because she stops mid-sentence.
    ‘Grandad said no,’ I say.
    The image of Anita shakes as she reaches out and grabs her computer screen. ‘What? You’re kidding? You haven’t joined yet?’
    I shake my head. ‘I know, I don’t get it either.’
    ‘But a Wilde Hunt! It’s practically a Kemi family tradition!’
    ‘Maybe back in the day . . .’ I take in more of Anita’s outfit, and it’s clear she’s dressed to go Find an ingredient. I swallow down my jealousy, and force a smile. ‘Now, it’s the Patels’ turn.’
    Anita sees through my act, though. ‘Oh Sam, you should be here. My dad was hesitant too. He won’t actually participate in the Hunt either; he’s got commitments at the store he can’t leave. But he made me his apprentice and Auden’s Horn accepted my entry just a moment ago. Arjun is coming along as our Finder. We never thought we’d get an opportunity like this in our lifetimes. We might not have a hope of winning but we’re going to try.’
    There is a commotion on the screen, bringing into focus the familiar dark-eyed features of Anita’s brother, Arjun, as he forces himself into the frame, his hair stiffened with just a bit too much gel.
    ‘Hey, Sam, I overheard. That sucks.’
    I nod, but I have to bite my lip to stop myself crying.
    Arjun looks at Anita. ‘Okay, sis, we gotta go.’
    ‘Good luck, guys,’ I choke out, waving as the computer screen goes black.
    Our video chat over, I snap down the lid on my laptop. I change into my PJs and jump back on my bed, flicking on the TV that sits on the dresser in the corner of my room. There, in front of me, is Evelyn’s shining face, her pearly white teeth bared in a perfect smile.
EVELYN CANCELS BIRTHDAY PARTY, REASON CURRENTLY UNKNOWN,
the scrolling caption reads. So, the news of her poisoning hasn’t broken to the media yet.
    I feel a twinge of guilt. What could’ve driven Evelyn to mix a love potion when the consequences could’ve been – well, I guess not much worse than what actually happened to her? But then there is something else – a spark of admiration. She’d mixed it on her own – unearthed the formula for a potion so many try and fail to