Chapter 3

The next morning, Audrey called me on video. Silverfrost Pack's herbal research institute wanted to offer me a position as a specialist herbalist.

"They still remember how you improved that formula when you were little," she said. "One of the researchers told me that if you'd gone to the Northern Academy, you probably would've been working in a lab years ago."

"They just want to see what you can do now. Record yourself doing an herb extraction. If you pass, they'll send you an official offer."

I held my phone without saying anything.

I hadn't done any serious herbal research in six years. After Jake tore up my acceptance letter, I'd shoved my notes to the back of a cupboard. I couldn't even bring myself to linger outside an herb shop.

Audrey smiled. "Brielle, you could identify plants nobody else recognized when we were kids. You even came up with your own formulas. Tell me you've still got some of that fire."

"I do."

After we hung up, I found my old notebooks. The covers were worn, with dried leaves pressed between the pages. I'd thought about throwing them away so many times, but I never could.

The institute had sent me a basic purification test. I needed to extract a stable solution from moondew herb and record its purity and dosage. The herb was harmless, and I could borrow the equipment from the Pack pharmacy.

Nobody was supposed to be home, so I cleared the dining table, propped up my phone, and started recording.

I got the temperature wrong on my first attempt. The solution turned cloudy. I threw it out and tried again. The second batch failed to separate properly.

By the third try, my hands began to remember what to do.

Wash. Grind. Filter. Lower the heat slowly.

The liquid gradually turned clear. I remembered an old academy assessment and the instructor who'd looked over my notes and said I had a gift for herbal research.

I finished the last step, turned off the heat, and reached for my phone.

The front door opened behind me.

"Brielle?"

Maisie stood in the entryway wearing Kieran's coat. Mom carried her hospital bag. Jake had flowers in his arms, with Lucas and Kieran following behind.

"The healer says Maisie's doing much better. She wanted to come home early and stay in—"

Mom stopped mid-sentence when she saw the equipment on the table. Her face darkened.

Maisie slowly put a hand to her chest. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Brielle was born to be an herbalist. Not like me. My asthma means I can't even go to the academy."

She spoke as softly as ever, but everyone's expression changed.

Mom marched over and slapped me across the face.

"You knew Maisie was coming home today! You did this on purpose!"

My ears rang. Before I could steady myself, Jake grabbed my phone off the cupboard and smashed it against the floor.

"You even recorded yourself? What was the plan? Show Maisie the video later if we hadn't walked in?"

Lucas leaned against the doorframe with a sneer. "I told you she can't stand seeing Maisie happy. She was quiet while Maisie was at the healing center, but the second she comes home, Brielle starts this. Nice timing."

Kieran didn't yell. He stepped in front of Maisie and looked at me with nothing but disappointment.

"You know how badly she wants to study herbs. Why would you rub it in her face?"

Maisie peeked out from behind him, sniffling. "Please don't blame Brielle. I shouldn't have come home so early..."

Mom turned toward me with a look I knew all too well.

She was waiting for me to apologize. For six years, that had been enough to make every argument disappear.

Lucas checked the time impatiently. "Just say you're sorry. We're all tired. You always end up apologizing anyway."

I said nothing. I crouched down and picked up my phone. The screen was shattered, but thankfully it still worked.

In my conversation with the research institute, one word appeared beneath the video: Sent.

When Jake grabbed the phone, my finger must have hit the send button.

"I didn't do anything wrong. I'm not apologizing."

Mom pointed at the door. "Then get out! Don't come back until you've come to your senses!"

Maisie clung to her, crying and shaking her head. "Mom, don't throw Brielle out. She's waited all this time to have her bonding ceremony with Kieran. There's no way she'd really leave."

I took my phone and went to my room to pack.

Outside, I heard Lucas say, "You seriously believe she's leaving? Come on. This isn't the first time she's pulled this."

I gave a bitter smile, closed the door, and tore the photographs off the wall one by one.

Not long afterward, my phone lit up. The research institute in Silverfrost Pack had replied.

[We received your video. You've passed the practical assessment, and we'd like to formally offer you the specialist herbalist position. Please report next Monday.]

I was about to tell Audrey when I heard Kieran on the phone outside my room.

"Dad, I'm bringing my mate home for dinner tomorrow. I want you to meet her."