The Apothecary Diaries Chapter 1 Novels & Stories

he encouraged, taking a seat across from me at the kitchen island. I carefully untied the twine and peeled back the paper. Inside was a stack of worn leather journals, their pages yellowed with age. On the cover of the topmost journal was a familiar symbol—a snowflake-like design that made my heart skip a beat. "These are..." My voice trailed off as I gently opened the first journal. Inside, written in a flowing script I somehow recognized despite never having seen it before, were detailed formulations for healing herbs combinations. At the top of the first page was a heading: "Winter's Remedy – Primary Formulations."

Just quiet. His car was spotless, the scent of pine and leather lingering as I buckled in. No evidence of the fight we had in it just two days ago. The apothecary sat at the edge of town, tucked between an old bookstore and a tiny café. Inside, it smelled of dried herbs, honey, and dust. Rows upon rows of tiny jars, labeled with what looked to be duct tape, lined the walls. “Feverroot,” I read aloud from the list.

Something had befall him, he couldn't fathom what had happened. Steps could be heard faintly and that was Damien walking away without a care or knowledge of the world. But there someone stood up there, watching what had transpired between them. She crease her forehead not getting a single grasp of what was happening. ***** How was the first chapter readers? Show your support for the Author by ranking the story up. YONBADE Benjamin

“I stumbled across something in it. It’s like a ritual, a ceremony. He claims it will heal the afflicted from vampirism. But the thing is, the page with the ceremony is torn in half. And the other half is missing. It’s an original edition—our library has it on loan—and our database shows no other existing copy. I need to see the other half of that page.” She paused, and a long silence followed. She hoped he’d have a solution. She knew that if anyone would, it would be him. He was her best and last hope. The silence went on so long, for a moment, she wondered if he’d hung up. Just as she was about to ask, his voice rang out:

Walking into the apothecary was like stepping back in time or into a fantasy book. The clock was made of wood and counted time in Roman figures. The walls were made of grey stones and there were candles everywhere, no hint of electricity or any technology in sight. I saw different bottles and pots as well as old books and a few herbs. The space was cluttered and dim. A tall, pale brunette stood behind the counter, brooms that looked like something witches used to fly was against the wall. “Hello.” Her voice was crisp and polite, about as inviting as a glacier.

And yet here was proof, a letter brought in by Lera herself. Speaking of which… I turned toward the apothecary door, hesitating for only half a second before pushing it open. The faint scent of herbs hit me first again, sharp rosemary, drying mint, something floral I couldn’t name. Lucan’s low muttering came from the back room. “Uh- Lucan?” I started, stepping inside. “Quick question-” “OUT.” The word cracked like a whip. I blinked. Had he not solved his issue yet? “I’m so-”

Not a veteran like me but an actual DVM. Chapter 1:2 Onto the Next Disaster, Xoxo Nyx

He approached my bed and gave me a kiss on the forehead, then another one on my tummy before another creak escaped through the door. Slowly, I opened an eye and made it dart around to confirm he was truly gone before opening the second. I heaved a sigh of relief. A very close call! I yanked the sheet away and off of me, levitating out of the bed to my apothecary through the secret sliding panel in my inner sanctum. My heart dropped to my mouth as my eyes opened to the terror in front of me— at the state of my apothecary. What the hell happened while I was away?

Harper never did anything by accident. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of sugar, bad karaoke, and jokes about me being too good for the hospital now. But that night, after everyone had gone to bed, I found myself sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, the book in my lap. The apartment was dark, except for the small kitchen lamp left on for Liam. I opened the book carefully, fingers trailing along the handwritten notes in the margins. Most of the spells made no sense to me. Herbs I’d never heard of. Symbols that looked half-alchemical, half-celestial. Then I saw it.

I know how this plays out—and I’m not letting them kill me off in Chapter 3 this time. Next steps: – Learn the mana system. Fast. – Pretend to still be weak and clueless (you know, for dramatic effect). – Spy on everyone in this mansion. – Figure out who tried to poison me and why. – Get on Duke Alaric’s good side (or at least under his skin). – Avoid eating literally anything the maid gives me. Ever. I closed the diary, sighed dramatically, tucked it under the mattress, and stared at the tall window where the sunset painted the sky gold.