The Prophecy: Empress Returns

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Yellow!” Allie’s happy-go-lucky voice rang out.

“Allie?”

“What’s up, Kalea?”

“I need your help with something.”

“Anything for you!”

“Have you had the chickenpox?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Uh... unfortunately, I have them right now, and I was wondering if you or any of your Wiccan friends could help me out?”

“Oh, my God! Are you serious?! Are you okay?!” Allie shrieked with genuine concern.

“No. It feels awful. I want to scratch myself until I bleed, my skin feels like it’s on fire, and I can’t pee without wanting to cry.”

“Eesh. I’m so sorry to hear that, friend. But yes, I’ve had it, and yes, I’m sure one of the Wiccan ladies can help you. Let me ask them, and I’ll send whoever can help your way.”

“Thank you. You’re a lifesaver!”

“Don’t thank me yet. I need to make sure they can first.”

“Right, I got it. But either way, thank you for trying.”

“I got you. Give me like five minutes, and I’ll call you right back.”

“No need. Just shoot me a text, and if someone can come, send them my way.”

“Will do! Feel better!”

“Thanks.”

Kalea ended the call and let out a sigh—this time in relief.

“Can she help?” Renee asked, noticing the way Kalea’s shoulders dropped in slight relief.

“She said she’ll ask around and get back to me.”

“Good, good. That’s better than nothing,” Renee replied, and Kalea nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Allie texted Kalea to let her know that one of her Wiccan friends had a magical remedy. While it couldn't cure the virus entirely, it would provide significant reprieve from the itching and the burning sensation caused by the rash. Though Kalea was mildly disappointed she couldn't be completely cured, just knowing she would soon have relief from the physical agony was more than enough.

Twenty minutes later, a knock echoed through the Hounds of the Night packhouse.

Eddie pulled open the front door, looking surprised to find a stranger on the porch.

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Eddie asked, his brow furrowing defensively.

“Sorry, I hope I have the right packhouse.”

“That depends. Who are you, and who are you looking for?”

“Sorry! My name is Letty. Allie sent me.”

“Luna Allie?” Eddie clarified. Letty nodded. “Okay. Why did she send you?”

“She said that the Luna here is dealing with something that requires some... healing?”

“Oh, sh*t. Okay, yeah. Come on in,” Eddie said, stepping aside immediately when he realized Letty was the Wiccan sent to help Kalea.

“Where is she?” Letty asked.

“I’ll take you to her,” Eddie said, leading the way up the stairs to the master suite. “Kalea?” he called softly as he pushed the door open.

“Yeah?”

“Someone's here to help you. She says Allie sent her.”

“Oh! Yes! Yes, come in, please!” Kalea practically begged.

Letty walked into the room and handed Kalea three potion bottles.

“What are these?” Kalea asked, inspecting the colorful vials.

“The pink one is for the itching—you drink that one first. When the itching subsides, which only takes a minute or two at most, then you’ll drink the blue one. That helps with the burning and stinging from your scratching. And the red one will help keep the rash from spreading any further while also preventing the contagion from spreading to anyone else.”

“So this red one means I don’t have to hide in my room?”

“Yup. It acts as an airborne barrier, but still, try not to touch anyone who hasn’t had it yet. And make sure no one is touching anything you’ve touched. Also, keep using any medication your pack doctor gave you—they work in conjunction with these potions.”

“And she has to take them in that order?” Renee asked.

“Not necessarily, but I’ve found that the worst sensations of the virus are the itching and burning. So that’s why I recommend starting with the pink one, following with the blue, and finishing with the red,” Letty explained with a comforting smile.

“Thank you so much, especially for coming on such short notice,” Renee said, stepping forward to shake Letty’s hand.

“Oh, of course. It’s no problem at all. I quit my job recently, so I’ve had plenty of time on my hands to perfect my healing potions.”

“Are you training to be a healer?” Eddie asked.

“Yup.”

“Well, this is an amazing first step, then,” Kalea said as she downed the pink potion. She immediately uncorked the blue one, but Letty lunged slightly to stop her.

“WAIT!”

“What?” Kalea looked at her in surprise.

“Wait for the pink one to kick in first.”

“Sorry. I’m just desperate.”

“Believe me, I know. Having the chickenpox as an adult sucks,” Letty replied.

“You had it as an adult?” Kalea asked.

“Technically, I was sixteen and caught it from a kid I was babysitting. I had no idea I’d never had it until my mom told me,” Letty explained, rolling her eyes. “I was so desperate to relieve the itching that I played mad scientist in my mom’s sanctuary until I came up with the perfect blend. Now I sell it to other Wiccans and anyone else who needs it.”

“Does it work on pups, too?” Eddie asked.

“It does, but I suggest not giving it to them,” Letty responded.

“Why?” Renee asked.

“Because you want their bodies to create antibodies, naturally. Since pups don’t get their wolves until adulthood, they need those antibodies while they’re young so they don’t catch it again. Or, in the off chance they do, it won’t be as bad.”

“Ah...” Renee responded, nodding thoughtfully at Letty’s explanation.

“Do you by chance have a potion that can prevent others from catching it altogether?” Eddie asked, leaning against the bedpost.

“Unfortunately, no.”

“Never mind, then,” Eddie said, his lips twitching into a wry smile.

“I’m guessing there are a few other adults in this pack that are at risk?” Letty asked, glancing between them.

“Yeah. More than a few, most likely.”

“Well, if you want, I can mass-produce the potions and send them over as kits?”

“Can you really?” Eddie asked, a spark of hope in his eyes.

“Sure. But that’s going to cost you,” Letty said with a quick wink. “Treating the Luna here was a personal favor to Allie.”

“Name your price,” Eddie replied without hesitation. “If it keeps the rest of the pack from tearing their skin off while Dr. Martin manages the outbreak, it’s worth every cent.”

Before Letty could answer, Kalea let out a long, audible sigh as her eyes closed in pure bliss. The relentless, fiery itch consuming her skin suddenly began to dull, fading into a cool, soothing sensation.

“Oh, Goddess,” Kalea breathed out, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “It’s working. It actually works!”

“Told you.” Letty smiled warmly. “Give it another minute, then go ahead and take the blue one.”

“Uh-huh...” Kalea sighed in absolute relief, leaning back against her mountain of pillows as the terrible itching finally eased.

“How much for a kit?” Eddie asked, getting right back to business.

“I usually charge ten dollars a potion, but since you’re getting the full kits, it’ll be twenty-five a kit.”

“How many can you make?”

“How many do you need?” Letty asked, her brows furrowing slightly.

“Let’s go with ten for now, and I’ll let you know if we need more.”

“Sure thing. Let me head back to Desert Moon and get started on those.”

“Do you need payment now?” Eddie asked, reaching for his wallet.

“Nah. You can pay me after services are rendered.”

“Thank you,” Eddie said with a grateful smile.

“Yes! Thank you so much!” Kalea added, feeling infinitely better.

“Of course! I’ll catch you guys later.” Letty gave a quick wave before teleporting right back to Desert Moon in a subtle flash of light.

“See now, darling? Aren’t you glad we asked for help?” Renee looked at Kalea with a gentle smirk.

“Yes, Mom. I know, I know. I’m sorry for being stubborn,” Kalea admitted, unhooking the stopper on the second bottle.

She downed the blue potion next, sitting back patiently as the magic worked. Within moments, the raw, angry burning across her skin cooled into a soothing chill. Renee and Eddie stayed right by her side until she drank the final red potion and slipped away to test her luck in the bathroom. When she returned without tears—and without even a wince—the collective sigh of relief in the room was palpable.

“Well, now that that’s taken care of, how about we get this wedding planned, hm?” Renee asked, rubbing her hands together with eager anticipation.

“Yes, let’s!” Kalea grinned, her spirits instantly lifted, not realizing that the chickenpox would be the least of Kalea’s worries.