Zane
“I need a new potion.”
As usual, I barged straight into Fred’s office without knocking. He was hunched over his desk, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, mixing something that looked suspiciously like mud and smoke. His lab always smelled like burnt herbs and bad decisions.
“Hello to you too, Zane,” Fred muttered without looking up. “And no.”
My jaw tightened. “I need a new potion.” My voice trailed off before I added, quieter, “Please.”
Fred froze mid-stir, his head tilting like he wasn’t sure he heard me right. Slowly, he looked up, one brow raised. “Did the mighty King just say please? Hold on—” He patted his pockets dramatically. “Let me grab a pen so I can immortalize this historic moment.”
I glared at him. “Fred.”
“Right, right.” He sighed and set his flask down. “You’re ser
