Prohibited Magic is the third book in the Grimoire Society of Dark Acts series. Episode 4 is up on my Patreon—it’s pay-what-you-like—and it’ll go up later on Kindle Vella.
Episode 4: Humphrey heads back to his pharmacy to get Anne medicine, and finds “Dr.” Blood waiting for him. On his way back, a vision comes out of nowhere—without his crystal ball.
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What Prohibited Magic is about:
With Grimoire Society of Dark Acts’s magic book and crystal ball in the hands of the parasitic Ruin Rats, Carmichael’s decision to take the Book of Blessings and infiltrate the magical gang has left Dark Acts magically crippled. Gertrude is trapped in Grimoire Assassins’s magical realm; only the never-before-seen Grimoire of Blood can save her. Dark Acts and its allies split up to stop the worsening imbalance in the Magic Societal Universe, an unprecedented state with unfathomable consequences.
Episode 4: Strange Communication
HUMPHREY
It was the way Anne had seemed fine but was tired one moment and terribly ill the next that made Humphrey insist on going to the pharmacy for anything to relieve her symptoms. She’d told him not to bother, especially seeing as his heart wasn’t quite done healing from the prohibited magic that had restored it. She thought she’d recover soon because it was magic-related, but then she’d fallen asleep and he’d been unable to wake her.
The one time we don’t have someone to transport me magically…
Grimoire Assassins’s house was farther from the pharmacy than the Dark Acts house, but Humphrey hurried along and made short work of the trip with no negative consequences to his heart. Perhaps I’ll make a tonic for myself, just to be safe, using hawthorn berries. Then again, time is of the essence…
Finally he made it to the pharmacy and was pleased to see that the front door’s broken window had been replaced; Blood had done what he’d promised. There had been a strong chance he would do nothing at all and keep stalling just to use Humphrey’s place as his living quarters.
Despite the Closed sign on the door, Humphrey tried to open it, but it was locked. Good. Perhaps he isn’t serving customers, like I told him. Never without his pharmacy key out of habit, Humphrey removed it from his pocket and unlocked the door. Nothing looked out of place upon entering, which was another source of relief.
Humphrey headed straight behind the counter to the open back room, his mind reeling with what he could compound, or perhaps it would be faster to take something off the shelf.
Dr. Warburg’s Tincture.
Only three years ago, the Austrian Empire had declared it an official medicine of their countries, and a number of his own customers had reported back after taking it, saying it had helped them.
Heading for the shelves, a voice called out, “Who’s there?”
Humphrey paused and saw Blood peer around the corner from the short hall that led to the apartment, and as soon as he saw Humphrey, he relaxed. Coming into full view, Humphrey saw his arm lower, a wooden stick in his hand. It was the one the Ruin Rats had used during their fight here. Apparently he’d been ready to use it to defend himself. Not a bad idea.
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© Christie Stratos 2023