Sasha and Puck and the Brew for Brainwash by Daniel Nayeri

Author:Daniel Nayeri
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

At the center table sat Vadim Gentry. In front of him was a riveted oak box full of papers and mail. The baron was reading a letter as Sisal approached and said, “Hi, Daddy,” and kissed his cheek. The baron patted her on the head without looking up. Sisal took her seat and said, “Hello, Mother.” Sisal’s mother, Rose Gentry, sat on the other side of the table. She had her own chair, which the servants used to roll her from room to room. She sat holding a glass of tea, with a peaceful smile on her face.

There was one other chair at the table, for Basil, Sisal’s older brother, who was away on a painting trip to Rozny. Sasha wished he were there, more than anything. Basil had a good heart and would have probably helped her. But no such luck. Sasha was alone.

Sasha stood to the side as Sisal dove onto the cakes. Sasha tried to inch her way along the wall to get a look inside the baron’s strongbox. Maybe the deed to the house was in there? She craned her neck and stood on tiptoes until the baron noticed her. He didn’t say anything and kept reading. But he reached up and snapped the wooden box shut. Sasha retreated back to the wall, where Butta gave her a disapproving tsk sound.

The sound seemed to knock Mrs. Gentry out of a daydream. When she noticed Sasha, she said, “Oh, hello, dear.”

Sasha raised her hand to give a silent wave.

“Mother,” said Sisal. “Don’t speak to her. She’s just the help now.”

Rose Gentry smiled and ignored her daughter. “Tell me. How are you?”

“Not very well, ma’am,” said Sasha.

“Yes, I was sorry to hear.” Rose’s smile faded for the first time as she cast a glance at her husband. “And how is Maxima?” said Rose. The sound of Sasha’s mother’s name made her jump. The question pulled Vadim away from his papers and Sisal from her cakes.

“Mother,” said Sisal.

“Rose,” said Vadim. “You shouldn’t agitate yourself in your condition.”

“I’m fine,” said Rose. She looked back at Sasha. “Have you heard any news?”

Sasha squirmed as all the eyes in the room turned to her, glaring. All except Rose’s. She seemed genuinely curious. “We’ve heard a little,” said Sasha. “She’s stationed with the Knights of Daytime. Her medicines save lives.”

“She’s doing very important work,” said Rose. “We were best friends, you know.”

“Really?” said Sasha, stepping forward.

Rose nodded. “Her tea worked wonders for my joints. We had you and Sisal in the same winter storm. And before that, we attended Sunderdown Academy together. She studied alchemy and cures while I studied dance, but we were sisters for a while. She had your spark. I’m sure you have her knack for solving problems.”

Rose gave Sasha a gentle wink.

Sasha felt her heart swell and tears well up in her eyes.

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