"Don't touch that!"
Viola drifted into the hallway, her ash-blond hair piled messily on top of her head, her black skirts brushing the floor.
"It's poisoned."
Jodie jerked away from the Venus flytrap she'd been admiring and rubbed her palms against her jeans and trousers. "Err...I'm sorry to intrude. Ms. Van said you wanted to see me."
"Yes," she eyed Jodie up and down with a crooked smile. "Let's talk inside my inner chamber, if you don't mind. I wish to discuss something with you."
"Okay."
Jodie followed her further inside the little space. She looked over the little pots of herbs all along the windowsill, the candle arrangement along the hallway, and the pots hanging from the ceiling. The place smelt like woodsmoke and herbs.
"I've prepared a bath for you," Viola announced, placing a ringed hand on her hip as she moved ahead. "There's a robe, a towel, and everything you'll need to get started."
