Madly by Amy Alward

screen.
    The potion was meant for him. That must be whatthe Queen Mother meant. He could’ve become instant royalty. I wonder why he didn’t want that.
    It’s hard to believe that only a few hours ago Zain and I were in the same room together. Thinking about him, I almost blush, even though I’m alone. I roll my eyes at my own reaction, then finally switch over to a sitcom about a mixed group of Talented and ordinary friends who hang out together in a local bar. It was a pretty radical show in its time and I’ve seen all the episodes a thousand times. I don’t take any of it in. All I can think about is the love potion. I wonder which ingredient the princess wrote down. I wonder where Anita and Arjun are off to. I scold myself. I need to forget today ever happened.
    A few episodes later, and the house is silent. I tuck in under the duvet, but I’ve barely shut my eyes when I hear a tapping sound on my window, like stones are being thrown at it. I sit up in bed, pull the curtain aside, and find myself staring straight into the face of Kirsty Donovan, the Kemi family Finder.

Chapter Ten
    Samantha
    â€œKIRSTY!” I PUSH UP THE window and help her crawl through into the room. She must have climbed up the outside of the house to my window using the drainpipe. Kirsty never does things the normal way. “What are you doing here?” I whisper.
    I haven’t seen her in months, but she looks just the same—glamour-free, tanned skin, dark-blond hair pulled to the side in a braid that looks practical but still beautiful, her toned arms on show as they always are except in the darkest months of winter. She’s wearing her trademark uniform too—black vest top, gray-green trousers with innumerable pockets, tall boots. She’s the epitome of a Finder. I suddenly feel incredibly awkward in my yellow polka-dot pajamas.
    â€œI’m here to talk about the hunt, of course!” I can see her eyes are shining, catching the light from the street lamps outside.
    â€œYou heard? How?”
    She winks. “Friends in low places, I guess. I’m a bit insulted that you haven’t already asked me to be your Finder in the hunt, but I’ll let you off. What’s the first ingredient? We need to get ahead of the competition if the synths are involved.”
    I slump back down onto my bed. “We’re not joining. Granddad doesn’t want anything to do with it.”
    â€œDon’t be ridiculous,” says Kirsty. “Why do you think I came through the window? Of course Ostanes won’t allow it; I’ve known dragons who bear less of a grudge than that man. But a Kemi has been called to the hunt. That could be you.”
    â€œThey want my grandfather, not me.”
    â€œBut you could do it.”
    â€œNo way,” I scoff.
    â€œWhy not? You might try to deny it, but you’ve got the Kemi gift. You know how to mix with the best of them.”
    â€œI’m nowhere near as good as Granddad, and I won’t be able to compete with the synths. When they get those ingredients into their big labs . . .”
    â€œThen think of it this way. You’re the Kemi apprentice. I don’t really get it since obviously you should be going to Kingstown Uni to study synths and potions because this is the twenty-first century, but fine. Your choice. But this is your chance to make that decision count. To make your name as an alchemist and put theKemis back on the map. You need my help, of course. And I’m offering it to you—free of charge.”
    Hearing Kirsty say this out loud makes the opportunity seem real, tangible—something I can reach out and grab with both hands. I’m surprised she’s offering her services for free. Business is tough for her too. In the old days, every great alchemist would have their own Finder. If you were the Kemi master, you had a team of people you trusted to go out into the Wilds and collect