"The Witch Slayer?" Charlotte asked, wondering if she was talking about the murder investigation. Victoria pulled out a newspaper and threw it on the counter. The title said The Witch Slayer back in Strathmore? and had a brief description of what was going on at the ravine.

"It mentions you two by name," Victoria added, pointing at the article. It did indeed mention both Charlotte and Lynn. Charlotte felt her heart stop as she read the excerpt.

However, this isn't the first time the Witch Slayer has visited Strathmore. Nearly ten years ago, Strathmore was terrorized when Madame Dragyn's Wendy and Charles Blackwood were murdered, leaving their two daughters, Charlotte and Evelynn Blackwood. The Bureau has said nothing on the similarity to the press, but one can't help but be curious. Is the killer back to finish the job? We will watch the case carefully.

Charlotte grew angry, worried, and guilty all at once as she gave the paper back to Victoria. Elizabeth had also walked in, but didn't seem to be interested in joining in the conversation.

"You told me that you inherited the shoppe from your deceased parents, but I had no idea that they were murdered so horribly," Victoria informed, backing off after seeing Charlotte's face. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"It was so long ago, I didn't think about it. It was exactly pertinent information, and it's a little hard to talk about," Charlotte sighed, looking over to Lynn.

"Is it the same killer?" Elizabeth asked. Charlotte hesitated and shrugged.

"Probably. They didn't catch them ten years ago, there's a good chance they're back. The Bureau is still working on the case," Charlotte answered, turning to Victoria. "There is something that wasn't written in the paper. The note written at my parents' crime scene was also written at the scene today."

"That's a pretty good indicator, but why wasn't that in the paper?" Elizabeth wondered.

"Because I found it a few minutes before I came here. I'm sure the rest of the Bureau was just informed of it as well," Charlotte explained before taking a deep breath. "But let's not talk about this tonight. We were invited here to have fun and relax."

"Yes, exactly," Lynn grinned. Victoria nodded, still wanting to know more about the person they called the Witch Slayer in the paper.

Lynn shooed them out of the kitchen into the parlor room, where Tyler was preparing a small glass of scotch. As Charlotte entered, she recognized a second person in the room. 

Jack Garcia was a tall, lanky man with a prominent beard. His dark hair matched his eyes perfectly, beautifully. He worked under Tyler at his practice Master Lyon and Associates as an apprentice, similarly to Victoria at the potion shoppe. Jack was studying to become a witch doctor just like Tyler. If her memory served, Charlotte believed that he had taken the name Mister Gaia.

As Charlotte entered, she saw her student Elizabeth blush as she noticed Jack in the room. Charlotte knew that she fancied him, and she thought it was adorable. She never said anything, but she wanted nothing more than her student to find the courage to talk to Jack.

"Did Lynn kick you out?" Tyler laughed as Charlotte nodded. "Come have a drink, then."

"Don't mind if I do," Charlotte smiled, walking over toward the table. As Tyler grabbed another glass, he looked over at Jack.

"You remember Charlotte and her students, right?" Tyler asked. Jack smiled and nodded.

"I think we've met a few times before," Jack answered. "Although, I must say it's been a while."

"Too long, in my opinion. Mr. Doctor over here loves to take my sister away from for weeks at a time," Charlotte teased as Tyler rolled his eyes. He handed her the glass and shook his head.

"I think weeks at a time exaggerates it a bit," Tyler sighed. "Jack actually came with Lynn and I to Askos. We were researching a new plant that could be used for curing more diseases. I brought some back if you're interested."

"Of course I'm interested!" Charlotte exclaimed happily. Victoria chuckled at her mentor's excitement over a potential potion ingredient. "What kind of properties does it have? What diseases are you looking to treat?"

"Well, I think this could potentially work as a blood thinner, but I have to run some tests first. But I think it could help with fever management. Some of the doctors from Askos have been using it for decades," Tyler explained, holding out a long parcel. Inside, there were long green shoots with dark purple leaves and white flowers.

"Fascinating. I wonder if I could perfect the Remedimorbia potion. The common cold could be a thing of the past," Charlotte added, dreaming. Tyler laughed, handing the box to her. Charlotte gingerly took the box, surprised.

"I have plenty here, so take this. Let's see if we can make history," Tyler suggested, holding his hand out. She shook it firmly and smiled.

"Absolutely," Charlotte grinned before looking in the box again.

"You really have a passion for this," Jack remarked, sipping at his whiskey.

"I guess you could say that," Charlotte laughed, a huge smile on her face. "With the proper advertising as well, this could be great for the shoppe."

"I'll drink to that!" Victoria shouted, pouring herself a drink as Tyler was now distracted. Elizabeth agreed, but made no move to get a glass. Charlotte toasted to their good fortune before drinking.

"Would you mind if I did my own tests? Just to see if it's possible to put it in a potion?" Charlotte wondered as Tyler shrugged.

"As long as you're not selling it prematurely, then I think we should be fine," Tyler answered as Charlotte placed the box on a side table.

"And once we've figured it out, we should figure out royalties. I want you to take a portion of sales, since your brought it over," Charlotte informed as she held her glass out for another drink.

"Charlotte-" Tyler began, pouring more drinks.

"I said after we've figured it out," Charlotte warned, sipping her new drink. Tyler shook his head before he sighed. Jack laughed.

"You're the only the man that I know that would turn down money at face value. It's a good deal, and we might be able to find a bigger place for the practice," Jack reminded.

"Oh, that reminds me, how far away are you away from testing for your Name?" Charlotte asked, turning the conversation away. Tyler exhaled loudly before looking over to Jack.

"Well, I was preparing to take the test in the coming weeks, but with the Council barring tests right now, who really knows. I plan on taking the test the day they allow it again," Jack replied with a shrug. 

"I'll probably see you there. I'm testing that day as well," Victoria spoke up, raising her glass. 

"To removing the testing ban," Jack toasted before drinking. Charlotte smiled as Victoria and Tyler also drank.

"We should probably take it easy, since dinner should be done soon. Lynn hates it when people drink without her," Tyler cautioned before putting away the whiskey. Charlotte finished her drink before placing the glass on the table.

"Do you think the shit about the Witch Doctor will influence the Council's decisions about testing and such?" Victoria pondered, looking at her glass as she sat down. Charlotte shrugged.

"Possibly. I'm sure they'll send out a letter explaining their plans tomorrow. They're usually pretty quick about that," Charlotte mentioned.

"I hope that they don't panic," Elizabeth mumbled, sitting on the couch next to Victoria. Charlotte sighed and nodded.

"I agree," she whispered.

"It is the Council. I'm sure everything will be fine, and they'll work with the Bureau to take care of it," Tyler reassured with a smile.

"I hope you're right," Charlotte answered as Lynn called them into the dining room.