My relief disappears. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t think we have the right kind of bloodhorn.”
Shit. “Are there other types of bloodhorn?”
“Several subspecies. But I’ve tried them all. So I’m thinking… maybe the missing ingredient is not bloodhorn?”
“What else could it be?”
Talina shrugs. “You tell me. You’re the expert. You’re the one who can walk through portals. No one else in this place can do that.”
“Really? No one?”
“Just you. Well, Tarq did it that one time. But I was told he used your leftover key.”
“What happened to it?” I ask. “That… key?”
“It fell apart when Tarq returned.”
Well, that’s good news. For a moment I was thinking that maybe he still had it and they might do some sort of chemical analysis on the scale and figure out the secret.
“I’m researching this, though,” Talina says. “I just started looking at alternative interpretations for the protocol. I’m on it. So you don’t have to worry. I’ll figure out what the problem is.”
“Great,” I mutter.
“So.” Talina smiles brightly at me. “What should we do?”
“Hell if I know. I’m not an alchemist, Talina. I’m not a chemist, I’m not a witch, and I’m one hundred percent not qualified for this position.”
She giggles. “Stop it.”
“I’m serious.”
She sighs and frowns. “I know how you’re feeling.”
“You do?”
“Yes. Imposter syndrome.”
“What?”
“You know. When you start something new and you feel inadequate. Like you’re an imposter. I know it’s all very weird, but you’re here for a reason, Pie.” She pauses, then holds up a finger. “I know what we should do. We should go get coffee.”
“Oh, my God. Yes. I really need a coffee.”
“Perfect.” Talina hooks her arm in mine, then steers me towards the door. “Let’s have a break.”
“Won’t Tarq get mad?”
“About what?”
“Slacking off, or whatever?”
“This is science, Pie. People don’t really expect results.” She giggles as she removes my messenger bag from my shoulder and places it on a large central table. “They only expect progress. And progress is relative. I’ve got my progress mapped out for the next two years. I’ll share it with you.”
“You will?”
She smiles at me. She’s a very pretty wood nymph. And I’m a little bit weirded out that my new co-worker isn’t human, but at the same time, I’m also a little bit relieved to be around others like me. “Of course,” she says. “We’re best friends now.”