When the doorbell rang, Mirabe was still enjoying her breakfast. Delh, standing next to her, frowned in confusion. "Who could be knocking this early?"


    Thinking it might be the delivery she was waiting for, Mirabe quickly gulped down her milk, grabbed Delh''s arm, and said, "It''s probably my package, Mom. You keep eating. I''ll get it."


    Delh hesitated for a moment, but seeing Mirabe already up and heading out, she sat back down.


    Momentster, Mirabe returned, lugging a hefty box in her arms.


    Delh rushed over to help. "Sweetheart, what did you order? This box is huge." Shawn stood up too, walking over. "You should''ve asked me to lift this..."


    As he reached for the box, intending to take it from Mirabe, he was taken aback by its weight and fell silent.


    Mirabe tilted her head slightly, a hint of defiance in her voice. "No need. It''s too heavy for you."


    Shawn and Delh exchanged stunned looks.


    "That box must weigh a ton," Delh murmured, recalling its heft when she tried to help.


    Shawn''s mouth twitched. "Must be..."


    The image of their delicate and dainty daughter was, once again, shattered.


    When Mirabe came back out, her parents were still standing there, faces still showing shock. She nced at them and headed back out.


    ''No Stealing My Meds'' had sent her three boxes, each filled with alchemical equipment. After three trips, Mirabe finally got all the boxes to her room. Assembling theplex array took the better part of an hour, but eventually, everything was set up.


    "Darling, what are all these gadgets for?" Delh asked, eyeing the sleek, dark instrumentsid out on the bench.


    "Making medicine," Mirabe replied sinctly before heading out the door.


    Though Delh and Shawn looked on curiously at the equipment, they didn''t press further and left the room.


    Mirabe had just poured herself a ss of water when her cell phone chimed from her pocket. She pulled it out, a spark of anticipation lighting her eyes at the caller ID. She hit the answer button.


    "The herbs you asked me to find are ready," came James''s crisp voice from the other end.


    Setting her ss down on a nearby table, Mirabe replied, "I''lle get them now."


    "Alright, I''ll wait for you."


    With her mood lifted, Mirabe pocketed her phone, looked up at Delh, and mentioned she''d be out for a bit.


    Soon, she stepped out the door, making her way to the neighboring vi.


    A touch of her finger, and the biometric lock disengaged. The door swung open.


    Inside the vi, Mirabe noticed James was alone, which prompted her to ask, "Where are Wyatt and Curtis?"


    James nced at her before replying calmly, "They have their own tasks."


    Mirabe touched her nose, not dwelling on it. "Alright, then."


    James stood and walked over to a cab. With no rush, he retrieved two boxes. "Here are the herbs you wanted."


    Her eyes brightened. Mirabe thanked him, took the boxes to the coffee table, and eagerly inspected her new treasure.