Once the potion was sufficiently ready, I unstoppered it and took my knife. All the dread and foreboding feeling that I have felt for the past week collided. I had to force myself to poke my finger with the knife. I was momentarily mesmerized by my blood, forgetting the dread. I was tempted to experiment with my blood like the dark book showed, but thought better of it. Not the time or place to try that. I allow the blood to be dropped into the potion. Once the potion turned a shimmering red, I knew it was ready. Very carefully I poured the potion onto the page.