Kieran smiled as he took it.“Not sure I could if I wanted to.”
While the shop employees exchanged looks, Kieran set the jacket down on a side table and began to write.He described the garment, from the silver threads to the crystal buttons, envisioning what it would look like in perfect condition.He described how the fabric’s glossy texture would reflect light, and how it would slide perfectly over the groom’s shoulders on his wedding day.He wrote of how it would look just as brilliant as the day it was first sewn, gleaming and crisp and fitting as if it had been made specifically for the owner.All the while, his hands glowed silver, the pen sparking faintly as he scratched the words onto the page.
And when he was done, he read the passage aloud, folded the paper into the shape of a pocket square, and tucked it in the jacket’s breast pocket.
For a tense second, the two employees peeked over Kieran’s shoulders, eyes rounded.At first, nothing happened.Kieran’s stomach twisted.Then, though, silvery light began to glow from the pocket.In the space between breaths, it began to glow so brightly that Kieran and the others averted their eyes, hands held up to block out the light.
When they looked back, they found the jacket lying before them, looking glossy and bright, as if it had been made that very day.
Kieran’s heart swelled.
“He did it!”Adam cried.He threw his hands in the air, then pulled the other employee into a tight hug.“We’re not getting fired!Oh, this is a miracle.”
The other employee, though, looked less convinced.He pulled a measuring tape from his pocket and laid it down on the jacket.His lips moved as he silently said the measurements to himself, cross-checking them with a tag that hung off the hanger.As he did, his eyes grew wider and wider, mouth hanging open.
“It’s…exactly right!”His face jerked up to meet Kieran’s gaze.“You did it.I—I can’t believe it!”
Kieran didn’t even realize how big his smile was until his cheeks began to ache.He’d done it.No fumbles, no mistakes—just a perfectly executed spell.Sure, he’d offered partly to get the jacket, but most of him had simply wanted to give it a shot.He’d never been able to casually help a stranger with his magic before.It was so simple, and yet Kieran felt that he could do anything in that moment.
Suddenly, a realization hit him:I don’t want to lose my magic.
It was such a simple thought that it didn’t strike him as big at first.Then, like a crashing wave, it swallowed him all at once.Hewantedto use magic.To be a true witch.At the beginning of this journey, he hadn’t cared if his magic was taken away.It had felt more like a burden than a gift—proof that he was as weak and unskilled as his father always said.Now that he had a handle—no matter how basic—on it, it felt strange to consider a life withoutit.
Before he could fully process the thought, the employees had pulled Kieran into a hug.He stood, nonplussed, before gently patting their backs as they showered him with praise.He craned his neck to look over his shoulder and saw Sebastian biting back a laugh.
“The peacock jacket is all yours,” Adam said.“And anything else, if you want it.We cannot thank you enough.”
“Anything, huh?”Kieran called to Sebastian, “We’re in luck.”
The sight of Sebastian’s smile was enough to make Kieran feel as if he’d cast a thousand perfect spells at once.
Maybe I’m not such a bad witch after all.
Once Sebastian had picked out a crisp suit for himself, he and Kieran left the shop in high spirits.It was a cool afternoon, and Yarrowport was bustling.As they stepped around people on the sidewalk, Sebastian reached out and took Kieran’s hand.“That was incredible back there.You should be proud,” he said as Kieran turned pink at his touch.Sebastian noticed, quickly adding, “Oh—sorry, I can let go if you like.Just don’t want to lose you—in the crowd, I mean.”
Kieran’s eyes flicked to their hands for a quick second.He’d never done something so…casually romantic with Sebastian before.He couldn’t say he disliked it.
Before he could respond, though, Kieran spotted something strange.There, on the edge of Sebastian’s coat sleeve, was a silver beetle.Its body glinted with a metallic sheen, and tiny clockwork mechanisms whirred on its back.Kieran halted, and people behind them cursed as they had to swerve out of the way to avoid running into them.
“Kieran, did you—?”Sebastian started.
As quick as he could, Kieran dropped Sebastian’s hand and attempted to snatch the insect.The second he did, its wings buzzed, and it managed to fly out from between his fingers before they closed.Kieran grabbed for it once more but missed.
“That’s a listening bug!”he cried.He followed it with his eyes as it buzzed over the crowd, heading for an alley nearby.Kieran grabbed Sebastian’s sleeve.“We have to—”
At that moment, the bug buzzed toward a figure standing at the edge of the alleyway.They wore all black and had chestnut-colored hair that was shaved entirely on one side and long on the other.They lifted a pale finger, and the bug landed on it.
For a brief second, they turned and looked at Kieran.They had androgynous, fey-like features: sharp, high-set cheekbones, a small upturned nose, luminous pale skin, and icy-blue eyes.For just a moment, they gave him a close-lipped smile.
At Kieran’s side, Sebastian went stock-still, his eyes wide.
The figure gave them a wink before they ducked into the alleyway out of sight.
“Come on!”Kieran cried.He grabbed Sebastian’s hand and pulled him in that direction.“We can’t let them get away!”
Sebastian seemed too stunned to move for a moment, but when he came to his senses, he followed Kieran’s lead.They shoved through the crowd as quickly as they could.People cursed at them as they passed, but Kieran didn’t care.If Elias was going to send a spy after them, he was going to confront them before they escaped.
As they stumbled into the alleyway, Kieran called, “Hold on!”
