Page 40 of Veil of Night & Flames

“Smoke alarm. Three times in one day. Riley said, and I quote, ‘Babe, your lungs.’”

I grin. “I kinda love Riley.”

“I’m pretty sure I love Riley,” she says softly.

I cock my head, grinning. “Pretty sure?”

“I don’t want to jinx it. Tell me more about you.”

“I thought we were heading out. Food and Riley.”

“We are.” She crosses her arms. “Once you’ve told me everything.”

“I have.”

She tilts her head and gives me that look.

I go pour myself a coffee, then take a sip without waiting for it to cool down.

“Powers,” I mumble.

“What?”

“That’s the next thing. I have powers.”

“Of course you do.”

“I made a tent.”

“You what?”

“Burgundy silk. Gold cushions. I held my hand out, and it was just there.”

“Whoa. That’s freakishly awesome.”

“And when all hell broke loose during the crash, I held out my hand and said this word—Reverti—and a mare that was about to attack turned away from me. Like I was the queen of the universe or something. And there was a blast—from my hand. Silver and gold, sparkly stuff threaded together. I walloped a mare with it when we first arrived. It was freaky but totally awesome. And Chase said today that I’ve got powers. Or I will have. I’m guessing that’s where that blast came from.”

“For a moment, Tia just stares at me, her mouth slightly open.

“Earth to Tia?”

“Um, yeah.” She cocks her head. “That’s like, wow. Can you show me?”

I shrug. “I don’t have it in the Real yet. Chase said it’s coming. For that matter, I’m not sure how much I have in the realms. And probably shouldn’t try it without asking Chase. For all I know, every time I do something like that, it opens a door for a mare. “

“Well, at least it’s coming. One of us should have some magic. It might come in handy.”

“Tia…”

She shakes her head. “No, I’m not jealous. Well, a little. But I really am happy to have some magic mojo on our side. Maybe you can magic out a way to get mine back, and we can be the Dynamic Duo.”

I reach for her hand. “We already are.”

She matches my grin, then jumps when her phone chimes.

“Riley,” she says, snatching it up and reading the text.

“She’s heading to Griff’s,” she tells me. “Lots to share, and she doesn’t want to wait.”