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She hadn’t always. Magic had taken everything from her. But maybe he was right. It wasn’t magic—it was Mercer and Rakkley who had transformed magic into something horrific.

“I don’t know anymore,” she responded.

His hand wrapped around hers. “Don’t hate your magic, Mira. It’s part of you, and it’s beautiful.”

Coming from an experienced Wielder like him, that was a high compliment. She only used Dark Magic when it had been her last resort. She had never thought about how her dark powers were perceived by others because she hadn’t accepted them herself. Spheres, she hadn’t even fully unpacked her rucksack at Ivercrest yet.

“You’ve been hiding for too long,” he continued in a voice only meant for her. “The world is a much brighter place with you in it.”

She tightened her hand around his, holding on for dear life as she fought tears. She couldn’t help but feel relief to be in the non-magic sphere. But he made her want to embrace her powers. As scary as that was.

Their food arrived, and despite the obvious reluctance in his voice, he admitted it was excellent.

“Would have been much faster to prepare with magic, though,” he amended with a smirk.

She told him about her failed experiment with Ella to transform spinach into cake. He shared a story about practicing ice magic for the first time and turning his friend’s hair into icicles.

“Rather unfortunate mistake,” he said. “Took hours to completely defrost.”

They laughed and shared stories. She didn’t want this night to end. This dream where danger didn’t hang over them.

She looked around and realized they were the only patrons left. “We should probably go.”

A server wiped down the bar.

“I’m going to use the restroom before we have to walk back to my place.” Aidric sighed dramatically, as if he had been subjected to a terrible fate.

“The restroom is downstairs.” She pointed at a staircase next to the bar.

“Oh good. More stairs.”

She rolled her eyes, and he walked away with a grin.

Sure, in the magic sphere she could have used drying spells for her shoes and trousers, but by now they were mostly dry anyway. She didn’t need magic. For one more night they could evade the dangers of the magic world. She imagined taking a long hot bath and then curling into bed with Aidric, far away from Rakkley’s reach.

The waiter flung his towel over his shoulder and disappeared through the swinging door to the kitchen. She couldn’t believe they were the only customers left. Time had gotten away from them.

When the door swung open again, instead of the server, two men in black clothing walked in. For a moment, she thought they couldn’t be here because of her, but they stood too still, stared at her too fervently.

“I didn’t think he’d leave her side,” the bald man said.

“Stupid mistake on his part, really,” the other replied with a gummy smile, missing several teeth. “Makes it easier for us. And I like easy.”

Mira stood up slowly. “What do you want?”

“Got to deliver you somewhere,” the bald one said. “Apparently, you’re worth quite a bit of money.”

The men were huge with bulky shoulders, and in Yharvan, the ink on her fingers wasn’t going to help her. How she wished for her powers now. Her right hand flexed, desperately itching for her magic that lay dormant.

She was in Yharvan. She was supposed to be safe. But she was no longer safe anywhere.

44

“You cooperate and we don’t have to hurt you,” the man with the missing teeth said.

“I can pay you double whatever it is you’re getting,” she stammered.

The bald one with the well-worn leather jacket laughed. “Word on the street is you’re worth more than just money. So we’re going to take a little trip.”