Page 32 of Magic's Rise

I set my to-go cup in the cupholder. “You better take us someplace nice.”

“We’re only stopping for bathroom breaks and fast-food restaurants.” Haut shifts into gear, and Ros gives me a last kiss before shutting my door.

As the van rolls forward, Tris leans between the seats. “How’s it feel to drive a dad-mobile, Haut?”

“You’ll be taking a turn driving, too.” He shoves Tris back. “Buckle your seatbelt.”

“Why?” A click comes from the back seat. “We’re going to stop right away at the sheriff’s office to pick up Levi.”

We drive down toward town, the headlights catching an early morning fog that will burn off long after we’re gone. Shivering, I tuck my hands inside my sleeves.

Haut reaches out to crank up the heater and angles the vents toward me. “You should have dried your hair after you showered.”

“I was trying to hurry.”

Tris leans forward once more, his seatbelt straining to keep him safe. “Can I be in charge of the music?”

I perk up. “Oh, musicals. We can sing along.”

“Absolutely not.” Haut turns on the radio and classical opera fills the car.

My hands cover my ears. “What is this?”

Tris howls from the back seat, a perfect wolf protest even though he lost his ability to shift.

“That’s Barron’s preference.” Haut scrolls through the channels until country twangs from the speakers. “This is more like it.”

“Boo.” I reach for the dial.

Haut smacks my knuckles. “Driver picks the station.”

“I’m taking the next turn driving,” Tris and I say at the same time, then high-five.

“That won’t be for a while.” Haut glances at us. “You both went to the bathroom before we left, right?”

“Umm…”

His glower fixes on me. “You’re going at the station when we pick up Levi.”

I curl my legs up on the seat. “But I don’t need to go!”

“You’ll try anyway.”

We reach the bottom of the driveway, and gravel gives way to smooth pavement. Despite the early hour, pedestrians dart back and forth across the street, and a line forms outside Nesse’s Diner.

Haut pulls into the small parking lot at the sheriff’s station and cuts the engine. “Come on. Everyone is going to the bathroom. We’re not stopping for at least two hours.”

“Yes, Dad,” Tris and I chorus.

Haut lets out a sigh. “This is going to be a long road trip, isn’t it?”

Tris unbuckles his seatbelt and grabs the back of Haut’s seat to whisper in his ear, “Only if you fight it.”

Laughing, I hop out of the van and scurry into the station.

“Hey, Rowe,” Deputy Arden calls out, waving us over to his desk. “Aspen’s already waiting with Levi in Haut’s office.”

I skid to a stop and do a double take. “Excuse me?”

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