Page 2 of Every Shade of Shadow

I fling the door open with a flourish. "Well, what is this?"

Sabrina breezes in, depositing the bags on my kitchen counter. She looks me over, snuffing. "Jesus, aren't you a ray of sunshine today.”

I roll my eyes, yawning. “Is it that obvious?”

She looks me over again. “It’s like you’ve been in the tumble cycle too long. Anywho, thought I'd bring you some essentials since I figured your cupboards are bare."

Tears prick at my eyes as I stare at the bags of food. "You didn't have to do this."

"Of course I did.” She points behind herself. “I saw the sign on the door. When are you out?”

“A week.”

Sabrina shakes her head. “You know if I could help…”

“I know, I know, but your parents control the money, trust fund, whatever.”

“They’re snobs.”

I give a short laugh. “Says the girl at the most prestigious magic academy in New York already set up with a cushy position in a local enclave and all the power that entails. Even your name is witchy.”

“It’s not like that.”

I shield my eyes, stepping back.

Sabrina looks concerned. “What is it?”

I keep squinting. “It’s just so…blinding.”

“What?”

“The glare…off the silver spoon in your ass.”

She reaches forward and shoves me. “You thought about a career in comedy?”

“You ever notice that? How there are no spells for humor. No, like, joke spells?”

“Joke spells?” Sabrina chuckles. “I could think of a few that could be rather entertaining in the right circumstances.” She steps back. “Speaking of spells, maybe you could consider selling your gran’s grimoire? It’s old as fuck, probably worth a small fortune. I bet my parents have contacts.”

I fold my arms across my chest, shaking my head. “Absolutely not. She’d rise from the grave and kill me herself.”

“But you don’t even practice,” Sabrina says, pushing.

“Nothing good comes from magic,” I remind her, echoing Gran’s words, “even if I do know every spell, every charm, every little thing about it.”

“You know what they say about all theory and no practice.”

I wave my hand around. “Who am I supposed to practice on, hmm?”

Sabrina raises her hands back. “Alright, enough about all that. You’re working today?”

“In an hour.”

“How about breakfast then, my treat?”

"I can't let you—"

"Hush. I'm not taking no for an answer." She steers me toward the door. "You need to eat, and besides, I have something to run past you."

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