Page 52 of Light Magic

I opened it and almost squealed—it was from Kaz. He had sent it late last night, and somehow it had gotten through. Maybe he had sent it as I was walking by the library to come to my bedroom. I typed a text back, but of course, there was no service here.

Shit.

Trying to be as quiet as I could, I slipped into the closet, got dressed in a new pair of tight jeans and a black sweater, grabbed my boots, and sneaked out of the bedroom.

It was just past six in the morning, so I was the only one in the library. I put my boots down, ignored them for now, sat down, and called Kaz.

The phone rang four times and I was about to put it down when he finally answered.

“Hi, Ariella.”

A wave of relief washed through me, but soon my stomach tightened. Yes, he had answered, but it didn’t mean he would agree to my plan.

“Kaz … I need your help.”

I explained to him about what happened to me—he had been there, he knew—and how Raika was able to survive after giving the dragon’s magic to the eggs. Then I launched into what I had read about the foreign magic being stored away from the dragons.

“Is it true? Do you know? Could my magic be somewhere inside the eggs, tucked away to be discarded?”

He let out a sigh. “It’s true. If Raika gave the eggs all of the magic that didn’t belong to her, then that means the dragons now have your magic and everyone else's Paimon stole.”

I shot up and started pacing around. “Do you think there’s a way for me to get it back?”

He paused, probably considering. “There might be.”

I almost cried happy tears but inhaled deeply to calm myself. “Explain might.”

“Of the eight eggs, one didn’t make it, three hatched, and the other four are still eggs,” he said. “We will need powerful witches versed in dragon magic to be able to coax your magic out of the dragons and the eggs without harming them.”

“I sent a message to Evelyn,” I said. “She hasn’t replied yet.”

“Evelyn is an expert in dragon magic, but not strong enough.”

I frowned. “What if I get you a strong witch and Evelyn. Do you think that would work?”

He didn’t answer for six full seconds. “I need to talk to the council. The other dragon shifters and dragons are even less keen on mixing with other supernaturals than I am. I can’t promise I’ll convince them.”

Shit. “But you’ll try?”

“I will talk to them. But again, I can't promise anything.”

I nodded. “That’s enough.” For now, at least. “And I’ll call Evelyn.”

“If I get approval from the council, I’ll try contacting her too.”

“Kaz, thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet.”

But I thanked him again before we ended the call.

I felt like running, dancing, shouting, singing, even though I believed Kaz and knew it would be tough to convince the dragon shifter council.

But even if they said no, we could keep bothering them, presenting better solutions, until they agreed. If I had to, I would wait until all the dragons hatched.

Hopefully, though, that wouldn’t happen and I would have my magic back soon.

I paced, incapable of containing myself. No one was here, our research was mostly done, and I didn’t know what to do. I could go for a run, train a little.

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