Page 79 of Light Magic

“I have only seen you eating at formal dinners,” I said. “Never in a million years did I think I would ever see you eating a burger.”

“I’m hungry. Right now, I’ll eat anything.”

I knew what she meant. When I was first stuck on Earth, without money or resources, I almost starved to death. I had to fight with my moral compass to finally steal food.

Things went downhill from there.

While eating, I checked my phone. I hadn’t paid attention to it while training and now I saw a handful of calls and texts from Queen Thea.

Where are you?

You were supposed to arrive hours ago.

Ari, I’m worried. Pick up your phone.

Shit. I had been so excited about Ylena, I totally forgot about going to DuMoir Castle and meeting Zadkiel.

I sent her a text.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. I had a change of plans. Thanks, though.

If she answered, I didn’t see, because soon after, I went to bed. Ylena sat on her bed and turned on the TV, with the volume turned down. She said she was going to watch the news, then would sleep.

“We have a big day tomorrow,” she said.

Right. The dagger. I almost shuddered at the thought of getting close to that weapon again, but I was too tired for that.

I closed my eyes.

It felt like I blinked, but when I opened my eyes again, the room was dark, except for the TV, which was still on. Ylena was half seated, half laying down on a pile of pillows, sleeping, the remote control near her hand.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand to look at the time. It was just past one in the morning. By the light, I'd slept like a rock for four hours. Maybe five.

I was about to set my phone down again and try to go back to sleep, but I saw there were several notifications.

I sat up in bed, unlocked my phone, and checked them—it was several calls and texts from Levi, and the last one had been a few minutes ago.

Frowning, I texted him.

Me: What happened? Why aren’t you sleeping?

Levi: Use one of your coins and open a portal.

Me: What is this about? Is it the bond?

I felt it too. His absence weighed heavily inside of me, but we had been apart before. We could do it again.

Levi: Open the fucking portal.

Me: Why? I’m fine, you’re fine.

I didn’t want him here distracting me from my goals.

The phone vibrated with his call and I pressed the side button to stop it. The phone was silent at this time of the night, but the vibration alone could wake someone.

I went into the bathroom, closed the door, and called him.

“This better be good,” I said, my voice low.

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