Page 149 of Scattered Glitter

“Oh yeah?” I smile. “Sounds like someone’s a little full of himself, Dove.”

His smile instantly brightens when I use his nickname. “Don’t believe me?”

I shrug nonchalantly. “Meh.”

Truth is, I know they call him the best. Everyone does. And I don’t doubt for a second that he’s earned it, but I can’t help leaning into the teasing, enjoying when his eyes light up with the challenge. This back-and-forth banter almost feels like friendship.

Levi tilts his head, his grin turning sly as he starts to circle me. “Ever been to one of our shows?”

“Nope. Seen a clip or two online.” I keep my expression blank, even as I fight back a smile. “Looked all right, I guess.”

Shit was impressive, but truth be told, I’d been mostly fascinated by Koen, but I will be keeping that to myself.

“All right, she says.” He lets out a mock gasp. “Just all right,” he murmurs as he lets his finger glide over my shoulders and comes to a stand in front of me again. “Well, this show is just for you.”

Levi pulls a match from my box and holds it between his fingers. He doesn’t strike it or even move a muscle. He simply looks at it, and the match ignites, a small flame flickering to life at the tip.

“Seen that one,” Imurmur, but a pang goes through my chest as I say it.

He hums as he looks past the flame and straight at me. “How about this?”

Taking the feather he produced moments ago, he holds it to the flame, and it catches instantly with a sudden whoosh. There’s a burst of light and heat. The flame grows, swallowing the feather, and just when I think it’s going to burn away completely, a shape emerges from the fire. Pebble flutters out, her wings catching the light, and lands gracefully on Levi’s shoulder.

“Holy shit!” I gasp as I stumble back a step.

Levi chuckles, reaching up to stroke Pebble’s head, cooing words of affirmation at her that I can’t quite make out.

“How did you do that?” I ask, still stunned.

Pure mischief sparkles in his eyes as he asks, “Wanna see it again?”

He steps toward me and brushes a hand against my other ear, producing another feather from behind it. I snort, shaking my head, but there’s no denying my growing awe at his performance.

Levi takes another match, strikes it, and holds the feather to the flame. I watch closely, trying to catch the trick, but there’s nothing. The feather burns, the flame flares, and then, just like before, a pigeon emerges, wings beating as it takes to the air. It flies up to the ceiling, and Pebble flutters off Levi’s shoulder to join it, the two of them circling above us.

A laugh escapes me, and I turn to watch them fly. Levi steps up behind me and rests his hands on my shoulders, pulling me back against his chest.

“This is beyond beautiful,” I whisper, my eyes followingthe pigeons as they spiral through the air, their wings moving in perfect harmony.

Levi leans down, his breath warm against my ear. “You good with pigeons?” he asks, almost teasing. “Most people think they’re gross, but I thought you liked it when Pebble came to say hello at Rosie’s grave.”

I smile, still watching the birds above us. “I think they’re beautiful survivors,” I say quietly.

“Good,” Levi murmurs. “Then this shouldn’t bug you.”

He steps back, cooing again, and Pebble—at least, I think it’s Pebble—swoops down, landing back on his shoulder. The other pigeon follows, fluttering down to perch on mine, its tiny claws gripping my shoulder, the flutter of its wings tickling my ear. I laugh, feeling the lightness of the moment, the magic of it.

Then Levi snaps his fingers, and the pigeon is instantly gone. I blink, looking down to find only a single feather left behind, resting on my shoulder. I take it, holding it out in front of me, my eyes wide with disbelief.

“Holy shit.” I look at Levi, stunned into silence. He grins with a glint of mischief in his eyes. Pebble is still on his shoulder as if her friend didn’t disappear into thin air.

“That,” he says, giving me a playful wink. “Is why they call me the best.”

Something cracks open inside me, a small spark of wonder, a feeling I thought I’d lost.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For the show.”

“Anytime, Little Bird.” Levi nods, his eyes never leaving mine. “Anytime.”

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