Page 92 of The Tribes of Magic
“Some Metamorphs consume Fairy Moss, believing it builds bigger muscles.”
But I think we can all agree that Metamorphs are kind of crazy.
“But I think we can all agree that Metamorphs are kind of crazy.” Nevada smiled at Altair.
He watched her for a few long, silent seconds, then he chuckled. “Indeed they are. Not bad, Nevada. Not bad at all.”
Surprised whispers rose from the other Apprentices. Except for Ansel. He winked at me. Not at Nevada. At me. He knew. Somehow he knew.
“Thanks for your help, Savannah.”
It was a few minutes later, and Nevada and I were scouring the shelves for Magic Thyme. Magic Thyme wasn’t the magical equivalent of thyme for Alchemists who really wanted to spice up their chicken. It was an herb used in time-based spells. Supernaturals really loved their puns.
“No problem, Nevada. You looked like you needed it.”
“I did.” She sighed. “I had no idea what Fairy Moss does. I’m surprised you do.”
“It was in last night’s reading.”
“Yes, I’m sure it wassomewhereburied in those five hundred pages of definitions. But how did you remember that random, obscure herb out of all the random, obscure herbs in the book?”
“Actually, I’m not sure. I guess I do magic best when I’m under stress.”
“Thank goodness for that,” she said. “And thank goodness it was facts and not tidal waves this time.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I don’t think the shopkeeper would be very impressed if I flooded the aisles.”
“You don’t have to flood the aisles. But you could do something else.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Something smaller.” Nevada got on a step stool someone had left here. She rose to her tiptoes and poked her head over the top of the aisle. Then she ducked back down. “Ok, the coast is clear. Now show me some magic.”
“Ok, here goes.”
There was a soft clinking sound.
I sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Nevada asked. “Didn’t you mean to switch those two potion bottles on the shelf?”
“I did. It’s just that…well, practicing my magic is a lot more fun when I’m not the only one casting spells. When others are doing it too, it feels like more of a conversation. And less like a monologue.”
“You could always callthem.” She indicated the pair of necklaces I wore. One had been a gift from Kato, the other one from Conner.
“I can’t use the necklaces for something like that. They’re for emergencies only.”
“Really? I thought the boys invited you to call any time, for any reason.”
“I shouldn’t have confided that in you,” I said quietly.
Was I blushing? Because I really felt like I was blushing.
“Of course you can confide in me, Savannah. So are you going to call them?”
I was tempted. So tempted. But I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be responsible. Kato was busy doing what Knights did. And Conner was out there, somewhere in the Many Realms. If I called him here, he would come…and walk right into the Watchers’ trap. The General had them watching every Spirit Tree for any sign of Rebels.
“No. I can’t call them.” I dropped my hand from my necklaces, sighed, and went back to searching the shelves for Magic Thyme.
