Page 63 of Trials of Dusk and Dreams
“A copy?”
“I think he copied it, claimed it as his own, and cut anything the church deemed heretical. This version likely has accuratefacts. Leonardo was renowned for documenting what he saw.” She sighs. “I wish I could read it. I could help more.”
“Give me your hands.” I gesture for them to touch the book. “I’ll try to transfer the effect to you as I did with the wards at the Cabinet temple.”
We hold our breath as I focus on the crawling ants’ path. It’s unfamiliar magic, nothing like I’ve sensed before. When nothing happens, my confidence wavers. Maybe it only worked at the temple because Titania used my stolen magic with hers. But that doesn’t explain how chaser charms work for anyone. Another person with these charms can still activate magic; no wisps are needed. Concentrating harder, I search for a connection to make the wild magic recognize them. It comes when I think of my friends’ hard work and the warmth it stirs in me.
Max and Geraldine gasp as the ants latch onto them.
“You did it!” Geraldine flips through the pages excitedly.
A warm heat fills my chest. I think it’s pride. It feels good. A small hope starts to build—maybe I can learn to repurpose other people’s magic. Titania stole mine, after all.
Max points out an anatomical diagram of a Nightmare, eliciting sounds of awe from us all.
“I’ll take this inside,” Geraldine says. “Don’t want it ruined or stolen at the Nexus.”
As she leaves, Max turns to me. “You just bent an ancient spell to your will. Could you do that before?”
“I wouldn’t call it bending to my will. I just wanted the book to recognize you like it did me.”
He arches an eyebrow. “I rest my case.”
“What case?” I look around, confused.
He laughs. “Sorry, it’s just a saying. Means you proved my point.”
“And your point is?”
“That you have magic, or at least the potential for it.”
I shake my head. “I don’t. I’d feel it.”
“But you will.” He smirks knowingly. “I bet you’ll get it back or find another way.”
I give him a hesitant look. “I was sort of thinking I could learn to repurpose magic.”
He snorts. Claps me on the back and nods. “Only the greatest thief in the world would call it repurposing.”
“Ha! Now you’re flattering me.” I narrow my eyes and waggle my finger. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing.” He blushes when Geraldine appears at the door again. This time with Bodin.Seeing him in the official House of Shadow uniform sets my heart racing. Now, I’m blushing too.
Max’s eyes follow Geraldine as she approaches, grinning at him. His expression softens, then clouds with doubt.
“She’s amazing, isn’t she?” he murmurs.
I nudge his shoulder. “Why don’t you tell her how you feel?”
He shakes his head. “Look at her. She’s way out of my league. Besides, with the competition heating up . . .”
“Max,” I interrupt, “life’s too short for regrets. Especially here. Tell her.”
“Maybe.”
“Think that book has useful information against Titania?” I ask absently, pretending not to ogle Bodin as he strides toward us.Well-damn,he scrubs up nicely. His black, military-cut coat hugs broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Creased pants complete the ensemble, but they’re tight against his muscular thighs. His clean-shaven jaw and the sides of his head accentuate glossy braids knotted tightly at his crown.
“It had dragon pictures,” Max points out. “Nightmares. Faerie. It’s got to be more accurate than what they tell us at the Nexus.”
