Sora’s tail swayed as she approached Professor Kurosaki’s lecture hall, Nilly and Nerida beside her. Her hands knotted behind her back upon seeing Eyia and Wendy on the steps leading into the ornate, traditional Japanese archways loomed before them, adorned with intricate designs that glowed softly in the ambient light.

  He’s a Nogitsune?

  Her thoughts buzzed, ears perked while listening to the packs of students traversing the area. Most of them were vulpes, showing off their black, gray, or various lighter shades of red that seemed to be a mix between the Japanese vulpes and other cultures. Their outfits were just as consistent, showing vivid representations of Asian artistic design.

  Everyone always looks at me… I’m the special student that skipped the opening talk, after all. Plus, I’m in a western-style dress while they’re all eastern. I should have paid more attention to the vulpes fashion yesterday. Great first impression, Sora!

  Her new siren friend walked hesitantly beside her, Nerida shyly fidgeting with her shimmering silver hair. Sora could see the goosebumps running along the poor girl’s arms, her aquamarine eyes darting left and right at the attention, no doubt feeling the same judging gaze regarding their outfits.

  Just like her, the delicate sea-green dress that adorned Nerida’s slim frame flowed gracefully around her—apparently, chosen by her mother. It was a simple but elegant outfit, hinting at her siren heritage. If the girl hadn’t told her she’d literally grown up in a cave, Sora wouldn’t have believed her.

  Sora took a steadying breath as they neared the steps of Professor Kurosaki’s lecture hall. The wooden archway loomed above them, carved with intricate designs that seemed to shimmer in the soft glow of enchanted lanterns.

  Just ahead, Wendy was waiting, arms crossed, eyes darting between her and her new siren friend. A tightness crept into Sora’s chest, her steps slowing as she caught sight of the tension in her sister’s stance, and one Eyia somewhat mirrored.

  Great… I knew something was up, but c’mon! Kari isn’t even with me. Is that the problem? I ditched her. Well, no, she ditched me! No. Chill. Chill! Cool down and just try to jump in like nothing happened.

  Beside her, Nerida fidgeted, her fingers nervously smoothing the sea-green fabric of her dress. “Do you think they’re all staring at me?” she whispered, her sweet voice barely audible. She avoided eye contact, her silver hair catching the light as she glanced around, looking every bit as fragile as she felt.

  Sora forced a smile, hoping it would calm her. “Don’t worry, you look amazing. Seriously, that dress suits you—it’s perfect!” Her own tail flicked with an easy enthusiasm, trying to convey the confidence Nerida lacked.

  The last thing she needs is to feel singled out or left out.

  A faint blush crept onto Nerida’s cheeks as she stared at her dress with a regretful sigh. “I…I just knew I shouldn’t have worn this. It was my mother’s, and now everyone’s—”

  “Oh, pfft,” Sora interrupted, giving her a friendly nudge with her tail. “Are you kidding? It’s perfect! Look around, everyone’s in these fancy kimonos. We’re basically on trend. See, Wendy and Eyia are dressed just like us.”

  Nilly skipped along beside them, her expression cheerful, though her eyes were thoughtful as they flicked between Nerida’s nervous vibes and Wendy’s scowl ahead that soon transformed into an unconvincing smile, at least to Sora it was.

  “Yeah, you look great!” she chirped, lightly bumping Nerida’s arm with her own. “I mean, I like wearing whatever’s comfy, personally, so shorts and a blouse are good for me. Sora and everyone likes to dress up, though. No one here has that sea-sparkle thing you’ve got going on, which looks electrical! Is that right word? Wrong megaannum? Huh. Besides, I mean, I used to go nude, you know—”

  The cat’s face turned bright pink, her tail slowly rising, fur going on end. “Forget I said anything,” she mumbled, hiding her face in her hands. “What is wrong with me?!”

  Sora smiled as Nilly managed to get a giggle from Nerida, lighting her mood. ”You’re great, Nilly. Never change… Wait, you change like twelve times a day, so unrealistic expectations, but I love every one of you.”

  Nilly’s drawn back ears fluttered as she showed her face again, a thankful look on her strained grin. “That’s why I think I like you, whatever version I am. You’re always trying to pull the best out of me.”

  Nerida managed a shy smile, her confidence growing. “I can agree with that. Thanks, Nilly…Sora.” Her grip on her dress loosened a bit, and she straightened as they moved forward.

  Sora’s gaze drifted back to Wendy, who was now tapping her foot, her lips drawn in a tight line that didn’t suit her usually warm smile. A knot formed in her stomach as they reached the steps and finally met.

  “Who’s the pretty silver-haired girl?” Wendy asked, stepping forward with a bright tone that felt just a little too much for the brunette’s typical cadence. Her brown eyes shifted to her, Wendy’s smile masking the frustration in her gaze that Sora couldn’t miss. “What happened to Kari?”

  “Oh, um, about that…” Sora felt her words tumble over each other. “This is Nerida. She’s…Kari’s new roommate! She has a heavenly voice but that’s…yeah, too much. Have you…checked it out yet?”

  She stopped herself from blurting out everything about Nerida’s shyness. She doesn’t need me broadcasting her every feeling. Wait, are we like, literally her first friends ever?

  “Roommate?” Wendy’s eyes narrowed slightly as she sized up Nerida. “And she just asked to come along, huh?” Her voice held a slightly protective edge, and she shot Sora a look that clearly read, ‘Really? Another random girl?’

  Nerida took a half step back, her fingers curling again into her dress. “I…I’m sorry. I don’t want to cause problems! I just—”

  “Wendy,” Sora interjected, her tail flicking in a faint, reassuring wave. “It’s just for the first class. I thought she’d feel more comfortable if she didn’t have to go alone. And what’s wrong with wanting to get to know Kari’s roommate? She’s not Kari.” Her gaze softened, silently asking Wendy to understand. “What’s going on—Eyia?”

  The blonde’s mouth creased, arms crossed and examined the blue-eyed girl’s defensive posture with a critical gaze. “She does not feel strong enough to be a threat, Sister. Though, her voice is laced with subtle compulsions.”

  “Compulsions?” Wendy repeated, vision widening as Sora was thrown for a loop, trying to grasp what the Valkyrie was saying. “Like, mind control?”

  Nerida went completely stiff, arms beginning to shake and hands knotting at her belly. “No, no! Don’t misunderstand, I-uh, I…”

  Nilly hopped forward with raised hands and big eyes darting between them. “Woah! Woah! Eyia, Wendy, it’s not like that. There’s a reason Sora didn’t call anything like that out. She’s naturally filtering out harmless stuff. You’re super sensitive to things like that, Eyia. It’s harmless. Right, Nerida?”

  The siren put her hand to her throat, now a tad hoarse and unable to look at anyone in the face. “It’s…a defensive thing, I think. I try to control it, b-but sometimes it just comes out. I’m not even good at using my voice… Not like my mom. All it does is correct my pitch…but are there compulsion notes in it?”

  Wendy’s posture eased a bit upon seeing Nilly’s slight frown and hands on her hip, though the tension in her eyes remained. “Right. I assume that’s right since it’s from you, Nilly.”

  Eyia tilted her head and sighed. “I do not wish to cause misunderstandings. I must be truthful, though. It is there, albeit weak and cannot affect you, Sister. It would give humans a more positive feeling when hearing her, triggering a reaction within their souls.”

  “I…didn’t even know,” Nerida mumbled, fear and anxiety swelling in her aura that tugged at Sora’s chest. “So, when all those people on boats used to talk to me. Was it really because…my voice compelled them to do so? None of them talked to me of their own free will?”

  “Hey…” Sora moved closer to squeeze the panicked girl’s arm, offering a reassuring smile. “We’re here to learn how to control our powers, right? You know, I kind of did that myself when I first started using my powers… I hypnotized this community center employee into getting me, like a dozen pairs of shoes and bowling balls—for Nilly!”

  “Huh?! Me?” Nilly pointed at herself, lips falling open. “I don’t remember that. Wait…was it—I was swinging on a swing, and…rain?”

  “Bingo!” Sora chimed, brightening the mood with a giggle and drawing in Nerida. “I was scared and confused but you made me feel like I wasn’t crazy! Oh, by the way,” she added with a wink in Nerida’s direction, “I wasn’t always a vulpes. I transformed into one.”

  “Really?” the teen’s panic gradually subsided, replaced by curiosity. “How does that happen? And…you’re sure I’m not affecting her, eh…Eyia?” she nervously asked.

  Eyia’s frown started to subside with a confused crease to her eyes as she glanced at the bushy-tailed brunette. “You are not endangering my sister. I simply informed you that I knew of your magic and its effects, though weak as they are. I was a stranger to Sora, as well, at one point not too long ago. She is someone who is very caring and true.”

  “Aww. Thanks, Eyia,” Sora grinned, heart swelling. “I’ve gotten a lot of help from all of you. Are…we good, Wendy?”

  Wendy’s ears twitched before she breathed out a long stream of air and nodded. “I’m just…yeah. Well, nice to meet you, Nerida.” She shot the siren an evaluating look, then diverted it to give her a sideways glance, as if to say something Sora didn’t quite get. “Maybe I have been a little on-edge. So, where did the wolf go?”

  Wolf… At least she said her name at the start of the conversation but now we’re going in reverse. Patience. Patience. Wendy’s just looking out for me and guarding herself… I get that.

  “Yep! Like I said, she’s Kari’s roomie. Imagine that,” Sora said with a forced chuckle, hoping to deflect the rising tension. “You know Kari and her…uh, people skills. We’re basically her welcome crew.”

  “Cool! The more, the merrier, right?” Nilly added, swinging a playful arm around Nerida’s shoulder, steering the conversation into lighter territory. “If you need any tips on navigating these halls, I’m your girl! I’ve got like, all the secrets.”

  Sora gave the cat the same dubious stare Wendy and Eyia shot her. “Uh, where’s the administration building, Nilly?” she challenged with an amused smirk.

  Nilly’s tail stiffened. “Wait, I didn’t think you’d actually take me up on that! Uh, somewhere…that’s near the stuff of administering? Yeah, yeah…that sounds about right. Maybe I should ask someone to be sure?” she asked with red cheeks. “Don’t pick on me! I’m trying to get everyone to play nice!”

  Nerida’s shoulders relaxed a little more, and she gave Nilly a grateful look. “Thank you, Nilly,” she murmured, her voice still soft, but with a hint of relief. “I do feel welcomed. Honestly, it’s a lot better of a welcome I thought I’d get after…well, what my previous roommate said. Maybe…my uncontrolled voice is why they left.”

  Sora nudged her off-balance, but this time being a little more firm with her tone. “You’re fine, Nerida. And you don’t have anything to worry about with Kari. Not even my magic can really affect her, and mine’s…a little something more special than the average vulpes,” she said with a wink.

  Wendy’s ears darted back, now glancing around nervously. “Yo, could you cool it on shooting strays? Someone might think you’re flexing on them and foxes have good hearing.”

  “Bah. We’re Founders. Facts are facts. I’m not about to be delusional and I can boast a little about our moms, right?”

  Her brunette sister couldn’t say anything to that. Checkmate!

  Breathing out a long sigh, she perked up and nudged her head toward the hallway, trying not to catch the judging looks of many of the single to two-tailed vulpes that were gathered around the Japanese-themed entrance.

  “You win. C’mon, Nerida, tell me a bit more about yourself! I have plenty to tell you about your new roommate!”

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “Oh, no,” Sora grumbled, falling into line beside them as they began making their way into the building. “Don’t poison her mind, Wendy. Kari isn’t who she used to be. Let her develop her own opinion of the grumpy wolf. We all have some sort of trust issues.”

  Wendy gave her a look that said, ‘watch it’ but her mood brightened slightly. “I get Kari changed… Have a little faith in me. Geez. Poisoning her mind…”

  Sora tried to let Wendy redeem herself for her initial contentious start, which she seemed to be doing a great job of. Wendy was great at talking and making people feel comfortable…when she wanted to.

  Glancing around, she let the conversation blend into the background for a moment to examine the lecture hall. It had its own magic, vulpes magic by the feel, and potent; vibrant paintings adorned the walls, depicting scenes of Professor Kurosaki’s storied past in Japanese history, it seemed.

  He was an orange-furred, nine-tailed Nogitsune, and the images showed him wielding his magic with an air of calm mastery. She felt a spark of excitement in her chest now that things were calming down with whatever had sparked Wendy’s disconnected.

  This is going to be amazing. And Fen’s here, too…

  A strained, nostalgic warmth spread through her, tempered by the reminder of how quickly things could change. Just a few weeks ago, Fen was sort of her enemy, or more antagonistic, at the very least, but now she was free from Diane and teaching! Sure, she may have done some evil things in her past, things she didn’t really want to know about. That wasn’t the point, though.

  Everyone deserves a chance, right? Mom terrifies gods and devils alike, burning universes in her past, apparently. I don’t know. I really don’t…but I want to put my faith in them that they can do good and, importantly, find happiness.

  “So, everyone ready for Kurosaki’s class?” she cut in, trying to sound upbeat as Wendy and Nerida paused in their conversation.

  Nilly’s eyes sparkled with an energetic mischief, though her smile was soft. “I am! I mean, come on—it’s Fen! Wait…I know Fen, right? I think I do… Crazy lady who is connected to your aunt and talks with her…or is that in the future? Hmm. Plus, Kurosaki’s got that, I dunno, wise-fox-vibe thing going on—no, I’m thinking of someone else.”

  Facade falling apart, Nilly folded her ears down, eyes spinning. “I don’t know what I’m saying anymore! I’m confusing myself. Sorry, sorry.”

  A little perturbed by the ‘communicating with your aunt’ part but also a bit intrigued, she let it slide. Plus, knowing Nilly had no control over her insatiable existence and knowing how scary it was to feel like your world was unstable and falling apart, Sora found the teen cat’s hand and squeezed it for comfort.

  “Hey, there’s nothing to be sorry about!” Sora chuckled, finally feeling her own tension ease, yet Eyia was now looking distracted. “Fen’s probably going to do something crazy now and let the power go to her head; she can’t help it… Eh, Eyia?”

  “Hmm?” The Valkyrie blinked, but continued to stare off into space, looking suspicious. “No, I do not feel any potent trans-dimensional communications being broadcast by Fen. Jin, however, is… I must go investigate something of importance.”

  Without another word, the girl dispersed into fog, making Nerida jump. The action elicited quite a few male and female vulpes’ intrigue, and impressed murmurs at her magic sweeping the Japanese-themed hall.

  Great, the moment I come to school, everyone starts acting weird! Sora put her hands on her hips, shivering a little from the magically chilled environment. Kari’s a brooding emo. Wendy’s pissed at me for…something. Nilly’s…eh, I guess she’s doing better. Eyia’s battling Jin’s betrayal, or that’s how she views it. I’m trying to make new friends, and that’s not going too well. I feel like I’m being pulled in all directions at once!

  Wendy hissed, rubbing her neck while looking after the mist that swiftly dispersed. “Yikes. Uh, maybe…you should go after her, Sora. I’m getting the feeling that she probably needs you more than I do… And I can take notes with Nilly and Nerida!”

  “I probably should,” Sora muttered, unable to help the edge of disappointment that rolled through her. “I kind of wanted to check out the class. I guess it goes all day so I can be back in a bit and you can catch me up. Be back later…”

  Holding up her fist, Wendy’s smile grew and she returned it. “You two?” she asked, doing the same for the excited cat and timid siren. Nilly was quick to return it, her bright smile returning. On the other hand, Nerida released a breath and relaxed, her shoulders dropping as if the weight of the world was falling off them.

  “Thank you for making me feel welcomed, Sora… Really.”

  Knuckles touching, Sora’s tail flicked with joy at helping her acclimate to a new environment; in truth, it helped her feel a bit more comfortable.

  “Sure thing! We’ll talk more when I get back. TTYL!”

  She blinked and looked at Wendy as Sora jogged off. “TT-what? Is that…uh, internet slang?”

  Sora shook with laughter at the question, and Wendy seemed to be softening up.

  “Yeah, it means talk to you later.”

  Sora jogged through the vulpes lecture district, her dress bouncing with her moderate pace. Her desire magic sparked a small, steady flame along her tail that flicked off, forming a sphere that spun out ahead of her.

  Being able to track people with magic is so convenient! Follow the best ground route to get to Eyia, and it does it! Ugh… Well, with a price.

  She felt at least ten percent of her energy collapse, which wasn’t a small amount in one spell; it probably had something to do with how strong Eyia was at hiding her trail.

  The flame danced ahead, guiding her right of the lecture hall, then she heard someone call her name. Coming to a stop, she spotted the fae boy she’d met in the forest before, now dressed in a fitted, earth-toned button-up shirt and dark jeans—Earth clothes. Something that instantly caught her attention was shimmering turquoise tattoos on his exposed arms.

  “Hey, Sora! Long time, no see,” he greeted, a playful smile touching his lips as he jogged forward to meet her. “Were you planning to vanish on me again?”

  Sora chuckled, brushing her fingers through her hair. “Guy! Uh, last I remember, you were the one who ran off first. And vanish? Depends if you’re following me around campus or something. I’d say I’m a bit busy chasing after a friend, though.” She felt her heart skip, a little more flustered than she’d expected to see the random fae on such a bustling day and such a huge place.

  The boy’s smile broadened, and he raised an eyebrow upon catching up to her. Even more vulpes had paused in the busy area, locking onto them, no, the boy.

  “Would you be creeped out if I said I dropped by the vulpes district, hoping I’d bump into you?”

  Sora returned the lifted eyebrow, trying to keep her composure. “Well, that depends,” she replied, her tone light but curious. “What’s your reason for tracking me down?”

  For a moment, his smile dimmed just a tad. “Your friend…is sitting outside the Shadowfell Forest. She’s not planning on going inside, right?”

  “She what…” Dammit, Kari, she internally growled. We agreed on Saturday! “How do you…even know that?” she asked, masking her frustration and caution.

  His eyes softened, the hint of forest-green depths reflecting maturity more than anything else. “The forest told me. Your friend is only at the edge right now, but if she enters… She’s supposed to alert the guardians if any students head inside. But she didn’t feel right about it, which…is interesting for a forest soul.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, visibly conflicted. “She seems…troubled about the song of the Shadow Wolf and how your friend reacted to it. I don’t want to get her in trouble, either—Jelira or your friend.”

  Sora let out a breath, ears flicking with worry as she resumed following the little flame toward Eyia’s path. “Follow me…”

  Retreating inward as he complied, Sora tried to settle her frustration. Kari’s so…impatient! I guess she’s never really been one to be told what to do… No, that’s the point. She’s taking proactive action, which is good! Just…not without me. She doesn’t think things through. Well, then again, do I? she internally mused. Still, I can’t let her wander into danger alone, especially when she’s scared…and she is.

  “I get it,” she finally said, shooting him a soft glance. “Kari’s… Well, let’s say she’s been through a lot. But I’d rather be there for her if she’s going through something and we are both interested in that Shadow Wolf.”

  The silence stretched between them, and her pulse quickened as she slowed her steps again. She saw the brooding look on the boy’s face when glancing up at him, his arms crossed and thinking about how best to address the situation.

  He’s friends with the forest, which is…cool! I mean, I’d want to meet her and talk with her. The fact she’s worried about Kari is a big plus in my book. Will Kari go without me? Mmm… Probably not, she reasoned to herself, weighing the options while looking at the ball of fire guiding her to Eyia.

  Kari needs space and is there to think and get away. That’s what I’d guess, anyway. Her talk with Ylva changed everything for her…and her obsession with the Shadow Wolf is… What if it’s actually Alva?! Maybe a piece of her is left when they were squished into our territory?

  The heavy thought made her heart settle and an uncomfortable thought flashed through her brain. Mom knows everything…literally, everything. She didn’t give herself all the information, though. She would have known when we first met…but she’s also playing a big game and gambling by letting me grow and be my own woman… Dammit! It is complicated, isn’t it, Mom.

  She looked up at him again, lost in his own thoughts. The spirit of the forest, or whatever she is, could help us. He can help get us in contact with her. One thing is for sure… Fae boy has a silver tongue! I hope not all fae boys are like this… Is he just like this toward me? Why are my thoughts always devolving like this… Be cool!

  With a quick smile, she ignited her tail anew, and willed a new sphere to be made. Only, this time, it was for Kari, who was far easier to find than the Valkyrie. “Thanks for finding me and letting me know. I’ll handle the muscle headed wolf, so tell Jelira.”

  The boy’s eyes widened slightly, a hint of admiration glinting in his gaze. “Fascinating. I’ve…never seen anyone handle magic quite like that,” he murmured, stepping forward to scrutinize her work-in-progress. “It weaves so uniformly molds into complex instructions almost instantly…if extremely inefficient. How much magic do you have if you just casually fashion something like this?”

  Sora shot him a small grin, feeling a little thrill at his surprise. “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she joked. Crafting a second, smaller flame in her palm, she focused, her mind shaping a specific message as she imbued the message into it:

  Find Kari and tell her: Keep that tail fluffy and don’t you dare tangle it in the bushes! I’m on your side…loser. I’m forming a new plan. Talk to you tonight, stupid wolf. Don’t make me slap you again! I don’t want to break my hand… Be a little considerate about a fox friend’s health.

  P.s. I have eyes everywhere! Dun-dun-DUN!

  The fiery sprite took her own form, shocking even her as her flaming mirror gave her a cute grin, salute, and whisked off on its mission to her friend.

  Turning back to the fae boy, she cocked her hip and studied him thoughtfully. “Yeah, I’m a bit of a humble legend,” she boasted with a cute grin. “So, you seem to know the forest—eh, Jelira, pretty well,” she said, her curiosity piqued. “I need to help my other friend. So, would you be open to talking more when I get back?”

  Tail flicking to the other side, she tried to put on her best charm “I know asking a boy to wait on you for…who knows how long is a bit of an ask. But…yeah, I’m asking! You know, maybe wait for me in the lecture hall and share some insights into this ‘guardian’ business and forest magic…maybe get to know each other beyond, hey, that fae boy I know?”

  Smooth. Wait, did I ask him…on a date? Did I?!

  He gave her an appraising look before a graceful hum rumbled in his throat, making her suppress a gulp. Sora held her breath as he studied her, then a crooked grin split his lips and a slight blush touched his cheeks she hadn’t expected.

  “You seem to know how to make offers hard to refuse, Sora. Skipping my advanced temporal theory lectures to wait in dreaded anticipation to chat with a ‘pretty troublemaker’ vixen about magical guardians and breaking rules? Definitely a better deal than I’m used to when negotiating with girls. And more troublemaker friends? Not a good thing in Avalon Academy… Is that what you’re asking me?”

  Oh, I’m so in!

  Sora’s lips curled into a mischievous grin as she cocked her head, the heat from her racing pulse already reddening her cheeks. “Oh,” she shot back, “and what does that say about you, Mr. Honor Student, if you’re out here flirting with the new fox on campus? What will the other fae girls say?”

  Immediately, a voice inside screamed, Did you really just say that?! Where’s a wall I can bash my head or lake to drown in? Where did that even come from? Right from my gut!

  She held her cool expression, fighting the urge to cover her face with her tail and run away. I want to commit seppuku. Aiden, you made me do this! Where’s the sword?

  Yet, the tiniest flicker of smugness showed in the fae’s eyes as he leaned in, his sharp grin flashing just enough teeth to show he knew exactly how flustered she was, and maybe enjoying it. “Attitudes like that,” he said with a casual shrug, “are exactly why fae like vulpes. Clever, forward, yet that playful edge that keeps the blade sharp on the tongue.”

  He took a deliberate step back, looking every bit the fae trickster with his easy stance and captivating gaze. “You know…blowing off my advanced temporal theory lectures to chat about troublemaking with a certain vixen seems like a much more fascinating subject all of a sudden.”

  Before she could throw another retort his way, the boy finished cooking her in his pot of boiling water, “By the way, I’m Aelion. Nice to make your formal acquaintance, beautiful vulpes special student…or is Sora better? Mmm. Yes, I think soaring the heavens fits you well.”

  Sora released a breath she’d forgotten she’d held, her tail quivering a little. Oh wow, you just met a guy who could sweep you up on some magical fae wind without breaking a sweat, and he’s calling you beautiful? Mom… Don’t look! Nothing is happening right now. Nothing at all!

  Sora forced her tail to stay level as she offered a slow, playful nod, tilting her head with a little smirk. “Sora’s just perfect,” she replied, voice light with a glimmer in her eye. “And, Aelion…you’re definitely dangerous for the wrong girl. But lucky for you,” she added with a wink she normally wouldn’t make, “I happen to be the right one.”

  As he turned and waved, the intrigued glint in his gaze lingered with her as she strode away; she was sure. Sora had to resist the urge to hug her own tail and squeal at what she’d just done, feeling her heartbeat drum louder as she finally made it out of sight and spun around, half-sure she’d made an absolute fool of herself but somehow that didn’t dampen her spirit.

  Okay, pull yourself together, Sora! You’ve got a Valkyrie to track down, a siren to befriend, and a wolf to stop from causing a campus scandal…or snatching the Dean of Magical Discipline’s eye. We do not need Elder Abigail Rosewood snatching our tails and putting us in whatever reeducation program Ember was put into… Yeah, I need to look more into that.

  Feeling more in control than she’d had in a while, she rolled her eyes upon seeing black thorns crawling out of a building. Let me guess, Auntie Rose… You’re lonely. Everyone wants me. Just let me talk to Eyia, and then I can see what you want. Actually, that sounds like a good experiment Wendy and I can run tonight with her Null-Void powers. We’ve got a plan!

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