I gulp the stale, cold air. All I’ve been doing is tossing knives into a six-inch-wide chunk of wood. What she’s asking is the next level. My fingers warm. I let my first knife fly. It slices through the flower, destroying the delicate petals. A cool shot if I hadn’t been aiming for the vine that held it. Frustrated, I focus on my second knife, staring at it in my hand for a moment. Xander said focusing on the shape of it can help me visualize exactly what I want it to do.

Ethan fires off an annoying loud shot, and I grimace. I wish my assigned training courtyard were next to Willow. I can barely make out the notes of her haunting flute today. Her music would make it a lot easier to focus.

I glance up at my mark. But the vine has crumbled to the ground, leaving only the flower pinned like a sad party game.

“You’re welcome,” Ethan says. His gun still points in the direction of the tree.

I twist toward him, power rushing to the tips of my fingers.

“Well, now I need somewhere else to throw my knife.” I let my gaze wander over his chest. I grip my knife tighter, not because I’m going to throw it, but because I’m worried about my magic listening to my desire without waiting for me to give it the green light.

Ethan steps back, and I’m shocked I’ve intimidated him until he opens his arms wide, inviting me to take a shot.

“You two have good chemistry,” Natasha says. I didn’t even see her stroll up to the hedge. I was too busy fantasizing about where to hit Ethan without causing serious damage—just a little flesh wound.

“What?” Ethan and I both say at the same time, and then share a look of disgust that we’re in sync with each other.

Natasha ignores us. She turns to Aristelle. “Maybe they should perform together… say, tomorrow night?”

Ethan starts to open his mouth, but Natasha gives him a shove in the other direction. He glares at me over his shoulder, like I’m the one who suggested it.

I’m desperate to get onstage, but not with him.

Aristelle glances at me and pulls me to the side. “It’s time to start performing more for an audience. We need to build up your magic as much as possible before the competition continues, and performing with other troupes can increase the takeaway from a show.”

“Where?” I don’t really want to perform again for the other magicians until I’m absolutely ready.

“In town. Different clubs. Sometimes the street.”

“Can I stake him afterward?”

Her curling smile says she’s not entirely opposed to the idea. “I’m beginning to think you’re more vicious than I am.” She turns back to Natasha. “We’re going to pass.”