“They’re trainable without magic,” Reina says, turning to Diantha. “Why does everyone always think that’s strange?”

Diantha gives her a patient look, like she’s explained before why that’s weird. Reina huffs.

“Can I ask what kind of tricks?”

“I taught them to wave at kids and fly on command. Things like that. I can show you a nonmagical trick.” She cups her hands together, then stops. “Okay, this first trick is magical. I don’t carry birds up my sleeves, but then I’ll do a regular one.”

Before she can conjure a bird from nowhere, Diantha bumps her shoulder. “I told you no birds in restaurants.”

“Fine.” Reina gives a dramatic pout before all expression leaves her face. “I was walking home one night when a man grabbed me and shoved me into a building. He tried to rip my purse from my hands, but I was so scared I couldn’t let go. He lifted his fist, and I still couldn’t move even though everything inside of me was screaming to do something—anything—to fight back. But I guess part of me did. Pigeons came out of nowhere, and it was like a scene from The Birds. The guy ended up screaming as he ran away down the street with the flock trailing him. Aristelle found me, and I told her no at first, but I was so afraid to walk alone anymore, and she wasn’t just offering me magic, she was offering me power. I wanted it.” She pauses. “I didn’t want to feel like that ever again.”

Diantha twirls her straw around her drink and stares down at the swirl of water in her cup. For a second, I don’t think she’ll answer at all, and I’m about to tell her never mind. Nobody has to share their story if they don’t want to. I haven’t even shared all of mine. But then…