He thinks I did that coin trick on purpose. I open my mouth to correct him but change my mind. I want them to think I belong with them. “But you said you needed me—not that I need you. You’re forgetting I heard all of that, so why don’t you stop dancing around and tell me everything.”

Reina’s been quiet for so long that I almost forgot she and Diantha were beside me. “We were looking for a new apprentice, so we were watching for anyone to respond to the magic.” Her warm smile soothes some of my instinct that’s telling me to get out of here. “Obviously you caught our attention.”

“But you sounded desperate.”

“We are,” Diantha says.

I wait for her to say more, but she looks at the table.

They all stare at each other like they don’t know how to explain whatever’s coming next. Xander looks like he’s working himself up to speaking, but then he freezes and tilts his head like a voice is speaking just to him. Another look passes between Xander and Aristelle.

“We have a quick thing to take care of. Wait here.” Xander stands up.

“What?” I rise from my seat.

“Now doesn’t seem like the time for this,” Reina says.

“There’s always time for this,” Aristelle says.

Aristelle and Xander practically run out the door.

Reina turns a painfully cheerful smile on me. “They’ll be back in a jiffy.”

“Do you want to play dice?” the twins ask in unison.

I shake my head and step back. “I think I need some fresh air.” Diantha and Reina share a look. “I’m not going to run,” I add, but my own voice doesn’t sound sure.

They let me walk away, but I’m barely out on the street when Diantha comes up beside me.

“You should follow them,” she says. “I don’t know how much they’re planning to tell you, but whatever they say, it’s not the same as seeing.” She points to the left. “They went that way.”

I have no idea how she can tell where they disappeared to. I don’t see them, but I don’t hesitate. I need to know what they’re not saying. What someone’s not telling you is always more important than what they are telling you.

I give Diantha a nod and then run. I hate running at night, but it’s fairly busy, so I’m not too worried about getting jumped.