I didn’t think it could get denser, but it closes in on the windows so tightly, I can see only the barest shadow of the forest. I don’t know how Aristelle can even drive through it. Her pace hasn’t slowed. I lean into Xander to look out the front window. Nothing but a wall of gray.

“How can you even see?”

“I’ve driven this enough times to do it with my eyes closed.” Aristelle turns around and stares at me for a long moment while her hand still twists the steering wheel.

I really didn’t need a demonstration.

Just when I think the fog will swallow us whole, it clears a fraction. The trees end too, revealing a clearing of ferns.

And then I feel it: the change is like leaving a burning summer day and stepping into icy air-conditioning. But it’s not a matter of hot then cold. It’s the magic. It’s like it has gone from nothing but a hum in my veins that I could barely feel to a song on the radio that’s just a little too loud.

I gasp.

Xander laughs. “You get used to it.”

The way the magic buzzes in me isn’t the only thing I’m reacting to. A huge metal arbor looms in front of us. Wild roses grow up the sides of it, and they don’t look like they’ve been trimmed in years, but on either side, perfectly cut towering hedges run, stretching into the fog so I can’t see where they stop.

I jump from the SUV, and Xander follows, lightly grabbing my fingers in his as he tugs me toward the archway.

He pauses as a sleek black car pulls up beside us.

Willow hops out first. She gives me a bright smile and a wave.

Roman unfolds from the driver’s seat and takes us in. His eyes dart to Xander’s fingers in my hand and then up to my face. I can feel the heat on my cheeks, and I have to fight the urge to pull my hand away from Xander. I don’t even know why I consider doing it. Xander’s hand is warm and welcoming. Roman is anything but.

Aristelle marches forward. “No time to waste.”

Xander drops my hand and beckons me to follow, but my phone rings, and I stop, pulling it out of my pocket. Stacie always texts. There’s only one person I know who calls me. My chest squeezes as I look down at Deb’s name. I left her a note too, telling her that I was leaving with the magicians. I had hoped she’d just let me go—that we wouldn’t have to do this. I wish I could just hit ignore, but she has Parker. I owe her an answer.

I pick up. “Hello.”

“Ava, are you okay?” Her voice is tight.