“I don’t get it,” said Crystal.

“You don’t have to get it,” Carol said. “You just have to do it.”

“Uh, actually, you do have to get it,” Valkyrie said. “Magic is all around us, but the only way we can really use it is if we understand how it works. It’s like science.”

“I hate science,” said Carol.

“I preferred drama,” Crystal nodded. She snapped her palm, again and again, and nothing happened. “Isn’t there any magic where you don’t have to learn so much? That’s a magic ring you’re wearing, isn’t it? Could we use that?”

Valkyrie smiled. “Afraid not. This is Necromancy.”

“Do you need to study stuff to use it?” Carol asked.

Valkyrie hesitated. “Not really…”

“So it’s easier than pushing air?”

“Just because it’s easier doesn’t mean it’s better. There is a downside to power that comes without effort.”

“It sounds perfect for us, though,” Crystal said. “Can I try?”

“I’d… I’d have to give you my permission to use it.”

“So? Give your permission. Please, Stephanie?”

Her cousins opened their eyes as wide as they could go, a trick that worked on their parents, Valkyrie knew, but which had the unfortunate side-effect of making them look like startled goldfish. She shrugged.

“Crystal,” she said, “I give you my permission to use this ring.” She pulled the ring from her finger and handed it over.

Mouth open in awe, Crystal examined the ring for a few moments before slipping it on. Immediately she frowned. “Oh,” she said. “It’s cold.”

“Necromancy is death magic,” Valkyrie said. “Believe me, when that ring is around death, it gets even colder.”

“That’s disgusting.”

Carol reached out. “Let me try.”

Crystal pulled her hand away. “Wait your turn. So what do I do, Stephanie? Is there a magic spell I have to say, or something?”

Valkyrie scanned the area, making sure there was no one about. “No spell. Can you feel anything, apart from how cold the ring is? You should feel it in your fingertips.”

Crystal narrowed her eyes and waggled her fingers. “I don’t know,” she said. “I think so. I might.”

“See our shadows? Try and grab them.”

“Really?”

“Just try it.”

Crystal bit her lip, then hunkered down and clutched at the sand their shadows covered. “Am I doing it right?”

“Not really,” Valkyrie admitted.

“My turn,” said Carol.

“Just wait a minute,” Crystal responded, grabbing at sand, her annoyance increasing.

“Stephanie, she’s had her go,” Carol whined.

“Just give her another few seconds,” Valkyrie said. “You keep pushing at the air.”

“Pushing at the air is stupid,” Carol muttered, but she did it anyway.

Valkyrie watched them both – Carol trying to shove the breeze and Crystal trying to pick up her own shadow – and she did her best not to laugh.

“Girls,” said a voice behind them.