Perhaps it was because she was familiar. But Simber thought it more likely due to her inner strength and the leadership skills that came naturally to her. She was calm and collected when it came to big decisions and big, risky spells—much more so than Alex had been at this age. And there was no denying she was one of the most magical people Artimé had ever seen. If anyone could handle leading this group to victory over Frieda Stubbs, it was Fifer. She made Simber’s decision to defy his ingrained calling a bit easier. Especially when he could envision the head mage robe on Fifer Stowe someday. He’d almost said so to her just now, but then he held back—he didn’t want to put any undue pressure on her. Would Fifer even want it? Or would she choose to follow her maternal ancestors back to the land of the dragons, like Thisbe seemed inclined to do?

The thought of both of them leaving Artimé was a hard one. But that could happen in the future. And there were things to overcome now. Simber knew that there would likely be many battles ahead of them. And he would be honored to fight alongside the girls at any step of the way. If they survived this one, anyway.

Growing Restless

I’m losing my mind,” Ibrahim muttered to Seth. Both boys lay sprawled out on the lounge bar, staring at the ceiling.

“We could race with magic carpets again,” Seth said listlessly.

“Thatcher said we shouldn’t waste any more components,” Ibrahim reminded him.

Seth grunted, too bored to say actual words. They lay there for several more minutes, listening to the conversations around them. There was an air of anxiety and despair in the remote room.

Nearby, Carina and Claire were attempting to create a new spell component to mimic the transport spell, only for living creatures. But they weren’t having any luck, and not just because neither of them had ever done the transport spell in the past. “I don’t think there’s even a component for transport,” Claire said. “I believe it’s done through energy and thought, like the seek spell.”

Lani looked up from her notes at the table next to them and confirmed it.

“Speaking of the seek spell, should we risk sending one?” Carina asked.

“All the seek spell will do is come out of the tube,” Claire said, envisioning it. “It won’t be able to point them to which remote room we’re in, since the tubes don’t work.”

“Do you suspect Florence has figured out what’s happened by now?”

“It depends if anyone got away.”

“I’m hoping the others did.”

Claire hesitated. She was more worried that Frieda had carried through with her threat against the Stowes. “Me too,” she said after a moment.

Carina looked at her. “Do you think Frieda would actually… hurt them?”

Claire closed her eyes. “I’m definitely worried about it.”

“And who else would be able to figure out how to fix the tubes besides Aaron?”