“I love watching the sunrise,” Eleni said in her singsong voice. “It’s my favorite part of the day. Well, when we can see the sun here, which admittedly isn’t that often this time of the year.”

As Papa set a plate of fresh waffles in front of me, he raised one eyebrow. When I frowned, he jerked his head toward Eleni. “Maya was practicing this morning,” he said leadingly.

Eleni beamed like a light bulb had gone off. “Maybe we can practice together. You can work on your gateways while I figure out how to control my fairy magic, so I can stop enchanting people by mistake. What do you think?”

That actually didn’t sound like a bad idea. I was so busy worrying about how much better she was with gateways, but we were both still learning our magic. So were Frankie and Eli and the rest of the godlings.

By the time we headed out the door for school, Zeran was leaning against our gate. His hoodie covered most of his face, and he didn’t meet either of our eyes. Eleni cast me a look and nudged my shoulder.

“Um . . . Zeran,” I said awkwardly. “How was your little stroll around the neighborhood yesterday?”

“Fine,” he answered stiffly, as we started for school.

“Fine? You rushed out of the community center like it was so important,” I pressed.

Zeran groaned. “I’m getting really tired of you poking your nose in my business, Maya.”

I cocked my head to the side. “And what business is that?”

“Nothing that concerns you,” he shot back.

“Well, in case you forgot, we’re on the brink of war with the Dark right now,” I said, losing my patience with him. “So a lot more concerns me than you might think.”

“Just drop it, Maya.” Zeran rubbed his forehead. “I’m not in the mood.”

“I think we should keep talking,” I said. “You’ve been acting weird for weeks.”

Zeran turned to Eleni. “Why is your sister as stubborn as an impundulu?”

Eleni’s eyes went wide as she looked back and forth between the two of us. She didn’t dare agree with him but also, she didn’t not agree with him either. “Um . . .”

“Did you just call me a giant killer bird?” I asked, offended but also sort of pleased with myself. If I was going to be compared to a magical creature, it might as well be one that most people had enough sense not to mess with.

“In addition to being nosy, you’re very single-minded when you want something,” Zeran said. “So, yes, in that way, you’re just like an impundulu.”

“I’d rather be single-minded than think I know everything like you.”

Zeran smiled. “So you admit that you’re single-minded?”

“Only if you admit to being a know-it-all,” I said, crossing my arms.

Zeran shrugged when we reached Eli’s house. “I guess we’re at an impasse.”