Jinx said, “I know you feel impossibly alone. And I cannot pretend to know what it is you have suffered. But at the heart of every human there is a secret or a lie. Sometimes those secrets are inherited through no choice of our own, like yours and mine and even Aurora’s. Sometimes we pile on lies for survival. Or sometimes we are given a lie by someone else, and we hold it tight, try to turn it into the truth, even though deep down we know it for what it is. I have a friend who thinks he does not deserve happiness, that all there is to life is danger and the fine line between life and death. It is a lie, but he has lived with it so long that he has convinced himself it is the truth. I think your magic is much the same. You had a horrid experience in your youth, and it convinced you your magic is something to be feared, which is a truth. But it should not be yours. Magic makes you strong, it makes you whole. That fire was given to you for a reason, because it is meant to balance you in some way. And the more you push it away, the more out of balance you will be.”

Nova’s heart was beating fast. She had never met anyone like Jinx—so sure of herself and her place in the world. She wanted to bottle the confidence rolling off her and keep it with her always so that when she needed it, she could pull it out and bask in it all over again.

“Will you try something for me?” Jinx asked.

Nova nodded, unable to even contemplate telling the witch no.

“Give me your other hand.”

Nova did so, and Jinx placed Nova’s palms flat against each other, pointing in opposite directions, then laid her hands over the outside of each. She scooted forward until both of them were sitting with their legs crossed, knees touching, Nova beneath the blankets and Jinx on top.

“Close your eyes.”

Nova followed her direction, though the steady thrum of her heartbeat had only increased.

“I want you to unbind your magic.”

“But—” Nova cracked one eye to find Jinx looking at her.

“It will be fine. Remember, you said it does not react to other witches.”

“So far. That does not mean it will not ever.”

A wide smile spread over Jinx’s mouth. “I will risk it. Now close your eyes and open whatever walls you have set up.”

Nova swallowed, but did as she was told, letting go of the tight hold she had on her magic. At first, nothing happened. Then she felt the tempting, yearning heat of the flame rising up inside her. She nearly panicked, but then she heard Jinx give a quiet hum under her breath. “There you are. Tell me. How does it feel?”