“I do. And you’re not lame and you’re not an idiot. You’re just being friendly. You’re a friendly Necromancer, which is kind of unique.”

“We’re not known for being friendly, I’d have to agree,” Militsa said, brightening.

“So you’re a teacher here?”

“Yep. I guide students through their options, as far as choosing a discipline goes. I never meant to be a teacher, to be honest. It’s not something I ever saw myself doing, but it combines two of my favourite things – talking about magic and … and, well, reading about magic, I suppose. I don’t have a very wide range of interests.”

“Maybe you should get out more.”

“That’s what my mum says, but then she’s three hundred years old. I think she has unrealistic expectations when it comes to me. I’m just a normal girl. Give me a good book and a sofa and I’m happy, you know?”

“Can’t beat a book and a sofa.”

“If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d probably be a researcher, maybe be a part of Project Torchlight. Have you heard of it?”

“I haven’t, I’m afraid.”

“Ah, no matter. My point being, I specialise in the Source – which is another reason I’m so pumped to be meeting you.” Militsa hesitated, her eyes sparkling. “Could I see your magic? Could I see what you can do?”

“Uh …”

“Just a little bit, I swear. You’re incredible to me, that’s all. You’re connected to the Source of all magic like nobody else. Your magic is … it’s pure. Unfiltered.”

“I’m not very good at controlling it,” Valkyrie confessed.

“I’m not surprised,” said Militsa. “I’ve got theories about it, if you’d like to hear them.”

“Uh, maybe. I’m a little busy right now …”

“Oh, of course,” Militsa said, laughing at her own stupidity. “Of course you’re busy, you’re Valkyrie Cain! But if ever you wanted to talk about it, just knock on my door. I will literally drop everything to talk to you. Literally. Everything.” She brushed her hands together. “Dropped.”

“OK,” said Valkyrie. “Well, I might do that.”

“Or if you just want to hang out,” Militsa said. “You haven’t been to Roarhaven much, have you? Again, I’m not a stalker, I just … I’d have heard if you were in town a lot. I could show you around. There’s actually a pretty good arts scene here. Bizarre, I know, but there you go. Might be fun, if you’re into that kind of thing. Or we could go for a coffee. Or a drink. Or dinner. Would you like to go to dinner?”

“No thank you.”

“Right, of course, you’re busy, I get it.”

“It’s not that I’m busy,” said Valkyrie. “It’s just that I don’t want to.”

Militsa blinked. “Oh. Well, I mean, OK. That’s cool.”