“Frankie, you all right?” Hunter asked softly, his golden magic sliding over my hands.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat, pressing my fingers to my temples. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

“Ya know, I’ve had mixed feelings about Leyka since day one—because I liked him, he’s funny and obviously helpful, and we owe him a shit ton more than we’ll ever be able to repay, especially me and D . . .” Emersyn grinned and shook her head. “But damn, ya girl gives us guidance much simpler than Valathame.”

Cooper hung his head and chuckled. “Ya girl is right though. Let’s focus on getting Tegan awake so she can do the damn thing. And then we’ll at least get Tenn back to fully operational.”

“Right. Totally. I’m all in for these things . . . but where do I start for these potions?”

Daniel cleared his throat. “I’ll look into the help at Edenburg, but it’s Saturday so that may be difficult to track down today.”

Tim nodded. “For now, you need to focus on that puzzle pig.”

“Yeah, no big squeal.”

CHAPTER TEN

FRANKIE

“This Leyka dude is a character.” Mei-Ling giggled. “I wanna meet him. Have you?”

I slouched in the wooden chair I’d been sitting in for an hour and pulled my knees up to my chest. “Yeah, but only for a few minutes. He gives off that chill vibe, but if you really pay attention, there’s a whole lot more to him. Like deeper, serious shit.”

She leaned forward and whispered, “Is he really an angel?”

“The angel of storms, apparently.” I frowned. “Actually . . . yeah, that tracks.”

“Dammit,” Tai cursed so loud we jumped, as did a few people at tables nearby.

I arched one eyebrow at him. We were in the Edenburg library. Constance had asked my bestie and her brother to help us out by doing some research, and they were happy to help. I had joined them about half an hour after my puzzle pig arrived. I’d needed fresh air, or at least, not the air inside that house.

Tai sighed and leaned back in his seat, sitting the wooden pig on the table between us. “Dude makes a mean puzzle pig.”

I groaned. “He did wish me luck.”

“Wanna try again?” Tai pushed the pig toward his sister.

She scoffed. “I did not tap out impulsively.”

“And I’ve never been patient enough with puzzles like this. I get so frustrated and full of rage I end up breaking whatever it is.” I cracked my knuckles, glaring at the stupid pig. “It’s why I suck at math too.”

“Math makes a lot of people mad.” Tai laughed.

Mei-Ling scowled. “Why don’t you just break it then?”