Sometimes I wander the house like a ghost, peeking in drawers of fine silverware, admiring Maxine’s mother’s art collection. Other times, I gaze up at the silk of the canopy and try to think of anything other than what my father said. But there was truth in his words; I know it as well as I know my own soul. Because something has changed within me, within the magic that resides next to my own heartbeat. Like the days, it too lurches.

Sometimes it works completely fine as I magick my toothbrush under the water of a running sink, or close a drawer from across the room. Then comes the blessed sense of relief. In those moments it’s easy to convince myself that I am overreacting, imagining it, even.

But then, sometimes there is the terrible zapping sensation instead. It shocks all the way up my arm from my ring finger, to my elbow, to my collarbones, to my spine, leaving me sputtering for air, and I know that I have to fix this as soon as I possibly can.

The day before we’re meant to meet up with Pascal, I lie awake in a cold sweat as a terrible realization dawns on me. If we allow Pascal to go ahead with the Saint Bosco’s tour like he’s promised, there’s a good chance we’ll run into my father, and that would require more explanation than I am currently capable of.

So in the morning, I wake up with a lie on my tongue. Not a complete lie; something harmless.

Lena appears at my bedside and pokes my pillow. “You’re running late,” she scolds. “We’re meeting Pascal in less than an hour.”

I peer up at her from my pillow, giving my saddest eyes.

“I don’t think I want to go.”

She sinks to the edge of the bed and places a hand on my shoulder. “But you were so excited.”

I scoot up a little. The feather pillows crinkle under my head. “I only meant to the school. Seeing students learn magic while mine…” I trail off. Lena understands like I knew she would. “It just sounds too painful to bear. Can I skip the school tour and meet you at the train station?”

Pascal sent instructions two days ago, and Maxine’s family valet purchased the tickets on our behalf. His friends live a short ways outside the city. The plan is to spend nearly all of today on a day trip away from Paris with his community of magicians.

Lena sighs. “Of course.”

“You’ll tell Maxine?”

Lena pauses in the doorway and rolls her eyes. “You’re lucky I’m less scared of her than you.”

“Thank you, I love you.”

“I love you too. Rest up. See you at the train station.”