At a loss, I look between Keeda’s and Pandora’s expectant faces, before turning to Cami and catching her encouraging look.

“I … I …”

I don’t know.

They can see it in my expression, and Keeda rolls her eyes and makes a huffing sound. I half expect her to say “pathetic,” since that’s how I’m feeling right now.

Pandora, however, takes pity on me.

“It’s going to take time, Lyss,” she says, patting me on the arm. “You’re still getting used to your power, and that’s okay.”

Keeda opens her mouth, but Pandora sends her a sharp look and continues, “None of us expect you to get it right straight away. It’s great that you’ve learned to control yourself, but now … now you need to learn to trust yourself. And maybe even have a little fun in the process.”

I see Cami getting to her feet and making her way over to us, Dinger squirming in her arms, but I keep my attention on Pandora. “What do you mean?”

She sends me a crooked smile and says, “What’s the point of being a Speaker if you can’t be indulgent from time to time?” When I still look confused, she glances to the others and says, “Our abilities aren’t only used to save the world from evil geniuses. We don’t just put them in our back pocket the rest of the time and forget about them.”

As she says this, she looks meaningfully at the massive book in her hands and lowers it to her jeans pocket, whispering a quiet word that, with a flash, makes the book disappear inside the minuscule space again.

“I infuse all kinds of things for all kinds of reasons,” Pandora says, patting her side. “Mostly to make my life easier.” She winks at me and adds, “The best thing I ever did was infuse my reusable mug so that it stays perpetually heated. Never again will I have to suffer through a lukewarm coffee.”

“Dora’s right,” Keeda jumps in. “Sticking with the coffee theme, you wouldn’t believe the amount of baristas I’ve convinced to give me free drinks thanks to my Speaking power.”

I look at her. “Isn’t that … stealing?”

She shrugs. “It’s not stealing if they’re happy to give it to me.”

There are some gaping holes in her logic, but I don’t call her out on them. Instead, I look to Cami, but she shakes her head in apology.

“Sorry, I’ve got nothing I can add here. One of the limitations of my ability is that I can’t heal myself, remember?” she says. “But I do agree that it’s important to embrace your power—to have some fun with it if you can. It’s just as much a part of you as your arm or leg. When I’m healing someone, the whole of their body has to be in sync, and you …” She looks me over as if I’m her patient, stroking the restless Dinger. “You’re still a bit out of sync.”