But there was a telepath out there who knew about Rory now, who knew he saw history and had secrets in his mind. A telepath who had once sent his lieutenant to torture Arthur, who might send more people after them. After Arthur.

Rory’s jaw tightened. He couldn’t be afraid of the ring, because if he was ever gonna meet Baron Zeppler, he was doing it with a gale at his beck and call.

He knelt on the beach and, with a quick curse against the stinging lead, set the box on the sand in front of him. He took a bracing breath, then quickly popped open the top. The ring shone against the gray day, bright gold and brilliant jewels. Rory stared at it for a moment. Then, without letting himself hesitate, he slipped it back on his finger.

It settled into place like a familiar shirt, like it was shaped to fit Rory now. He got to his feet, hoping his face didn’t look as nervous as he felt.

“You must practice, Rory. This is our best place.” Sasha waved around them. “There are no homes or people on this beach, and no ferries or ships to be seen right now. The wind is gentle today, dancing on the waves. Create a partner for it.”

Rory chewed his lip some more. “Every time I’ve brought the wind, it’s wrecked something,” he said, as Pavel came up behind him. “I’ve never actually tried to call it on purpose.”

“And that is why this time will be different,” said Pavel, his voice quiet and gravelly and his accent thicker than his sister’s.

“What if I make another tidal wave?”

Sasha held up the vial in her hand. “Then we use one of Pavel’s old potions and hope it cancels some of the magic. Or I pick you two up and run,” she added dryly.

Rory snorted. But Sasha was right, there was no one else around, no houses nearby, no people. They’d all taken their first day off work in years to come as early as they could, because Rory had to master this, and that meant practice.

He still took off his cap, just in case, the nice one Arthur’d bought him back in February that Rory was never, ever gonna lose. He tucked his hat under his arm, took a breath, and let the magic in, light as he could, like he was reaching back into the past barely a minute. Like skipping a rock, he told himself. Just a breeze skimming the water’s surface.

He felt a breeze rush past his cheek. Then, out in the waves, there was a small splash.

His eyes widened behind his glasses. “It worked? It actually—no it didn’t!”