…I noticed you don’t have any self-defense training…”“…I can handle myself just fine.”She stared at me for a long, uncomfortable moment. Finally, “In the very short time I’ve known you, you have been chased, shot, robbed, stabbed, drugged, and attacked by magic.”“I’m still breathing, aren’t I?

I doubt she likes the idea of seeing him put back in a cage.” “Maybe not,” he said. “But she knows that the Authority are the only people who might be able to help him.” “Or kill him,” I said. “That too. What is life without risk?” “Long?” Terric laughed, a sort of high whooping that made me—and Zayvion, much to my surprise—smile. Contagious. For all he had a serious exterior, Terric was the guy you’d want to sit next to at a funny movie, just to hear him laugh.

…Keep your magic to yourself, missy.”“Like I’d want my magic mixing with yours anyway.

I’m okay. I’ve finally made a few new friends.” “I know,” she sighed. “It makes me miss you more,...

I did win, you know,” I said.“No, you didn’t.”“Yes, I did. I knocked you out.”“Stunned me. I wasn’t unconscious.”“Oh, please, save it for the preacher. You were out cold.

Let go of the past, of the things I wanted, of the people I loved, and move forward.

We’re a lot alike that way. You know I never back down from a challenge.” He reached over, brushed my hair back, and tucked it behind my ear. “Not the safest way to go through life.” “Maybe not. But it’s my way.

I dressed in my bedroom, tugging on a pair of jeans, T-shirt, and heavy brown sweater that I’d picked up at a thrift store and loved down to holes.