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This was her ritual. This room, this space in her day, this practice. When everything else in her life wouldn’t stop sliding, this was her one steady breath.

She couldn’t go home. Probably never would again. It was only a matter of time before the shades found their way into the city. And even if, by some miracle, they didn’t, there was still her new cousin—the time mage. Her existence alone was enough to mark them all for ruin.

But she didn’t allow those thoughts here, not in these rare, stolen moments of peace. This was her time to settle, to find her footing before the day began.

Aimee checked her stance in the mirror. Barefoot, dressed in loose slacks, she waited for the holographic target to appear—a simple glowing ring projected against the mirrored surface.

She shifted her grip on the whip—and struck.

A wetslap. Water splattered against the glass. The target went from green to red, and Aimee watched crestfallen as the spell collapsed.

Weeks of practice and her water whips still justdissolvedthe moment they hit anything solid. She still wouldn’t be able to kill that harpy.

Water dripped down the mirror, pooling on the marble. Mocking her.

Aimee growled and stamped her foot. What was she doingwrong?

“You’re holding your breath,” a voice said from above.

Along the mezzanine, Talya leaned against the carved wooden railing. Still not Cori. Aimee had been looking for days, and maybe,sure, there were echoes—the braid of yellow hair, the clear gray eyes, the dimples when she smiled. But that didn’t make her Cori. Just a paltry facsimile pretending to fit the shape she’d left behind.

Even the way she stood—hips tilted, tunic tucked just so, that easy grin—looked rehearsed. Like she’d studied Cori in still frames and decided to wear her like a costume.

It was rude, quite frankly, dredging up old ghosts. Aimee hated her. And smiled even more brightly because of it.

“Thank you, Talya, but I don’t need your commentary.”

But the bitch went on, “You’re holding your breath like you’re the one about to get hit. Breathe out as you throw. Might help with the… splash radius.”

Aimee flicked stray droplets of water from her jewel-blue tunic. “And here I thought you were off learning time magic. I didn’t realize you’d mastered water magic too. What’s next, earth and fire? Should I start taking notes?”

“It’s not about the element. It’s your stance. It’s throwing everything off.” Talya shrugged, maddeningly casual. “I could help you.”

For a blink, Aimee just stared.

Help. FromTalya.

Why… Why would she offer that? What was her angle? A bit of gracious condescension? A performance of generosity now that she’d gotten the boy, the name, the welcome-back parade?

A little mercy prize, handed out from the high ground.

Aimee laughed, sharp-edged. “Let’s get one thing straight: there’s no world where I willeverneed your help. Unless, of course, I suddenly develop a craving for unsolicited mediocrity.”

Aimee expected her to rise to the bait, but Talya only shrugged. “Suit yourself.” And just like that, she was gone, disappearing back onto the upper floor.

Aimee blinked, thrown when the familiar clash of words fizzled before it even began. Since when did Talya back down from a fight?

She shook herself and turned back to the mirror. Perhaps a year with the Queen had finally knocked her down a peg.Showed her that she wasn’t always the smartest person in the room. Wouldn’t that be a miracle…

She lifted her hands. Drew a breath, preparing to start again.A dot of water formed between her palms, shivering. It felt good. Full of restless potential. All she needed to do now was—

A deafening explosion ofnoisetore through the old audio system, speakers crackling from disuse.

“AHHH!” Aimee wailed, clutching her ears.

The sound swelled, reverberating off the marble and mirrored walls. The chandeliers tinkled.

“Talya!” Aimee screamed, but there was no answer.