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“Me too.” She tipped her face down and shyly watched her through her lashes. “I find myself unable to think through a single thought without also thinking of you.”

Her words stirred some much-needed assurance. “Really?”

Adriel nodded, her green eyes especially bright in the moonlight. She leaned close and whispered, “I keep replaying the other night in my head, and all I want to do is…”

Juniper’s breath held. “Say it.”

The corner of her mouth twitched into a half smile, and she blushed. “This.” The kiss was so fast it was over before Juniper realized it was happening.

“I wanted to tell you?—"

“Guys, the falls are this way,” Dane called. “What’s taking you so long?”

Springing apart, Adriel rushed after him. Guess they were keeping it a secret then. Juniper didn’t know if that was smart or dumb, but she could figure it out later.

Rushing after them, she navigated the muddy terrain and roots crowding the path, moving fast enough to avoid getting bit by more mosquitos.

It was fall. Shouldn’t those little fuckers be dead by now?

When they reached the foot of the gorges, all other sounds muffled. Mist dampened the air, and the change in altitude messed with her ears.

“Do you feel that?” Adriel grinned.

Juniper nodded and set down her leather backpack. “I definitely feel it.” She pulled the big book out and closed her eyes, taking a moment to ground.

Last night, she’d set all of her tools on the windowsill to charge. This morning, the books vibrated with energy as if not inanimate objects but something secretly alive.

Magick was merely the channeling of life from one source to another. It was all connected. Water and sunlight fed the grass that fed the animals, which then nourished the humans who supplied the immortals. In the end, everything from the earth to the ether was connected. Animals fertilizing the plants and freshened the air, which mixed with the solar system above. It was all magically connected in the cycle of life.

“You ready to do this?” Dane asked, rolling up his sleeves.

It had been his idea to practice on something bigger than pennies, rocks, and tomatoes, so he volunteered himself.

“Perhaps you should start with me, in case anything goes wrong,” Adriel suggested. “No offense, Dane, but I’m less…breakable.”

Dane rolled his eyes. “You’re tiny. She needs to practice on something bigger.”

“Ah, yes.” Adriel rolled her eyes. “You Dane.Dane big and strong.” She thumped a fist on her chest then softened her voice. “Me little female, feeble and weak.”

Juniper laughed. “Adriel has a point, Dane. I could screw up and hurt you.”

“I think I can handle it.” He stretched his legs and arms as if getting ready to run a marathon. “Besides, I fed an hour ago. I feel great.”

Juniper did a double take. When had that happened? And whose blood did he drink? When Adriel flushed, she had her answer.

Juniper scowled, all jovialness leaving her at once. “Well then I guess we’re ready.”

“I really think you should practice on me, first, June?—”

“Dane will be fine. He’s a big, strong boy. I’m sure he can handle a few bruises.” She looked upward at the cliffs. “Are you afraid of heights?”

Dane looked behind him. “I don’t think so.”

“Then up you go.” Extending her arms overhead, she pulled energy from the earth and called it into her body.

Dane’s laughter echoed off the stone walls as he lifted off the ground. The rushing spray of the falls snuffed out the sound.

She lowered her arms, which consequently lowered Dane back to the earth. Silence.