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“And don’t forget the frozen meatballs you cooked in the oven.”

I slurped up the noodles, then grabbed a napkin to wipe my face. “While we’re on the topic of magic and such,” I began.

“Uh-oh,” Gram said, setting down her fork.

“What’s the spell for fire again?”

Gram grilled me with her eyes. “Why do you need to know?”

“You know, just in case the vampires that were after Arya come sniffing around here,” I hedged. It wasn’t a total lie. That could totally happen, and unlocking or moving objects wouldn’t really help in that scenario. “They’re sensitive to fire, and I just want to make sure I can protect myself.”

Gram hesitated for a moment, a shadow falling over her face. I hadn’t told her the whole truth about Arya. Nothing about her being a shifter and going to a school for her kind. Just about the vampire attack.

“Kapet-khet,” Gram said finally, and my napkin lit on fire.

I yelped and threw it at my glass of water, and Gram laughed and muttered something else under her breath that extinguished the flame.

“Didn’t I tell you?” Gram asked in a wry tone. “Magic comes with a cost.”

“That’s not exactly fair,” I countered, fighting a giggle. “Youwere the one who used magic, andIhad to pay the cost.”

“Magic doesn’t always work the way you expect it to. That’s why you must have the utmost respect with its usage. I just hope I raised you to be responsible enough not to abuse those powers.”

I spun my fork in the spaghetti, the amusement of the moment waning. I hated that she kept so much from me, hated that she hadn’t eventriedto rebuild what had been lost. But I couldn’t say any of that—at least, not this time. I needed to be on my best behavior if I wanted permission to go to the party.

“How is Arya?” Gram asked.

I swallowed my water down the wrong pipe and ended up coughing on it.

“Good,” I croaked out. One more cough did the job, and I cleared my throat. “Sorry. Yeah, she had to transfer schools since her mom, you know... So I’m not able to see her as much.”

Gram sat back. “Oh, no. Poor girl. I’m sorry, honey. I know you really liked her.”

I half-smiled. “Yeah, but it’s not like she’s disappeared off the face of the planet. She’s actually in Chicago. We’ll keep in touch.” Mostly true. “And actually, there’s this party this weekend, and Arya invited me.”

Gram’s jaw paused mid-chew.

“I don’t know, honey. It’s so soon.” She was referring to the vampire thing. I had a feeling that might be a tough work-around.

“I’ll be extra careful, especially since you taught me the fire spell. And maaaaybe, you could teach me a spell to protect against any otherworldly beings?” I batted my lashes for dramatic effect.

Gram groaned and shook her head. “I don’t know. It’s just—”

“I know,” I said. “The spell is higher-level stuff. But it’s just this one thing. We can practice tonight and all day tomorrow.”

Gram sighed, looking at me. “Fine. You get the hang of that spell, and I’ll let you go to the party.” She held up a finger, and I bit my lip to keep from squealing. “Onlyif you promise me to be home by midnight.”

“Aw, Gram. What am I, Cinderella?”

“Promise me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I promise.”

“Good,” Gram said, a glint in her eye. “Finish up your dinner, and we’ll get started.”

Chapter 16

Arya