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“Then teach me spells.” I gripped tightly to his shoulders, desperate, pleading. “I can make a difference. I know I can. I just need your help. Teach me magic.”

“You’re not a weapon for me to use, Red. But if I did as you’re asking me now, I’d be treating you as one. And anything that happened to you would be entirely on me.” He extracted himself from my desperate hold. “Magic takes time, so don’t rush it. That’s what gets people hurt—or, worse yet, killed. Be patient, and before you know it, you’ll be a Knight, going off on Quests of your own, saving the world.”

“If someone told you to be patient and wait, would you listen?” I snapped.

“Probably not.” His laugh was low, dark. Maybe even a little scared. “But I don’t want you to be like me.”

He turned and walked toward the door.

“If you don’t take me with you, I’ll just follow you!” I called out to him.

“I know you’ll try,” he said over his shoulder.

There was a flash of blinding light. And by the time my vision had cleared, Conner was gone.

“This isn’t over,” I muttered. “I am going to figure out who’s targeting Apprentices. And I am going to stop them.”