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“We should order you a couple sets of uniforms now that you have enough regular clothes. You also need ink and notebooks. We’ll have to come back once you find out what your focal stones are and get those, too.”

“What’re focal stones?” Zaria asked.

“They are crystals and stones which match with your power’s origin and type. They can aid in storing, focusing, and replenishing your magic. The instructors will help you narrow it down once your magic comes out.” Kol’s voice carried a smug tone just for me that made me want to strangle him.

“What is your end game in all of this?” I asked him in his mind, hopping off the wall to let myself free fall most of the way to the ground before my wings snapped out and caught me, softening the landing.

“Do I need one?” Kol asked flippantly. “I wasn’t aware I needed motivation to make friends with someone who will be around for the rest of our lives.”

I scoffed. He knew what I was dealing with. “You know she isn’t going to stay. They’ve brainwashed her beyond belief.”

“She won’t if you keep acting this way.”

“I’m not acting any way. I’m being practical with my expectations. I need my magic, and then she can do what she wants.”

Kol turned again to search for me, but he didn’t find me on the wall. “If that’s what you think, then you’re more stupid than I believed.” He laughed through the bond without showing any outward sign of it to Zaria. “Honestly. you can try telling yourself that if it helps you, but you know damn well it doesn’t work that way. You have to work with her so she wants to stay.”

“Can anyone get over that much brainwashing? She doesn’t know this world, and she won’t ever be comfortable here. Any hope of her being happy was taken from me, so I need to be rational and plan for the worst.”

Kol internally frowned, which was a strange contrast when I could see him smiling and listening to Zaria chat. “This way to the uniform store,” he said to her before replying to me with, “Why wouldn’t you give her a chance to settle in before you write her off, considering what she is to you?”

“Lots of flyers don’t get along with their ryders.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.” Kol’s voice carried disapproval.

“Then, what do you mean, exactly?”

“Don’t act like you can’t feel it,” he scolded. “She needs us, and she needs to learn this is her home. You’re not helping.”

I huffed. “She won’t give me a chance.”

“Maybe if you were nice, she might.”

“So, let me crash your little shopping trip.”

“Only if you’re going to be pleasant,” he warned.

I just scoffed and appeared beside them. “Hello there.”

Zaria jumped and let out a little sound I shouldn’t have liked as much as I did.

Kol shot me a flat look. “Can we help you?”

“I wanted to see how Zaria was getting settled in and take her to the lead mage to get her put into classes, but she wasn’t in her room.” I glanced between them, but Zaria wouldn’t look at me.

“She needed clothes and things before she thinks about any of that. I’m showing her the best shops.”

I didn’t like that he wasn’t giving me an in. We always had each other’s backs, but Kol was playing this one differently.

“I’m sure Kol can introduce me to whoever I need to meet once we are finished,” Zaria said when I didn’t reply.

“See? I can introduce her, so if you’ll excuse us.” Kol held the door open to another tailor.

She slipped through, muttering a thank you.

I flattened myself to the wall outside to listen in, loathing how desperate it made me look.

“You didn’t have to do that. He’s your brother, and I’m just a stranger to you,” Zaria whispered, but with dragon hearing, I could easily hear her.