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“Can I ever visit the other realm?” I asked, a little sleepily.

“I don’t see why not.” He shrugged. “The capitol city is in ruin, it’s been destroyed and deserted since the war. Then there’s Prins, it’s a small city, that’s the best place to go. Best ale you’ll ever have. I’m from Akra where the queen resides, maybe we avoid that city altogether for now.”

“Does she still hate Stormshades?” I asked, closing my eyes.

“Yes, and she’s the most powerful Nightshade I’ve ever seen.”

“I’d love to see one of the cities someday,” I replied wistfully, picturing it behind my closed eyelids.

“Then someday I’ll take you.” Nik had a smile in his voice. The bed moved as he quietly got up and pulled his leather jacket back on, my eyes popping back open.

“Where are you going?” I asked, “I have more questions.”

“I’m sure you do, but for now you need to get some sleep.”

“How do you expect me to sleep after all this?” I waved my hand in the air. “My whole world has been turned upside down in a matter of one day.”

“It’s a lot to take in, but you’ll adjust. You already are, whether you know it or not. When my magic first manifested, I was certainlynotable to close a door on the head of a giant wolf,” he laughed.

“Yeah…that was pretty epic.” I smiled.

“I’ll see you this weekend for magic training, firecracker.” He gave my leg a squeeze before heading towards the window.

“You won’t be in school tomorrow?” I asked. I could hear the disappointment in my own voice and wanted to smack myself. I hoped he hadn’t heard it too.

“No, I’ve got a few things I need to take care of,” he replied. He gently pulled the window open and stepped out onto the roof, turning back to face me.

“Don’t miss me too much.” He winked.

“You are an incorrigible flirt,” I told him, rising from the bed to close the window after him.

“Only for you, firecracker,” he whispered before turning and jumping off the rooftop.

I grabbed the windowsill with a gasp, leaning out to see where he had landed. The yard was dark with only a sliver of moonlight to see by. When I squinted, I could just make out the silhouette of an enormous black wolf retreating into the woods.

Whenmyalarmwentoff on Saturday morning I had already been lying in bed awake. Thoughts of what it would be like to learn more about my magic were swimming through my head.

Friday had slipped by in a blur, and as promised Nik wasn’t in class again. My grades would seriously start slipping if I wasn’t able to regain focus. This entire week I had been distracted. I had barely done any of my homework, and I could feel myself starting to truly fall behind in my studies for the first time.

In third period I had told Tess all about Nik’s late-night visit and how he had snuck through my window. I told her about the witch realm, and how Nik thought that I might be a Stormshade. Tess insisted on coming with us this weekend to train with my magic, but I feared it was too dangerous, having proven I had little control over it. I had promised her that I was all hers Saturday night, I even conceded to checking out Elixir with her for battle of the bands.

I spent the morning ensuring all of my chores were done; my clothes were folded, the bathroom was clean, and all the dishes were done. The last thing I wanted was for my mom to stop me from my weekend plans because there were things she needed me to do around the house. I had told her I was going to Tess’ house for the afternoon, but where Nik and I were truly going remained a mystery to me.

I took an extra-long time getting ready, crafting my curls into perfect ringlets down my back, and even putting on a bit of makeup. Would he be taking me to the mountain landing? It seemed as good a place as any to practice magic, nobody else knew about it besides him and Tess.

As I finished coating my lips in a pink gloss, I heard my phone chime from across the room.

I’m outsidethe text read from an unknown number. I peeled back the bedroom curtain to see a black BMW parked on the street with dark tinted windows, idling at the curb. I hurried to grab my blue velvet coat and scarf. The last thing I needed was for my mom to see the car outside and for my cover to be blown.

I rushed downstairs and sprinted out into the melting snow. The sun was warm in the sky, and I loved the feeling of it against my fair skin. It was a beautiful day, everything covered in a thin layer of the thawing snow.

I opened the car door and hopped in, anxious to put some distance between me and the house. I had texted Tess the plan so that she knew to cover for me if needed. Nik had one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the center console. He was dressed in his usual dark jeans and black leather jacket, but he had added a more weather appropriate pair of winter boots.

“How do you have such a nice car?” I asked, turning towards him.

“Good morning to you too.” He smirked. “I have my ways.”

He shifted the car into gear, and we took off down the street, safely away from the prying eyes of Mom and Jake.